Rejected by Indian freedom fighters, Simon Commission has no binding
Some Naga organisations have tried to revive the old debate. Precisely they are old wounds.
After Statehood since 1963 - the period created meta physical intellectuals and two pacts in 2015 and 2017 after years of negotiations; only people with motivated mindset would revive such debates.
Statehood on Dec 1, 1963 heralded a new chapter in Naga life
The Simon Commission is something of colonial era. Even otherwise, it does not have legal binding. But the Commission was rejected by Indian freedom fighters; so New Delhi can easily tell the metaphysical protagonists (guided and aided by Status Club from Kohima) that there can be no political and constitutional binding to accept Simon Commission by free India.
Ting tong !!
The Simon Commission happened in 1929 in the month of January. So it is 95 years and more.
The days and months ahead may actually show how much slipperier “95 plus" can turn out.
The Simon Commission, set up in 1927 to review India's constitutional reforms, faced widespread controversy and boycott due to its all-British membership. This exclusion of Indian representation was seen as a major insult and a disregard for Indian voices.
The commission's arrival in India was met with protests, strikes, and the famous slogan -- "Simon, go back".
Important to note by the propaganda players that 'Simon, Go back' did not emerge from any Hindutva school. So, quoting unwarranted stuff and giving a Christian-Hindu conflict is also unnecessary and unwise trajectory.
Veteran S C Jamir along with his compatriot-wife
The Indian National Congress, along with other political groups and leaders and even likes of Lala Lajpat Rai and Muhammad Ali Jinnah organized a nationwide boycott of the Simon Commission.
So what is the importance of a panel which was officially boycotted by Indian political parties ?
The admirers of Simon Commission in north east India and especially Nagaland and some adjoining states must realise these now.
And they will have to do so at the earliest.
Students of History should do well to recall that the public outcry against the commission was encapsulated in the popular slogan "Simon, go back," often displayed on black flags during protests.
There is another vital chapter.
The protests were met with police brutality, including lathi charges, resulting in injuries and the tragic death of Lala Lajpat Rai.
So Indian political system will have actual argument that The Simon Commission's report means nothing and at best it should be ignored in free India.
Of course it goes without stating that the 'legacy' is largely defined by the controversy surrounding its composition and the strong Indian nationalist response.
Hokishe Sema with ex- PM Rajiv Gandhi
"Success and failure like heaven and hell have generally been concepts, that have been used to control and frighten people"
---- film 'Heaven is for Real'
The NDPP-BJP could have been the future, but the dispensation believes to thrive in stagnation -- how much rot it could be.
It is scared of changes. And those who fear changes cannot be accepted to do any miracle. Solution to the vexed Naga issue is therefore deliberately kept at a safe distance.
Take the debate further; some Naga organisations could have been that vital catalyst of change. But they do not want to play that role. That's the whole trouble.
The protagonists at play are now sticking in the past. And the past will hardly be reformative and result oriented.
The Naga issue actually needs players and allies who really understand the meaning of the word - Solution. They will also do well to realise that the Solution is linked to 'result oriented' and that may come only by sacrifices.
That the BJP and its alliance partner in Nagaland are reluctant.
Since the first general election in 1964 it is the representatives of Naga people who are running the affairs of the state. One of the remarkable achievements of the NNO was that immediately after the formation of the Govt in 1964; it gave support to the effort of the Nagaland Baptist Church Council to arrange ceasefire.
Accordingly, the Ceasefire was declared on September 6, 1964 and later a Peace Mission was formed and even a foreigner was included.
Actually, this is how the Nagas have come a long way.
I spoke to a veteran Naga leader on the present complexities. He is in semi retired stage and therefore does not want to give any fodder for controversy.
Therefore on the condition of anonymity, he says: "One issue of concern is that some of the recent comments emanating from political debates in Nagaland and outside Nagaland state unmistakably reflect an inadequate knowledge".
He is right to point out that these have often led to avoidable acrimony and give away a distorted picture of Nagas and their historical realities.
Hence, some of the efforts being made by NTC, Naga Hoho and a few others maybe appreciated but it should be urged to ensure that the approaches should be in tune with the contemporary political realities.
I have argued in an earlier piece that 'resentment' to Indian election system was more pointed and aggressive in Jammu and Kashmir.
In Nagaland, the scene has been in total contrast. People in Nagaland by 1970s had even defeated seasoned hand S C Jamir by an idealist politician named A Kevichusa.
So Nagas were voting for so-called Indian elections and doing so rather enthusiastically.
Election time has always turned out to be festive occasions in Nagaland.
It is the power of ballot that has endorsed Indian system and the Statehood agreement of 1960.
Nagas gave protagonists of nationalism. In fact, a number of them like Hokishe Sema and S C Jamir -- the latter is still amongst us.
We may reflect that in sharp contrast Kashmir proved a real challenge to Indian sovereignty. In Nagaland elections were welcomed immediately after 1963 and people voted overwhelmingly choosing their representatives.
This brings us to circa 2025. If today, any pact is signed and the elected members have to pave the way as their role as facilitators is.
The MLAs, ministers and the first among the equals should not press panic button. They may again come back with a renewed mandate from the people.
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| PM Modi : Onus on him to deliver Peace and Solution |
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