"Many RSS leaders are now money-rich and also time-rich" ::::: Lal Darwaja ... location Ahmedabad ::: Discussions over 'late night chai' .... "A combination of many factors work in favour of image building for 'the Modi Model'

My trip to Gujarat last week - as usual with most travels - offered some fascinating experience. 

I got a chance meeting with few individuals who were closely associated with the Ayodhya Movement. Further interestingly, a few among them also were in Gujarat - (socially active) - during post-Godhra mayhem of 2002.

Hence both the subjects came up for discussions and at times led us to argument while trying for a deeper analyses. One gentleman a Muslim elderly from Saurashtra region kicked off the debate in a specific manner when he referred to the Liberhan Commission report - and it would be absurd to believe even for a moment that Atal Bihari Vajpayee L K Advani and Dr Murli Manohor Joshi did not know the designs of Sangh Parivar that the Masjid would be brought down in December 1992. 

In terms of a late night interaction over 'chai' near Ahmedabad's busy Lal Darwaja point - it was a perfect setting for a debate.  

L K Advani with her protege Uma Bharti 

I liked the mood and the spirit of the discussions.  Most of them I was interacting were elders - some in their seventies. I saw it as a golden opportunity. Afterall, 'elders' are repositories of wisdom and memory. 

I sheepishly mentioned that even the Supreme Court of 2019 - had said that bringing down the Babri Masjid was illegal. But the apex court on September 29th, 2020 - acquitted  L K Advani and 31 others. 

There were other voices. 

One fact that was generally agreed was that of the 49 people charged initially - 17 had died while the case was under way. 

The Supreme Court said there was insufficient evidence to prove the demolition had been planned. The Hindu case always has been that the Masjid was built over the birthplace of their deity Lord Ram. Hindu hardliners called it 'vivadid Dhancha- disputed structure'. 

In 2019, the five-member Bench of the Supreme Court headed by CJI, Ranjan Gogoi gave Muslims another plot of land in Ayodhya on which to construct a mosque. On Aug 5, 2020, Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone for the Ram temple at the site.

This was  a core promise made by the BJP and it certainly marked hugely symbolic moment for the strident Hindutva-oriented nationalist base. 

“At the heart of the Constitution is a commitment to equality upheld and enforced by the rule of law. Under our Constitution, citizens of all faiths, beliefs and creeds seeking divine provenance are both subject to the law and equality before the law," the Googi-led Bench had said on Nov 9, 2019. 

In between - one participant at our debate (in Ahmedabad) spoke about "longer lives" and retirement age. Of course, he referred to PM Narendra Modi's 75-plus factor too. But he spoke little deeper about a serious matter. "If we have a longer life, the modern society has to change too. The so-called retirement age we built up by the age of 60 must also change. The society has to create opportunities for reskilling an individual. He or she has the right to live and be active professionally. Look at actress Neena Gupta, she found second wind in her career only after 60". 

This was a large subject in itself and I promise to get back on these in details.

A Bengali Hindu in our group then said - "By 2020 after verdict acquitting L K Advani and others it became clear that the political parties such as Trinamool will have to change their stance vis-a-vis Hindu population. I thought Mamata would face a tough election in 2021 itself but her Waterloo came only in 2026".  He was obviously talking about the ultimate downfall of TMC chief after a long  stint of of success.

"Historically, Indian society has always valued pluralism. But under UPA-2 there was a sustained campaign by both sides - the Congress and the BJP. The unleashing of Saffron Terror by Home Minister Sushilkumar Shinde and others ultimately backfired and now Hindus are going to tolerate Narendra Modi even at the cost of Notebandi or other failures," said another participant trying to explain the rationale behind the rise of Hindutva politics.

I chipped in and remarked - almost quoting my 2018 book 'Godhra - Journey of a Prime Minister' --- that the mandate of 2014 i favour of Modi somehow had "less to do with the Hindutva agenda" than the issue of corruption.

There was a general agreement. A few participants also maintained the last 12 years there was no major economic scandal and credit for this has to go the Prime Minister.

But some of them also argued that a large number of Sadhus are always deployed in BJP's electioneering starting from 2014 and even in states like Uttar Pradesh in 2017 and 2022. 

One of them said-  "There is another reason ... many so-called Sadhus or even hardliner campaigners among RSS leaders are now money-rich and also time-rich". 

On this; one gentleman - a retired banker - said : "I too attended PM Modi's addresses in Dubai. There is a sort of craze and Indian diaspora think their prestige in a foreign land has gone up in the last 12 years due to multiple reasons". 

Another businessman - who travels to China and the Gulf - endorsed the view saying -  

"The quality of democracy has improved. More the Congress leaders and others attack Narendra Modi on every issue under the sky; the Indian diaspora feels India is growing more tolerant. At times, the political parties like the Congress has dragged Modi's mother in their campaign; these only help BJP get the sympathy of a marginalised support base".  

A retired academician said -  

"A combination of many factors work in favour of image building for 'the Modi Model'. It is an extension of what was earlier sold as the Gujarat Model. 

The combination of popular elections, BJP's win, institutionalised countervailing powers and power-sharing creates that advantage". 

One of us asked the professor to elaborate on the phrase 'countervailing powers' and his response was - "I am talking about a political force or strength that offsets and balances another dominant power to prevent control over things".  

The debate went on further. 

I may bring them suitably on some other occasion. 

Back in my hotel room; I tried to fall asleep. 

I recalled having lost my mother within 36 hours of the Ayodhya verdict in 2019.

My mom Minati Deb breathed her last at around 2.30 am on November 11. We were shattered. Those were extremely emotional moment. My father was sleeping in one room. We had kept a large garlanded photograph of my mom.  In dim light, I stood folded hands in front of my mom’s photo. 

I stood silently with moist eyes. I watched on as if her lips moved and she was speaking. ‘Why you are awake so late?’ --- as if she quizzed her ‘boro chheley eldest son)’.

My flirtation with ‘writing’ and journalism never excited both my parents at initial years.  But that night – I felt her voice was not familiar. This sparked an excitement.

An ardent admirer of Bengali fiction; decades back Maa had told me that stories are ‘best’ when writers pen them with ‘tears’ in their eyes so that the stings of these works would be felt. 

Come to think of it -- Ayodhya movement is linked to many people's deaths and so-called 'sacrifices'. 

I was soon lost in another world. 

ends 

“The courts are involved, so nobody can give you a time frame" - India's envoy Dinesh Trivedi on extradition request for ex Bangladesh PM Hasina

 Bangladesh is not only a key neighbour of India. It is a democracy despite challenges.  

But more importantly perhaps; Bangladesh sits on the Bay of Bengal and plays an important role in the physical and economic connections between Southeast Asian countries and South Asia. India also gives much importance to the Bay of Bengal.  

India has increasingly looked to BIMSTEC as a viable alternative to SAARC. 

Its closer cooperation with Bay of Bengal countries follows the vision of regional integration and strategic autonomy. Development of the Northeast is an essential part of this Act East policy. 

It is well known, the ousted Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina, 79, has been living in India (possibly near Delhi in a high security areas) since fleeing Dhaka on August 5, 2024. 

India has maintained that Bangladesh’s extradition request - even fresh ones - are being examined under established legal procedures. 

Speaking at the Bay of Bengal Conversation 2026 in Dhaka, India's envoy Dinesh Trivedi said a legal process concerning her extradition was underway.  But he could give no timeline.

His remarks came amid Bangladesh’s renewed extradition demand and discussions over Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s proposed visit to New Delhi.  

On her extradition, Trivedi said: “The courts are involved, so nobody can give you a time frame.”  

He also said Sheikh Hasina arrived aboard a Bangladeshi military aircraft without prior arrangements by India. She was not brought by the Indian Air Force or Army, he said.

“We had hardly any choice on that. It was our duty as a neighbour to accept the reality of life, because situations are such where, at times, you’re not prepared for it,” he said, questioning what alternative India had when Hasina’s aircraft sought permission to land.  

The Bay of Bengal’s growing strategic significance is crucial.

For India, the Bay is central to its maritime security and its wider Indian Ocean strategy.  But it goes without stating that any viable architecture in the Bay must find scopes for concerns of Bangladesh, Myanmar, Sri Lanka and Thailand.

This makes China's role important as it has good and smooth relations with several South Asian and South East Asian countries. 

India has over the years strengthened coastal surveillance and naval capabilities. It gives importance to regional cooperation and also maritime connectivity.

The 'geography' certainly gives India an important role in shaping developments in the Bay of Bengal.  

The Bay has been a natural sphere of influence for New Delhi to handle security doctrines. The Bay of Bengal is surrounded by India’s eastern coastline and it links the Indian Ocean to the Strait of Malacca, one of the world’s most sensitive chokepoints. 

The Bay serves as the maritime boundary of India’s Andaman and Nicobar Islands. 

The islands have strategic military infrastructures.  

Blogger in Dhaka : 2017 

Bangladesh PM Tarique Rahman’s proposed visit to New Delhi is ye yt to be finalised.

India extended a bilateral invitation in February and invited him to the BRICS Summit last month. Rahman - under pressure or otherwise - declined the BRICS outreach invitation.

Moroever, Hasina’s virtual press interaction in New Delhi on August 5 (2026) added to the tension.

Bangladesh said the presser was unwarranted as it had “vitiated” the atmosphere for Rahman’s visit. 

New Delhi said it had no role in the event and did not endorse her remarks against the Bangladesh government. In the press conference, Hasina and her son Joy used strong words against the incumbent government in Dhaka.    

During UPA dispensation, the then PM Dr Manmohan Singh had said, “.... at least 25 percent of the population of Bangladesh swears by the Jamiat-ul-Islami and they are very anti-Indian".  

On Aug 5, 2026, the Big Picture message of Sheikh Hasina's virtual presser was what her son Sajeeb Wazed Joy said - "Bangladesh is new Pakistan". 

Protest against Terror : 2016 - A Different era under Hasina 

ends 

"Five more spare tyre" for Neiphiu Rio ::: I don’t have a crystal ball, but Mokokchung district legislator may not get ticket for sure !!! ::::: "Failure to comprehend failures is a sin" ... BJP has walked that path in Nagaland ::: More 'mergers' ... Dr Sukhato was too keen

Some years back, the American spy masters CIA had failed to prevent the Vajpayee government from conducting the nuke tests.

Western analysts later lamented - the test revealed a failure of espionage, a failure to even read photographs and a failure to comprehend failures. 

In 2026, New Delhi should not go into such a lazy mode where there is a metronomic swing from hope to disappointment. The failure to comprehend failures is a sin. The Naga peace talks has gone for a toss. In fact, the factual analysis is - it is more of a joke now. 

And more of license for extortion !!

2014 : When Modi met Obama : Was also serious about Naga talks 

It is time the centre should seek a detailed report from Governor Nand Kishore Yadav and also from various agencies.

BJP national president's two men handling Nagaland and North East may also be asked :  "How is Neiphiu Rio's hospitality".

In 2024 - Rio played up a joke - "political negotiator or interlocutor". This has not materialised yet. 

In February 2026, A K Mishra was replaced by Ajit Lal as new 'advisor' north east. First assignment for Lal was to talk to tribal groups in Manipur. The Hebron camp was silent. After seven months - post S C Jamir's "Mohan Bhagwat bomb" -- a nervous 'pro-Kohima-Hebron' has welcomed the new interlocutor Lal.

As if that's a prize and first step to getting Flag and Constitution.

Hebron's "unofficial emissary from Kohima" was told by Amit Shah in Nov 2024 -- do not blame 'messengers' or negotiators - R N Ravi or A K Mishra. 

Now Lal -- is only an advisor, North East, having replaced Mishra. Nothing more, nothing less. 

Otherwise; what is being claimed -- is a case of deliberate falsehood propaganda. 

2021 : Govt of India campaign at a Tourism Fest in Khajuraho - about 75 years of  India's journey alongside Nagas 

Communists including Chinese believe - if you tell a lie 100 times; it becomes a truth. 

Neiphiu Rio and Rahul Gandhi  - guided by 'ivory tower and zero-base advisors' - easily buy such a theory. Both are smart. In Punjab, Rahul Gandhi was affectionately called 'pappu'. Nagas and Angamis can think of a favourable word for their wiseman. 

As an old friend - I call Rio --- "my favourite chief minister". 

As for Rio and his NPF party deliberations; let's sum up -- 'Mocambo khush hua' is more than a mere metaphor.

You like it or not. There is a scene in the film 'Mr India'. The bad man's sycophants jump into acid full tank by screaming 'Hail Mocambo'.

In the film, replacements of sycophants were easy. In political sense, Rio has "added spare tyres".

The imaginative ministry expansion never happened. It remains 'the illusion' as Hindu prophets often used to propound: "Every thing is maya (illusion)". 

Even those two NPF legislators - who worked hard to ensure NDPP's merger with NPF --- must have pinned hopes becoming ministers. Poor voters of Phek. 

In another case - Rio has been blessed with a sound-box or a parrot. All that's happening around S C Jamir's name and age is not coincidental. 

Everyone is interested about 2028 ticket.  

Smart Netas; talk smartly. Oversmarts have their style.  

But often the smartness ends. The buffoonery replaces the normal wisecracks. If someone argues - former NSF leaders often talk like that. I won't agree. 

I have seen two former NSF Presidents very closely. Shikiho Sema and R. Paphino - one joined Congress and the other one was NPC MLA. 

But they always spoke like gentleman. Once Vamuzo said - "We have forgotten and forgiven Shikiho's goondaism". 

This was in reference to the then Lok Sabha MP Shikiho's unruly behavior at the Telegram office in Kohima. I reported the statement. 

Obviously, Shikiho was angry. He told me : "Tell chief minister I was trying to send an important official message to Delhi. This was not my love letter". 

And we laughed.

Paphino was once upset when I reported quoting Meghalaya Chief Minister B B Lyngdoh that he was "surprised and not happy" as to why Nagaland CM Vamuzo was giving so much importance to students on matters related to retirement age of state Govt employees.

But he had his style: "Why of everything you have to travel to Shillong and interview B B Lyngdoh on NSF demands".  

I said - "B B Lyngdoh raised the subject himself and said he was angry with his regionalist friend Vamuzo".  

Paphino's response was : "My friends are right, never trust a Bengali journalist and a regional party politician".  

And here too -- we had a good laughter. 

The moot point is if someone had to criticise S C Jamir - he could have easily do so by maintaining some decorum. 

This is one side of the story. And on the other front; in 2024 a Nagaland Minister had said - 

"New interlocutor means ... a strong leader to be an interlocutor so as as to provide a stronger platform for early Solution".

Hence, the wise team's inference was a prizewinning theory - Amit Shah is not strong enough.

In Kerala, people are joking - who is more 'smart' - father - A K Antony -- who has rubber plants. Others say - No; it is his son Anil, who is BJP in-charge of Nagaland. 

Blogger still feels Namo has his formula for every puzzle 

ends   

Politics of Imaginary Stories :::: The downfall of India's Leader of the Opposition ... the 56-year-youngman called Rahul Gandhi

It's more than just a lie or a joke.

It's more serious. It betrays the 'nervousness' of a man - who knows he has lost 100 elections and always blamed everyone else other than himself. His list of mistakes and falsehood work very well for Narendra Modi.

His latest claim is that in a closed-door meeting, PM Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah told him, "When we (BJP leaders) go, you (Rahul) will come".

This is not just a claim.

Media is again deliberately or otherwise not discussing the main issue. And's Rahul's nervousness.

He is now apprehensive that slowly his MPs and CWC members and even other opposition parties are going to 'question' his claim to be the Leader of the Opposition - both within parliament and outside to take on the powerful Modi-Shah juggernaut. The Team BJP is certainly a massive, unstoppable force that could crush or destroy every other leaders or parties in its path. 

Hence - he has come out with this new claim. The BJP leaders have not commented much because none would expect Modi and Shah telling him something like that. In the past too, Rahul has misquoted people whom he met. He did so with the ailing Manohar Parrikar, the former Defence Minister, on Rafale. 

On the same issue; he even misquoted French President Emmanuel Macron.

In Lok Sabha during 'no trust' motion debate, Rahul had claimed that Macron had told him that there was no ‘secrecy’ clause in the Rafale deal preventing India from revealing the price of the fighter jets and other details.

“The French president told me that there is no pact with India,” Rahul said on the floor of the Lok Sabha. 

Dr Manmohan Singh and Rahul Gandhi had met with Macron in March 2018 during the latter’s visit to India.

The Congress, which was responsible for the delay in purchase of the fighter jets from France, had slammed the Modi government over the deal.  

PM Modi and Macron 

Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and later even Finance Minister Aru Jaitley refused to disclose the price of the fighter jets, citing a secrecy pact with France and a threat to national security. 

After Rahul flagged the issue on July 20, 2018, during the debate in Lok Sabha; France’s Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs issued a statement denying Rahul's claim. The French Govt had pointed out that a 2008 security agreement legally binds both India and France to protect classified information affecting national security and operational capabilities.

The French statement confirmed that these secrecy provisions apply directly to the September 23, 2016 Intergovernmental Agreement for 36 Rafale fighter jets. In a prior interview, Macron noted that the deal contained sensitive business and commercial information that could not be shared with competitors.  

In January 2019, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi claimed during a public event that ailing Goa Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar (a former Defence Minister) had told him he was kept in the dark and had no role in the renegotiated Rafale fighter jet deal.  

Rahul Gandhi had made a five-minute courtesy call to visit the ailing Manohar Parrikar, who was battling a serious pancreatic condition, in Panaji, Goa.

Parrikar quickly wrote a letter to the Congress leader stating that neither Rafale nor politics was discussed during their brief 5-minute interaction, 

There have been several other occasions when Rahul's big claims were denied, rejected or countered strongly. 

Rahul's list of claims and allegations - And denial:

During a public address, Rahul Gandhi alleged that the Statue of Unity (the Sardar Patel statue in Gujarat) was "Made in China".

--- Larsen & Toubro (L&T), the primary engineering firm that built the monument, and Govt officials clarified that the entire statue was built in India. They stated that only the exterior bronze cladding/plates were sourced from China, which accounted for less than 9% of the project's total value.  

On Rafale yet again; the Supreme Court dismissed petitions seeking a court-monitored probe into the Rafale deal in late 2018, noting no evidence of commercial favorability in the decision-making process. 

The Election Commission of India rejected the allegations of systemic fraud in polls, and critics note that the Congress party never substantiated the claims with 'formal legal appeals' or concrete evidence in several contested instances.  

The most sensational charge he made was that 80 duplicate voters were listed at a single address in Mahadevapura. 

Local Booth Level Officer (BLO) Muniratna clarified that this house, located in Muni Reddy Garden, has been a rental property for years. 

Migrant workers, security guards, house helps, food delivery boys, used their tenancy agreements to register for voter IDs. 

During a Vote Adhikar programme in Nawada in Bihar in 2025, Rahul presented a man named Subodh Kumar, claiming his name had been arbitrarily removed from the voter list.  

Kumar was a a Booth Level Agent (BLA) of RJD and EC confirmed that his name was never part of the voter list.

ends 

New Delhi has evolved .... Today's Delhi is also Modi's Central Vista ::: But Viksit Dilli must breathe better, live healthier

New Delhi has evolved from ancient regional settlements into the imperial colonial capital designed by Edwin Lutyens and Herbert Baker, and finally into the sprawling metropolitan political heart of Bharat. 

Today's Delhi is also Narendra Modi's Central Vista. It is reflection of a broad vision -- 

Stronger India, Smarter Administration, Seamless Governance 

Let us not forget; --- Currently 781 (MPs - 543 Lok Sabha and 238 in Upper House, Rajya Sabha) representatives sit in Parliament.

But this data is based on the 1971 census when India’s population was a just 580 million (58 crore), -- meaning a single MP looks after an average of 2.5 million people. 

This will be up sooner than later.

ONOE is linked to this and so is the pending Delimilation Bills. 

In the words of Delhi Lt Governor, Taranjit Singh Sandhu :

"Few cities possess a legacy as rich as Delhi’s. Its forts, monuments, stepwells, archaeological remains and historic precincts tell the story of the many eras that shaped the city. 

"As Delhi modernises, protecting this inheritance becomes more important, not less. But conservation cannot mean freezing historic buildings and neighbourhoods in time: 

Heritage must remain a living part of the city, connected to the lives and aspirations of its people."   

"If the old Parliament House gave direction to post-independence India, the new building would become a witness to the creation of - AatmaNirbhar Bharat." -- PM Modi   Following India’s independence, a series of Central Secretariat buildings including Udyog Bhawan, Nirman Bhawan, Shastri Bhawan, Rail Bhawan, and Krishi Bhawan were built between 1956 and 1968. These structures were developed to meet the growing need for office space to accommodate the expanding functions of Central Government ministries.

Central Vista Avenue stretches across the iconic Kartavya Path and the lush lawns surrounding India Gate. 

The renaming of Rajpath to Kartavya Path marks a meaningful transition - from a symbol of authority to a walkway that celebrates the people’s role in shaping the nation. It reflects shared responsibility and democratic pride.

Great cities are defined not only by the infrastructure they build, but by what they preserve, restore and pass on. Delhi is uniquely endowed in both respects. 

The Yamuna and its floodplains, the Ridge, urban forests and biodiversity parks form the city’s ecological foundation; its monuments, historic precincts and archaeological sites carry centuries of history and culture.  

The Master Plan for Delhi (MPD) 2047 has been crafted taking all subject matters into consideration. 

Delhi has to keep in tune with the great march towards Viksit Bharat, 2047. It must demonstrate how a growing metropolis can combine development with environmental restoration and heritage conservation.   

The MPD-2047 envisages an interconnected Green-Blue network integrating the Yamuna, the Ridge, forests, biodiversity parks, water bodies, drains and neighbourhood parks into a unified ecological system.  The plan also places the Yamuna at the centre of Delhi’s ecological regeneration, with nearly 1,700 hectares of floodplain proposed to be protected, conserved and ecologically restored.  

No vision for Delhi’s future is complete without the Yamuna. For centuries this river has shaped the city’s history and civilisation.

But rapid urbanisation has placed unprecedented stress.  

MPD-2047

• Aims to build roughly 4 million (40 lakh) new housing units through greenfield land pooling and brownfield redevelopment to support an expected population of 3.2 crore by 2047.

Retains a 60:40 split, where a maximum of 60% of pooled land goes back to landowners for development and 40% is surrendered to the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) for city-level infrastructure.

Encourages high-density mixed-use development near mass-transit corridors with base FAR (Floor Area Ratio) starting at 400.

• Ease of Doing Business: 

Removes multiple mandatory No Objection Certificates (NOCs) from bodies like the Delhi Pollution Control Committee and Delhi Jal Board for standard building permits.  

From Kartavya Path to Parliament to the Vice President’s Enclave, the Central Vista is reshaping how India’s governance institutions are planned and designed bringing them in line with contemporary architectural benchmarks.

Delhi will also have to rebuild its relationship with the river. 

A proposed 52-kilometre cycling corridor, alongside walking trails, public greens and managed recreational spaces, will reconnect citizens with the waterfront, turning restored stretches into vibrant community assets while safeguarding their ecological integrity. 

A rejuvenated Yamuna can be both an ecological lifeline and a defining public space.  

There will be also a need to tackle pollution at source.

Hence, drains flowing into the river will be intercepted and treated through upgraded sewage treatment infrastructure, constructed wetlands and bioremediation, restoring its ecological health and natural floodplain functions.  

The focus should be on  --  Urban forests, biodiversity parks and ecological corridors.

Stress must be laid on parks and water bodies -- to complete a citywide framework for cleaner air and cooler neighbourhoods.  

The objective is more trees.

But at the same time -- healthier ecosystems capable of supporting local biodiversity and strengthening the capital’s long-term environmental balance.  

Delhi Lt Governor is right when he says:  "Delhi must prove that development and conservation are complementary, not conflicting. 

"A Viksit Dilli must do more than grow. It must breathe better, live healthier".

ends 

"Whether Nagas from other States have any business castigating Jamir" ..... :::::: "That a 95-year-old S C Jamir still shakes political firmament of Nagaland speaks a lot ....," writes noted columnist and ex Editor Monalisa Changkija

"Like it or not, S C Jamir’s indelible imprint on Nagaland’s political history cannot be wished away. 

Posterity will decide on his role because his contributions to the State of Nagaland ~ both positive and negative ~ have shaped this State’s political history," says columnist Monalisa Changkija.  

In a mild manner - the no non-sense columnist (who came up the ladder working hard starting as a reporter with now defunct 'Nagaland Times' and often facing all kinds of challenges and hurdles) -   raises a few valid questions which many Nagas simply whisper. 

"Whether anyone needs to be “authorized” or “mandated” to speak on the Naga issue has also come into focus, as also who decides on who has the “authority”/“mandate” and what are the qualifying decision-making powers and who gave them those powers," comes the candid para. 

If one takes liberty of interpreting the words between the lines - she has made a veiled attack on NSCN-IM (Hebron) - the alleged 'self-style moral guardian' of Kohima club and self-styled only champion of the Naga cause. 

It is altogether a different matter the ceasefire heralded in 1997 opened up avenues for extortion and creation of multiple factions in Nagaland - making Dimapur a hub for those lawbreakers. It is also in public debate on what are the circumstances those influenced election results since 2003 in the state in favour of one particular individual or party.

The same people used to accuse S C Jamir of nexus with another militant group. 

There is no full scale debate yet on why and how 'day dreams' are being sold as Mirage.  Which Prime Minister of India or which Govt in Delhi could hand over a separate Constitution and Flag? 

Why the Hebron bosses and the likes of Raising (who questions S C Jamir) has not said much against Kohima protagonist Neiphiu Rio on the gross governance-failure in letting 'eastern Nagas' slip out of hand into a separate administrative unit for development and local governance.  

Imagine S C Jamir was the incumbent chief minister and the FNTA is created - what would have the likes of Raising and the ecosystem of Hebron camp including Global and Local players, meta physical Forums would have done by now.

Let this be a subject just for academic exercise in the context of future.

Moreover, in 2026 - we faced another fact sheet - the "split" in the NSCN-IM itself and the creation of a so called 'provincial Govt' under Eastern Flank faction. 

The sacred cow lost its holiness and a Chief Minister in office misled people on the Independence Day. 

 

In her latest piece, former Editor of popular daily 'The Nagaland Page' -- also highlights some of the paradoxes in contemporary Naga politics. 

On Sept 10 meeting between S C Jamir and RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat, she says:

"Another aspect of the aftermath of the Jamir-Bhagwat meet ~ vis-à-vis Jamir’s right to speak on the Naga political issue ~ that is being publicly underscored is whether Naga from other States have any business casting and castigating Jamir (or any Naga of Nagaland) as the villain of the State’s political history. 

The debate goes on."  

Monalisa says: "What is interesting is that Jamir’s antagonists have reacted more to him and his narratives than ignoring him and recreating newer and saleable narratives ~ this is interesting if he is inconsequential to Nagaland’s political history. This speaks a lot about Jamir, as a person and as a former politician." 

No Non Sense columnist - Ms Monalisa 

"That a 95-year-old former politician still shakes the political firmament of Nagaland also speaks a lot about his antagonists. This “old man”, who is retired and holds no office but raises the heckles of so many people including the party in power in Nagaland".  

Daughter of a former IAS officer and also an Ao tribal as Jamir --- Monalisa also points out :

"Jamir never fails to evoke passion one way or the other. Otherwise why would the apex bodies of his tribe and village, student and youth organizations of his tribe and so many others of all tribes stand by him and respect him and his opinions, even if they may not always agree with him?"  

She also points out :

"The news of Jamir meeting Bhagwat created ripples in Nagaland. NSCN (IM) Collective Leadership member Rh Raising said that Dr. Jamir does not represent the Naga cause. 

He (Raising) is quoted to have said: “He (Jamir) is not the advocate of the Naga people. We know from the very beginning”, adding ---

“He (Jamir) is out and out an Indian and he speaks Indian polity…he doesn’t have any right to talk on the issue of the Nagas.” 

(Morung Express, September 17, 2026). 

The September 17 issue of Nagaland Post reported: 

“NSCN (IM) on Wednesday (September 16, 2026) questioned the authority of former Nagaland Chief Minister Dr S C Jamir to speak on the Naga political issue, asserting that he was neither authorized nor mandated to represent the Naga people in the ongoing negotiations”. 

NPF Secretary General Achumbemo Kikon described Jamir as “an old man in a hurry”

Eastern Flank leaders 

Even New Delhi mandarins feel the 'debate' must lead to a logical conclusion. Ms Monalisa is not mentioning it. But there should be a debate on "ingratitude" of a leader who is facilitated by New Delhi for visit to a native village ends up attacking the same Govt of India. 

Nagaland's  "longest serving Chief Minister" did not open his mouth.

Ends 

"The silence of institutions on Mokokchung hooch tragedy that ought to thunder in moral courage is deafening" - says Eastern Flank of NSCN-IM ::: EF may want to "display collusion" and "inaction" by Nagaland state Govt and Hebron camp

Fishing in troubled waters is often a good strategy for insurgents.

In quite an unexpected line, the NSCN-IM (Eastern Flank) has called for effective implementation of the Nagaland Liquor Total Prohibition law in the state and said the recent hooch tragedy in Mokokchung "demand justice" and adequate "actions". 

"The death demand justice. The living demands action. Let us not fail them both," it said in a statement. 

The provincial government of the splinter group - which is lately often seen embarrassing the Hebron leadership - also directed its ire against the state government headed by chief minister Neiphiu Rio. 

It said the "blind eye" turned by the Nagaland Govt on the tragedy "will not be acceptable". 

"A body vested with such authority and power; if it takes no action must itself be held questionable. Indifference at such a moment is not neutrality, it is complicity," the statement runs. The Eastern Flank also says: 

"This tragedy did not emerge from nothing. It was seeded, nurtured and allowed to flourish in the shadows of our own law. Certain elements, acting with cold intent have weaponised the Nagaland Liquor Total Prohibition Act of 1989 - a law born of our collective moral conviction". 

It said the law has been turned into "an instrument of quiet slaughter. Through adulterated and spurious liquor, they are killing our people silently day by day in our towns and villages. This is not accident. This is design".   

The statement needs threadbare scrutiny and analysts in Delhi and northeast have "reported back" to the central government that the "EF will be making efforts to capitalise on the hooch tragedy to corner its rivals and detractors". However, there is a word of caution that in the initial period - the ultra faction 

"may undertake some controlled actions against illicit liquor cartel and individuals".  

In the late 1980s and 1990 - in neighbouring Assam - the ULFA too experimented this route and created an image of new Robinhood in the rural parts of the state.   

The EF may want to "display collusion" and resultant "inaction" by the state government authorities and the NSCN-IM (Hebron). 

It is understood that key political elements are in the liquor business in Nagaland operating even in parts of Assam. It is allegedly run in a syndicate form.  On this context comes the statement which also says: 

"The silence of institutions that ought to thunder in moral courage is deafening".  

Almost opening a new strategic approach for 'deeper penetration' in the state -- the group said: "The Nagaland Baptist Church Council -which had wholly advocated for prohibition must not remain silent while our people perish.  

"We do not condemn the NBCC - we call upon it to awaken. Likewise, the Naga civil society cannot remain idle. If prohibition is to be truly enforced, we must stand together as one people, one voice and one conscience". 

The refrain amongst some agencies is that in days and weeks to come, the Eastern Flank (at present operating mostly from Myanmar hideout) may also utilise social media to display alleged "nexus and business interests plus corruption" between state administration players and some key elements in the Hebron camp. 

In other words - the apprehension is that the influential religious bodies in local levels and also at the macro level and some civil society organisations may be candidly used for bringing the Eastern Flank into limelight.    

At least 19 people have died in two suspected spurious-liquor incidents in Nagaland September with methanol detected in liquor samples linked to the earlier deaths in Tuensang and eight people later expired in a separate cluster in Mokokchung.  

'Eastern Mirror' newspaper reported that in Mokokchung, six of the eight deaths were in Mangkolemba sub-division and two from the Mokokchung Police Station-II area.

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