‘For decades, Naga citizens have quietly endured extortion of national workers, but we have been denied the Naga solution. For how long will the Naga citizens be kept in the dark?’
- Ao Students' Conference
(It also said - it supports the statements of the Central Nagaland Tribes Council that it is high time for Nagas of Nagaland to be ‘relieved off the burden of Naga political movement’ and allow Nagas of Nagaland to progress at par with other states.)
Testing patience may not be wise, time for 'pragmatic solution'
"Nagas will remember Modi's statesmanship" - Muivah in 2015
New Delhi
Various versions keep coming on the roadmap to Solution to the Naga political challenge.
Some are to be believed, others ought to be taken with a pinch of salt. In these columns one had cautioned NPF leader Kuzholuzo Azo Nienu that his on-record statement on Flag and Naga Constitution and the strong line 'Give it or Take it' was not advisable.
The NSCN (IM) has once again raised their concern on Flag. Will the Core Committee still meet NSCN (IM) leaders ?
Now, will the ceasefire be abrogated? Testing patience from either side may not be a wise thing.
All eyes are now on May 31 meet. Public pressure could still work !
My point has been that if anyone has to talk on behalf of the Core Committee headed by Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio, it has to be the elected Chief Minister himself.
The sensitivity ought to be respected. The NSCN (IM) has once more rejected the argument or suggestion that the Naga flag could be allowed for 'cultural activities'. The NSCN (IM) through an edit in its mouthpiece has even stated that - "...every good thing gained during the 25 years of Indo-Naga political talks is facing the risk of going down the drain".
On May 26, 2022, 'Nagaland Page' carried the piece 'Solution - Hold on ! It may be too early in the day'.
This was not just being skeptical. The intent of the piece was to suggest the stakeholders and parties such as the NPF - oldest regional party and committed to work for peace - handle things a little more sensitively.
Do not miss the point that the people of Nagaland, various pressure groups and players such as an umbrella body, NNPG, and the Government of India by now understand that there are elements whoprefer 'status quo'.
What for ? Some guesses could be made easily, but it should be kept in mind that the incumbent Prime Minister in Delhi - that is Narendra Modi - does not have the image of a 'weak or indecisive leadership'.
If important stakeholders in the peace process go by what is dished out in a section of English media and websites and some 'nothing doing' TV channels; the move is certainly on an erroneous path.
One need not fear anybody as long as India is a democracy and there are fantastic arrangements of checks and balances under the Constitution of India. But the same checks and balances are also the 'handicap'. Even if the government of the day agrees decided something specific, each Agreement or Accord has to get Parliamentary nod and also the scrutiny of the Supreme Court!
The President of India has the power and responsibility to declare and dismiss any government 'null and void'if it crosses the boundary lines of Constitutional realms.
Modi's critics often say he is poised to remake India into a Russian-style “managed democracy”— one operating as a de facto autocracy but retaining the trappings of democracy.
About the well known Modi critics that is the Congress party, BJP leader Sudhanshu Trivedi said on Friday (May 27) - "If one cannot see this, it is the fault of the eyes, not the sight. They (Congress) are progressively moving towards a stage where their relevance and necessity are completely lost".
Nagas do not like comparison with any other community and state. But at times we need these for
academic interest. Human evolution is such that today Punjabisand Bengalis are scattered group(s) in different states and countries. Assam too almost went toPakistan kitty.
On the global stage we have South Africa, Australia and many more. The emotional integration is still sought after by a few. Talk to former Lahore citizens settled inSouth Delhi and Bengalis of CR Park and parts of Silchar in Assam and in Tripura - every human heart cries. But the reality is bitter.
Once upon a time even a 'greater Bengal' was supposed to have been a mission of bodies like Amra Bangali; but all are now lost with or without Chinese (read communists backing). People might have become more pragmatic.
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There is yet another side. The Modi government's track record is unlike the ones under 'weak or weakest of Prime Ministers such as H D Deve Gowda, I K Gujral and Manmohan Singh. Even Atal Bihari Vajpayee was a well known moderate.
There is a 'hardliner' dispensation now.
PM Modi and his handpicked Home Minister Amit Shah have taken an 'extreme step' and revoked the autonomous status of Jammu and Kashmir, the only province in India that has a majority of Muslims.
The intention here is not to raise a false alarm. That is totally uncalled for. But Nagaland and Naga inhabited areas have seen enough troubles in the last seven decades and not to talk of the last 27 years. And if today the NSCN (IM) says things may go 'down the drain', it is worrisome and sad.
Importantly, the NSCN (IM) edit also says - “Today, NSCN is watching how the same Prime Minister of India is going to handle the Framework Agreement with NSCN and Naga people that he himself took so much pride and credit".
These may be caustic words, but shows they still have some confidence in the office of the Prime Minister and may be on the man (Modi) too.
One recalls - rather fondly - Muivah's statement of Aug 3, 2015 - "Under PM Modi, we have come close to understand each other and worked out a new relation between the two parties. Nagas will forever remember you for your statesmanship".
There is peace even in the storm, said noted Dutch painter and scholar Vincent van Gogh.
ends
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