(Can Nagaland Chief Minister say something dramatic and drastic in his Independence Day speech on Aug 15th, Friday)
Politicians - like journalists - have to focus on what is fresh and new.
But Naga issue is quite old problem and the stalemate it reached in October 2019 is also not 'fresh'.
Then comes a 'refreshing' statement from Naga Hoho President Sulanthung Lotha. In a way he has taken the risk of annoying some powerful elements in the Status Quo club -- but as politics is also about fulfilling people's aspirations - the soft-spoken Sulanthung has taken everyone by surprise and sought to fulfill common people's aspirations.
Till the morning of Aug 14th (2025) if people asked - Who's Sulanthung Lotha?
Some replies would have included -- a former MLA first elected on the ticket of Democratic Labour Party (DLP) founded by idealist politician Chalie Kevichusa.
But he also gave up all that and did business with Congress when deputy Speaker's election was done in 1993 to felicitate the victory of H Chuba Chang and defeating NPC candidate Shurhiu.
Blogger and Sulanthung - 'Naga Hoho office'
However, by Aug 14 evening probably all that changed. Firstly, not many would ask who he is !!
And the response this time could be - "He is a brave gutsy Lotha ... in recent times".
"Dangor katha koisey toh !!"
His statement was not something earth-shaking. But this is what happens when a candid speech is delivered.
"Naga political solution cannot be realized through mere rhetoric or stubborn lofty ideals but can be made possible only through pragmatic approach considering the contemporary political realities and future of Naga society.
Therefore, at this crucial juncture of our struggle, Nagas must unite ....".
The power of the speech has drawn reactions. Some elements are shocked and annoyed and the other side is applauding the manner a normal Indian would these days applaud any anti-America (or ant-Trump) narratives.
Worse a section of people have already vowed to ignore and downplay Sulanthung's statement. This actually sums up the power of the remarks !
The key to much awaited Solution to the Naga problem is the will.
The personal and political will to cross the base line, and to get ready to make some small or big sacrifices if necessary.
The statement from the Naga Hoho president and the timing of it and the grand occasion has done either of the two things or partly the both !
He has given some elbow rooms to Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio to change his course of actions !
Or the second one -- Sulanthing has able to create a pressure on Rio. Because the central government may soon come out and tell him --
"If a mere Hoho president can say what he has; why should our own Chief Minister supported by 12 BJP legislators cannot say those words".
It's not our case that the Chief Minister never tried to say something in as many words.
The year 2025 - means we are now in the middle of the crucial 'third decade' of the Digital century.
This revolution of tech memories is irreversible.
This calls for moving forward.
On Feb 16, 2022 while campaigning for NPF candidates in Senapati district for Manipur state assembly polls - he had said:
"Whatever agreed, sign the Agreement. And whatever cannot be resolved continue discussions".
 |
| Blogger at Kohima |
In an unambiguous statement - that was seen as aimed towards NSCN (IM) leadership, Rio had maintained that the Naga Movement is not a "failure" and it has already achieved "partial success".
"I see no reason why there cannot be a settlement...Whatever competencies agreed, make the agreement. And whatever cannot be resolved continue the discussions," Rio stated. (Feb 2022)
"We want peace, we want settlement...and that voice should come from the public, particularly the youth," Rio had said.
The people are clamouring for peace and said they want "opportunities" for the younger generation to come. "The Naga struggle, I will say, is not a total failure," Nagaland Chief Minister Rio had said hinting towards a somewhat antagonistic stand taken by the rebel group National Socialist Council of Nagaland - NSCN (IM).
This rebel group led by Thuingaleng Muivah raising the bogey of separate Constitution and Naga Flag in the peace talks and stalled things since 2019.
The other groups under conglomeration NNPG led by N Kitovi Zhimomi and another group led by Neakpao Konyak are said to be too keen to sign the peace pact.
The Modi government is also keen to make the right progress and has till date given enough space and time to the NDPP-BJP regime to act in tune with the Government's policy to bring in the Solution at the earliest.
There is a major hurdle in recent efforts when NSCN-IM chairman Q Tuccu has declined to cooperate or coordinate with the NNPG.
The NNPG led by N Kitovi Zhimomi has issued a strong statement against NSCN-IM on vexed issues such as the future of Intangki reserve forest and helping the cause of Nagas of Manipur.
There is also a tone of lament from another NNPG faction. That actually sums up the sad irony of the Naga movement in circa 2025.
This is the story -- 10 years after Framework Agreement of 2015 and eight years after the Agreed Position of 2017.
"Self-righteousness, pride, arrogance and greed has blinded and shortened our vision spiritually, politically and ideologically as people and community," says a statement signed by veteran Neakpao Konyak, P Tikhak Naga, Alezo Venuh, Wangtin Naga, Puthai Lam, Isak Sumi, Shehoto L Yesca, Kiviho Zhimo, Kihoto Chophi and K Kamson.
ends
No comments:
Post a Comment