Wake up my Naga brothers and sisters. We have all heard and seen the ongoing unrest in our state. All has come to the surface. The time for leaving things as it is, is over. Enough is Enough.
This 33% seat reservation for women has really shaken Nagaland. As part of India, Nagaland too is a democratic state. No voice is uniform. It should be taken into account that the vast majority of the Nagas support the Reservation Policy, so please call off the bandh for the larger interest of the people. Apex bodies are against the government of the day, so a common man like me, against all odds, seeks justice and peace through this write up to state that “Not All Nagas Accept Your Firm Decision On The Bandh And Your Demand For The C.M. of Nagaland T.R. Zeliang To Step Down From His Office.”
As per a statement written in a local daily dated 13th February 2017, a few section of Nagas feel that they are second to none and do not need women reservation policy because they are equally treated, it’s up to their own mindset. No doubt Naga women are treated well, but the majority of free willed Nagas like me accept the 33% reservation because of the sole reason that we want to encourage our women to participate in higher decision making bodies and even reach the Nagaland Legislative Assembly and Central Politics. Call it whatever you deem fit, because I believe that capable Naga women can reach great heights in their careers because of many prominent able Naga lady figures in our Naga society who have surpassed Naga men in their work of service which benefits the Nagas in general and are role models for our younger generation. What is wrong in wanting good for the society? Based on such ideology, wouldn’t it be also right to sum it up to say then to take away the ST quota and all such provisions beneficial to the Nagas that fall under the Reservation Policies in the Constitution since Nagas think we are second to none and compete in the competitive examinations in the General Category? But I, along with many other Nagas do believe Nagas need Reservation Policies to help us grow better. So please refrain from such since it portrays that you represent the mindset of the whole Nagas. A reminder to all to think twice before making statements because that small statement says a lot since it is in the spotlight and can trigger anything in a wrong direction.
On Moral Values Eh? If you ask the CM to step down on moral values due to the sad tragedy, how is it justifiable? You instigated the youths, oh! shouldn’t you of all, be taken into custody for not being able to control and contain a peaceful protest that wasn’t even necessary at all in the first place? And by your views on moral grounds, with my rational layman mind, I believe it’s rather for you to step down from your designated posts because your doings have brought upon many untold sufferings to the Nagas by and large due to the bandh. Under your guidance and leadership, 3 lives have been lost because you were unable to control the crowd, properties lost/vandalized both public and private, emergency commuters manhandled by volunteers under your leadership, the Naga Public in a sorry state. Do you all think that by imposing bandh, you are morally right by threatening the Naga populace to remain indoors to be safe? The bandh has now witnessed that it is becoming unsafe for Young Naga girls as well, who have to walk alone for long distances for the exams, eyebrows to be raised upon. There’s no guarantee for their safety when you are incapable of controlling your own called upon volunteers, the crowds etc. If you can’t conduct a peaceful silent protest without affecting others, don’t conduct it at all and please don’t be a nuisance in the Naga society. “The Nagas are not puppets or toys to be played with.” ‘Don’t Apologize to the Nagas Anymore for the inconvenience caused due to the bandh: simply Call Off the bandh.’
Oh the volunteers! Sad to know many Nagas are forced upon to come out and stand/sit under the sun to enforce the bandh. Sadder is the part where the Nagas succumbed to the pressures of the so called various organizations after all the issues had been brought forward and made clear in the newspapers. Saddest will be when the entire Naga populace grow weary of the Apex Bodies because of taking the Nagas for a ride for the sake of a few section of egocentric Nagas, and ask the government to disband all such organizations for the larger interest of the Naga population which once stood for Truth and Justice and to safeguard the Rights of the Nagas. What an irony. If it really is the people’s voice of Nagaland, I believe there shouldn’t be a need for forceful recruitment of volunteers. I believe we Nagas know what will be the best for us. Isn’t this dictatorial?
Please! Don’t play with the life of our young Nagas. How do you think they will appear their exams well with all the tension around right from morning facing the volunteers’ ugly angry faces? Oh! What a trauma. Will you take the fall for them if they fail? Because I for one, as well as many Nagas I believe, wouldn’t hold the government responsible for this. They have done their part. You are calling the bandh, not the government.
We all know that the Tourism Industry is doing pretty well with the inflow of tourist in larger volumes. With this bandh, what are we to gain? There are many potential hotspots for eco tourism in Nagaland. Many young Naga entrepreneurs have ambitions and visions that can benefit the state through tourism. If we Nagas are to allow unnecessary bandhs, how are we to let our state develop to its full potential? Tourist flow will start to decline, and if it hits rock bottom, recovery for tourist inflow in the state will be very difficult. Think, my Nagas, because many of our Nagas are into business. Don’t spoil their livelihood.
I, as a 21st generation Naga, believe that our education should be put to the test now. I appeal to all my Naga brothers and sisters to know what is right and wrong and not follow the mass with no knowledge. A good portion of my life have I spent on education. This education has given me wisdom and courage to stand for my rights.
I appeal to all the leaders and members of JCC and NTAC and all the other organizations that are imposing bandh in some parts of Nagaland. Please Stop It! Please Call Off The Bandh! ‘Take your matters to the Court of Law if you have Respect for the Constitution of India and a believer of good democracy.’
Kedi A Concerned Naga citizen Dimapur
