As in any states of the country under the umbrella of India, Nagaland is also given equal rights to practice clean and fair election and vote for one's individual choice. But how far is it true? How reliable is it in Nagaland? Is very much the need of the hour to be analyzed?
Nagaland political system may be as confusing as it seems, to understand. For many years, the so called freedom fighters or insurgents has always been a part of this side of the country. We have seen politics in Nagaland getting murkier over the years.
Almost every vote in Nagaland is bought by money. This practice is developing faster and Materialism has gripped us on hold. It is also the Election system in Nagaland which has contributed to this gun culture, money power and also the free distribution of alcohol, freebies and the rampant practice of immorality during elections. Our society had put up the issue of alcoholism; this culture of elections in Nagaland has destroyed many young people’s lives. It is the elections in Nagaland that has corrupted the people especially the growing youth by setting examples and creating greed corruption and a society without conscience. Many people are more interested in dirty politics than of seeking and paving way to their future. Their focus on education has lost and seems to be more motivation in involving in elections campaigns. We are losing a generation through politics. Politics is meant to build master minds not destroy and corrupt people’s minds. But the easy money has pampered many people.
Unfortunately the people are not willing to publicly condemn this. Nagas are democratic people, but this Indian electoral system is divisive and has corrupted Nagaland. We have become spendthrift, living beyond one’s income. People nowadays are fond of keeping side pocket, and election is one of the good options.
Another issue is created by the political groups who in many places use their gun power to control the election process in the favour of the candidates who have paid them the highest.
In such a scenario who is to be blamed after the election for all the corruption that is involved in the state of Nagaland... is it the people, the politicians, or the Political groups...?
The candidates’ pours in money beyond compare to the size of the population of the state. Thus, after they come to power all they want is to recover the money spent to come to power. Majority of Naga educated youths do not want to go out for competitive exams but only depend on ruling candidates to fulfill their promises made during election. It has become a culture of give and take policy. The Political Groups on the other hand as an open secret will always follow the party that pays them the highest as today. Political Party just stand to take money away from the Nagas who only pays to them not because of their actions but because of the respect to the cause "Naga Political Struggle"...
The people of Nagaland with much diversity has become a background with music of complains with no action. So much money misused prior to election in total by all people and to stand and act clean, is a guilty conscious all should have. How far can Nagas truly unite in practicality becomes a serious concern because of so many different tribes and the existence of 'isms'. Nagas are blinded by wealth with their involvement to corruption and destruction.
To this entire situation the political leaders as always takes all the advantages possible to have their way going. The blame game in Nagaland politics is the daily bread of the people with none to take the blame and none at fault. The churches itself has failed to produce radical Christians who are serious enough to think for their future generations.
We do not give time to ponder upon because we have become selfish within ourselves. Success is equivalent to the amount of cars and houses you built. Our status in the society has become more important. Officials are regarded like Gods’, bribery is a trend, and so the rich are getting richer and the poor are getting poorer. It is high time for us to check where we are today and what needs to be done for our future.
Venus Kikon. Asst. Prof. (Dept. of Sociology) St. Joseph’s College, Jakhama.
