Dr. Z. Venuh
The regional party in Nagaland with the cock/rooster as its symbol had for decades symbolized the aspirations and hopes of the Nagas as a people. In traditional Naga perception, the rooster symbolizes many virtues, viz., strength, robustness, courage, alertness, agility, as protective, early-riser, announcing, etc. The picture of the rooster also had a domestic and local look. It was indeed a manifestation of masculinity; of being manly, as keeper and guardian of the house; in broader concept, as guardian and representative of Naga people and their land, of giving a clarion call to the people for understanding, unity and peace in the land. For these same reasons, many of the older generation in the rural areas never even bothered about the political manifesto of the party but placed their unstinted allegiance to the symbolic rooster and not necessarily to the person carrying the banner. This is particularly true in the southern parts of Nagaland.
At a time when Nagas were struggling to survive the onslaughts of the Indian Government to suppress Naga Nationalism and the barbarism of Indian security forces, the cock symbol party took form which had the impression that its political agenda was pro-Naga Nationalist. Besides, the set guiding principles did rhyme with the Naga mind as to who they are, and what they wished to be. This image is clearly underscored in the cock symbol party’s Motto “fide non armis” meaning “by faith, not by arms”, vide Art. 1- Clause-2. of the Constitution(6th Amendment, 2009) of the cock symbol party. Art. 1 Clause 3 declares “As enunciated in its motto, the Party shall be wedded to the principles of non-violence and shall strive for resolution of all conflicts through peaceful means”. Art. II (Party Principles)-(b) goes on to state that the party shall “work for the preservation of traditional values and culture with a view to retain the heritage of our society handed down from our ancestors in which every Naga is responsible for one another”, and (c) “uphold the principles of non-violence and shall strive for resolving of all conflicts through peaceful means”. The pioneering leaders and more so the people who believed in the manifesto hence ordinarily understood the regional party bearing the symbolic rooster to be the principal party that stood for everything that is Naga. In contrast to the above, in the Naga-psyche (apparently not every Naga of course), the Indian National Congress with the raised palm was taken to mean as pro-Indian and hence anti-Naga. Thus, at times, the successive regional political parties bearing the rooster such as the Democratic Party of Nagaland (DPN), United Democratic Front (UDF), Naga National Democratic Party (NNDP), Naga People’s Council (NPC), and the present Naga People’s Front (NPF)even, were able to capitalize on the sentiments and emotional attachment that people had for the cock symbol. The preceding four can in some measure claim to have in one way or the other lived up to the people’s aspirations; in representing and safeguarding the interest of the Nagas. The names of A. Kevichüsa, Vizol, J.B. Jasokie, Vamuzo, etc. are etched into the memory of many as God-fearing and humble, patriotic, and of having worked and represented the desires and aspirations of the Nagas (of course, this does not mean that there is not to be found in other parties leaders possessing political acumen, patriotic feelings to the Naga cause or statesmanship qualities). Sadly though, the same cannot be said of the leaders of the cock symbol party of present times.
Judging by the events leading to the slaughter of two Naga youths and injury to many on that infamous ‘Bloody Tuesday’ the 31st of Jan. 2017(with the death of Tsapise Sangtam, the number has risen to 3, so far), it has to be accepted that the ruling cock-symbol party has miserably failed to live up to its guiding principles. It is crystal clear that current policies and decisions of the government on ULB elections and women reservation are wholly unpopular with the people. On the question of women reservation, it appears that the rooster is truly been hen-pecked. Looking at the daily press-releases by Naga tribal representatives and other civil societies (plus the daily tittle-tattle among friends and family circles), one can hardly argue that the Nagas in general have not disowned the present government and the leadership. It will not be an overstatement to say that the state of Nagaland has become ridden with so much selfishness and corruption. The adage ‘Power Corrupts; Absolute Power Corrupts Absolutely’ can be said to be truly exemplified in the Naga case. Though it would be prudent to bear in mind that in the present context greed is one underlying factor for the opposition-less party (with the exception of N. Thomas Ngullie) in the State Legislative Assembly and that while it is not the first time Nagas have had an opposition-less and corrupt governments, the irresponsible character of the governing entity and corruption in the state has never reached such levels as is seen today. Not only have the leaders at the helm but the rank and file too has become corrupt. Money and public office are bait and which are dangled out freely and shamelessly. Though this has always been so, the difference now is that the greed is unsurpassed to the extent that the leaders are willing to sell-out the inheritance and birthright of the Nagas. A deaf ear is all the people get from their elected representatives. The leaders cower behind trigger-happy police personnel. They have the Indian army as back-up. The protests and demands of people who elected them are declared as illegal and criminal acts. Gaonburas(GBs) who are reservoirs and interpreters of tribal laws and practices are threatened when they have found fault with the government - the list goes on. They are ready “at any cost” to kill and maim in order to serve their selfish ends. The terms dictatorial, tyrannical, egoism, lobbying, nepotism, greed, self-aggrandizement, corruption, intimidation, sell-out, betrayal, etc. come to mind when searching for a description of the present state of things in Nagaland. In the current cock symbol party’s perception, allegiance to the party is paramount and sacrosanct which is above the overall good and welfare of the people(kudos however to N. Thomas Ngullie the lone legislator to stage walk-out, to Dr. Neiphrezo Keditsu for having a moral conscience, and to Besupra Swuro for listening to the voice of the people).
Of all the incongruous acts, the most appalling is that those at the helm of the government who are also professed Christians and for the most part found occupying the frontal pew choose not to live up to their word, given and signed before men and before God (The signatories of the 30th Jan Agreement between the State Government, JCC and the NBCC must certainly have invoked the blessings of God on what may be regarded an inauspicious day for the Christians of Nagaland). Even the sanctity of the presence of God is not spared-there is no fear. Figuratively speaking, it is ironic that even the Governor of the state who is a non-Christian finds it difficult to digest the level of nepotism and corruption in the declared Christian State of Nagaland. Moreover, rumor has it that the party is planning to play the harlot with the ruling political party at the Centre. The writer prays that this is just gossip and nothing more.
As far as the efficacy of symbolism contained in the cock is concerned, the current leadership has made a u-turn. It is the boast of the cock symbol party that “recognition of the will of the people will be the guiding principle in the conduct of the affairs of the party”. Unfortunately however, in terms of living up-to the principles and aims stated in Art. II. 1 & 2 of its Constitution, the current trend is that the values and merits that the cock-symbol party once stood for are compromised for the wrong reasons. If one were on the dais, one would take a deep breadth and solemnly declare “Ladies and Gentlemen, This is Apostasy! In more modest terms, the people carrying the banner have lost touch with the people and the legacy of their forerunners. The rooster instead of playing the protective personality has chosen to strut and flex its muscles and peck at its own chicks. It should be noted that some bad-tempered roosters do peck their own chicks to death; and when this behavior persist, its days are numbered and sooner or later the owner will be roasting it for dinner, and which is to say the electorate owns the party. The question then remains whether the leaders will ever awake from their puffed-up egos and abuse of unlimited power, and will the rooster/cock symbol ever regain the respect and loyalty that it once commanded? - Maybe, or maybe-not. This author fervently wishes for the former-if not for the person behind it, but for the sake of the rooster.
