The 39th Republic Day speech of Gen. (Retd) Kholi, Vice President, Government of the People’s Republic of Nagalim
Praise the Lord! Praise the Lord! Praise the Lord! I give thanks to the Almighty God who has brought me this far to stand before my people on this historic Naga Republic Day. I am deeply indebted to all who have firmly stood the ground in all times of trials and ordeals. The future of the Nagas is alive on account of you all.
I pay homage to the departed brothers and sisters martyred for the cause. They are the worthy sons and daughters of the land, who indeed have paid the price in full. We admit the fact that ours is one of the longest national resistance movements in the world history. It is a case of aggression by India and that the Nagas are the aggrieved. However, from the very beginning the Naga people have been looking for a negotiated settlement of the Indo-Naga political problem. Our past leaders met Mahatma Gandhi, the father of the Indian nation, for solving the problem through dialogue. It is so because the Nagas trust in a democratic principle of settlement of dispute through mutual consent and agreement, and that they are opposed to imposition of India’s will upon them, because imposition of one’s will upon the other has never ever solved problems anywhere in history, it only aggravates them.
The Nagas are definitely for a kind of agreement that is rooted in the principle of mutual respect and recognition of sovereign rights and territories. Above all, a solution that protects and guarantees their future. History says no genuine and lasting solutions to any political problems have ever been brought by military might.
All enduring solutions to the problems are arrived at only through bilateral dialogue and mutual agreements.
It is a fact that the Nagas are a brave people who can outmaneuver and outfight the enemies in military battles as proven in many battles we have fought and encountered. The stronger we have been oppressed and persecuted, the more resilient we have been in our resistance. We have endured the aggression of the enemies with clear conviction and firm determination. The undaunted fighting spirit of the Nagas is admired by many peoples, even by the enemies. And after decades of military campaigns against the Nagas, the Indian army generals and political leaders finally stated, “Military solution is not possible.”
The Indian leaders though admitting the fact that they could never kill or subdue us with bullets have never stopped working to look for our Achilles heel. And so, they have changed their strategy from military approach to that of business oriented approach. Sadly, many of our Naga brothers could not stand before the enemies’ beguiled quantum of money and tinsel positions. Thus, some of our leaders who were dealing with the issue and our future exchanged like the ‘bird for a termite.’ So, we must be well-equipped to understand our strong points and weak point as well.
We know we are a sovereign people by right, but knowing or shouting alone is not enough, it needs political articulation for recognition. We may say ‘urra uvei’ (our land belongs to us), but that is not enough, it needs strategies to gain recognition.
Indeed, we should be grateful to our gracious Lord for He has been with us in the fighting front, in the diplomatic front and in the negotiating front from the very beginning. He has never ever forsaken the Nagas at any point of time. The Lord has been faithful to His word even when the Nagas deserted him betraying the cause. Had it not been for His saving grace, we might have been crushed by our enemies. Had it not been for His boundless love GoI and NSCN would have encountered difficulties coming together in a cordial mood in signing the historic ‘Framework Agreement.’
The Framework Agreement is the foundation of a new relationship between the two entities. It is a bridge that connects the two peoples. It will help dispel the doubts and fears nourished in the hearts of the two peoples against each other bundling up for decades. It will protect the future of the Nagas and guarantee the security of India.
Betrayal to it will be an irreparable loss for both the parties. Our military strength alone will not safeguard our future; our political wisdom and understanding alone will not guarantee our future; our inherent right alone will not protect our future. We must fight with the invincible Spirit of the Lord; we must speak with the Spirit of the Lord; we must go with the Spirit of the Lord. Let us give thanks to the Lord and praise Him without ceasing for all the good works He has done for us. Let us renew our vows and reaffirm our decision and strive along. The long-cherished goal is now within our grasp. KUKNALIM!
