Dimapur, December 28 (MExN): Paying tribute to the late Archbishop Desmond Tutu, who died on December 26, the Forum for Naga Reconciliation (FNR) today called for “acknowledging our weakness in order to give reconciliation a chance.”
The human rights activist Tutu would be forever remembered as “one who belonged to all people, races, and creeds,” and a grand testament to the world and the Naga people, the Forum stated in its tribute on Tuesday.
The FNR quoted a portion of Archbishop Tutu’s December 2009 letter to the FNR addressing the ongoing Naga Reconciliation process which said: “Choosing the path of reconciliation demonstrates maturity and respect of human dignity. It is when we dehumanize others that we invariably dehumanize ourselves…It is this recognition that gives me hope that as you embark on your journey, you will find healing and the courage to face the shadows that have stalked your people for a long time…I wish you success in your deliberations and pray that God grants you wisdom and protection during this important phase of your struggle.”
Stating that the Nagas, and particularly the Naga Political Groups (NPGs), remain grateful to Archbishop Tutu, the FNR called on the people to “steadfastly and sincerely ‘face the shadows’ that continue to appear in front of us.”
“Nagas and the Government of India should consciously accept the pain and sorrow of this time and move towards authentic justice, healing and reconciliation. This is our existential and long-term hope for a misunderstood, divided, and forged history of humanity and nations,” the statement read.
In remembrance of Archbishop Tutu, let us begin by acknowledging our weakness in order to give reconciliation a chance and by embracing Reinhold Niebuhr’s critical observation that, “It is always wise to seek the truth in our opponent's error, and the error in our truth,” it added.
