DIMAPUR, MAY 25 (MExN): The Naga Rising (TNR) today has urged the Government of India not to treat the Naga issue as a cultural issue of the Naga political groups as cultural bodies.
“The Naga position or status is ‘political’ in nature and should not be compared to an NGO or registered society. If the Government of India accepts this fundamental truth, it will help to better appreciate a solution based on honouring the historical, territorial and political rights of the Nagas,” a press release from TNR stated.
TNR stated that as per reports, the Government of India offered a “cultural flag” to the Nagas. “It is imperative to have clarity on whether the Naga issue is political or cultural as the right solution can only come about based on the understanding of this question,” it stated.
It noted that the Indo-Naga peace process has survived the “pulls and pressures of Indian politics.” “It has seen continuity of several Prime Ministers and governments in Delhi,” TNR said, while affirming that this “broad and sustained support towards the Naga peace process should not be undermined at this crucial juncture.”
On the other hand, it called upon the Naga people to also respect the constitutional constraints, political intricacy and strategic concerns of Delhi.
“Taking into account ‘contemporary realities’, a rational approach should be adopted to arrive at a conclusion. It is not impossible to find a solution, but for this, both sides should deeply reflect on the benefits each gets in return from the peace deal,” it stated.
Objective should be agreement not victory
TNR affirmed that the objective of the present Indo-Naga peace process should be an “agreement, not victory.” “If Nagas have got some of the things they wanted from India, what can Nagas offer India in return? Similarly, what can India offer to the Nagas, if the latter has agreed to forgo some of its core demands including complete sovereignty and physical integration?” TNR questioned.
It said that in a successful negotiation, both sides should emerge with a sense of content, otherwise the outcome would not be acceptable to one side or the other, leading to more conflict and uncertainty.
Naga aspiration can coexist within larger Indian union
TNR meanwhile said that apparently, the delay in arriving at a solution is over “symbolic issues that are sensitive to the Nagas.” It stated that a flag and constitution for the Nagas need not necessarily be seen as out of sync with the concept and practice of Indian Federalism. “Naga aspiration can co-exist within the larger Indian union,” it said.
Indian political leadership, it noted, has been aware that ‘a unique’, ‘out-of-the-box’ solution and ‘some special arrangement’ would have to be made for the Nagas. Further, it pointed out that the report of the All-Party Parliamentary Standing Committee on Home Affairs 2019 certified the case of the Nagas. It recommended that the Government of India “should tread carefully on the issues sensitive to the Nagas and not let vested interests hijack the peace narrative”.
TNR said that the political will of the Prime Minister and based on the political formulation advanced by the Indian Parliament, a solution to the Naga issue can be concluded.
“We are confident that the resilience and strength of Indian Federalism and the Constitution will be able to demonstrate both ingenuity and innovation in addressing the special unique case of the Nagas,” it hoped.
