Moa Jamir
Two inglorious political syndromes inflict Naga society, Venüsa Tünyi cohesively articulated in one of his essays in the book ‘Nagas – Essay for Responsible Change.’
The ‘Messiah Syndrome and Mad Dog Syndrome’ – the former a self-belief that that “one is the only person that can save others from their misery” while the latter refers literally to a “mad dog” which needs to be either chained or killed.
While he was speaking in the context of Naga Nationalism, the syndromes affect the Naga society at varying levels; at times, even inversely relevant.
Take the instance of our attitude towards social change and social issues.
In sociology, Social change is described as “the alteration of mechanisms within the social structure, characterized by changes in cultural symbols, rules of behaviour, social organizations, or value systems” (Britannica.com).
In a broader sense, social change is an ever-present phenomenon and characteristics of any human society. Thus, societal norms and usages evolve along tune with the changing times while keeping its essence intact.
But our response to the changing dynamics falls on either of the two syndromes discussed above.
Thus, you either respond with an ‘arbitrary regulation’ with an implicit assumption that whatever you do is right and your articulation is the absolute truth.
At the same time, at the individual level, everyone is a “Messiah.” Consequently, debates involving moral and value judgment both at the societal and individual level is everything but inward looking.
The strategy and mechanism to cope with the challenges confronting the status quo is predominantly influenced by this syndrome.
Conversely, Mad Dog Syndrome guides our collective outlook on social issues surrounding us.
A social issue is an undesirable condition violating the existing norms and values that people believe should be corrected, a deviation from the “ideal” situation.
Thus, either someone is coerced into submissiveness or acceptance or we always find “scapegoat” for our misery or despondency.
We also revert back to the proverbial ‘paradise’ in the past to counter the current predicament.
Regrettably, this is not going to change if our introspection does not light-up at our kitchen hearth.
Devoid of ‘ideal’ condition, often we wait eagerly for an “epiphany” translating into a spontaneous transformation, seldom found in reality.
Incrementalism, a belief in or advocacy of change by degrees- therefore is considered undesirable and we wait for a miracle to sweep away our misery.
Thus, we look at our ‘institution’ as the Messiah to bring about the changes, while ignoring the fact that each individual is intimately connected with the same.
Thus, when the messianic entity shows the signs of fallibility, instead of holding it together, we desert it en masse, without considering the fact that we are responsible for its weaknesses.
Ultimately, it culminates in making moral judgment and actions, often dichotomous and bordering on sheer hypocrisy, double standards, and extreme cynicism.
The dependency on instant gratification and passing responsibility are inhibiting progressive and dynamic advancement of our society.
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