Fr. Dr. Abraham Lotha interacting with scholars during the seminar organised by Naga Scholars Association on “Rethinking Naga Nationalism” at the School of International Studies, JNU, New Delhi on June 14.
Scholars urged to contribute towards better understanding and explanation of the Naga society and the dynamics of the movement
Dimapur, June 18 (MExN): Naga Scholars Association (NSA) organized a seminar on “Rethinking Naga Nationalism” with Fr. Dr. Abraham Lotha as the speaker at the School of International Studies, JNU, New Delhi on June 14.
NSA President, Dr. R. Vashum and General Secretary, Poujenlung Gonmei in a press note stated that about hundred people including Naga scholars and non-Naga scholars from JNU, Delhi University and Jamia Millia Islamia congregated to discourse on one of the longest-running national movements and armed-conflicts in South Asia.
The Naga Movement essentially from the ideational point - its origin, internal perspectives, ongoing Naga peace-process and the general sense of loss of direction in the Naga movement were discussed. Dr. Abraham noted that Naga national movement after so much of sacrifices and painstaking efforts is not progressive today and is caught up in a critical juncture largely because of the lack of intellectual content. Dr. Abraham noted that except for few Naga leaders most of the leaders are either ‘activist’ or ‘theological’ leaders. He underlined the need for Naga Movement to have strong intellectual content. He also raised a relevant question as to where the Naga intellectuals are gone when their roles are most needed. According to Dr. Abraham Naga nationalism lacks transparency and space for the public especially for the intellectuals to participate in the nation-making process.
The speaker also noted with concern that today many Naga scholars do not undertake serious research and are more focused on getting the degree as a result new ideas or solution oriented studies are not produced but are more or less reproduction of existing knowledge. He urged the scholars to contribute towards better understanding and explanation of the Naga society and the dynamics of the movement.
The presentation was followed by a lively interactive session with participants raising questions ranging from the external structural constraints Naga Nationalism faced to the inter-tribal contests for resources and space in Naga society.
Dr. Zuchamo Yanthan delivered the welcome note and Dr. R. Vashum chaired the seminar. The chairperson in the vote of thanks thanked the speaker for sharing his insightful ideas and the congregation for coming to attend the NSA seminar series and assured that the NSA would continue to organize such discourse on Naga Nationalism.
