The people of the Nagas, upto date, have been sacrificing all precious time, energy, material, intellect and most importantly, life for the Just Cause of the Nagas. Our Just Cause is focused towards liberation from oppression and injustice, striving to result peace and justice. We give our hearts, our souls, our minds and our strengths, in short, our whole beings for this Just Cause. Hence, our dedications and sacrifices are highly appreciated and honored. Nevertheless, there are means we have taken still need to be scrutinized and revolutionized. Besides, better and more means need to be accumulated and adopted for this very Just Cause. Because our cause is a Just Cause under the banner of Christ, the means we take must also be just.
The recently held election in Manipur culminated just a few days ago. Since, NPF has been introduced in Manipur, Nagas, in particular committedly endeavored to uphold the NPF. All Organizations, Hohos, Councils and Communities made a very contributory involvement in upholding the NPF. Therefore, they are fabulously attributed with honor and appreciation. However, there are some things we have failed to do and some things we have overdone, probably out of ignorance. Because we are under the banner of Christ to materialize peace and justice, we must also in intensity, act in peace and justice for the favorable and timely outcome that we have been struggling for. Let me speak here from Christian perspective.
Nero was the Fifth Roman Emperor and was initially ruling well. However, as time passed by, he scandalized public opinion at Rome by murdering his mother, his wife and other possible competents for the throne. Nero was the Caesar to whom Paul appealed for justice (Acts 25: 10) and whose God-given authority he had carefully supported (Rom. 13:1-7). In contrast, Nero was finally seen as a tyrant. Finally, fearing assassination, he committed suicide. Today, we do not murder our competents physically as did Nero, but it is observed that we do it by threat and intimidation. For peace and justice cannot be begotten by threat and intimidation (Sermon on the Mount, Mtt. 5-7), we cannot reckon we are for peace and justice even when we are on the opposite. Jesus did bring peace and justice only by means of peace and justice. Even as He did, His principles and precepts are peace and justice. Peace and justice or the so-called freedom of the Nagas can be brought about only by means of just and peaceful acts. Acts of injustice cannot beget justice, oppression cannot beget liberation and peace must be sought by peaceful means.
Everyone knows how Joseph was elevated to become Prime Minister directly from prison. How could one possibly imagine that a prisoner would directly become Prime Minister without interval? We grasp how Joseph miraculously became the Prime Minister from being a prisoner. He was not seduced. He was unstained. He was undefiled. In our case, we are seduced with money, stained with invalid votes and defiled with liquor before, in the course of and after the election. It is not right to be certain we are soaring high to become good MLAs and good Naga citizens. Consider, it is better to be in prison like Joseph than become seduced, stained and defiled leaders and citizens of the Nagas. Our competents or enemies may act such wickedness, but to bring peace and justice for our people in our land, it is better to maintain sanity and dignity of a Christian and remain in prison, waiting for the time that God may rightly appoint. There is no point of having faith in Christian God without knowing that our impossibility is a possibility for God (unauthentic or invalid votes not necessary, money to buy voters not necessary). God can establish His reign and His kingdom through His just people. This must be the base of Christian faith.
It is wrong for good Christians who do not give their vote to the right candidates, because they are to govern the people, mandated by God (Rom. 13:1-7). It is, thus, necessary for good Christians to wholeheartedly participate in electing good leaders. In contrast, there were people who selfishly voted for a few thousands of money they have received or to be received. There were also people whose rights were denied by compulsion. Both selfish aim and denial of rights are unjust for it is a denial of common good. Special consideration must be must in this regard if we were for peace and justice.
Christian leaders, such as theologians, pastors, other Church workers actively participated in this election in Manipur. They fulfilled their duties as Christian leaders. Therefore, they are greatly ascribed with much reverence and respect. Nevertheless, it is observed that they became one-sided, entirely absorbed in politics and put underneath their religion. May or may not be that religion and politics are compatible as understood by people of different standpoints, Christians are Christians. Christian leaders involved in campaign, prayer, fasting etc. but they have failed terribly to correct and teach. In very many ways, their ways of involvements are not appreciable. If the truth cannot be exemplified from the Church and from them, from where and from whom will it be exemplified in such situation? Rather, they themselves were seen committing invalid voting, which in turn turned to be an urge to other ignorants to do the same and even more. Politics and the people are being misled Christian leaders. What is not genuine cannot beget what is genuine. The flow continues- only truth can beget truth and only authenticity can beget authenticity. Furthermore, prayer cannot be made in the same room where wine is kept. A wine house is different from a prayer house. There cannot be a single door of the candidates for both prayer and wine. Christian leaders failed to correct and teach these concerned things. It is, thus, not certain what was our motivation and what was our goal of involving in politics. When wrong begets wrong, there comes disaster.
Being Christians, every candidate must have sought for God. Be they NPF or Congress or whatever candidates, they must have been prayed for. In accordance with their own understanding, everyone must have prayed and voted for their own candidates. The reign and sovereignty belong to God. May God establish His Kingdom and rule His Kingdom. Past is past and gone is gone. Yet, before it is too late, we must strive to discern God’s way, seeking His forgiveness, His grace and His blessing so that we may live right and do better in upcoming existence. Since, our cause is a Just Cause, let us obtain our aspiration by just means under the banner of Christ and shatter all evil strategies.
Adakho Lokho Mao
Contact: adakholmao23@yahoo.com
