Khekiye K. Sema IAS (Rtd), Kohima
Fellow Nagas, are we missing the point? We have two so-called 'towering' personalities representing us with questionable academic records: one claiming to be a graduate when he perhaps is not; the other claiming BA degree with 'Honours' that he did not acquire; No prize for guessing who they are.
Oxford Dictionary literally defines the word "affidavit" as a 'written statement confirmed under oath, for use as evidence in court'. False claim on oath is therefore liable for prosecution under Law. It necessarily means that a contesting candidate is expected to file a truthful affidavit for State or Lok Sabha Election maintaining utmost care to ensure that honesty and integrity is reflected, capable of withstanding any public scrutiny. It gains all the more significance for those aspiring for public office as it represents the ethical and moral standard of that individual in public life as a starter, as much as it also reflects the moral standard of the Nagas by virtue of us accepting them as our leaders despite them representing us on falsified credentials. When they can cheat on a simple matter of their educational qualification, God only knows what else are fictitiously recorded in their so-called affidavit especially in the sphere of their personal assets beyond their legitimately known source of income. In essence it is the moral values of the Nagas being put on trial as to whether or not to accept or tolerate flagrant falsehood in public life.
The important point being missed in this specific case is that no matter what certificate was issued by the Principal of Kohima College, it was still incumbent upon Mr. Neiphiu Rio refraining from using false certificate while filing his affidavit knowing well that he had not taken the Honours course... he was the student who undertook the course not Dr. Watijungshi. He should not quietly shift the onus of this responsibility to the Principal of the College. The least that Mr.NR can therefore do is to forthrightly own up to this falsehood and set the credibility record straight in the eyes of the people. After all, on ground reality, it is not very much the academic qualification alone that makes an individual worthy or unworthy of leadership. There are hordes of other positive human qualities such as forthrightness, honesty, a good christianly conscience and compassion as part of human experiences and more that make up the package for good leadership even in the absence of a graduation certificate with or without honours degree. Having the courage to own up for negligent commission and saying sorry for it is also a laudable virtue even if one has to face the consequence for one's action in the end. Today we are rightly questioning the professional credibility of the Dr. Watijungshi, Principal of Kohima College for issuing false degree certificate. Rendering a public apology after being caught in the act does not absolve him from wrongful action for which he must be held accountable. While not casting aspiration on the Principal Kohima College directly in this case, it is a common knowledge in general that issuing of false academic certificate is a commercial venture being practiced by many in line of authority. From the news hitting the local dailies it appears that Government of Nagaland has expanded its operational fashion of commercial certification even into 'birth certificates' for those living beyond our State boundary... soon 'death certificate' will also be in style for commerce. It is imperative that such despicable practice should be put to a halt once for all by taking exemplary action. Similarly, demanding the highest standard of honesty and integrity in public life should be insisted upon as the hallmark of the Naga society through strict accountability.
Perhaps the Nagas need to think seriously and adopt some of the positive aspects of the ongoing public scrutiny that the respective Democrat and Republican US Presidential Candidates are going through in their separate election primaries. There is no better time to start this process of innovative thinking than now to set the stage before the next round of election in Nagaland and make collective effort to reduce the 'vote buying' and 'vote selling' mechanism from operating so fluently as is the case presently. Our Church leaders too need to wake up and take an honourable lead in this awareness campaign. Given the present scenario, our cats and dogs and rats can well win an election if they have the money. Merit must be given due honourable place both in governance and in our society if we hope to go forward. While the past proud head-hunting and now 'money-hunting' warriors of Nagaland may not believe, it is against the mechanical law of nature to attempt going forward engaged on a reverse gear. It is precisely what the Nagas have been trying to do all these years. We need a change of gear to go forward. We desperately need Lok Ayukta to be set up in Nagaland as recommended by the HPC headed by Rtd. Supreme Court Justice H.K. Sema. We need to issue Inner Line Pass (ILP) to Mr. Transparency and Mr. Accountability who are presently on vacation abroad so as to "Swachh Bharat" the political and bureaucratic kitchen in Nagaland...what say people of Nagaland? It's time we raise our voices sans tribalism!
