Dr Asangba Tzüdir
Can Nagas Develop an Inclusive Mechanism?
At a time when divisions in Naga society is happening along various lines, the recent gathering of concerned Naga individuals at Kolkata holds much importance and relevance considering the path that is being traversed by the ‘Naga Caravan.’ Though the meeting didn’t generate much attention in the public domain, it has created the much desired ripples that can necessitate a ‘process of dialogue’ through which new ideas, models and visions can emerge. And true to the need of the times, it stressed on issues and dilemmas confronting Naga Society today – the Naga Peace Process; Framework Agreement; Naga Reconciliation; leadership crisis at all levels; fragmenting society and corruption. These are issues in need of new idea, models and visions which can create an all inclusive mechanism of co-operation towards impacting a change process.
The Naga political problem has reached a stage where the much celebrated framework agreement has created a kind of trust deficit rather than creating a path of peace. Since the signing of the ‘Framework Agreement,’ beyond the rhetoric nothing has been seen in praxis. On the one hand, the GOI has been ‘accused’ of their lack of sincerity while on the other, the public at large is kept in the dark. Question of integration is at a deadlock while the larger issue of Naga Sovereignty has leaned towards shared-sovereignty. A dialogue is thus paramount in order to create an inclusive mechanism so also to stabilize issues of trust. Unless there is an all inclusive form of negotiation that has the confidence of every Naga, there is a danger of a wrong form of revolution. Further, in the quest for a ‘Naga political identity’ it is imperative that the Naga Political groups come together to intensify the Naga Political Will and create a platform that seeks to address the political aspirations of the Nagas. Open invitations from one’s own comfort zone, without trying to understand the ‘other’ will not work. For now peace remains conditioned.
On the whole, the Naga gathering has come out with certain appeals that seeks to make Nagas retrospect as well as imagine with the overall objective of developing an inclusive mechanism of co-operation and responsibility in building a better Naga future. It appealed to all the Nagas to strengthen the call for genuine forgiveness that will lead to a new relationship of equality, trust and dignity. An honest and open dialogue once again lies at the core of building a new relationship because it seems to be conditioned by the difficulty of forgiving and forgetting the past.
The gathering has rightly highlighted the issue of institutional corruption and the many forms of malpractices and the sickening culture of complacency. It calls for honesty and sincerity from one and all. This is a minimum moral requisite if Nagas are to generate a process to erase corruption. A sense of collective responsibility seems a difficult proposition for a people that are yet to inculcate a sense of belongingness. This is one truth factor that is needed to combat corruption.
To carry the ‘Naga caravan’ forward is a huge responsibility and it calls for visionary leaders to bring Nagas together in a democratic space free from the various forms of divisions. Today, many social movements that seek for a better Naga Society have made encouraging strides. We need leaders not simply to lead but provide vision as well as life enriching values. The youths, particularly, needs to be kept engaged in productive activities. Only then there is hope for Naga society.
The absence of ‘peace’ has come in the way of human development and progress and for a better Naga future. Beyond the ‘peace process’ there are also equally important layers from where peace can be brought about between individuals, communities and the society at large. The Naga caravan today is in desperate need of a political, social, economic, cultural, moral and religious path. It further suffers from the lack of inclusive mechanism and this is where a divine intervention in the form of pure wisdom is needed.
(Dr. Asangba Tzüdir writes a weekly guest editorial for The Morung Express. Comments can be mailed to asangtz@gmail.com)
