Seyielhuvi Zhunyu
Much has been written about the deadly menace of corruption that has scourged the Nagaland state machinery to the soul. The recent anti corruption ACAUT public rallies held in the state have drawn wide support and appreciation from across the nation. Brethrens from near and far join hands in this fight against political and bureaucratic corruption; the injustices that have crippled our society to the ground. This is a different time, a revolution, the like of which we have never seen it before in Nagaland. One cannot force a revolution to break out at will; it must take its own time of brewing before reaching the point of explosion.
This movement shows that we have come to a certain level of maturity as a people. In retrospect, for decades we have been silently suffering at the mercy of the sleazy political leaders and govt. officials. We had our back up against the wall. We seem to have lost our way in the past by not realizing sooner the impact of our own power, the people’s power, that united we are stronger and that, there is absolutely nothing we cannot achieve together under any given circumstances. No democratic government can form, let alone survive without the active participation of the people. One bitter truth is, we have let our guard down and allowed evil to thrive right under our noses.
The good people and the spiritual leaders who ought to be the light and salt of the society seem to have distanced themselves from controversial issues rather than counteract. Our silence, which eventually translated into weakness, only emboldened the evil practices or the corrupt as many chose to retreat in the face of intimidation for fear of repercussion. Another downfall on our part was the lack of action-oriented leaders with courage and ability to muster up the masses and lead them with clear strategy and vision for a better Nagaland. Not that Nagas lack leaders of such caliber, it was rather their absence in the scene, which was greatly felt. However, in recent years, the emergence of the ACAUT, the NTC, and figures like Khekiye K. Sema and Thepfulhouvi Solo and the like in the scene have turned the tables.
This social revolution led by ACAUT has generated a much dynamic and positive impact across the board ushering in a new era, a renaissance in Nagaland. It has given voice to the voiceless, restored hope, confidence, and optimism in the people in a time such as this. May the good Lord grant them wisdom and discernment as they lead us in the fight against the evils of our time. The people, many of whom are underprivileged men and women from villages across the state who are barely surviving feeding on what is dropped from the table, educated unemployed youths whose well-deserved jobs have been robbed, and sold to the highest bidder by the corrupt govt. officials, entrepreneurs whose businesses have been stifled to bankruptcy by illegal taxations, etc. all have reposed their trust and support in the leadership believing that they can win this war against corruption and once again restore justice and sanity back in the land.
In fact, since the hay days of Naga political movement in the fifties and sixties, this could be the biggest mass-based social movement happening in Nagaland today. This is not to be taken lightly; this means war against the corrupt. In a democratic state, everyone is equal before the law and no one is above the law! We can rally day and night directing our anger and frustration at the government, exposing its every fraud and scandal, which we have every right to do so, but failing to bring the corrupt to justice could turn this whole thing into a farce. (I am a firm believer in the leadership spearheading this social revolution and I don’t intend to raise any skepticism for having said that.) Particularly in Nagaland state, failing to rigorously enact the existing anti corruption laws against corrupt officials and politicians in the past has encouraged them to continue indulging in illicit practices hence turning Nagaland into an ideal breeding ground for corruption in the nation.
It is said that, when the news of Naga rebellion reached Nehru, surprisingly, he was not upset by it. He had a shrewd plan up his sleeve. He reportedly said that he would be immediately granting statehood to the Nagas, which would eventually breed corruption and infighting among them starting with the educated. However distasteful it is to concede defeat, Nehru was successful in executing his plan as we find our society in a similar condition today. As a concerned citizen, I urge the people and the social leaders to stay the course until our demands are met and a new Nagaland unfolds before our eyes.
The road ahead would be difficult and onerous; we can expect strong resistance from the establishment and all kinds of obstructions and roadblocks at every turn. No matter where the battle takes us to, the corrupt must be found sooner than later and punished to the fullest extent of the law. While the war is waged against the practice of corruption of all forms, let us not forget that until and unless the corrupt are brought to justice the war against corruption is not won. What is the point in condemning the crime and let the culprit walk free?
