Dear Nagas, Stop Doubting; God is Still in Control

As per historical events and records, we can conclude that the truth is, Nagas are not Indians. Many Nagas and critics of sovereign Nagaland opine, saying that in reality, Nagaland is completely dependent on India for everything, and we will perish on our own as an independent nation because our political, economic, and daily lives are so intertwined with India. And they may probably be right, given the present circumstances where many Nagas (including myself) eat, talk, think, dress, and behave like Indians more or less because we have become so comfortable in living the lie that Nagas are Indians, fed to us continually by the Government of India and all her machinery. Of course, there is nothing wrong with admiring and living the Indian way of life, so long as we are conscious of the truth.

However, one must agree with the fact that instead of sincerely resolving the Indo- Naga issue, they have been quite successful in their propaganda operations, as many Nagas believe and take pride in the lie that Nagas are Indians and that Nagaland is an integral part of India, a nuclear power and the predicted third-largest economy of the world in the coming years.

After the Indo-Naga war, the attempt by India to geographically and politically divide Nagas under different Indian states and, at the same time, socially and politically integrate Nagas into mainstream Indian society has been relentless, even though initially Naga tribes outside the present state of Nagaland may have agreed to such propositions under different administrations. Sixty-one (61) years of statehood for the Nagas of Nagaland and the disintegration of other Naga tribes under various states of the Indian Union is a long time to manipulate the truth and brainwash 2 to 3 generations of Nagas into believing the lie that Nagas are Indians.

Yes, it will be difficult for the Nagas to progress and function without the help and aid of India, but more importantly, we want to live peacefully with India and Myanmar as friends and neighbours. A friendship built upon the foundation of truth, trust, and mutual respect, and not a relationship built upon lies, coercion, suppression, violation of human rights and dignity, draconian laws, and forceful occupation of our country, all in the name of peace and development.

As the apostle Paul encourages us in Ephesians 4:25, “Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to your neighbour, for we are all members of one body.” As such, we must strive for the truth in our words and actions to bring about the much-needed changes in our society and for the glory of God.

To contribute to our national or any movement, Naga youths and students, who are the future and the backbone of our society, must know the truth, learn the truth, share the truth, and speak the truth. The youths must lead this “Truth Revolution” and pass it on to future generations. For even India is guided in letter and spirit by her solemn motto “Satyameva Jayate,” or “Truth alone triumphs.” As such, India and Indians must let the truth triumph over falsehood in the case of the Indo-Naga issue too and leave the Nagas and our country on our own to decide.

If we consider the present situation, the inability of the national workers to forgive and unite, committing crimes upon fellow citizens in the name of Naga nationalism, and the unwillingness of India to leave the Nagas alone are not the only obstacles, but the fact is that many Nagas are not ready to part ways and give up enjoying the comforts and benefits received from New Delhi for being a state under the Indian union, arguing that Nagaland has nothing on its own and an independent Nagaland cannot provide for the welfare of its citizens and the future Naga generations without the help of India.

Here, the Nagas can be compared to the Israelites in the wilderness during the time of Moses, dependent and satisfied over time by living off the temporary ‘ manna’ provided by God and not determined to enter and inherit the promised land of milk and honey. Maybe, like the Israelites, the present Naga generation is also too corrupt and faithless, and maybe God will choose a younger generation of Nagas in His own time to enter our promised land too. Obedience and faithfulness are what God requires from us during these testing times.

As such, our aspiration for political and economic independence from India seems quite impossible in the natural, considering the myriad problems and the dependency and lies that have been embedded in the minds of the Nagas for over 60 decades by GoI and her machinery.

After India’s independence from the British, the Western countries predicted and expected that India would not only fail as a democracy but also as a country within a few years. Now, after 77 years, the sleeping giant is on its way to becoming the 3rd largest economy in the world. India too overcame her tested times. May we too learn from the resilience and sacrifices of her citizens and leaders.

There are many people who mock us at the very idea of a sovereign Nagaland, but amidst all the discouragement, doubts, worries, and problems, we should never forget that we serve the all-powerful, problem-solving almighty God who does things supernaturally. Let us not limit God, the creator of heaven and earth and all things, with our limited human thinking.

In His sovereign way, God can influence the decisions and policies of world leaders and governments. He can destroy people and nations with wars, famines, natural calamities, etc., or He can even bless a nation like ours (infested with corruption, violence, disunity, and hatred) with an exponential knowledge explosion (like Israel) or simply transform the topography and geological composition of Nagaland above and underneath, thereby creating unimaginable knowledge wealth and natural wealth to catapult Nagaland among the richest and most developed nations of the world. I know, you may be laughing, but this is what I meant earlier when I said, “Do not limit God with your limited human thinking.” With God’s favour, Joseph was brought out of prison and into the palace in just one day.

And what if Nagaland becomes the 51st state of the USA with mutual consent, a union with the largest economy in the world and the most powerful country on earth? Many may laugh again as such a proposition seems absurd and impossible. Still, if the vision for Nagaland state can be declared as ’towards a state of excellence’ by the ruling state government, then such a hypothesis also cannot be termed a utopian fantasy.

The Constitution of the USA, under Article 4, Section 3, Clause 1, reads, “New States may be admitted by the Congress into this Union.” This process will involve various considerations and factors, but Nagaland’s strategic location between India, China, and Southeast Asia will be a geopolitical advantage militarily and economically for any country.

There are so many possibilities with or without India, and if not, there is always the impossible. On our part, may we never give up on our “righteous cause”. Let us repent and work hard to serve our people and our nation/society with utmost passion, starting from the peon to the CM, Ato Kilonser, President; from the private, constable to the general; and from the farmer to the richest businessman. Let us discard the superior mentality that we harbour over our fellow citizens and over other clansmen and tribesmen because of our demographic majority, money, power, education, success, official authority, etc. Let us endeavour to build our society upon the values of respect and truth; only then will the Nagas be considered cultured and civilized by the rest of the world.

No more blind loyalty to clan, tribe, political parties, organisations, or factions, but loyalty first only to Christ, Nagas, and the truth. Let us strengthen our faith in God and not be limited by our limited human thinking. Let us shed the defeated mentality and simply believe and pray harder, as Luke 1:37 reads, “For nothing is impossible with God.” Long live just and fair Nagaland.

Kuknalim!

R. Francis Kikon