Economic development, social reformation neglected in pursuit of politics — SC Jamir

Our Reporter

Dimapur, Nov. 16 (EMN): Former Chief Minister of Nagaland, Padma Bhushan SC Jamir on Tuesday said that Nagas have completely neglected economic development and social reformation in the pursuit of politics, and urged the people to ‘escape this dangerous trend’ prevailing in the state.

‘Nagas talk about politics like it is everything for them; and we are all aware, but since we are living in that atmosphere, it has become part of us,’ he said.

Jamir, who had also served as the governor of Goa, Maharashtra, Gujarat and Odisha, was speaking as the special guest on the occasion of National Press Day organised by the Dimapur Press Club at DBDIL Hall, Don Bosco School campus in Dimapur.

He opined that the Naga society is living in a ‘very confused society’ today. He added that though people talk about advancement and development, ‘our people are too obsessed with the past’.

He stated that ‘today’ is what is most important and if we do well today, tomorrow will be brighter. It is the way that the world moves and society grows, he added.

Jamir observed that Nagas have two identities – the Naga identity which is manifested by honesty, bravery, courage and endurance; and Christian identity which is love, peace, goodwill and harmony.

He shared that Nagas were rearing three animals — an ape which is primitive, a donkey which is conservative and a tiger signifying violence. He said that Nagas have not been able to kill these three “animals” even today, which is why they have not been able to move forward and restore peace.

Maintaining that Nagas should have a forward-looking attitude and vision, he said the people talk about unity but ‘we are divided and therefore this negativism has to give way to positivism’.

On Naga political issue

‘After so many years of negotiation for a political solution, we should be grateful to the leaders of the Naga political groups (NPGs). Even though they are subject to only one idea, during these long years of negotiations they are exposed to modern civilisation, they have seen the contemporary realities in politics, economics and everything in life,’ Jamir said.

‘In their own wisdom and with their political foresight, they also have accepted the reality of the world , the reality of Indian and Nagas societies, and they also recognised the unique position of India in geo-political international affairs, so they have agreed to sign through agreements known as Framework Agreement and Agreed Position,’ he added.

On the statement made by the Prime Minister of India after the signing of the Framework Agreement, he stated that ‘Nagas are part and parcel of this great nation and our system has to be regulated according to the constitution of India’.

With regard to the Agreed Position, he stated that they had neither mentioned “sovereignty” nor “integration”. He asserted that the exclusion was because “they recognised the contemporary political values and I believe both the leaders of underground and GoI have drawn out this agreement in the best interest of the people of Nagaland”.

On 16-Point Agreement

Jamir said that the “16-Point Agreement is not a hurdle in resolution of Naga problem and therefore despite 16-Point Agreement, which is already a part of the constitution of India, GOI had agreed to have further negotiation to resolve Naga political problem”.

He further urged the Nagas to wake up and see the reality of the situation in the country.

Nagas, he said, were living in a state of confusion and “no one has the courage to say that we are living in an abnormal situation”.

He, therefore, appealed to the people to see the reality and march hand-in-hand with the rest of the country to make Nagaland a model state.

On freedom of speech

Jamir also said that development in science and technology has been evolving at such a high pace, that modern societies have become ‘information societies’.

He said that every single person is interested to get the latest information but this information should be comprehensive and fair.

He also stated that a limit has to be imposed on this freedom of information and speech, adding that there are important restrictions in the constitution such as security, decency and morality.

“In democracy we are free but our privileges and rights have to match with our obligation and responsibility and that is the beauty of the fundamental rights provided in the Constitution of India,” he said.

Freedom of expression is also dangerous when it goes beyond, he added.

He said that the thorny relationship between the press and government has been debated, discussed and deliberated but ‘what is important today is the relationship between people and press’.

He stated that when the press focuses its attention on the welfare of the common man by highlighting the problems and difficulties, instead of speeches of politicians, ‘the press will become popular’.

He later appealed to the media fraternity to be the echo of sages, rather than the echo of turbulent cynics.

Vice President of DPC Temjen Anichar delivered the welcome address and vote of thanks by Dilip Sharma, while Akangjungla chaired the programme.

A minute of silence was observed to remember five journalists — K Filip Sumi, Soreishim Mahong, Lemei Phom, Ramnava Sengupta and Tilak Kumar Pardhan – who passed away this year.