No compromise on Naga culture and religious freedom, Rio reiterates

DIMAPUR — Chief Minister of Nagaland, Neiphiu Rio said that the Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA) 2019 was not implemented in Nagaland as the matter was taken up with the Centre by the state government.

The regional parties in the state will never compromise with Naga culture, Article 25 which guarantees freedom of religion in the constitution, and will stand united to confront any interference in these matters, he reiterated during a rally in Jalukie on Wednesday.

“If there are any atrocities towards Christianity, everyone should speak out. But speaking only during election is not right,” he said, while assuring that they will urge BJP President JP Nadda to protect the religious minorities when he comes to Nagaland.

Campaigning for the People’s Democratic Alliance (PDA) consensus candidate, Dr. Chumben Murry, he reiterated that the 60 members of the state legislative assembly have come together to seek a solution to the Naga political issue and to support Murry.

Rio said that the reason for the campaign was to dispel propaganda against the PDA government, which is in alliance with the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) at the centre, and expressed confidence that the NDA would come back to power.

He also took a jab at the Congress party, saying that it implemented President’s Rule in the state and the then prime minister during Congress government never visited the state.

“There are 57 political parties in alliance with BJP in 87 states, while Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) bloc is still not sure of the seat sharing with many parties leaving the bloc,” he said.

He also stated that Indian economy is on the rise because of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s good policies and the Nagas also should be a partner in this movement and growth.

Mentioning that Christianity is the largest religion in the world, he said the Naga people should be “strong and aware that the constitution of India is there to save our freedom of religion”.

“We should not isolate ourselves as Christians as the world has now become a global village,” he maintained, while calling on the citizens to choose if they want to be part of the growth of India.

This election, he said, “is not a competition to win but a competition to get the highest margin votes”.

Meanwhile, Dr. Murry said that when different political parties come together, their ideologies do not merge but a common minimum programme is laid out.

Stating that Christian persecution took place even before the BJP came to power, he reaffirmed his commitment that if elected, he would personally visit areas where minorities face persecution and engage with the state government on the matter.

Murry went on to claim that the ‘Naga uprising’ was suppressed by then Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru through military force but it was Atal Bihari Vajpayee, who after becaming Prime Minister in 2003, expedited the Indo-Naga political talks. He added that the gradual removal of AFSPA from Nagaland was being strategically pursued under the BJP government.

While encouraging youths to make informed decision, considering the significant advancements in technology, he pledged to offer a “prize for the best performing district with the highest vote”.

During the rally, Deputy Chief Minister TR Zeliang compared Congress and BJP’s development aspects in the state. Maintaining that the “NDPP is not the BJP nor is the BJP the NDPP,” he said the PDA is a coalition of different parties with different identities but shares a similar outlook.

The Congress using religion is cheap politics, he said, claiming that the party’s only achievement was stalling development projects initiated during the previous NDA government.

Zeliang further said that it was because of Modi’s leadership that the Framework Agreement was signed.

“As far as elected representatives are concerned, we are united and we have come together and established opposition-less government for the sake of the Naga political problem and its early solution. However, we must understand that 60 elected Members alone cannot bring Naga solution unless we shed our differences and come together with one voice for one solution which should be acceptable with the spirit of inclusiveness,” he added.