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MOKOKCHUNG — Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday said that a solution to the Naga political issue cannot be brought about without the trust of the Naga people or without discussing with them.
The Naga political issue is serious, and there is a requirement for a solution, but the commitment made by the Prime Minister of India to the Naga people nine years ago is “an empty promise,” the Congress leader said while addressing the public at the Town Square (police point) in Mokokchung, referring to the Framework Agreement signed between the government of India and the NSCN (IM) in 2015.
On the final day of the Nagaland chapter of his ‘Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra,’ Gandhi continued his jibe at PM Narendra Modi, stating that he is yet to visit Manipur state after the violence broke out in May last year.
“I am ashamed that the Indian Prime Minister did not go to Manipur, and I am equally ashamed that the Prime Minister made a commitment to the people of Nagaland nine years ago and has done nothing about it,” he stated.
“If you don’t have a solution, you should not lie and say you have a solution. You can say that we have to work towards the solution, and we will work towards the solution, but you must not lie to the people of Nagaland,” the Lok Sabha MP said.
He went on to state that the Congress is committed to engaging in hard work required to find a solution, adding that he plans to visit the state again after the yatra is over.
While sharing about his experience in Nagaland, he made a commitment to spend a few days in the state, to talk to the people in more detail and interact with youngsters in order to understand their aspirations and dreams.
“Naga people are straight forward, honest, and decent people, and I am also like you,” he said, amid cheers from the gathering.
Sharing his experience of travelling on bad road conditions after reaching Mokokchung, Gandhi asserted that it was an injustice for the people of Nagaland to travel on such roads.
“It is a betrayal to the people of Nagaland. How can we expect to bring a positive future to the people of Nagaland with these roads?” he asked.
The Congress leader claimed that the RSS and the BJP are waging an ideological war in the country and attacking the diverse cultures and religions.
Instead of respecting each other’s tradition, culture, food habits, and religious practices, he claimed that the RSS and BJP are attacking and disrespecting them.
“What you speak, who you worship, what you eat, and your tradition and culture is nobody else's business,” he asserted.
Gandhi went on to state that their politics has torn the state of Manipur apart.
“They have divided, weaponised, and burned the state; they cannot even set foot in the state,” he claimed.
Elaborating on the purpose of the yatra, he reiterated the message that the northeast region is as important as any other part of India.
The Congress leader declared that henceforth, Nagas have a soldier in New Delhi named Rahul Gandhi.
“If you need me to raise any issue in Parliament, I am more than happy to do it,” he said.
He also called upon the younger people, especially girls, to enter politics and give Nagaland a new vision for the future.
He noted the hospitality and warmth that the yatra team has seen over the last two days in Nagaland and thanked the Nagas for the affection.
After the public meeting, the entourage headed to Amoklushi Resort for lunch before resuming the yatra, heading for Changtongya, where another public meeting was scheduled.
Gandhi will halt for the night at Tuli before moving to Assam on Thursday.