EMN
DIMAPUR, SEPTEMBER 12
The Zeliang Peoples Organization (ZPO) on Saturday stated that in a democracy the essence of religious tolerance is the binding force for unity in diversity and history has often revealed that religious fanaticism is never fruitful.
This was contained in a press release issued in response to “various individuals in the name of major organizations” who have raised issues of concern over the celebration of Rani Gaidinliu birth centenary by the Union Government and accused TR Zeliang ofss trying to idolize Rani Gaidinliu for his political gains. “In this regard, it is to apprise the general public that Rani Gaidinliu is widely known and respected as the lone woman freedom fighter from the Northeast and she was conferred a number of awards by the Government of India and various institutions.”
On the accusations leveled at TR Zeliang, it stated that the Freedom Fighter Tamrapatra Award and the Padma Bhusan awarded to Rani Gaidinliu was much before Zeliang became an elected Legislator. As implied by various organizations if TR Zeliang has been instrumental in making the country recognize Rani Gaidinliu to be awarded the above prestigious awards at a time when he was a budding youth leader, his achievement should be lauded rather than be criticized, it stated. “The government of Nagaland acknowledged Rani Gaidinliu as a freedom fighter from the northeast and provided her government facilities including government quarter, government vehicle, personal staff etc. at Kohima which she utilized from 1966 till 1992 the year when she returned to her native village in Luangkao.
“Rani Gaindinliu lived in Kohima accepting the warm hospitality of the Nagas and the Kohima village land owners and made Kohima her home from 1966 to 1992. If, in 1966, TR Zeliang then a young 14 year old boy could be influential enough to press the then NNO Government to recognize and acknowledge Rani Gaidinliu as a freedom fighter and to provide her the above facilities in Nagaland, the influence that TR Zeliang had on the then NNO government and the succeeding governments need to be applauded rather than be criticized.”
On the NPCC’s accusation that since the BJP came into power in 2014 it has been on a relentless pursuit to eulogize Rani Gaidinliu, it stated that the awards and recognition given by the Union Government at a time when the Congress was in power at the Centre and at a time when the BJP was not in power.
“Does the NPCC mean to say that it does not approve of the action taken by the Union Government when its party, the Congress Party, was ruling the country? When the above prestigious awards and acts of recognition as the lone woman freedom fighter from the northeast, was awarded to Rani Gaidinliu, by the then Congress ruled Union Government, why was the NPCC silent at that point of time?
“Why are they waking up only now and accusing the BJP of acts of commissions done by the then Congress ruled Union Government at a time when the BJP was not in the seat of power. Or does the NPCC mean to say that Rani Gaidinliu was recognized by the Congress ruled Union government under the pressure of the BJP Party? If so, the BJP needs to be applauded for coercing the then Congress ruled Union Government to give recognition to Rani Gaidinliu.”
On the issue of birth centenary celebration of Rani Gaidinliu, it stated that PB Acharya, Governor of Nagaland and TR Zeliang, Chief Minister of Nagaland had attended the program at Delhi which was organized by the Ministry of Culture, Government of India and graced by Narendra Modi, the Prime Minister of India.
If, as alleged, TR Zeliang is instrumental in bringing out the scheme for the celebration of birth centenary of freedom fighters, his political acumen and ingenuity is laudable, it stated.
“On the issue of construction of Rani Gaidinliu Library-cum-Memorial Museum, the said project was sanctioned on 19.12.2011 by the Government of India, Ministry of Culture, for taking up construction works.
“It may be noted that the above project was sanctioned when the Congress Party was in power at the Centre. Why was the NPCC silent at that point of time? The said construction work was already in good progress and nearing completion with 95 percent works already done when TR Zeliang took over as the State Chief Minister on 24thMay, 2014.
“It will be worthwhile to mention here that Neiphiu Rio, MP and former Chief Minister, Nagaland during his visit to Tening Town on 12.10.2009 committed to construct Rani Gaidinliu Library-cum-Memorial Museum at Kohima. True to his commitment and under his kind initiative the present site at New Secretariat area between the Convention Hall and Shopping Complex was allotted for the construction,” it read.
It also rubbished the allegations leveled by the NBCC in one of the local newspapers. “These insinuations are false and misleading. At no point of time Rani Gaidinliu was a spiritual leader of the Nagas as a whole and for that matter no organization or individual has ever relegated Rani Gaidinliu as the spiritual leader of the Nagas.
“Heraka has never been the traditional religion of the Nagas. While a child from a Hindu family is born a Hindu by birth; a child from a Christian family is not born a Christian. Such a child needs to grow up, know the Lord, be born again to become a Christian and therefore the Christian Religion is spread through propagation.
“However, propagation should be done in the right spirit and not through false allegations and accusations which are misleading. Peaceful co-existence, religious tolerance, having respect for the beliefs and practices of fellow brethren is a prerequisite of a progressive society that is composed of diverse cultures,” it stated.
