Benito Z. Swu
[dropcap]H[/dropcap]ow long can we Nagas afford to marginalize ourselves by being too individualistic in our socio-eco-political arenas. In today’s Nagaland integrity definitely has taken a beating and the back seat as well, as we very easily justify ourselves in the namesake of the greater good. The greater good for today. What about tomorrow? And for whose greater good? Why are our leaders never ever compromising and ceasefiring and atleast a little bit sacrificing as we pave the road for the next generation to step in. Why don’t our leaders amen to the very truth that the coming generation after them will have no other alternate but to step into the very track and direction which they take today. Why can’t we agree to the very fact which we all know that what we do today as policy matter is never right, and deep down is well aware that we would never actually want the future generation to inherit. Why do our leaders in the name of power politics very easily sacrifice our ethics, our religion and our uniqueness at the altar of power and justify it with modernity, development and being in tune with the times. Why do we get labeled as doubting Thomases when we are only but just imitating our leaders who all in the first place are always apprehensive and no amount and number of times is enough to alley that fear. Why do our leaders always harp on us being unique every now and then, but never display that side of uniqueness. If that uniqueness of being unique is what we are seeing today, then it is better not being unique. Why do our leaders never have that humility of laughing at their own expense and shortcomings and thereby display their humane self but is always ever there and waiting to belittle their contemporaries and assumed adversaries.Why do our leaders not realize that regionalism for Nagas is not just for the sake of being a member of a regional political party, but a way of thinking and living which runs in our veins and which needs to be prioritized if not for ourselves then atleast for the generations to come. Why do our leaders, just at the drop of a hat become political prostitutes and justify it as political expediency and a part and parcel of power politics in a democracy. Very true, but then where does that leave us. There is no constitution of any nation on earth which covers the entirety of do’s and don’ts. But there is the conviction and conventions that covers all – the unwritten constitution. Even in the third world countries of Asia and Africa the lawmakers make it a point never to breach or question those conventions. We Nagas, very sadly does not allow our conscience and morality to police us and as such is doing a very big dis-service to the No.1 religion of the world, which as a matter of fact is the No.1 pre-requisite obligation of our Christian faith.
When Home Minister Rajnath Singh, the then President of the BJP, had initiated the idea of Rio leaving the state for a bigger role in the Union Cabinet in the event of the BJP coming to power and again directly or indirectly blessing the formation of the NERPF, it signalled the coming of age of the BJP as a true legitimate National party of a secular and the second largest democratic nation of the world. However, when the gross misgovernance of the UPA government guaranteed a very huge mandate for the BJP, it showed up its true colour leaving us in the lurch. Nagas would not have experienced this gross injustice had we not been stigmatized as a people who flip-flops and dances to tunes. Such betrayal would have been unthinkable had Nagas reflected the true spirit of Nagaism and had learned the politics of thinking and speaking alike to the outside world even though our differences at home could not allow us to even have an eye to eye contact. And what do we have now? Instead of the Nagaland BJP which is a constituent of the ruling dispensation even resigning in en-mass, we are forced to watch the spectacle of fellow Naga law makers groveling and singing hosannas to the BJP, begging to be painted saffron and then boasting about it. Let it be known – loud and clear : Nagas cannot stoop so low and then blame it on politics. This is what the unwritten constitution is all about. This is the unspoken convention.
What is the point of sending out missionaries for outreach programmes to preach to the unreached about what life and Christianity is all about when we are literally forsaking our core beliefs on a platter at the blink of an eye. Yes, it is very much selling our soul. We may not be practically or physically prostrating and groveling or bowing down to Baal, but as a part and parcel of the organization we will have to amen to any programme or agendas of the organization to which we belong. Being ‘friends’ and ‘becoming one’ are two very different entities, like chalk and cheese. There should never be any confusion or doubt about it. We share, we rejoice, we party together, we cry and laugh together, we share the good and the bad times, we even sleep together, but ultimately his soul is his and my soul is mine. Just as I cannot take care of my friend’s soul, he too cannot take care of my soul. Christianity and Islam are the only two religion which propagates the soul either ending up in hell or paradise after the death on earth. It is another story that the orthodox Muslim clergy has macabrely twisted the way and the door to paradise. As for the Hindus, they believe in reincarnation. You are not a good man, you are a sinner and you will end up reincarnated as a stray dog scavenging the garbage dump. And therein lies the tragedy. Without being even a little aware, it is only too late when we realize that our soul has already been sold. In the Old Testament, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego replied to King Nebuchadnezzar “Even if the God we serve does not save us from the blazing furnance we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up”. This incident happened much much before the time of Jesus. Today in this New Testament time God is not going to send any angel to save our life and soul. He has already sent His only Son.
Maybe one day we will have a nomenclature by the style of a “The United Tribes of Nagaland”. But the idea or any other ideas can fructify only if we become aware to the basic fact that we are indeed very different and that regionalism unites us just as much as tribalism divides us. I believe the ideal Naga society will be that society where there is a bi-party system with a regional political party occupying the treasury benches while another regional political party warms the opposition benches, by design and not by law, as we are and must always remain a democracy. Or we can even go the Dravidian way as in Tamil Nadu where the state is always ruled by either the DMK or the AIADMK leaving no space for any other third party except for, as a fringe player. In such a scenario we automatically will command respect and this is what Nagas should strive for. Regionalism is in itself a religion. Think a little bit deeper into it and we see that just as religion is independent which does not allow any other to tinker into its core beliefs, so is regionalism which reflects only exactly what we are. The basic instinct of not just human beings but any living organisms including microscopic organisms is to move, search and place itself in a more secure and comfortable position. The only difference is that human beings have the power of reasoning, thinking and acting. Is humans were to follow only its basic instinct, then we are no better than the animals. The super-duper chartbusting international hit of a movie “Basic Instinct” is in itself a lesson for us. If we follow just our basic instincts then we definitely are no better than the lead characters of the said movie played out by Michael Douglas and Sharon Stone.
The BJP will have to honour its words. It has to walk the talk. Infact, circumstances provided the BJP leadership a golden opportunity to display not just to the Nagas but to the nation and the world at large that it means business and remains true to its words. The goodwill the BJP could have gained or will gain would have or will have remained unparalled. But on the other hand, the BJP and the Congress who wastes no time and misses no opportunity to belittle each other, not even sparing a yawning or a blinking of a Rahul eye, is able to reach a meeting point and come to a consensus when the issue is that of the Nagas. Somebody has to inform the BJP to stop this hypocrisy. Just because our present crop of leadership seems to be failing us does not at all mean that we will be ushered like lambs to the slaughter. The movement for change is churning all over the world and we are not immune to it. So be it, if individuals are to be sacrificed, but we will march ahead. Dear leaders, fathers & mothers, grandfathers & grandmothers, uncles and aunties, it is not for the younger generation to pull up their socks and fold their sleeves. They are already doing it. It is for you all to hold the torch and light the way. The complacency and the hesitant desire to maintain the status quo is becoming a little bit transparent.
