In a democracy, justice is not merely a lofty principle enshrined in law books; it is the everyday right of citizens to be heard, especially when systems fail them. When there is no functioning elected opposition, as is currently the case in Nagaland, the responsibility of holding power to account falls squarely on the shoulders of the people. In such a scenario, the voices of informed, educated individuals become not just important but essential for the survival of democratic values.
The recent protest led by CTAN and NNQF in Kohima, over what they allege is an unjust regularization of college faculty outside due process, offers a timely example. It is not the protest itself that deserves focus, but what it represents: the right of citizens to speak out when systems appear compromised. That the protest was driven by young, qualified professionals shows a hopeful shift, a growing refusal to accept silence in the face of administrative opacity.
Justice begins with being heard. And when aggrieved individuals are denied platforms through official mechanisms, they will – and must – turn to public spaces. Far from being disruptive, such actions reinvigorate democracy. They signal that the governed are watching and that fairness is not a privilege, but a right.
In the absence of a strong opposition, such civic assertions help fill the vacuum. They create pressure points for reform, promote accountability, and remind authorities that public trust must be earned continuously.
Moreover, when educated voices fearlessly and openly raise concern over procedural injustice, it should never be dismissed as mere dissent. Rather, it should be recognized as a civic duty. As one protester rightly said, “If many of us keep speaking up, who will they attack?” That sentiment captures the essence of a participatory society, where collective voice is a safeguard against the misuse of power.
Injustice thrives on silence, whether out of fear, apathy, or indifference. Democracy, on the other hand, thrives when the aggrieved find the courage, and the support, to speak.