Handwriting on the wall reveals the direction in which Nagas’ political fate is headed, demanding serious attention and action. As the current situation unfolds, the Nagas are far from achieving their goals because they lack a clear vision and direction. Naga leaders are either unable to understand and interpret the danger signs because of sheer ignorance, rivalry, maliciousness, or blindsided, likely all the above, derailing the God-mandated inheritance.
The Naga political saga has become more fragile and perilous than ever. Despite the insurmountable barriers and limitations, the movement’s early stages were strong and unassailable. Soon it fractured, polarizing the movement into a self-destructive mode, resulting in disharmony. This has created a climate of distrust, not only between themselves but also among the public at large, without whose support their chances of winning are virtually nonexistent. A proper balance is crucial in uncertain and complex situations without replicating the forces that drive fragmentation.
This is a crucial aspect that warrants careful consideration
All the Naga political organizations, including the various splinter groups, pretend nothing is imminent to worry about. Some breakup groups purportedly operate a shadow government that duplicates legitimate tasks delegated to the state government, including municipal ordinances, under the Indian Constitution. Not only do such meaningless activities knowingly deceive the innocent public, but they also create a path to self-destruction, a clear sign of desperation, which signifies the credibility issues that adversaries have been devising all along. If the state fails to do its job, remind them; they are paid well to do their job.
Nagas are mired in complacency. Like the proverbial frog in slowly warming water, which leads to its ultimate demise, we ignore more and care less at our peril. In the short term, living within a comfort zone denies access to resources that can help cope. In the long run, it will be our undoing. The danger is desensitization, the willingness to create an unprecedented litany of complex problems through passive acceptance rather than urgent collective action. This is particularly true when we reflect on the Naga political saga.
Those born after the 70s may not get a complete picture or grasp the severity of events that had transpired decades before their time. Although this short paper does not intend to inflame past misdeeds, it is essential to remind us of those critical events to clarify the point.
Internal and external factors play a dire consequential role in Indo-Naga political affairs.
External Contributing Factors
During the movement’s early days, it was easier to predict events despite adversaries using various tactics. Fear, in the form of bodily harm (torture), was the ultimate force used to control the innocent. Many precious lives were lost, not only those who fought in the battles between David and Goliath, i.e., the few Naga Freedom fighters against the mighty Indian Armed Forces but even innocent natives who were randomly tortured to death to create fear, whether they deserved death or not, even though many were not directly involved in the insurgency schemes. For example, Pelesato Chase (Khonoma), who was serving as the Director of Chakhesang Mission Center, Phezou (Phek), was brutally murdered in 1956 simply for being God’s servant. He was blindfolded, and his hands and feet were shackled and bound in a gunnysack tied to an army truck and dragged for miles along the unpaved hilly roads to his death by the Indian Armies to create fear, an act difficult to forget. There are countless similar stories yet to be told. Our own people senselessly assassinated many others, including the few educated Nagas, for no fault of their own during those trying days; a few of them were my friends.
Current devices, however, relate to contemporary culture and lifestyle and are now used to penetrate the mind (psychologically), primarily targeting the elites who are expected to influence those who depend on them. Creating doubt and corrupting the mind now replaces fear. Additionally, many other factors interact surreptitiously within India’s governing system, contributing to the current situation. Also, Nagaland, like all other states, bound by the Indian Constitution, cannot operate independently beyond a few limited provisions. Discerning these implications is not as straightforward as expected; they are highly complex. Evil forces continue to manifest in numerous ways, deceiving and misleading, which ultimately infiltrates deeper into spiritual realms. God’s Word provides ample evidence to support this.
God chose the Nagas for a purpose. We will make terrible mistakes unless we seek God’s wisdom and guidance.
Internal Contributing Factors
Nagas have become complacent. Complacency epitomizes corruption, deception, and spiritual and moral turpitude, ultimately leading to society’s breakdown. It encompasses the various facets of life within individual and group settings, condoning substandard behaviors in others and ourselves that are out of alignment with our deepest values and beliefs, which should never be compromised under any circumstances.
Nagas are struggling in a quagmire, attempting to build a Utopian nation in the sinking sand while being engulfed in rampant waves of corruption. Stark endemic corruption in Nagaland has become a defining feature. A well-known Indian contractor and supplier for the Nagaland government confided that they do not want the Christianity the Nagas profess because of corruption. Despite boasting the largest Christian population in South Asia and the most prominent American Baptist denomination worldwide, Nagaland is now synonymous with corruption. Thus, nonbelievers ridicule Nagaland for Christ as Nagaland for Corruption, befitting its reputation for vice. Nagas have become pathologically corrupt as if it is a birthright. Since these evil elements are widespread throughout Nagaland as an accepted norm–dare I call it a “cheating culture”?
Nagaland is too close to Hindutva, far from God
In the past, the Nagas have maintained a singularly veritable reputation for being honest, forthright, and doing the right thing. Naga society is founded as a close-knit society. Cheating, bribery, fraud, misuse of public funds or properties, extortion, and kidnapping for ransom–none were ever heard of in a Naga society. Do not equate headhunting with current vices.
When the late President Phizo suggested seeking donations for the movement, I responded in writing that it would be unwise to seek donations from private donors; however, seeking support from established foreign governments would be appropriate.
Another characteristic of complacency is a growing tendency for organizations and stakeholders to disconnect by promoting self-interest. The mathematical equation for the multiplicity of factions (underground or overground) is opportunistic, differing from the multidimensional approach to problem-solving. We must set aside our differences by brainstorming and solving the issues we care about because no group can solve the Nagas’ problems. We don’t need an Aesop fable to remind us of the moral: “United We Stand, Divided We Fall.” When the oxen quarreled and divided, they became easy prey for the lion, killing them individually. A lesson was learned: They are stronger when they stick together. Jesus Christ declared an even more dramatic warning about the dangers of disunity when He said, “Any kingdom divided against itself is laid waste, and a house divided against itself falls” (Luke 11:17). Unity means stability, strength, and power. True patriots will not choose to divide. Do not exploit this; it is already a devilishly charged political pressure cooker.
Panic begins when wisdom and concrete concepts end. A false sense of urgency results from feelings of anxiety, instability, frustration, anger, and a lack of confidence and trust. Never be intimidated or succumb to a now-or-never panic mode, which signals an oblivious desperation; there is no hope under such circumstances. Developing a sense of legitimate urgency requires careful deliberation and calculation of the actions being taken; avoiding these critical steps creates only myopic illusions without ever producing satisfactory results. We may settle for less while aiming for the best and become losers. This does not mean Nagas do not care; it is a failure to anchor on a firm foundation. Because the Naga political issues are complex, they call for sound decisions and judgments. This requires careful discourse.
Don’t blame India alone, as they are doing what is best for them, whether legitimate or not. The problem is compounded by the Nagas’ feeding the frenzy. A few aimless arrows here and a few careless panjis there will not kill the lion. In other words, press releases or speeches do not accomplish the goal of building a nation. Efforts to whitewash the real issues with peripheral programs will destroy everything the Nagas have been fighting for. Only by careful planning and execution, led by dedicated men and women of honesty and integrity, supported by every Naga, can they achieve this.
The signed accords are meaningless unless they are followed. That did not happen in the previous Indo-Naga political agreements, which date back to the Nehru era and continue to this day; nevertheless, our leaders failed to read the writing on the wall. Unless the provisions of the agreements are enforced in both spirit and letter, the accords are worthless. Danger looms, but no one is paying attention. The adversary’s desensitizing strategy is working.
Understandably, many are becoming increasingly disillusioned. That is how the Prince of Darkness wants us to live. The only way to overcome this is to yield to our Savior, Jesus Christ. We all must kneel before our Creator to find the solution. Nagas need a real killing weapon, not a weapon that sheds blood, but a God-given weapon of wisdom and guidance. Nagas need unity under the banner of our Savior Jesus Christ.
This is what I urge all Nagas to do
1. We have all strayed from our loving God and become corrupted as a people. The challenge for all of us is to heed righteousness by returning to our Lord. We all need a spiritual awakening, and no Naga soul is exempt from it. I am affirming this approach without making any accusations. As the Bible says, we all have sinned and fallen short of God’s righteousness (see Rom. 3:23).
2. The next step is for all Nagas to be united under one umbrella. No organization or group should claim the right to control. Unity provides strength. Until this is accomplished, it is premature to talk about any settlement. Let’s not repeat the past mistakes. God still loves the Nagas and has a divine purpose, but first, we must obey and follow Jesus Christ as our Savior and Lord.
3. When things are done appropriately, all adult Nagas must consent. This is the most important and urgent step, guided by Almighty God.
Let us all seek God for His wisdom and guidance.
~ Dr Vikuosa Nienu