It is not the evil that destroys the world;
It is those who watch them without doing anything.
Since ‘politics’ has long been associated with the word ‘dirty’, many people mistakenly believe that anyone who is associated with politics is also ‘filthy’. As a result, generally speaking, a religious Christian usually shies away from politics and wears the “I am not interested in politics” statement like a badge of honor.
However, the fact that someone is not interested in politics or is unaware of politics should surprise anyone with common sense because politics has a direct bearing on our everyday lives. Our way of life is shaped and governed by politics. How can one be not aware or curious about politics when it is affecting every moment of your life?
For example, running a car necessitates the use of fuel, and the rising price of fuel is the outcome of politics. Inflation in essential commodities and services, like soaring LPG prices, is a function of politics since the government formed by political parties passes the laws that affect us. Thus, it makes sense to be curious about why prices are rising or to have the decency to ask whether or not the government have the capacity to limit price fluctuations. The deplorable road conditions reflect our pathetic understanding of politics.
Similar to this, we could have questioned why we had to go to other cities and states to receive quality medical treatment. Why is Nagaland still unable to offer quality healthcare even after more than 50 years of statehood? Or why is there essentially no access to healthcare in rural areas? Are any of us tracking the 48 million dollar financing arrangement for the ‘Nagaland Health Project’?
And, most crucially, what role does the democratically elected government play? At the very least, the government’s job is to ensure its citizens basic rights. Education and healthcare are examples of basic needs. But who among us will send our own children to public schools?
Instead of meeting our basic needs and enhancing our quality of life, the government has given us the moniker of the worst performing state under the NITI AYOG 2021 Sustainable Development Goal Index, the worst performing state under the National Health Index, the worst performing state in the State Energy and Climate Index, or the state that has failed to build a high court complex in 15 years.
What does that mean for a state where more than 80% of its citizens are professed Christians, then?
The church as a religious institution may be limited in its ability to engage in politics, but the individual members of the church are all Christians who are citizens of a democratic country with rights, duties and responsibilities. Therefore, it is the right, duty and responsibility of a Christian, being a citizen, to remain watchful and knowledgeable about politics.
Furthermore, the clichéd adage that “Change begins with you” can only be true if one remains politically informed, alert, and awake.