It is with deep concern and profound disappointment that I respond to the speech delivered in Ao by Eno Imkong L. Imchen, Hon’ble BJP MLA and Advisor, during the People’s Democratic Alliance (PDA) Tsüngremmong Festival on 2nd August 2025 at Rembo Dikhu Road, Ungma. His statements have deeply wounded the dignity of the Naga people, insulted the sacrifices of Naga patriots, and dishonored the legacy of those who have committed their lives to a just and rightful cause. While there are more points that deserve response, I will not go beyond what is necessary.
The Dismissal of the Naga Political Struggle as a “Fantastic Fantasy”
Mr. Imchen’s description of the Naga political issue as a “fantastic fantasy” is factually baseless and politically irresponsible. The Naga movement is not an illusion, nor a misguided ambition. It is a historically rooted, politically engaged, and morally grounded struggle for self-determination, justice, and dignity.
From the 1929 memorandum to the Simon Commission, to the 1951 plebiscite, to the enduring armed and non-armed resistance, recognition of Naga resistance struggle as political by successive Prime Ministers of India and to the signing of the 1997 ceasefire and subsequent agreements with the Government of India — the Naga struggle is not only real but also formally recognized by the Indian state and acknowledged internationally, including by agencies under the United Nations and the Unrepresented Nations and Peoples Organization (UNPO).
To trivialize such a profound political reality as “fantasy” is to undermine the sacrifices of generations and to insult the intelligence and resilience of an entire people.
Equally disturbing is Mr. Imchen’s remark: “I can form one faction in my name, I can have two-three AK-47s, give them to young people, collect money, and I will build a house and buy cars. That’s it, son of a bitch. We shouldn’t waste time here!”
The use of the phrase “son of a bitch” by a public figure at a public gathering is offensive, abusive, and wholly unacceptable. In its plain meaning, the insult degrades the mother of the person being targeted, equating her with a female dog. Such language is not merely a personal attack; it is a direct assault on the dignity of Naga women, many of whom have borne the brunt of conflict with silent courage, dignity, and prayerful endurance.
When directed at Naga national workers, many of whom joined the movement out of conviction and principle, the insult dishonors not only them but also their mothers who nurtured them and shared their sacrifices. Such words degrade public discourse and diminish the honor of countless Naga women who deserve respect, not ridicule.
It is absolutely true that some individuals have exploited the Naga movement for personal or financial gain by collecting illegal taxes, forming self-serving factions, or misusing the cause without having borne the weight of oppression.
However, it is intellectually dishonest and grossly unfair to generalize all Naga national workers as opportunists or criminals. There exists a clear distinction between those who have sacrificed and negotiated with sincerity for the rights of the Naga people, and those who have exploited the movement. Responsible leadership requires discernment, not sweeping condemnation.
Coming from a land of pioneers and a most veteran legislature, such careless words are not only astonishing but also regrettable. This will neither foster unity within the coalition partners nor among the Nagas. Instead, it will deepen divisions and erode respect for our shared heritage and most importantly our adversaries will laugh at us.
Words matter, truth and Respect must prevail – Public representatives carry a special burden, their words echo far beyond their immediate audience. When a leader mocks deeply held aspirations, insults the mothers of patriots, or dismisses the historical truth of a people’s inalienable rights, it betrays the very community they claim to serve.
The Naga political issue is not a fantasy. The mothers of Naga national workers are not to be insulted. They are the backbone of a struggle that has endured for decades — resilient, prayerful, and dignified. Their honor must never be dragged into the dirt of careless political rhetoric.
