In the spirit of responsible and respectful public discourse, I believe the legacy and public service of Dr. S. C. Jamir deserve to be viewed in their proper historical and constitutional context.
Dr. Jamir’s contribution to public life goes far beyond a reference to him merely as an “old man.” He served as Chief Minister of Nagaland five times and subsequently as Governor of Goa, Maharashtra, Gujarat and Odisha, besides serving in Parliament and the Union Government.
Whatever our political differences may be, decades of public service and constitutional responsibility deserve due recognition and dignity. Historical assessments have also regarded Dr. Jamir is a veteran statesman and an important figure in Nagaland’s political journey.
I also wish to clarify my response to the recent remarks of a political leader concerning Dr.Jamir.
My intention is not to criticise or question the political leader’s position. On the contrary, I appreciate the principle that political affiliation should not prevent anyone from acknowledging what they genuinely believe to be a truthful or legitimate position.
At the same time, I believe that public discussion concerning senior statesmen should be conducted with dignity, historical perspective and responsible language.
We may disagree on politics, but we should not diminish history. We may debate positions, but we should respect public service.
Let us discuss the Naga political issue with facts, constitutional principles and mutual respect, rather than personal labels.
Political differences are temporary. Public service becomes part of history.
(The views expressed are those of the writer and not of the newspaper)
