One of the latest rounds of discussion and debate that is flooding the social media platforms in Nagaland is around the purported ‘Durga Puja Pandal’ decorated with Naga traditional motifs supposedly in Dimapur. Images similar to this were circulated in social media in the previous years as well; the most prominent one being the goddess Durga clad in traditional Naga attire. Religion and culture are sensitive issues and any topic around them is bound to generate a lot of interest among followers and detractors alike, especially when sentiments are pricked. The intention of decorating the Durga Puja pandal in Naga motifs has not been established and, therefore, it is difficult to pass any verdict on whether it is right or wrong. However, as it concerns religion and culture, it is obvious that there will be a lot of assumptions and suppositions. It can also be said that, even if the intent was not to hurt the sentiments of the Naga people, it already has to some degree. Moreover, it can be said that it was poor judgment on the part of the people who decorated the pandal in Naga motifs.
Another perspective of viewing this episode is that it purportedly happened in Dimapur. Could the same have happened elsewhere in Nagaland, say Mokokchung? Dimapur is by default a cosmopolitan city whereas Mokokchung is by and large a homogenous one. Therefore, if the Hindus in Dimapur would decorate their pandals in Naga motifs, would they also do the same in Mokokchung? The point is that the place where it is happening also explains the reason why it is happening. The only concern is that, viewed from the perspective of the Nagas in general and the Christian community, such a thing can very well happen in Mokokchung – perhaps in a few years’ time – because Naga people in general are accommodative and open minded by nature. While the intent of the Hindu community may not be one of appropriating Naga culture, it can be viewed as otherwise because of the very nature of the subjects involved – religion and culture. Therefore, it is best that each remain true to its own form, knowing where to draw the line.
It is to be noted here that there is no denying the fact that extremist Hindu fundamentalism is at work in India and elsewhere. The ideas propagated by the RSS on uniformity of religion in India, or Bharat rather, for example, will definitely see resistance. Such a process would lead to a situation where life would be difficult for all concerned, regardless of the outcome. Religion and culture are products of each other and how people perceive them often determine how they act or react to ‘attacks’ on their culture and religion. It would, therefore, augur well for the Hindu community to be more sensitive to the Naga culture and religion. After all, the celebration of ‘triumph of good over evil’ can be complete even without decorating the Durga Puja pandal in traditional Naga motifs.