By S Kamei
Act of terrorism, total state of insecurity and social unrest seems to be the order of the day, specially in the Naga inhabited region. These atmosphere, creating fear and anxieties, loomed large amongst the once simple, peace loving and fiercely independent people of the hills. The gun totting youths in combat fatigue loiter about, hunting down each other mercilessly and thoughtlessly everywhere, often in the midst of the civilian, at the same time bullying the innocent village folks, placing many blames on them. This is the pathetic picture of the so called land of “Nagaland For Christ”. These mindless and misled youths throw themselves in this great unholy carnage, which engulfed them by its cruel flame. They are no other but our own notional assets, many of whom, if guided properly could be a resourceful and responsible citizen of our society.
Nationalism is the driving force that led to this state of confusion and degeneration of the society. There can be two kind of nationalism. One of it represent the people with an idea of liberating themselves from the alien ruler, ignoring other aspects while the other section believe in the overall deliverance of the society, not only politically but from abject poverty, cultural evils and other social and legal injustice. Mahatma Gandhi and his follower belonged to the latter group. The Nagas can be credited with one of the longest struggle starting from the early 20th century till date. Almost a century. But the question here is how far it has succeeded?
The epoch making movement of Indian struggle against the British marks its beginning from the most unthinkable and simplest homely issue of salt price (Salt Satyagraha) proposed by Gandhiji, even, to the surprise of many of the pioneers of the freedom movement, while the congress conference were wondering from where to start the Civil Disobedience Movement. It came to pass with great success and later launched a no-tax agitation and other issues like Rowlatt Act and Simon Commission etc. The lesson we learn from here is the deep, resourceful and far-sightedness of Gandhiji in understanding the importance of socio-economic and political grievances which he successfully redressed not by any method of violence but by his mysterious method of non-violence. Even the lal, Bal, Pal party of extremist do not resort to any form of violence like we do though they are known to have inclination towards aggressive me-thod of implementing their policies. Chandra Shekhar Bhagat Singh and others, who resort to an act of terrorism do not win appreciation of the people. In fact many denounce the act, though their target were only the few chosen British officials. The throwing of bomb at the official gathering of the British was just to create confusion and fear rather than the motive to physically hurt them. Yet, they earned public out-cry against the incident and national leaders expressed regret over this shameless and inhuman act. The popularity they gained when they were sentenced to death were for totally different reason and not for this gruesome act.
Citing an example of our nationalist unawareness of the prevalent threat against our most fundamental right is the dreaded Armed Forces’ Special Powers Act (AFSPA) introduced many decades back. Why can’t any body put up a well organized and systematic fight against such draconian law? The failure to protect the people from even the most fundamental right of the very existence of human race, could never win the confidence of the masses, that sovereignty is ensured.
What actually prompted (AFSPA) is the policy of violence chosen by some of us. Has anybody experimented a more reasonable and rational approach other than taking up arms and provoking the sleeping giant, enraging it to trample under its feet many innocent, armless and helpless people ?
Despite the rapid modernization taking place in different parts of the world, the head hunting culture of the Nagas still persist, though in a different form, which has become more organized and massive with a more technologically advanced killing machine. This is the reflection of the undeveloped peoples’ mentality despite the world’s growing modern consciousness.
Act of violence, especially, the mindless and unreasonable ones should be shunned with all our might. The policy of give and take is always genuine and productive only if it is done in right spirit and good faith with mutual understanding, to the given issue. The human race is a social being, which starts from the smallest unit of home to the international society. Goodwill and mutual cooperation is the only way to achieve positive result - both temporary and permanent. The aggressive and mindless policy thrashed upon the public only aggravate the plight of the already suffering people. Both the security forces armed with the most dreaded law (AFSPA) and the underground outfit belonging to various hostile factions have placed the people between muzzle of guns, expecting any moment for the bullet to rip open their heart or their brain and seal their fate therewith. Nothing is certain anymore, seeing every new dawn of a day seems to be a miraculous escape to live one more day. This social chaos with the political turmoil prevailing in the region further, add to grievances of the people. The degenerated administrative machinery has eaten away the moral and dignity of the society.
This reduce individual to a mere mindless animal. Most people couldn’t find an avenue to establish themselves, thus, preserve their integrity to live as a civilized citizen. People are ready to indulge to any form, keeping aside the social, religious and moral value, just to feed their hungry mouth.
Now, the question arise, which is first? The failure of the civil political system or rise of militancy? Like, which is first - the egg or the hen? It is difficult to understand but the only reasonable and appropriate answer to this would be, both played the treacherous role in destroying the civil society, for none could promise anything than being a dreadful disease eating away every vital organs of the just and peaceful society.
Talk about a more rational and free religion known as Christianity on which the whole weight of the movement is based. It is no better than the religion claimed to indigenous, barbaric and irrational religion of our forefathers, which propagate and glorified killing and animalism. The holy warrior, adorned with a holy green fatigue, and the most revered banner “Nagaland for Christ” written on their robe, donning the fire of hatred in their eyes go on a wild killing spree among their brethren. Their hands smeared with most innocent blood of the Children of God. Is this the divine sanction given by Christ who is the Prime of Peace and love ? Is this how God wanted to manifest his love and triumph over evils ? Gandhiji, a Hindu, was a more Christ-like shepherd herding his flock to a more Christ-like children. They bare the butts and bayonets of the British army, and determinedly stood their ground, without a slightest physically provocative retaliation other than their rightful demand. Even the Hindus, whose sacred book consist of the events of war like Mahabharat and Ramayan, which glorified and justified war and blood-shed, could see the truth of non-violence and peace. how can a Christian who had been brought up teaching the fundamental truth of love and peace both at home and the other realness of the society, fail to see the truth ?
The most awaited and holiest celebration of the Christ’s birth is just round the corner. What would this season, known to be a season of peace and tranquillity and the birth of Christ, the despenser of darkness and champion of peace and love garner in ? The frequent booming and rattle of guns seems to mark the beginning of this great celebration. Where then, will the motto “Nagaland for Christ” fit in; when we only intensify our act of the most abominable act of evil to welcome the saviour. I would rather, suggest a more appropriate satanic verse to be the banner, instead of making a mockery of the most holy name. Aren’t the spears of the Roman soldiers thrust deep into his body, the crown of mockery with a piercing thorn, and the feeding of the most bitter water into his mouth, when he cried out in mortal thirst, enough? Are we to add more to his already wounded being and proclaim to the world that, this is the nation to be, which would be presented to Christ on his birthday?
Source: The Sangai Express
Act of terrorism, total state of insecurity and social unrest seems to be the order of the day, specially in the Naga inhabited region. These atmosphere, creating fear and anxieties, loomed large amongst the once simple, peace loving and fiercely independent people of the hills. The gun totting youths in combat fatigue loiter about, hunting down each other mercilessly and thoughtlessly everywhere, often in the midst of the civilian, at the same time bullying the innocent village folks, placing many blames on them. This is the pathetic picture of the so called land of “Nagaland For Christ”. These mindless and misled youths throw themselves in this great unholy carnage, which engulfed them by its cruel flame. They are no other but our own notional assets, many of whom, if guided properly could be a resourceful and responsible citizen of our society.
Nationalism is the driving force that led to this state of confusion and degeneration of the society. There can be two kind of nationalism. One of it represent the people with an idea of liberating themselves from the alien ruler, ignoring other aspects while the other section believe in the overall deliverance of the society, not only politically but from abject poverty, cultural evils and other social and legal injustice. Mahatma Gandhi and his follower belonged to the latter group. The Nagas can be credited with one of the longest struggle starting from the early 20th century till date. Almost a century. But the question here is how far it has succeeded?
The epoch making movement of Indian struggle against the British marks its beginning from the most unthinkable and simplest homely issue of salt price (Salt Satyagraha) proposed by Gandhiji, even, to the surprise of many of the pioneers of the freedom movement, while the congress conference were wondering from where to start the Civil Disobedience Movement. It came to pass with great success and later launched a no-tax agitation and other issues like Rowlatt Act and Simon Commission etc. The lesson we learn from here is the deep, resourceful and far-sightedness of Gandhiji in understanding the importance of socio-economic and political grievances which he successfully redressed not by any method of violence but by his mysterious method of non-violence. Even the lal, Bal, Pal party of extremist do not resort to any form of violence like we do though they are known to have inclination towards aggressive me-thod of implementing their policies. Chandra Shekhar Bhagat Singh and others, who resort to an act of terrorism do not win appreciation of the people. In fact many denounce the act, though their target were only the few chosen British officials. The throwing of bomb at the official gathering of the British was just to create confusion and fear rather than the motive to physically hurt them. Yet, they earned public out-cry against the incident and national leaders expressed regret over this shameless and inhuman act. The popularity they gained when they were sentenced to death were for totally different reason and not for this gruesome act.
Citing an example of our nationalist unawareness of the prevalent threat against our most fundamental right is the dreaded Armed Forces’ Special Powers Act (AFSPA) introduced many decades back. Why can’t any body put up a well organized and systematic fight against such draconian law? The failure to protect the people from even the most fundamental right of the very existence of human race, could never win the confidence of the masses, that sovereignty is ensured.
What actually prompted (AFSPA) is the policy of violence chosen by some of us. Has anybody experimented a more reasonable and rational approach other than taking up arms and provoking the sleeping giant, enraging it to trample under its feet many innocent, armless and helpless people ?
Despite the rapid modernization taking place in different parts of the world, the head hunting culture of the Nagas still persist, though in a different form, which has become more organized and massive with a more technologically advanced killing machine. This is the reflection of the undeveloped peoples’ mentality despite the world’s growing modern consciousness.
Act of violence, especially, the mindless and unreasonable ones should be shunned with all our might. The policy of give and take is always genuine and productive only if it is done in right spirit and good faith with mutual understanding, to the given issue. The human race is a social being, which starts from the smallest unit of home to the international society. Goodwill and mutual cooperation is the only way to achieve positive result - both temporary and permanent. The aggressive and mindless policy thrashed upon the public only aggravate the plight of the already suffering people. Both the security forces armed with the most dreaded law (AFSPA) and the underground outfit belonging to various hostile factions have placed the people between muzzle of guns, expecting any moment for the bullet to rip open their heart or their brain and seal their fate therewith. Nothing is certain anymore, seeing every new dawn of a day seems to be a miraculous escape to live one more day. This social chaos with the political turmoil prevailing in the region further, add to grievances of the people. The degenerated administrative machinery has eaten away the moral and dignity of the society.
This reduce individual to a mere mindless animal. Most people couldn’t find an avenue to establish themselves, thus, preserve their integrity to live as a civilized citizen. People are ready to indulge to any form, keeping aside the social, religious and moral value, just to feed their hungry mouth.
Now, the question arise, which is first? The failure of the civil political system or rise of militancy? Like, which is first - the egg or the hen? It is difficult to understand but the only reasonable and appropriate answer to this would be, both played the treacherous role in destroying the civil society, for none could promise anything than being a dreadful disease eating away every vital organs of the just and peaceful society.
Talk about a more rational and free religion known as Christianity on which the whole weight of the movement is based. It is no better than the religion claimed to indigenous, barbaric and irrational religion of our forefathers, which propagate and glorified killing and animalism. The holy warrior, adorned with a holy green fatigue, and the most revered banner “Nagaland for Christ” written on their robe, donning the fire of hatred in their eyes go on a wild killing spree among their brethren. Their hands smeared with most innocent blood of the Children of God. Is this the divine sanction given by Christ who is the Prime of Peace and love ? Is this how God wanted to manifest his love and triumph over evils ? Gandhiji, a Hindu, was a more Christ-like shepherd herding his flock to a more Christ-like children. They bare the butts and bayonets of the British army, and determinedly stood their ground, without a slightest physically provocative retaliation other than their rightful demand. Even the Hindus, whose sacred book consist of the events of war like Mahabharat and Ramayan, which glorified and justified war and blood-shed, could see the truth of non-violence and peace. how can a Christian who had been brought up teaching the fundamental truth of love and peace both at home and the other realness of the society, fail to see the truth ?
The most awaited and holiest celebration of the Christ’s birth is just round the corner. What would this season, known to be a season of peace and tranquillity and the birth of Christ, the despenser of darkness and champion of peace and love garner in ? The frequent booming and rattle of guns seems to mark the beginning of this great celebration. Where then, will the motto “Nagaland for Christ” fit in; when we only intensify our act of the most abominable act of evil to welcome the saviour. I would rather, suggest a more appropriate satanic verse to be the banner, instead of making a mockery of the most holy name. Aren’t the spears of the Roman soldiers thrust deep into his body, the crown of mockery with a piercing thorn, and the feeding of the most bitter water into his mouth, when he cried out in mortal thirst, enough? Are we to add more to his already wounded being and proclaim to the world that, this is the nation to be, which would be presented to Christ on his birthday?
Source: The Sangai Express
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