Mhaphüvi Naleo
Oh what a pity for those like minded people. The famous Aristotle’s saying, “Birds of the same feather flock together” has finally become a reality where a community becomes exclusive. These breed of people cannot accept the views of others but are always craving for their own selfish gain. They become oppressive and are doubtful of others’ accomplishments. Therefore, what is proven right is that, Unity in Diversity is correct. This community accepts, respects and has love for others inspite of their differences. It is the most stable and secured community.
Nagas cannot afford to be proven wrong because of our likenesses or differences. More than any other reason, we are brothers and sisters of the same family. We cannot expect every action or idea to be uniform. So it is for this reason our diversity colors the beauty of our nation. This beauty cannot be replaced by any other input or ideology except to remain united, accepting one another, respecting one another and forgiving one another in the midst of all the differences. No one can break or separate us from this God-given community, and should never be broken. This is our stronghold and identity as a nation (not to forget her geography).
Now it has been more than half a century, and we are still demanding this right from the Indian Republic. There has never been a time that we have given up or failed in our pursuit for this cause. We are rightly demanding what is ours. The world is also alarmed and has heard our cry for justice. Recently in our local daily news, people from different countries of the world (appeared as Naga Solidarity Group) have supported us by saying that “Naga people’s right to a peaceful solution and to live as a sovereign people is undeniable.” We feel proud that we are respected and there are people who empathize with us. It is also a comfort and blessing to hear that many pastors and churches in America are praying for Nagas for this right cause. But why is it that they are not working along with us to solve it at the earliest? Why do they still remain silent or seem to be deaf to our just plea? Are we still barbaric to run our own course of history? Are we too small to become an independent nation? Is it because we do not have enough arsenals, jets or technology to compete with others? The answer is no, never ask us that way.
In all of their support for us, their unison voice is to be united and reconciled within yourself. Without doubt, God demands the same from us. It is not an individual struggle, a clan struggle, a village struggle, a tribe struggle or a group struggle. It is a call for NAGAS’ STRUGGLE. A struggle where everyone participates for a glorious future. No one can claim to be superior or inferior for this hope but everyone has equal share and responsibility. So no one is exempted whether freedom fighters or government officials or church leaders or the general public. To bring unification, acceptance and reconciliation is everyone’s responsibility. Without this, how do we see our future? Do we expect another civil war for the mighty group to win? God forbids, never dream or think of it again. Enough is enough, no more tears and no more bloodshed.
It is high time to think deeply and avail the privilege. It is the opportune time when we can prove ourselves worthy to be a sovereign people: There needs to be transformation within the revolution: not only fight for the right but also to live as a human being – life of peace, truth, acceptance, respect, unity, love, etc. so that we not only solve the problem but also live a better life.
Those grudges and misperceptions must be bargained as Dr Wati Aier stated for a “just peace” in our society, We cannot afford to let these things kill us again anymore. We are not blind people who hit everyone who come in our way. We are a unique people placed uniquely before God. We know who are our brothers and sisters. Therefore, it will be unwise on our part to consider our own brothers and sisters as not one of us. Mistakes are made but foolish is the man who does not learn from it.
For sure it will not be that easy to arrive at a given consensus and have a constructive debate when we have already pushed ourselves to the extreme periphery. But without a common political unification and acceptance, the problems still remain unsolved. In spite of the many obstacles and differences, it is only through unification, acceptance and reconciliation which will bring lasting peaceful existence. Pluralism will only complicate our cause. It can never bring concreteness, substance and bonding in one spirit. No matter what it strives for, it only pleases the surface area. To be honest, it is difficult to picture Nagas to be an independent nation without unification, acceptance and reconciliation, because it will only lead to a civil war where the hearts of many generations will be torn into pieces.
So where to go now? Where do we start? Who should be responsible? Let us come out of our misperception and be accountable for this big cause. As a Christian populated state, we cannot think of other better ideologies but to remain faithful to the biblical teaching. Without God it is also hard to think of unification and reconciliation. Before we forgive each other, we must ask God to forgive us and lead us with a testimony.
No one is exempted from this cause. The church needs to pray hard and try to eliminate the evils in our society. We have to work without wavering till we see transformation in our society. State ministers and bureaucrats need to seriously examine their responsibility as leaders. We are tired of listening to very good sermons especially on development, and law and order in the state when in reality there is full of favoritism, corruption and insecurity of the people. Development is your work but what about just and pure democracy in governance. Is there no such thing in your agenda/program? Whatever it may be, we now stand on the threshold to decide our future either of victory or suffering for some more decades. Let us take the privilege of creating a just and peaceful atmosphere in our state and not forgetting to participate in the acceptance, unification and reconciliation of all Naga brothers and sisters. It’s high time for us irrespective of all groups, government bodies, organizations, NGOs and all sectors of unions to join together for this cause. We are all equally responsible as our freedom fighters.
The top pastors of the United States are praying and have concern for us, saying that it is a God-given privilege to be united; accept and reconcile within ourselves. Shall we be more serious than those who empathize with us? It is our responsibility and we cannot rely totally on others to solve our problems. No doubt, there has been lots of progress in peace talks thus far but we cannot be satisfied with its progress only. What do we lose if we can give a testimony to the world community that unification and reconciliation are always attainable? They are serious. Their support for us is not a joke nor to please us. Are we serious about it?
Shalom Bible Seminary, Sechüma
