In 1994, in the Miss World Beauty Pageant, Aishwarya introduced herself as having come from the land of Non-Violence. Ever since Mahatma Gandhi inspired millions to opt for non-violent means in the fight against colonial rule, Indians started proclaiming their country as the land of non-violence. Many even go to the extent of saying that India is the only country which won its independence through Non-Violence. It is also said that iconic personalities like Martin Luther Junior and Nelson Mandela learnt how to practice non-violence from the life and tactics of Mahatma Gandhi. So it is no wonder that many associate India with the idea and practice of Non-Violence.
India is a country where almost everybody is literally obsessed with movies and films. And over the decades, ideas and cultures depicted and propagated in films and movies have played a great role in shaping the opinions and mid-sets of the people. And many film makers have used the medium of films and movies to spread, promote and instill Hindu ideas, values and philosophies amongst the viewers. And one noteworthy idea or philosophy often propagated in Hindi movies is through the dialogue “Hum Nihat-te pe vaar nahi karte” which literally means “we don’t attack or ambush unarmed people”. It can also be understood as “We don’t fight or make war with unarmed people”. And when such ideas and philosophies are propagated, it seems to suggest that India is a country where unarmed people would not be targeted or victimized in any way. But is India really such a country in the backdrop of the December 4 and 5 incidents in Mon?
India is also said to be the biggest democratic country. And as such, in this age of democracy, many countries from around the world look up to India as the epitome of democracy where only democratic means and methods prevail. Yes, the international image that India has is that of a pure democratic country where all its laws and decrees are based solely on democratic principles and ideals. But when we know that there is a law in the country which empowers the armed personnel to shoot its own citizens on mere suspicion or to arrest or search anyone without warrant with total impunity from legal prosecution, is it fair to consider such a country as the epitome of democracy?
Ever since the AFSPA was enforced and implemented in Naga country in 1958, it seems like a pendulum has been swinging at the head of every Naga. And we do not know when this pendulum would swing a little too much and turn our world upside down. Yes, there have been many instances when this pendulum swung a little too much and brought about total destruction and broke many hearts and made our tears and blood flow unceasingly.
The present government at the centre has brought about many radical policies and changes in the country like the demonetization, the abolition of Article 370 etc even in the face of total opposition and public wrath. But as far as this draconian decree is concerned, it is interesting to note that this same government has been keeping mute despite clarion calls from the affected people for its abrogation.
India is today one of the strongest military powers in South Asia if not the strongest. India’s military power, be it its army, air-force or naval force, has grown by leaps and bounds since the 1960s. And in keeping with this growth, its intelligence capability must have also grown by leaps and bounds. Therefore, even without the AFSPA, India is capable of tackling any volatile situation in Nagaland or elsewhere in the country.
Moreover, even in 1958 also when this law was first enforced, it was totally inhuman on the part of the Indian government to bestow such unrestricted sweeping powers on its armed personnel (who were already armed to the teeth with the latest and sophisticated arms available at that time) to be used on some illiterate unarmed poor village farmers living peacefully in their own lands in the frontiers of India.
And now, it has been 63 years since that time and many equations which were in existence at that time have already evaporated. In these 63 years, Nagaland statehood has been born, the Naga case has been transferred from the ministry of external affairs to the ministry of Home affairs and the children of the Nagas who used to ambush and attack army camps and convoys are now yearning for peace and tranquility in the land. And so it is totally illogical and uncalled for to be still empowering the armed personnel of the greatest military power in South Asia with this draconian law to subjugate and suppress some of its own citizens who have already undergone too much pain and are now trying to hammer out a pathway for their political destiny by sitting across the table.
Yes, 63 long years have passed since this AFSPA pendulum started ticking over our heads. But this pendulum has not been able to bring about any desired changes in our land. Rather it has only brought fear, pain, suspicion and apprehension. Moreover, the rights and desire of the Nagas to live as free people have not diminished even a bit because of the existence of this draconian law. And whether this AFSPA is lifted or continues to be in operation, it will not in any way dampen the historical and political rights of the Nagas. On the contrary, it will continue to tarnish the image and reputation of this great nation both inside and outside the country.
Another question is that when India has also proclaimed to embrace and develop the Nagas and the Naga lands like any other states in the country, why should such an inhuman act continue to create havoc and fear in the hearts and minds of the Nagas. Instead why not lift this act altogether which will certainly make the Nagas and other affected people less antagonistic towards the country.
It is also said that India has recognized and acknowledged the unique history of the Nagas. And time and time again, Indian leaders have also stated that there can be no military solution to the Naga case. In par with these statements, Indian leaders have also mentioned that Nagaland is today a peaceful land where development has been ushered in and normalcy has returned to the land. So, if India is serious about these statements which it has made more than once in the public domain, it is totally uncalled for that it still continues to harbor and enforce such a draconian law which has only made a certain section of its own citizens more alienated and segregated than ever before.
On the one hand, India calls the Nagas also as her own children and appeals to them to come forward and be a part of this great nation. But on the other hand, India keeps declaring our land as disturbed land despite the fact that Nagaland today is as calm and peaceful as any other land in the country. And every time this disturbed area tag is re-hung in our land, the AFSPA pendulum starts ticking again putting the whole land and its people in mental pandemonium as we do not know when and where this pendulum will swing a little too far again.
Therefore, India may be called a non-violent country. India may be proclaimed as a country where unarmed people are not attacked. India may be called the greatest democratic country in the world. But as long as this draconian law (the AFSPA pendulum) keeps swinging above our heads, all these proclamations have no meaning to us and an indefinable sense of uneasiness and uncertainty will continue to follow us wherever we go.
So long as this draconian law is in existence, we can never view the armed forces as our protectors or defenders. So long as this law is in existence, many will tremble at the mere sight of the men in uniform. And as long as this pendulum keeps ticking above our heads, we will never feel that normalcy or peace has returned to our lands. And as long as this pendulum keeps swinging, our people will continue to view India not as a friend but as a foe.
Over the years, many names have been attached to Nagaland like “Nagaland for Christ”, “The Land of Festivals”, “Gateway to the East” etc. But as long as this draconian pendulum keeps swinging over our heads, it would not be wrong to declare Nagaland as the land where bullets can rain from anywhere anytime and nobody can ask any questions.
