Al Ngullie
I desire to share these thoughts from a humane perspective with our leaders Isak Chishi Swu, Th. Muivah, SS Khaplang, Kitovi Zhimomi, Adinno Phizo and others.
One cannot help but feel sorry for Dr. Rev. Tuisem Shishak; for our Naga underground leaders; for our families; for our tribes; for our people, the Nagas; and I feel sorry for my self. I feel sorry that I am categorized a Christian Naga. I feel sorry that I’m regretting a virtue that should have been embraced in humility and Christian grace. I feel regret that a wholesome virtue so uttered in unselfish wholesomeness was countered with unabashed criticism. It breeds deep hurt and a deeper regret, because forgiveness merits no censure.
It is exceedingly inopportune the fact that a people like us “Christian” Nagas have mutated into antagonistic and self-centered creatures that we have cultured to the extreme, the despicable art of even scanning forgiveness for flaws and points to rip apart. No wonder at all that I feel sorry that we have turned into veritable scanners programmed to detect blotches where there are none – unless, of course, one deems there are some. That it is now human sanction to even seek forgiveness or give, and not a virgin virtue bred of God.
I am a Lotha Naga and I am exceedingly insignificant and wanting to even contemplate a trust as superior as seeking forgiveness on behalf of my people. But I do know this truth: only strong men are motivated by conviction to seek forgiveness. I am reminded of a Reynolds advertisement slogan. It said ‘Only strong men cry…’ But I am also reminded of the most superior directive no absolute history or mortal disclaim can put to shame: “For no man, no not one, has not sinned. All has fallen short of the glory of God…”
We have read of Rev. Dr Tuisam Shishak’s “confession.” And the subsequent – or may I say consequent – reaction from the FGN and the NSCN-IM. The political perspective in his seeking forgiveness on behalf of the Tangkhul community is a totally different dimension from the very virtue of forgiveness and forgiveness sought itself. What we should actually be reacting with, to his “confession,” is Christian grace and mutual acknowledgement that humanness itself is a fallacy in being human. Does it merit closer scrutiny for political undertones or cultural fallacies? Is it political imperfection to be a Christian and to seek forgiveness (for oneself or from others)?
Rev. Dr Shishak is for youths like me, an absolute stranger in our circle of fellowship and life as much as Isak Chishi Swu, Th. Muivah, SS Khaplang, Kitovi Zhimomi, Adinno Phizo or Vyielie Metha or just about any Naga leader are. But they are no strangers for the very fact that we all share the same vein of blood and heritage. The same goes for the NSCN-IM, the NSCN-K, the NNC and the FGN. Ideologically opposed to each other they might be, but if I may point out, notice the one name in all the nomenclatures of the aforementioned organizations – the word ‘Naga.’ All of you claim to fight for us. Is it not imperative you also reach in when we reach out to you with the plea that forgiveness is critically imperative to attaining the aspirations we have had for the last more than half a century?
But I account affinity with the strength of Rev. Dr Shishak to seek forgiveness. I am not defending him, for I know him not as a person. Further, the political context in which he sought forgiveness, I have little sense and in my young inference, vague. But I do know that the scarred, leather book beside my bed whispers into my ear every live second… ‘Forgive your fellowmen…if you forgive your brother, the Father will also forgive you…’
I appeal to all of us, please, let us cease measuring the value of forgiveness sought or forgiveness given by what words political tongues fashion to either acknowledge or deny. At least that is my understanding, if limited, from being a so-called Christian. I am too fallen even to be referred to as a “Christian.” But I am not too fallen to receive forgiveness or seek the same. None of you are either.
I am led to contextualize Th. Muivah or SS Khaplang or any Naga leader within the boundaries of my immediate, normal citizen’s life. What if either of you were a neighbor, leading a ‘normal,’ commoner’s life? A person who’d scour the fridge for a bowel of Pork curry rather than clean the kitchen at his wife’s rebuke? Would it been a test of moral strength to contextualize ‘forgiveness’ within the designs of our political history? Conflict? Change? Process?
When will we ever learn to appreciate at least the truth that there are strong people and minds amongst us, who are strong enough not to feel shame in kneeling and acknowledging that a wrong has been done? Yes, we cannot deny our history – a history so soaked in blood, the scar continues to set decay to our very aspirations to this day. But let us be challenge by this question: Which Naga tribe or community, faction or organization, has not committed a crime, planted a fallacy, and committed an irreversible wrong, a deliberate negation, an ill ruse, a sin? I prefer to contemplate on our antagonist, selfish selves rather than judge which community has done what; or whether or not they are right.
But it is an indisputable truth that all of us have been wronged, but we have also wronged others. All of us have fallen. Let us stop playing Holier-than-thou. None can claim to have not committed any wrong.
In my humble endeavor as a media person, I have been shared profound perspectives by readers that are anything but acceptable to validating the holier-than-thou attitude. Yes, we wholeheartedly welcome the fact that Isak Chishi Swu, K Kitovi Zhomimi and other Naga leaders in the recent past have made pronouncements on forgiveness. It is unfortunate grace that these affirmation have been purely self-centric – ‘I forgive you because you are the one who is wrong.’ Imagine what history, blood and hopes would have been spared if we had only said ‘I forgive you and I too seek your forgiveness for we all have committed wrong!’ We have yet to be blessed with such a pure virtue.
For today’s youths who are ill-disposed and ill-informed of history like the Plebiscite, Shillong Accord, the 16-Point Agreement – whether validated or unjustified – there is only a singular, specific, unambiguous point of reference: If our leaders/organizations (civil society or intra-political groups) claim to represent our aspiration, they should also be willing enough to listen to our voice. I do not agree with a number of aspects in Rev. Dr. Tuisem Shishak’s “confession.” But just because I disagree or agree, doesn’t at all mean he is either right or wrong. But his very strength to stand up and highlight a spiritual grievance, for redress, should have been acknowledged with humane grace. And not be picked for holes.
Further, the very response of the senior leaders of the NSCN-IM and some time earlier, the FGN, was a painful discouragement. The censure only highlights how we are still so immature to acknowledging that political dynamics do need humane (sic) application; that history is not supreme over forgiveness in Christ (Do we all not take pride and inspiration for “Nagaland for Christ?” ). We continue to remain stagnant because we are not brave enough to entertain criticism, accept a negation and the fact that we shall ever be in need of correction at any level, either organizational or individual.
We as a people in transition, the state government, the Naga underground groups, leaders, and youths, all are in dire need of culturing our minds to realizing the fact that without self-acknowledgement of a wrong done or received, there can be no regeneration of new perspectives. Or Approaches. Or Methods. Or dialogue. Or future.
Or we will continue to be stuck in the past. No wonder when we talk about “forgiveness,” “reconciliation” or “unity,” we pronounce it by explaining how this or that groups did what and said what decades ago.
And the Government of India knows this, enough to cement a cunning effort to let it turn malignant! It can afford to play with the NSCN-IM, then the NSCN-K and the NNC/FGN as well. The GoI can craft devious compromises to suit its purpose to delay a solution to the Naga political issue because it knows the Naga people are a divided people today. And it knows that so long a solution is denied, so will the blood flow between the Naga people and her leaders. And so long as the blood flows, so shall the people inch nearer to self-annihilation. We are making India’s task easier!
The Nagas’ aspirations today hang torn between deliberate one-upmanship and an uncertain future. Her leaders are at loggerheads, with each of them ‘bestowing’ forgiveness on the other, but never admitting that own selves need the same. It is sad that this cycle continues in bloody circles. It would be too late when we finally realize that we are back to square one.
This is an appeal and a prayer for our leaders, of the NSCN-IM, NSCN-K, NNC and the FGN; Naga civil leaders and politicians as well – every Naga has made a sacrifice in one way or the other. You hold our dreams, our hopes and our future. And our support, prayers and solidarity is always yours. But just this once: Think in our shoes. Just this once. Think in our shoes. The Naga people’s shoes.
