The 12th Nagaland Legislative Assembly has witnessed the biggest deficit in trust; it has been an epitome of greed, power mongering, as well as servitude and subjugation. We proudly call ourselves a part of the world’s largest democracy but it is evident from the recent events that democracy was gagged in and outside the House. Latest writings, both in the newspapers and in social networking platforms, they all speak about doom and gloom.
There is this ominous distrust in the present Naga society, directed predominantly on decision makers and public leaders. Our people have become accustomed to blaming one another, finger-pointing, suspicion, criticising, bitterness, hatred and such negativities.
In their quest for personal gains, leaders have acted unethically without concern for others, thereby affecting the level of trust among themselves and also with the public.
The recent political crisis also brought out a variety of colours, of both politicians and the public.
However, it is important to weigh that not all the members in the House of 60 are wrong, nor all credible. It would not be fair to put a blanket blame or condemnation on all the leaders. Among the pack, only few will be pulling the strings, some will be used as stepping stones and stooges while few roared and spewed orders. Unfortunately, in the process, almost all the leaders have more or less lost their credibility.
Building and earning credibility is not easy but it can be destroyed in no time at all. Regaining credibility will be an uphill climb and will demand candour. Leaders who still have their moral conduct intact will have to identify the contributing factors that damaged their credibility, recognize the reality of the situation and be open and honest about it.
At the pace we are going, our society will soon develop into a lower state of harmony. We must build on the good element, however small there is, and start afresh. Definitely, there is still hope.
Time has come for all to do our homework on our respective representatives as well as ourselves, the people who elected them to represent us.
In order to cleanse the existing system into a desired one, the public must, along with the church’s ongoing efforts, commit themselves to the clean elections principle. Only a clean electorate would make clean election possible and ultimately produce accountable leaders.
Amidst the troubles of the world, ethics continue to act as a guiding force to steer an individual’s sense of right and wrong. It is up to us now, and the time is just right, to rethink on the much reiterated principles that our forefathers were known for, and try to reinforce them in ourselves if we want our state and our society to progress into a vibrant one.
