FRIDAY, JUNE 20, 2025
Demystifying the Mathematical Problem 147
It is no coincidence and not surprising when the issue of the infamous 147 regularised posts in Higher Education Department surfaced in the state.
Published on May 24, 2025
By EMN
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- It is no coincidence and not surprising when the issue of the infamous 147 regularised posts in Higher Education Department surfaced in the state. The general public deserves an explanation from the government of the day regarding three non-philosophical questions. I) Losing the rational and moral grounds of holding the office and the government, how do we draw the line or limit of someone still being in power? Ii) The deadline (date) set for High Powered Committee (HPC) being expired, what is the content and the report of the committee? Iii) Requisition of the sanctioned posts to CESE being the ultimate purpose of a transparent government, when will the Higher Education and the Cabinet call for fresh recruitment process in place of the 147 revoked-regularisation order?
- Justice and fairness must return and the government needs to realise that the people of the state cannot be taken for a joy-ride far too long. As far as the people of the state, especially the young bright minds are concerned; we need to remain more vigilant than ever. While greed and corruption are conspicuous, there are other non-visible forces that manipulate and suffocate us. That being said, we need to look at the bigger picture of what is happening around us. This is where we need to diagnose the tumour-like symptoms that are already disfiguring the society. On this note, it is important to do basic CT scan followed up by suitable treatment and cure that would ensure a safe and a healthy society.
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- Quick Glance of Higher Education in the Country
- While most of the focus is concentrated on the lapse inside the Higher Education Department in the state till now, we need to be mindful of the developments taking place in Higher Education in the country. The Centre headed by successive BJP governments is making inroads in the Higher Education at multiple levels. This can be seen in policy-making, recruitment processes, introduction of new courses and redrawing of syllabus and more critically, in re-writing of not just history but all textbooks. It is also apparent that BJP’s target is to capture Higher Education by discrediting critical outlook and silencing dissenting voices in the academia. The danger of this trend lies in derailing education from its real purpose.
- It is evident that most of the Northeast States, including Nagaland, rely heavily on the central government for funding. This remains our Achilles heels incapacitating us from looking beyond the limited resources allocated to us. In recent years, with most states in the Northeast run by BJP alliance, the situation is even more precarious. This is so because of the unspoken mantra of the BJP government backed by the RSS, its ideological parent organisation. The mantra is simple – capture the Higher Education, control the Universities and thereby control the narrative which is nothing but a resemblance of the fascist regime albeit in the pretence of democracy. The present issue unfolding in the Higher Education Department should serve as an eye opener. I reckon it could be the writing on the wall.
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- The Trust Deficit on the Oppositionless Government
- Not only is our state budget on deficit, the elected government, which came to power loaded with alluring promises of “the state of excellence”, also suffers from acute trust deficit. To make matters worse, the minority parties and independent candidates miserably failed to take up the role of opposition. In the absence of the opposition, which is considered a pillar of democracy, we are left with no credible institution to hold the government of the day accountable.
- In a situation such as this, the people of Nagaland are on the verge of heading towards a directionless voyage. To demystify this situation, let me quote from a library collection of WhatsApp status. It says, “when the State Assembly lacks an opposition, the streets are bound to become the theatre of opposition. A government that prides itself on being oppositionless utterly fails to grasp the pulse of the people.” It further continues, “it throws the rulebook away and, when confronted, makes a harebrained defense of its own ineptness and wickedness.” These brilliant quotes aptly sum up everything that is happening under the present oppositionless government in the state of Nagaland.
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- Trap Set, not Defamation
- The moment the agitation began in the streets, certain individuals and college authorities begin to campaign in favour of the contract Assistant Professors without trying to understand the bigger picture. From a utilitarian perspective, this very act has done more harm than good to those assistant professors who are being trapped within the corrupt system. Moreover, the false campaign has mistakenly led those in contractual positions to feel victimised and defamed which is absolutely not the case. They were left victimised by the very system which is cruel.
- In a day and age where fair recruitment and equal opportunity is the basic criteria, everyone, including those contract teachers, is expected to be in the streets fighting for justice. Unfortunately, not even one among the 147 had the courage to join the movement against the manipulative tactics of the government of the day. Let alone absorption of 147 posts in secrecy, can one even imagine to occupy a contractual post without an open call for walk-in-interviews? The cabinet decision taken in absorption of the 147 posts is nothing but a hunter’s trap. This vicious trap can be removed emphatically only when we all join hands in fighting against the “Great Wall of Corruption” in the state until it falls.
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- Resistance and Struggle, not Selfish and Arrogance
- Eagles, often used metaphorically in motivational talks, soar higher amidst the winds and the storms. In the fight against corruption and backdoor appointments in Higher Education, a beautiful image is created amidst the despair and the struggle of the aspirants. The protest led by CTAN and NNQF has gained enormous support from across the sections of the society, including the church. To this another incredible WhatsApp status reads, “All power to the agitating men and women. In fighting for a fair recruitment process, they are also fighting for the renewal of Nagaland’s soul.”
- Unlike what is being tainted “as too selfish and too arrogant” in the media by certain top politician, the elongated 6 days agitation by NNQF CTAN is aligned with noble vision and resilience. Let alone threatening from the aspirants, there hasn’t been a single moment of anything close to selfishness or arrogance. Instead, we have witnessed one of the most peaceful protests in recent history whose fight is for equal opportunity and fair recruitment process.
- This is a movement which is subversive and against the tide. It is a movement that is tuned with a blend of non-partisan, non-parochial, non-violent, non-tribal and hence an inclusive movement in resistance to the piling injustices and corruption in Nagaland over the decades. This movement exhibits the enduring struggle of the people. A protestor whose shoes’ sole is almost broken and torn too joined the movement. It portrays a strong statement and intent that people are even willing to go barefoot and walk extra miles in the pursuit of truth and justice.
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- The Alternative Narrative at Hand
- While critique and assessment are ways to engage in public
domain, it is true that people often look for alternatives. The recent issue of
147 absorbed posts is just the tip of an iceberg that appears on the surface
momentarily. Imagine! What if our voyage ship hits a larger iceberg beneath the
surface? Such a situation would be more fatal than the Titanic tragedy. For this
reason, it is imperative that we understand the times and stand in the gap of
the people.
- Perhaps, the peaceful protest carried out by members of NNQF and CTAN echoed the voice of many who stood for truth, justice, liberation and for dignity. This offers an alternative that negates and rejects practices such as backdoor appointment, nepotism, bribery and corruption of all forms. To this end, slogans such as “Wake up Nagaland,” “We fight not just to win, but for the beauty of our dreams” poetically summarise the unspoken yearnings of the people. For even the hope and dream of those that walked past this generation is to see Nagaland not in captivity, not in alienation, but a Nagaland that embraces and celebrates the abundant life.
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- Thepfulhoukho Kuotsu
- Member, NNQF CTAN
Nagaland Districts
