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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
