E.M. Odyuo
The present violence and unrest in Nagaland is heart wrenching to witness.
No doubt the Government has failed it’s people, failed people’s trust and failed to protect the identity and rights of the Nagas.
But are they solely responsible? Many people have not just blamed the Government but also the Naga Mothers’ Association(NMA) for the present fuss.
The sight of hundreds of women lining the streets of Nagaland, adorning their Naga identity wearing traditional attires with profound sadness and tears in their eyes, lamenting over the series of events leading to bloodshed and killing of the two Naga Son’s made me question myself;
Does NMA represents the Real Mothers?
I cannot help myself but to conclude that:
1. The present Naga Mother’s Association (NMA) is not a Mother’s association but an association of some individuals with vested interest.
2. The Real mothers are not being Represented by Naga Mother’s Association(NMA). A Real mother would not want a situation where her child would be killed.
3. While defining the word “Mother” in the dictionary, it uses the word such as “Generate”, “Parent”, “Care”, “Protected”. Which implies that Mother is a Symbol of “Love” and “Peace”. But these words are not found in the Principles, Ethics and Conduct of present NMA, which expose the very intent of its leaders.
4. Was NMA formed to fight against their own Husband and Son’s? I believe the founding members of NMA must have formed NMA to protect their Father, Mother, Husband, Son, Daughters and the rights of the Nagas’. The present war like situation would have never been their intention.
5. Sümi Hoho has rightly pointed out that, NMA “who once ambassadors of peace and voice of reason has now directly abetted division and bloodshed in the society.”
6. The Blame game must stop. NMA should own Moral Responsibility for the killing of two of our brothers who made a supreme sacrifice protecting the rights of the Nagas.
7. Angami Women Organisation decision to walk out of NMA shows the distrust of Women folks on its leaders. Possibilities are that more would leave NMA.
8. To restore the faith of the Naga people and dignity of NMA, the present leaders should resign from their respective positions and let the Real Mothers take over the functions of NMA, in line with the ethics, principle, discipline and within the definition of the word “Mother”.
