The two issues, namely, Gaidinliu’s memorial hall in Kohima and Rongmei recognition as a tribe in Nagaland have been dominating the controversial arena emanating substantial amount of communal aroma ever since so introduced by DAN Govt. Both the issues are likely to continue its occupation of the controversially prominent positions as both for and against are relentless. Both the issues have deep rooted religious and political agenda backed by political authority in hobnob with obvious potent armed group. The street fighters for the agenda are few as I can note those individuals like Gwanphun Gangmei, Jagdamba Mall, the Governor B.P. Acharya and the recent entrant Kanpatlung Pamei, and yet they have the zest and force with the support of incendiary elements. To those who are ignorant or insensitive to common interests may accuse that few of us boldly opposing the agenda are making mountains out of anthills, and yet these two issues have immense socio-religious and political ramifications and therefore ignoring such impositions will have fatal implications on the future of Nagaland.
The Gaidinliu issue is the religious agenda of Hinduism which is being promoted by RSS agents under the advantage of BJP’s rule in the country. Many tend to ignore the signs of danger elicited earlier on how the elements of RSS used to attempt to penetrate their tentacles into Naga Christian society. During early 1990s, the RSS picked up few leaders of the animism remnants from Chizami area and took those ignorant few to visit some Hindu temples in the country. The treatment was intended to brainwash those simple animists that Hinduism has common background with Naga animism. Believing that establishment of a Hindu school in the area would have faster penetration of Hinduism into Christian community, an RCC building was erected in the area, and a school began to run in that building. Reasons known better to strange and ghost sponsors, the school lived its life faster than expected. The association of those animists and Hindu activists ended too perhaps along with the closure of the school.
The Naga woman Gaidinliu from Manipur is found to be the better option for RSS, VHP and Bajrang Dal (the BJP pillars) to propel the Hinduism agenda aiming at Nagaland. In their venture, progress of penetrations have been made particularly in two areas as I know. The Heraka movement is intensified in Peren area and Ms. Yahoi Konyak from Wangti Village has successfully launched the same movement in Chen area of Mon District. Reportedly known that not less than 4 Heraka following Villages have been established bordering Myanmar. The two prominent traits of the followers of Heraka in Chen area are the men folks without haircut and restriction of pork eating by both sexes.
“Christianity is a faith-cult of following Christ, the Jewish socio-religious reformer.” “Basically, Heraka’s faith is the worship of the almighty Holy God. It is the instinct faith of the Nagas even during the age of Naga animism like that of the Judaism of Old Testament” stated by Gwangphun Gangmei under the caption ‘Naga Chrsitianity and Heraka faith: Theological perspective in view’ as appeared in Eastern Mirror in May 2016. I would have reacted to this assertion at that time, but I gave chance to particularly Naga theologians who can give authentic reaction based on Bible to such misconception and distortion. None bothered as either one failed to notice the article due to negligence or they preferred to remain neutral or suffering from phobia.
I, for one, do not accept the interpretation of Gwangphun that Christianity is a ‘cult’. Christianity is the faith of a person who is convicted by the Holy Spirit of God to believe in the virgin birth of Jesus Christ, His life, His death and His resurrection. Jesus Christ is the only Son of the living God Jehovah, the Creator of the universe. God Jehovah is the only Holy God and beside Him there is none who is holy. Christian faith is the believe in the Trinity, the Father God, the Son God and the Holy Spirit. ‘Herakaism (believers of the God of Heaven) is the endearing reformed faith of the Zeliangrong Nagas in particular’ claimed Gwangphun. Yet, I will insist that the Heraka god is not holy. Well, Gwangphun tried his best to draw inflated similarities between Christianity and Heraka cult but it can never be proved since Christianity is never a cult whereas Heraka is definitely a cult. I am also not convinced that animism is akin to Heraka.
Fortunately, just on time, Kanpatlung Pamei with cut throat punctured the assertions of Gwangphun by spilling the beans. Kanpatlung, with ease, confirmed that Heraka cult founded by Jadonang and Gaidinliu is intrinsically linked to Hinduism. He said, “Hindu regards her (Gaidinliu) and worshipped her as one of the goddesses” in his article appeared in Eastern Mirror on 23rd Oct. 2016. ...”she (Gaidinliu) was believed to be an incarnation of Charachamdinliu-the daughter of Lord Vishnu, the supreme godhead”. “She was believed to be an incarnation of goddess Durga by some Indian devotees.” In the lengthy article, Kanpatlung cited several instances of how Gaidinliu was venerated by RSS, VHP and Bajrang Dal stalwarts and how she and her cult followers have been associating with the Hinduism organisations all through these years. Kanpatlung quoted several findings of Jagdamba Mall who once wrote ‘nothing noble about the Nobel (Prize) awarded to Mother Teresa’ in his undermining the internationally renowned philanthropist who was posthumously declared Saint by Vatican recently and which act was officially acknowledged by Union Govt. led by BJP. The interception of Kanpatlung Pamei has therefore put the confusion doctored by Gwangphun Gangmei that there was kinship between animism and Heraka or between Christianity and Heraka to rest.
I also found that Kanpatlung Pamei was so agitated with the grand elderly citizen in the person of Mr. Thepfulhouvi Solo in regard to latter’s exposures of the crimes and misdemeanours committed by Gaidinliu and her Herakaians. Despite of the personal attack on the antecedents, Mr. Thepfulhuovi coolly and confidently reacted to Kanpatlung as to how he found the evidences of his disclosures about Gaidinliu from written records and living testimonies. Can anyone undo the historical records?
Initially, the Governor of Nagaland B.P. Acharya considered his profession as RSS pracharak to be more important to his holding the gubernatorial post. The 15 minutes NLA session is going down to the annals of NLA history, so also the zealous pracharak Governor who ended his Assembly address with ‘Bharat Mata ki jay’ and the printing of Kohima Raj Bhavan’s Call at Home program with Bharat Mata picture on it are the few very unexpected and un-Governor’s Hindusim and RSS filled actions which drew flak from NGOs and individuals that made him sober today with a grudge in his lecture at Mayapur temple, West Bengal. This is how Hinduism activists are making effusive attempts to penetrate into Nagaland with its one nation one religion agenda.
Whereas, Rongmei tribal recognition is the grand political agenda of the combined force of NPF DAN and Nagas (may not be all) from Manipur. The overwhelming rejections of Rongmei recognition by the tribal bodies of Nagaland miserably failed to prick the mind of NPF led DAN Govt., so the issue will probably remain unresolved till 2018. I wish anyone who volunteers to participate in the debate on this topic, better prepare one’s lesson in conformity with factual records so that we are not led to have our time wasted ruminating as if chewing the cud as one Temjen Ao, Researcher, Hyderabad University wants to reopen the chapter as appeared on 1.11.2016.
Nevertheless, I feel that Nagas of Nagaland should be left alone without any more attempt of those individuals or group to impose its agenda on Nagaland as it is tired of carrying extra baggage all through these years. Enough is enough.
