From Quiet Prayers to Collective Awakening: Uniting Through August 14 Amid Fractured Soul of Naga National Movement

From Across the Naga Ancestral Homelands

What began as the anguished thoughts and quiet prayers of generations found expression in a solitary spark – a voice stirred by collective conscience. Today, it resounds as a shared awakening, carried by 156 burning hearts and growing.

On 3 July 2025, a deeply reflective proposal emerged from a sober reckoning of the fading purpose and fractured soul of the Naga national movement. Titled "A Time to Return, A Time to Rise: Reimagining 14th August as a National Act of Unity and Renewal," it was not merely a statement but a call anchored in shared history, lived realities, and unfolding destiny.

The appeal urged all Naga political groups to transcend entrenched divisions and stand together on a public stage, guided by the Forum for Naga Reconciliation (FNR) and its coordinating body, the Council of Naga Relationships and Cooperation (CNRC).

This symbolic act is proposed for 14 August 2025 – the 79th Naga Independence Day Commemoration. The message centred on this urgent, principled conviction: unity, not uniformity, must become our moral and strategic political path forward.

The Seed: Rooted in Shared Anguish, Not Isolated Vision

This proposal emerged not from an isolated perspective, but from profound anguish resonating across the Naga homelands. It articulates a growing sense that the Naga movement has lost its bearing: its moral clarity fading, its future increasingly uncertain. Widely circulated among Naga community groups, the document offered a sobering diagnosis.

The 2015 Framework Agreement and the 2017 Agreed Position, once hailed as breakthroughs offering hope to a weary people, now lie frozen. The Indian state no longer addresses the Naga issue as a unified political question, but fragments it into piecemeal administrative management.

Yet the deeper peril stems primarily not from Delhi, but from within. At the heart of the crisis lie internal disunity, eroding public trust, and a widening disconnect between political actors and ordinary Naga citizens. This is especially true among the youth, now caught between fading memory and growing apathy.

Rather than appealing outward, the proposal turned inward – toward ground-level fortification and a realignment of collective Naga consciousness to forge unshakable solidarity and renewed purpose. It summoned the Naga people to reclaim 14 August, transforming routine remembrance into a courageous, unifying act of national renewal. Could passive ritual become reconciled resistance? Could joint and collaborative observance forge visible unity? Driven by this conviction, the proposal outlined six concrete actions:

1. Hold a Joint Central Observance

All political groups standing side by side to visibly reaffirm shared responsibility to the Naga people and the world.

2. Recite a National People’s Pledge

A unified statement jointly read and signed by political and civil leaders, committing to reconciliation, dialogue, and a dignified solution.

3. Organise Local Unity Gatherings

Coordinated events in villages, towns, and camps across Nagalim, involving elders, youth, churches, and citizens in reflection and healing.

4. Launch Youth Engagement

Creative campaigns (essays, poems, art, storytelling) under the theme "What It Means to Be a Naga Today."

5. Unite Behind One Shared Media Voice

Replacing fragmented press releases with a single co-authored message across all platforms.

6. Distribute Flags En Masse

Flying the Naga national flag in every home, school, church, and office as a visual declaration of shared identity.

This is a moral intervention grounded in the truth that no political solution succeeds without public trust, and no group carries history’s burden alone.

Intellectual Anchors: When Theory Meets Urgency

This proposal is more than a moral or emotional appeal. It stands firmly on ten guiding theoretical insights that illuminate how 14 August can become a moment of transformation and renewal:

1.         Kertzer (1988): "Ritual action is a powerful tool of political socialization." – Symbolic unity can reawaken a people’s moral energy.

2.         Goffman (1959): "When individuals cooperate in staging a routine, they come to accept the official view of their own situation." – What we perform together, we come to believe together.

3.         Billig (1995): "National identity is remembered because it is embedded in routines of life, which constantly remind, or ‘flag’, nationhood." – Nations endure through repeated, everyday acts of belonging.

4.         Schelling (1960): "People can often concert their intentions or expectations with others if each knows that the other is trying to do the same." – Shared moments can guide collective action in times of division. August 14 offers such a focal point.

5.         Allport (1954): "Prejudice may be reduced by equal status contact between majority and minority groups in pursuit of common goals." – Direct presence and cooperation heal divisions more deeply than argument alone.

6.         Cabral (1973): "Division is the most effective weapon of the oppressor." – Rulers maintain power by creating internal splits. Our unity disarms this weapon turned against us for decades.

7.         Lederach (2005): "Symbolic acts transcend the limits of words and create a new framework for understanding." – When words fail, symbolic events can restore moral clarity and open new paths forward.

8.         Putnam (2000): "Bonding social capital is good for undergirding specific reciprocity and mobilizing solidarity." – Small acts of local unity lay the groundwork for lasting national solidarity.

9.         Fanon (1961): "The colonised man finds his freedom in and through violence." – True liberation belongs to those who labour without privilege and persist without reward.

10.       Gersick (1991): "Systems evolve through alternating periods of revolution and stability." – Periods of stagnation often break open when a people seize a shared moment of urgency.

These insights are not distant theories. They are working tools for a people in search of renewal. They offer vision and confidence to reimagine August 14 not as routine observance, but as a bold act of convergence – a rebirth of collective purpose rooted in reason, memory, and moral hope.

The Weaving Begins: From Reflection to Shared Momentum

While many privately encouraged formal publication, the choice was made to avoid centering any individual voice. "This must be a people’s movement, not a personal campaign," was the guiding principle. Instead of journal announcements, the document was quietly but widely circulated alongside the launch of an open signature drive.

The response was extraordinary. Within days, 156 Nagas from diverse tribes, regions, and walks of life affirmed the appeal. Their support flowed not from organisational loyalty or personal favour, but from a deep, shared longing. A simple warning resonated across boundaries: "If we fail now, we lose not just a political opportunity but the trust of an entire generation."

The unbroken thread of unity, once frayed, is now being rewoven through collective belief and courageous trust.

156 Voices, One Message: The Call for Unity

The 156 signatories reflect the richness and breadth of the Naga people’s conscience. Their diversity across tribal, political, and geographical lines gives strength and credibility to this collective call for unity.

Tribal Representation

•           Tangkhul: 38%

•           Poumai: 14%

•           Lotha, Rongmei, Mao, Zeliang, Sumi, Sangtam, Maring, Chakhesang, and others: 48%

Regional Origins

•           Ukhrul: 32%

•           Senapati: 18%

•           Nagaland districts (Wokha, Dimapur, Kohima, Tseminyu, Kiphire, Mon, Shamator): 25%

•           Burmese Naga areas (e.g., Layshi Township): 7%

•           Others (Delhi, Kangpokpi, Chandel): 18%

Affiliations

•           Church leaders and pastors

•           Community bodies: TKS, TKLD, TNL, NSUD, NTC, STNBA, ZBAA, TNZL, LNKR

•           National workers from NSCN-IM, GPRN, and NNPG

•           Regional organisations: WTR (Wung Tangkhul Region), Rengma Hoho, Chandel Naga People's Organisation, Poumai Naga Union, Zeliangrong Baudi

•           Civil platforms: One Naga Voice, Global Naga Forum (GNF)

•           Students from Delhi, Nagaland, and Myanmar

•           Social workers, entrepreneurs, youth artistes, educators, and concerned citizens

100% of respondents supported and affirmed the call for a unified observance on 14 August.

94% pledged to attend or actively help. 103 volunteered to distribute flags or coordinate local gatherings.

One respondent wrote with conviction: "I will walk 100 miles just to witness our leaders united."

The People Speak: Voices from the Campaign

Excerpts from Question 10: “If you could say one thing to our national leaders today, what would it be?” (138 responses – urgent, unfiltered, and morally unambiguous)

Unity is the Cry of the People

"Unity first, solution second."

"Unite or perish together as fools."

"Unity is our strength. Time is our greatest enemy."

"Let us first be united and strive together with God, then we shall overcome."

"Let’s unite and stop being fooled by money and power."

"Be united in one voice."

"Unite and stand together."

"Wake up for unity, forgetting differences amongst leaders."

"Now is the time to unite and work for the Naga cause again."

"Strive forward to unite all the 28 Naga factions."

"Unity, not uniformity. Be more active towards the national goal."

The message is unmistakable. People believe unity is not a luxury but the foundation. It is the first step, the moral compass, and the only way forward.

A Call for Moral and Accountable Leadership

"Do not betray the people for mansions and power."

"Be honest when it comes to money."

"Keep aside corruption and work with sincerity."

"Be humble, be determined, be transparent, and work honestly in an inclusive manner for all Nagas around the globe."

"Don’t work for money. Don’t favour the strong and wealthy. Justice is for the weak."

"Don’t confuse the public by creating so many factions."

"Don’t bury yourself in corruption and nepotism."

"Our army is weak because leaders misuse public funds to build big buildings."

"Many cadres, widows, and victims are suffering while top leaders live in luxury."

"Come together under one umbrella and fight for the common goal."

The public is watching closely. They are not silent. They are simply waiting for truth to return to leadership.

A Plea for Humility, Transparency, and Inclusion

"Lead by good example, not by authority. Then you will gain both respect and trust."

"Be a truth leader."

"Connect with the public."

"Drop your ego and selfishness."

"Bridge the gap and let us fall in one line."

"Stay committed to our cause with strong determination based on trust and unity."

Leadership is not about status. It is about earning the people’s trust through humility and action.

Reconciliation, Forgiveness, and Healing Old Wounds

"Forgive the past and pursue our birthright in unity."

"Please forgive and forget and stand united as one."

"Sink down past differences to embrace reconciled unity."

"Confess, reason together, and stand together."

"Reconcile now rather than later."

"Listen to the voices of the people with humility."

Healing begins when leaders stop clinging to pride and start listening with open hearts.

Return to God: Spiritual Foundations Matter

"Return to God. We have betrayed Him too long."

"Repent and return to God, your people and land."

"Put God first. Do not use His name in vain."

"Now is a time for spiritual war."

"Confess, repent, and remember your covenant with God."

"Trust in our Lord Jesus Christ always that He will give us a peaceful solution."

"Uphold the covenant made with God."

"Revere God’s command. Fear God and respect Nagalim Nation."

A nation cannot walk toward freedom while walking away from its spiritual foundations.

Voices from the Margins: Widows, Cadres, Victims

"99 percent of top leaders, or maybe all, are drunk in money."

"So many cadres, widows, and war victims live in untold misery."

"Many couldn’t live a decent life because the top brass failed to treat them equally."

"Our leaders build castles while our army is left weak and unsupported."

The truth comes from the margins. Their pain is not abstract. It is real, and it demands justice.

Generational Conscience and the Youth’s Plea

"Naga youth, always stand on the truth, and the truth will set you free."

"Let us unite and work for the nation."

"Remember the sacrifices of our soldiers and make them count."

"Live for the nation and die for the nation with integrity."

"Truth will reign."

"Be truly patriotic in your service to the people and the Nation."

The younger generation is not numb. They are awake. But they need moral leadership to believe again.

Time, Urgency, and the Cost of Delay

"The time is now."

"Now or never."

"Time is our greatest enemy."

"The longer we prolong the ceasefire, the longer it will take to achieve freedom."

"Before the flame of Naga nationalism dies, kill factionalism."

"Let’s forward to our promised land."

Delay is no longer diplomacy. It is denial. The people are running out of patience.

A Sacred Covenant and a Warning

"Leaders are not born. They are created. Authority is not leadership."

"The IM leadership must come down from the ivory tower and meet their younger brothers."

"Respect is the glue that will repair trust among Nagas."

"Right now, there is dictatorship in varying degrees."

"Forgive, forget, and let’s be united."

"Pray and be united for peace. Repent."

"Nation first."

This is a covenant between the people and their leaders. If ignored, history will not forgive the betrayal.

Every quote above was spoken from the depths of longing, pain, and hope. These are not just opinions. They are calls of the heart. They come from the fields, the streets, the churches, the youth, the elderly, and the wounded. Together they form not noise, but a single, unwavering voice.

Why August 14 Matters

1.      Moral Reckoning

A moment to heal the contradiction between Sunday faith and Monday divisions.

2.      Existential Imperative

A sovereign counter-statement to the fragmentation of our identity and purpose.

3.      Generational Bridge

A chance to connect ancestral sacrifice with the voice and vision of the youth.

4.      Focal Point

A temporal anchor for collective convergence, focus, and renewal.

5.      Spiritual Restoration

An invitation for churches to become sanctuaries of unity and reconciliation.

6.      Living Resistance

A visible assertion of dignity through flags and pledges in every home, school, and church.

Next Steps: Our Shared Charge

The 156 stand as one in this solemn national appeal.

To the FNR and CNRC

Convene this historic act of symbolic unity and moral courage.

To All National Groups

Fulfill the January 2025 unity pledge with sincerity and urgency.

To Every Naga

Spread the message through #NagaUnbrokenThread. Raise flags. Organize local gatherings. Make this moment ours.

As one grandmother wrote: "We proclaim Christ on Sunday, yet shred unity on Monday. Let August 14 heal this."

Final Weave: Our Covenant

This is not a petition. It is a covenant – spiritual, political, and generational. It was kindled by a shared ache of conscience, rekindled in many hearts, and now carried forward by 156 unwavering voices.

May this generation choose reconciliation over resentment.

May we rise together and refuse to surrender to division.

On August 14, we do not just commemorate.

We resurrect the unbroken thread.

Kuknalim

Markson V. Luikham,

For the Unbroken Thread Campaign | Advocate of Naga Unity and Peace.