EMN
Dimapur, September 8
The Zeliangrong Baudi Nagaland (ZBN) appealed to all Nagas to exercise religious tolerance and promote harmony while expressing dismay and sentiments at the allegations hurled against Rani Gaidinliu the ‘Naga freedom fighter’ whom India recognized her as Naga lady fighter and accorded highest admiration as a Rani from the Naga Hills. The Baudi felt that Naga tribes should responsibly act toward restoring the defamed Naga image done by sections of ‘irresponsible’ leaders and writers reflecting their ‘destructive’ oriented mentality through media.
A statement issued by Media Cell, Zeliangrong Baudi Nagaland said, “Much rejections of her have been reflected through media by various groups; Church based organizations, theologians and individuals making her the hottest current news of the day. It implies that, Nagas are revealing themselves of their political status, morale standard and social character telling the world of who Nagas are. Viewing from the Zeliangrong tribal perspective, the present Naga scenario is more of superficiality than reality, more of self denying than self-determining, more of speculative than pragmatic.”
The ZBN said that Naga history has been illuminated, respected and placed in high esteemed shaping and creating conducive environment for peaceful and positive Indo-Naga talk.
“The GoI cannot deny the Naga history and the historical situation made so far. That the long Naga struggle for independent from British and later on India stands distinct and unique because of the fact that, despite the bestial animistic Naga nature as the Indian thought to be, the Nagas have displayed and asserted their indomitable and inherent human right to self- determination by and in the person of the Rani Gaidinliu. Her influence and contribution to the Naga cause and even the creation of Nagaland have not been sensed and credited. Instead many Nagas still feel alienated to her, discrediting only to their political disadvantage,” Baudi said adding, “ It is high time Nagas take a new turn and reflect a high political outlook pacing with the drum beat of the current political momentum to the third millennium generation.”
At a juncture when political progress is taking a positive turn, Baudi said, sectional Naga leaders are using Rani Gaidinliu issue as a tool to destabilize Naga unity and create confusion within the Naga family.
The Zeliangrong Naga felt necessary to correct misinterpretations about Rani Gaidinliu by certain ‘unscrupulous’ critics.
“Rani Gaidinliu was a rare and lone Naga lady freedom fighter whose eccentric and charismatic leadership personality have been admired in wonderment by her people and the people of India leading the Nagas to be recognized as one distinct people having their strong sense of sovereign will power. Her leadership performance and contribution cannot be questioned. History speaks loud and clear.”
“Rani Gaidinliu was never an anti Naga and anti-Christian in any manner all her movement. When the armed force of NNC of Zeliangrong region was used by jealous Christian converts to suppress her political ideology that is Naga Raj Movement against British Raj she opted to defend, protect and preserve her movement up to her last. NNC offensive operation attack was retaliated by her defensive confrontation that has caused the unfortunate casualty on the side of NNC. The fact should not be taken for granted that she was anti-Naga nationalism. Plethora of proofs can be substantiated.”
“Branding her as anti-Christ, tantric witch, black magic, blood thirsty lady and what not, that T. Solo has projected and coined that has provoked and annoyed even the Church based leaders, theologians, tribal organizations, bureaucrats to jump and dance in his magical tune and spell. His unchristian attitude toward the Naga indigenous Heraka faith is clearly seen as anti-Naga, and anti Christian that Naga Christian must beware of such a man in sheep skin woven with subtle magical words. Nagas must no longer be fooled by such a man who has misled, defamed and belittled the image of general Nagas.”
“Heraka is never an anti-Christian as Naga Christians leaders have been troubled and feared by misgiving media coverage. Heraka is a reformed faith denouncing all that are negative rituals, superstitions and all that contradicts to the modern Naga culture.
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This faith does not oppose the Christian but when Christian converts opposed them, they also defended and seek out for firm support from secular India that practice inter-faith understanding and tolerance. How could Christians be so cruel to oppose Heraka? What logic is making a sense when Naga Christians are blaming them of opposing Christianity? Are matured Christian suppose to do such measures against others faith? Today Christians shall be held responsible for losing the originality of the history of Nagas.”
“ The title “Rani” given to Gaidinliu is opposed with great resentment. If Gaidinliu was one of the Naga tribes from Nagaland by birth, what would be the situation? Queenship or kingship was not practiced or realized in the Naga society when in the age of isolation. Now even Nagas are using Beauty Queen contest. Queen does not necessarily mean she has to have a king. Queen in the Indian and world context is given to a high or brave, beautiful lady prominent in the society. It is needless and absurd to question her title.”
“Rani Gaidinliu library cum memorial museum at the state capital is being opposed as if the structure is affecting the Nagas or to the particular Angamis. Humane logic speaks loud that such a project in the state capital is the pride and privilege of the Nagas as much as it would be if Phizo’s statue or memorial hall is granted to establish in Assam or Manipur or elsewhere in the world. Opposing such is mad minded attitude. What a loss and shame for the whole Nagas if the said Museum is taken back to others’ land?”
“ The notion that, BJP-RSS leaders get the chance to enter the Naga society through the Heraka cult is amounting to challenging the Heraka faiths and Hinduism. Such a resentful and jealous motive is destroying the social fiber of harmony and inciting religious contention. Provoking that, “the ultimate honorable identity of the Rongmei is in the casteless society of the Nagas with Christianity” stated by T. Solo is not only insulting but condemning the tribe. Assuming that the particularized Rongmei of Zeliangrong are getting facilities and privileges from India is greed based motive which is provocative and is a challenge to the tribe demanding a response.”
“Enough must be enough of implicating the tribe giving much undue branding. The Zeliangrong people will not remain in silence but face when such challenge and belittling implication is reflecting again and again through Media.”
“The Questions relating to Rani Gaidinliu as constantly posed are illogical and baseless. Implying that she is not a Naga of Nagaland is simply devoid of logical politic. It is a divisive and crafty politic sorrowful to be mentioned to have originated from some few section of the Nagas of Nagaland. Differentiating the Nagas by state arbitrary boundary is very low and succumbing politic played by the Nagas even to this day. This destructive policy will have far flung impacts on the Nagas. Therefore stop it to end it.”
“Zeliangrong Baudi Nagaland is keeping a vigilant watch on those who are reflecting many misgiving reports and malicious information through Media with dubious intent to instigate and provoke the general public. Such misgiven leaders even among some few Zeliangrong who are playing to the tune of some unscrupulous individuals are warned and shall be dealt with as per the laws of the land.”
