Keeping Alive the Struggle of Our People’s Movement

Message delivered at the commemoration of the 90th Jadonang Martyr’s Day 2020

I am glad to witness and share the moment of commemorating the 90th Jadonang Martyr’s Day being organised and observed by Rongmei family and Youth. I am grateful to Rongmei Youth Organisation for organising this Martyr’s Day in such a manner of solemn tribute paying to our brave hero freedom fighter. It is my pride and joy to know that the Rongmei family of Zeliangrong is keeping the torch of freedom on to this day that the world may see and know the in-depth aspiration and cherishing dream of Zeliangrong people to live together in one political administrative unit.

The torch and spirit of visionary Jadonang was handed down to Rani Gaidinliu till the time of India’s independence 1947 when she was released from the jail. From then on, Rani Gaidinliu had defined and organised the aspiration into a movement called; Zeliangrong People’ Convention (ZPC) Movement and processed with the Govt. of India, demanding for Zeliangrong Homeland(State-hood). The movement got momentum with the mandate of Zeliangrong people declared in 1982 at Tamenglong. The memory, the vision, the struggle and aspiration of Jadonang shared by Ranima when I was with her are still fresh and vivid in my mind.

Commemorating the day when Jadonang was hanged at the British scaffold on 29th August 1931 is keeping alive and afresh the struggle of our people’s movement asserting our due and just right to self determination. I should have organised it for all of us in a bigger picture where our people could demonstrate our political rights before India and the world. We shall do it in a grand and bigger platform in the year to come.

For 90 years, the history of sacrifice and service of Haipou Jadonang has not been well recognised as deserved by the Govt of India and also the Nagas in general. The Death of Jadonang was no lesser than any other freedom fighters of India and the world over, who deserved to be equally recognised and respected. His vision for our generation could not be fulfilled yet.

However, we have not lost sight of the value, the price and vision of Haipouh Jadonang wrought in the history of our people’s struggle. We shall continue to strive harder and move forward with greater determination. Freedom comes as a reward to the brave fighters. We shall work out together our freedom envisioned and paid by our freedom fighters.
With salute and great admiration to haipou Jadonang, I concluded my message.
Thank you

C.R. Zeliang President.
Zeliangrong Baudi (N)