Formed in 1918, the Naga Club was the first-ever people-based Naga organisation. Its primary objective was to uphold the political consciousness of the Nagas and promote socio-cultural activities.
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1. Naga Club: A Symbol of One People One Vision
Formed in 1918, the Naga Club was the first-ever people-based Naga organisation. Its primary objective was to uphold the political consciousness of the Nagas and promote socio-cultural activities, creating a unified platform for Naga society.
Over the years, it has evolved into a vibrant think tank for intellectual, political, and social discussions, driven by the collective spirit of the Naga people.
2. The First Naga Political Memorandum: A Magna Carta
On 10th January 1929, the Naga Club submitted a historic memorandum to the Simon Commission. This was a defining moment in Naga history—a declaration of our identity, sovereignty, and aspirations.
The memorandum emphatically stated that the Nagas were never conquered by any power and had been forcibly subjugated by the British.
Therefore, it prayed that when the British left India, they should also leave the Nagas alone, as they were before the British colonisation.
3. Leave Us Alone as in Ancient Time
The memorandum expressed the Nagas’ discontent with being included in the Reformed Scheme of India without their consent. It urged the Commission to withdraw the Naga Hills from the scheme and place them directly under British protection. It highlighted the Nagas’ fears of heavy taxation, land dispossession, and loss of sovereignty if subsumed into India.
The plea was simple yet profound: “Leave us alone to determine for ourselves as in ancient times.”
4. Impacts of the Memorandum
The Memorandum significantly influenced British policies:Under the Government of India Act, 1935, the Naga Hills were categorised as an “Excluded Area” and placed under the special powers of the Governor of Assam.
5. Reviving the Naga Club as a Think Tank
The Naga Club must continue to serve as a platform for intellectual engagement and strategic thinking. It should draw upon the expertise of Naga thinkers, scholars, writers, teachers, and professionals to deepen our understanding of ourselves and our aspirations as a nation.
We must come together to envision ourselves or we will perish.
6. Promoting the Naga Magna Carta
The Naga Political Memorandum, often called the “Naga Magna Carta,” is a testament to the courage and vision of our forebears. It articulated the collective will of the Naga people and stood as a beacon of hope for future generations.
We must preserve and promote its legacy, ensuring that the world recognises its significance.
LONG LIVE NAGA CLUB
Prof. Zavise Rume,
Executive Member,
Naga Club.