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Dimapur, March 23 (EMN): The Naga Students' Federation (NSF) has condemned the statement made by Nagaland BJP president Temjen Imna Along ‘against the stand of the Naga people for a separate flag and constitution’ in the proposed solution to the protracted Naga political issue.
Along, who is also the minister for Higher Education and Tribal Affairs, said during the Nagaland Legislative Assembly session on Tuesday that the government of India won’t give a separate constitution and flag to the Nagas and the people should come to an understanding to live in peace and prosperity.
In a press statement the apex Naga student body Along’s insinuation that “certain Naga political groups are indulging in delaying tactics for their selfish gains only reflects the shallow understanding of the issue that is just, fair and righteous”.
The federation stated that while indulging in rhetoric to please the party leadership, the minister has “forgotten the blood, sweat and tears of those who gave up their everything in order to usher in a solution that is inclusive, honourable and acceptable to every Naga individual”.
The NSF stated that the Naga youth and student community don’t accept his public advocacy for the Naga solution within the framework of the Indian Constitution, which “undermines the founding principles of the Naga homeland”.
“More so, his conviction that separate flag and constitution shall not form a part of the 'solution' reeks of a conspiracy to deprive the Naga people our legitimate rights wherein he is an integral part of, if not the mastermind of the same,” read the statement.
It also expressed sadness over the elected people's representative failing to comprehend the larger issue.
“The federation condemns his inability to assert the rights of the Naga people and for towing the lines of those truly responsible for the delay in honouring the ‘unique history and situation’ of the Naga people,” it stated.
The student body went on to caution the minister not to speak on issues he has “very little or no knowledge about” and that being an MLA doesn’t “qualify him to make sweeping statements on an issue that is more than a century old and involves the sacrifices of the entire Naga people”. It also asked him to respect the sentiments of the Naga people.