Yanpvuo Kikon
Without clarity of Vision, we the people are left in the dark. The informed and educated masses are yet to take sides in this battle between Apex Organizations and the Government because at present both parties are only focussed on the ‘FIGHT’ and not the ‘OUTCOME’ of this battle. It is appreciated that our Tribal Organization Leaders have started the fight to end corruption and uphold our traditional values leaving aside the still debatable ‘Women Representation’ in politics issue. However, our Tribal Leaders are yet to share their vision with the masses. Till now, they have only defined success with the primary goal for the Chief Minister and the Legislators to step down. But keep in mind that ‘WHAT NEXT’ is more important then ‘What now?’
The highly plausible outcomes which awaits us could be the below (Feel free to add more and put our heads together so we can work towards diverting an uglier turn in history. Imagine you have been sent back from the future to erase that page in our history):
1. President’s Rule - If a State government is not able to function as per the Constitution, the State comes under the direct control of the central government; in other words, it is “under President’s rule”. The State will be run by the Governor and bureaucracy. The Nagaland Legislative Assembly is either put in suspended animation or dissolved (necessitating a fresh election).
Which Means? Article 371A is as good as dissolved for this period until a fresh election is conducted and a fresh new Legislative Assembly is established. This will defeat the purpose of why this entire movement started in the first place, which was to protect Article 371A. It will be like tying a noose around our own neck wherein our Tribal Hohos who fought to protect Article 371A managed to kill it instead. The State will be controlled directly under the Indian Constitution by the Central Government for a certain period as prescribed in Article 356.
At present, our Tribal Hohos have managed to cripple the State machinery and our Government is unable to perform its functions as per the Constitution.
2. TR-NPF & BJP Merger - Don’t even think about it!! We all want development but not at the cost of more buildings burned and lives lost. Those in BJP should also be wise enough to note that their popularity ranking in India and other countries will sink to the bottom with a step like this which will bring more death and destruction. Think about your children and your future generation before you take this step.
If our Chief Minister is a sane person, then he should foresee a revolution against him and his legislators, not only by the drunken mob but even the civilized and educated people joining in leading to more destruction and chaos.
If you step down today, you will not be regarded as a weak person. Rather you will be regarded as a wise leader and a generation will applaud and remember you for taking this wise decision. We also anticipate an even wiser decision by nominating an alternate Wise, Educated, Visionary, Humble & Selfless Chief Minister (Do we even have such a leader? I don’t think so) to lead us during this short duration until the next election comes.
Let us not rewind to where we began. period.
He is no doubt a charismatic, dynamic person and he was given a decade to manage the Government. He went on to seek bigger roles in the Central Government. He waved goodbye at us and we waved goodbye at him. End of story. It is time to allow fresh new leadership who will be able save our generation from sinking and sail this ship through these stormy seas to safer shores.
Protecting our Tribal heritage and law is of paramount importance because of our unique history but let me make it very clear that the future of a civilization does not end with ‘Destruction’, for destruction is only a means to an end. Reconstruction of our future is more important than destruction of this corrupted present and only with vision, a leader will have the ability to foresee and show us the light at the end of this tunnel we are all marching towards. Focussing solely on the blame game and not on the roadmap or vision ahead will be foolish on our parts.
At present, we are all marching in the dark, unaware of what awaits us at the end of the tunnel and the masses cannot blindly follow a movement which lacks clarity in vision. And please do not encourage use of money and more alcohol to fuel people’s bravery. We all know how a drunk man is rendered senseless with only his animal instincts triggered, begets destruction which will not only attract criminal proceedings by law but also lead us to more chaos with no sensible outcome compared to a true warrior who is never drunk for he/She is strong, disciplined, trained, focussed and highly skilled in the art of warfare. If a movement has clarity of vision, people without forcing by order or threat or intimidation or treating them with food or alcohol will join at free will. I will be the first to join if I am convinced with your vision for the Naga people.
The ULB Elections and Municipal Act? Our Naga society is already in a mess because of directly installing an external incompatible political system into our ancient traditional political structure. It is like a virus that enters a computer and destroys the entire system from the inside. Forget about external schedules even within the Constitution because we have Article 371A that WITHSTANDS all other provisions in the Indian Constitution and this empowers us to frame our own laws!
Using this power, we should copy paste other laws? No, we should create the most inclusive, progressive and strongly rooted Laws by the wisest of legislators in collaboration with the brightest minds comprising of our Bureaucrats, Scholars and Academicians, Lawyers, Tribal Leaders, Social/Political Analysts and Scientists with the public but most importantly by listening to one another and sharing a Vision in the interest of the Naga people.
And to all the people translating law in our own version and understanding : If law is translated by lakhs of people to our own liking and used at the whims and mercy of individuals or groups, then there is no need of Law; it is simply primitive and anarchy. The purpose of Law is to bring Justice and Equality which can never be achieved if each individual has the liberty to translate and deliver my own version of law.
If you are right and I am wrong; just because I punch you in the face will not turn my wrong into right. A game of chess ought to be played and settled on the chessboard; not in the boxing ring. Legal issues are to be solved legally in the court and not on the streets!
Praying and hoping for Vision and Wisdom to lead us, from darkness into light!
