The Urgency of Imaginative Naga Political Form — Part II

The phrase "crossroads" is not overused when applied to the current political moment for the Naga people. At this juncture, we stand between moving forward without leaving behind our historical and political rights and dogmatically unmoved. It is a precarious position requiring constructive Naga belonging, strategic action, and an unwavering commitment to self-determination.

• This article is not an argument to be hastily dismissed with instinctive rebuttal, but rather an appeal for deep reflection. Political decisions made at this moment will reverberate through generations, shaping the future of our sovereignty and collective identity.
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• Therefore, before we qualify what it means to be standing at a crossroads between moving on without leaving and unmoved dogmatism, a prologue to the intended position is necessary.
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• Naga political history is one of resilience, deeply rooted in an unwavering spirit of self-determination. Sovereignty for the Nagas is not a commodity to be bartered in negotiations but a primordial spirit—the very soul of our existence. It is an inherent right, grounded in history and identity, and must be practised by the Nagas.
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• This may be the missing dimension in our quest for sovereignty. Since sovereignty is ours let us practise it. Recognition of declared Naga sovereignty is not a discretionary choice; it is an obligation under the moral and political principles that govern all communities striving for autonomy and self-determination.
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• The Naga people’s stand has never been an act of defiance against India or any other entity, but rather a testament to keeping our history and identity clear and unambiguous. The struggle for sovereignty is not an isolated event in history; it is a continuous process shaped by past experiences and evolving realities.
• This historical foundation must also be understood in a broader context.
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• The Naga movement is not only about political recognition but also about reclaiming dignity, asserting identity, and establishing a future free from political conflicts both within and without. Sovereignty, in its truest form, is the ability of a people to shape their destiny without compromising their essence. It is this understanding that must permeate every discourse surrounding the Naga political future.
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• Sovereignty does not exist in isolation. It requires a bridge—a political mechanism enabling the Naga people to move forward without compromising their historical and political rights. A people cannot progress if they are trapped in a cycle of resistance without strategic pathways for realising their aspirations.
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• The Government of India must recognise that this bridge is not an extension of conflict nor a tactic for delay. Rather, it is a necessary and strategic structure for shaping the future in a way that honours the aspirations of the Naga people.
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• For Nagas who hold firmly to sovereignty, realism must be seen as an ally rather than an adversary. Sovereignty, while non-negotiable in its essence, must be pursued with a pragmatic approach that acknowledges present political complexities. Idealism fuels vision, but realism ensures its actualisation.
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• The Naga people must engage in constructive political discourse that focuses on defining this bridge—one that ensures sovereignty is not confined to ideological rhetoric but becomes an actionable framework. Without such mechanisms, even the most passionate movements risk being reduced to historical memories rather than transformative realities.
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• The government of India and the Naga people must work collaboratively to establish this bridge—not as a concession, but as an acknowledgment of the need for a structured path forward. This process should not be mistaken as an indefinite prolongation of political discourse but rather as a critical step toward a lasting, dignified resolution.
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• The future demands wisdom, patience, and strategic foresight. Sovereignty, while immovable in principle, requires thoughtful pathways to ensure its fulfilment. In this pursuit, Nagas must harness every available resource—including those “perceived outsiders” or previously over looked ones who can be more objective and strategically positioned—to strengthen our journey toward self-determination.
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• A movement cannot be sustained solely on the ideals of history; it must be actively constructed to meet contemporary challenges while preserving its foundational truths. Nagas must not allow sovereignty to remain trapped in the past.
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• We must rise immediately to protect it, to shape it into a functional framework that can withstand political tests and emerge with the clarity of our national consciousness intact.
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• The call to action for the Naga people is clear: progress cannot occur if we remain confined by an ideology that inhibits forward momentum. Nagas must neither weaken nor fall into self-defeat by stagnation. Political methods that have failed must not be repeated. Instead, a transformed approach must be embraced.
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• The discourse of sovereignty must be infused with new strategies that recognize modern political mappings while safeguarding historical legitimacy. The failure to adapt leads not only to stagnation but to the erosion of core principles.
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• In this pursuit, David Graeber the Anthropologist has an insight:"The human imagination stubbornly refuses to die. And the moment any significant number of people simultaneously shake off the shackles placed on that collective imagination, even our most deeply inculcated assumptions about what is and is not politically possible have been known to crumble overnight."
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• This underscores the power of collective imagination in shaping political realities. We must recognise that sovereignty is not merely a legal claim—it is a lived experience, shaped by governance, economic strength, cultural preservation, and political foresight.
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• The moment demands clarity of purpose—of who we are and what we aim to become. We must recognise that sovereignty is not a relic of the past but a responsibility that requires immediate protection and strategic implementation.
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• Nagas must reason together—not about who is right or wrong, but about the power of change. Let us ensure that sovereignty remains vibrant in our present and future, rather than merely residing in history. If the past has shown us what does not work, then let us transform our approach accordingly.
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• The urgency of this moment cannot be overstated. The Naga political movement stands at a decisive juncture, where actions taken today will determine the trajectory of our sovereignty. Every failed method, every miscalculated political move, must be reevaluated and replaced with a dynamic strategy rooted in wisdom and foresight.
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• Curtailing any progress will result in self-defeat. The hesitation to innovate politically will only weaken the movement, allowing influences and pressures to dictate the narrative. Nagas must rise to the occasion—imaginative, strategic, and unified in purpose.
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• Sovereignty does not belong to history per se; it belongs to action. It must be realized with collective determination, where political wisdom replaces fragmentation and national vision overrides short-term political interests.
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• Finally, as an elder, with humble submission, may I appeal to all our conscientious and able women and men in fields of academia, enthusiasts and patriots alike to come together, before clearing one’s throat for the war-chant, to sit around the common Naga table for sharing and contributing to our forward move. I hope for this to take place soon. Can we begin now? Your response is important!
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• Wati Aier
• (This article is a personal opinion)

Also read: The Urgency of Imaginative Naga Political Form