My Dear Nagas, for years, we have been observing the anniversary of the Naga Plebiscite on 16th May every year. Many years have passed since the plebiscite in 1951. Many of our great leaders and participants responsible for this historic document had passed away too. Before long, even the remnant few will be no more. Everything related to it will become history – cold and dead – unless we urgently recapture the vision that drove our people of yesteryears to make the plebiscite a reality, unless we own it up as part of our living history to translate them into a symbol of hope and victory for our tomorrow.
Today with the change of time, some even amongst us may question the importance of such an event in our history while some may also doubt the relevance of commemorating this day itself. But for the rest of us, for those who love our nation and our land, it is one of the strongest foundational pillars of our rights to live as a people with identity, dignity and freedom. The 16th May Plebiscite is a “decree of the Naga people.” It is a law and an oath we have given unto ourselves. The plebiscite was conducted in all its solemnness; some put their thump impressions with their own blood. And true to their commitment, they stood behind the Naga national cause through thick and thin, fully convinced that they have done it for the freedom of their children and their descendants to come. They did it for us.
But what do we think of them today, we the present generation of Nagas? Or have we forgotten their sacrificial lives and deeds for us already? In our Naga traditional custom, commitments and promises used to be highly honoured. Our ancestors lived by their words. When they gave their words in solemn oaths, they did it from their hearts in awe and fear of the Supreme Spirit. The welfare of the community was always above the interest of the individuals and it guided the society like an iron law. And so whenever leaders and elders in the community took a decision or an oath, the whole community would give their unwavering consensus and support. Yesterday, they made the loudest declaration for us. But are we giving the kind of recognition and gratitude coupled with respect they deserve? Irrespective of our attitude towards them and the plebiscite itself, as long as we make an argument to maintain a unique ethnic identity as Nagas, it will be to our shame and disgrace that we ignore or forget the “oath” of the plebiscite.
We must never forget the fact that the oath of the plebiscite provided the unshakable background for the rise of many great leaders in our midst. It gave honour and authority to the leaders to take our Naga movement for self-determination to a great height. This must be understood and evaluated in the context of whom or what we are up against - the great Indian state. The force of the plebiscite has even awakened the Indian state to see our movement differently though it is regretful to note that, instead of doing the right thing, it has chosen to apply the dirty “divide and rule” policy with an iron hand to undermine the vision and aspiration of the plebiscite. Had there been no plebiscite, our history of national struggle would have been very different indeed.
For anyone who loves the land and the people, history continues to teach and inspire because vision of the future is never complete without its history. But for those who have no concern for their nation and society, history is an aberration and obstruction because it judges them. The same is true of our present context. The sufferings and sacrifices of our patriots and nationalists will judge those who pursue their selfish interest on the foundation of our Naga nationalism. The blood and sweat of our people to uphold their plebiscite commitment yesterday have given us voice to speak and to stand up for ourselves with dignity and respect today. But some are probably under the illusion that it is the goodwill of the Indian state that the Nagas have been given a place within the Indian union as a state, forgetting all kinds of tragedies and miseries it has brought upon us through inhuman laws such as Armed Forces Special Power Act (AFSPA), forgetting the kinds of division and confusion it has nurtured and sustained in our society till date. The presence of draconian laws and brutal armed forces in our land, which are a negation of our dignity, freedom and identity, is a living evidence of Indian evil design against our existence as a self-respecting people. If only we listen more closely to the truth of the plebiscite, it will disclose the ugly faces of our foes behind their superficial masks.
Today our people have been divided up on several lines by many factors and forces which act against our national interest. Our political horizon appears hazy and bleak. But if only we look back, looking at the honour and courage of our people who express their will in the plebiscite against all odds, we can clear the mist of our political goal. The call of plebiscite was the expression of our unity sixty six years ago; prior to it, we had no common goal. It’s never too late to learn from our noble history. It is our time now. We should reflect and make our statement for our tomorrow, for those who are coming after us just like those who gave theirs for our today. May God grant us the wisdom and courage to uphold the legacy of those who have shown us the path of self-respect and freedom!
