Naga Republic News
A senior Naga historian has given a helpful insight on the Indo-Naga political issue with the suggestion that the sensitive topic of ‘sovereignty should be discussed when India is ready’.
“The current political processes should not be viewed as the end of the Naga journey toward nationhood, but as the beginning of a new, peaceful political and cultural process”, writes Dr. Visier Sanyü in a brief paper titled ‘Naga: A Nation of Peoples’, which appears in the booklet ‘Naga Day’ published by the Forum for Naga Reconciliation.
Dr. Visier Sanyü, who is also the President of the Overseas Naga Association (ONA), writes that some Naga national leaders have come out with ‘a constructive proposal that is creative and realistic and honourable to both sides’. According to the Naga historian, however, these Naga national leaders know that it is too difficult for the rulers in Delhi to recognize Naga sovereignty and independence.
“…some veterans of the Naga struggle have taken the stand that Naga sovereignty is a problem for the Government of India… These leaders are taking the line that sovereignty should be discussed in the future by Nagas and Indians when India is ready”, he points out.
Dr. Visier Sanyü however asserts that if India is not ready to discuss the question of sovereignty, then the Government of India’s negotiators should “not raise the issue and blame the Nagas”. “This will be the wise position at this stage in our history”, he states.
“The people of India who do not know the facts of Naga history will not allow their Government to even discuss the issue”, Dr Sanyü says but points out that “Nagas cannot deny or ignore the facts of their history just because it is too difficult for India” and according to him sovereignty is “not a problem for the Nagas” .
Dr. Sanyü writes that even after more than 70 years of struggle ‘the nationalist leaders remain determined to maintain the fight for independence’. However he terms as ‘tragic’ that these leaders are “locked in their factional group think-bubbles of political falsehoods”.
“As a result, the negotiation processes have turned out to be a political charade, a fact those negotiating know better than us. Their position, despite all the appreciation and questions that we may have, reflect the shared predicament of the Naga people. Our duty as a Naga is to critique it but also understand and not over judge it”, says the historian.
He writes that “a new Naga mindset is needed to assist this process”. Although divided geo-politically, Nagas can be united culturally and politically in the broader realities of civic life, he states.
Further according to him, “the development of Naga nationhood and unity can occur across the world and can help build a united political identity, even though in physical and geographical terms we are divided between two nation states”.
According to him, “this vision of Naga unity achieved peacefully in a ‘virtual world’, and implemented separately in two states is a starting point for rethinking a new vision of Naga nationhood”.
Dr. Sanyü also states that ‘Nationhood’ does not have to be all or nothing. “There are many constitutional arrangements where Nations have allowed smaller nations to pursue many of its national goals, while remaining part of a larger sovereign state”, he states.
While appreciating the “Naga sense of identity”, which according to him remains strong, Dr. Sanyü points out that there are many opportunities that can shape our future. Stating that the history of many nations has shown that a flexible approach to leadership can shape the future, the Naga historian adds a word of caution that “opportunities can be lost if a leader is locked in backwards thinking and hatreds of the past”.
For full text of the article click on the link http://www.thenagarepublic.com/discourse/naga-nation-peoples/
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2 Comments
T.Ashuhrii Romeo
January 4, 2018 - 11:26 pmIt is good to inform the latest information to the grass roots level people
Charles Chasie
January 9, 2018 - 2:05 amThe writer has posited a pragmatic and flexible approach on the basis of what is right and not just on who is right from within the confines of his own constraints. The biggest single problem still is the Naga inability to trust each other and speak with one voice! And what of Government of India’s attitude? Would it dare to do the right thing instead of posing themselves as nationalistic champions who would `not give an inch’, always fearful of what might be the repercussions?! How do you heal history!