Profane politics

If people in Nagaland find themselves in a perplexing situation, they need remind themselves of the famous saying, that people get the leaders (or government) they deserve. If leaders lead the wrong way, everything will go wrong. People elected those who will lead them and so whatever is done has been done by leaders who have obtained the mandate of the people. Even if it is all-party government or opposition-less government of assembly, people cannot distance themselves but admit they deserve their leaders they elected have been given that mandate. The all-party governments-one in 2015 under T.R.Zeliang and the second in 2021 under Neiphiu Rio were formed under the pretext of uniting for peaceful solution “in the larger interests of the Nagas” both within and beyond Nagaland. It was clear that the ‘all-party’ or ‘opposition-less government’ in 2015 was neither designed nor capable of uniting Nagas and least of all, the elected members themselves. This became clear in the subsequent months that led to the split within NPF during 2017 and leading to formation of NDPP in 2018 when election was held. Then again, the same leaders under different labels re-conceptualised unity by forming the second unity government or opposition-less government in 2021 in the larger interest and greater goal of Nagas. Like since 2003 then 2018 and presently, these exercises of forming opposition-less governments proved to be futile rhetoric that had no basis. Ironically all these political dramas only served to fulfill the agenda of “equi-closeness” as a policy during 2003. The question is whether such an undemocratic step is a pre-condition to peaceful solution? Also whether the political parties involved in the state, have been so advised and if so by who? In the name of democracy, the majority decision is made by a few and not the majority. Democracy, as broadly defined is a system of rule by the people. People use freedom to choose the guidelines under which they will conduct their affairs. The conduct is through constitutional democracy and which Abraham Lincoln defined (democracy) as “government of the people, by the people, for the people.” When people talk much about democracy, whether in the present day or as practiced by their forefathers; it is all about a free, frank and fearless discussion and debate where all the people are involved. Freedom without rationality only reduces democracy to demagoguery. As the state goes to the polls on February 27,2023 politics in Nagaland is increasingly pushing socio-economic into bedlam; where real issues so often get drowned out by the din of distraction and deprecation. This has thrown a challenge on the institution of the church, to meet this situation head-on. Though much has been expected of the church and though it has more often, disappointed; yet there is no denying that it can still play the role of mediator, provider of safe space for open dialogue, identifier of common ground, and promoter of truth-speaking. This is critical for the reform of the present and hope of the future generations. Every religion and faith, seek to make their followers enlightened about their god so as to make them better people. The way politics has been evolving in Nagaland, particularly after the 90s, has resulted in an abnormal mixture of priorities where politicians have cleverly submerged all priorities under the Naga political issue because they have nothing good to show but plenty to hide.