Rani Gaidinliu: A Naga By Birth, Place Of Birth And By Blood

Jimmy Pamei *

96th Birth Anniversary of Rani Gaidinliu on 26th Jan 2011 at GM hall Imphal

"The price of hating other human beings is loving oneself less."
(Eldridge Cleaver)

Media plays a big role in promoting a product or people to gain popularity. These days the tribe of Rongmei, especially in Naga-land is getting popularity in the media. Many had ignored this tribe as insignificant for some long time until their stories are served hot almost every morning in the newspapers for days.

A seemingly insignificant tribe has caught the attention of many scholars and thinkers of Naga society, especially in Nagaland. Are Rongmei so special that some scholars are so concerned about their place of birth or history of freedom movement? Or have this tribe sacked the Naga society in the past? Either of these points could be true.

If not, the wise men of Naga need to re-examine their wisdom while commenting and passing statements regarding this tribe. Another 'coin of the same side' is the effort of some Naga leaders to exclude the Rongmei from the list of Naga tribes in Nagaland state: neo-apartheid that could jeopardise the whole Naga Movement.

It's very odd to observe a small community haunting the minds of many politicians, scholars and social workers of Naga-land? In the first place Rongmeis are ignorant people. But issues connected to them have knocked into them some senses and awareness of rights.

Rongmei shares the same genetic pool with other Naga tribes of Nagaland, Assam, Manipur, Arunachal and Mizoram. They also share similar stories of their origin with them. Their traditions, folkways and institution are identical to that of the Angamis, Rengmas, Zeme, Liangmai, Chakhaseng et al.

Yet, they are apparently branded as 'alien' in Nagaland. It is very irrational to observe that Rongmeis are recognised in Assam and Manipur, but not in the land of the Nagas i.e. Nagaland. The Kukis, Nepalis and some other non-Naga ethnic communities enjoy an honourable status in Nagaland but the Rongmeis are denied several rights and avenues of development.

Some scholars have begun to use the pronouns 'they' or 'their own', 'themselves' while referring this community. Are all these happening because of a religion? Consequently this community began to doubt their ethnicity and started raising a fresh question about themselves: are Rongmei a distinct race? Where is our origin, and who are our ancestors? Were we dropped from the sky and scattered to different states of the North East India? Instead of finding solution some writers and scholars are advertising the foolhardiness of Naga people in full view of the enemies.

The Rongmeis have suffered jolts and setbacks in Nagaland state for some long time. In many instances of their civil lives they were made mandatory to bear the mark of the beast to get job, scholarship and other appointment under the Government of Nagaland. Recently their inclusion into the list as one of the Naga tribe is under attack.

These days the banner debate on Gaidinliu Pamei is held so high in sky of Nagaland state. Through the wisdom, writings and voices of some non-Rongmei scholars this insignificant tribe is becoming significant now. Though the masses are not very sure about Gaidinliu title, her place of birth and religion, one thing is sure: she is becoming famous, a celebrity, whether one likes it or not.

There are no incidents or documents to prove that Gaidinliu had fought for the independence of India. Nor is there any evidence that she demanded the title of 'Rani' from Indian government. It is very clear to all section of the Naga that Gaidinliu did not fight along with Bhagat Singh, Netaji or even Mahatma for Indian independence. She fought for her own Naga people freedom which was initiated by Jadonang.

During those pre-independence days the British were the common enemy of the India and Nagaland. It was 'the enemy of my enemy is my friend' for the Indian and Naga leaderships. If Gaidinliu was fighting for Indian Independence why was it necessary for Indian government to imprison her? The title of 'Rani' was just an honour for her bravery by the then independent Prime Minister of India. Also, that the then Phizo was in good term with her, and when he met her at Sibsagar in Assam he even requested her to come with him to London.

Phizo was not a rebel to the Naga, so too was Gaidinliu. It was the Indians that call someone a spade and other a mattock. The terminology or title awarded by an Indian did not disqualify a person as Naga freedom fighter. Religion also is not the basis (then and now) to disqualify a person from being a Naga citizen.

How many Naga people were Christian those days? So too one's place of birth is not the basis for qualifying to be a Naga. All Nagas born in Nagaland, Manipur, Assam, Arunachal, Burma or other place should be a citizen and take glory and responsibilities in every spaces of their motherland. One's Red Blood Cells, genes and sense of patriotism are the real qualifying elements for becoming a citizen of a Motherland.

It is high time for all section of the community to put their wisdom together to develop a strategy for an honourable solution of peace, unity and development. Every tribe is unique and special and they are woven together intricately into right pattern to make the beautiful and stunning social fabric. When a part of the fabric is wrinkled the whole piece suffers in its beauty.