Shallow Diplomacy In Recognition Of Rongmei In Nagaland

Pr Haomei *

Rongmeis of Manipur during Gaan-Ngai 2014 at Keikhu, Kabui Village :: Pix - Ashok Ningthoujam

In this world where the strong ruled the weak, where the crafty exploits the naive and innocent, where the privileged trampled the unfortunate, and where words and action differs, it is no wonder that the power of truth has diminished. Our world is flooded and adorned with superficial practices where there is no depth of truthfulness. In this context, my conscience has been constrained to speak out against the subtle game of dirty politics played against my brethren Rongmei people of Nagaland.

It is not recognition of a tribe when Nagaland government says that Rongmei tribe has been recognised as scheduled tribe in Nagaland, but at the same time, gave out a specific figure counting only a fraction of Rongmei people while leaving out large portion of people belonging to the same tribe in the State. Rather, it is, in my opinion, obviously recognition of individual by their particular name.

So, it would be more correct for the Government of Nagaland to declare that Mr. A, B, C and so on have been accorded recognition in Nagaland instead of dragging the name of the tribe into the controversy. For if the name of the tribe is taken, the whole people regardless of their individuality must be counted, which the Nagaland government didn't have the courage and moral responsibility to do so.

Before going further, let me make it clear to all that this piece of writing is not meant to be taken as a sort of legal argument in law court. But it is meant to be taken to the court of your conscience where moralities and the love of God rules. It is meant to be a pointer to our moral responsibilities.

The sincere effort of DAN government is appreciable and the Rongmei people everywhere understood the hardship involved so far. But it is harder still to swallow the bitter truth that, in the face of stiff opposition, the same government has lost its teeth to bring to its logical ending what it had started. It is probable that there must have been several weaknesses and undoing of some Rongmei leaders too.

But it has been long since the people of Rongmei are humiliated by none other than their own kinsman. Except for some few matured individuals and organisations of other tribes, we are made to see that Rongmei people are being shunned. Hate virus originating from one man has infected a large group of people of which NTC and its cohorts are the full blown symptoms. I say, it is not a healthy thing: it is a disease called HATRED. Are you proud of the disease?

In this light, it won't be wrong to say that laws are made by man primarily to safeguard their rights and interest. So what is it that the opposition groups - against recognition of Rongmei tribe, feel apprehensive about Rongmei? Rongmei people have been there in some pockets of Dimapur long since before the independence of India. Has there been any instance of Rongmei people infringing upon the rights and interests of other tribes of the State? What is the true motive behind all these expressive unhappiness over the recognition of Rongmei tribe? To look at it from legal aspect will be to rub the surface only, without any healing of the issue. So, let us view it from the angle of moral responsibility towards each other within our Naga family.

There is an interesting joke about an old Rongmei lady popularly retold amongst the rongmei people which is seldom heard of lately. It is said that she grudgingly complained, "I don't want to live in this world anymore, I want to go and live in Nagaland." This simple joke, in some manner, reflected the faith and hope of the Rongmei people in the strong concept and struggle for Naga nationhood of which Nagaland State is its by-product. The Rongmei people are second to none in contributing to the cause of Naga national movement, because they thought and believed in the oneness of the Naga people.

That was why they dropped their own sure-fire aspiration and fearlessly answered to the call of Naga National Movement. But the chronic controversy which rear up its head again recently, dragging the name of our tribe is considered as a totally open insult that comes from a heart that is void of any humane sympathy and brotherly love. It is akin to adding salt to the wounds of the Rongmei whose sentiments are already hurt and trampled in the aftermath of the recognition accorded to them.

Let me remind you once again that I am not talking from legal point of view, for legal formalities could be twisted and bent to suit the powerful. But, it is time everyone look deeper into their own heart and find the answer for the underlying motive of all these hue and cry of opposition, and, truthfully (without lying to themselves) see how they felt before God. Did they feel that it (opposition to recognition of the range) is what God will be happy and approve of?

Do they sincerely believe that the Rongmei people who are far lesser compare to other tribes in the State is a threat to the well being of Nagaland? If fellow Nagas still believe in the proclaimed nationhood of Nagas, this opposition is not helping, rather, it is dampening the spirit of unity and patriotism and the concept of Naga nationhood. As such, if at all, the Nagas of Nagaland really believe in the Nagas aspiration and struggle for Naga Nation, let them foster and promote the spirit of oneness of the Naga people instead of breaking down the fabric of Naga society beyond repair.

Personally speaking, the Nagas of Nagaland are more at ease with their immediate neighbour viz, the Assamese people along the border areas. Likewise, the Rongmei people feel closer and bonded well with the Meiteis. As immediate neighbors, they enjoyed intimate relationship and depend on each other more than upon their distant kinds. But putting aside all their conveniences, the Nagas everywhere has been waiting for the ultimate fulfilment of their aspiration to be united and to decide their own course of future.

And because of this, the Rongmei people have been silently reeling under many hardships, hoping that the Naga's calling will be fulfilled in the end. Beside several others, almost forty villages in Imphal valley are continuously at stake. They are living under the constant grumbling of their neighbors because of the concept of Naga nationhood. And if Nagaland, the mother of all Naga's struggle continue to embarrass and play such cheap game against their own kind, then it's well, Rongmei people may be naive and foolish, but they might be forced to think twice given the present situation and development in Nagaland.

Naga concept is not a newborn fledgling striving to suckle the milk of a State like Nagaland. There has been Naga people, long before the birth of Nagaland State, who came together and pledged to struggle in unison for a common future. Nagaland and its people have the moral responsibilities to practice accommodative spirit for they owed to all nagas because Nagaland is the fruit (a by-product) of the blood and tears of the whole nagas. Let it be known that Rongmei people are a proud people.

Whether Nagaland recognises it or not, we are a proud tribe whose heroes and heroines like Haipou Jadonang and Rani Gaidinliu are known and revered worldwide. We don't need an eyewash or a hogwash recognition. Given the rich kind of history we have, the Rongmei people have every right to ask the GOI for a separate and exclusive solution for Rongmei/Zeliangrong people. We are nobody's dog. Why should the name of our tribe be dragged and kicked around inside an arena called 'Nagaland'? Time and again, we are being exploited to be deprived of its fruit again.

Naga Nationalist worth their name, regardless of the faction/organisation they belong to, has the responsibility to intervene in the matter too. They could not afford to remain a mute spectator, for if they do, they are burying their own proclaimed objective of building a Naga Nation or a united Naga society. And they will be rendered unfit to be called a "Naga Nationalist". At least, in principle.

You feed a hungry man even from your own plate if you have compassion for him; but you turn out even an invited guest from your table not because you love him. Thanks to the devil that has sown seeds of hatred in our heart. The Rongmei people are hated. Maybe, we are undeserving and unworthy of their love.

My humble appeal to all Nagas of present generation: Let us learn to avoid this disease of BITTERNESS AND HATRED. Let us HEAL our society and live together as ONE as our foregone leaders had envisioned, lest our society be shattered to pieces beyond recognition.

My gratitude and regards to the readers for their time to these ravings a frustrated heart poured out. Thank you once again.