Praise the Lord! Praise the Lord! Praise the Lord!
Countrymen, on this auspicious occasion of the 37th Republic Day Celebration of the People’s Republic of Nagalim, I greet each and every one of you in the name of our Lord and savior Jesus Christ. I salute and pay homage to the martyrs for whose sacrificial services we have come thus far.
Today, it is important to reminiscent that there was a time when monarchy was deified believing that king was the vicar of God. The concept of Divine right of king dominated the minds of both kings and subjects for centuries. But in due course of time, the tradition of perpetual rule of the royal dynasty by Divine right took a revolutionary change with the development of human mind through education and enlightenment. It was later changed into ‘voxpopuli, voxdei‘ (voice of the people is voice of God). Thus, Republic was born. Human society does not stay put, it moves from one historical stage to another to go to the society of higher order.
The Nagas too were living in their village-states, sovereign and independent under monarchical social system for centuries. But the existence of the feeble village-states was threatened by the British colonial power, there after by the Indian and the Burmese aggressors. The Indian state launched massive military campaigns against the Nagas for colonizing their country where hundred of thousands people including village chiefs, religious and social leaders were indiscriminately tortured, imprisoned or killed. Villages and even Churches were burnt down and destroyed. Yet,the Nagas were more determined to defend their common future with one mind and one voice. With a view to resist the aggressors in the capacity of a national government the first Republic called Federal Government of Nagaland(FGN) was formed on 22nd March 1956.
However, after the failure of the Federal Government of Nagaland, the second republic called Government of the People’s Republic of Nagalim was proclaimed on March 21, 1980 in the National Assembly held at GHQ, Tonu. By republic, it means head of the government is to be elected by the people.This Republic is the home of free people. No privileged class or royal dynasty has to rule over the people without their consent.It is founded on the principle of ‘government of the people, by the people and for the people.’
The policy of Indian colonialism we are witnessing today will cease to be the power over us. Colonialism is a thing of the past.Now is the era of democracy the essence of which is‘right to self-determination.’ The Nagas will also determine their future by themselves. Our history clearly says the Naga people have never madeany agreement or decision to join the Union of India or that of Burma or any others. Acknowledging the hard reality, Government of India invited the NSCN leadership for negotiations.
After prolong negotiations, the historic ‘Framework Agreement’ was signed on 3rd August 2015 between the Government of India and NSCN. The Naga people should say a big thank you to the honorable Prime Minister of India Mr. Narendra Modi, his colleagues,Interlocutor Mr. RN. Ravi and the BJP government for the historic agreement.The Naga people have also to appreciate the efforts of the collective leadership and the negotiating team led by our chief negotiator Mr. Th. Muivah.
But the fact is that,Prime Minister Modi is not the first person that recognizes the unique history and rights of the Nagas. Mahatma Gandhi was one of the first Indian leaders who recognized the rights of the Nagas bystating, “You (Nagas) have every right to be independent.” Mr. Rajagopalachari, the first Governor General of free India, too recognized the rights of the Nagas.
Jaya Prakash Narayan, a member of Indian Parliament stated, “It is far better for India to have friendly Nagas at the frontier than hostile Nagas forcibly kept within the Union of India.”
Jawaharlal Nehru’s secret and personal letter to Mr. Medhi the then Chief Minister of Assam (No.1116-PMH/56 New Delhi, May 13,1956) says,“We shall of course use our armed forces to the fullest extent necessary. But we have always to remember that the real solution will require a political approach. I feel that we have not deal with the question of the Nagas with wisdom in the past. We must not judge them as we would others who are undoubtedly part of India. The Nagas have no such background or sensation and we have to create that sensation among them by our goodwill and treatment. One of their grievances is that under our Constitution, we split them up in different political areas. Whether it is possible or desirable to bring them together again is for us to consider.”
Acknowledging the unique history and rights of the Nagas,Indira Gandhi proposed to solve the Indo-Naga political problem on the basis of the ‘Suisa’s proposal.’ It was a kind of formula for solution that respects the rights of the Nagas and guarantees the security of India as well.
More than decades of fighting later Mr. P. V. Narasimha Rao the then Prime Minister of India finally took the bold step in entering into an agreement with the NSCN leadership at Paris on the basis of the three terms – 1. Talks at the Prime Ministerial level. 2. Talks without pre-condition. 3. Talks in third countries.
The peace process has seen the change of successive Prime Ministers of different political parties, who have all given their deep commitment to the Naga political issue for finding an honorable solution. Even former Prime Ministers of India like Messrs. Chandra Shekar and V. P. Singh extended their fullest support to the political talks for early political solution.
It was during the time of Prime Minister I. K. Gujral that the historic Cease-fire Agreement was announced in the Indian Parliament. The credit of recognizing and inking the unique history and situation of the Nagas and the unique identity goes to the honorable Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee. Another important development that took place in the history of Indo-Naga political talks was the ‘non-paper’ proposed by the Congress government during the tenure of Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh.
We believe all MPs of the Indian Parliament of both the ruling and opposition are well informed of these hard realities. Mr. Rahul Gandhi, Vice President of the Indian National Congress party cannot pretend ignorance of what have the successive Indian governments done vis-a-vis Indo-Naga peace process. This is too big an issue to be overlooked.
The 3rd August 2015 Framework Agreement upholds the ‘recognition of unique history of the Nagas by the GoI.’ It affirms the universal principle of democracy that sovereignty lies with the people. And that sovereignty of the Nagas and Indians lies with their respective people. However, it says that there will be ‘shared sovereignty of the two equals’ in some areas. It also speaks about ‘co-existence of the two entities’ based on the principle of interdependent relationship. Both the parties have agreed in principle to building bridge between the two people, not walls.
Since GoI has now recognized our sovereign right, the ownership of land and its resources, our unique history and identity, India will no longer be a threat to us. India and Nagas will be closely interrelated. We will be exercising maximum power for maximum development in all fields. This agreement will guarantee the rights of the Nagas and also address the security concern of India to a great extend.
Both parties agree that the Indo-Naga conflict is highly political and that it should be solved politically. Fighting and killing did not solve the problem rather they hardened the hearts of the oppressed Nagas. Physical oppressions and persecutions never touch the heart of man. Government of India should address to the hearts of the Nagas. We highly appreciate the bold step taken by the present leadership of India.
Countrymen I once again urge you all to come together in the spirit of forgiveness and move forward.
K U K N A L I M !