The thought of where Naga Nationalism in the 21st century locate itself amidst all this was shared by political scholar and thinker Rev. Dr Wati Aier at the event on “Nagas: Contemporary Nationalism” organized by The Morung Lecture, an initiative of The Morung for Indigenous Affairs & Just Peace and The Morung Express, at DABA Elim Hall, Duncan Basti.
Addressing the gathering, Aier recalled the views of Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels view on Nationalism.
Since early period of the 20th century, Naga nationalism has desired to “defend” and “safeguard” the inhabited territories and thus aspiration for nationhood began, of which the earliest Naga movement led by AZ Phizo’s imagination remained unmatched and Naga people must put that in record, he pointed out.
He asserted that in the contemporary world, 21st century, nationalism has not faded; many have been turning to ethnicity and searching for new anchors to ground their identities and political loyalties.
He said that nationalism has grouped people apart from each other, but at the same time it has helped the Nagas in preparing for unity that has ever been. However, nationalism could become a binding cause to those who accept it critically, added Aier.
He asserted that in the contemporary world, Naga nationalism must sort nationalistic idealism vis-a’-vis national construction. Nagas in the contemporary nationalism needed national leaders and movements of deeper realism and greater stature.
Aier espoused that from a view point of democracy, genuine freedom and development within the Nagas should be preferable to stagnation and he added that this kind of justice that was ushered in was worthy. In this case, Aier was of the opinion that such a just society that provides opportunity for children, women and men to flourish and to hope would build a better future.
He also pointed that “Nationalsim without identity is empty”, since all identities were unique and uniqueness of the Nagas and their history should never be at the expense of the other. To have identity is to have national identity, he asserted.
Aier also said that without harping on past attitudes, India must show that diplomacy without an ethical will and politics without global ethics would produce new injustices and thus new conflicts.
He summed up by calling upon the Naga thinkers, leaders and conscientious people not to withdraw from one’s own responsibility of working towards a just society.