As all are aware, Nagaland is gearing up to elect its leaders for the 14th Nagaland Legislative Assembly which is scheduled to be held on February 27, 2023. I, as a leader of a Christian churches’ organization feel that it is my moral duty to send out a clear and loud message reaching out to the hearts of all believers and to encourage the Christian stalwarts to participate actively and prayerfully in choosing our leaders. My intentions here are solely to encourage all believers to exercise their given fundamental right without losing one’s credibility and without infringing the secular fabric of the nation. Exercising the franchise is not only our right but also our duty as citizens, as guaranteed by the constitution of this diverse and beautiful nation.
While encouraging active participation, I also hope and spread precautions to every Christian to refrain from immoral activities. Voting for money, indulgence in alcoholism, spreading false propaganda to woo voters, provoking and affecting peace and harmony in the society, booth rigging, proxy voting etc. These are not only against the law but also unethical from the viewpoint of Christian teaching.
I would also like to remind readers that the very essence of India was founded on the principle of unity in diversity. In that, respect for every community irrespective of caste, creed, and religion draws the strength of India. Reiterating on these principles, I encourage every sensible Christian to choose your leader wisely.
Today, modern India is facing many forces that play beneath the slogan of development and better futures of our society. While slogans for development and a better future of society is embraced, we are encouraged to be critical and sensitive towards any political party whose agendas are exclusively entangled with a particular religion. Their subversive fanatical stance challenges in altering cultural and social ideologies against any tendency that opposes their exclusive claims overlooking the contemporary Secular Society and refusing to embrace one another fully in harmony.
At this juncture, let one and all be reminded that Nagaland is a Christian majority state and if not for all, the majority of the leaders are Christian. Hence people, choose leaders who walk the talk as Christians and who can courageously voice on your behalf for justice and protection of the minorities from all sorts of atrocities in the hands of majorities.
It is high time for the Nagas to take a proactive approach to elect leaders whose agendas are for mutual faith relationships considering religions as a dynamic and creative agent in affecting Nation Building without infringing the rights and privileges of the minorities. Striving toward the fullness of the whole human race, and eradicating hegemonic ideology, injustice, and divisions should be the calling and destiny of every conscious person.
Rev Dr. Mar Pongener, Executive Secretary, ABAM, Impur
Launched on December 3, 1990. Nagaland Post is the first and highest circulated newspaper of Nagaland state. Nagaland Post is also the first newspaper in Nagaland to be published in multi-colour.