Author: Patricia Mukhim
Publication: The Statesman
Date: September 7, 2002
Growing up at a time when the national
anthem was played at the end of every film (in those days of cinemas),
and sung at least once a week during the school assembly, one finds it
strange that school children of today do not know Jana gana mana. Many
do not know the colours of the national flag either. But why blame them?
In the last decad'e, parts of the North East have not enjoyed the freedom
to observe two national days - 26 January and 15 August.
A week before the Republic Day or
Independence Day, newspapers, particularly the local language variety,
allow themselves to be used as billboards of sundry militant groups. A
bandh is duly announced. People are asked not to celebrate Independence
Day or Republic Day. Those who defy the bandh call are threatened with
"dire consequences".
A signal for the better has come
from 'two groups in Nagaland and Meghalaya. The National Socialist Council
of Nagaland (I-M), the most powerful of the insurgent groups in the North
East, has stuck to last year's revocation of earlier calls for boycotts.
And this year, for the second time
in succession, the Achik National Volunteer Council of the Garos, which
earlier wanted independence, has clarified that it opposes bandhs on Independence
Day and Republic Day because it wants a settlement within India and seeks
a separate Garo state carved out of Meghalaya.
Those who do not agree with this
perspective say that these actually symbolise the forced union of the region
with "India".
Julius Dorphang, leader of the Hynniewtrep
National Liberation Council - one of the militant groups in Meghalaya -
has attacked the Khasi Jaintia Church Leaders Forum for trying to play
the role of interlocutor between the state government and the HNLC.
Mr Dorphang accused the church leaders
of religious fanaticism, self-glorification and of watching passively while
societal values degenerated. Not once have the militants asked the people
they want to control and whom they claim to represent whether they, too,
share a sense of alienation from mainland India.
So, like it or not, citizens remain
indoors, fearful of the consequences should they stir out. This should
also underline the fact that a large number of troops poured into the region
have failed to bring about a sense of security among ordinary people.
Political issues cannot be solved
with military power. Naga discussions assert this fact. Glued to television
sets, they catch a glimpse of the Prime Minister saying something like
this: "We have made mistakes in Kashmir. We are ready to correct those
mistakes but only through dialogues with duly elected representatives of
the state." It makes every North Eastwallah sit up.
If such a noble statement can be
made about Kashmir, then why not about Nagaland which never signed any
Instrument of Accession with India?
At least Kashmir's Maharaja Hari
Singh had signed his rights away. The Nagas would have been interested
to hear Atal Behari Vajpayee say something similar. It would reduce much
of their posturing. But one supposes that Delhi insists on playing politics
with the North East, while Kashmir, despite the continuing bloodshed and
tragedy, looks more like the proverbial girl born with a silver spoon.
This attitude is aggravating. It
hardens people's stances. Militants still rule the roost, collect taxes,
run our lives, even dictate our dress codes (the latest directive from
one group in Manipur tells girls to wear the traditional phanik or sarong
and blouse to school since they were getting too "westernised").
Do we have no option but to keep
our mouths shut when the heart actually wants to sing the national anthem?
If we do not overcome our fear and speak out, unitedly and clearly, as
Naga civil society has done through the platform of the Hobo, our children
may even forget what India is all about.
There are ways of celebrating national
days with or without the bandh calls. The problem is that we in the North
East appear to be too scared of even trying.
(The author is a social activist
and columnist from Meghalaya.)
