Dimapur, Sep 12 (PTI) Former Nagaland chief minister SC Jamir on Saturday urged RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat to use his influence with the BJP-led government at the Centre to expedite an early settlement to the Naga political issue.
Speaking to reporters here after his Thursday’s meeting with Bhagwat in Delhi, Jamir said he met the RSS chief to clear what he described as confusion among Nagas about the RSS and BJP and to explain the history and present status of the Naga issue.
“Today, the BJP government moves because of RSS. Even though we are shouting, they are not listening. So I said, why not you also shout so that they can also listen?” Jamir said, adding that all possible avenues should be explored for an early settlement.
He said Bhagwat had listened to his concerns and indicated that he would meet the authorities concerned in Delhi.
Jamir, who also served as a governor, said Naga people had been suffering for more than two decades because of the unresolved political issue and expressed concern over the proliferation of Naga political groups.
Referring to the multiplication of factions since the ceasefire, he said there were now numerous groups claiming to represent the Naga cause, leading to multiple authorities and widespread extortion.
He alleged that the proliferation of parallel authorities had weakened governance in Nagaland, with underground groups issuing directives, summoning people and operating parallel mechanisms.
Jamir also questioned the prolonged negotiations between Naga groups and the government of India, saying the signing of the Framework Agreement had raised expectations but a final settlement remained elusive.
He said the Framework Agreement, by its very nature, provided a basis for further arrangements and argued that the focus should now be on what could be worked out within the framework rather than prolonging the process.
“If you take care of Nagaland, I think this will be a milestone in your organisation,” Jamir said he told the RSS chief, stressing that Naga people wanted a settlement and wanted it quickly.
Jamir said his discussion with Bhagwat also focused on the meaning of Indian identity and the need to preserve the country’s secular and plural character.
He said India could remain united only by respecting differences in culture, language, religion, customs and traditions.
“Unity in diversity” should be the foundation of Indian nationhood, he said, cautioning against attempts to impose uniformity in language, dress or religion.
He also stressed that India’s historical strength lay in its ability to assimilate diverse cultures and ideas.
Jamir said changing times required both the RSS and the Naga people to reassess their outlook and keep pace with a modern, progressive and scientific world.
He described Nagas as equal participants in the building of India and said the community’s outlook and mindset must evolve with changing times.
Jamir said he had also told Bhagwat that, from the Naga perspective, secularism represented the essence of unity in diversity.
He cited the celebration of festivals of different faiths in Nagaland as an example of communal coexistence and said Christians, Hindus and Muslims participated in one another’s festivals.
On Article 371A, Jamir said the provision protecting Naga social and religious practices had to be understood in the context of the state’s predominantly Christian society.
He said Christian practices formed part of the religious practices protected under the special constitutional provision.
Jamir also urged protection of Christians across the country and said being Christian did not make anyone less Indian.
On the proposed Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA) amendments, Jamir said he was opposed to measures that could restrict foreign assistance used for schools, hospitals and other welfare activities.
He suggested that Nagaland and other northeastern states should consider passing resolutions against the legislation to reflect public sentiment.
Jamir also criticised the functioning of governance in Nagaland, alleging that parallel authorities and extortion had left the state administration helpless.
He said there was a need for an overhaul of the governance system and questioned the ability of elected representatives and officials to function effectively amid pressure from underground groups.
Jamir also maintained that Nagas wanted to live peacefully as equal members of the Indian Union and urged the RSS and the Centre to act before public confidence in the prolonged political process further eroded. PTI CORR NBS NBS MNB
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