The driving force of Rani Gaidinliu celebration

Morung Express Editorial

It is noteworthy that Rani Gaidinliu was never venerated as now in Nagaland. She has been popular among her followers belonging to a section of one community. But except for a small pocket in Peren district, Heraka is concentrated more in Manipur and Assam. So, what has changed so that the temple and the memorial hall should come up in Nagaland, the later to be in the Capital city of Kohima? Besides, Gaindinliu is not simply a neutral figure, but a controversial figure in Nagaland. Heraka is not a major religion in Nagaland either. So, why should the centre of the centenary celebration be away from the centre of action and be held in a rather indifferent or even hostile place? The only things working in favor of constructing the temple and memorial hall in Nagaland are two persons: Governor PB Acharya and Chief Minister TR Zeliang.

Gaidinliu was a Naga no doubt and the community she belonged to. It is not an issue of antagonizing a particular Naga tribe by Nagas of Nagaland. It is not about opposing Heraka. There are other Nagas who still follow traditional religious practices and are neither Christians nor Hindus. Gaidinliu opposed the Naga movement perhaps because of her anti-Christian stand and trying to protect the traditional way of life. When Christianity first came to Nagas, the early Naga Christians have faced a lot of persecution from fellow Nagas. So, what Gaindinliu did was nothing extraordinary then. But the crux of the matter is that Rani Gaidinliu is projected as a pan- Naga Hindu spiritual leader through which the RSS/VHP found a window to enter the Naga society to spread its hindutva tentacles. This is something which the followers of Heraka also should oppose because their Religious leader is being simply used as a tool. Heraka was a non-Christian non-Hindu reformation movement of the traditional religious practices among the Zeliangrong Nagas. ‘Rani’ was a title given by Nehru for her fight against the British. But ‘maa’ is a religious title which Hindus later infused to make Heraka appear more Hindu.

Every religion has the right to propagate itself and find new believers. Religion is a matter of conscience and willful decision. India is a secular country where everyone has the freedom to practice and spread his/her religion without fear or manipulation. But the agenda of the RSS-led BJP has always been to make India a Hindu nation. Majority of Indians are Hindus, as shown in the latest census figures released a couple of days back. But there are people in the country who were never Hindus. It is a lie that India was a Hindu nation in the past. Before Nagas became Christians, they were not Hindus. Likewise, Heraka was and is not Hindu. The Hindu symbols and images which are now found in Heraka religion were later insertions by VHP. 

Therefore, the use of government power, machinery and resources to manipulate people and spread a religious ideology among a people who are not willing is an infringement on a basic constitutional right. Governor of Nagaland has every right to practice his religion. But to use his official position and influence to repeatedly serve his missionary endeavors is a serious offence. The Chief Minister in this occasion may feel helpless against his political masters and vote bank. But he is answerable to the people of Nagaland and more importantly to whoever/whichever ‘God’ or ‘god’ he serves.   

Dr. Sao Tunyi works as an Epidemiologist at Directorate of Health and Family Welfare, Kohima. Feedback can be sent to saotunni@yahoo.co.in, or visit his blog www.thatchhouse.blogspot.in