Kohima, Aug 17: Seventy-eight years after declaring independence one day before India, the Naga people gathered through the Global Naga Forum to commemorate their enduring struggle for self-determination, with leaders emphasizing the need for unity against external divisions and continued international advocacy.
The Global Naga Forum hosted the landmark commemoration on August 14, 2025, bringing together prominent leaders, solidarity partners, artists, and cultural voices from across the homeland and diaspora. The event served as both a celebration of Naga identity and a reflection on the decades-long political aspirations that continue to define the community’s relationship with the Indian state.
International solidarity formed a central theme of the gathering, with multiple organizations reaffirming their support for Naga self-determination. Secretary General of the Unrepresented Nations and Peoples Organization Merce Monje Cano emphasized her organization’s commitment to the Naga cause since 1993.
“The right to self-determination and the importance of a nonviolent path toward that goal” remained paramount, she stated, while recognizing the Nagas’ resilience through centuries of change despite geopolitical pressures. Cano pledged to amplify Naga voices in global decision-making spaces, framing the struggle as part of a broader movement for dignity and rights worldwide.
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The commemoration drew attention to ongoing regional challenges, with speakers addressing militarization and repression in Northeast India. National Coordinator of the Delhi Forum Priya Dharshini highlighted connections between Indian civil society movements and the Naga cause, drawing parallels to global solidarity struggles including Palestine.
“They can cut all the flowers, but they cannot stop the spring from coming,” she concluded, calling for unity among oppressed peoples across South Asia, including Nagas, Kashmiris, and Eelam Tamils.
Regional divisions within the Naga community received particular attention from Eastern Naga representatives. President of the Eastern Naga Students Association Atimiu Makury spoke about the sacrifices made for Naga freedom, recalling how his village was burned twice during the movement. Asserting the distinct identity of Nagas from both India and Myanmar, Makury warned against divisions created by external forces and lamented the exclusion of Eastern Nagas from agreements with the Indian government. He appealed to both Indian and Myanmar authorities, as well as international human rights organizations, to recognize the artificial nature of the border dividing the Naga homeland.
The keynote address delivered by President of the Tangkhul Naga Long Sword Vashum traced the historical foundations of the Naga struggle to the 1929 memorandum submitted to the Simon Commission. In this document, Naga elders asserted their right to determine their own future after British departure. Vashum paid tribute to A.Z. Phizo, who traveled extensively to awaken Naga national consciousness and met with Mahatma Gandhi in 1947, securing Gandhi’s acknowledgment of the Nagas’ right to independence.
“The Nagas declared independence on August 14, 1947, one day before India’s own,” Vashum reminded the audience, underlining that they were ruled by the British for less than a century and should not have been transferred to Indian rule. He challenged the gathering to decide whether they were living in a “realm of fantasy” or ready to unite for a future of honor and dignity.
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Cultural performances provided emotional depth to the political proceedings. Dr. Achingliu Kamei read her poem “A Hole in the Heart,” contrasting the Naga homeland’s beauty with the trauma of conflict, displacement, and militarization. The recurring metaphor of a “hole in the heart” symbolized deep collective wounds, while the poem concluded with a vision of healing through shared stories and remembrance.
Dr. Theyiesinuo Keditsu presented her poem “Song,” exploring the alienation of losing one’s mother tongue and the struggle to reclaim one’s voice as a Naga in a foreign-dominated cultural landscape. The work closed with a hopeful assertion that silenced voices would one day sing again.
Musical performances complemented the literary presentations. Neikuo Khezhie performed “You’ll Never Walk Alone,” an anthem of perseverance and hope in the face of adversity. Thotmung Muivah concluded the celebration with “The Lim Is Our Home,” a song affirming Naga unity, connection to the land, and commitment to carrying forward the dreams of past generations.
The event united Naga representatives and allies from multiple regions and organizations, providing a platform to reaffirm Naga rights, preserve Naga heritage, and strengthen international solidarity. Prof. Rosemary Dzuvichű, co-convenor of the Global Naga Forum, delivered the vote of thanks, concluding the commemoration.
The gathering conveyed that for the Nagas, independence remains not only a matter of historical significance but an ongoing pursuit requiring both internal unity and international advocacy. Through speeches, poetry, and song, participants emphasized that the Naga struggle continues alongside the hope for a just and peaceful future.
(With inputs from the press release issued by Global Naga Forum on August 14)