After bootless efforts for reinstalling popular government, now comes moments of best odds for the MLAs of the state from certain urgencies. Next extension of the Central rule is at the threshold; the MLAs have about one year to serve out their term; present ethnic alienation remains as hard-to-heal wound with some amount of necrotic tendency as it is insensitive to healing; and governance in the state has been, for many months, without on a roll meaning without much expected progress for lack of governance. While all these have their origin in ethnic alienation, the direct lever is the imposition of Central rule started in 13 February, 2025.
President’s rule in Indian democracy under the Article 356 of Indian Constitution is, in many ways, expressive of denaturing characters of democracy. It poses lesion or a wound to democratic fabrics as it suspends the government of duly elected representatives who, directly and indirectly, represent the people of democratic state.
The accountability of the representatives to the people which is one of epitomic merit of democracy is virtually absent during President’s rule. And, no people-friendly or crucial state policy which is normally formulated through representatives is actually beyond the reach of the representatives. Therefore, President’s rule in a state is often metamorphically described as “rape of constitution” or repulsively as “forced” or “suspended” democracy. It is also not far from being described as “impaired” democracy. It is so described in these manner because the rule involves replacement of elected government, poses threat to federal polity as it weakens state autonomy with paralysis in governance, etc.
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Above all it leads to the decimination of opposition’s role which is indispensable, if to make democracy more meaningful at all, to democracy. These are all that erode, in practice, democratic principles. Therefore, are there any weightier reasons for the people of the state that reason into acceptance for the continuation, to be precise, its extension, of President’s rule in the state? As there are urgencies forcing us to treat them as best odds, the people are situationally bound together to explore the possibility for the formation of new government and make the rule lapse at practical and concerted efforts. The best odds at work should allow us all to make the new government something cogitable as they bring rosiest situation for optimism for success.
Moreover, in present alienation or crisis placing long under President’s rule may lead to execrable shape of thing to come. One unmistakable reason is that the channel of lobby is virtually shifted to Indian Hellenic authority in the absence of the elected government in the state in which the authority appears to be virtually monocratic. For, the state, with crisis and Central rule, suffers from “democratic regression” meaning the life of the state is changing to less democratic spirit coupled with democratic uncertainty as it suggests more erosion of democratic processes or practices under prolonged Central rule.
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Amid such uncertainties looming large in the state, present ethnic alienation, on many counts, acts as natural and strong imperative for the formation of elected government. Needless to say the Presidential’s rule, as temporary measure of administration, is actually enept for solving the present crisis. Moreover, channel of lobby usable for an end of some section without popular government is not in the interest of the people of the state. Therefore, finding a political leader who can head the much expected popular government is spring morning which can bring new hope to all concerned after cloudy days.
The leader preferable, at this juncture, is one who should be accessible to the alienated section of the people of the state and the one whom the majority community may also go along with him. To be precise, he should be able to be key player in the problem of present alienation. So, a leader needed now, be it from the valley or hills should be one under whose leadership we should make the problem or crisis to be of no next to impossible anymore and seal the fate of possible extension of suspended animation.
The overture, in this way, is struck in view of shorter duration of term which has to go for just more than one year after which comes state Assembly elections. Therefore, the installation of new government, without the tendency of challenge a decision or not preferring one over other colouring regional attachment, will certainly be in the interest of the people and the political netas. What can be alluded, in this regard, is that there has been no crisis with such magnitude experienced at present, under the hills leader like late Rishang Keishing or Yangmaso Shaiza.
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Moreover, Kuki-Naga clashes was brought to normalcy under Rishang Keishing notably assisted by scholarly political leaders like late Professor Gangmumei Kamei (54/AC), Professor M.Horam (45/AC). Professor Kamei who made the resolution of Kuki-Naga problem of 1990s as plank of his electioneering called the problem “a losing game” and he stood to the end. Similar political fortune may be tried, at this critical juncture, in the state if the hills can man for leading new government on the bickerings among other MLAs. This proposed trial for leading the new government is on three counts: leader belonging to neutral community, from ruling party and one who is in good books of Central political leaders. Leader fulfilling the counts is not far to seek from Naga community.
What may be considered corollary to this overture is that the leader desired in connection with the present ethnic turmoil should be able to come up with the plan for resolving the turmoil. Here, the defining ground up for the resolution should root in the principle that demanding the demandable is a demand fulfillable. This is needed because if the majority considers the demand raised by alienated groups “inconceivable”, then something demandable be found out for the concerned groups or hills tribes as a whole. This may be made as last-ditch effort on the part of valley section and Naga groups.
For example, what is Constitutionally “demandable” is Sixth Schedule which, if its provisions are truly used with the improvements through amendments in the areas of financial, administrative and jurisdictional lapses, can efficaciously address diverse problems facing the hills tribes of the state as in other four states in North-East. In this regard, the Nagas and their representatives particularly present Chairman of Hill Areas Committee are not adverse to it rather they consider the demand for the Sixth Schedule demandable. The Chairman firmly stands for resolving present crisis which acts as soil of President’s rule.
In conclusion, it can be said that solution to the moras of President’s rule, ethnic crisis and even leadership question, etc. lies in change from what one is. Expecting change from others in one’s favour without changing oneself cannot change them. Change in favour of collective interests is needed now which may be hard to do but that is what the present calls for. I conclude with the words of Leo Tolstoy, “Everyone thinks of changing the world, but no one thinks of changing himself”. Change itself is the magic of change for present moras in the state.
The views expressed are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Ukhrul Times. Ukhrul Times values and encourages diverse perspectives.