KOHIMA: Rahul Gandhi, the leader of the Congress, slammed Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday, saying that for nine years following the signing of the Framework Agreement in 2015, he did nothing to resolve the Naga political issue. Speaking at a public gathering on his Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra in the town of Mokokchung, Nagaland, Gandhi stated that a solution to the issue cannot be brought about without the Naga people’s trust and without having a conversation with them. “If you don’t have a solution, you should not lie and say you have a solution,” he stated, criticising the prime minister. You can tell the Naga people that we must and will strive towards a solution, but you must not tell them falsehoods.” He claimed that the Congress is aware of how serious the problem is and how urgent a solution is. “What the Prime Minister promised nine years ago is an empty vow to the Naga people,” the former president of the Congress stated, making reference to the Framework Agreement. On Tuesday, Gandhi declared at a press conference held at Chiephobozou that his party is dedicated to finding a resolution to the long-standing Naga Political Issue. In 1947, the Naga insurgency started. The Centre has been in separate talks with the NSCN-IM since 1997 and the Working Committee of the Naga National Political Group (NNPG), which is made up of at least seven groups, since 2017 in an effort to find a solution to the long-standing issue. The Modi administration signed an Agreed Position with NNPGs in 2017 and a Framework Agreement with NSCN-IM in 2015. The NSCN-IM remains steadfast in its demand for a distinct flag and constitution for the Naga people, therefore a definitive solution is still pending. Following a nearly 180-kilometer road trip from Khuzama hamlet in the Kohima district to Mokokchung, Gandhi said that he noticed uneven road conditions and inconsistent electricity supply.“How can young Nagas compete with the rest of the country’s youth who have better facilities?” he said. It is an act of treason towards the Nagaland people. With these roads, how can we hope to provide the people of Nagaland a bright future?” The Congress politician claimed that the BJP and RSS were targeting India’s diverse cultures and religions, waging an ideological war against them. “As Indians, everyone should respect each other’s tradition, culture, food habits and religious practices, but the RSS and BJP are attacking them and disrespecting them,” he said. Gandhi also criticised the Prime Minister for failing to travel to Manipur in spite of the state’s months-long ethnic unrest. “As an Indian, I am ashamed that the Prime Minister has not been to Manipur yet after what happened there,” he stated. Weeks after the violence started in the state, in June of last year, Gandhi travelled to Manipur for two days and spent time with the displaced people who were staying in relief camps spread across multiple districts. According to him, the purpose of the Yatra is to draw national attention to the people living in Manipur, Nagaland, and other northeastern states. Rahul Gandhi is the soldier that Nagas have in New Delhi from now on, said the Congress leader. He continued, “If you need me to raise any issue in Parliament I will be happy to do it.” In addition, he urged youth—particularly women—to pursue political careers and offer Nagaland a fresh outlook on the future. Gandhi will spend the night in Tuli and set out for Assam early on Thursday to continue his Yatra.
