The Nagas lacked a unified voice, but that may be changing with the adoption of digital and social interactive platforms

A former insider in the Myanmar peace process and an international conflict resolution lawyer from Europe asked a few months ago, “Which Naga organization do we contact to discuss the Naga issue?” “All,” I retorted. The question continues to ring true as an indicator of Naga’s lack of unity and leadership. It also indicates a communication breakdown caused, in part, by the lack of a pan-Naga system capable of engaging a diverse Naga audience. The widespread perception of inept and potentially politicized deliberations is frequently countered by another trope: “How and why didn’t the Nagas have a single united (political/civil) Naga body?”

However, there are signs of change, as new technologies disrupt forms of political and non-political communication among Nagas, reshaping debate and the way discussions/news is disseminated. With most communication taking place online/through social interactive apps, “the shift and evolving communication flows” appear to have created some significant opportunities for Nagas to come together on a variety of issues. Without a doubt, digital platforms and social interaction styles over platforms such as Facebook and WhatsApp are changing how discussions and decisions are made and consumed.

There have been a few successful attempts in the past, beginning with activities such as Naga Week on December 1-5, 1993 where event convenor Neingulo Krome stated that the event is to “show and say that Naga tribals are one, now and forever, irrespective of geographical barriers.” The formation of the Naga Hoho in 1998, to address a pan-Naga audience in the traditional manner of meeting face-to-face, talking, and deciding. The Naga Hoho, the apex pan-Naga body, was formed to create a well-represented socio-political body for the Naga people, to integrate all divided Naga areas, and to defend traditional Naga territories, cultures, and people across all Naga inhabited areas, regardless of imposed boundaries.

Despite its initial success, the Naga Hoho has now had limited success in terms of audience and influence since some ethnic Naga unions disassociated from the Naga Hoho. The disassociation of various ethnic Naga civil bodies from the Naga Hoho reflects widespread disruptions in Naga civil society organization, as well as a decline in support for pan-Naga affairs. In the last decade and a half, the Nagas appear to have shown little interest in pan-Naga affairs, possibly for a variety of reasons, and the cultures remain very focused on the specific ethnic Naga group and Hoho/union/organization they represent – emphasizing “legacy” or “old,” and viewing Naga matters through a local lens. As this became a trend, the need to strengthen the Naga Hoho has also been discussed on various social interactive platforms, most notably in various WhatsApp groups, in recent years.

Naga event crosses the border
Taking advantage of digital social interactive platforms, the Nagas had also adopted in the last 10-15 years by creating and managing various social media groups and digital interactive platforms. However, one of the most significant recent moves made by the Nagas in 2021 and 2022 was the virtual commemoration of the Naga declaration of independence on August 14, 1947, hosted on zoom by the Global Naga Forum (GNF), to which Nagas and non-Nagas from around the world attended.

What makes the event of August 14, 2022, more significant is the virtual participation of both Nagas and non-Nagas, including the welcome address by Prof. Paul Pimomo, Secretary, GNF, who joined the event from the United States; commemoration speaker Rev Dr Wati Aier, Convenor, Forum For Naga Reconciliation (FNR) from Dimapur, Nagaland; Yoik/Sami chanting by Jo Morten Kaaven, Northern Sámi artist from Karasjok/Kárájohka, Norway; Message from Daro José Meja Montalvo, Chairperson of the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues; a solidarity letter from the Chinese-Naga Friendship Forum (CNFF); and Chuba Ozukum, Convenor of GNF from Kohima, Nagaland. Melinda Pavek, Consul General of the United States Consulate General in Kolkata, India, and Political Counselor Kentaro Orita from the Japanese Embassy in India also took part in the virtual commemoration event.

Power and Policy
Various digital publication platforms and social media interactive apps like WhatsApp have undoubtedly altered the way Nagas connect and communicate with one another, and while some have expressed concern about its loud/noisy style, it has proven to be a success, as evidenced by its rapid growth, and widely acknowledged influence. According to a reliable source, events like the virtual commemoration of the Naga declaration of independence were made possible by the discussion, deliberation, and decisions that took place on various GNF social interactive platforms.

The Walkathon from Dimapur to Kohima in January 2022 was inspired by social media posts following the Oting killing, according to media reports, and one of the organizers stated that “the protest march was initiated by the public, not any civil society organizations or political parties.” According to Chuba Ozukum, Convenor, GNF, the Naga Solidarity Walk from Kohima to Tahamzan (Senapati) in July 2022 was initially discussed and planned via various GNF social interactive platforms and was supported by various Naga organizations from both sides of the border for the event’s success.

Digital publication platforms such as the International Council of Naga Affairs, which has a global readership of over 100+ countries, have been publishing various analyses on Naga and Global affairs. It is also delivering discussion opportunities in the form of a web dialogue “A Dialogue on Naga Affairs.” by providing insights and recommendations for action-oriented approaches through insider-style analysis and observations by various speakers including Nagas and non-Nagas.

Nonetheless, despite using digital and social interactive platforms for goal-oriented activities, differences between Naga organizations remain visible. As a result, while increased adoption of digital and social interactive platforms is unlikely to strengthen a united pan-Naga turn in the short term, there is no doubt that it is promoting Naga understanding with a better policy approach to future Naga approaches. The discussion on these platforms has also significantly disrupted complacency about how Nagas discuss issues and who consumes them. In the absence of a strong united pan-Naga body on the ground, an important question is increasingly being raised: who do you call if you want to discuss Naga affairs?