Relevance of Rani Gaidinliu in Nagaland and in the country

Jagdamba Mall *

Rani Gaidinliu :: Pix - TSE

The freedom movement under the aegis of Heraka Organisation before and after Independence led initially by Haipou Jadonang and after his assassination by British, by Rani Gaidinliu. The British wanted to kill both of these two great freedom fighters on one plea or the other. Today also a strong resistance to her ideals is noticed in Nagaland which is absolutely meaningless and uncalled for. The salient features of freedom movement led by Jadonang and Rani Gaidinliu are furnished below –

I) It was basically for the preservation, protection and promotion of eternal religion and age-old colourful culture. Since foreign forces were determined to uproot their eternal religion, both the Naga saints in plain dress – Haipou Jadonang – the master and Gaidinliu – the disciple and devotee, revolted against them and alerted their people against deep-rooted conspiracy hatched by foreign agencies working under direct control of USA & UK.

II) Both the legendary Naga leaders – Haipou Jadonang and his devotee – Rani Gaidinliu, challenged British and revolted against British Rule which was a direct danger to Naga's freedom in their hilly homes.

III) It was a Bharatiya Freedom Movement following the doctrine of non-violence (Ahimsa) advocated in Vedas and Gita and advanced by great souls like Rishis (Sages) and Munis (ascetics), Swami Vivekanand and Mahatma Gandhi.

IV) It was also based on philosophy of 'Fide-non-Armis' – advocated by Naga forefathers in their eternal religion and culture and practiced in indigenous institutions in Naga villages through customary laws. The first political party of Nagaland – United Democratic Front (UDF) adopted this doctrine as their slogan and inscribed it in their logo.

V) The battle led by Rani Gaidinliu was the resonance and resemblance of Khonoma war against British waged by Angami warriors of Khonoma, Mezoma and Kohima. It is the precursor of Angami warriors of Kohima, Khonoma and nearby Angami villages and Chakhesang Nagas of Chesezu village who helped NetajiSubhash Chandra Bose and Indian National Army (INA) in the 2nd World War at Kohima in 1944 against British. This was also the revelation of sacrifices made by 48 Chakhesang Naga Youths of Thevopisumi village martyred in mid-sixties for the sake of their freedom and socio-cultural identity which were threatened by alien forces.

VI) Haipou Jadonang was assassinated by British and Rani Gaidinliu was nearly attempted to be killed by heinous British by awarding her a Kaal-Kothari (Death Cell) for whole life in various jails at Kohima, Imphal, Guwahati, Shillong and Tura. Haipou Jadonang and Rani Gaidinliu are contemporary and counterfeit of martyrs of Chang revolt in Tuensang (NEFA during those days) against British.

VII) Both these national heroes from Naga society are the light and legend for enlightening the future of Nagas. They are the bright face of Naga society which has enhanced and promoted the honour of Naga society at national and international level.

Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru met her in Shillong Jail in 1937 and addressed her as 'Nagaon Ki Rani (Queen of Nagas)' not because of anything else but because of her extra-ordinary bravery and long-lasting commitment for the nation. He wrote Lady Ester of British Parliament to approach British Crown to release her from jail. This is a great event because a person like Pandit Nehru would not meet any ordinary person that too in a jail and write to British Parliament for her release. This is a remarkable incident.

Again, when Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose was President of Indian National Congress, a resolution requesting British Government to release Rani Gaidinliu immediately was passed in Congress meeting held in Gujarat.

The British called her – 'Terror of North-East', Nehru called her – 'Rani of Nagas' and nation calls her – 'True Daughter of Bharat Mata'. The nation has honoured with (i) Tamra Patra in 1972, (ii) Padma Bhushan in 1982, (iii) Vivekanand Sewa Puraskar in 1987, (iv) Birsa Munda Puraskar (posthumous) in 1996, (v) Commemorative one-rupee Postal Stamp in 1996 and (vi) Commemorative Rani Gaidinliu Stree Shakti Puraskar in 2000. These honours and coronations are conferred to legendary persons of rare virtues. We should be proud that Rani Gaidinliu possessed such virtues very rare in nature.

National Committee for Rani Gaidinliu Birth Centenary Celebration with Shri P. B. Acharya (Governor of Nagaland) and Shri T. R. Zeliang (Chief Minister of Nagaland), both as Chief Patrons, Dr Nirmal Kumar Choudhury (former Vice Chancellor of Guwahati University) as Chairman, DipokBarthakur(Industrialist and noted Philanthropist) as Acting Chairman and Ajit Jana (Guwahati based Industrialist) as Secretary; organised a series of over 30 programs throughout the country to enlighten the nation about the contributions of Rani Gaidinliu in achieving freedom from British yolk and promoting the cultural identity of the country.

The programs included seminars, exhibitions, public meetings and press meets organised by local committees. The Government of Bharatvarsh has constituted a high level National Implementation Committee for Commemoration of (i) Birth Centenary of Padma Bhushan Rani Gaidinliu, (ii) 150th birth anniversary of Lala Lajpat Rai, (iii) 200th birth anniversary of Tatya Tope, (iv) 475th birth anniversary of MaharanaPratap, (v) Birth Centenary of Bhisham Sahni& (vi) 500 years of return of Chaitanya Mahaprabhu to Vrindavan.

Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh is Chairman of this committee. The recent inaugural program at VigyanBhawan in New Delhi on 24th August 2015 was a hallmark event and a milestone which will add the golden chapter in national history of Nagas. Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi described Rani Ma as the "rarest of rare personality who was true devotee of her Guru – Haipou Jadonang and who lived up to the ideals and doctrines put forth by her Guru".

The dais and VIP gallery was remarkable by graceful presence of Home Minister Rajnath Singh, Finance Minister ArunJaitley, P. B. Acharya (Governor of Nagaland) and the two Chief Ministers – T. R. Zeliang (Nagaland) and O. Ibobi Singh (Manipur). The function was also graced by a host of Union Ministers, dignitaries of highest strata and venerated peoples. The speakers after speaker spoke very high about Rani Ma.

This was an inaugural program. Now, a series of such programs will follow at national level at least in capital cities of eachstate. This will proliferate and propagate the virtues of Nagas and bright image of Nagaland. This will overlap the anti-national and terrorist image of Nagas which will earn honours outside of Nagaland to Naga society particularly young generation The Naga society, too, has reciprocated in appreciable manner.

Rani Gaidinliu Museum is being constructed in Kohima to house the paraphernalia of Rani Ma where a 12 feet bronze statue of her will be installed. In addition to this, there should be a seminar on the topic – 'Rani Gaidinliu and her contribution to Naga society and Nation' culminating into a grand function in Kohima.