There were and will always be contentious issues and controversies about almost everything under the sun in all societies. That’s what makes societies interesting and vibrant because it means that, try as anyone might, opinions may be suppressed, but they cannot be prevented or erased. Though small, Naga society and the state, too, have their own share of contentious issues and controversies about numerous subjects, ranging from history to politics to prohibition. One of the issues that rages intermittently is Sundays. This sort of speaks about people’s ability to contest issues, which then become contentions and controversies when there are none. Democracy at work?
As in all Christian-dominated societies, Sundays are sacred in Nagaland, too. In fact, perhaps in this state, Sundays are more sacred than elsewhere. Well, at least that’s the impression created by loud assertions about how this day should be observed. And none are more vocal than our numerous ‘national’ groups, some of which publicly announce the closure of all shops, perhaps except pharmacies, on Sundays. Recently, one such group announced the closure of all shops and businesses in Dimapur on Sundays, except pharmacies. The business community raised vehement objections and even questioned who runs the government in Nagaland. Indeed, a pertinent question because, for reasons best known to it, the state government is often found silent on the diktats of the ‘national’ groups on several matters.
Anyway, Sundays may not be sacred strictly on religious grounds, but they are also sacred and precious to non-Christians and Christians who do not attend church but have unshakable faith. It’s that one day of the week to take a break from work, catch up with friends and family, do household and personal chores, read books, watch movies and sometimes do absolutely nothing. Sundays are days for families and friends to go out for special treats at restaurants and cafes. A lot of people also bring home office work to catch up on, especially in the private sector. Then there are people in the police force, government and private medical sectors, the power department and other utility and service sectors who work on Sundays, to name a few. And let’s not forget media persons.
By no stretch of the imagination does life come to a standstill on Sundays. Food is still cooked, dishes are washed, clothes are laundered and houses are cleaned — chores that are mostly done by women. Aren’t Sundays sacred for women? Don’t they get a day of rest, too? There was a time, not too long ago, when all shops and businesses in Dimapur were closed at the diktat of one of the ‘national’ groups, but human needs cannot be shut down. Fortunately for Dimapurians, Assam is just a few kilometres away. Besides the normal operating hours of markets selling food and other essential commodities, there are also the irresistible special Sunday haats (bazaars). So, on Sundays, after attending church, a long convoy of four-wheelers, three-wheelers and two-wheelers would head towards either the Bokajan side or the Dhillai/Diphu side. And then, of course, all liquor shops are on the Assam side of the border, so purchasing supplies for the whole week, besides food and other essential goods, became convenient on Sundays.
Businesses suffered in and around Dimapur, so the business community raised the alarm. From talks in the market, it is understood that some compromises were made. Besides pharmacies, bakeries, hotels, restaurants and other eating places were allowed to open on Sundays after 12 noon. It wasn’t just a matter of businesses suffering; the diktats of ‘national’ groups for Sunday closures also undermined the authority of legally and constitutionally established municipal bodies and the state government itself. The silence of these bodies and the state government created the impression that the diktats of these groups were valid and legal. Days after the recent diktat on Sunday closures, the Dimapur Municipal Council passed an order reiterating its earlier order permitting certain businesses to open. And days later, reportedly, the state government, too, stated that it had not ordered Sunday closures. Well, as they say, better late than never. What clearly comes through is not an assertion of authority by the municipal body or the state government, but the victory of economics.
Now, why have Sunday closures become such a contentious issue and a controversy in this state? Firstly, Christianity in Nagaland is pretty dogmatic and, depending on everyone’s understanding and interpretation of the Scriptures, there is a belief that on Sundays, everyone should conduct themselves in the literal sense of the word ‘Sunday’ — never mind the rest of the Scriptures concerning the other days of the week. Not surprisingly, some of our own people describe us as “Sunday Christians”. And considering the way we live our lives on other days of the week, it seems to be an apt description. There is a strong sense of self-righteousness, especially among those who believe they are powerful in the overground, underground and middle ground, and who have appropriated the right to dictate moral and spiritual authority. How many would argue with the gun and the Bible and dare offer a different perspective or interpretation of the Scriptures?
If the numerous historical and political perceptions, perspectives, understandings and interpretations have created numerous ‘national’ bodies, interpretations of the Scriptures have equally created not only numerous Christian denominations globally but also cult-like churches in Nagaland. Then there is the matter of personal biases, prejudices and the need to control and dominate and to be a leader. Apparently, to be counted as a man among men, it is considered necessary to own, build and lead a church. It is a pity that religion and faith have been made such pliable tools for self-promotion and power plays.
Secondly, it is well known that, since the emergence of numerous ‘national’ groups over the past several decades, rivalries and conflicts over jurisdictional control seem to have become the hallmark of the Naga political movement. Since the 1990s, economic control has become the priority, and diktats on Sunday closures appear to be just another method of declaring jurisdictional control and authority. So, it is yet to be determined whether such diktats, especially in Dimapur, Nagaland’s main commercial centre, are a declaration of having arrived, an assertion of actual jurisdictional control or simply an expression of deeply held religious conviction. After all, the Naga national movement is deeply rooted in the general understanding and interpretation of Christianity.
Religion, politics and economics have blended seamlessly into each other for centuries. Unsurprisingly, the eagerly anticipated Sundays have not been spared and have been turned into a power tool. Fighting wars and inflaming conflicts in the name of religion is an old tactic, much used — very successfully, unfortunately.
Monalisa Changkija is a Dimapur-based veteran journalist, poet, and former Proprietor, Publisher and Editor of Nagaland Page.