Kohima: Former Nagaland Chief Minister Dr. SC Jamir met with RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat on September 10 to lobby for a resolution to the stalled Naga political talks. Jamir addressed reporters in Dimapur on September 12 regarding the private meeting. He views the RSS as the real power broker behind the BJP-led NDA government. Jamir told the press, "Today, the BJP government moves because of RSS. Even though we are shouting they (BJP-led NDA government) are not listening. So I said, why not you (Bhagwat) also shout so that they can also listen?"
Negotiations have dragged for decades. The movement now includes 36 or 37 splinter groups. Jamir labeled current governance a mockery, citing rampant extortion and ineffective administration. He warned that the 2015 Framework Agreement lacks provisions for sovereignty or territorial integration. He submitted a written proposal to Bhagwat, who promised to review the document and speak with officials in New Delhi. Bhagwat reportedly claimed limited familiarity with the details.
The former Governor of Gujarat, Maharashtra, Goa, and Odisha also criticized the state’s current leadership. He accused Kohima and New Delhi of providing cover for militant groups. Jamir recounted his decision to defy an NSCN (IM) election boycott in 1998, citing his constitutional oath. He urged current legislators to show similar backbone. Meanwhile, the Naga Youth Movement demands a solution by their June 27, 2026, deadline.
Jamir rejected the FCRA Amendment Bill, calling for state resolutions to protect funding for local schools and hospitals. He also warned against the dangers of a theocratic state. "Any attempt to establish a theocratic state would mark the beginning of ending the Indian Union," he stated. Jamir remains a staunch critic of forced cultural conformity, insisting that Indian identity should not require uniform language or religious practice. He emphasized his personal identity, saying, "I remain a Naga, I am a Congressman, and a Christian."
Updated at 13th September 2026 at 1:47pm
Jamir questioned the constitutional allegiance of state MLAs since Neiphiu Rio took office in 2003, claiming the state machinery has effectively collapsed. He noted that the state police remain helpless against militant factions that issue summons and operate courts, with some groups even dictating shop closures and levying illegal taxes.
Addressing the broader ideological friction, Jamir challenged the RSS to adapt its philosophy to modern times, arguing that the nation's historical strength lies in assimilating diverse customs rather than imposing one dress or language. He reminded the RSS that Nagaland is a Christian-majority state where Article 371A guards religious practices, stressing that his faith does not diminish his standing as an equal citizen.
Regarding his political independence, Jamir brushed off rumors of a move toward the BJP. He noted his willingness to talk with any group, including the Communist Party or the BSP, if it serves the Naga people. He also dismissed the importance of his son, Apok Jamir, being present at the meeting, describing his own role as that of a free man acting solely on his own terms.
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