Nagaland and the importance of Sunday
Nagaland: How elections here differ from rest of the country
Nagaland, like many Northeast states, has a different political rhythm
Cultural moorings and political traditions are taken for granted by mainland perceptions. Landing in Nagaland on Sunday could change the idea of the uniqueness of North East for many people in mainland India. Nagaland is a predominantly Christian state. Church has an important place in the society. Though Church burst into national imagination on the issue of Hindutva and beef but it's influence on the day-to-day life is undeniable and inextricably linked with the larger Naga identity. Sunday is one manifestation of it with which no one plays around.
For an average Indian, state sleeps on Sunday and civil society has fun on that day. Sundays are the days when people hit the street. It is exactly the opposite in Nagaland. Sunday is the day of Church and family. It is not limited to a particular area. Towns after towns shut down. Markets are closed. Very few shops would open. Some may come to life in the evening but that too is like a trickle in an ocean. So landing in Nagaland on Sunday can be a shock as one can be found wanting for life on the street.
Such is the importance of Sunday that mainstream parties avoid keeping big rallies on Sunday in Nagaland which is exactly the opposite in mainland. Sunday is the day in India to catch eyeballs but Nagaland would beat the norm. Political candidates ensure door to door interaction on Sunday and not mega rallies. Sunday which is important to Christianity in Nagaland impacts both politics and public culture. I'm sure that it is not the case in Europe and North America but it has acquired a unique combative quality in Nagaland which pits itself against mainland influence.
Sunday in Nagaland is a metaphor for unique nature of North East in the Indian political life. National awareness and electoral-political integration are accompanied with cultural distrust in Nagaland. It is in this contradiction lies the heart of Nagaland's politics. Congress despite being more open to Naga way of life is in political ICU and BJP which continues with hard Hindutva politics in the mainland has become a force in Nagaland and also ensured a good alliance for elections.
Though bottom line remains that Nagaland like many North East states has a different political rhythm and requires accommodation at a time when the premium is on integration.