Naga Politics Between Past Aspirations and Present Realities: A Critical Analysis

Abstract

This article critically interrogates the trajectory of Naga politics by situating its contemporary realities within the longue durée of historical aspirations for sovereignty, identity and self-determination. Moving beyond conventional state-centric and insurgency-focused analyses, it advances a relational framework that foregrounds the interplay among indigenous political imaginaries, postcolonial state formation and evolving geopolitical constraints. This study argues that the disjuncture between past aspirations and present realities is not merely a product of failed negotiations but stems from a deeper epistemic tension between customary institutions and modern governance regimes. The article introduces the concept of ‘fragmented sovereignty’ to capture the layered and often contradictory modes of authority that characterize Naga political life today. Through a critical reading of peace accords, civil society interventions and factional dynamics, it reveals how competing claims to legitimacy have reconfigured the political field. Also, it examines the role of historical memory, identity and narrative in sustaining political mobilization despite structural impasses. By bridging political theory and grounded analysis, this article contributes to a more nuanced understanding of indigenous politics in contested borderlands, offering fresh insights into the limits and possibilities of negotiated autonomy in the contemporary era.