Gaidinliu was opposed to the Naga National Council (NNC) insurgents, who advocated secessionism from India. Instead, she campaigned for a separate Zeliangrong territory within the Union of India. The rebel Naga leaders criticized Gaidinliu’s movement for the integration of Zeliangrong tribes under one administrative unit. They were also opposed to her working for the revival of the traditional Naga religion of animism or "Heraka". The NNC leaders considered her actions an obstacle to their own movement. The Baptist leaders deemed the "Heraka" revival movement anti-Christian and she was warned of serious consequences if she were not to change her stand. In order to defend the "Heraka" culture and to strengthen her position, she went underground in 1960.