Nagaland: NSF protests ‘Vande Mataram’ directive in Kohima rally
Dimapur: The Naga Students’ Federation (NSF) on Monday organised a mass rally in Kohima to protest against the compulsory singing or playing of Vande Mataram in government functions and educational institutions in the “Naga homeland”.
Students, church members and representatives of civil society organisations gathered at Old MLA Junction to express opposition to a notification issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) on January 28 that calls for the mandatory observance of the national song.
Following the rally, participants marched to Lok Bhavan to submit a memorandum to President Droupadi Murmu through Nagaland Governor Nand Kishore Yadav.
The memorandum, signed by leaders of the NSF, the Naga Peoples Movement for Human Rights (NPMHR) and the Nagaland Joint Christian Forum, urged the Government of India to nullify or withdraw the directive mandating the singing or playing of Vande Mataram during official functions and in educational institutions across Naga-inhabited areas.
According to the signatories, the compulsory observance of the national song raises concerns related to freedom of conscience and religious sensitivities, even though the Naga people hold no hostility towards national symbols or expressions of patriotism.
The memorandum stated that the revised version of Vande Mataram contains devotional imagery associated with the worship of a particular deity.
“For communities such as the Nagas, whose cultural and religious traditions are diverse and whose society places immense importance on freedom of conscience, the compulsory singing or observance of such a composition is viewed as an infringement upon deeply held beliefs and cultural sensitivities,” it said.
Addressing the gathering, NSF president Mteisuding Heraang said the identity and beliefs of the Naga people cannot be dictated through administrative directives or imposed symbols.
Nagaland Joint Christian Forum vice-president Rev. Vevo Phesao said certain elements in the national song were inconsistent with Christian faith and principles.
NPMHR secretary-general Neingulo Krome described the directive as an intrusion into the conscience and identity of the Naga people.
The organisers said similar rallies were also held in educational institutions and among federating units of the NSF across Naga-inhabited areas, calling for respect for the beliefs, identity and dignity of the Naga people.