Kohima: The Naga Students Federation wants a formal state resolution to stop mandatory Vande Mataram recitals at government functions. NSF president Mteisuding and general secretary Kenilo Kent sent a letter to the chief minister on August 31. The group insists Nagas respect the National Flag and Anthem, but they draw a hard line at this specific song. They argue the song contains religious imagery that clashes with non-Hindu beliefs.
India is a secular democracy. The Constitution protects freedom of conscience. The federation claims national unity should never come at the cost of religious liberty or personal dignity. They demand that no citizen face fallout for skipping these recitals. Students already signaled their stance by staying quiet during events like the Nagaland University convocation and recent Independence Day ceremonies.
Article 371A gives Nagaland specific protections for social and religious practices. The group says the government must respect these constitutional safeguards. The NSF is pushing for the NLA select committee report on the matter to reach the floor immediately. "No person should be compelled, directly or indirectly, to participate in any activity that conflicts with sincerely held religious beliefs," the federation stated.
They expect the state to defend Naga identity against unwanted impositions. The leadership hopes for a clear signal that religious freedom remains a priority for the government. They want a guarantee that no student or employee will face punishment for their refusal to sing.
Updated at 1st September 2026 at 2:00pm
The pressure escalated on Tuesday as NSF members marched from Naga Solidarity Park toward the Legislative Assembly. The demonstration took place as the Monsoon session opened in the state capital, turning a written appeal into a physical show of defiance.
NSF president Mteisuding took a hard line during the march. He stated, "We outrightly reject the imposition of Vande Mataram as it goes against our religion." The federation insists that lawmakers must move now to table the select committee report, demanding that the House settle the issue immediately instead of letting it stall in committee.
Updated at 1st September 2026 at 6:00pm
Protesters ramped up the heat Tuesday as they marched from Naga Solidarity Park to the assembly gates. The federation has vowed to hold its ground outside the building until lawmakers pass the formal resolution.
Mteisuding took a sharper tone with Naga politicians during the rally, telling representatives they are Christians first and politicians second. He challenged them to prioritize their religious convictions while the Monsoon session remains in play, noting the assembly is slated to adjourn this Thursday.
Updated at 2nd September 2026 at 1:47am
Protesters ramped up the pressure Tuesday as they marched from Naga Solidarity Park to the assembly gates. The federation has vowed to hold its ground outside the building until lawmakers pass a formal resolution.
Mteisuding took a sharp tone with Naga politicians during the rally. He told representatives they are Christians first and politicians second, challenging them to prioritize their religious convictions before the Monsoon session adjourns this Thursday.
The federation also expanded its demand, calling for a prohibition on the song at both government and private events across the state. They have reached out to Assembly Speaker Sharingain Longkumer to push for the issue to be included in the official House agenda.
Updated at 2nd September 2026 at 5:47am
The federation has broadened its demands, calling for a total prohibition on the song at both government and private functions across the state. The group also confirmed it has submitted formal requests to both Chief Minister Dr. Neiphiu Rio and Assembly Speaker Sharingain Longkumer to force the issue onto the official House agenda.
During the rally at Naga Solidarity Park, leadership leveled a blunt challenge at the state representatives. Mteisuding told the politicians they are Christians first and leaders second, urging them to prioritize their religious convictions before the Monsoon session wraps up this Thursday. The federation underscored that their fight is not against national symbols like the flag or anthem, but specifically against the January 28, 2026, Ministry of Home Affairs notification that triggered the current push for the song's popularization.
Updated at 2nd September 2026 at 9:48am
The protest intensified Tuesday as federation members marched from Naga Solidarity Park to the assembly gates, marking the start of the monsoon session. Protesters carried placards with slogans like No Compulsion and Respect our rights as they pushed for immediate legislative action. The federation confirmed they would remain stationed outside the assembly grounds until the government takes a formal stand.
During the rally, Mteisuding issued a blunt challenge to lawmakers. He told the gathered crowd that state representatives are Christians first and politicians second, urging them to put their religious convictions above political standing before the assembly session adjourns this Thursday. The federation also confirmed it has submitted official representations to both Chief Minister Dr. Neiphiu Rio and Assembly Speaker Sharingain Longkumer.
The student group clarified that their objection specifically targets the January 28, 2026, Ministry of Home Affairs notification that mandated the popularization of the song. They insisted that their fight is not against national symbols, but is a battle for the right to dissent against religious imagery they find incompatible with their faith.
Comments