Thousands join protest matrch aopposing Centres directive on singing ‘Vande Mataram’ in schools and official events in Naga areas
Kohima: Thousands of students and citizens under the banner of the Naga Students’ Federation (NSF) staged a rally in Kohima. The demonstration was held on March 16 to protest the government’s directive that mandates the singing or playing of Vande Mataram during official functions and in educational institutions.
Participants carrying placards with slogans such as “MHA’s January 28 directive is an assault on secularism”, “Naga rights are non-negotiable”, “Stop forced policies”, and “The directive is a direct attack on our faith” marched from Kohima Town to Lok Bhavan.
Addressing the gathering, NSF president Mteisuding Heraang said the demonstration represented a collective stand by the Naga people to protect their identity and beliefs. He clarified that the protest was not directed against any country or community but against the imposition of practices that conflict with the conscience and faith of the people.
Following the rally, the federation submitted a memorandum addressed to Droupadi Murmu through the La. Ganesan, Governor of Nagaland. In the representation, the NSF urged the withdrawal of the directive issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs that calls for the national song to be performed during official events and observed in educational institutions across Naga-inhabited areas.
The federation argued that the revised composition of Vande Mataram includes devotional imagery associated with the worship of a particular deity. According to the memorandum, such imagery may conflict with the religious and cultural beliefs of many Nagas, most of whom follow Christianity.
The student body also stressed that educational institutions should remain spaces that encourage intellectual freedom and democratic values rather than environments where symbolic observances are made compulsory.
In support of its position, the NSF cited international frameworks including the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, which recognise the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion.
Several civil society and church groups also joined the rally. Speakers from organisations such as the Naga Peoples’ Movement for Human Rights, Nagaland Joint Christian Forum, Nagaland Christian Revival Churches, and the Catholic Association of Nagaland addressed the gathering and expressed solidarity with the protest, emphasising the need to protect the cultural and religious sensitivities of the Naga people.
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