KOHIMA, AUG 13: The Naga Students’ Federation (NSF), the apex Naga student body, has directed all its federating units and subordinate bodies not to allow students from educational institutions under their jurisdiction to participate in Independence Day programmes on August 15, “till the order for mandatory playing or singing of the revised Indian national song Vande Mataram during official functions is revoked.”
Following this NSF directive, various Naga student bodies have issued their respective directions accordingly.
According to the NSF, the Naga people have no objection to celebrating Independence Day or respecting the National Flag and the National Anthem. The NSF, however, said the “compulsory participation” in Vande Mataram, particularly due to its devotional and religious overtones, conflict with the conscience and sincerely held beliefs of students from non-Hindu communities.
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“India is a secular democratic republic, its Constitution guarantees freedom of conscience and religion. No student should be compelled to participate in any religiously sensitive expression contrary to their beliefs,” the NSF said, invoking constitutional safeguards under Article 371A, which protects the religious and social practices of the Nagas..
The NSF has instructed all its federating units and subordinate bodies to enforce the boycott and ensure that no student faces disciplinary action, discrimination, intimidation, or academic consequences for declining to participate on grounds of conscience or religious belief.
Saying that the “Naga homeland” has historically upheld peaceful coexistence, mutual respect, and religious tolerance, the NSF stated that it would pursue the matter peacefully and democratically, while safeguarding the identity, rights, and beliefs of Naga students, youth, and the larger community.
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