Kohima: The Ninth Session of the 14th Nagaland Legislative Assembly (NLA) began on Tuesday amid a protest by the Naga Students’ Federation (NSF) outside the Assembly premises, demanding a resolution against the singing or playing of Vande Mataram in official programmes across the state.
The protest began with a solidarity march from Naga Solidarity Park at 7:30 am, with NSF members, volunteers, and students in uniforms, marching towards the Assembly to register their opposition to what they described as the “imposition” of Vande Mataram on the Naga people.
Speaking to EastMojo, NSF president Mteisuding said the federation had submitted representations to both Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio and the Speaker of the Assembly, urging the House to take up the issue during the ongoing session.
“Today, the Naga Students’ Federation, along with our volunteers, outside the NLA to show our resentment against the imposition of Vande Mataram on the Naga people,” he said.
The NSF has called on the Assembly to pass a bill or resolution prohibiting the singing or playing of Vande Mataram in any official programme or imposing it on any Naga citizen.
According to Mteisuding, the federation believes the song contradicts the Christian faith, and therefore should not be made mandatory in official events.
The NSF has also cited Article 371A of the Constitution in its representation, arguing that the provision safeguards the rights, customs, traditions, culture, and religious practices of the Naga people.
“We are pressuring the government to adopt a resolution under Article 371A because it clearly protects our customs, traditions, culture, and religious beliefs,” Mteisuding said.
The federation said it is expecting the Assembly to pass a resolution opposing the singing or playing of Vande Mataram in official programmes and any attempt to impose it on Naga citizens.
Mteisuding further informed that the protest will continue until the federation’s demands are met.
In a representation to Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio on Monday, the NSF said it has no objection to respecting the National Flag, National Anthem and other duly recognised national symbols. However, it expressed concern over compulsory participation in Vande Mataram, particularly where its religious imagery may conflict with the conscience and beliefs of citizens belonging to non-Hindu communities.
The federation cited constitutional guarantees relating to freedom of conscience and religious practice, and also referred to Article 371A, which provides special constitutional safeguards for Nagaland concerning, among other matters, the religious and social practices of the Nagas.
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The NSF said any policy or directive affecting the religious beliefs and conscience of the people of Nagaland should be examined in light of these constitutional protections.
“National unity and patriotism must therefore be promoted in a manner that respects religious freedom, individual conscience and dignity of every citizen,” the NSF said.
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