More oppose ‘Vande Mataram’ mandate

Ao Baptist Arogo Mungdang (ABAM), Nagaland Pentecostal Mission (NPM) and Angami Students’ Union (ASU) have joined the growing opposition to the directive of the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) mandating the singing or playing of “Vande Mataram” before the National Anthem at official functions, educational institutions, and state assemblies.
MHA’s January 28, 2026 directive has sparked widespread concerns over religious freedom, cultural identity, and constitutional protections under Article 371(A) in Nagaland.
ABAM: Ao Baptist Arogo Mungdang (ABAM), through executive secretary Rev. Temsu Jamir, declared solidarity with the Nagaland Baptist Church Council (NBCC) in refuting any compulsory singing of “Vande Mataram.” ABAM said that patriotic expressions were important, but maintained that faith and conscience must be respected in a democratic India. ABAM lauded NBCC for standing firm with clarity and conviction, upholding ethical and constitutional principles without compromising their faith and values.
It also commended Nagaland Legislative Assembly members for safeguarding the Constitution and religious liberties. ABAM reaffirmed its commitment to peace, unity, and respect for all while upholding the constitutional rights and religious freedoms granted to every citizen
NPM: Nagaland Pentecostal Mission has voiced strong support for the Nagaland Joint Christian Forum and other Christian organizations in rejecting the compulsory singing of “Vande Mataram” before the National Anthem at official government functions and institutions.
NPM joint secretary-II Besüto Nakro stated that while Nagaland’s Christians have always respected the National Anthem, the National Flag, and India’s sovereignty, forcing participation in the song raises serious faith concerns. He explained that many Christians view the song’s cultural expressions as non-biblical, conflicting with the belief that worship belongs solely to God.
NPM clarified that its stand should not be mistaken for a lack of patriotism. The mission emphasized that Christians in Nagaland remain law-abiding citizens who respect the Constitution and contribute positively to national unity and progress. However, it insisted that constitutional guarantees of religious freedom and conscience must be upheld.
The mission appealed to the government to exercise sensitivity and ensure that singing “Vande Mataram” is not made compulsory.
It further called for mutual respect among communities to foster peaceful coexistence in India’s diverse society.
ASU: Angami Students’ Union (ASU) has expressed strong resentment over the extension of the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) directive mandating the singing of “Vande Mataram” before the National Anthem to the Nagaland Legislative Assembly and educational institutions.
In a press statement, ASU president Diezevisie Nakhro and vice president Zhovito Rikha rejected what they termed the “administrative rationale” behind the imposition, describing it as an insensitive overreach that introduced practices with specific religious undertones.
The union pointed to Minister Temjen Imna Along’s recent efforts in the Assembly to “normalize” the directive but maintained that Nagas have a long history of defending their unique national identity.
ASU argued that such enforcement contradicted local ethos and violated Article 371(A), which safeguards Nagaland’s distinct religious, social, and customary practices. It warned that attempts to impose the directive undermined the legal foundation that protects Naga rights and autonomy.
The union stressed that Naga identity and faith are non-negotiable and cannot be compromised for political convenience. It described Article 371(A) as a testament to the protected status of the Naga people and cautioned that bypassing it would be a regressive step.
ASU further warned that no individual, regardless of stature, should sabotage Naga identity to impress external interests. It affirmed that “religious politics” has no place in governance, as it disturbs peace and hinders student growth.
Reiterating its stance, ASU vowed not to allow Naga history and safeguards to be diluted, urging authorities to respect Naga rights and prioritize the preservation of cultural and religious integrity.