NSCN-K (Niki) flays ban on religious signage on vehicles

DIMAPUR, MAY 10 (NPN): NSCN-K (Niki) has criticised the State government’s recent notification prohibiting the display of religious or organisation-based slogans, signage, stickers and other unauthorised identifiers on private and public vehicles, terming it an attack on religious identity and freedom.
In a statement issued through its MIP, the group alleged that Indian laws often contradicted themselves and accused the Indian state of repeatedly overriding the special provisions guaranteed under Article 371A relating to religion, resources, customs and language.
Referring to the latest notification, MIP said it had long been an accepted practice for churches and church associations to display names, logos or signage on vehicles belonging to them.
It maintained that church vehicles frequently served social, humanitarian and community purposes and that such displays symbolised identity and service rather than religious coercion or propaganda.
The group further alleged that the notification was a “subtle attempt” to suppress the visible identity and presence of Christians and churches in public spaces under the guise of administrative regulation.
It also alleged that the order could be misused by security agencies and police personnel to harass church leaders and institutions on the pretext of vehicles being unidentified.
Asserting that Nagas had the “God-given right” to openly practice and profess their faith in public, the group stated that it would continue to defend the principle of “Nagaland for Christ.”
It may be recalled that the State government has prohibited the display of religion-based, NGO-based or any unauthorized slogans, signages, stickers and identifiers on all private and public vehicles.
In a notification dated April 30, 2026, the commissioner and secretary Robert Longchari said the ban has been issued under Section 96(2)(vi) and Section 111(2)(e) of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, in compliance with an advisory from the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways.
Therefore, the government has directed vehicle owners to remove all such unauthorized displays within 45 days from the date of the notification.