DIMAPUR, AUG 13 (NPN): A day after directing its federating units and subordinate bodies to ensure that schools and educational institutions do not send students to the 2026 Independence Day programmes, Naga Students’ Federation (NSF) has appealed to churches, tribal bodies, civil society organisations and citizens to abstain from official events in opposition to the compulsory playing or singing of the revised Indian National Song Vande Mataram.
In a public appeal, NSF said Nagaland had traditionally upheld peaceful coexistence, hospitality and mutual respect among different communities, faiths and traditions, reflected in the coexistence of churches, temples, mosques and other places of worship.
It said the Government of India’s directive on playing or singing the revised Vande Mataram during official functions and in educational institutions had raised concerns among Nagas and non-Hindu communities. NSF clarified that its concern was not opposition to India, its people, national identity or patriotic traditions, but the religious and devotional imagery in portions of the song and whether such expressions should be compulsory irrespective of an individual’s faith or conscience.
It highlighted references to Durga, Lakshmi and Saraswati, revered figures in Hindu religious tradition, including descriptions of Durga as the wielder of weapons, Lakshmi as residing in the lotus and Saraswati as the giver of knowledge. NSF said these references raised genuine questions of religious conscience for citizens of other faiths.
The federation reiterated its opposition to compulsory participation and called for withdrawal of the directive, saying educational institutions should remain places of learning, dignity and freedom of conscience where students of different religious and cultural backgrounds are treated equally.
It stressed that the issue should not be viewed as opposition to any community or national symbols and traditions, but as a matter of peaceful coexistence within India’s religious and cultural diversity.
NSF urged churches, tribal bodies, civil society organisations and citizens to abstain from official events, including the forthcoming Independence Day programme.
“Mutual respect, democratic values and freedom of conscience must prevail,” it said, adding that true unity was strengthened when differences were acknowledged and every citizen, regardless of faith or identity, felt their dignity and beliefs were respected.
NSF called for a balance between national symbols, cultural diversity and individual freedom of conscience, and urged Nagas to stand together in safeguarding their dignity, identity, beliefs and collective conscience.
PDVCCA appeals: Phek District Village Council Chairman’s Association (PDVCCA) has urged village councils under Phek and Meluri districts to abstain from the Independence Day programme if singing of Vande Mataram is made mandatory on national days.
In a directive, PDVCCA said that if Vande Mataram was made compulsory, songs or thematic words of all other religions should also be made mandatory on important national days.
It said Nagas should not participate in or attend the Independence Day programme until the government either dropped the mandatory singing of Vande Mataram or included theme songs or words of other religions.
The association also appealed to citizens of other religious groups to abstain from the programme and urged village councils in Phek and Meluri, including council members, GBs, VDB and youth members, to follow the directive.
PDVCCA further appealed to village councils across Nagaland to extend solidarity with the campaign, which it said was aimed at upholding democracy and secularism.
DNSU, KCSU back NSF
Dimapur Naga Students’ Union (DNSU) has extended its support to the directive issued by NSF concerning Vande Mataram and Independence Day programmes. DNSU directed all its units to uphold the NSF directive within their respective jurisdictions and appealed to students across Dimapur to refrain from participating in official Independence Day programmes scheduled for August 15, 2026.
The union clarified that its stand was not against the nation, Independence Day or national symbols, but was based on what it described as the protection of religious freedom, freedom of conscience and the rights and dignity of students.
DNSU maintained that patriotism could not be imposed and that loyalty to the nation should not require anyone to compromise their faith or conscience. It said no student should be compelled to sing, recite or endorse anything contrary to their sincerely held religious beliefs.
The union appealed to student bodies, civil society organisations, church organisations, parents, educational institutions and the public to uphold the directive in a peaceful, disciplined and democratic manner.
It also urged authorities and programme organisers to respect students’ religious beliefs and freedom of conscience, warning that any attempt to force, intimidate or compel students to participate in the singing or playing of Vande Mataram would be opposed.
DNSU further called upon all tribal units and affiliated student bodies to remain vigilant and ensure that no student faced disciplinary action, discrimination, intimidation, harassment or academic consequences for peacefully exercising freedom of conscience.
DNSU, KCSU back NSF
Dimapur Naga Students’ Union (DNSU) has extended its support to the directive issued by NSF concerning Vande Mataram and Independence Day programmes. DNSU directed all its units to uphold the NSF directive within their respective jurisdictions and appealed to students across Dimapur to refrain from participating in official Independence Day programmes scheduled for August 15, 2026.
The union clarified that its stand was not against the nation, Independence Day or national symbols, but was based on what it described as the protection of religious freedom, freedom of conscience and the rights and dignity of students.
DNSU maintained that patriotism could not be imposed and that loyalty to the nation should not require anyone to compromise their faith or conscience. It said no student should be compelled to sing, recite or endorse anything contrary to their sincerely held religious beliefs.
The union appealed to student bodies, civil society organisations, church organisations, parents, educational institutions and the public to uphold the directive in a peaceful, disciplined and democratic manner.
It also urged authorities and programme organisers to respect students’ religious beliefs and freedom of conscience, warning that any attempt to force, intimidate or compel students to participate in the singing or playing of Vande Mataram would be opposed.
DNSU further called upon all tribal units and affiliated student bodies to remain vigilant and ensure that no student faced disciplinary action, discrimination, intimidation, harassment or academic consequences for peacefully exercising freedom of conscience.
KCSU: Kohima Chakhesang Students’ Union (KCSU) has withdrawn its participation from the August 15 Independence Day programme in solidarity with the directive of the Naga Students’ Federation (NSF) opposing compulsory observance and singing of the revised Indian National Song Vande Mataram.
In a letter to the director of Art & Culture, KCSU president Kuwe Mekru and general secretary Mhasekhoyi Rhakho said it had decided not to participate in the upcoming Independence Day programme in adherence to the NSF notification issued on August 12.
The union said, as a subordinate unit of the NSF, it was firmly adhering to the federation’s directive and was withdrawing its participation in solidarity with the NSF and in strict adherence to its mandate.