DIMAPUR, AUG 13 (NPN): Nagaland Baptist Church Council (NBCC) has reiterated its opposition to any directive or practice imposing the singing of Vande Mataram, particularly on members of the Christian community, while calling for respect for freedom of conscience, religious convictions and India’s pluralistic character.
In a statement, NBCC general secretary Rev. Dar. Mar Pongener and secretary, Social Concern, Dr Villo Naleo said it respected national symbols, patriotic sentiments and the constitutional values of India, but maintained that patriotism should arise from willing participation rather than compulsion.
The council said its earlier position on the matter, published in local dailies, remained unchanged, stressing that matters concerning faith, conscience, religious conviction and deeply held identity required sensitivity, wisdom and respect.
NBCC said national symbols and patriotic expressions had a rightful place in public life, but national unity should be pursued within the constitutional framework of liberty, equality, pluralism and freedom of conscience. It maintained that unity should not be confused with uniformity and patriotism should not be reduced to compulsory conformity.
“National unity cannot be strengthened by compelling citizens to participate in an expression that, for reasons of faith or conscience, they may not be able to embrace,” it said.
NBCC observed that India’s strength lay in remaining united while respecting differences of faith, culture, language, tradition and conscience. It said where a song, symbol or public expression carried different meanings for different communities, the State and public institutions had a responsibility to exercise sensitivity and restraint.
NBCC also acknowledged the concerns raised by Naga Students’ Federation and appreciated its efforts to articulate the sentiments of the student community. At the same time, it urged all responses to remain peaceful, responsible and respectful, cautioning that disagreement should not become a cause for hostility, intimidation, division or confrontation.
The council said coercion could not provide a sustainable foundation for genuine national integration, arguing that compulsion might produce outward compliance but not genuine loyalty, conviction or belonging.
It called for dialogue and engagement where citizens held differing convictions, saying respecting conscientious objection did not weaken the nation but demonstrated confidence in democratic institutions.
NBCC appealed to the government and its authorities, educational institutions, student organisations, churches, civil society and the public to exercise wisdom, restraint and constitutional sensitivity in addressing the issue. It also urged all stakeholders to express their positions peacefully and constructively so that disagreements over national symbols or patriotic practices did not lead to communal tension or social division.
The council said it had no desire to politicise the matter or create unnecessary confrontation, but could not remain silent when a practice was imposed in a manner that could infringe upon the deeply held convictions and freedom of conscience of citizens.
“India needs not greater polarization, but greater sensitivity; not coercion, but understanding; not conformity, but mutual respect; not confrontation, but dialogue,” NBCC said.
The council maintained that true patriotism had the confidence to embrace diversity while remaining committed to the common good. It said India’s unity would be strongest when every citizen, irrespective of faith, community, culture or conviction, felt that there was a rightful place for them in the nation and that their conscience would be respected.
NBCC reiterated its commitment to mutual respect, freedom of conscience, justice, peace, constitutional values and the dignity of every citizen, saying these principles, rather than compulsion or forced uniformity, provided the foundation for a stronger, peaceful and harmonious India.