Staff Reporter
DIMAPUR, JUN 2 (NPN): Dimapur Naga Students’ Union (DNSU) has strongly opposed any move to make Sanskrit compulsory in schools across Nagaland.
Addressing a press conference on Tuesday, DNSU general secretary Michael Kath said the union respected all languages but opposed the compulsory imposition of Sanskrit. He pointed out that Nagaland, home to multiple tribes with distinct indigenous languages, did not share a common language like many other Indian states.
Kath informed that DNSU had submitted a representation to the governor questioning the need for Sanskrit as a compulsory subject when students already study English, Hindi and local languages. He urged the government to consult student bodies, parents, educators and civil society organisations before implementing policies affecting education and culture.
“We are not against Sanskrit as a language, but language learning should remain a matter of choice rather than compulsion,” Kath said, while calling for stronger efforts to preserve indigenous Naga languages.
DNSU education secretary Kevin Gonmei said the representation was submitted on May 19 through the deputy commissioner, with copies forwarded to the chief minister, minister for higher education and tourism, advisor for school education, and the Naga Students’ Federation (NSF).
He said many students already struggled with Hindi and warned that compulsory Sanskrit would place an additional burden on them. Gonmei maintained that Sanskrit should remain an elective subject.
Referring to the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, DNSU president P Hinoto Awomi said the policy discouraged language imposition and promoted linguistic diversity. He argued that compulsory Sanskrit would undermine indigenous mother tongues and noted that the state lacked trained Sanskrit teachers, making implementation impractical, particularly in government schools in tribal areas.
DNSU assistant general secretary Rukewezo Wetsah echoed similar concerns and appealed to the Union Ministry of Education and CBSE-affiliated schools in Dimapur not to enforce Sanskrit as a compulsory subject. The union warned that it, along with parents and students, may resort to democratic agitation if such implementation continues.
Relocation of Hindi institute: On another issue, Gonmei reiterated DNSU’s opposition to the proposed relocation of the Government Hindi Institute from Oriental Colony, Dimapur, to Medziphema. Although encroachment and lack of space were cited as reasons, he said a site inspection by the union found sufficient land available for further development.
“This is the only Government Hindi Institute in Dimapur. Instead of shifting it, the government should upgrade and develop the existing facility,” he said, adding that relocation would inconvenience students and residents who depend on Dimapur’s transportation and communication network.
Awomi said the institute originally occupied around 20 bighas of land, but only about two-and-a-half bighas remained due to alleged encroachment. He said the union’s immediate priority was to prevent the relocation before pursuing land recovery. He also criticised what he termed “step-motherly treatment” towards Dimapur and warned that DNSU would continue to oppose the move through democratic means.
GMS Midland issue: The union also raised concerns over the unresolved construction of a health sub-centre within the premises of GMS Midland. Gonmei said the issue had remained pending since last year and appealed to the authorities to resolve it before the school’s Golden Jubilee celebrations later this year.
Awomi said DNSU, along with the Midland Youth Organisation and Midland Council, had earlier issued an ultimatum opposing the project. He maintained that the land was originally purchased for educational infrastructure and should remain exclusively for the school’s development.
Corporal punishment: DNSU also condemned instances of corporal punishment allegedly inflicted on students for poor academic performance. Gonmei said such practices violated provisions of the NEP and urged schools to adopt non-violent disciplinary measures that protect students from physical and mental trauma.
During the interaction, DNSU leaders maintained that the union functions as a civil society organisation working for student and community welfare.