Naga People’s Front (NPF), Naga Students’ Federation (NSF), and Chakhesang Baptist Church Council (CBCC) have firmly opposed the Ministry of Home Affairs directive mandating the recitation or singing of “Vande Mataram” before the National Anthem at high-level official functions and educational institutions, describing it as a direct threat to Nagaland’s Christian-majority faith, cultural identity, and the special constitutional protections guaranteed under Article 371(A).
NPF: Naga People’s Front (NPF) has voiced strong resentment against the imposition of reciting “Vande Mataram” as mandatory in educational institutions and the Nagaland State Assembly, describing it as a direct threat to the Christian-majority faith and culture of Nagaland.
The ruling NPF through its press bureau said that “forceful imposition of such a song is alien to us, unfriendly, and threatening” the ethos of fundamental rights and duties guaranteed in the Constitution of India.
NPF further asserted that such a mandate constituted a clear violation of the safeguards provided under Article 371(A), which explicitly protected the religious practices, social customs, and customary laws of the Naga people.
The party highlighted that the song’s references to Hindu goddesses were fundamentally at odds with monotheistic Christian beliefs and the teachings of Christ, rendering mandatory recitation incompatible with the conscience of the Naga Christian community.
Therefore, the party has urged the Government of India to reconsider the directive, uphold the secular character of the nation, and ensure that no community was compelled to compromise its religious faith.
NPF also extended invitation to all like-minded political parties, organisations, and individuals to unite in defending Nagaland’s distinct identity, culture, and faith. “It is imperative that we come together to withstand these impositions,” NSF emphasised, adding that collective action would amplify the state’s voice and strengthen its position.
Reaffirming resolutions passed in its recent Central Office Bearers (COB), Central Executive Council (CEC), and General Convention meetings, the NPF once again appealed to former comrades and other regional parties to join hands with the NPF in working collectively for a brighter and more secure future for Nagaland.
NSF slams Along’s remarks: Naga Students’ Federation (NSF) has expressed displeasure and condemned the recent remarks by BJP legislator Temjen Imna Along regarding the recitation of Vande Mataram in the Nagaland Legislative Assembly (NLA).
In a press release, NSF president Mteisuding Heraang and education committee convenor and editor Pithungo Shitio expressed deep regret that the MLA continued to justify and normalise the imposition of the song in state institutions, despite the NSF’s clear and categorical opposition issued on February 20, 2026.
In its earlier statement, the NSF had firmly rejected the Ministry of Home Affairs directive mandating the playing or singing of “Vande Mataram” before the National Anthem “Jana Gana Mana” at specified high-level official functions. NSF also rejected any attempt to extend such instructions to educational institutions.
The federation reiterated that “Vande Mataram” carried strong religious connotations rooted in the worship of Hindu deities, making its enforcement incompatible with the faith of the predominantly Christian Naga people. NSF cautioned that any effort to institutionalise the song’s recitation in the NLA or other public institutions in the Naga homeland, directly violated the spirit and protections guaranteed under Article 371(A) of the Indian Constitution, which safeguards the unique religious practices, social customs, and land rights of the Nagas.
Further, criticising attempts to portray the song as purely secular or historical, NSF said such framing deliberately disregarded the genuine concerns of communities whose religious and cultural identity did not align with its imagery.
The federation termed as “extremely unfortunate” that Temjen Imna Along chose to publicly defend such a position. NSF accused him of prioritising allegiance to political leadership in Delhi over the rights, sensitivities, and identity of the Naga people. “By advocating for the normalisation of Vande Mataram within the Assembly, he risks undoing what generations of Nagas have sacrificed so much to defend — the preservation of our identity, our faith, and our rights,” NSF said.
NSF stressed that no individual or political representative holds the mandate to dilute or compromise the hard-earned constitutional safeguards of the Naga people.
It insisted that the NLA must remain fully sensitive to the unique historical, socio-religious, and cultural context of the Naga community, describing the protection of Naga identity, faith, and constitutional provisions as non-negotiable.
The federation questioned the rationale behind referring the matter to a Select Committee for examination. It asserted that any imposition of the song clearly undermined the special safeguards provided under Article 371(A).
NSF cautioned against any attempt to introduce or play “Vande Mataram” in any institution — administrative, educational including Nagaland University, or otherwise — across the Naga homeland.
NSF directed all its federating units and subordinate bodies to remain vigilant and firmly instructed them not to permit such practices in their jurisdictions under any circumstances. “Should any authority attempt to impose the same, the concerned units are advised to respond appropriately in defence of the rights and dignity of our people,” NSF added.
‘Vande Mataram’ is not for all to chant, says CBCC: Drawing attention to the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) directive mandating the singing of “Vande Mataram” before the National Anthem at official functions and educational institutions, the Chakhesang Baptist Church Council (CBCC) on Thursday maintained that ‘Vande Mataram’ was not for all to chant.
In a press release, CBCC executive secretary T. Chikri, said the decision of the Ministry of Home Affairs was a clear violation of freedom of religion in secular India.
CBCC has appreciated the Naga Students’ Federation (NSF) and the legislators of Nagaland Assembly for “strongly voicing out against this blanket imposition on the citizens regardless of faiths.”
Highlighting the glaring inconsistency in policy, the council said while Christian schools in various states were often barred from even displaying the cross, the imposition of reciting “Vande Mataram” in all schools across the Naga homeland was “ridiculous”.
CBCC pointed out that for some, the very tenets of their religion were inclusive and pluralistic, but not for the Christians.
Therefore, the council has waned that pushing the Christian community to do what they did not believe in doing would only invite greater resistance to religious subjugation. “The Church of Jesus will not bow before any authority on earth and will not be coerced by any pressure,” CBCC affirmed.
CBCC has vowed to strongly support any individual, party, or organization that defended Christian faith and protected the Church from being destroyed by the conspiracy of the worldly authorities.