Naga Students’ Federation (NSF) has strongly condemned and opposed the ongoing workshops organised under the aegis of SPIC MACAY (Society for the Promotion of Indian Classical Music and Culture Amongst Youth) in various educational institutions across Kohima and Dimapur.
NSF president Medovi Rhi and secretary education Temjentoshi in a press release asserted that they stood firm in their stance that such programmes, which sought to impose alien cultural and religious practices, had no place in the Naga homeland.
Declaring that it was unacceptable that under the guise of “enriching formal education” external forces were subtly attempting to dilute indigenous identity and impose a cultural assimilation agenda, they maintained that Naga people had a rich and distinct cultural heritage, and they would not tolerate any attempt to infringe upon their way of life, traditions, and beliefs.
They described any effort to introduce religious or cultural elements that did not align with the indigenous ethos as an outright violation of their rights as a people.
Furthermore, NSF leaders maintained that such workshops were a waste of valuable academic time, depriving students of meaningful education and their right to a curriculum that prioritised their intellectual and personal growth.
With the already limited academic calendar and various challenges faced by students, they said it was irresponsible to force programmes that neither contributed to their academic advancement nor uphold the indigenous ethos of the Naga people. NSF also took strong exception to the guidelines imposed for these workshops, which dictated specific ceremonial practices, mandatory seating arrangements, and symbolic gestures that were contrary to local customs and beliefs.
They mentioned that the enforced removal of footwear before entering the hall, the requirement for a ministry logo, and the regulated felicitation of artistes reflected an imposition of foreign cultural norms upon educational institutions. They said such directives undermined the fundamental principles of cultural respect.
Urging all school administrations, students, and parents to remain vigilant against such imposed cultural and religious programmes that did not align with Naga heritage, they demanded that all SPIC MACAY workshops in Naga institutions be immediately halted and that no such programmes be conducted in the future without prior consultation with relevant Naga stakeholders.
They reiterated that the NSF remained committed to defending the identity, rights, and future of Naga students, cautioning that they would not hesitate to take appropriate measures, including democratic protests, if their demands were ignored.