Correspondent
KOHIMA, AUG 14 (NPN): Naga Students’ Federation (NSF) on Friday observed the 80th Naga Independence Day at Naga Solidarity Park here, with speakers calling for greater unity, preservation of Naga identity and an honourable political settlement.
Addressing the gathering as guest speaker advocate Tongpok Pongener said the August 14, 1947 declaration was the result of years of consultation and mobilisation across Naga villages. Tongpok Pongener said the forefathers’ vision was to live as a nation among nations while maintaining peaceful relations with neighbouring peoples.
Expressing concern over internal conflicts, killings and divisions, Pongener called for rebuilding trust and urged students and youth to bridge organisational and group differences. He also questioned whether Nagas were truly free today, urging greater self-reliance and reflection on the meaning of freedom.
On the Christian foundation of Naga society, he said slogans such as “Nagaland for Christ” would have little meaning unless reflected in people’s lives, urging Nagas to turn to God and make prayer part of their daily lives.
NSF president Mteisuding said the federation, founded by visionary Naga leaders, was committed not only to student and youth issues but also to safeguarding the rights and aspirations of the Naga people.
Recalling the July 19, 1947 meeting between Naga delegation leader AZ Phizo and Mahatma Gandhi, he referred to Gandhi’s purported assurance that Nagas should not be forced into the Indian Union against their wishes.
Mteisuding urged the Government of India to honour its commitments towards a political settlement by recognising the unique history and circumstances of the Nagas. He also called on all stakeholders to set aside differences and work towards an honourable settlement based on coexistence.
He appealed for greater unity among Nagas across administrative and international boundaries and urged the younger generation to help rebuild the collective Naga identity. He also appealed to Naga political groups not to recruit non-Nagas into the Naga political movement.
ENSF president Nuheymong Yimchunger said Nagas had preserved their unique heritage, customs and identity despite historical challenges, adding that administrative divisions had not diminished their common aspirations. He called for collective efforts to overcome divisions and strengthen unity.
The programme began with the hoisting of the “Naga National Flag” and included prayers, cultural and literary presentations, and prayers for the Naga nation.
Reiterates stand on Vande Mataram: NSF president Mteisuding also reiterated the federation’s decision to object to and boycott the revised version of Vande Mataram, citing concerns over its compatibility with Naga Christian beliefs.
Speaking to the media, he clarified that NSF was not opposed to the national songs or symbols of any country, but its objection was specifically to the revised version of Vande Mataram.
He also reiterated NSF’s appeal to Naga students not to participate in Indian Independence Day celebrations on August 15.
On the Naga political movement, Mteisuding expressed concern over the proliferation of Naga political groups (NPGs), saying the Nagas had “one destination, one goal and one objective”. He urged all NPGs to set aside differences and pursue a common political solution.
“A solution is only one,” he said, calling on all Naga political groups to work collectively towards a common political settlement.