Correspondent
KOHIMA, SEP 1 (NPN): Naga Students’ Federation (NSF) organised a solidarity march from Naga Solidarity Park to the Naga Legislative Assembly (NLA) here on Tuesday, opposing any compulsory singing or imposition of “Vande Mataram” during government and official programmes in Nagaland.
Carrying banners and raising slogans including “Respect our faiths, respect our rights” and “No imposition in our house: NLA must adopt a resolution,” the protesters called for respect for the religious beliefs and rights of the Naga people.
Addressing the gathering, NSF president Mteisuding said the federation would not compromise on the rights of the Naga people. He described the issue of compulsory singing of “Vande Mataram” as one of the major challenges confronting the Naga community.
Mteisuding stressed that Nagas were predominantly Christian and said the community would not compromise its faith or be compelled to participate in practices contrary to its religious beliefs. He appealed to Nagas to collectively address the issue, saying it concerned the entire Naga community and not just the NSF.
He clarified that the federation was not opposed to national songs but maintained that any practice conflicting with the faith and beliefs of the Naga people would not be accepted.
Speaking to the media at the protest site, Mteisuding said the NSF “outrightly rejects” the playing or singing of “Vande Mataram” during official programmes. He said the federation’s demand was for the government to pass a bill or adopt a resolution addressing the matter.
He said the NSF had already submitted representations to the chief minister and NLA speaker and would continue its protest until its demands were addressed.
The programme was chaired by NSF editor Pithungo Shitio, while the invocation was offered by Koinonia Baptist Church assistant pastor Menuosielie Üsou.