Opposition grows against ‘Vande Mataram’ mandate

All Nagaland College Students’ Union (ANCSU) and the National People’s Party (NPP) Nagaland state unit have added their voices to the mounting opposition against the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) directive mandating the recitation or singing of “Vande Mataram” before the National Anthem in educational institutions and at official functions.
ANCSU: All Nagaland College Students’ Union (ANCSU) through its president Kivika Yeptho and assistant general secretary Imnawabang T Lkr expressed strong concern and opposition to the implementation of MHA directive in colleges and educational institutions of the state.
The union reminded the state government that Nagaland was home to diverse communities, and making the recitation compulsory in colleges and other educational institutions would contravene Article 371(A) of the Indian Constitution, which safeguards the religious beliefs, social practices, and customary laws of the Naga people.
ANCSU stressed that forcing such a practice disregarded the principle of freedom of conscience, democratic values, traditional practices, and respect for diversity enshrined in the Indian Constitution. Further, the union asserted that educational institutions must remain spaces dedicated to learning, mutual respect, and inclusivity.
The union said that policies ignoring Nagaland’s unique socio-cultural context risked disturbing the harmony carefully maintained in academic settings.
In light of these concerns, ANCSU has appealed to all colleges and educational institutions in the state to refrain from implementing the directive mandating the recitation of “Vande Mataram.”
The union reaffirmed its unwavering commitment to safeguarding the rights, dignity, and unity of the student community.
NPP unit: National People’s Party (NPP) Nagaland state unit, through its media & IPR cell, also expressed apprehensions regarding the directive’s implications for matters of faith and conscience.
Affirming that the people of Nagaland hold the National Anthem and the Constitution of India in the highest regard, the party emphasized that any measure perceived as mandatory in sensitive areas of belief must be handled with great care and sensitivity.
Noting that Nagaland was a Christian-majority state where faith and cultural traditions were integral to the social fabric, the party asserted that the issue be evaluated in the context of the special protections guaranteed under Article 371(A), which safeguards the religious practices and social customs of the Naga people.
NPP state unit also argued that national unity was best strengthened through respect for diversity and voluntary participation rather than compulsion.
The party has, therefore, called upon the Ministry of Home Affairs to give due consideration to the sentiments of the people of Nagaland in addressing this sensitive matter.
NPP state unit also reiterated its firm commitment to upholding the Constitution, protecting the identity and faith of the Naga people, and preserving harmony within India’s diverse national framework.