Correspondent
KOHIMA, SEP 3 (NPN): Naga Students’ Federation (NSF) on Thursday announced that it would direct educational institutions, its federating units and subordinate bodies not to invite the governor of Nagaland to programmes involving Vande Mataram, amid its ongoing agitation against the playing or singing of the song at official functions.
Addressing a press conference at the NSF office here on the second day of the agitation, NSF president Mteisuding said the federation had received a communication from the state government through Parliamentary Affairs Minister KG Kenye, stating that the government faced certain complications and limitations in addressing the issue and had referred it to a committee for further study.
Mteisuding said the decision to not invite the governor was based on the federation’s understanding that Vande Mataram was required to be played at programmes attended by the governor as part of official protocol. He clarified that the move was not intended as an insult to the governor or directed against him personally, but was aimed at respecting the sentiments of the Naga people. “We are not against the governor,” Mteisuding said, while appealing to governor to understand and respect the sentiments of the Naga people.
NSF also appealed to civil society organisations, tribal bodies and other organisations to refrain from inviting the governor to their programmes in view of the federation’s stand.
Mteisuding said the NSF would not compromise on the issue unless the state government took a clear position by adopting a resolution or enacting legislation against the playing or singing of Vande Mataram in the state.
He said the federation would continue its agitation and was prepared to intensify its protest if its concerns were not addressed.
NSF directs educational institutions, units: Naga Students’ Federation (NSF) has directed educational institutions and its affiliated bodies across the Naga homeland not to invite or include government functionaries, including the governor of Nagaland, in any programmes involving the singing or playing of Vande Mataram until further directions.
In a notification, NSF president Mteisuding and general secretary Kenilo Kent instructed all federating units and subordinate bodies to communicate and ensure strict compliance with the directive within their respective jurisdictions.
The federation also announced that the first phase of its agitation, planned as a peaceful demonstration in connection with the ongoing session of the Nagaland Legislative Assembly, has been kept in abeyance.
The decision followed a September 3 communiqué from the Minister for Parliamentary Affairs and chairperson of the Committee to Examine the Applicability of Laws Passed by Parliament.
The minister sought additional time to submit the committee’s report on the issue and assured that the collective views and sentiments of the Naga people would be taken into consideration.
NSF said its principal demand remains the adoption of a strong resolution by the Assembly against the imposition of the revised Vande Mataram in government programmes and official functions.
It warned that if such a resolution was not adopted, the federation would intensify the next phase of its democratic agitation.
The federation reiterated that its position was based on freedom of conscience, religious liberty, democratic safeguards and peaceful coexistence, and that it would continue to pursue its demands through democratic and peaceful means. NSF has called upon its units to remain vigilant and ensure implementation of the directive.