A large protest rally organized by the Naga Students’ Federation (NSF) occurred on Monday at Old MLA Hostel junction in Kohima, opposing the mandatory imposition of the song Vande Mataram in educational institutions and official events. Simultaneously held across several districts, the demonstration featured participants who expressed their discontent through placards with messages like “No forced secularism” and “Naga rights are non-negotiable.” NSF general secretary Kenilo Kent presented a memorandum to the President of India via the Governor of Nagaland, voicing strong opposition to the directive.
Criticism also came from Neingulo Krome of the Naga People’s Movement for Human Rights, who labeled the directive an intrusion on the beliefs and identity of the Naga people, contending that imposing a song with Hindu imagery on non-Hindu communities contradicts secular principles. The Nagaland Joint Christian Forum (NJCF) echoed this sentiment, with vice president Rev. Dr. Vevo Phesao highlighting the conflict between the song’s patriotic value and Christian beliefs, urging respect for constitutional values and minority rights in a predominantly Christian state.
Additional church leaders, including Rev. Vangpong Phom of the Nagaland Christian Revival Church and Jonas Yanthan from the Catholic Association of Nagaland, supported the resistance, arguing against the imposition of Vande Mataram due to its religious undertones. NSF president Mteisuding Heraang asserted that the Naga people’s identity could not be dictated by administrative orders, framing the imposition as a matter of conscience rather than a rejection of national symbols.
The rally included an invocation by Rev. Dr. Ruokuovilie Sachü and was chaired by NSF vice president Vimeyiekho Vitso, drawing hundreds of students and supporters who later marched to Lok Bhavan to submit their memorandum to Droupadi Murmu.
