Members of Naga Students’ Federation hold protest outside the Nagaland Legislative Assembly, Kohima on September 3 over the issue of compulsory singing and playing of Vande Mataram. (Morung Photo)
Morung Express News
Kohima | September 3
The controversy over the compulsory singing and playing of Vande Mataram in government programmes has intensified with the Naga Students’ Federation (NSF) stepping up its agitation on Thursday and calling for a wider institutional boycott of invitation to the Governor.
The development came after the State Government asked the NSF to call off its ongoing protest, stating the issue was already under examination by a committee of the Nagaland Legislative Assembly, and that the panel had withheld its report pending the outcome of a recent development.
Addressing the media after the second day of the federation’s democratic agitation, NSF president, Mteisuding said the day’s protest, described by the federation as a “singing revolution”, was aimed at registering its strong objection to what it termed the imposition of Vande Mataram on the Naga people.
He said the NSF had received a letter from the State Government signed by Minister for Power and Parliamentary Affairs KG Kenye, explaining the legal complications surrounding the issue and informing the federation that a committee had been constituted to examine the matter from a legal perspective.
The NSF president, however, said the federation remained firm in its opposition. “Today, the Naga Students’ Federation outrightly rejects the imposition of Vande Mataram on the Naga people,” he said, arguing that the disagreement stemmed from references in the lyrics that, according to the federation, touch upon religious beliefs.
While acknowledging that Vande Mataram is regarded as a secular national song, he said the NSF could not accept its compulsory singing or playing in a manner that conflicted with the Christian faith of the Naga people.
“We will never allow our people to sing something which is against our faith,” he said.
NSF calls for boycott of Governor invitations
The federation has also taken a further step as part of its agitation by directing its federating units, subordinate bodies and educational institutions not to invite the Governor of Nagaland to their programmes or events.
The NSF president clarified that the decision was not directed against the Governor personally. “We are not against the Governor,” he said, explaining that the decision was linked to the protocol followed during the Governor’s official engagements, where Vande Mataram is played.
He appealed to the Governor to understand the sentiments of the people and said the move should not be viewed as an insult or personal opposition to the constitutional head of the State.
The NSF also appealed to civil society organisations and tribal bodies to consider adopting a similar position by refraining from inviting the Governor to their programmes.
The federation said it would not compromise on the issue unless the Nagaland Government took a clear stand by passing a resolution or legislation in the Assembly against the compulsory singing or playing of Vande Mataram.
The NSF president said the federation had dispersed after receiving the government’s letter but maintained that the protest movement would continue.
Mteisuding said the first day of the agitation involved the use of placards and other peaceful means to express opposition to Vande Mataram. On the second day, the federation adopted what it described as a “singing revolution” as another form of democratic protest.
He said the NSF would announce its next course of action and warned that the intensity of the agitation could be increased if the issue remained unresolved.
The directive asking educational institutions, federating units and subordinate bodies to refrain from inviting the Governor, he added, would also form part of the federation’s ongoing agitation.
Government says matter already under examination
Meanwhile, Minister for Power and Parliamentary Affairs K.G. Kenye, in a letter dated September 3 addressed to NSF president Mteisuding Heraang, urged the federation to call off its ongoing protest.
Kenye said the issue had first come up on March 2, 2026, the opening day of the eighth session of the 14th Nagaland Legislative Assembly, when the instrumental version of the first two stanzas of Vande Mataram was played during the arrival and departure of the Governor.
He said the playing of the song was in compliance with an Executive Order issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India, dated January 28, 2026, concerning orders relating to the National Song of India.
According to Kenye, the matter was subsequently raised by members of the Legislative Assembly and referred to the Committee to Examine the Applicability of Laws Passed by Parliament for examination and recommendations.
The committee held sittings on March 18, May 18 and June 24 and adopted its report, which was proposed to be placed before the Assembly during the ongoing session.
However, Kenye said the report was withheld following the passage of The Prevention of Insults to National Honour (Amendment) Bill, 2026 by both Houses of Parliament. The Bill is currently awaiting publication in the Gazette of India.
He said the committee had decided, as an interim measure, to withhold its report until the final outcome of the Bill was known.
“The Committee proposes to revisit the matter thereafter, taking into consideration the collective views and sentiments of the people of Nagaland,” Kenye stated.
In view of these developments, the Minister appealed to the NSF to call off its ongoing protest, saying the matter was already under examination and would be revisited in light of the developments at the national level.
