The Naga Students’ Federation (NSF) has expressed deep displeasure and strongly condemned the recent statement made by BJP legislator, Temjen Imna Along regarding the recitation of Vande Mataram in the Nagaland Legislative Assembly.
In a statement issued on Thursday, the federation said it was deeply regrettable that Along, despite the clear opposition expressed by the NSF on February 20, 2026, continues to justify and normalize what it described as the imposition of the Indian national song in institutions across the state.
The NSF recalled that it had earlier opposed instructions issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs mandating that Vande Mataram be played or sung before the national anthem Jana Gana Mana during certain high-level official functions, and attempts to extend such directives to educational institutions.
According to the federation, Vande Mataram carries strong religious connotations rooted in the worship of Hindu deities. It stated that any attempt to enforce or institutionalize the recitation of the song in the Nagaland Legislative Assembly or any public institution in the Naga homeland would violate the spirit of Article 371A of the Constitution of India, which protects the unique religious and social practices of the Naga people.
The federation also criticized Along for publicly defending the move, stating that such a position appears to prioritize political interests over the sensitivities and rights of the Naga people. By advocating the normalization of Vande Mataram in the Assembly, the NSF said it risks undermining the sacrifices made by generations of Nagas to preserve their identity, faith and constitutional safeguards.
“No individual or political representative has the mandate to dilute or compromise the hard-earned rights of the Naga people,” the NSF said.
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The NSF asserted that the Nagaland Legislative Assembly must remain sensitive to the unique historical and socio-religious context of the Naga people, while reiterating that the protection of Naga identity, faith and constitutional safeguards is non-negotiable.
The NSF further questioned the rationale behind the state government referring the matter to a Select Committee to examine its applicability, stating that such an imposition clearly undermines the protections granted under Article 371(A) to the Naga people.
The Federation warned against any attempt to introduce or play Vande Mataram in administrative or educational institutions, including Nagaland University, across the Naga homeland.
The Federation also directed its federating units and subordinate bodies to remain vigilant and ensure that such practices are not implemented within their respective jurisdictions. It stated that if any authority attempts to impose the recitation of the song, the concerned units have been advised to respond appropriately in defence of the rights and dignity of the Naga people.
