The Nagaland Pradesh Congress Committee (NPCC) has expressed deep concern over recent remarks made by Minister for Tourism and Higher Education, Temjen Imna Along in the Nagaland Legislative Assembly, accusing him of attempting to justify the compulsory respect for the singing of Vande Mataram before the people of Nagaland.
In a statement, the NPCC said Nagaland is a unique state with a distinct history, identity and constitutional protection under Article 371(A) of the Constitution of India. It stated that the provision was a solemn constitutional assurance meant to safeguard the religious and social practices, customary laws and traditions of the Naga people.
The party said that while Vande Mataram holds historical importance in India’s freedom movement, several stanzas of the song contain references to Hindu deities and religious imagery. In this context, the NPCC said that attempts to normalize or justify its imposition in Nagaland, where Christianity forms a central spiritual and cultural foundation of society, were both insensitive and irresponsible.
According to the NPCC, the people of Nagaland are overwhelmingly Christian and the churches have historically played a central role in shaping the moral, social and political identity of the Naga community. It said any attempt to dilute or undermine this identity through ideological imposition must be firmly resisted.
Download Nagaland Tribune app on Google Play
The party also expressed concern over what it described as attempts by the Bharatiya Janata Party and its ideological affiliates to introduce majoritarian ideas in educational institutions across the country, including Nagaland. Such developments, it said, raise questions about the gradual spread of ideological influence that could threaten pluralistic values and constitutional safeguards.
The NPCC urged Along to refrain from misleading the people of Nagaland and reminded that elected leaders have a responsibility to respect the sentiments, faith and identity of the people they represent. It stated that political loyalty to any party should never come at the expense of undermining the cultural and religious foundations of society.
Stating that Nagaland deserves leaders who defend constitutional protections and uphold the dignity of the people’s faith and traditions, the party called upon citizens to remain vigilant and united in safeguarding the unique identity, faith and constitutional rights of the Naga people.
