A mass rally protesting the compulsory singing of Vande Mataram was organised by the Naga Students’ Federation (NSF) at the Old MLA Hostel Junction in Kohima on March 16, with similar demonstrations held simultaneously across various districts of Nagaland.

Addressing the gathering, Neingulo Krome, Secretary General of the Naga People’s Movement for Human Rights (NPMHR), described the imposition as an “invasion into our hearts and soul.” He said that while India has projected itself as the world’s largest democracy and a signatory to major international human rights covenants, imposing a song associated with a particular religious belief contradicts the spirit of secularism.

“When something like “Vande Mataram” is imposed on people who are not Hindus, the very spirit of secularism is violated and betrayed by its own commitment to the signatures it has put before the world,” he said and questioned the value of being the world’s largest democracy, its commitment to secularism or its obligation to human rights “when the very right of life is violated and insulted by acts like the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA), which has killed hundreds and thousands of Nagas”.

“How can India impose Vande Mataram on a small Christian community?” he asked and asserted that India can no longer claim to be the world’s greatest democracy, noting that even in the UN corridors, it is described as the world’s largest but most poorly functioning democracy.

Enforcing “Vande Mataram” is an insult to small Christian communities like the Nagas, he said and highlighted how a handful of Nagas are enjoying comforts from the central government and seeking further benefits through the state government, and “sometimes we allow them to control us.” He assured the crowd that they would fight until this imposition is lifted.

Speaking at the rally, Rev Dr Vevo Phesao, Vice President of the Nagaland Joint Christian Forum (NJCF), said the organization was deeply concerned over the directive issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) mandating the singing of “Vande Mataram” at official functions and educational institutions across the country.

While acknowledging the patriotic spirit of the song, he said certain elements in its content conflict with Christian beliefs and principles. Phesao emphasized that the constitutional principle of secularism must be upheld and that Nagaland, as a Christian-majority state, cannot compromise its religious convictions by adhering to such directives. He urged the government of the day to uphold the principle of secularism in the country.

He impressed upon the Government of India to respect the rights of religious minorities who have equally contributed to the social fabric of the nation. He also appealed to the competent authority to respect the sentiments of the Nagas by reconsidering the order, thereby ensuring the religious freedom of every citizen.

“We are not opposed to a patriotic song, but we will not, as a Christian-majority society, allow our children to chant something that defies their faith and allegiance to the Almighty,” he said adding the NJCF believes this is a matter of conscience, and “Vande Mataram” cannot be forced upon people whose beliefs are different from those of Hindus.

Rev. Vangpong Phom, Advisor of the Nagaland Christian Revival Church (NCRC), also said the imposition of “Vande Mataram” was not practical as it is a Hindu religious song praising their deity and their god. “As a Christian, we cannot sing this,” he said and declared they would never bow down and would fight until victory is won.

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Jonas Yanthan, President of the Catholic Association of Nagaland, said the organization was disturbed by the government’s notification mandating the singing of the national song in all state institutions. While expressing respect for the National Anthem, he said “Vande Mataram” carries verses worshipping Hindu goddesses.

He said they have no objection to the National Anthem, “Jana Gana Mana,” because it embodies the true spirit of India, but they cannot accept “Vande Mataram,” which has a narrow religious connotation and no constitutional validation.

Yanthan further stated that Nagaland, created under special constitutional provisions safeguarding religious and social practices, cannot accept directives that undermine the spirit of the Indian Constitution and the country’s diversity.

In his presidential address, NSF president, Mteisuding the rally was a declaration that the identity and beliefs of the Naga people cannot be dictated by administrative directives nor diluted by imposed symbols.

He clarified that the Naga people do not oppose national symbols or patriotic expressions but object to the compulsory nature of the directive. According to him, the song contains devotional imagery linked to the worship of a particular deity, making its mandatory recitation a violation of personal faith and collective conscience.

He also said the rally is not directed against any community or faith, but it is a stand against the violation of the principle of secularism.

Mteisuding cited international human rights instruments such as the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, which guarantee freedom of religion and the rights of minorities to practice their beliefs.

He said there have been attempts to malign the Federation and misrepresent the dignity of the Naga people. He said some have attempted to intimidate the NSF by invoking the so-called ‘wrath of Delhi’, suggesting the dissent would invite retaliation. However, he asserted that Naga people are not strangers to intimidation.

“ If decades of military presence could not erase our identity, how can anyone imagine that administrative circulars or symbolic coercion will succeed?,” he said.

The NSF president said through the rally, the message should reach the President of India, to whom they would submit their memorandum through the Governor of Nagaland.

He also called upon everyone to remain united, not against any nation or community, but for the protection of their beliefs, their identity and future.

The program began with an invocation by Rev. Dr. Ruokuovilie Sachü, President of the Kohima Baptist Pastors’ Fellowship. The program was chaired by Vimeyiekho Vitso, Vice President of the NSF. The rally was joined by hundreds of students, who later proceeded to Raj Bhavan for the concluding remarks.