The Nagaland government has appealed to the Naga Students’ Federation (NSF) to call off its ongoing agitation over the compulsory singing and playing of Vande Mataram, assuring that the matter has been taken seriously and that the concerns of the people will be addressed through the appropriate forum.

Raising the issue during the Zero Hour discussion on matters of urgent public importance in the Nagaland Legislative Assembly on Thursday, Advisor Achumbemo Kikon said the government was conscious of the sentiments expressed by various sections of Naga society.

Kikon noted that the NSF had been staging an agitation outside the Assembly gate since the beginning of the ongoing Assembly session, with the compulsory singing of Vande Mataram being the central issue.

“I am not going to neglect the case,” Kikon said, adding that the matter had already witnessed extensive debate and deliberation during the previous sitting of the House.

He said Chief Minister, Neiphiu Rio had taken serious note of the sentiments expressed by legislators across tribal and political affiliations. The government, he added, had also taken into consideration the views of the Church, civil society organisations, tribal bodies and, most importantly, the NSF.

Kikon said the issue originated from an instruction issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs on January 28, 2026, to the Chief Secretaries of states regarding the compulsory singing of Vande Mataram during the arrival of important VVIPs, national functions and other official occasions.

He pointed out that the song had also been played in instrumental form during proceedings of the Nagaland Assembly, where two stanzas were played, which subsequently drew criticism from different sections of society.

“As responsible leaders, we are conscious of the sentiments of our people,” Kikon said.

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Matter referred to Committee

Kikon said the matter had subsequently been referred to a committee constituted to examine the applicability of laws passed by Parliament in Nagaland in the context of Article 371A of the Constitution.

The committee, headed by Parliamentary Affairs Minister, KG Kenye, had been examining the issue and was preparing to submit its report to the Assembly, he said.

However, Kikon explained that while the committee was undertaking its examination, Parliament passed the Prevention of Insults to National Honour (Amendment) Act, 2026, which received the assent of the President on August 6.

He said the development changed the legal position of the matter, prompting the committee to defer presentation of its report so that the newly enacted legislation could be examined more closely.

Kikon further said Deputy Chief Minister and Home Minister Y. Patton, along with the BJP leadership, had held consultations with the central leadership regarding the sentiments expressed by the people of Nagaland.

Appeal to NSF

Making a direct appeal to the NSF, Kikon said the government had taken cognisance of the “gravity of the situation” and the sentiments of the people.

“I would like to appeal on behalf of the government, and in my capacity as the former president of NSF, to the NSF friends to kindly call off their agitation,” he said.

He assured that the issue would be addressed “appropriately at the right time” and that the concerns raised by the student body would be taken up at the appropriate forum.

“I would like to assure them that their concerns will be addressed at the right forum,” Kikon said, urging the NSF once again to call off its agitation.

Kenye: Committee Awaiting Gazette Notification

Speaking on the matter, Parliamentary Affairs Minister, KG Kenye said the issue was “hypersensitive”, particularly in the context of Article 371A, and involved constitutional and legal considerations.

He said the committee had already met twice, in May and June, and had been prepared to table its report before the Assembly during the ongoing session.

However, following the President’s assent to the legislation passed by both Houses of Parliament, the committee decided to keep its report on hold.

Kenye explained that the earlier direction was in the nature of an executive instruction, whereas its subsequent enactment by Parliament gave it the character of law.

He said the committee would await the legislation’s publication in the Gazette of India before undertaking a detailed examination.

“Once we receive the copy, we will be able to take a closer look at it,” Kenye said, adding that the committee would examine the matter and bring it before the floor of the House at the earliest possible opportunity.