Kohima: The Naga Students Federation (NSF), an influential student body in the Northeast, has expressed strong opposition to the recent directions issued by the Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) mandating that the Indian national song, Vande Mataram, be sung or played before the national anthem during official functions and extending the same requirement to educational institutions.
“The directive, which lays down a strict hierarchy of precedence, and applies it decisively to schools, is an imposition that fails to take into account the historical, political and cultural realities of the Naga people. While the NRF is aware of the constitutional framework of Indian statehood, including Article 51A(A), we categorically assert that no authority can impose cultural or ideological conformity on the Naga homeland in a manner that ignores our unique history and identity,” a statement issued on Friday said.
The Union Home Ministry, in a 10-page order issued on January 28, ordered that a six-syllable, 3-minute and 10-second version of Vande Mataram be played or sung at a wide range of official occasions, including during the unfurling of the tricolor flag, the arrival of the President at functions, before and after her speeches and addresses to the nation, and before and after the arrival and speeches of governors. The ministry’s memo also provides a list of events and places where the song can be played, including school assemblies.
“In all schools, the daily work may begin with community singing of the national song. School authorities shall make adequate arrangements in their programs to popularize singing of the national song and national anthem and promote respect for the national flag among students,” the order said.
The Centre’s specific instructions that daily work in schools may begin with community singing of Vande Mataram, coupled with directions to “publish” the national song and national anthem, are worrying, the NSF asserted.
“NSF hereby warns that such activities requiring compulsory singing or playing of Vande Mataram before Jana Gana Mana will not be carried out in schools across the Naga domicile,” the statement read.
It called on the Nagaland Board of School Education (NBSE) to refrain from issuing any circulars, notifications or instructions to implement this Protocol within its jurisdiction.
The union also warned school authorities and administrators against implementing these guidelines in letter or spirit without due consultation with stakeholders and understanding the ground realities.
