An influential students’ organisation in Nagaland has asked educational institutions not to send students to participate in Independence Day celebrations this weekend, during which the complete version of the national song Vande Mataram will be sung.
According to the Naga Students’ Federation (NSF), the complete version of the national song was not in keeping with the country’s secular principles.
In a statement on Wednesday, NSF said its concern was solely with the compulsory participation of students in Vande Mataram, particularly where its devotional and religious imagery conflicts with the conscience and sincerely held beliefs of students belonging to non-Hindu communities.
“India as a secular democratic republic, its Constitution guarantees freedom of conscience and freedom of religion. No student should therefore be compelled to participate in any religiously sensitive expression contrary to his or her sincerely held beliefs,” the NSF said.
NSF has been critical of the Union home ministry’s 28 January 2026 communication that laid down a detailed protocol for the observance of the national song at official events, including the stipulation that it should be rendered before the national anthem when both are played together.
NSF has cited the constitutional safeguards under Article 371A of the Constitution of India, particularly in relation to the religious and social practices of the Nagas.
{{/usCountry}}NSF has cited the constitutional safeguards under Article 371A of the Constitution of India, particularly in relation to the religious and social practices of the Nagas.
{{/usCountry}}“Accordingly, all Federating Units and Sub-ordinate Bodies are notified to enforce this position to concerned schools and institutions within their respective jurisdictions and to ensure that no student is subjected to disciplinary action, discrimination, intimidation or academic consequences for declining to participate in Vande Mataram on grounds of conscience or religious belief,” the directive said.
The NSF is an apex youth body that seeks to safeguard student interests and advocates for Naga solidarity across Nagaland, Manipur, Assam, and Arunachal Pradesh.