Kohima: The Naga Students’ Federation (NSF) has announced a public rally in Nagaland’s Kohima on March 16 to protest the “compulsory imposition” of the national song Vande Mataram following a recent directive issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA).
According to the federation, the rally will commence at 10 am from the Old MLA Hostel Junction in the Phoolbari area, with participants marching towards Lok Bhavan.
The federation said that a memorandum highlighting the concerns and demands of the Naga people will be submitted to the President of India through the Governor of Nagaland.
In a statement, the NSF said the Naga homeland has long been known as a place where people from different communities, faiths and traditions coexist in peace and mutual respect. It added that for generations, Nagas have welcomed people from diverse backgrounds without judging them based on religion, race or identity.
The federation, however, expressed concern over a notification issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs, India, on January 28, 2026, which it said makes the singing or playing of Vande Mataram compulsory at official functions and in educational institutions.
It said that while the Naga people respect the national songs and symbols of all nations, the compulsory enforcement of Vande Mataram raises concerns as the song contains religious and devotional imagery that may conflict with the beliefs and conscience of many people in the state.
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In its statement, the NSF said the Naga homeland has historically been a place of peaceful coexistence where people of different religions and communities have lived together with mutual respect.
The NSF statement read, “This rally is not an act of hostility against any nation or community. Rather, it is a peaceful and democratic stand to protect the identity, beliefs and rights of the Naga people, and to affirm that policies affecting the Naga homeland must respect the will and conscience of its people. The Naga Students’ Federation earnestly appeals to all Nagas: students, churches, tribal bodies, civil society organizations and concerned citizens to come forward and participate in large numbers..”
