Dimapur: The Naga Students Federation (NSF) organised a mass rally in Kohima on Monday to oppose the singing or playing of Vande Mataram at govt events and educational institutions in the ‘Naga homeland’.Students, church members and civil society representatives gathered at Old MLA Junction to oppose the MHA notification issued on Jan 28, which mandates the compulsory singing or playing of the national song. After the rally, participants marched to the Lok Bhavan to submit a memorandum to President Droupadi Murmu through Nagaland governor Nand Kishore Yadav.The memorandum, signed by NSF, Naga Peoples Movement for Human Rights and Nagaland Joint Christian Forum leaders, urged the Govt of India to nullify or withdraw the directive. According to the signatories, the compulsory observance of the national song raises concerns regarding freedom of conscience and religious sensitivities, even as the Naga people harbour no hostility towards national symbols or patriotic expressions.
