Angami Students' Union opposes Vande Mataram mandate in Nagaland Legislative Assembly, schools

DIMAPUR — The Angami Students' Union (ASU) has expressed “categorical resentment” toward the recent move to mandate the singing or playing of "Vande Mataram" during ocfficial proceedings at the Nagaland Legislative Assembly (NLA) and in educational institutions

.

In a press release, the union stated that it declined to recognise the administrative rationale cited for the imposition, particularly the directive of the Ministry of Home Affairs, and viewed the forceful introduction of practices carrying specific religious undertones as an insensitive overreach.

“While Minister Temjen Imna Along has recently sought to normalise this directive within the house, the ASU maintains that the Naga people have a long, documented history of tirelessly defending their unique national identity.

“Enforcing symbolic gestures that conflict with our local ethos is an affront to our heritage and a direct contradiction of the hard-earned constitutional protections that recognise our unique status,” it stated.

Also read: Vande Mataram row: Nagaland Legislative Assembly refers issue to Select Committee after objections

Nagaland Congress criticises Imna Along over Vande Mataram remarks

The ASU asserted that such a mandate blatantly violates the spirit and principle of Article 371(A) of the Indian Constitution. It stated that by attempting to enforce the imposition, the authorities are undermining the very legal foundation that acknowledged the distinct rights and autonomy of the Nagas.

The union also maintained that the identity and faith of the Nagas are non-negotiable and could not be bartered for political convenience or symbolic conformity meant to appease external political interests.

It further added that the constitutional provision stands as a testament to their protected status and that any attempt to bypass it was a regressive step that ignored the sovereign will of the Naga people.