Hekani Jakhalu says the Nagaland Legislative Assembly must follow due process on the Vande Mataram directive, now referred to a select committee.
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DIMAPUR — Advisor for Industries and Commerce Hekani Jakhalu on Friday said that the central directive mandating the singing of Vande Mataram, which was recently debated in the Nagaland Legislative Assembly, has already been deliberated by the House and referred to a select committee.
Jakhalu said this on the sidelines of the inaugural session of the two-day Export State Summit 2026, held at Rhododendron Hall, Nagaland Police Complex, Chümoukedima.
According to her, the general sentiment, not only among Assembly members but also among the public, appears to be against the MHA directive.
However, she underscored that the Assembly must follow due procedure in addressing the matter.
“The Assembly cannot function like an activist group. There is a process that must be followed, and therefore the matter has been referred to the select committee,” she said.
Also read: Naga People’s Front slams ‘Vande Mataram imposition’, flags threat to faith and Article 371(A)
On the issue of racial abuse faced by people from the Northeast, Jakhalu said that she has consistently spoken out against such discrimination, asserting that “enough is enough.”
She said that having spent time in Delhi and other parts of mainland India, she personally witnessed and stood against such incidents from a young age.
Jakhalu also shared that during her time in Delhi, she and other leaders from the region formed an organisation called North East Leaders Connect to address such concerns.
According to her, the initiative was not intended to function as an activist group but rather as a platform where young leaders from the Northeast could come together and speak with one voice about the strengths and contributions of the region.
“We do not want sympathy from others, but we want to prove that we are worthy of the same respect given to anyone else in the country,” Jakhalu said, reiterating that she has been a strong voice against racial discrimination.
On the ongoing Export State Summit 2026, Jakhalu informed that the event will focus on two key sectors reflecting the state’s strengths: food processing, and handloom and handicrafts.