Naga Students’ Federation (NSF) boycotted the 80th Independence Day celebration across ‘Naga homeland’ on Saturday in protest against the revised version of the National Song Vande Mataram
KOHIMA — The Naga Students’ Federation (NSF) boycotted the 80th Independence Day celebration across ‘Naga homeland’ on Saturday in protest against the revised version of the National Song Vande Mataram, which has been made mandatory at all official functions.
In Kohima, the NSF deployed volunteers near the Civil Secretariat to check and stop students and institutions from participating in the celebrations.
However, the federation said there were no incidents of students being caught.
NSF president Mteisuding had said on Friday that the federation was not opposed to any national song or national symbol, but are against the “revised” version of Vande Mataram, which is being made mandatory to play or sing during official functions.
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In protest, the NSF had directed student communities across the State to refrain from participating in the Independence Day celebrations.
Unlike in previous years, this year’s parade contingents were reduced, with student and institutional representatives excluded. The traditional march-past had previously included school students and NCC cadets. The initial official programme reportedly included student contingents but was later revised following the NSF’s opposition.
At the Secretariat Plaza, where the formal celebration of the 80th Independence Day was held, Vande Mataram was played twice preceding the National Anthem. While most attendees stood during both renditions, some remained seated and stood only when the National Anthem was played.