Naga Students Federation demands a Nagaland Assembly resolution against the singing or playing of revised ‘Vande Mataram’.
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KOHIMA — The Naga Students Federation (NSF) on Tuesday demanded that the Nagaland Legislative Assembly pass a bill or resolution against the singing or playing of the revised ‘Vande Mataram’ at official and private programmes in the state.
The demand was made during a peaceful demonstration held at Naga Solidarity Park, following which NSF members marched towards the Nagaland Legislative Assembly.
NSF president Mteisuding said the federation would not compromise what it considers the rights of the Naga people, maintaining that the issue was a challenge to their faith.
“We are Christians, and we have adopted the Christian as our religion and we will not be able to compromise our faith and bow down against any faith or any God,” he said.
Mteisuding called upon Naga citizens to come forward and address the issue, saying the federation was not protesting to insult or denounce any nation or national song.
“But when it confronts our faith, Naga people will not be able to adopt their bill or their resolution in the Naga society,” he said.
He also appealed to legislators to pass a resolution against the singing or playing of ‘Vande Mataram’ at official or private programmes in the state. He reminded them that they were “first a Christian, then a politician”.
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The NSF president said the federation had outrightly rejected the playing or singing of ‘Vande Mataram’ at official programmes or its imposition on students or the community.
He informed that the federation had written to the chief minister and the Assembly speaker, seeking that the issue be included in their discussion agenda.
Mteisuding reiterated that the NSF wanted the Assembly to pass a bill or resolution against the playing of ‘Vande Mataram’ at official programmes or its imposition on Naga people.
He warned that the federation would continue its presence until its demand was addressed.
“As long as the NLA does not pass a bill or a resolution against the Vande Mataram, the Naga Students Federation will be here till we achieve the demand that has been placed to the government,” he said.