Nagaland Deputy CM Yanthungo Patton says nobody will be forced to sing Vande Mataram, with issue possibly discussed in Assembly.
DIMAPUR — Deputy Chief Minister and Minister-in-charge of Home and Border Affairs, Yanthungo Patton, on Friday said Nagaland government would not force anyone to sing Vande Mataram, amid opposition from several civil society organisations, including the Naga Students’ Federation (NSF) and Nagaland Baptist Church Council (NBCC), to the singing of its full rendition in schools and official programmes.
Patton made the remarks at Dimapur Airport after returning from New Delhi, where he had met Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science and Technology Dr. Jitendra Singh on August 20.
Responding to queries on whether the state government would enforce the Centre’s directive regarding Vande Mataram, Patton said participation would be left to individual choice.
“They cannot say that we will enforce it, but it is up to the individual. Nobody will be forced to sing, nobody will ask them to sing, and nobody can stop it. This is a national song,” Patton said, adding that the issue might be discussed during the forthcoming session of the Nagaland Legislative Assembly.
When asked whether the state government would examine if making the observance or singing of Vande Mataram compulsory had any implications for the constitutional safeguards under Article 371A, Patton said it would not affect the provision.
Article 371A provides special constitutional safeguards for Nagaland in respect of specified matters on which Acts of Parliament do not apply to the state unless the Legislative Assembly so decides.
Patton said the issue could, however, be discussed in the Assembly.
On reports that the Golaghat district administration and Assam Forest Department were preparing to resume an eviction drive involving 59 families at No. 2 Negheribil in Merapani along the Assam–Nagaland border, Patton said the matter was currently being investigated and verified by the respective border magistrates.
He said the Assam and Nagaland border magistrates were examining the matter and that the state government would study their findings before taking a position. He added that the identity and status of those affected were yet to be ascertained.