Kohima, Mar 16: Thousands of students and residents participated in a rally in Kohima on Monday organised by the Naga Students’ Federation (NSF) to oppose a directive issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs requiring the singing of Vande Mataram at official functions and in educational institutions.

Protesters marched from Kohima Town to Lok Bhavan carrying placards with messages opposing the directive and raising concerns about its implications for secularism and religious freedom. A memorandum addressed to Droupadi Murmu was submitted through the Government of Nagaland to the President.

In its statement, the NSF said the January 28 directive issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs conflicts with the religious and cultural sensitivities of the Naga community. The federation stated that elements in the revised version of the song contain devotional imagery which, according to the organisation, may affect freedom of conscience.

The NSF also referred to international frameworks including the United Nations’ Universal Declaration of Human Rights, International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, and the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples while calling for the withdrawal of the directive and consultations with Naga representatives.

Addressing the gathering, NSF president Mteisuding Heraang said the rally was organised to express concerns over the directive and to reaffirm the community’s cultural and religious identity. He stated that the protest was not directed against any nation or community but focused on issues related to secularism and freedom of belief.

Representatives from the Naga Peoples’ Movement for Human Rights, Nagaland Joint Christian Forum, Nagaland Christian Revival Churches, and Catholic Association of Nagaland also addressed the gathering and expressed support for the protest, highlighting concerns related to the protection of Naga cultural and religious practices.