The Naga Students’ Federation (NSF) on 12 August 2026 has issued a notification to all its federating units and subordinate bodies to ensure that schools and educational institutions within their respective jurisdictions should abstain from participating in the 80th India independence Day celebration till the order for mandatory playing or singing of the revised Indian National Song Vande Mataram during official functions is revoked.
The notification of NSF reads “this is to notify all Federating Units and Sub-ordinate Bodies of the Naga Students’ Federation to ensure that schools and educational institutions within their respective jurisdictions do not send students to participate in India’s Independence Day Programme, 2026, till the order for mandatory playing or singing of the revised Indian National Song Vande Mataram during official functions is revoked.
“The Federation reiterates that the Naga people have no objection to the celebration of India’s Independence Day or to showing due respect to the National Flag, National Anthem and other national symbols or that of any nations. Our concern is solely with the compulsory participation of students in Vande Mataram, particularly where its devotional and religious imagery conflict with the conscience and sincerely held beliefs of students belonging to non-Hindu communities.
“India as a secular democratic republic, its Constitution guarantees freedom of conscience and freedom of religion. No student should therefore be compelled to participate in any religiously sensitive expression contrary to his or her sincerely held beliefs.
“The Naga homeland has historically upheld peaceful coexistence, mutual respect and religious tolerance. The Federation believes that this tradition must be preserved and that the religious conscience of every student must be respected.
“The Federation has earlier outrightly objected to the Ministry of Home Affairs communication dated 28 January 2026 concerning the playing, singing and popularisation of Vande Mataram, which has raised grave concern among the Naga people. The Federation further invokes the constitutional safeguards under Article 371A of India’s own Constitution, particularly in relation to the religious and social practices of the Nagas.
“Accordingly, all Federating Units and Sub-ordinate Bodies are notified to enforce this position to concerned schools and institutions within their respective jurisdictions and to ensure that no student is subjected to disciplinary action, discrimination, intimidation or academic consequences for declining to participate in Vande Mataram on grounds of conscience or religious belief.
“The Federation shall pursue this matter peacefully and democratically while safeguarding the identity, rights, beliefs and conscience of our students, youth and the Naga people” stated NSF.
