A chorus of Naga Christian organizations and student bodies has expressed strong opposition to any move to make the singing of Vande Mataram compulsory at government functions like the Nagaland Legislative Assembly and educational institutions in Nagaland. The Ao Baptist Arogo Mungdang (ABAM), Angami Students’ Union (ASU), and Nagaland Pentecostal Mission (NPM) have all underscored that such a directive infringes on matters of faith, conscience, and the constitutional rights of the people of Nagaland.
In a statement, ABAM expressed solidarity with the Nagaland Baptist Church Council (NBCC), emphasizing that while patriotism is important, matters of faith must be respected in a democratic society. The organization appreciated the stand taken by NBCC and the members of the Nagaland Legislative Assembly in safeguarding religious liberty and protecting the rights of all communities.
Similarly, the Angami Students’ Union condemned the proposed mandate, calling it an “insensitive overreach” and a violation of Article 371(A) of the Indian Constitution, which recognizes Nagaland’s unique status and safeguards its cultural and religious identity. ASU leaders asserted that enforcing symbolic practices conflicting with local ethos undermines the sovereignty and heritage of the Naga people, warning that religious politics has no place in governance.
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The Nagaland Pentecostal Mission also voiced strong support for the stand taken by the Nagaland Joint Christian Forum (NJCF) and other Christian organizations. NPM highlighted that Vande Mataram, in its historical and cultural context, contains expressions that conflict with Biblical teachings, and compelling Christians to sing it raises serious concerns of conscience. The Mission stressed that this objection is not a lack of patriotism, but a demand for the protection of religious freedom as guaranteed by the Constitution.
All three organizations called upon the government and concerned authorities to exercise sensitivity and ensure that no religious community is compelled to act against its beliefs. They also appealed to society at large to uphold mutual respect, peaceful coexistence, and religious freedom foundations deemed essential for unity in Nagaland and India.
