The National Socialist Council of Nagaland (NSCN/GPRN-YA) and the United Liberation Front of Asom–Independent (ULFA-I) have jointly called for a boycott of the Indian Republic Day celebrations on January 26, 2026, across what they describe as the ‘Wesea region’ (Northeast India).
In a joint press statement, the groups opposed the observance of Republic Day, alleging that the celebrations are “imposed” under the presence of armed forces. The groups said India would once again “unfurl her colonialist flag all over the Wesea region,” describing the celebrations as an attempt to project Indian nationalism while, according to them, concealing the political realities on the ground.
“The imposed Republic day celebration in the occupied region remains not only a practice of hypocrisy, but also a disgraceful endeavour to propagate her so-called Indian nationalism which is another failed attempt to mislead the world regarding the actual situation in Wesea,” the joint statement read.
The groups claimed that the people of Wesea “never joined the Indian Union of their own free will” and alleged that the region was annexed by force. For this reason, the statement said January 26 represents a “hollow mockery” rather than a day of celebration. “To honour this day is to honour the symbol of Indian supremacy and justify India’s merciless military campaigns in the region,” it alleged.
The joint statement also criticized India’s democratic credentials, claiming that civil liberties have eroded over the years and that minorities live in a climate of fear. On this basis, it described the Republic Day celebration as lacking legitimacy in the region. “In this sense, India is not a democracy but an authoritarian regime,” it said.
“In fact the 26th January is a celebration of imperialism and genocide by a state who claimed to be the world’s largest democracy,” the joint statement claimed.
Calling on ‘Weseans’ to support the boycott, the groups urged people to “exercise your sovereign birth-right by refraining from the imposed celebration.”
“To Weseans everywhere: your sacrifice, dedication and patriotism is what has brought us to where we are today. Every Weseans has a role in this struggle. This is our collective journey and our collective destiny,” the groups said in the joint statement.
The boycott, according to the statement, will be observed in the “so-called states of Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland and Manipur.”
