The Naga Students’ Federation (NSF) has directed its federating units and subordinate bodies to ensure that schools and educational institutions under their respective jurisdictions do not send students to Independence Day programmes on August 15, citing concerns over the mandatory playing or singing of the revised Vande Mataram during official functions.
In a notification issued on August 12, the NSF said the directive would remain in force until the order making the playing or singing of Vande Mataram mandatory is revoked.
The Federation said its objection was not to the celebration of India’s Independence Day or to showing respect to the National Flag, National Anthem and other national symbols. It said its concern was specifically with the compulsory participation of students in Vande Mataram, particularly where its devotional and religious imagery may conflict with the conscience and sincerely held beliefs of students belonging to non-Hindu communities.
The NSF said that, as a secular democratic republic, India’s Constitution guarantees freedom of conscience and freedom of religion, and argued that students should not be compelled to participate in religiously sensitive expressions contrary to their sincerely held beliefs.
It also directed its federating units and subordinate bodies 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 referred to its earlier objection to a January 28, 2026 communication from the Ministry of Home Affairs concerning the playing, singing and popularisation of Vande Mataram. It also invoked the constitutional safeguards under Article 371A, particularly in relation to the religious and social practices of the Nagas.
The NSF said it would pursue the matter peacefully and democratically while safeguarding the identity, rights, beliefs and conscience of Naga students and youth.
Following the NSF notification, the Ao Students’ Conference (AKM) issued a separate notification on August 12 directing schools and educational institutions under its jurisdiction not to send students to the August 15 Independence Day celebration programme until further direction.
The AKM said its decision was in view of the concerns raised over the mandatory playing or singing of the revised Vande Mataram and the protection of students’ freedom of conscience and religious belief.