Committee highlights Nagaland’s unique constitutional status and safeguards under Article 371A, urging respect for religious and cultural practices in the state
The Nagaland Tribal Hohos Coordination Committee (NTHCC), representing the apex tribal bodies of Nagaland – including the Angami Public Organisation, Ao Senden, Chakhesang Public Organisation, Lotha Hoho, Pochury Hoho, Rengma Hoho, Sümi Hoho, and Nagaland Zeliang People’s Organisation – has joined a growing list of organisations opposing the compulsory singing of “Vande Mataram” before the National Anthem at high-level official functions and in educational institutions.
In its statement, the NTHCC said, “Any attempt to impose such a directive across the country without regard to the unique historical, constitutional, and religious context of certain states is deeply concerning. While the Committee respects the National Anthem and the constitutional framework of the Republic of India, the compulsory rendering of Vande Mataram raises serious concerns in a state like Nagaland, where the overwhelming majority of the population professes the Christian faith.”
The Committee highlighted Nagaland’s unique constitutional and political status, stating, “Nagaland is not merely another administrative unit of the Union of India; it is a politically negotiated state whose relationship with the Indian Union is rooted in historical agreements and constitutional safeguards acknowledging the distinct identity, faith, and traditions of the Naga people. The State of Nagaland was created through a special political arrangement recognizing the uniqueness of the Naga people and their way of life.”
Citing Article 371A, the NTHCC said, “No Act of Parliament shall apply to the State of Nagaland in respect of religious or social practices of the Nagas, Naga customary law and procedure, administration of civil and criminal justice involving decisions according to Naga customary law, and ownership and transfer of land and its resources unless the Nagaland Legislative Assembly decides so by resolution.”
The Committee further stated that “any directive that compels participation in practices perceived by the people as inconsistent with their religious convictions directly touches upon the sphere of religious and social practices, which falls within the protective ambit of Article 371A.”
Calling on the Nagaland Legislative Assembly to act, the NTHCC said, “It is the bounden responsibility of all Members of the Nagaland Legislative Assembly to uphold and protect the constitutional safeguards granted to the State under Article 371A… The Committee calls upon the Nagaland Legislative Assembly to pass a clear resolution rejecting the imposition of ‘Vande Mataram’ and to ensure that the song is neither sung nor played within the Legislative Assembly of Nagaland.”
On the religious sensitivity of the issue, the Committee noted, “Nagaland is a predominantly Christian state, and faith forms an integral part of the social fabric and identity of the Naga people. The mandatory singing of Vande Mataram—particularly in educational institutions and official platforms—carries significant religious sensitivities. The Committee firmly believes that the secular character of the Indian Union must necessarily include respect for the religious convictions of minority regions and communities.”
The NTHCC also warned that “policies that disregard the constitutional autonomy and unique identity of states like Nagaland risk undermining the spirit of cooperative federalism that the Constitution seeks to uphold. Respect for India’s unity must go hand in hand with respect for the constitutional rights, faith, and identity of its diverse peoples.”
The Committee further urged, “The Nagaland Tribal Hohos Coordination Committee strongly urges the Government of Nagaland and the Nagaland Legislative Assembly to firmly uphold the constitutional mandate of Article 371A and outrightly reject any attempt to impose the mandatory singing of ‘Vande Mataram’ within the jurisdiction of the State.”
The NTHCC emphasized that “the Naga people have always stood for peace, mutual respect, and democratic engagement. However, any policy that undermines the religious beliefs, constitutional protections, and historical political understanding under which Nagaland became part of the Union of India cannot and will not be accepted by the people.”
Finally, the Committee called on the Government of India “to act with greater sensitivity and respect toward the unique constitutional status, faith, and cultural identity of the Naga people, and to refrain from imposing measures that are inconsistent with the spirit of India’s pluralistic and federal democracy.” The NTHCC reaffirmed that it “stands united in defending the constitutional rights, faith, and traditions of the Naga people.”
