Kohima, Thousands of students and citizens under the banner of the Naga Students' Federation staged a rally here opposing the Centre's directive to the state government mandating the singing of Vande Mataram during official functions and in educational institutions.
Carrying placards, the rallyists marched from Kohima Town to Lok Bhavan and submitted a memorandum to President Droupadi Murmu through the Governor of Nagaland.
The NSF expressed its strongest opposition to the directive, stating that while the Naga people respect national symbols and cultural expressions, the imposition of Vande Mataram raises concerns regarding freedom of conscience.
The federation cited international legal frameworks, asserting that freedom of thought, conscience, and religion must be upheld.
NSF president Mteisuding Heraang said the rally was a collective assertion that the identity and beliefs of the Naga people cannot be dictated by administrative directives.
