Dimapur, March 6 (MExN): The Nagaland Tribal Hohos Coordination Committee (NTHCC) has strongly opposed the reported directive of the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) mandating the singing of “Vande Mataram” before the National Anthem at high-level official functions and educational institutions, terming it an infringement on the religious and constitutional protections granted to the state.
The NTHCC represents apex tribal bodies including the Angami Public Organisation, Ao Senden, Chakhesang Public Organisation, Lotha Hoho, Pochury Hoho, Rengma Hoho, Sümi Hoho, and the Nagaland Zeliang People’s Organisation. While it respects the National Anthem and the constitutional framework, it said the compulsory rendering of ‘Vande Mataram’ raises serious concerns in a state where the overwhelming majority professes the Christian faith.
The committee asserted that 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.” It said that the State of Nagaland was created through a special political arrangement recognizing the uniqueness of the Naga people and their way of life.
Highlighting that Article 371A of the Constitution provides special protection to the state, it 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.”
“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,” the committee said.
The NTHCC urged all members of the Nagaland Legislative Assembly to uphold these constitutional safeguards, which are rooted in the historic 16-Point Agreement that led to Nagaland’s formation. It called upon the Assembly to pass a clear resolution rejecting the imposition of ‘Vande Mataram’ and to ensure the song is neither sung nor played within the legislature.
Asserting that faith forms an integral part of the social fabric and identity of the Naga people, the committee viewed the mandatory singing of the song, particularly in educational institutions and official platforms, as a matter with significant religious sensitivities. It firmly believes that the secular character of the Indian Union must include respect for the religious convictions of minority regions and communities.
The NTHCC cautioned that policies disregarding the constitutional autonomy and unique identity of states like Nagaland risk undermining the spirit of cooperative federalism that the Constitution seeks to uphold.
The committee strongly urged the Government of Nagaland and the state 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 state’s jurisdiction.
It reiterated that the Naga people have always stood for peace, mutual respect, and democratic engagement, but any policy that undermines their religious beliefs, constitutional protections, and historical political understanding will not be accepted. The NTHCC called upon the Government of India to act with greater sensitivity 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 stands united in defending the constitutional rights, faith, and traditions of the Naga people,” it asserted.
