The ruling Naga People’s Front (NPF) on Thursday (March 5, 2026) registered a strong opposition to the patriotic song Vande Mataram. The party termed the mandatory recitation of the song in educational institutions and the State Assembly as “forceful imposition”. It claimed that the recitation of the song threatens the religious and cultural identity of Nagaland.
As per reports, the NPF released a press statement from its central headquarters in Kohima, claiming that the move is “alien and unfriendly” to the people of the state, which has a Christian-majority population. The statement added that this will undermine the fundamental rights guaranteed under the Constitution of India.
The NPF, which is an ally of the BJP in the state, described the decision as incompatible with the special constitutional protections granted to the state under Article 371A, which aims to protect the religious and customary practices of the Naga people.
The party also argued that since the state has a majority Christian population, Vande Mataram could conflict with their conscience and faith, as the song has some references to Hindu goddesses. “Forcing citizens to participate in practices that contradict their religious beliefs goes against the spirit of India’s secular framework,” the NPF said. It urged the Union government to reconsider any move that compels recitation of the song.
Furthermore, the party invited “like-minded political parties, organisations and individuals” to join hands in protecting the state’s identity, culture and faith. It called for unity among regional forces to ensure that their concerns are heard by the centre. The NPF reiterated its earlier resolutions adopted during earlier meetings of its Central Office Bearers (COB), Central Executive Council (CEC) and General Convention and invited former members and other regional groups to work together with the party.
In January this year, a directive was issued by the Union Ministry of Home Affairs notifying protocols for singing Vande Mataram. The directive stated that the full version of the song, which lasts 3 minutes and 10 seconds, should be played before the national anthem ‘Jana Gana Mana’, when both are part of official functions, and the audience should stand in attention when it is performed. Additionally, the Ministry directed that this full version should be played at official functions such as the arrival of the President, unfurling of the Tricolour, and speeches of governors, and states that “in all schools, the day’s work may begin with community singing of the national song.”
The controversy regarding the song erupted during the first of the ongoing Budget Session in the Nagaland Assembly, when the song was played during Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla’s address to the House. The following day, the MLAs opposed the move in the House. This ultimately led to Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio, who belongs to the NPF, proposing the reference of the matter to a Select Committee of the House for examination as well as legal consultation, “before arriving at a considered decision”.
The patriotic song is facing opposition in the state by Muslim groups, Church bodies and several student organisations.
