Naga Students Rally Against Centre's Directive on Mandatory Vande Mataram Singing

Thousands of students and citizens in Kohima, led by the Naga Students' Federation (NSF), held a rally opposing the Centre's directive mandating the singing or playing of Vande Mataram during official functions and in educational institutions. The NSF submitted a memorandum to President Droupadi Murmu via the Nagaland Governor, expressing concerns that the directive infringes on freedom of conscience and conflicts with the religious and cultural sensitivities of the Naga people. The federation emphasized that educational institutions should uphold intellectual freedom and democratic values, citing international human rights frameworks and calling for dialogue before implementing such policies.