Nagaland Baptist Church Council opposes compulsory Vande Mataram singing

Synopsis

The Nagaland Baptist Church Council opposes making Vande Mataram singing compulsory. Students' federation also asked institutions to avoid the full national song. They believe the complete version conflicts with the country's secular principles. The council respects national symbols but emphasizes freedom of conscience and identity. They urge sensitivity and dialogue over coercion for national unity.

Nagaland Baptist Church Council opposes compulsory Vande Mataram singing

Guwahati: The Nagaland Baptist Church Council (NBCC) said it would oppose any directive or practice that seeks to make the singing of ‘Vande Mataram’ compulsory.

The Naga Students’ Federation (NSF) has asked educational institutions not to send students to participate in Independence Day celebrations during which the complete version of the national song, ‘Vande Mataram’, will be sung.

According to the NSF, the complete version of the national song is not in keeping with the country’s secular principles.

In a statement issued by NBCC General Secretary Dr Mar Pongener and Secretary for Social Concern Dr Villo Naleo, the council said it fully respects India’s national symbols, patriotic sentiments and constitutional values, but maintained that matters involving faith, conscience, religious conviction and identity require sensitivity and respect.

“The Constitution of India is founded on liberty, equality, pluralism and freedom of conscience,” the council said, arguing that national unity should not be confused with uniformity. Stressing that a citizen’s love for the country cannot be measured solely by participation in a prescribed patriotic expression, the NBCC said that national unity should not be equated with uniformity.

The church body further stated that India’s diversity of faiths, cultures, languages, traditions and convictions remains one of its defining strengths and urged governments and public institutions to exercise restraint and sensitivity when national symbols or practices may carry different meanings for different communities.

The NBCC stated that coercion may result in “outward compliance but cannot create genuine loyalty, conviction or a sense of belonging”. It called instead for dialogue, mutual understanding, accommodation and respect for conscientious objection. The council also appealed to the government, educational institutions, student organisations, churches, civil society groups and the wider public to approach the issue with “wisdom, restraint and constitutional sensitivity”.

The statement comes ahead of the country’s 80th Independence Day celebrations, during which ‘Vande Mataram’ will be rendered at the Red Fort complex in New Delhi for the first time as part of the official Independence Day programme, followed by the National Anthem.