IMPHAL, March 16: The All Naga Students’ Association, Manipur (ANSAM), the apex student body of the Nagas in Manipur, has expressed its “most profound concern and categorical opposition” to the recent directive issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), Government of India, mandating the compulsory observance and singing of the Indian National Song, Vande Mataram, prior to the National Anthem, Jana Gana Mana, during official ceremonies and within educational institutions.
“Such an instruction, formulated and promulgated without due cognisance of the historical and political sensitivities of the Naga people, represents an ill-conceived attempt to impose symbolic conformity upon a society whose identity and historical consciousness are both distinct and deeply rooted”, said the ANSAM in a statement on Monday.
It also said the Nagas are not merely a demographic constituency within an administrative arrangement; they are a people with a unique political history, cultural inheritance and collective consciousness which must be approached with wisdom, sensitivity and respect.
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While the ANSAM “remains fully aware” of the constitutional framework of the Indian Union, including the obligations enshrined under Article 51A(a), it must be unequivocally emphasised that constitutional provisions cannot be interpreted as instruments of coercion, the Naga student body stated.
“The compulsion of symbolic observances, particularly within institutions of learning, undermines the very democratic ethos that the Constitution purports to uphold”, the Naga student body also said.
The directive suggesting that the academic day in schools commence with the community singing of Vande Mataram, coupled with instructions to “popularise” the National Song and the National Anthem, is deeply disquieting, it further said.
“Educational institutions must remain citadels of intellectual liberty, moral discernment and critical inquiry. They cannot, and must not be reduced to arenas for the enforcement of symbolic allegiance through administrative decree”, the ANSAM added.
The Naga student body, therefore, said it “places on record its firm caution” to all administrative authorities, educational boards and institutional heads operating within the “Naga areas in Manipur” to refrain from implementing any measure that compels the singing or observance of Vande Mataram in contravention of the sentiments and historical realities of the Naga people.
“Any unilateral attempt to enforce such directives will inevitably be regarded as a disregard for the collective dignity and sovereign rights of the Nagas”, it also said.
The ANSAM further directed all constituent units and subordinate units under its jurisdiction to maintain vigilant oversight within their respective institutions and jurisdictions.
“Instances of coercion, administrative excess or forced compliance must be meticulously documented and brought to the attention of the association without delay”, it further added.
At this delicate juncture, the ANSAM called upon the Government of India and all concerned authorities to exercise political prudence, administrative restraint and statesmanship.
“Measures that disregard the historical experiences and cultural sensitivities of the Naga people will only erode the fragile architecture of mutual respect and coexistence”.
The ANSAM then reiterated “with utmost clarity” that the dignity, identity, political and historical rights of the Naga people are neither matters of administrative convenience nor subjects of symbolic compulsion.
“These principles remain inviolable and shall be defended with unwavering determination in unison without fear and without reproach”, the ANSAM asserted. (NNN)
