Morung Express News
Kohima | September 3
Raising the issue during the Zero Hour of the ninth session of the 14th Nagaland Legislative Assembly on September 3, Advisor to the Chief Minister, SCERT & Food Processing, Achumbemo Kikon appealed to the Naga Students’ Federation (NSF) to call off its ongoing agitation over the compulsory singing and playing of Vande Mataram.
He pointed out that the NSF had been staging a protest outside the Assembly since the beginning of the session. Kikon said the House had already held extensive discussions during its previous sitting, following which the state government had taken serious note of the sentiments expressed by legislators cutting across tribal and political affiliations.
He said the government had also taken into consideration the views expressed by the Church, civil society organisations, tribal bodies and the NSF.
Kikon recalled that on January 28, 2026, the Ministry of Home Affairs had issued an administrative instruction to the chief secretaries of all states concerning the compulsory singing of Vande Mataram during the arrival of important VVIPs at national functions, as well as during the arrival of Governors at legislative assemblies. He noted that two stanzas had also been played in instrumental form in the Nagaland Assembly, which subsequently drew criticism from sections of society across generations.
“Most importantly, we are conscious of the sentiments of our people,” Kikon said, stressing that the matter had therefore been referred to a committee to examine the applicability of laws passed by Parliament to Nagaland in the context of Article 371(A) of the Constitution.
The committee, headed by Parliamentary Affairs Minister KG Kenye and several members of the House, had been examining the issue with the aim of finding a balanced approach that took into account both the sentiments of the people and the special constitutional protections available to Nagaland, stated Kikon.
He, however said the situation had changed with Parliament enacting the Prevention of Insults to National Honour Amendment Act, 2026, which was officially gazetted on August 6.
He explained that the committee, which had been preparing to submit its report during the ongoing session, decided that the enactment of the legislation warranted further legal examination. Consequently, the presentation of the committee’s report was deferred to allow for additional legal opinions.
Kikon also said consultations had reportedly taken place between the state’s BJP alliance partner and its central leadership regarding the concerns raised by the people of Nagaland.
Against this backdrop, Kikon appealed to the NSF to withdraw its agitation, assuring the student body that the government had taken the matter seriously and would address the concerns through the appropriate forum.
“I would like to assure them that their concerns will be addressed at the right forum,” he said, urging the NSF to give the government time to work towards an amicable solution.
Meanwhile explaining the deferment of the committee report, Parliamentary Affairs Minister K.G. Kenye, who chairs the committee, told the House that the matter was highly contentious and particularly sensitive in view of Article 371 (A) and the constitutional provisions relating to Nagaland.
Kenye said the committee had already met twice, in May and June, and was prepared to table its report. However, the subsequent enactment of the legislation by Parliament changed the legal position.
“Earlier it was an executive directive. Now that it has been enacted by Parliament, it takes the shape of law,” Kenye explained.
He said the committee was awaiting the formal publication of the legislation in the Gazette of India before proceeding further. Once the official copy was received, the committee would examine the provisions more closely and resume its work, Kenye informed.
Kenye assured the House that the committee would, at the earliest possible opportunity, bring its report back before the Assembly for consideration.
Earlier, Member of Parliament Supongmeren Jamir, who is also former General Secretary of the NSF, visited the peaceful demonstration site outside NLA Gate, and expressed his solidarity. He assured the students that he would take up the matter with the Government of India.
