Kohima, August 13 (MExN): The Nagaland Baptist Church Council (NBCC) has reiterated its opposition to any directive or practice that seeks to compel citizens, particularly members of the Christian community, to sing Vande Mataram, stating that patriotism should arise from willing participation and shared love for the nation rather than compulsion.
At the same time, the Council called upon all stakeholders to express their positions peacefully and constructively, cautioning that disagreement over national symbols or patriotic practices should not become a source of communal tension or social division.
In a statement issued on August 13, the NBCC said it fully respects national symbols, patriotic sentiments and the constitutional values of India. However, it maintained that matters concerning faith, conscience, religious conviction and deeply held identity require “the highest degree of sensitivity, wisdom, and respect.”
The Council said its position, already articulated through an earlier public statement in local dailies, remained “unchanged and unequivocal”.
The NBCC recognised the rightful place of national symbols, patriotic expressions and national unity in India’s public life, but stressed that patriotism must be understood within the constitutional commitment to liberty, equality, pluralism and freedom of conscience.
“National unity cannot be strengthened by compelling citizens to participate in an expression that, for reasons of faith or conscience, they may not be able to embrace,” it stated.
The Council described India’s strength as lying in its ability to remain united while respecting differences of faith, culture, language, tradition and conscience, asserting that diversity is not an obstacle to national unity.
It further said that where a song, symbol, practice or public expression carries different meanings for different communities, the State and public institutions have a responsibility to exercise sensitivity and restraint. It stressed that a citizen’s love for the nation cannot be measured solely by willingness to participate in one prescribed form of patriotic expression.
The Council also acknowledged and appreciated the concerns expressed by the Naga Students’ Federation (NSF), recognising its efforts to articulate the concerns and sentiments of the student community.
At the same time, it urged that responses to the issue remain peaceful, responsible and respectful, saying legitimate disagreement should not become an excuse for hostility, intimidation, division or confrontation.
The NBCC maintained that coercion cannot provide a sustainable basis for national integration, stressing that respect, mutual understanding, trust and dialogue are stronger foundations for unity in a diverse democracy. It said differing convictions should be addressed through listening, understanding, accommodation and meaningful dialogue.
The Council appealed to the Government and its authorities, educational institutions, student organisations, churches, civil society and the wider public to exercise wisdom, restraint and constitutional sensitivity, while ensuring that differences of conscience and conviction are treated with dignity and respect.
“As a Church organisation, NBCC has no desire to politicise this matter or create unnecessary confrontation,” it stated.
However, it said it could not remain silent when a practice was imposed in a manner that may infringe upon the deeply held convictions and freedom of conscience of sections of citizens. It reiterated its opposition to any compulsory practice that conflicts with religious or conscientious convictions, while calling for sensitivity, understanding, mutual respect and dialogue instead of polarisation, coercion or confrontation.
The Council also urged all concerned to avoid divisive rhetoric and uphold the principles that bind India’s diverse society, stressing that true patriotism embraces diversity while remaining committed to the national good.
The NBCC further stated that India’s unity would be strongest when every citizen, irrespective of faith, community, culture or conviction, has a rightful place in the nation and the assurance that their conscience will be respected.
It reiterated its commitment to mutual respect, freedom of conscience, justice, peace, constitutional values and the dignity of every citizen, saying these principles, rather than compulsion or forced uniformity, provide the surest foundation for a stronger, peaceful and harmonious India.
