Dimapur: The Naga Students’ Federation (NSF) asked educational institutions across the Naga homeland to exclude govt functionaries from programmes involving the playing of the revised Vande Mataram.In a statement on Thursday, NSF said institutions and affiliated bodies must not invite govt functionaries, including the Nagaland governor, to programmes featuring the singing or playing of the revised Vande Mataram until further directions.It asked its federating units and subordinate bodies to communicate the directive and ensure strict compliance.The NSF continued its protest outside the Nagaland assembly in Kohima for the second day, staging a “singing revolution” against the proposed mandatory playing of Vande Mataram.Addressing reporters, NSF president Mteisuding expressed disappointment over the state govt’s inaction on the first day of the assembly session and urged the public to unite in defending their rights and faith.Later, the federation said it kept its first phase of peaceful demonstrations during the two-day assembly session in abeyance.The decision followed a communiqué from the parliamentary affairs minister, who is also chairperson of the Committee to Examine the Applicability of Laws Passed by the Parliament, seeking more time to submit the committee’s report. The committee assured the NSF that the collective views and sentiments of the Naga people would be considered.The NSF demanded that the assembly adopt a strong resolution against mandatory singing of the national song.“Should no such resolution be adopted, the federation shall intensify the next mode of democratic agitation,” it warned.
