Hundreds of students, church leaders and civil society members gathered in Kohima on Monday, March 16, 2026, for a mass rally organised by the Naga Students’ Federation (NSF) to protest what organisers described as the “imposition” of the Indian national song Vande Mataram in official functions and educational institutions. The demonstration took place at the Old MLA Hostel and drew participants from across the city.
The NSF led the mobilisation, with attendees saying the forced inclusion of Vande Mataram in official and school programs was unacceptable. Protesters held banners and voiced their objections to what they characterised as an externally driven cultural directive; the rally emphasised peaceful assembly and community solidarity.
Organisers said the issue affects students and broader civil society, and called for respect for local sentiments and institutional autonomy in educational and official settings. The demonstration brought together church leaders alongside student groups, signalling a cross-sectional concern within Kohima’s public life.
No statements from state authorities or educational bodies were reported in the account provided. The rally is the latest in a series of public expressions of concern in parts of the Northeast over cultural and policy matters, underscoring continuing sensitivities around national symbols and local identities.
Original Source: https://eastmojo.com/nagaland/2026/03/16/naga-students-federation-leads-mass-rally-against-imposition-of-vande-mataram/
Category: Free Digest,Nagaland,News,Northeast News
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Publish Date: 2026-03-16 21:47:00
