Nagaland church body opposes Vande Mataram singing

The Nagaland Baptist Church Council (NBCC) has expressed opposition to the Central government's directive to play or sing the revised version of Vande Mataram at official events to celebrate India's 80th Independence Day. This stance comes after the Naga Students' Federation urged schools and other educational institutions to refrain from sending students to participate in Independence Day programs.

The students' body also stated that students who refuse to sing Vande Mataram "due to conscience or religious beliefs" should not be subjected to disciplinary action or face discrimination.

In a statement released on August 13, 2026, the NBCC firmly opposed any directive or practice that seeks to compel citizens, especially Christians, to sing Vande Mataram. The church body emphasized that patriotism should stem from voluntary participation and a shared love for the nation, rather than through coercion. The NBCC also called for all stakeholders to express their views peacefully and constructively, warning that disagreements over national symbols or patriotic practices should not lead to communal tensions or social divisions.

While the NBCC respects national symbols, patriotic sentiments, and India's constitutional values, it stressed that issues related to faith, conscience, religious conviction, and deeply held identity necessitate the utmost sensitivity, wisdom, and respect. The church body cautioned against strengthening national unity through the compulsory participation in an expression that some individuals may not be able to embrace due to their faith or conscience.

The NBCC reminded the Central government that India is a diverse nation, and its unity will be strongest when every citizen, regardless of their faith, community, culture, or conviction, can confidently assert that there is a rightful place for them in the nation and that their conscience will be respected.