KSU Plans Protests Against Full Rendition of Vande Mataram in Schools

Protests Planned by Khasi Students’ Union

Shillong, March 21: In light of the ongoing discussions regarding the government's directive on the performance of the National Song, the Khasi Students’ Union (KSU) has announced plans to protest at educational institutions and government functions where the complete version of Vande Mataram is sung. The union argues that the latter stanzas reference Hindu deities, which conflicts with the beliefs and traditions of indigenous tribes.

The KSU intends to mobilize its members to pinpoint such occurrences and organize demonstrations, asserting that only the initial two stanzas of the national song pertain to the motherland, while the remaining verses contain overt religious connotations.

This declaration was made during an event celebrating the 48th anniversary of the organization, where KSU general secretary Donald V Thabah emphasized the necessity of this action to combat what he termed cultural assimilation.

Thabah warned, "If we permit them to dictate our singing, we may eventually have to conform to their demands," connecting this issue to previous worries about the perceived imposition of Hindi and legislative measures like the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) and the proposed Uniform Civil Code (UCC).

KSU president Lambokstarwell Marngnar reiterated the organization's dedication to safeguarding indigenous identity and unity, highlighting that cultural practices should not be forced upon tribal communities.

This development follows a directive from the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), which has mandated the performance of all six stanzas of Vande Mataram, composed by Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay. The order issued on January 28 also specifies that the National Song must be performed before the National Anthem.

In a related context, similar apprehensions have emerged in Nagaland, where Naga student organizations have criticized the directive, labeling it an infringement on religious beliefs and cultural identity.