New Delhi: The Nagaland legislative assembly on Tuesday (March 3) referred the Ministry of Home Affairs mandate to sing Vande Mataram on official occasions to a select committee of the House to examine its applicability in the state, according to The Hindu.The decision was announced by speaker Sharingain Longkumer after members across parties but excluding Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MLAs, on March 2, raised objection over the imposition of playing or singing Vande Mataram preceding the national anthem, Jana Gana Mana, during a discussion on the Motion of Thanks to the Governor’s address.A ten-page directive was issued by the Union home ministry on January 28, which mandated that a six-stanza-long, three-minute and ten-second version of Vande Mataram be played or sung on official occasions, including during the unfurling of the Indian flag, arrival of the president at events, before and after her speeches and addresses to the nation, and before and after the arrival and speeches of governors.According to The Hindu‘s report, in light of the directive, the national song was played in the Nagaland assembly for the first time on the opening day of the budget session on Monday, February 2.As per a report in the Eastern Mirror, several MLAs expressed resentment over the playing and singing of the national song, saying it was “unfair” for a Christian-majority state like Nagaland to sing the song.As per the 2011 Census, Christians make up 87.93% of the population in Nagaland.Opening the discussion on the Motion of Thanks, Naga People’s Front MLA Kuzholuzo Nienu said the inclusion of Vande Mataram in the state Assembly proceedings was “absolutely unnecessary”. He said it was not fair for a Christian-majority state, as per Eastern Mirror.Republican Party of India (Athawale) MLA Lima Onen Chang said that his conscience did not permit him to accept it, describing it as against his religion and in violation of fundamental rights.Nationalist Congress Party MLA P. Longon said it was “unusual and surprising” to hear the national song before the national anthem and termed it an imposition, as per the report.According to The Hindu, National People’s Party (NPP) MLA Tseilhoutuo Rhutso also raised objections against the singing the song, describing it as “constitutional and conscientious concerns”. Notably, the NPP is part of the National Democratic Alliance led by the BJP.While acknowledging the historical and emotional significance of Vande Mataram in India’s freedom struggle, Rhutso questioned its enforceability in Nagaland, considering the state was predominantly Christian and protected under special constitutional provisions.He argued, according to the report, that making the national song mandatory risks conflating patriotism with uniformity, potentially violating Articles 25 and 29 of the Indian constitution. He further cited Article 371A, which protects Nagaland’s religious and customary practices.Several other MLAs echoed similar sentiments against the directive.Responding to the debate, Nagaland chief minister Neiphiu Rio suggested that a select committee of the state assembly be formed to review the use of the national song. He described the matter as sensitive and of national significance.A select committee is an ad hoc committee of a legislative assembly formed to examine a particular legislation or a subject and is disbanded after it presents a report with its findings or recommendations.Following the chief minister’s remarks, speaker Longkumer acknowledged the sentiments and decided that the matter be referred to a select committee.