Aizawl, August 15: The Mizo Zirlai Pawl (MZP), Mizoram’s influential students’ organisation, has opposed any move to make singing or playing the full version of Vande Mataram compulsory in educational institutions across the state.
At a meeting on August 14, the MZP unanimously decided to maintain its existing position on the issue. General secretary Lalhmingsanga Chhangte said the organisation would continue to oppose any compulsion on students to sing or listen to the full version of the song.
The organisation said educational institutions should focus primarily on academic development and should not become platforms for enforcing practices that students could perceive as having religious or political overtones.
According to the MZP, certain stanzas of the full version of Vande Mataram contain imagery portraying the motherland as Hindu deities. It argued that compulsory participation in singing those portions could conflict with the Christian beliefs of many students in Mizoram.
The students’ body also said any directive from the Centre on the matter should consider the distinct cultural and socio-religious context of the Northeast rather than impose a uniform approach across the country.
The MZP said it would continue taking steps to ensure that students in educational institutions across Mizoram were not compelled to sing or listen to the full version of the song.
Mizoram Chief Minister Lalduhoma had earlier clarified the state government’s position in March, saying it would accept only the first two stanzas of Vande Mataram for official or educational purposes as the subsequent stanzas contain religious references.
