India, March 16 -- The All Naga Students' Association Manipur (ANSAM) and the Senapati District Students' Association (SDSA) have expressed strong opposition on the directives of the Ministry of Home Affairs mandating 'Vande Mataram' song prior to national anthem 'Jana Gana Mana' during official events and in all educational institutions.

According to the Centre's notification last month, the MHA guidelines seek to standardise the ceremonial status of Vande Mataram, originally written by Bankim Chandra Chatterjee, and clarify the occasions on which it must be played or sung, along with the decorum to be observed by the public.

The new protocol aims to ensure uniformity and proper decorum in the observance of the National Song at officia...