KOHIMA, Aug. 13 -- An influential students' organisation in Nagaland has asked educational institutions not to send students to participate in Independence Day celebrations this weekend, during which the complete version of the national song Vande Mataram will be sung.

According to the Naga Students' Federation (NSF), the complete version of the national song was not in keeping with the country's secular principles.

In a statement on Wednesday, NSF said its concern was solely with the compulsory participation of students in Vande Mataram, particularly where its devotional and religious imagery conflicts with the conscience and sincerely held beliefs of students belonging to non-Hindu communities.

"India as a secular democratic republic...