Guwahati, Aug. 13 -- The Naga Students' Federation (NSF) and the Ao Students' Conference (AKM) have asked schools and educational institutions under their respective jurisdictions not to send students to Independence Day programmes on August 15, citing concerns over the mandatory playing or singing of the revised version of Vande Mataram at official functions.

In a notification issued on August 12, the NSF directed its federating units and subordinate bodies to ensure that schools and other educational institutions do not send students to Independence Day programmes until the directive requiring the playing or singing of the revised Vande Mataram at official functions is withdrawn.

The federation clarified that it does not oppose Indepe...