Shillong, August 20 : North Shillong MLA Adelbert Nongrum has appealed to Meghalaya Assembly Speaker Thomas Sangma to reconsider the rejection of his resolution opposing any mandatory requirement to sing Vande Mataram beyond its first two stanzas. Nongrum had submitted the resolution under Rule 115 for consideration during the upcoming Autumn Session of the Meghalaya Legislative Assembly.
In a letter to the Speaker, the MLA argued that the resolution should not have been rejected under Rule 117(g), which excludes matters that are not primarily the concern of the State Government. Nongrum maintained that the issue has a direct bearing on Meghalaya, particularly as any mandatory requirement to sing additional stanzas could affect the religious sentiments of citizens. He said the State has a constitutional responsibility to safeguard freedom of conscience and religion under Article 25 of the Constitution.
Supporting his argument, Nongrum cited previous resolutions adopted or considered by the Meghalaya Assembly on issues involving the Union Government, including the demand for implementation of the Inner Line Permit and inclusion of Khasi and Garo languages in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution. He also referred to the proposed resolution opposing uranium mining to argue that issues involving Central laws or policies can still be discussed by the State Assembly when they directly affect Meghalaya.
Nongrum further questioned another ground cited for rejecting his resolution, arguing that the Prevention of Insults to National Honour (Amendment) Act, 2026 does not specifically mandate the singing of all six stanzas of Vande Mataram.
He pointed out that the Constituent Assembly recognised Vande Mataram as the National Song in January 1950 and maintained that the long-standing practice of singing only the first two stanzas should not be altered through an interpretation of the amended legislation.
Nongrum has accordingly urged the Speaker to review the earlier decision and allow the resolution to be taken up during the Autumn Session.
