SHILLONG: The Khasi Students’ Union (KSU) has announced plans to stage protests at schools and government functions where the full six-stanza version of Vande Mataram is sung, stating that portions of the song are inconsistent with Khasi cultural beliefs.
The announcement was made during an event marking 48 years of the union, where KSU general secretary Donald V. Thabah said the later stanzas of the song invoke Hindu deities and amount to what he described as a process of cultural assimilation.
He urged KSU members to report instances where the full version is performed so that the union can organise protests. Thabah also linked the issue to broader concerns, including past attempts to impose Hindi, as well as the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) and the Uniform Civil Code (UCC), which he claimed could undermine indigenous customs and identity.
Maintaining that only the first two stanzas of the song focus on the land, Thabah said the remaining verses are religious in nature and not aligned with Khasi traditions.
The union reiterated its long-standing demand for stronger anti-influx laws and cautioned that failure to act could have long-term implications for the indigenous community. Thabah also emphasised the role of younger generations in continuing the union’s efforts to safeguard identity and rights.
KSU president Lambokstarwell Marngnar, addressing the gathering, said the organisation remains committed to resisting external influences that could marginalise indigenous communities. He called on the youth to uphold unity and remain steadfast in protecting their cultural and social values.
Recalling the union’s history of activism, Marngnar said many KSU members had faced detention during various movements related to boundary issues, education, and migration. He stressed that such struggles reflect the organisation’s continued commitment to its cause.
The KSU reaffirmed that it will continue to pursue its demands, including stronger legal safeguards against influx, and emphasised that the future of the movement rests on the commitment and participation of the youth.
