Guwahati: History was made in Nagaland on 12 February when the national anthem was played for the first time in the state assembly with the commencement of its seventh session that ended before schedule Friday.
For the first time since Nagaland gained statehood in December 1963, Naga lawmakers in the assembly became proud listeners of Rabindranath Tagore’s ‘Jana Gana Mana’ that was played in the House before Governor R.N. Ravi’s inaugural address.
It is not known if anyone belted out the lines, but everyone in attendance, wearing masks, rose in unison when the anthem was being played.
Nagaland Speaker Sharingain Longkumer told ThePrint it was his decision to play the national anthem, and the concurrence of the government headed by Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio was sought in this regard.
“This time we wanted to introduce a new ceremonial procession for welcoming the governor to the assembly. Since he is the Constitutional head, his gracing the occasion always begins with the national anthem. As long as the governor gives his address, this is the convention to be followed in the Nagaland legislative assembly, a convention I want to start,” he said.
“Since I became part of the 13th House, I noticed the deficiency, and when I became the Speaker, I took the decision in consultation with the government headed by CM,” said Longkumer, who was elected to the assembly from Aonglenden in the 2019 by-election as a member of the Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party.
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‘National anthem can be played if the governor wishes’
Former speaker and MLA Chotisuh Sazo told ThePrint it was not the tradition before, but according to norms, the national anthem can be played if the governor so wishes — at public functions or even in the assembly where the decision is taken by the Speaker.
“Being the first session of the year, the governor has to address it and the national anthem was played upon his arrival and also during his departure,” said Sazo.
“Whenever the President of India, Governor or Lieutenant Governor attends any public function anywhere — at the time of his arrival and departure, the national anthem is played. If he wishes that during his arrival, the anthem has to be played, that decision is taken by the Speaker,” Sazo added.
Speaker Longkumer adjourned the assembly sine die Friday after five days of deliberations on different state issues, including the crucial Indo-Naga talks.
This report has been updated to accurately reflect that Nagaland gained statehood in December 1963.
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