The BJP-led West Bengal government under Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari has directed all state-run and state-aided schools to make the singing of Vande Mataram compulsory during morning assemblies with immediate effect.
The order was issued by the state School Education Department, which instructed schools to ensure that every student participates in singing the national song before classes begin. Heads of institutions have also been asked to strictly implement the directive and maintain records of compliance.
According to the official communication issued on May 13, “The singing of Vande Mataram during morning assembly prayers prior to the start of classes should be made mandatory so that Vande Mataram should be sung by all students in all schools in the state with immediate effect.”
Move Comes Amid National Debate
The move comes shortly after the Union government proposed amendments to the Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act, 1971, which would make obstruction to the singing of Vande Mataram a punishable offence.
A senior official from the School Education Department said schools have been instructed to play the song at the beginning of the assembly session. Authorities have also been asked to document the proceedings, including video recordings, as proof of implementation.
Schools Already Follow Multiple Songs
Until now, schools in West Bengal traditionally sang only the national anthem Jana Gana Mana, written by Rabindranath Tagore. In recent years, the previous Trinamool Congress government had also introduced Banglar Mati Banglar Jol, another composition by Tagore written during the 1905 anti-partition movement, as the state song.
Now, Vande Mataram, written by Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay, will also become part of the daily assembly routine.
Teachers Raise Concerns Over Timing
The directive has sparked discussions among teachers and school administrators about how multiple songs will fit into the limited morning assembly schedule.
Swapan Mandal of the Bengal Teachers’ and Employees’ Association said there is still confusion regarding the sequence and timing of all the songs.
“It is unclear whether we have to finish all three songs within the stipulated 10 minutes or have a longer prayer,” he said.
Schools Begin Preparing Students
Subhrojit Dutta, headmaster of Hindu School, said students had already been informed about the historical importance of Vande Mataram during celebrations marking its 150th anniversary.
“Once our students attend classes after summer vacation, they will sing Vande Mataram along with the National Anthem Jana Gana Mana during the assembly before classes,” Dutta said.
“Our students had already been told about the historical significance of Vande Mataram and had been asked to memorise it at home before this notice was issued,” he added.
Political Parties React to the Decision
Several political parties have welcomed the decision. BJP leader Shatarupa said the move would help strengthen patriotism among students.
“The entire country has been singing Vande Mataram. The previous Trinamool Congress government had stopped it in West Bengal. Now the Bharatiya Janata Party government has implemented it once more. We welcome the decision. This will help instil a sense of patriotism among students,” she said.
The Trinamool Congress also expressed support for the song while stressing the importance of secular values.
TMC spokesperson Arup Chakraborty said, “The song was written by a Bengali. It helps take Bengal’s traditions and cultural values forward. We have no objection to it. But it must be ensured that the message of secularism, brotherhood, and amity is not overshadowed by this.”
The Congress and the Communist Party of India (Marxist) have also welcomed the directive.
