Bengal Govt Makes ‘Vande Mataram’ Mandatory in School Assemblies

Kolkata: The newly elected BJP government in West Bengal has made the singing of Vande Mataram compulsory during morning assemblies in all state-run schools, marking one of its first major cultural directives after assuming power.

The order, issued by the state’s School Education Department, came into effect immediately and applies to all government schools across West Bengal. Private schools have also been encouraged to adopt the same practice.

Suvendu Adhikari announced the decision on X, stating that all previous practices and orders had been superseded to mandate the singing of the national song before the commencement of classes.

National Song To Be Part of Daily School Prayer

Written by celebrated Bengali novelist Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay, Vande Mataram will now form part of the daily morning prayer routine in schools run under the West Bengal School Education Department.

The move is being seen as part of the BJP government’s broader push to promote nationalist symbols and cultural traditions in educational institutions.

Centre Earlier Granted Equal Status to National Song

The latest directive follows a major decision by the BJP-led central government earlier this year to accord Vande Mataram a status equal to the National Anthem, Jana Gana Mana.

The Centre had also issued fresh ceremonial guidelines requiring all six stanzas of the national song to be sung during government and school functions. The decision coincided with the 150th anniversary of the composition.

Under the revised protocol, the song is to be performed during occasions such as the arrival of the President, Governors’ addresses and the unfurling of the Tricolour.

New Protocols for Public Events

The Centre also directed that Vande Mataram should be played before the National Anthem whenever both are performed together.

People attending official events where the song is sung have been instructed to stand in attention as a mark of respect.

However, the rules do not apply to cinema halls when the song is played as part of films or newsreels.

The decision is expected to trigger political debate in West Bengal, where issues related to nationalism, education and cultural identity have frequently become flashpoints between rival political parties.