KOLKATA: A week after enforcing the recital of Vande Mataram in all schools, the newly formed Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari-led government in West Bengal has extended the mandate to all madrasahs across the state.
According to an official directive issued by the state’s Directorate of Madrasah, the singing of the national song will now be compulsory during morning assemblies.
Key Highlights
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Scope of the Order: The mandate applies with immediate effect to all recognized, aided, and unaided madrasahs operating under the state’s Minority Affairs and Madrasah Education Department.
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School Mandate Extended: This follow-up directive comes on the heels of last week’s decision making it mandatory for all institutions under the Department of School Education to sing all six stanzas of Vande Mataram before the commencement of classes.
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Historical Context: Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari stated online that this overrides all previous directives regarding morning prayers, reviving the historical rallying cry of the Indian independence movement as an integral part of daily campus routines.
Wider Political Context
The decision aligns with a broader national push regarding the status of the song. In February, the Central Government accorded Vande Mataram a status equal to the national anthem (Jana Gana Mana), directing that all six stanzas be performed at government and institutional events.
The mandate follows recent political debates surrounding the national song during legislative oath-taking ceremonies in states like Tamil Nadu and Kerala.
