West Bengal Makes ‘Vande Mataram’ Mandatory in School Assemblies

The West Bengal government has announced a significant policy change, mandating that all state-run and state-aided schools sing the national song ‘Vande Mataram’ during their morning assemblies. This directive was revealed in a communication from the School Education Department on Wednesday and is set to be enforced immediately, as confirmed by Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari, who stated that the implementation will officially commence on May 18.

According to the directive, every student in these institutions is required to participate in the singing of ‘Vande Mataram’ at the beginning of the school day. School administrators have been tasked with ensuring strict adherence to this new regulation. An official from the School Education Department mentioned that schools are also required to document this process, potentially through video recordings, to serve as proof of compliance with the new order. This move marks a notable shift in the traditional practices of school assemblies in West Bengal.

Historically, schools in the state have primarily sung the national anthem, ‘Jana Gana Mana,’ during their morning gatherings. In recent years, the previous administration led by the Trinamool Congress had also included the singing of ‘Banglar Mati Banglar Jol,’ the state song, in the morning assembly routine. The introduction of ‘Vande Mataram’ adds a new layer to the existing practices, and some educators are now grappling with logistical questions regarding how to fit all three songs into the designated assembly time.

Swapan Mandal, a representative from the Bengal Teachers’ and Employees’ Association, expressed uncertainty about whether all three songs should be completed within the traditional 10-minute assembly period or if the time allotted for prayers would need to be extended. This directive follows a recent instruction from the Union Home Ministry, which stipulated that all six stanzas of ‘Vande Mataram’ should be sung in conjunction with ‘Jana Gana Mana’ during official functions, although only the first two stanzas have typically been performed at such events.

This latest decision has sparked conversations among educators, parents, and students, reflecting West Bengal’s ongoing dialogue about the role of national identity and patriotism in education. While the government aims to reinforce patriotism through this initiative, it also raises questions about the balance between state and national songs in the culturally rich landscape of West Bengal.

Source: scroll.in