The order tied the move to the Centre’s initiative commemorating 150 years of ‘Vande Mataram,’ which urged states to promote the historical national song
NEW DELHI — An official order dated May 19 has made the singing of the national song ‘Vande Mataram’ mandatory during morning assembly prayers in all madrasas across West Bengal. This follows a similar directive issued a week earlier that required the song in all state-run and state-aided schools.
The Directorate of Madrasa Education order covers all government-run, aided, recognised, and unaided madrasas under the Minority Affairs and Madrasa Education Department.
The directive mandates that ‘Vande Mataram’ be sung during morning assembly before classes begin, superseding any previous practices followed by individual institutions.
Khudiram Tudu, who oversees the Minority Affairs and Madrasa Education Department in the BJP-led West Bengal government under Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari, confirmed the announcement.
The notification states: “In supersession of all previous orders and practices, singing of ‘Vande Mataram’ during assembly prayers before the commencement of classes is hereby made mandatory in all madrasas across the state with immediate effect.”
Officials noted that the order applies to all institutions under the department, and several schools have already begun implementation.
Defending the decision, Tudu said school rules should not vary by institution type. He stated, “Like all other state-run schools, singing ‘Vande Mataram’ will henceforth be mandatory in all recognised madrasas as well.”
He added that if the national song can be adopted in schools teaching different languages, “there is no reason why madrasas should be excluded.”
The earlier directive requiring ‘Vande Mataram’ in all government and aided schools during morning assemblies was announced by Chief Minister Adhikari on social media. He said the national song must be sung before classes start in all schools under the School Education Department.
The state government has tied the move to the Centre’s initiative commemorating 150 years of ‘Vande Mataram,’ which urged states to promote the historical national song in educational institutions.
The new rule has prompted questions from school administrators about implementation. Some heads noted uncertainty over whether the state song ‘Banglar Mati Banglar Jal’ would continue to be sung alongside ‘Vande Mataram’ and the national anthem.
One school official told The Times of India: “We cannot drop the National Anthem, as it is mandatory. Now adding another song may delay classes.”
Another education department official clarified that the latest order mentions only ‘Vande Mataram’ and makes no reference to the state song.
Written by Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay, ‘Vande Mataram’ holds significant political and cultural importance in India and was prominent during the freedom struggle. In recent years, its role in schools and public ceremonies has been politically debated.
The directive has renewed discussion on cultural uniformity in education and how to balance national symbols with regional practices.
Reports indicate that several schools in West Bengal have already begun including the directive in morning assemblies. Education officials maintain that compliance is expected from all institutions under the department and that additional instructions will be issued if needed.
