Now, West Bengal govt makes singing of Vande Mataram mandatory in all madrassas

Singing of the national song made compulsory in all madrasas across the State during the morning assembly.

A week after making reciting Vande Mataram mandatory in all schools, the Suvendu Adhikari-led BJP government in West Bengal has made the singing of the national song compulsory in all madrasas across the State.

An order passed by the Directorate of Madrasah of the State government stated that the recital of Vande Mataram will be mandatory in all madrasas across the State during the morning assembly. The order stated the directive would apply to the government's model madrassas, government-aided madrassas, approved Shishu Shiksha Kendra and Madhyamik Shiksha Kendras, as well as recognised unaided madrassas functioning under the Minority Affairs and Madrasah Education Department.

"Singing of Vande Mataram during assembly prayers, prior to the commencement of classes, is hereby made mandatory," the notification stated.

The notification was circulated to district magistrates, district inspectors of schools, the West Bengal Board of Madrasah Education and other senior officials for necessary action.

Last week, the State government directed all state-run and aided schools to mandatorily include the singing of Vande Mataram during morning assemblies with immediate effect.

The directive stated that every student must participate in singing the national song at the start of the school day. Heads of institutions have been instructed to ensure strict compliance.

"The singing of Vande Mataram during morning assembly prayers prior to the start of classes should be made mandatory so that Vande Mataram is sung by all students in all schools in the State with immediate effect," the Director of Education said in a communication to state-run and state-aided school heads on May 13.

Announcing the decision on the Assembly premises last weeek, Adhikari said, "From next Monday, Vande Mataram will be introduced as the prayer song in all schools across the state."

Later, in a post on X, the Chief Minister sought to underscore the significance of the decision and said: "In supersession of all previous orders and practices, the Government of West Bengal has mandated the singing of National Song of Bharat - Vande Mataram, during School Assembly Prayers before commencement of Classes in all Schools under the School Education Department across West Bengal, effective immediately."