The West Bengal government has issued an official directive making the singing of the
national song, “Vande Mataram,” compulsory during morning assembly prayers across all
madrasas in the state with immediate effect. Issued by the Directorate of Madrasah
Education, the order applies to all government model madrasas, government-aided
madrasas, recognized unaided madrasas, as well as approved Shishu Shiksha Kendras and
Madhyamik Shiksha Kendras operating under the Minority Affairs and Madrasah Education
Department.
According to senior administrative officials, the move is intended to establish consistency
and uniformity in assembly practices across all educational institutions functioning under the
state’s jurisdiction. The decision closely follows a previous mandate issued by the Suvendu
Adhikari-led government, which made the singing of “Vande Mataram” mandatory prior to the
commencement of classes in all state-run and state-aided schools.
The directive has triggered a sharp political and religious debate across the state. State
minister Dilip Ghosh strongly defended the mandate, asserting that the national song must
be sung in every educational institution where government funds are utilized and
government laws apply. Conversely, opposition parties and various minority organizations
have heavily criticized the decision, labeling it as an arbitrary imposition that targets minority
rights and disrupts the pluralistic fabric of the state. While the state government has
distributed the notification to all district magistrates and educational boards for strict
implementation, minority rights forums have expressed strong reservations and warned of
potential protests.
