BJP's Bengal Imposes 'Vande Mataram' in Schools; Opposition Welcomes

The BJP-led West Bengal government under Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari has made the singing of Vande Mataram compulsory in all state-run and state-aided schools during morning assemblies with immediate effect. The School Education Department issued the directive on May 13, requiring every student to participate in singing the national song before classes begin. School heads have been instructed to strictly implement the order and maintain records of compliance, including video recordings, as proof of implementation.

This move follows the Union government's proposed amendments to the Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act, 1971, which would make obstruction to the singing of Vande Mataram a punishable offence. Until now, schools in West Bengal traditionally sang only the national anthem Jana Gana Mana, written by Rabindranath Tagore. The previous Trinamool Congress government had also introduced another Tagore composition as the state song.

The directive has sparked discussions among teachers and school administrators about fitting multiple songs into the limited morning assembly schedule. Swapan Mandal of the Bengal Teachers' and Employees' Association expressed confusion regarding the sequence and timing of all the songs. Subhrojit Dutta, headmaster of Hindu School, stated that students had already been informed about the historical importance of Vande Mataram during celebrations marking its 150th anniversary.

Several political parties have welcomed the decision. BJP leader Shatarupa said the move would help strengthen patriotism among students, noting that the previous Trinamool Congress government had stopped the practice. The Trinamool Congress also expressed support for the song while stressing the importance of secular values. TMC spokesperson Arup Chakraborty emphasized that the song was written by a Bengali and helps take Bengal's traditions forward, but insisted that secularism, brotherhood, and amity must not be overshadowed. The Congress and the Communist Party of India (Marxist) have also welcomed the directive.