'Vande Mataram' now compulsory in Bengal schools as new BJP govt issues sweeping order

Written by Bengali novelist Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay, the song will now be sung during morning prayers in all government schools across the state.

The government has also urged privately run schools to adopt a similar practice.

The directive has come into effect immediately.

Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari wrote on X, “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.”

Photo: Suvendu Adhikari/X

Earlier in February this year, the central government, also led by the BJP, granted Vande Mataram a status equal to the National Anthem Jana Gana Mana.

The Centre had also mandated that all six stanzas of the national song be sung at government and school events.

According to the order, which coincided with the 150th anniversary of the song’s creation, all stanzas — including the last four that were dropped during the Jawaharlal Nehru government — will be sung during occasions such as the arrival of the President, unfurling of the Tricolour, and Governors’ addresses.

The government further directed that Vande Mataram should be sung before the national anthem when both are played together.

People attending assemblies where the national song is performed have also been instructed to stand in attention.

However, the directive will not apply to cinema halls when Vande Mataram is played as part of a film or newsreel.