Suvendu Adhikari Government Issues New Directive For State Schools

The West Bengal government has made the singing of Vande Mataram mandatory in all state-run and aided schools during morning assemblies. The directive was issued by the School Education Department shortly after the new government led by Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari assumed office. According to officials, all students must participate in singing the national song before the start of classes, and school authorities have been instructed to ensure strict implementation across the state.

Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari confirmed that Vande Mataram would be introduced as the official prayer song in schools from next Monday. The Education Department also directed schools to maintain records of the assemblies, including video documentation, as proof of implementation.

Debate Over Assembly Duration And School Practices

Earlier, most schools in West Bengal traditionally sang only the national anthem, Jana Gana Mana, composed by Rabindranath Tagore. The previous government had also introduced Banglar Mati Banglar Jol as the state song during assemblies. With Vande Mataram now added to the routine, some teachers have reportedly raised concerns regarding the duration and sequence of songs during the limited assembly time.

The move comes amid broader national discussions surrounding the importance of Vande Mataram and recent proposals by the Centre to strengthen laws against obstructing the singing of the national song. Written by Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay, Vande Mataram remains one of India’s most recognised patriotic compositions