The West Bengal government has made the singing of Vande Mataram compulsory in all recognised madrasas across the state during morning assemblies. The directive, issued by the Minority Affairs and Madrasah Education Department, applies to both aided and unaided institutions.
The move comes just a week after the state government mandated the national song in all schools under the School Education Department. Students are now required to sing Vande Mataram before the start of daily classes in both schools and madrasas.
According to the Directorate of Madrasa Education, all recognised institutions must ensure the rendition of the national song during morning prayers or assemblies.
The decision has brought Vande Mataram back into political focus ahead of the West Bengal Assembly elections. The song, widely associated with India’s freedom movement, has recently sparked political debates in several states.
Earlier this year, the Centre granted Vande Mataram a status equal to the national anthem, Jana Gana Mana, making its rendition mandatory at government functions and educational events alongside the national anthem.
The issue also triggered controversies in Tamil Nadu and Kerala during official oath-taking ceremonies, with opposition parties criticising the playing of the full version of the song before the national anthem.
With the latest directive, West Bengal has expanded the mandate to all educational institutions under the state government, further intensifying the national debate surrounding Vande Mataram.
(Image source: Wikimedia)
