‘Vande Mataram’ made mandatory in all Bengal schools during morning assemblies

The West Bengal School Education Department has issued a directive making the singing of ‘Vande Mataram’ compulsory during morning assemblies in all state-run and state-aided schools across the state with immediate effect. According to the order, the song will be sung after the National Anthem before classes begin each day. The directive came into force from May 13, 2026.

The official order stated that all students in schools across the state must participate in singing ‘Vande Mataram’ during the morning assembly. District school authorities have reportedly been instructed to communicate the directive to heads of institutions and ensure implementation. Education department officials also conveyed instructions regarding the new arrangement to school administrations across different districts.

The latest order marks a change in the existing assembly practice followed in many schools in West Bengal. Earlier, students in state-run and state-aided schools were required to sing Rabindranath Tagore’s ‘Banglar Mati Banglar Jol’ during morning assemblies. The song had been adopted as the official state song of West Bengal in 2023 and had remained part of school assembly activities under the previous government.

The decision follows recent nationwide discussions regarding ‘Vande Mataram’ after directives issued earlier this year concerning the song during official events and public functions. BJP leaders stated that the move honours Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay, who composed ‘Vande Mataram’ in the nineteenth century. The song later became associated with India’s freedom movement and nationalist activities during British rule.

The directive comes shortly after the BJP formed the government in West Bengal and is expected to influence ongoing discussions surrounding education policy, cultural identity, and public institutions in the state. Until Thursday afternoon, no official response regarding the order had been issued by leaders of the Trinamool Congress.