West Bengal govt makes ‘Vande Mataram’ mandatory in school morning assemblies, third crucial decision in series
Reports indicate that schools have also been asked to maintain records of implementation, including video recordings of assemblies, to ensure compliance with the directive.
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The West Bengal government has directed all state-run and state-aided schools in the state to mandatorily include the singing of Vande Mataram during morning assemblies before the start of classes. The directive, issued by the School Education Department, will come into immediate effect across schools.
A day before that, the government had ordered the immediate shutdown of all illegal toll gates, unauthorized drop gates, and alleged roadside extortion points operating across the state. The directive was issued on Wednesday, May 13, by Chief Secretary Manoj Kumar Agarwal under the leadership of Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari.
In the given case, the development comes amid a broader national push regarding the status and observance of Vande Mataram. Earlier this year, the Union government issued fresh protocols on the national song through the Ministry of Home Affairs, directing that all six original stanzas be sung at official events and educational institutions.
The Centre has also reportedly been considering amendments to the Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act, 1971, to strengthen legal protection for Vande Mataram and make obstruction to its singing a punishable offence.
According to the official communication sent to heads of institutions on May 14, schools have been instructed to ensure that every student participates in singing the national song during the daily assembly. The order states that the singing of Vande Mataram “should be made mandatory so that it is sung by all students in all schools in the state.”
Reports indicate that schools have also been asked to maintain records of implementation, including video recordings of assemblies, to ensure compliance with the directive.
"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," CM Adhikari tweeted.
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… pic.twitter.com/QmQHoFqUfj
— Suvendu Adhikari (@SuvenduWB) May 14, 2026
This is the third crucial decision taken by the state government after the BJP took over power, defeating TMC's Mamata Banerjee. On May 14, a modified public notice was issued under the West Bengal Animal Slaughter Control Act, 1950, tightening regulations on the slaughter of cattle and buffaloes across the state. The revised notification reiterates that no cattle or buffalo can be slaughtered without an official fitness certificate issued by competent authorities.
A day before that, the government had ordered the immediate shutdown of all illegal toll gates, unauthorized drop gates, and alleged roadside extortion points operating across the state. The directive was issued on Wednesday, May 13, by Chief Secretary Manoj Kumar Agarwal under the leadership of Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari.
In the given case, the development comes amid a broader national push regarding the status and observance of Vande Mataram. Earlier this year, the Union government issued fresh protocols on the national song through the Ministry of Home Affairs, directing that all six original stanzas be sung at official events and educational institutions.
The Centre has also reportedly been considering amendments to the Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act, 1971, to strengthen legal protection for Vande Mataram and make obstruction to its singing a punishable offence.