Tamil Nadu expanded its state cabinet to 33 ministers on Thursday, while West Bengal ordered the singing of Vande Mataram in all recognized madrasas.
These simultaneous shifts in two major Indian states signal a realignment of political coalitions in the south and a push for nationalistic educational mandates in the east. The moves highlight the differing priorities of the state governments as they navigate complex regional and religious demographics.
In Tamil Nadu, Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay (TVK) led the cabinet expansion ceremony in Chennai. The restructuring includes the entry of the Congress party into the government, marking the first time the party has participated in the state administration in 59 years [1, 2]. The expanded cabinet now consists of 33 ministers [1].
Meanwhile, in West Bengal, Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari (BJP) issued a state-wide order regarding educational institutions. The directive makes the singing of the national song, Vande Mataram, compulsory in all recognized madrasas [2]. This order extends the requirement for the song from general schools to religious educational centers.
The West Bengal mandate follows a recent legal shift at the federal level. On May 5, 2026, the Union Cabinet cleared an amendment to give Vande Mataram equal legal status and make insults to the song a punishable offense [3].
Government officials in West Bengal said the order is intended to promote a sense of patriotism among students. In Tamil Nadu, the inclusion of Congress is viewed as a strategy to broaden the governing coalition's reach across the state.
“Tamil Nadu expanded its state cabinet to 33 ministers on Thursday”
The inclusion of Congress in Tamil Nadu's government after nearly six decades suggests a significant tactical shift for Chief Minister Vijay, potentially aiming to stabilize his coalition by incorporating a traditional national power. Simultaneously, West Bengal's mandate for Vande Mataram in madrasas aligns state policy with the May 5 federal amendment, signaling a more aggressive approach to integrating nationalistic symbols into religious education.
