The West Bengal government has directed that singing the national song “Vande Mataram” is now compulsory during morning assemblies in all recognized madrasas.
This mandate extends a previous requirement for state-run schools to religious educational institutions. The move signals a push for standardized patriotic observance across the state's diverse education system.
The order was issued on Wednesday, May 21, 2026 [1], and takes immediate effect. The directive comes from the administration led by Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
Government officials said the decision aims to promote national integration and strengthen patriotic values among students [2]. By requiring the song in madrasas, the administration seeks to align these institutions with the practices already established in other state-run educational facilities [3].
The policy requires the song to be performed specifically during the morning assembly, which is the start of the school day. This ensures the national song is integrated into the daily routine of students attending recognized madrasas throughout West Bengal [4].
The BJP-led government said these measures are intended to foster a sense of unity across different religious, and educational backgrounds. The state is now monitoring the implementation of the directive to ensure compliance across all recognized institutions [5].
“Singing of the national song “Vande Mataram” be compulsory during morning assemblies in all recognised madrasas”
This policy represents a significant step by the BJP-led government to integrate nationalistic symbols into religious education. By mandating 'Vande Mataram' in madrasas, the administration is asserting state authority over educational curricula and assembly practices, potentially sparking debate over the intersection of religious instruction and state-mandated patriotic expression.
