The West Bengal government has made singing of ‘Vande Mataram’ in congregational prayers mandatory in all madrassas with immediate effect, according to an official order.
The order issued by the Directorate of School Education came almost a week after the state BJP government made singing of the national song compulsory in all schools.
The latest order states that the directive will apply to government model schools, government-aided schools, approved religious schools Shishu Shiksha Kendra and Madhyamik Shiksha Kendras, as well as recognized unaided religious schools operating under the Department of Minority Affairs and Madrassa Education.
“Singing of Vande Mataram during congregational prayers, before the commencement of classes, is hereby made mandatory,” the notification said.
A senior ministry official said that the decision aims to achieve “uniformity in assembly practices” across the ministry’s institutions.
The official added, “The order was issued with the approval of the competent authority, and will be implemented immediately.”
The notification has been circulated to district magistrates, district school inspectors, West Bengal School Education Board and other senior officials for necessary action.
Last week, the state government directed all state-run and aided schools to mandatorily include singing of Vande Mataram during morning assemblies with immediate effect.
The directive stipulates that every student must participate in singing the national song at the beginning of the school day. Heads of institutions have been instructed to ensure strict compliance.
“Singing of Vande Mataram during morning assembly prayers before the start of classes should be made mandatory so that Vande Mataram is sung by all students in all schools in the state with immediate effect,” the education director said in a letter to heads of state-run and state-aided schools on May 13.
Incidentally, the move comes soon after the Union government took steps to strengthen provisions relating to respect for national symbols, including the proposed amendment to the Prevention of Insults to National Honor Act, 1971, making obstruction to the singing of Vande Mataram a punishable offence.
