West Bengal: The BJP government in West Bengal has now made Vande Mataram compulsory for all state run and state aided schools. The state order also directed implementation from next Monday (18th May, 2026).
The Government Order: Vande Mataram Mandatory Across All State Schools
On 14th May, 2026, the newly formed BJP government in West Bengal issued a fresh mandate via the School Education Department. The order stated that singing of Vande Mataram will now be mandatory across morning assemblies for all state run and state aided schools.
“The singing of Vande Mataram during morning assembly prayers prior to the start of classes should be made mandatory so that Vande Mataram is sung by all students in all schools in the state,”, the statement from School Education Department read.
The statement also added that institution heads are responsible for the order’s enforcement. Schools will be required to capture video recordings as compliance proof.
Political Context Regarding Vande Mataram Implementation
Unlike most other states of India, singing of Vande Mataram in schools has not been very common. Morning assemblies during the TMC’s 15 year tenure would feature Banglar Mati Banglar Jol (state song) in addition to the national anthem, Jana Gana Mana.
In January this year, the central government’s Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) issued an order, stating that Vande Mataram should be sung to mark its 150th anniversary. However, the order couldn’t be implemented in West Bengal due to conflicts between the Centre and then-TMC led government.
The Significance of Vande Mataram
Vande Mataram holds high cultural significance. During the pre-Independence era, the song became a battle cry for freedom fighters. In 1950, it was declared a national song. It is still considered to be a symbol of national pride and freedom.
Vande Mataram in West Bengal: A Brief History
West Bengal has a very special connection to Vande Mataram. The song was composed by Bankim Chandra Chattopadhayay, a legend of Bengali literature in 1875. In his 1882 novel ‘Anandamath’, the author expanded the song by adding six stanzas.
Rabindranath Tagore famously sang it during the 1896 Calcutta assembly of Indian National Congress. However, the Trinamool Congress (TMC) government replaced Vande Mataram with Banglar Mati Banglar Jol, which was declared as the state song. Now, the patriotic song will be across morning assemblies for all state run and state aided schools soon.
