The BJP-led government in India’s West Bengal state has directed all madrasahs to make the singing of “Vande Mataram” compulsory during morning assemblies, extending a recent order already imposed on schools across the state.
The directive comes just days after the newly elected state administration ordered all educational institutions under the School Education Department to sing the song during morning prayers before classes begin.
According to an order issued by the state’s Directorate of Madrasah Education, the rule will apply to all recognised, aided and unaided madrasahs operating under the Minority Affairs and Madrasah Education Department.
The move has sparked debate over religious sensitivity and minority rights, particularly among India’s Muslim community, many of whom object to parts of the song because of its religious references.
Earlier in February, India’s BJP-led central government granted “Vande Mataram” a status equal to the national anthem, “Jana Gana Mana”, and directed that all six stanzas of the song be performed at government and school events alongside the national anthem.
Although “Vande Mataram” played a historic role during India’s anti-colonial independence movement and became a symbol for freedom fighters, some secular and minority groups have long opposed granting it equal status with the national anthem because of its spiritual and religious imagery.
Critics point out that the final stanzas of the song contain references to Hindu goddesses Durga and Lakshmi, which many Muslims and Christians consider inconsistent with monotheistic beliefs.
Muslims make up around 15 per cent of India’s total population and approximately 27 per cent of West Bengal’s population.
Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari defended the decision, saying the order took immediate effect across schools under the state education department.
He said students would be required to sing all six stanzas of “Vande Mataram” during assemblies before the start of daily classes.
The song has re-emerged as a major political issue in West Bengal following the recent state election, with supporters describing it as a patriotic symbol of India’s freedom struggle and critics viewing the mandate as an infringement on religious freedom and minority identity.
