The West Bengal government on Thursday mandated the singing of the national song, ‘Vande Mataram’ at all madrassas across the state with immediate effect, aimed at standardising assembly practices across all educational institutions.
The directive was issued by the Directorate of Madrasah Education, and comes days after the state administration had mandated the singing of the national song in all state-run and state-aided schools during morning assemblies.
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All categories of Madrassas directed to abide by order
As outlined in the official notification, the latest order applies to government model madrassas, government-aided madrassas, recognised unaided madrassas, as well as approved Shishu Shiksha Kendras and Madhyamik Shiksha Kendras operating under the Minority Affairs and Madrasah Education Department.
It was clarified in the notification that the singing of ‘Vande Mataram’ during assembly prayers before the commencement of classes would now be mandatory across the aforementioned institutions. Officials in the department said that the decision had been taken to ensure ‘uniformity in assembly practices’ throughout educational bodies functioning under the department’s jurisdiction. A senior official said, “The order has been issued with the approval of the competent authority and is to be implemented at the earliest.”
Notably, the circular has already been sent to district magistrates, district inspectors of schools, the West Bengal board of Madrasah Education and other senior authorities to ensure quick implementation.
West Bengal Board of Madrasah Education
National symbols back in focus
The decision taken by the BJP-ruled West Bengal government also comes amid renewed focus at the national level on safeguarding the dignity of national symbols. Recently, the Centre initiated measures to strengthen provisions linked to respect for national symbols through a proposed amendment to the Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act, 1971.
The proposed changes include making obstruction to the singing of Vande Mataram a punishable offence, signalling a broader push towards reinforcing patriotic observances in public institutions across the country.