Political parties in West Bengal have expressed support for the state government’s decision to mandate the singing of ‘Vande Mataram’ in state-run schools. The move has been welcomed by the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party, emphasizing that it will foster national pride and patriotism among students. On the other hand, opposition parties have stressed the importance of not compromising the national anthem, ‘Jana Gana Mana’.
The Trinamool Congress, acknowledging that ‘Vande Mataram’ was penned by a Bengali, has no objections to its inclusion in school activities. However, they emphasize the need to uphold values of secularism, brotherhood, and amity alongside the patriotic song. The Congress and the Communist Party of India (Marxist) have also supported the government’s directive, highlighting the significance of respecting both ‘Vande Mataram’ and ‘Jana Gana Mana’.
The West Bengal government has issued instructions for all state-run and aided schools to ensure the compulsory singing of ‘Vande Mataram’ during morning assemblies. The directive mandates that every student participates in singing the national song at the beginning of each school day, with strict compliance measures in place. This decision aligns with recent efforts by the Union government to reinforce respect for national symbols, including proposed amendments to related legislation.
