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Singing of Vande Mataram to all recognised madrasas across the state, following an earlier decision to make it compulsory in schools. Far from being a divisive intervention, the move represents a deliberate attempt to strengthen shared national identity within educational spaces.
The order, issued on May 19 by the Directorate of Madrasah Education, requires all madrasas under the Minority Affairs and Madrasah Education Department to sing Vande Mataram during morning assemblies before classes begin. It applies uniformly to government model institutions, aided madrasas, recognised schools, and unaided institutions. The directive also cancels all previous instructions, replacing fragmented practices with a single standardized framework.
The decision builds on a broader policy already implemented in schools, where singing all six stanzas of Vande Mataram was made mandatory during morning assemblies. By extending the same rule to madrasas, the government has created a consistent civic practice across educational institutions, removing ambiguity in how public schooling expresses national identity.
A Common Civic Practice Across Classrooms
The mandate ensures that Vande Mataram becomes a shared morning ritual across all state-recognised institutions. Officials argue that such uniformity is essential in a diverse society where schools and madrasas operate under different administrative traditions.
By standardising the morning assembly, the state is not replacing institutional identity but integrating it into a wider national framework. The directive ensures that students, regardless of institution type, begin their academic day with a shared civic expression.
Reinforcing National Unity Through Education
Supporters of the policy view Vande Mataram as more than a song. It is historically linked to India’s freedom struggle and has long functioned as a symbol of collective resistance and national unity. Its inclusion in educational spaces is therefore seen as a way of reinforcing civic consciousness among students.
The government’s approach reflects a broader belief that schools are not only centres of academic learning but also spaces where shared national values are formed. A uniform morning assembly, in this view, strengthens cohesion without erasing diversity.
Aligning With National Policy Direction
The West Bengal decision also aligns with recent national developments. Earlier this year, the Union government elevated the status of Vande Mataram to be observed alongside Jana Gana Mana in official and educational settings, making its inclusion in public events compulsory.
Across states, the song has already become part of institutional ceremonies, even as it has occasionally sparked political debate. In Tamil Nadu and Kerala, its use has triggered disagreement between political parties, highlighting how cultural symbols often enter electoral discourse.
Against this backdrop, West Bengal’s decision reflects a growing national trend toward standardised civic rituals in schools and public institutions.
A Step Toward Integration, Not Division
By extending the mandate to madrasas, the state has taken a step toward integrating all educational spaces into a single civic framework. Rather than treating institutions differently based on administration or affiliation, the policy applies a uniform standard across the board.
In a plural society, shared practices often become the foundation of cohesion. The government’s position suggests that national identity is strengthened not by separation of institutional norms but by common rituals that students experience together.
The directive places Vande Mataram at the centre of that shared experience, framing it as a unifying rather than exclusionary practice. Whether viewed through the lens of policy or symbolism, the move represents an attempt to reinforce a collective identity that transcends institutional boundaries.
