Suvendu Adhikari-led West Bengal government’s latest decision to make singing of ‘Vande Mataram’ mandatory in madrasas across the state sparked major political uproar on Thursday, May 21, sharpening the debate over nationalism and identity in the educational landscape.
As per the official notification issued by Directorate of Madrasa Education, the state government has made singing of ‘Vande Mataram’ during assembly prayers compulsory in all madrasas with immediate effect. This has been done to ensure uniformity in assembly practices in education institutions.
However, Opposition parties have accused the ruling dispensation of pushing an “arbitrary” agenda.
The order will apply to all government model madrasas, government-aided madrasas, approved Shishu Shiksha Kendras and Madhyamik Shiksha Kendras, as well as recognised unaided madrasahs functioning under the Minority Affairs and Madrasah Education Department, PTI reported.
“Singing of ‘Vande Mataram’ during assembly prayers, prior to the commencement of classes, is hereby made mandatory,” read the order.
The notification has been circulated to DMs, district inspectors of schools, West Bengal Board of Madrasa Education and other senior officials for necessary action.
This comes barely a week after the state government asked all state-run and state-aided schools to mandatorily include the singing of ‘Vande Mataram’ during morning assemblies.
Opposition attacks West Bengal govt
Senior CPI(M) leader Sujan Chakraborty alleged that the Adhikari-led administration was attempting to divert attention from the “deterioration” of the education sector.
“TMC had destroyed the education system in the state. The primary concern of this government should be rebuilding the sector. But the administration is more interested in deciding which song should be the assembly prayer in schools. It shows their intention to instigate people and not to improve the education sector,” PTI quoted Chakraborty as saying.
Congress’ Pradip Bhattacharjee has described the order as “incorrect” and argued that ‘Vande Mataram’ has historically been associated with political mobilisation and protest movements.
“We have used ‘Vande Mataram’ during political rallies and protests. I think making it mandatory in madrasahs is an incorrect decision. The government could have consulted with the madrasah teachers and could have allowed them to decide. This is an arbitrary decision,” Bhattacharjee said.
Bengal Congress president Subhankar Sarkar has further accused the ruling party of “attempting to undermine India’s pluralistic ethos” and said, “We have been warning about the danger of BJP.”
Speaking on the matter, AIMIM leader Waris Pathan told PTI, “We all respect and honour Vande Mataram. However, the Constitution allows the right to practise one’s religion and provides freedom of religion… We worship only Allah. Our faith is that there is only one God. We do not worship anyone else; we worship only Allah. If there are certain lines in Vande Mataram that a Muslim may find inappropriate as per Islamic beliefs, then why should a Muslim commit shirk?”
What BJP said?
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP Praveen Khandelwal has hailed the decision of the West Bengal government.
Speaking to IANS, Khandelwal said: “Vande Mataram is the pride and honour of India. The song is the lifeline of India and its soul. Therefore, it should be sung in every possible place, and there is no doubt about it… I welcome the decision of the West Bengal government in this regard”.
Further, Uttar Pradesh Minister Manoj Kumar Pandey asked what’s there to object in the matter.
“We live in India, and it is our national song. If the national song cannot be sung in schools, then what kind of restriction is this? We live in India and respect Bharat Mata, so the national song should be sung. If we truly have love and respect for the nation, then it should be sung,” he said.