VANDЕ MATARAM MADE MANDATORY IN REGISTERED MADRASAS IN WEST BENGAL

September 27, 2026

West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari has said that the state government has made the singing of the national song “Vande Mataram” mandatory in state schools and registered madrasas. He made the statement at an event at the National Library in Kolkata on September 26.

Adhikari said the measure would apply to registered madrasas along with state schools. The statement comes amid wider changes concerning madrasa regulation in the state. Earlier this month, the Bengal government ordered the closure of 252 madrasas following a survey that identified institutions lacking required approvals or basic infrastructure.

The Chief Minister also criticised the previous Mamata Banerjee-led government over its policies concerning border security and alleged demographic changes in Bengal. He said his government would take steps to secure the state's borders and address illegal infiltration, while also referring to the preservation of what he described as Bengal's “Sanatani” traditions.

The directive has political and social significance because it extends the requirement to registered madrasa institutions, adding another element to the ongoing debate over education, regulation and cultural practices in West Bengal.