Vande Mataram mandatory in Bengal schools: BJP's tribute to Bankim Chandra Chatterjee
Synopsis
West Bengal BJP has made Vande Mataram compulsory in state-run schools, framing it as a tribute to Bankim Chandra Chatterjee on 150 years of the national song. In a rare show of cross-party alignment, even the TMC and Congress have welcomed the move — leaving opposition parties to draw the line only at ensuring Jana Gana Mana is not sidelined.
Key Takeaways
West Bengal BJP President Samik Bhattacharya announced on 14 May that singing Vande Mataram has been made compulsory in state-run schools.
The move is framed as a tribute to Bankim Chandra Chatterjee on the 150th anniversary of the national song.
TMC and Congress both welcomed the decision; opposition parties cautioned that 'Jana Gana Mana' must not be compromised.
Bhattacharya alleged Congress historically 'rejected' Vande Mataram , linking it to India's partition — a claim reflecting his political position.
The Bar Council of India has written to the State Bar Council seeking details on former CM Mamata Banerjee's legal practice; BJP said it is a matter for the courts.
West Bengal Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) President Samik Bhattacharya on Thursday, 14 May said that the state government's decision to make the singing of 'Vande Mataram' compulsory in state-run schools is the party's tribute to the national song's author, Bankim Chandra Chatterjee, marking 150 years of the composition. The announcement has drawn broad political support in West Bengal, even as opposition parties cautioned that the national anthem, 'Jana Gana Mana', must not be overshadowed.
What Bhattacharya Said
'Bringing Vande Mataram into schools is part of our agenda, and we will continue to do this,' Bhattacharya said. He described the move as the BJP's homage to Bankim Chandra Chatterjee on the 150th anniversary of the national song, framing it as a cultural and patriotic imperative rather than a political exercise.
Bhattacharya also alleged that the Indian National Congress (Congress) had historically 'rejected' Vande Mataram, arguing that the seeds of India's partition were sown on the day the song was set aside. He invoked Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose, claiming that had Bose not been 'driven out of Congress', the country's trajectory could have been different. These are Bhattacharya's stated political views and do not represent established historical consensus.
Cross-Party Response in West Bengal
Unusually for West Bengal's fractious political landscape, the decision drew support from across the spectrum. BJP leader Shatorupa said singing Vande Mataram in schools would instil a sense of national pride and patriotism among students. The All India Trinamool Congress (TMC) said it had no objection to the national song being sung in schools, noting that it was composed by a Bengali. The Congress also welcomed the BJP-led Bengal government's move.
However, opposition parties collectively stressed that 'Jana Gana Mana' — the national anthem — must not be compromised or reduced in prominence in any way. This comes amid a broader national conversation about the role of cultural symbols in public education.
BJP's Stated Priorities for Bengal
Separately, Bhattacharya addressed questions about the Bar Council of India writing to the State Bar Council seeking information on the legal practice of former Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. Distancing the party from the matter, he said: 'The courts will handle judicial matters; we are a political party and not merely a brass band.' He reiterated that the BJP's focus in West Bengal is on attracting industry to the state and restoring law and order, framing both as a fulfilment of the trust placed by voters in Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Why It Matters
The mandatory singing of Vande Mataram in state-run schools marks a significant cultural policy shift in West Bengal, a state with a complex relationship with both nationalist symbolism and its own Bengali identity. Notably, the TMC's acceptance of the move — given that the song's author was Bengali — suggests the BJP has found a formulation that is difficult to oppose on cultural grounds. Whether the policy translates into a durable classroom practice will depend on implementation guidelines, which have not yet been detailed publicly. All eyes will be on how the state education department rolls out the directive.
Point of View
Not merely political — by anchoring the Vande Mataram mandate to Bankim Chandra Chatterjee's Bengali identity, it has made the move nearly impossible for the TMC to oppose without appearing to slight Bengal's own literary heritage. That the Congress also welcomed it suggests the BJP has successfully reframed a nationalist symbol as a regional pride issue. What mainstream coverage misses is the implementation question: making a song 'compulsory' in schools means little without enforcement mechanisms, teacher training, and a clear policy circular — none of which have been detailed. The Bar Council angle, meanwhile, signals that legal scrutiny of the opposition is intensifying in Bengal, even as the BJP publicly distances itself from it.
NationPress
5 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why has Vande Mataram been made mandatory in West Bengal schools?
The West Bengal BJP government has made singing Vande Mataram compulsory in state-run schools as a tribute to its author Bankim Chandra Chatterjee on the 150th anniversary of the national song. BJP President Samik Bhattacharya described it as part of the party's cultural agenda to instil national pride among students.
How have other political parties responded to the Vande Mataram mandate?
The move has received unusually broad support: the Trinamool Congress said it had no objection since the song was composed by a Bengali, and the Congress also welcomed it. Opposition parties, however, stressed that the national anthem Jana Gana Mana must not be compromised in any way.
What did Samik Bhattacharya say about Congress and Vande Mataram?
Bhattacharya alleged that Congress had historically 'rejected' Vande Mataram and claimed the seeds of India's partition were sown on that day. He also invoked Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose, arguing the country's fate could have been different had Bose not been 'driven out of Congress.' These are his stated political views.
What is the BJP's stated agenda for West Bengal beyond the Vande Mataram order?
Bhattacharya said the BJP's primary objectives in West Bengal are to attract industry to the state and restore law and order, framing both as a fulfilment of voter trust in Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
What is the Bar Council of India's role in the Mamata Banerjee legal practice matter?
The Bar Council of India has written to the West Bengal State Bar Council seeking information about the legal practice of former Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. The BJP has said the matter is for the courts to handle and is not a party concern.
