4.8 lakh students in 614 madrasas set to follow Vande Mataram order

KOLKATA: The state govt has made it mandatory for all 4.8 lakh students studying in 614 recognised madrasas in the state to sing ‘Vande Mataram' during assembly prayers. The madrasas, now closed for summer vacation, will follow the instruction immediately after the classes resume.

In the order, signed by the director of madrasa education, the order mentioned that singing of ‘Vande Mataram' during assembly prayers prior to the commencement of classes is mandatory. It further said that singing ‘Vande Mataram' will be made compulsory in all of govt model madrasas, govt-aided madrasas and recognized unaided madrasas.

According to sources in the West Bengal Board of Madrasa Education, many madrasas in the state start the classes with prayer where the National Anthem is sung followed by a short speech on the nation. These madrasas will now incorporate ‘Vande Mataram' in their prayer system.

"There are many state-run schools in Bengal where Santhali language is the medium of instruction. If ‘Vande Mataram' is compulsory during the prayer of these schools, it should also be made mandatory in madrasas," said Kshudiram Tudu, minority affairs and madrasa education department.

Muzaffar Ahmed, headmaster of the Malda Model School, said that they had received the order and it will be implemented the day classes resume after summer vacation. "We are prepared. It is like any other govt order for schools. Following the govt orders is our primary duty. There is no relation of ‘Vande Mataram' with religion," he said.

Rashidul Haque, former member of the board of Coochbehar Suktabari Ekramia Madrasa and head of the staff, said all of the 1,700 students will sing ‘Vande Mataram' when the classes resume. "Islam teaches us to obey the law of the land first. Students have been singing the national anthem already," he said.

The decision of the state govt however courted controversy. "The decision shows the political agenda of the govt. Making the song mandatory in all govt aided institutions, especially in madrasas, makes us doubt the intention of the govt," said Tarunkanti Naskar, general secretary of the Save Education Committee.