West Bengal schools mandated to begin day with Tagore-composed State song

West Bengal has made it mandatory for all schools run and supported by the State government to sing the State song. Banglar Mati, Banglar Jolduring morning meetings – a move that sparked mixed reactions in the teaching community.

“…Take the necessary precautions to ensure that the State Song is sung regularly. Banglar Mati, Banglar Jol “Mandatory in Morning Meeting,” the West Bengal Board of Secondary Education said in a notification issued on Thursday evening.

State Education Minister Bratya Basu also made a statement on social media, saying that as per the directive of Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, the government and government-aided schools will sing Rabindranath Tagore’s 1905 composition, translated as Land of Bengal, Water of Bengal, as a prayer song every morning.

“We firmly believe that the State Song, when sung along with the national anthem Jana Gana Mana Adhinayaka Jaya Hey, will act as a special catalyst for social and community unity in the State,” Mr. Basu said.

As a result, on Friday morning, schools across the state started the day with three presentations: Vande Mataram (On the occasion of the 150th anniversary of its founding on November 7), Banglar Mati, Banglar Joland the national anthem.

“All these years our day began with two compositions: the famous song Dhono Dhanye Pushpe BhoraIt is the national anthem written by Dwijendralal Ray. Today we had to replace Dwijendralal Ray’s song with State song and also have to include this just for today: Vande Mataram “It’s because of a directive we received from the centre,” said a teacher working at a school near Diamond Harbor.

The teacher, who did not want his or his institution’s name to be disclosed, said, “This sudden decision seems to be an assertion of Bengali identity, especially before the State elections to be held next year. Identity policies do not always yield positive results, as we have seen in Assam and Maharashtra in the past. Let’s see what purpose this decision serves.”

Krishnakoli Ray, principal of Dhakuria Sree Ramakrishna Vidyapith for Girls in Kolkata, felt that the order was “not only coercive but also directly against the ethos of united India”. “West Bengal is and always will be a part of undivided India, not a separate geographical entity,” Ms. Ray said. There were also those who welcomed this move, saying that the playing of the state song should be made compulsory even in private schools.

In December 2023, West Bengal declared Statehood Day and State song, saying the need for them “has long been felt, considering its rich splendor, culture and heritage”. Announced Poila Boisakh (first day of Bengali month of Baisakh) as State Day and Banglar Mati, Banglar Jol as State Song, later became mandatory at official events.