Vande Mataram to be compulsory in all UP schools, colleges: Yogi Adityanath
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Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Monday declared that singing Vande Mataram will be made compulsory in all schools and educational institutions across the state. The announcement was made during an Ekta Yatra (Unity March) and a community recitation of Vande Mataram in Gorakhpur, held to mark the birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel.
Vande Mataram, written in Sanskrit by Bankim Chandra Chatterjee in 1875, is a patriotic song closely associated with India’s freedom movement. Speaking at the event, Adityanath said the move would instil “reverence and pride” among citizens towards Bharat Mata and the nation. Bharat Mata, personified as a mother goddess, is widely used in Hindu nationalist imagery but is often criticised for promoting a Hindu-centric vision of India.
“There should be a sense of respect for the national song Vande Mataram,” the CM stated. “We will make its singing compulsory in every school and educational institution of Uttar Pradesh.”
Adityanath’s remarks came amid the Union government’s campaign marking 150 years of Vande Mataram, which runs until Constitution Day on November 26 and includes nationwide recitations and cultural events.
The Chief Minister also warned against opposition to the song, linking dissent to efforts to create “new Jinnahs,” referring to Mohammad Ali Jinnah, the founder of Pakistan. His comments appeared to be aimed at Samajwadi Party MP Zia-ur-Rehman Barq from Sambhal, who had recently stated that he had never sung the song and that it should not be used as a test of patriotism. Barq had argued that certain words in Vande Mataram conflict with Islamic teachings.
“We must ensure that no new Jinnah is born in India,” Adityanath said. “If attempts are made to revive Jinnah, such attempts should be buried.” He added that faith is secondary to the unity of the country: “While our faith is on one side, if it becomes a hurdle in the unity and harmony of the country, it would have to be sidelined.”
The BJP has repeatedly promoted Vande Mataram as part of its Hindutva messaging. Calls for mandatory recitation in schools and government offices have faced resistance from some sections of society, especially minority communities, who view it as exclusionary.
A Press Information Bureau note issued on November 6, marking 150 years of Vande Mataram, highlighted that while the Constituent Assembly adopted Jana Gana Mana as the national anthem, it recognised Vande Mataram as the national song. Rajendra Prasad, India’s first President, had told the Assembly in January 1950 that Vande Mataram, due to its role in the freedom movement, “shall be honoured equally with Jana Gana Mana and shall have equal status with it.” However, the Constitution formally mentions only the national anthem.