The West Bengal government has announced on Thursday that all state-run and state-aided schools will now include the song 'Banglar Mati Banglar Jol', penned by Rabindranath Tagore and recently declared as the state anthem, in their daily routines alongside the national anthem.
The song, which translates to 'Bengal’s land, Bengal’s water', was written by the Nobel laureate in 1905 to protest the partition of Bengal.
"As consented by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, every state-run and state-aided school will have 'Banglar Mati Banglar Jol' as the prayer song before commencement of the classes from now on every day," Education Minister Bratya Basu stated in an X post. He clarified that this will be sung in addition to the National Anthem.
Basu suggested that the decision will "work as a catalyst for communal amity and social harmony and make our young generation conscious about the need to maintain social harmony."
In his post, the minister attached a notice from the Deputy Secretary (Academic) ordering the "regular singing of the State Song Banglar Mati Banglar Jol in the morning assembly mandatorily with immediate effect.”
West Bengal Board of Secondary Education President Ramanuj Ganguly told the media that notifications to this effect have already been dispatched to all affiliated schools. The move follows a citizens’ convention held in September 2023, organised by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee to select Bengal’s official state song. The convention, attended by representatives from political parties, religious leaders and eminent citizens, overwhelmingly supported ‘Banglar Mati’.
Later that year, the West Bengal Legislative Assembly passed a resolution declaring it the official state song. The government subsequently issued an order making its rendition mandatory at all state events alongside the national anthem.
Officials noted that the decision also comes amid renewed political debate between the Trinamool Congress and the Bharatiya Janata Party over cultural and symbolic representation in Bengal, adding a layer of political context to the announcement. Additionally, this move has drawn negative reactions and speculations as whether or not the Mamata Banerjee government is trying to set a counter-narrative by announcing the move just a day before the commemoration of the 150th anniversary of the National Song 'Vande Mataram', since the Centre can use the occasion to woo a certain section of the society.
Also read: 14-yr-old girl gang-raped in Kolkata, three arrested
Follow us
