‘Vande Mataram’ Now Mandatory in MP Schools and Government Programs; Congress MLA Objects

Bhopal: Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav has announced that all educational institutions, madrasas, and government events in the state must now mandatorily sing all six stanzas of the national song Vande Mataram. The decision is to be implemented immediately.

The move has drawn criticism from Congress MLA Arif Masood, who argued that it infringes upon religious freedom under Article 25 of the Constitution. “This is not about respect for the song; it is about curbing religious liberty,” Masood said. “India is a democratic nation, and citizens have the constitutional right to religious freedom. Certain lines of Vande Mataram conflict with our religious beliefs, and that is the real issue here.” He added that the Muslim Personal Law Board is currently studying the new directive and no decision will be taken until the Board gives its opinion.

CM’s Stand: Tribute to Freedom Fighters
Dr. Yadav defended the decision, stating that Vande Mataram fueled India’s freedom struggle and singing all six stanzas is a true tribute to the nation’s immortal martyrs. “This chant invigorated the fight for independence and strengthened our soldiers’ resolve. Its mandatory recitation across the state is both fitting and necessary,” he said.

Education Minister Emphasizes Uniformity
School Education Minister Rao Uday Pratap Singh emphasized that every citizen and institution must comply with national laws. “Whether a madrasa or any other school, all must sing Vande Mataram. The freedom struggle was not monopolized by any one party. This move will connect the younger generation with nationalism, which should have happened much earlier,” he said.

Background on the Controversy
Traditionally, only the first stanza of Vande Mataram was sung publicly. The government’s decision to mandate all six stanzas has sparked concerns among some Muslim leaders, who argue that later stanzas glorify the motherland in ways that conflict with monotheistic beliefs.

About the National Song
Vande Mataram was composed by Bankim Chandra Chatterjee in 1875 and first appeared in his novel Anandamath. It was published in the magazine Bangadarshan in 1882. Rabindranath Tagore publicly sang it at the Indian National Congress session in 1896. The Sanskrit phrase Vande Mataram translates to “I bow to thee, Mother.”