CM Yogi Adityanath makes ‘Vande Mataram’ singing compulsory in all schools and colleges across UP

Gorakhpur (Uttar Pradesh) – Singing of ‘Vande Mataram’ will be made compulsory in all educational institutions of Uttar Pradesh, chief minister Yogi Adityanath announced on Monday amid a political slugfest surrounding the national song, important stanzas of which PM Modi claimed last week were dropped in 1937. Addressing an ‘Ekta Yatra’ (Unity March) event in Gorakhpur, UP CM Yogi Adityanath said on Monday this step would inspire feelings of reverence and pride among citizens towards Bharat Mata and the motherland.

“There should be a sense of respect for the national song Vande Mataram. We will make its singing compulsory in every school and educational institution of Uttar Pradesh,” PTI news agency quoted Adityanath.

‘Ensure no Jinnahs are created’

Yogi Adityanath also said at the event that, “Our duty is to identify elements that divide in the name of caste, region, language are part of a conspiracy to create new Jinnahs.”

“We must ensure no new Jinnah ever arises in India again. We must bury divisive intent before it can take root,” UP CM Adityanath said in Gorakhpur.

Editorial Perspectives

• The Union Government should make reciting Vande Mataram mandatory nationwide, rather than leaving it to each state to decide on its own.
• If anyone refuses to recite Vande Mataram in a school or college, they should be expelled and barred from admission to any other educational institution.
• Not only in schools and colleges, but Vande Mataram should also be made compulsory in all madarasas that receive Government aid. If anyone refuses to do so, their funding should be stopped and their registration cancelled.