Archive · 3 Sep 2026
Suvendu Adhikari Threatens School Aid Cuts Over Vande Mataram
West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari said schools must sing the complete Vande Mataram during morning prayers.
He warned that schools could lose government money and support if they did not follow the rule.
He said students should visibly move their lips while singing.
Adhikari believes schools should teach Indian culture, traditions and patriotism.
He blamed earlier governments for changing parts of school lessons.
He also said the National Cadet Corps should become compulsory in schools and colleges.
He asked for more Sainik Schools in West Bengal.
He criticized some slogans about Kashmir and Palestine at Jadavpur University.
The articles report his claims, but do not include responses from the governments or groups he criticized.
West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari warned schools of aid cuts if the full Vande Mataram was not sung with visible lip movement during prayers.
Speaking in Kolkata, Adhikari said the BJP government was reforming education to restore Indian culture, traditions and nationalist values.
He accused previous Left Front and Trinamool Congress governments of weakening English education and distorting curricula through what he called appeasement politics.
Adhikari said he had asked Defence Minister Rajnath Singh to expand Sainik Schools and permit mandatory National Cadet Corps participation in schools and colleges.
He also criticized slogans concerning Kashmir and Palestine at Jadavpur University and voiced support for writing “Free PoK” instead.
- Who
- West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari and schools receiving government support.
- What
- Adhikari warned of financial-aid cuts over noncompliance with full Vande Mataram singing and outlined proposed education reforms.
- When
- Thursday; the articles do not provide a calendar date.
- Where
- At Ramakrishna Mission in Kolkata’s Golpark, West Bengal.
- Why
- He said the measures would restore Indian culture, traditions, nationalist values and patriotism in education.
Mandatory patriotic education
Objections and unresolved criticism
Vande Mataram in school prayers
Mandatory patriotic education
Adhikari supports mandatory singing of the complete Vande Mataram and says schools that do not comply could lose government aid and support.
Objections and unresolved criticism
Some people objected to singing the complete rendition, according to Adhikari; the articles do not provide their reasons or a separate response.
Curriculum and education reform
Mandatory patriotic education
Adhikari says earlier Left Front and Trinamool Congress governments weakened English education or distorted curricula, and that the current Bharatiya Janata Party government is restoring culture, tradition and nationalism.
Objections and unresolved criticism
The allegations about earlier governments and curricula are presented without responses from the Left Front, Trinamool Congress or other critics in the articles.
Campus slogans and political expression
Mandatory patriotic education
Adhikari criticized Kashmir- and Palestine-related slogans at Jadavpur University and said he would support writing “Free PoK.”
Objections and unresolved criticism
The articles mention continuing political disagreements over education and campus issues but do not include statements from the students or other groups involved.
- Official issuing warning
- West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari
- Requirement
- Schools must sing the complete version of Vande Mataram during school prayers, with visible lip movement.
- Possible consequence
- Financial aid and other government support could be stopped.
- Event location
- Ramakrishna Mission, Golpark, Kolkata
- Education proposals
- More Sainik Schools and permission to make National Cadet Corps participation mandatory in schools and colleges.
- Organizations mentioned
- Vivekananda Vidya Bharati Vikas Parishad and the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh
- University dispute
- Adhikari criticized Kashmir- and Palestine-related slogans and wall writing at Jadavpur University.
