Archive · 8 Nov 2025
Darjeeling Schools Exempted from Singing State Anthem Amid Cultural Concerns
Schools in a special area called Darjeeling will not have to sing the West Bengal state song, 'Banglar Mati Banglar Jol'.
This is because the area has many different languages and traditions, like singing songs in Nepali.
A government group for this area said it's okay for schools to keep their own traditions during morning prayers, which might include their own songs and anthems, along with the national anthem.
They felt that forcing everyone to sing the state song might not be fair to the different cultures there.
A politician also worried about this, saying that the country celebrates unity by respecting differences, not by making everyone do the same thing.
The state education board agreed that these schools can skip the state song.
The Gorkhaland Territorial Administration (GTA) has exempted schools in the Darjeeling Hills from singing the West Bengal state anthem, 'Banglar Mati Banglar Jol'.
The West Bengal Board of Secondary Education (WBBSE) had previously made singing the state anthem mandatory in all state-run and state-aided schools.
The GTA's exemption is to respect the linguistic and cultural diversity of the region, allowing schools to continue their existing morning assembly traditions.
BJP MLA Neeraj Tamang Zimba raised constitutional and cultural concerns regarding the mandatory singing of the state anthem.
A WBBSE official confirmed that schools in the GTA region are not bound by the directive to sing the state anthem.
- Who
- Gorkhaland Territorial Administration (GTA) and West Bengal Board of Secondary Education (WBBSE)
- What
- Schools in the GTA region are exempted from singing the West Bengal state anthem, 'Banglar Mati Banglar Jol'.
- When
- The WBBSE made the anthem mandatory on November 6, 2025, and the GTA issued its exemption notice on November 7, 2025.
- Where
- Darjeeling Hills, within the Gorkhaland Territorial Administration (GTA) region.
- Why
- To respect the linguistic and cultural diversity of the Hills, maintain existing morning assembly traditions including Nepali prayers, and address constitutional and cultural concerns raised by a local MLA.
Gorkhaland Territorial Administration (GTA)
West Bengal Board of Secondary Education (WBBSE)
Mandatory Singing of State Anthem
Gorkhaland Territorial Administration (GTA)
Schools in the GTA region will continue their existing morning assembly traditions, including Nepali language prayers and anthems, to respect the Hills' diverse cultures and languages.
West Bengal Board of Secondary Education (WBBSE)
The WBBSE mandated the singing of the state anthem 'Banglar Mati Banglar Jol' in all state-run and state-aided schools alongside the national anthem.
Cultural and Constitutional Concerns
Gorkhaland Territorial Administration (GTA)
The exemption respects the varied cultures, traditions, and languages of the GTA region, aligning with constitutional principles of unity through diversity.
West Bengal Board of Secondary Education (WBBSE)
BJP MLA Neeraj Tamang Zimba raised concerns that compelling students to sing the state anthem conflicts with their conscience, language, and cultural identity, deeming it a constitutional, cultural, and administrative issue.
- State Anthem
- 'Banglar Mati Banglar Jol' by Rabindranath Tagore
- WBBSE Directive Date
- November 6, 2025
- GTA Exemption Notice Date
- November 7, 2025
- Region of Exemption
- Gorkhaland Territorial Administration (GTA) region in Darjeeling Hills
- Concerns Raised By
- BJP MLA Neeraj Tamang Zimba
- State Anthem Declaration Year
- 2023
