Archive · 10 Nov 2025
Bengal's State Song Mandate Faces Opposition in Gorkha Hills
Imagine your school is told to sing a special song every morning.
The main government of Bengal said all schools in the state must sing a song called 'Banglar Mati, Banglar Jol,' which was written by a famous poet.
But in the Gorkha Hills, there's a special local government called the GTA.
They said, 'Hold on, our kids speak Nepali and have their own traditions and songs.'
They told their schools they don't have to sing the Bengal song because it's not about their people and culture.
They feel their own identity is important.
So, while the Bengal government wants everyone to sing the song, the local government in the hills is saying 'no thanks' for their schools.
The West Bengal government mandated the singing of the state song 'Banglar Mati, Banglar Jol' in all state and state-aided schools.
The Gorkhaland Territorial Administration (GTA) has directed its schools to not implement this mandate.
The GTA stated that schools in the hills follow their own traditional morning prayers and anthems in Nepali.
Opposition leader in GTA, Ajoy Edwards, argued the song does not represent the Gorkha hills and to make it compulsory denies their distinct identity.
The GTA asserted its jurisdiction over education in the hills, emphasizing respect for local culture and language.
- Who
- The Gorkhaland Territorial Administration (GTA) and the West Bengal State Government
- What
- The GTA has directed hill schools to not implement the state government's order making it mandatory to sing Bengal's state song 'Banglar Mati, Banglar Jol' during morning assembly.
- When
- The state government issued the notification on Thursday, and the GTA issued its clarification on Friday.
- Where
- Gorkha Hills region, specifically schools under the GTA's jurisdiction.
- Why
- The GTA cites the distinct culture, traditions, and language of the Gorkha people, stating that 'Banglar Mati, Banglar Jol' does not represent them and that education in the hills falls under the GTA's purview.
Gorkhaland Territorial Administration (GTA)
West Bengal State Government
Implementation of 'Banglar Mati, Banglar Jol'
Gorkhaland Territorial Administration (GTA)
The GTA has directed hill schools not to implement the state's notification for singing 'Banglar Mati, Banglar Jol' during morning assembly, citing the distinct culture, tradition, language (Nepali), and existing anthems of the Gorkha hills. They emphasize that education falls under the GTA's ambit.
West Bengal State Government
The state government issued a notification mandating the singing of Rabindranath Tagore's 'Banglar Mati, Banglar Jol' as a prayer song in all state and state-aided schools across Bengal at the beginning of each day.
Representation and Identity
Gorkhaland Territorial Administration (GTA)
Ajoy Edwards, Opposition leader in GTA, stated that while Tagore is respected, 'Banglar Mati, Banglar Jol' was written for Bengal's unity and not as a representation of the Gorkha hills. He argued that making it compulsory blurs the truth and denies the distinct identity, history, and culture of the Gorkha people, who are not an extension of Bengal.
West Bengal State Government
The state government views the song, written by Rabindranath Tagore in 1905, as a prayer song meant for all schools in Bengal, promoting unity.
- Notification Issued By
- West Bengal Board of Secondary Education
- Song Mandated
- 'Banglar Mati, Banglar Jol' by Rabindranath Tagore
- Opposition Leader in GTA
- Ajoy Edwards
- GTA President
- Anit Thapa (Bharatiya Gorkha Prajatantrik Morcha - BGPM)
- Date of State Notification
- Thursday
- Date of GTA Clarification
- Friday
- Language of Hills
- Nepali (Official language for Darjeeling hills and Kalimpong, included in 8th Schedule of Indian Constitution)