Overview
- An official circular issued by the School Education Department on October 27, signed by Additional Secretary A. R. Kulkarni, directs government and private schools statewide to implement the campaign.
- Schools must have students and staff sing every stanza and set up exhibitions on the song’s history and its role in the freedom movement during the week.
- The programme marks 150 years since Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay composed ‘Vande Mataram’ in 1875.
- The directive temporarily expands the common practice in many schools of singing only the opening lines during assemblies.
- Samajwadi Party leader Abu Azmi has objected to making the full rendition compulsory, and coverage notes prior opposition from parties like AIMIM to similar mandates.