- Suvendu Adhikari defends mandatory 'Vande Mataram' in schools.
- Calls recitation essential for living in India, part of culture.
- AIMPLB objects, citing violation of constitutional freedoms.
West Bengal: West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari on Wednesday said that people must say 'Vande Mataram' and respect Republic Day (January 26) and Independence Day (August 15) if they want to live in the country.
His remarks come amid an ongoing debate over the West Bengal government's decision to make the singing of 'Vande Mataram' mandatory across all schools and madrasas in the state.
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'If You Want To Live In The Country...': Suvendu Adhikari
Speaking to news agency ANI, Adhikari said, "If you want to live in this country, you must say Vande Mataram and Jana Gana Mana, and you must respect 26 January and 15 August..."
#WATCH | Hooghly: West Bengal CM Suvendu Adhikari says, "'Desh mein rehna hai toh Vande Mataram, Jana Gana Mana bolna padega, 26 January aur 15 August ka sammaan karna hoga'..."
— ANI (@ANI) June 2, 2026
He says, "The recitation of 'Vande Mataram' has been made mandatory in every school... This is Indian… pic.twitter.com/eJuTOA5WEx
He further described the practice as a part of Indian culture and Sanatana Dharma.
Adhikari defended the move to introduce the singing of Vande Mataram in schools, saying, " The recitation of 'Vande Mataram' has been made mandatory in every school."
Adhikari further stated that "India is known as both Hindustan and India", and added that "if you want to live in the country, you have to follow the culture of the country".
"This country cannot go into anyone else's hands," he added.
Row Over Vande Mataram
This remark comes amid a row over the West Bengal government's decision to make the singing of 'Vande Mataram mandatory during morning assemblies in all state-run and state-aided schools.
The directive was also extended to madrassas across the state with immediate effect.
The All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) has expressed concern over the mandatory recitation of all stanzas of Vande Mataram in government schools and government-recognised madrasas across the state, terming it a violation of constitutional freedoms.
In an official statement on Tuesday, the organisation said, "The directive was not only contrary to the spirit of the Constitution but also inconsistent with India’s secular and democratic traditions."
The AIMPLB demanded that the notification either be 'withdrawn immediately' or that Muslim students be exempted from its implementation.
(With Inputs From Agencies)