The West Bengal government has mandated that all government and government-aided schools must include the state song, 'Banglar Mati, Banglar Jal,' in their daily morning assemblies. This directive, issued by the West Bengal Board of Secondary Education (WBBSE) on Thursday, instructs all upper primary and secondary school heads to ensure the song is sung every day as part of the morning prayer, also known as "Prarthana Sangeet".
'Banglar Mati, Banglar Jal', penned by Rabindranath Tagore in 1905, will now be sung alongside the national anthem, "Jana Gana Mana," also written by Tagore. State Education Minister Bratya Basu announced the decision on X (formerly Twitter), emphasizing that this practice would serve as a "catalyst for social and communal unity". He highlighted the song's emotional resonance and cultural symbolism for Bengal.
The historical significance of 'Banglar Mati, Banglar Jal' is deeply rooted in Bengal's struggle against British rule. Tagore composed the song in support of the movement against the 1905 partition of Bengal by the British colonial government. The song became a rallying cry for unity and resistance, embodying Bengal's spiritual and cultural identity, and the deep connection between the land, its people, and their shared heritage.
The decision to declare 'Banglar Mati, Banglar Jal' as the official state song followed a democratic process initiated by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. In September 2023, a citizens' convention comprising representatives from political parties, religious leaders, and prominent citizens, overwhelmingly favored 'Banglar Mati'. Subsequently, the state assembly adopted a resolution to officially recognize it as the state song. Following this, the state government issued an order mandating its use at all state functions, along with the national anthem.
The inclusion of the state song in school morning assemblies aims to strengthen students' understanding of Bengal's literary and cultural legacy. The government believes this initiative will instill a sense of belonging and collective identity among children while preserving Tagore's vision of unity and peace. Education experts have lauded the move for its potential to enhance cultural education and foster emotional connection among students toward their homeland.
Amit Sen Majumdar, the headmaster of Jodhpur Park Boys' School, noted that his school had already implemented the practice of singing the state song daily from January of this year. He expressed pride that the state administration had issued an order that his school had already implemented.
The order comes amidst political tensions between the Trinamool Congress and the BJP. Trinamool leaders have also criticized the recent arrest of an Assam Congress leader for singing another Tagore song, 'Amar Sonar Bangla,' which is also the national anthem of Bangladesh.
