Lucknow: In a forceful appeal to cultural nationalism, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has decreed that every school in the state must begin daily sessions with the singing of the national song Vande Mataram. Speaking at a unity march in Gorakhpur, he announced the measure as part of a drive to instil “respect for Bharat Mata” and cautioned against letting “new Jinnahs” emerge.
#WATCH | Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath says, “…We should make Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel a part of our discussions…We will make the recital of ‘Vande Mataram’ mandatory in all educational institutions in UP so that every citizen in UP is filled with a sense of respect for… pic.twitter.com/oxnm2qYfGJ
— ANI (@ANI) November 10, 2025
The directive comes amid heightened debate around nationalism and educational policy in India. According to the report, Yogi’s remarks come just days after Prime Minister Narendra Modi claimed that portions of “Vande Mataram” were dropped in 1937 — a statement which drew sharp criticism from the Indian National Congress, accusing him of slighting figures such as Mahatma Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru, and Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel.
Yogi framed the move as more than symbolic. He characterised the resurgence of “Vande Mataram” in schools as central to strengthening national unity in India’s most populous state. He voiced his concern that the absence of a real collective identity opens space for divisive forces he likened to “new Jinnahs”.
Observers note the announcement carries both cultural significance and political weight — signalling the state government’s emphasis on singing the national song as an act of patriotism, while also aligning with broader debates around identity, history and education.
As this policy rolls out across the state’s educational institutions, questions remain: how schools will practically implement the daily recital, how teachers and students will receive the directive, and what the broader impact will be on communal dynamics and curricular content.
