Kolkata, May 15 -- The BJP government in West Bengal has made the singing of 'Vande Mataram' mandatory during morning assemblies in all state-run and state-aided schools, officials said on Thursday. "The singing of Vande Mataram during morning assembly prayers prior to the start of classes should be made mandatory so that Vande Mataram is sung by all students in all schools in the state with immediate effect," an order issued by the director of education on Wednesday stated. "The order comes into effect immediately. The district school departments will pass the order to the heads of all institutions and ensure compliance," a state government official said, requesting anonymity. The move comes months after the Union home ministry's January 28 directive mandating the playing or singing of all six stanzas of 'Vande Mataram' before the national anthem - Jana Gana Mana - on specific occasions. htc...