Kolkata/IBNS, May 15 -- The new Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government in West Bengal has made it mandatory to sing the national song Vande Mataram during morning assemblies in all state-run schools.

Written by Bengali novelist Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay, the song will now be sung during morning prayers in all government schools across the state.

The government has also urged privately run schools to adopt a similar practice.

The directive has come into effect immediately.

Photo: Suvendu Adhikari/X

Earlier in February this year, the central government, also led by the BJP, granted Vande Mataram a status equal to the National Anthem Jana Gana Mana.

The Centre had also mandated that all six stanzas of the national song be sung at g...