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This year marks the 150th anniversary of the composition of the country’s national song, ‘Vande Mataram.’ To mark this occasion, the Maharashtra government has directed all schools in the state to organise a mass singing of all verses of the song ‘Vande Mataram’ and an exhibition showcasing the song’s history between October 31 and November 7, 2025. Additional Secretary of the School Education Department, A.R. Kulkarni, issued instructions to the Education Commissioners through a circular in this regard. Only the first two lines of the song “Vande Mataram” are sung daily in state schools. However, to commemorate the 150th anniversary, the entire “Vande Mataram” song will be sung in all medium and all management schools across the state till November 7. The Thane-based Rajmata Jijabai Trust sent a letter to the Education Department regarding the 150th anniversary of the song ‘Vande Mataram.’ In response, instructions have been issued to organise various programmes in schools. India’s national song “Vande Mataram,” composed by Bankim Chandra Chatterjee, will complete 150 years on October 31, 2025 (Kartik Shukla Navami as per the date) and November 7, 2025, according to the Gregorian calendar. Additionally, an exhibition depicting the history of the song will be set up at the school entrance or main hall. A letter sent to the Education Commissioner said that instructions have been issued to all the schools in the state in this regard. Commenting on the decision, Abu Azmi, SP MLA stated, “Everyone has their own faith and belief, and for Muslims, Islam gives utmost respect to the mother, serving her is considered a path to heaven under her feet. However, Muslims do not pay respect (shraddha) or bow to anyone except Allah because they believe Allah is the one who created everything sun, sky, earth and they pay respect only to Him.” Classes in schools affiliated to the state board will resume on November 3 after the Diwali holidays, while schools affiliated to other boards like CBSE and ICSE have already reopened. Therefore, this program will have to be held in schools at the beginning of the second term.
