As India celebrates 150 years of ‘Vande Mataram’, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Monday announced that his government will make recital of the national song mandatory in all educational institutions in the state.
“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 Bharat Mata and Matrubhoomi," the chief minister said.
He was speaking after attending an 'Ekta Yatra' and 'Vande Mataram' mass singing event in Gorakhpur.
#WATCH | Gorakhpur | UP CM Yogi Adityanath says, "... Expressing gratitude to the national song, Vande Mataram, this song should be recited and sung publicly in every school and college. This is essential for everyone. We must identify the factors that weaken national unity and… pic.twitter.com/saI5dEv8ju
— ANI (@ANI) November 10, 2025
Justifying his decision, Adityanath said it was necessary to identify factors that weaken national unity and integrity.
“We must identify the factors that weaken national unity and integrity. We must effectively counter them so that no Jinnahs are born in the future to challenge India's integrity. Today's Ekta Yatra is calling for widespread public awareness," he said.
On Friday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated a programme at the Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium in Delhi, marking the formal launch of the year-long nationwide commemoration of the song.
Modi, in his speech, said 'Vande Mataram' "connects us to our history and gives our future new courage".
"When the enemy dared to attack our security and honour using terrorism, the world saw that India knows how to take the form of Durga," he said in an apparent reference to Operation Sindoor.
The song was written by Bankim Chandra Chatterji on the occasion of Akshaya Navami, which fell on November 7 in 1875. The song first appeared in the literary journal "Bangadarshan" as part of Chatterji's novel "Anandamath".
