BJP neta wants BMC schools to sing national song

Following the Madras High Court ruling making the singing of Vande Mataram mandatory in schools in Tamil Nadu, a BJP corporator has now demanded that singing of the national song be made compulsory in civic-run schools.

Sandeep Patel, Corporator from P South ward of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has filed a notice of motion (NM) regarding it. As per the NM, every civic school student must sing Vande Mataram at least twice a week. Patel has also demanded that the national song be sung before all BMC committee meetings.

The issue is likely to come up before the general body on Thursday. Patel said that the move will help instill a sense of patriotism in every citizen of the city. "To instill a sense of patriotism among the youth, they need to remember period of freedom struggle," he said.

Last month, the Madras High Court had ruled that Vande Mataram should be sung in all schools and colleges across the state "at least once a week", and in government and private offices "at least once a month". As per the NM, Patil wants the BMC to make singing of the national song mandatory in all schools the BMC funds.