Darjeeling School Students Exempted from Singing State Anthem During Prayers

PTI, KOLKATA, NOV 8, 2025: An autonomous body formed to manage administrative affairs in Darjeeling Hills has announced that students of schools in the region are exempted from singing the state anthem during prayers.

The West Bengal Board of Secondary Education (WBBSE) issued a notification on November 6 stating that all state-run and state-aided schools will now include "Banglar Mati Banglar Jol," penned by Rabindranath Tagore and previously declared as the state anthem, along with the national anthem. The song, "Banglar Mati Banglar Jol" (Bengal's Land, Bengal's Water), was written by the Nobel laureate in 1905 to protest the partition of Bengal.

Gorkhaland Territorial Administration Secretary P. D. Pradhan issued a notice on November 7 to the District Inspector of Schools, stating that many institutions in the GTA region have traditional anthems and morning prayers in Nepali, in addition to the national anthem.

"I have been directed to inform you that the regular tradition of morning assembly will be followed in the schools, taking into consideration the different cultures, traditions, and languages of communication in the schools within the GTA region. You are also requested to inform all secondary schools in the GTA region accordingly," the notice read.

KalimNews, November 8, 2025 : In a statement that has stirred discussions across Darjeeling hills, Anit Thapa, the Chief Executive of the Gorkhaland Territorial Administration (GTA), has clarified that the state government's recent ordinance mandating the singing of West Bengal's state song, “Banglar Mati, Banglar Jal”, in all schools from the primary to higher secondary level will not apply to schools in the Gorkhaland region.

Thapa, in his FaceBook Page has emphasized that the GTA operates under a separate and autonomous system, which means that the state directive will not be enforced in Gorkhaland's educational institutions. He made this announcement in response to the government's recent order, which made it compulsory for the state's song to be sung during morning prayer sessions in schools across West Bengal.

While the ordinance from the West Bengal government has been met with mixed reactions in various parts of the state, its impact on the Darjeeling hills has been a topic of heated debate. Thapa further stated that the unique cultural identity of Darjeeling, with its diverse languages, cultures, and traditions, deserves respect and recognition. He explained that the people of Darjeeling, regardless of their diverse beliefs, have always maintained a respectful attitude towards all religions and traditions, while also highlighting that the region has had a distinct political and cultural identity for centuries.

Darjeeling's distinct identity, shaped by its varied cultural practices, traditions, and geographical context, has always stood as an example of harmony in diversity. However, the region has also maintained a separate political, geographical, and traditional administration for over a century, making it a unique and distinct part of West Bengal. Thapa’s remarks underline the importance of preserving this cultural diversity and respecting the region's own traditions.

The GTA Chief further explained that Darjeeling has its own unique cultural ethos, which is deeply rooted in its history and the collective sentiment of its people. “Given this, the imposition of the state song in the schools of Darjeeling is not in line with the region's cultural traditions,” he said. He assured the public that the GTA was committed to maintaining the established practices and cultural sensitivities of the region.

In Darjeeling, it has long been a tradition for schools to sing their own school songs or prayer songs before the national anthem during daily assemblies. This practice is a deeply embedded custom in the schools of the region, and Thapa assured that this would continue unchanged. “We respect the state’s traditions, but Darjeeling’s schools will continue with the practice of singing their school songs or prayer songs before the national anthem, as per the long-standing tradition,” he affirmed.

The GTA's stance comes amid growing concerns over the imposition of uniform policies across the state that may not align with the local cultural fabric of Darjeeling. With its rich historical, political, and cultural backdrop, Darjeeling's identity remains a focal point of discussion regarding its future autonomy and the extent to which state-level policies can be applied in the region.

In conclusion, Thapa reassured the people of Darjeeling that the GTA would continue to safeguard and respect the region's cultural identity, while ensuring that the longstanding traditions in local schools remain intact, thereby preserving the distinct essence of Darjeeling in the face of external pressures.