Orissa makes recitation of' Vande Mataram' mandatory

Bhubaneswar, Sep 7 (UNI) The Orissa government made mandatory the singing of 'Vande Mataram' in educational institutions on the occasion of the centenary celebration of the national song.

Notwithstanding the controversy,the Orissa government had issued a circular to all educational institutions, both aided and non-aided, including Madrasas, to sing at least two lines of the national song to mark the occasion.

The state government, through a press note, asked the headmasters and principals of educational institutions to ensure that the students recite at least two lines of the national lines at 1100 hours.

However, in many places the government circular did not have any impact as most government educational institutions, including colleges were closed today on account of the lunar eclipse.

Several educational institutions in the flood hit districts had already been closed since the last one week to provide shelter to the flood victims.

A report from Balasore said students in several Madrasas in the district did not sing the song expressing ignorance about the government circular while Madrasas in Bhadrak district were closed on account of local festival.

Ten ABVP activists in Nilagiri today tonsured their heads and burnt effigy of Shahi Imaam Bukhari for his comment on the song.

They also submitted a memorandum to the Nilagiri sub-collector condemning the action of Sahi Imam Bukhari.

UNI DP PL VD VC1732