February 4, 2025
Ritabrata Banerjee’s Zero Hour mention on the demand for changing the name of West Bengal to Bangla
Sir, it is a longpending demand of the State of West Bengal to change the name of the State to Bangla. On July 26th, 2018, the State Assembly, under the leadership of Mamata Banerjee unanimously passed a Resolution to change the name of our State from West Bengal to Bangla. All sorts of clarifications were given in this regard. Hon. Chief Minister of Bengal, Shrimati Mamata Banerjee, has time and again requested to fast-track the approval. Mamata Banerjee, in her letter to the hon. Prime Minister has categorically stated, “This rechristening will be in consonance with the history, culture and identity of our State and will reflect the aspirations of our people.” After Independence, there have been many changes in the names of many States and cities. The name ‘West Bengal’ came into existence when the province of Bengal was partitioned in 1947. The eastern part came to be known as ‘East Pakistan’ and the western part was named as ‘West Bengal’. Today, there is no East Pakistan. After the Bangladesh Liberation War, it became Bangladesh. Bengal has always been the target of autocrats, pre and post Independence as Bengal refuses to bow down. As Bengal became the nerve-centre of anti-British activities, the decision of partition of Bengal was taken by Lord Curzon in 1905. Vibrant and spontaneous protests erupted throughout Bengal led by Rabindranath Tagore himself. …The polymath penned a number of patriotic songs, which became the war cry of the anti-partition struggle. *“ My Glittering golden Bengal I love You. The ambience of your Air and Sky seems like playing a flute in my heart. The soil of Bengal, the water of Bengal, the air of Bengal, the produce of Bengal. May be Blessed, May be Blessed, May be blessed, O’ my Lord.” Sir, I will be requesting you. This is a very interesting thing that the name ‘East Bengal’ was nowhere there. The name ‘East Bengal’ appears only through a club, a 105 year old club. That club represents the never say die attitude of the Bengalis who migrated, who were forced to migrate from eastern part of Bengal. I belong to a refugee family. My father came here in 1947 when he was in Class V. As a refugee, I wear the proud badge of honour. This is the culture. Anyhow, they will be doing it. I will urge upon you, the name ‘East Bengal’ is nowhere there. Our State’s name ‘West Bengal’ needs to be changed. The mandate of the people of Bengal needs to be honoured. It is incumbent upon the Government to respect the will of the ten crore people in the State and accept the proposal of Mamata Banerjee’s Government and change the name of West Bengal to Bangla. Thank you, Sir. Jai Bangla!
