September 7, 2023
We have decided to celebrate West Bengal Day on Poila Baisakh: Mamata Banerjee
As per the set agenda, resolutions were brought in the Bengal Assembly to decide on the state anthem and state day. The first day of Baisakh, or Poila Baisakh, as the day is known, would be called West Bengal Day and Rabindranath Tagore’s famous song, ‘Banglar Mati, Banglar Jol’ the state anthem. These decisions were endorsed by the Trinamool Congress’ legislative party.
Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee participated in the discussions in the assembly. Highlights of her speech:
The Leader of Opposition said he would ask the governor to not sign the two resolutions. We are saying it won’t matter. We will do what we have resolved to do. We have been voted by the people into power. It does not matter whether the governor approves our decisions or not.
I will see to it who wields more power—the people (who elected us) or the governor, who is a nominated person. I would not have said this if the talk about the governor had not arisen.
Other states too have adopted state anthems. I have discussed this with intellectuals and other important people before making this decision. The need had not arisen earlier as June 20 was not celebrated as West Bengal Day. The state government did not issue any notification about this. The Centre did. Bengal has no connection with June 20.
The first day of the Bengali calendar is Baisakh 1 (Poila Baisakh). We want to adopt the resolutions to declare this day as the state day and the Rabindrasangeet, ‘Banglar Mati Banglar Jol’ as the state anthem.
