December 3, 2025
Rajya Sabha MP Dola Sen’s speech during Zero Hour on the renaming of Raj Bhavan in Bengal to Lok Bhavan
Mr. Chairman, Sir, I thank you for giving me a chance to speak on the subject, “Renaming Raj Bhavan as Lok Bhavan”. I am thankful and grateful to my Party, AITC, and our respected leader, Ms. Mamata Banerjee, for giving me an opportunity to speak. I will try to speak in Bangla, my mother tongue. On November 25, 2025, the Ministry of Home Affairs issued a directive that all Raj Bhavans across the country will be renamed as Lok Bhavans. “But firstly, I want to say that neither the Parliament, nor the Cabinet, nor even the State Governments were consulted or even informed about this. These are undemocratic actions; this is an interference on the democratic rights earned following the hard fought independence. On the surface, hearing this decision might make it seem very progressive as if this is a correct step against colonialism. ‘Not the King’s (Raj) but the People’s (Lok) building’ – it sounds good to hear, Sir. But what is the actual condition of the people? That too, I would like to tell the House, through you, shortly. For many years these palaces have been known as Raj Bhavans. The respective State Governments maintain them. The expenses are borne by the State Government, under the State Assembly. But this directive of which neither the State Assembly is aware, nor the State Government, there has been no official Government notification either. In the constitutional federal structure of our country, before taking such a decision, the Union Government’s Home Ministry should have, certainly, discussed it with the State Governments. This is not just an attack on federalism or constitutional democracy; in reality, especially where there is no ‘Double Engine Government’. It is a dangerous * by the BJP to change the status of the Raj Bhavan. It is a to turn the office of a parallel, unelected, ceremonial office-bearer into a ‘Gana Darbar’ (public court) for the elected Government, and effectively use the
Raj Bhavans as an office for the Treasury Benches under the guise of ‘Lok Bhavan’ for party election work. In Bengal, this MHA order has been implemented very quickly. But in reality, how are the ‘Lok’ (people) or ‘Manush’ of this Lok Bhavan doing? How are they being deprived of their constitutional rights? We believe that humanity is above all, nothing is above it. The people speak the final word. Therefore, through you, I want to tell the Treasury Benches of the Union Government: It is for this reason that the
people have brought you down from 303 to 240 seats. In this same way, the people will teach you a lesson so that next time you do not get the opportunity for this renaming of Raj Bhavan to Lok Bhavan without discussion. Jai Hind! Vande Mataram!”
