1. West Bengal’s Budget session started amidst chaos as BJP lawmakers sang the national anthem during the playing of the state song, “Banglar Mati Banglar Jal.”
2. Speaker Biman Banerjee directed officials to play the state song upon entering the House.
3. The action of BJP legislators drew criticism from Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, who deemed it an insult to the national anthem.
Kolkata, Feb 08:Â The West Bengal Assembly Budget session commenced amidst chaos on Thursday, as BJP legislators sang the national anthem while the state song, “Banglar Mati Banglar Jal,” was being played.
Speaker Biman Banerjee, upon entering the House, instructed officials to play the state song before the commencement of the session.
However, during the rendition of the state song, BJP MLAs stood up and began singing the national anthem, prompting condemnation from Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, who deemed it an insult to the national anthem.
Mamata Banerjee expressed her disapproval, stating that the national anthem being sung while the state song played was disrespectful. She emphasized that the national anthem typically concludes such events, contrasting with the BJP’s actions.
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In response to Mamata Banerjee’s criticism, BJP MLA Agnimitra Paul argued that the national anthem is traditionally played both at the beginning and the end of any government program or budget session, asserting the party’s adherence to protocol.
The West Bengal government recently declared Poila Boisakh, the first day of the Bengali New Year, as the State Day, with the song “Banglar Mati Banglar Jal” by Nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore designated as the state song.
Following the incident, Mamata Banerjee addressed the BJP MLAs’ disruptive behavior in the House, condemning their actions and asserting that the legislative session was not a forum for political grandstanding.
Mamata Banerjee emphasized that while the opposition has the freedom to express their opinions, disrupting proceedings during the budget session was inappropriate. She admonished the BJP for engaging in what she deemed as “dirty politics,” stressing that such behavior was contrary to the interests of the state.
Moreover, Mamata Banerjee drew attention to the suspension of 147 MPs from Parliament during the Winter Session, cautioning the BJP against adopting similar tactics in the state assembly.
She asserted that her government would not yield to such intimidation and reaffirmed their commitment to democratic principles.
Mamata Banerjee’s remarks underscored the tense political climate in West Bengal, with the ruling Trinamool Congress and the opposition BJP locked in ideological and procedural disputes, setting the stage for a contentious legislative session.
