Kolkata, Sept 07: The West Bengal Assembly has passed a resolution declaring Poila Baisakh, the Bengali New Year, as the Foundation Day of the state. This day will be officially observed as ‘Bangla Divas,’ marking a profound cultural and historical shift.
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee emphasized that the resolution passed was not a bill and that the decision to observe Poila Baisakh as the state’s Foundation Day would proceed regardless of the state governor’s approval. Banerjee and the governor have been engaged in a highly publicized war of words over this matter.
The resolution received strong support within the West Bengal Assembly, with 167 out of 294 members voting in favor of it.
However, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MLAs, numbering 62, voted against it. The BJP had been advocating for June 20th to be recognized as the state’s Foundation Day, which had led to disagreements and confrontations with Chief Minister Banerjee.
Interestingly, the lone MLA from the Indian Secular Front (ISF) abstained from voting on this resolution, possibly indicating a nuanced stance on the issue.
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The resolution, tabled under Rule 169, proposed the official observance of Poila Baisakh as ‘Bangla Divas’ and the adoption of Nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore’s ‘Banglar Mati, Banglar Jol’ (Bengal’s soil, Bengal’s water) as the state’s official song.
Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee expressed her support for the proposal to designate Rabindranath Tagore’s song as the state’s official song. However, she strongly argued against celebrating June 20th as the Foundation Day, citing its association with violence and bloodshed during the partition of Bengal.
It is noteworthy that West Bengal has refrained from observing a ‘Foundation Day’ since India’s independence due to the lingering pain and trauma associated with the partition.
However, Bengal Governor CV Ananda Bose chose to observe the state’s foundation day on June 20th at the Raj Bhavan, a decision that sparked controversy and disagreements.
The historical significance of June 20th stems from the events of 1947 when one group of legislators voted for West Bengal’s inclusion in India, while another represented regions that eventually became East Pakistan. Additionally, Sylhet, part of Assam, underwent a referendum during this period, leading to displacement and property destruction during the post-partition riots.
The decision to designate Poila Baisakh as West Bengal’s official Foundation Day signifies a meaningful step in recognizing the cultural heritage and historical significance of the Bengali New Year. It also underscores the state’s commitment to acknowledging its cultural identity and distancing itself from the painful memories associated with partition.
As West Bengal moves forward with its decision to observe Poila Baisakh as ‘Bangla Divas,’ it remains to be seen how this change will be received by different sections of society and how it will impact the state’s cultural and political landscape. The move reflects the intricate relationship between culture, politics, and identity, and it is sure to continue sparking discussions and debates in the days to come.
