1. West Bengal mandates playing Rabindranath Tagore’s ode at official events.
2. The decision aligns with declaring Bengali New Year Day as the state day.
3. An initiative to promote cultural significance in official functions.
Kolkata, Jan 01: The Mamata Banerjee administration in West Bengal has instituted a new mandate, requiring the playing of Nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore’s ode to Bengal, “Banglar mati, Banglar jol, Banglar bayu, Banglar fol,” at all official functions.
This decision coincides with the declaration of the Bengali New Year Day as the state day. An official order emphasizes that the state song must be played with respect at the commencement of state government functions, and the National Anthem is to be played at the conclusion.
The order further stipulates that all attendees must stand in attention during the playing of both the state song and national anthem, with mass singing of both actively encouraged.
This development follows a resolution passed by the state assembly in August, designating the Bengali New Year Day as the state’s foundation day – Bangla Diwas, and selecting Tagore’s patriotic song as the state anthem.
Mamata Banerjee, West Bengal’s chief minister, has been vocal in her objections to the governor’s commemorations of the state’s foundation day on June 20, in response to an advisory from the Centre. Banerjee has asserted her determination to celebrate the foundation day on Poila Boisakh, regardless of the governor’s response.
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The Bengal Assembly, on June 20, 1947, passed a resolution to divide the Bengal province, and the TMC has highlighted the potential for June 20 to evoke painful memories.
In response to the governor’s observance of the foundation day, Banerjee has sent letters urging the cancellation of the program.
The Raj Bhavan clarified that the Centre’s advisory prompted the commemoration of the foundation day for all states, and the Raj Bhavan in Kolkata had marked the foundation of other states on separate dates.
A committee established by the West Bengal assembly recommended the celebration of the Bengali New Year Day as ‘Bangla Diwas.’ Banerjee convened an all-party meeting on August 29 to gather opinions on the matter, but the BJP, Congress, and the CPI-M opted not to attend.
