West Bengal Assembly Resolution On ‘Poila Baisakh’ As State Foundation Day

The West Bengal assembly made a significant decision by passing a resolution to officially observe Bengali New Year’s Day, known as Poila Baisakh, as the state’s foundation day on April 15th.

This decision comes amid controversy and disagreements over the date chosen for this celebration. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has been a strong advocate for this change, emphasizing that the day will be observed irrespective of the approval of the state’s governor.

A Landmark Resolution

The resolution, put forth under Rule 169, proposes the observance of Poila Baisakh as ‘Bangla Diwas’ and seeks to declare Nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore’s masterpiece, ‘Banglar Mati, Banglar Jol‘ (Bengal’s soil, Bengal’s water), as the official state song. This historic decision was passed with a majority vote of 167 members in favor out of a total of 294 members in the House. However, not everyone in the assembly was in agreement.

Opposition from the BJP

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), with 62 MLAs in the West Bengal assembly, firmly opposed the resolution. They argue that the state’s foundation day should be celebrated on June 20, a date with historical significance. On that day in 1947, MLAs from West Bengal voted for the partition of Bengal, an event that was celebrated as Bengal Day by some.

Mamata Banerjee’s Resolute Stance

Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee remains steadfast in her support for the new foundation day. She emphasized that the People of Bengal don’t support June 20, a date associated with the violence and bloodshed of the partition, as the state’s foundation day. Banerjee had previously expressed her disagreement with the central government’s selection of June 20 as the state’s foundation day, deeming it ‘incorrect.’

West Bengal’s Bold Step in Preserving Cultural Identity

In the face of these differing opinions, West Bengal’s choice to embrace its cultural heritage by observing Poila Baisakh as the state’s foundation day represents a significant step, one that highlights the state’s rich history and its commitment to preserving its cultural identity.

 

Saurabh

Recent Posts

GK Quiz on Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, Questions and Answers

Dr. Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar, also known as the "Father of the Indian Constitution," was a…

2 hours ago

List of RBI Governors of India 1935 to 2024

The RBI Governor is the Chief Executive Officer of the Central Bank of India and the…

3 hours ago

Chaudhary Charan Singh Biography- Age, Political Career, Contributions and Awards

Chaudhary Charan Singh (23 December 1902 – 29 May 1987) was a prominent Indian politician…

3 hours ago

What is the Old Name of Rajasthan?

Rajasthan is a state in north-western India, known for its rich history, beautiful palaces, forts…

3 hours ago

PV Sindhu Biography- Age, Marriage, Career, Records and Net Worth

PV Sindhu is one of India's most celebrated badminton players, known for her exceptional skills,…

4 hours ago

Top-10 Most Expensive Woods in the World, Check the List

Wood is a natural material used in furniture, tools and decoration. It comes from trees…

4 hours ago