The Biswa Bangla logo has been replaced by the Ashoka Stambha emblem on Egiye Bangla, the official government website that features various state departments. The website's colour scheme has also been changed from white and blue to saffron after the BJP government assumed power.
Background of the Biswa Bangla Logo
The Biswa Bangla brand was launched on September 16, 2013, by former Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. The logo, which represents the Bengali letter 'B,' was officially adopted by the then state government to represent West Bengal, and all government websites adopted the same design.
Changes on the Egiye Bangla Portal
The Egiye Bangla portal, which previously had a sky-blue background, now features a white background with the Ashoka emblem at the top. Below the emblem is a picture of Suvendu Adhikari, the new Chief Minister of Bengal. The logos of various departments such as e-services, business, tourism, industry, and agriculture are displayed on the homepage in saffron.
BJP's Stance on the Logo
The BJP made it clear that a logo created by an individual has no role in government affairs, and that the Ashoka emblem is the highest symbol of the government. The Biswa Bangla logo was previously used to promote the state's traditional arts and handicrafts.
Controversy Surrounding the Logo
The controversy started in 2017 when then BJP MLA Mukul Roy, who was earlier in the Trinamool Congress and returned to the TMC after 2021, remained with the party until his death. Roy alleged that Abhishek Banerjee owned the logo and that it was not a government entity. Banerjee denied the charges and sent Roy a legal notice. Former Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee stated in the Assembly that she had created the logo and given the state government permission to use it without charging any royalty. She also said that the Bengal government could use the logo, and if it chose not to use it someday, the logo would revert to her.
Impact Over 13 Years
Over the last 13 years, Biswa Bangla became an identity of the Trinamool government, from beautification projects to official work. Every official letter carried the same logo. After the BJP government took oath, the logo was immediately removed from the system. A senior state government official stated, 'We are government servants and we have to perform our duties only according to the instructions of the government.'
