Mamata Banerjee Slams Centre Over Bengal Name Change Delay
In a sharp rebuke, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee declared on Tuesday that the alleged "BJP-CPM alliance" is no longer "unwritten," reacting to the Centre's swift approval of renaming Kerala to Keralam while overlooking Bengal's proposal. She asserted, "One day, you (BJP) will not be in office. We will get the name changed," highlighting her frustration with the perceived bias.
Banerjee's Critique of the Renaming Process
Congratulating Kerala on its name change, Banerjee pointed out the disparity in treatment. She explained that West Bengal has faced repeated rejections despite passing multiple resolutions in the legislative assembly to rename the state as Bangla. "When our students go for exams or interviews, they are called at the end since the name of the state begins with ‘W', which comes at the end alphabetically. I, too, face the same problem," she said, emphasizing the practical inconveniences.
The Chief Minister detailed the state's efforts, noting that after being advised to have a uniform name in Hindi, Bengali, and English, Bengal passed a resolution for "Bangla" in all three languages. However, she accused the Centre of inaction, stating, "I think they are not approving it because they are anti-Bengali. They disrespect the icons and visionaries of Bengal. They only use ‘Bangla' during polls to derive electoral benefits."
Political Allegations and Historical Context
Banerjee took a jibe at the BJP, suggesting that Kerala's renaming was facilitated by a growing alliance with the CPM. "Why will Bengal always face deprivation?" she questioned, implying political motives behind the delay. In response, Bengal BJP leader and Union Minister of State Sukanta Majumdar defended the status quo, arguing that retaining "West Bengal" preserves the history of undivided Bengal and its separation.
The issue dates back to 2001 when Calcutta was renamed Kolkata. Since then, various proposals have been mooted, including "Pashchim Banga" in 2011, which received opposition support but was rejected by the Centre. In 2016, three names were proposed—Bangla in Bengali, Bengal in English, and Bangal in Hindi—but were turned down due to the requirement for a single name. A 2018 resolution for "Bangla" was also rejected over similarities to Bangladesh.
Broader Implications and Reactions
Trinamool Congress spokesperson Kunal Ghosh echoed Banerjee's concerns, highlighting the academic and historical backing for the name change. He noted that in national meetings, representatives from Bengal speak last due to the alphabetical order, disadvantaging the state. Ghosh speculated about a "fresh setting" between the BJP and CPM, citing voter patterns in Kerala.
This controversy underscores ongoing tensions between the state and central governments, with Banerjee framing it as a matter of regional pride and political fairness. The delay in renaming West Bengal continues to be a contentious issue, reflecting broader dynamics in Indian federalism and electoral politics.
