TMC urges to rename West Bengal as 'Bangla'

'West Bengal should be renamed as Bangla'! Thus TMC on Tuesday raised voice in Parliament, emphasizing that the name is deeply intertwined with the state’s historical and cultural identity.

TMC MP Ritabrata Banerjee highlighted in the Rajya Sabha that the West Bengal Assembly had unanimously adopted a resolution in July 2018 to change the state's name, but, since then, there has been no approval from the central government.

He also stated that West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee had communicated directly with Prime Minister Narendra Modi in this context, asserting that the proposed name encapsulates the state’s history, culture, and identity.

Banerjee said, "I raised the issue of our enduring demand to rename our state to Bangla, a resolution that was unanimously passed by the West Bengal State Assembly on July 26, 2018. Our leader, Mamata Banerjee, has consistently argued that this rechristening aligns with the history, culture, and identity of our state and reflects the aspirations of our people."

Following the division of the undivided Bengal in 1947, the region was split into West Bengal in India and East Pakistan, which later became Bangladesh in 1971 after gaining independence.

The Trinamool MP pointed out the redundancy of the name 'West Bengal' since 'East Pakistan' no longer exists, adding, "Our state's name needs to be changed. The mandate of the people of West Bengal must be honoured."

For the unversed, a state to be renamed in India, a bill must be introduced in Parliament following the President's recommendation and subsequently be approved by both houses of Parliament.