Mon Dec 08 21:10:00 UTC 2025: Summary:

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee welcomed a discussion on the 150th anniversary of Vande Mataram in the Lok Sabha but criticized BJP leaders for being ignorant of Bengal’s contributions to the freedom struggle. She questioned their understanding of Bengal’s icons like Netaji, Gandhiji, and Raja Ram Mohan Roy. The Trinamool Congress (TMC) also criticized Prime Minister Modi for referring to Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay, the author of Vande Mataram, as “Bankim da,” considering it disrespectful. This incident highlights the ongoing political tension between the TMC and BJP in West Bengal, with both parties vying to claim the legacy of Bengal’s cultural and literary figures ahead of upcoming assembly polls. The TMC accuses the BJP of being “outsiders” with no genuine connection to Bengal’s intellectual traditions.

News Article:

Banerjee Criticizes BJP’s Knowledge of Bengal’s History Amid Vande Mataram Debate

Kolkata, December 9, 2025 – West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee voiced her approval for a parliamentary discussion on the 150th anniversary of Vande Mataram. However, she sharply criticized Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders for what she perceives as a lack of understanding of Bengal’s significant role in India’s freedom movement.

“The BJP leadership is not aware of the contributions of Bengal’s icons,” Banerjee stated. She questioned their familiarity with revered figures like Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose, Mahatma Gandhi, and Raja Ram Mohan Roy.

The Trinamool Congress (TMC) further took issue with Prime Minister Narendra Modi referring to Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay, the author of Vande Mataram, as “Bankim da” in the Lok Sabha. The party deemed this disrespectful, taking to social media to accuse the BJP of being “utterly alien to Bengal’s way of life.” They emphasized the reverence with which Bengal treats its literary and cultural icons.

The TMC has frequently portrayed the BJP as a party of “outsiders,” and this latest incident underscores the strained political climate in West Bengal. With upcoming assembly polls looming, both parties are actively attempting to connect with Bengal’s cultural heritage and claim the legacy of its historical figures. The TMC accuses the BJP of appropriating these figures superficially, while the BJP questions the TMC’s dedication to symbols like Vande Mataram.

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