Why in News?
Paschimbanga Divas (West Bengal Day) is the official foundation day of West Bengal, celebrated annually on June 20. This is the first time the state government has officially observed this day, marking a major shift in acknowledging the historical timeline of the state's creation.
Historical Background
- The Date: On June 20, 1947, the Bengal Legislative Assembly met under the British Mountbatten Plan to vote on the partition of the province.
- The Strategic Vote: Members representing the non-Muslim/Hindu-majority Western districts voted overwhelmingly in favour of partitioning Bengal and joining the Indian Union.
- The Safeguard: This democratic choice ensured that Kolkata and the western districts remained part of India, preventing the entire province from being absorbed into East Pakistan (now Bangladesh).
Key Figures & Contributors
- Dr. Syama Prasad Mookerjee: Prominently credited by the central and state governments as the saviour of West Bengal's Indian identity. He actively led the movement following the horrors of Direct Action Day and the Noakhali riots.
- Other Prominent Leaders: Intellectuals and politicians like Dr. Bidhan Chandra Roy, Jyoti Basu, Nalini Ranjan Sarkar, and transport economist Dr. Nalinaksha Sanyal also played vital roles in shaping the state's eventual boundary.
Political Debate and Evolution
- Decades of Exclusion: For decades after Independence, successive Congress, Left Front, and TMC governments chose not to officially institutionalise June 20 as a state holiday, seeking to avoid painful memories of the Partition.
- The Alternative Date: In 2023, the previous TMC government had passed a legislative resolution designating Poila Baisakh (April 14/15) as the official state day to emphasize cultural inclusivity over partition lines.
- The Shift: In early June 2026, the newly elected state administration formally repealed the previous order, establishing June 20 as the permanent, official state-backed date.
Key Updates from the 2026 Celebration
- Economic Boost: PM Modi launched the national Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY) for West Bengal, targeted to cover nearly 50 lakh farmers.
- Infrastructure: Over ₹590 crore in railway projects and 49 road connectivity plans under the PMGSY-III scheme were dedicated to the state.
- Border Security: Highlighting a shift in policy, the current government fast-tracked the transfer of pending lands for international border fencing along the India-Bangladesh frontier.
Download Pdf
