West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has announced that April 15, coinciding with Pohela Boishak (Bengali New Year’s Day), will now be officially observed as ‘Bengal Day’ in the state. This declaration comes as the state government passed a resolution in the West Bengal assembly, that also includes the adoption of Nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore’s ‘Banglar Mati, Banglar Jal’ as the official state anthem.
Previously, ‘Bengal Day’ was celebrated on June 20, with the support of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) at the Raj Bhawan. However, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee had urged the Governor not to observe ‘Bengal Day’ on June 20.
The resolution to mark the first day of the Bengali calendar as “Bengal Day” received 167 votes in favor in the state assembly, with 62 votes cast against it. Leader of the Opposition Suvendu Adhikari stated that they would request the Governor not to sign the proposal, but the Chief Minister remained resolute in her decision to observe ‘Bengal Day’ on Pohela Boishak.