Is BJP a True Admirer of Bengalis Unlike Mamata Banerjee?
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Synopsis
In a bold statement, Suvendu Adhikari claims BJP genuinely champions Bengali culture, contrasting this with Mamata Banerjee's alleged political exploitation of Bengali pride. The debate centers on cultural identity and political allegiance in West Bengal, raising questions about authenticity and representation.
Key Takeaways
- The BJP claims to genuinely value Bengali culture and identity.
- Mamata Banerjee is accused of exploiting cultural pride for political gain.
- The historical significance of the 'Bhasha Andolan' is highlighted.
- The debate over cultural authenticity in politics continues in West Bengal.
- Adhikari's statements challenge the legitimacy of Banerjee's claims.
Kolkata, July 22 (NationPress) The BJP is a true admirer of Bengalis, the Bengali language, and Bengali culture, in stark contrast to West Bengal's Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, who is exploiting the sentiment of “Bengali Pride” for her own political gains, stated Suvendu Adhikari, the Leader of Opposition (LoP) in the West Bengal Assembly, on Tuesday.
“The Chief Minister is attempting to position herself as the self-proclaimed guardian of the Bengali language and Bengali culture, fully aware that the anti-incumbency sentiment against her party grows stronger daily. Who gave her that authority? In truth, she is merely a pseudo devotee of Bengali culture, unlike the BJP, which genuinely appreciates Bengalis, their language, and their culture,” Adhikari remarked while addressing the media in Kolkata before heading to New Delhi.
When explaining why he labeled the Chief Minister a 'pseudo Bengali devotee', Adhikari recalled that in 2012, when Congress nominated the late Pranab Mukherjee for the presidency, Mamata Banerjee opposed this choice and proposed three alternative names instead.
“The founder of the BJP, the party that the Chief Minister criticizes daily, was a Bengali, Shyama Prasad Mukherjee. Notable economist the late Bibek Debroy, who served as a special advisor to the Prime Minister, was also a Bengali. Sanjeev Sanyal, a current member of the Prime Minister’s Economic Advisory Council, is also a Bengali. Acclaimed academician Asim Kumar Ghosh, recently appointed as the Governor of Haryana, is yet another Bengali. Therefore, the Chief Minister should cease her claims of being the self-proclaimed protector of the Bengali language and Bengali culture,” Adhikari emphasized.
He further asserted that the Chief Minister's intention behind this self-proclamation is to shield illegal Rohingya and Bangladeshi infiltrators.
During the annual Martyrs’ Day rally of the Trinamool Congress in central Kolkata on Monday, Mamata Banerjee announced that her party would initiate weekend protest programs statewide starting July 27, in response to the alleged harassment of Bengali-speaking individuals in BJP-ruled states.
She characterized this as another “Bhasha Andolon (Language Movement)”. Historically, the Bhasha Andolan was a political movement in what was then East Pakistan, advocating for the recognition of Bangla as an official language, which ultimately led to the formation of Bangladesh as an independent nation following the liberation of erstwhile East Pakistan from Pakistan in 1971.
Point of View
It is vital to recognize the ongoing political dynamics in West Bengal, where cultural identity is often leveraged for electoral gain. The contrasting narratives of BJP and Trinamool Congress highlight the complexities of regional pride and political strategy.
NationPress
22/07/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the main argument presented by Suvendu Adhikari?
Suvendu Adhikari argues that the BJP is a true admirer of Bengali culture, unlike Mamata Banerjee, who he claims exploits 'Bengali Pride' for political purposes.
How does Mamata Banerjee respond to the BJP's claims?
Mamata Banerjee plans to launch protest programs against alleged harassment of Bengali-speaking individuals in BJP-ruled states, framing this as a new 'Bhasha Andolon'.
What historical context is referenced in the article?
The article references the 'Bhasha Andolan', a movement advocating for the recognition of Bangla as an official language, which contributed to the creation of Bangladesh.
