The newly elected BJP government in West Bengal has announced that ‘West Bengal Day’ (Paschim Banga Diwas) will be officially observed across the state on June 20, marking the first time the occasion will be celebrated on such a large scale. The initiative aims to highlight the history of the Partition of Bengal and raise awareness among the younger generation.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to attend the main event, which will be held in Tarakeswar. He is also scheduled to remain in the state to participate in the ‘International Yoga Day’ programme on June 21. The state government has already issued directives to all government offices and educational institutions to observe the day formally.
The observance of June 20 as West Bengal Day was first initiated in 2023 at Raj Bhavan. However, the move had faced strong opposition from the then Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, whose government instead observed Poila Boishakh (April 15) as ‘Bangla Diwas.’ Following the political change after the 2026 Assembly elections, the new government has now formally declared June 20 as the official ‘West Bengal Day’ with cabinet approval.
According to a notification issued by the State Chief Secretary, a special committee will be constituted in every district to oversee the celebrations. The District Magistrate will serve as the chairperson of the committee, with the Superintendent of Police, District Inspectors of Schools (primary and secondary), and local MLAs and MPs as members.
The celebrations will include cultural programmes, exhibitions, and discussion sessions aimed at showcasing the state’s heritage, traditions, and historical journey. A major focus will be on educating the public about the Partition of Bengal and its impact on the formation of the state. Educational visits to libraries, museums, and cultural institutions are also expected to be organised for students and the general public.
State Higher Education Minister Jagannath Chattopadhyay confirmed that the programme will be observed mandatorily across all colleges and universities in the state. He also reiterated the Prime Minister’s participation in the event, stating that Tarakeswar has been chosen as the main venue due to its historical significance.
“Since it was at the Tarakeswar conference that Syama Prasad Mookerjee first adopted the proposal for the partition of Bengal, the main programme will be held there,” the Minister said. He added that the platform would be used to discuss the historical context of West Bengal’s formation and highlight lesser-known aspects of the state’s origin in 1947.
The decision to formally observe West Bengal Day on June 20 has sparked political and public debate, with the government positioning the initiative as an effort to reconnect people with the state’s historical roots.
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