Why is West Bengal Called So? TMC Pushes for Name Change to ‘Bangla’
Mamata Banerjee’s Party Renews Demand to Rename State, Awaits Centre’s Nod
The debate over renaming West Bengal to ‘Bangla’ has resurfaced as Trinamool Congress (TMC) MP Ritabrata Banerjee raised the issue in Rajya Sabha on February 4. The West Bengal Assembly had already passed a resolution for the name change in July 2018, but the Centre has yet to approve it.
According to Ritabrata Banerjee, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has also written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, urging that the change would better reflect the state’s history, culture, and identity. He emphasized that the will of the people must be honoured.
Why is West Bengal Called ‘West Bengal’?
The name dates back to the 1905 partition of Bengal by the British, when the region was divided into Muslim-majority East Bengal and Hindu-majority West Bengal. Although the partition was revoked in 1911, the name West Bengal remained. When India gained independence in 1947, Bengal was divided again—West Bengal became part of India, while East Bengal became East Pakistan. In 1971, East Pakistan gained independence and became Bangladesh, but the name West Bengal continued.
Why Does TMC Want a Name Change?
- No ‘East Bengal’ Exists Anymore – The name West Bengal feels outdated since there is no East Bengal, except in football (East Bengal FC).
- Alphabetical Advantage – A name change to Bangla would bring the state higher in alphabetical order, reducing delays in official meetings, where speakers from West Bengal often get their turn late.
- Cultural Identity – Supporters argue that ‘Bangla’ resonates better with the state’s heritage and linguistic identity.
Will the Name Change Happen?
The last major state name change happened in 2011, when Orissa became Odisha. Several cities have also undergone renaming, including Bombay to Mumbai (1995), Madras to Chennai (1996), Calcutta to Kolkata (2001), and Bangalore to Bengaluru (2014).
While the TMC government is pushing for approval, the final decision rests with the Central government, which has yet to give a green light. Until then, the name West Bengal continues to remain in use.
News Source : “Information for this article was gathered from a variety of reliable news outlets.”
