PM Modi hails Bengal’s ‘freedom from shackles’ at Paschimbanga Divas
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, addressing Paschimbanga Divas celebrations in Tarakeswar, declared that West Bengal has “broken free of its shackles” under the BJP government. He projected the BJP’s victory as a new chapter for Bengal, promising rapid development, welfare delivery, and an end to decades of misgovernance.
Tarakeswar (WB): Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday declared that West Bengal had “broken free of its shackles” and embarked on a new journey of development under the BJP government, while invoking the state’s Partition-era history to assert that June 20 was a defining moment that ensured Bengal remained within India.
Addressing the state-level Paschimbanga Divas celebrations here, Modi blended history and politics, crediting Syama Prasad Mookerjee for leading the movement that resulted in the creation of West Bengal and accusing successive governments of suppressing that legacy.
There is now a new freshness in the air of Bengal. It feels as if Bengal has now broken free from its shackles, as if the return of Bengal’s glory has begun,” the Prime Minister said.
“Today, after the elections and the swearing-in, I have the good fortune for the first time to come amid you. There is a glow on the faces of Bengal’s people, and a sentiment of joy and trust in villages… It is clearly visible in Bengal how your one vote can bring about a change,” he said.
The PM used the occasion to project the BJP’s victory as the beginning of a new chapter for the state and linked it to what he described as the aspirations behind West Bengal’s creation in 1947.
“We need to repeatedly highlight the importance of Paschimbanga Divas. It is important for the younger generation to know what happened during that period,” he said, describing June 20 as a reminder of a crucial chapter in Bengal’s history rather than merely a date on the calendar.
Referring to the events preceding Partition, Modi alleged that attempts had been made to include the whole of undivided Bengal in Pakistan and credited Mookerjee with leading the resistance against it.
“When efforts were being made to make the whole of Bengal a part of Pakistan, Congress had bowed before conspiratorial forces. It was then that Syama Prasad Mookerjee raised his voice against it,” he said.
Modi said Mookerjee launched the Bengali Hindu Homeland movement and mobilised public opinion against the proposal.
“Scientist Meghnad Saha, historians RC Majumdar and Jadunath Sarkar, linguist Suniti Kumar Chatterji and many eminent personalities joined the movement. Industrialist GD Birla supported it. Matua leader PR Thakur also came forward in support,” he said.
“As a result, anti-India forces realised that separating all of Bengal from India was impossible and a part of Bengal remained with Mother India in the form of West Bengal,” Modi said.
The prime minister said the violence in Kolkata in 1946 and the Noakhali riots claimed many innocent lives.
“Bengal witnessed bloodshed and Partition, yet it did not allow its cultural identity and heritage to be destroyed,” he said.
Attacking the Congress, Left Front and TMC, Modi alleged that the significance of Paschimbanga Divas had been deliberately downplayed.
“The same spirit with which West Bengal was saved should have been used to take it forward. But the opposite happened. Attempts were made to erase the history and significance of Paschimbanga Divas. Because of political agendas, history was whitewashed,” he said.
“The Congress, which was willing to abandon Bengal during Partition, later pursued appeasement politics,” he alleged.
Modi also claimed that Mookerjee’s contribution was ignored because he later founded the Bharatiya Jana Sangh.
“Efforts were made to eliminate the very ideology for which he had fought for Bengal,” he said.
Seeking to connect the historical narrative with the present political situation, Modi said this year’s observance carried special significance after the BJP’s victory in the assembly polls.
“This time, Paschimbanga Divas is even more special. The dreams envisioned for Bengal’s future after Independence are now turning into reality,” he said.
Projecting the BJP government as a corrective to decades of alleged misgovernance, Modi said the state had suffered under successive administrations.
“The double-engine government has started working at super-fast speed to fill the pits that were dug in Bengal first by the Left and then by the TMC. Decisions are being made at lightning speed, and stalled projects are moving forward,” he said.
Referring to the projects unveiled during the programme, Modi said investments in railways, agriculture, fisheries, animal husbandry and rural development would strengthen Bengal’s economy and create opportunities.
The PM alleged that welfare schemes were stalled for years because of political rivalry. “Today, by breaking those barriers, benefits are being delivered directly to people. There are no middlemen and no obstacles,” he said.
The PM said that promises made during the election campaign, such as Ayushman Bharat and Annapurna schemes, were now being fulfilled.”You may have seen that previous governments delayed the transfer of land for border fencing for decades. As soon as the new government was formed, work to complete that process began,” he told the gathering.
Modi alleged that decades of political mismanagement had weakened Bengal’s economy and encouraged infiltration.
“Large industries left, small enterprises shut down, jobs disappeared and intruders kept seizing resources. What was once a land of opportunities gradually turned into a hub of migration,” he said.
“Those who once looted you are now returning the looted money. Big looters are being sent to jail. Those who ran the syndicate raj are now apologising. The extortionists at toll plazas have fled. The cut-money regime in Bengal has now ended; real work has begun,” Modi said.
He alleged that the Congress, Left and the TMC, instead of nurturing West Bengal, allowed it to become a hub of illegal infiltrators.
“On this Paschimbanga Divas, we must resolve not to repeat the mistakes of history. Inspired by this day, we must create a new history,” he said.
Earlier, Modi unveiled projects in the railways, agriculture, rural development and fisheries.
