Opinion: In PM Modi's Tarakeshwar Visit, A Battle For Bengal's Memory

Updated: Jun 19, 2026 20:45 pm IST Published On Jun 19, 2026 20:19 pm IST Last Updated On Jun 19, 2026 20:45 pm IST

Published On Jun 19, 2026 20:19 pm IST

Last Updated On Jun 19, 2026 20:45 pm IST

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is visiting West Bengal's Tarakeshwar on June 20 for three major reasons. The first and most important reason is the celebration of West Bengal Day.

The BJP government under Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari has declared June 20 as the official "West Bengal Day", beginning from 2026. The date carries historical significance because on June 20, 1947, the Bengal Legislative Assembly voted on the partition of Bengal, resulting in the creation of West Bengal as a part of India.

PM Modi will participate in the first official state-level celebration of West Bengal Day at Tarakeshwar. He will address a public gathering at 2 PM at the Tarakeshwar Rajbari ground.

The choice of Tarakeshwar is not accidental. The place has historical importance. In April 1946, a resolution connected to Bengal's future was passed there, and Syama Prasad Mookerjee played a major role in asserting that Bengal should remain with India.

The second reason behind the prime minister's visit is the release of the 23rd instalment of the PM-KISAN scheme. From Tarakeswar, he will release Rs 18,880 crore to around 9.44 crore farmers across India. More than 45 lakh farmers from West Bengal will receive over Rs 900 crore under this scheme. Around one crore farmers are expected to join the programme through video conferencing.

The third reason is related to religion, development, and political symbolism. PM Modi will visit the historic Tarakeshwar Shiva Temple and offer prayers. This will be the first time a sitting prime minister visits the temple.

Along with this, several development projects will also be launched, including railway projects and the foundation stone for the modernisation of the Eastern Railway hospital. The Tarakeshwar temple area has also been prepared for the Prime Minister's visit.

So, tomorrow's programme combines three elements: West Bengal Day celebrations, farmer welfare politics through PM-KISAN, and religious-cultural symbolism.

But the bigger question is: why is June 20 such a politically sensitive date in West Bengal?

The debate over West Bengal Day is not merely about choosing a date. It is actually a debate over Bengal's history, identity and political narrative.

West Bengal never had an officially recognised "Statehood Day" like many other states. The controversy became intense when the Raj Bhavan started observing June 20 as West Bengal Day, referring to the 1947 Bengal Assembly decision that created West Bengal after the partition of Bengal.

The Trinamool Congress government, led by Mamata Banerjee, strongly opposed this idea.

Mamata Banerjee argued that June 20 should not be celebrated because it represents the trauma of partition, displacement and communal violence. According to her, the date reminds people of the painful division of Bengal rather than a moment of celebration.

The Trinamool Congress government instead wanted Poila Boishakh, the Bengali New Year, to be recognised as "Bangla........

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