As India celebrates Kerala’s evolution to ‘Keralam,’ West Bengal’s Mamata Banerjee is left fuming. The Chief Minister praised the Centre’s sensitivity to Malayalam roots while excoriating the endless wait for ‘Bangla’—exposing fault lines in federal dynamics.
‘Heartfelt congratulations to Kerala! This honors their language and traditions,’ Banerjee beamed, positioning it as a benchmark for others.
Her elation pivoted to exasperation. West Bengal’s assembly has twice resolved for the change, approving ‘Bangla’ across Hindi, Bengali, and English. Yet, Delhi stonewalls. Why? The infamous ‘W’ in ‘West Bengal’ alphabetizes the state last, a daily indignity for millions—from scholarship lists to conference agendas.
Banerjee personalized it: ‘I speak last everywhere because of this.’ She’s lobbied Modi and Shah repeatedly, to no avail. ‘It baffles me—they oppose it, seemingly anti-Bengali, maligning our icons,’ she thundered.
Electoral opportunism irks her most: ‘They use ‘Bangla’ to woo voters, then deny us.’ Linking to Kerala, she quipped on BJP-CPI(M) ties: ‘Now their bond is official. Bengal always draws the short straw?’
With prophetic edge, she declared, ‘BJP won’t rule forever. We’ll make it Bangla.’ Urging immediate action, Banerjee framed this as a test of respect for Bengal’s ethos, poised to galvanize regional fervor.