PM Modi to attend first official West Bengal Day on June 20; schools, colleges told to observe

Kolkata: The West Bengal government has issued a notification directing all government offices, educational institutions and district administrations to observe West Bengal Day on June 20, marking the first official state-sponsored celebration of the occasion under the newly elected BJP government.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to attend the flagship programme in Tarakeswar.

The visit will precede his participation in International Day of Yoga events on June 21, which he had earlier announced would be held from Bengal.

According to a notification issued by the Chief Secretary, district-level committees headed by District Magistrates will be formed to organise the celebrations.

The committees will include Superintendents of Police, district school inspectors, local MPs and MLAs.

The state government said cultural programmes, exhibitions and discussions will be organised to showcase Bengal’s heritage, culture, history and traditions.

A key objective of the observance will be to educate students and the public about the historical circumstances surrounding the Partition of Bengal.

The notification also encourages awareness initiatives through visits to libraries, museums and cultural institutions.

Higher Education Minister Jagannath Chattopadhyay said the programme will be observed across all colleges and universities in the state.

The move marks a significant shift from the previous Trinamool Congress government’s (TMC) stance.

While West Bengal Day has been observed at Lok Bhavan (formerly Raj Bhavan) since 2023, former Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee had opposed the June 20 observance and instead introduced ‘Bangla Divas’ on Poila Boishakh, celebrated on April 15.

Following the change in government after the 2026 Assembly elections, the state Cabinet approved June 20 as West Bengal Day.

Explaining the choice of Tarakeswar as the venue for the main event, Chattopadhyay said the location holds historical significance because a conference led by Syama Prasad Mookerjee had adopted a proposal related to Bengal’s partition there.

He said discussions during the celebrations would focus on the formation of West Bengal and its historical context during 1947.