Congress Abandoned Bengal During Partition, Says PM Modi at Paschimbanga Divas Celebration in Hooghly
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday launched a sharp attack on the Congress, alleging that the party had “abandoned Bengal during Partition” and allowed forces seeking to separate the entire region from India to gain ground. Speaking at the Paschimbanga Divas (West Bengal Day) celebrations in Tarakeswar, Hooghly district, Modi said the creation of West Bengal was the result of determined efforts by nationalist leaders and ordinary citizens who resisted attempts to merge the whole of Bengal with Pakistan.
PM’s Historical Attack on Congress
Addressing a large gathering, Modi claimed that during the tumultuous period of 1947, “conspiratorial forces” sought to ensure that the entire Bengal province became part of Pakistan. According to the Prime Minister, the Congress leadership failed to adequately defend Bengal’s interests, while nationalist leaders fought to preserve a part of Bengal within India. He described June 20 as a historic date because it marked the Bengal Legislative Assembly’s decision that eventually led to the creation of West Bengal.
The Prime Minister stated that had those efforts not succeeded, the cultural, spiritual, and intellectual heritage of Bengal could have faced a very different future. He credited leaders associated with the movement to retain West Bengal within India and called upon citizens to remember their sacrifices.
Significance of Paschimbanga Divas
Paschimbanga Divas, observed on June 20, commemorates the 1947 resolution that paved the way for the formation of West Bengal as part of India following Partition. The day recognizes Bengal’s historical, cultural, literary, and political contributions to the nation.
The event in Tarakeswar was particularly symbolic because the region has historical links to the political mobilization that supported the retention of West Bengal within India during the Partition debates.
Political Message and Development Agenda
Beyond historical references, Modi also used the occasion to highlight development initiatives in the state. He inaugurated and laid the foundation stone for projects worth more than ₹1,492 crore across sectors including railways, healthcare, agriculture, and connectivity. The Prime Minister argued that West Bengal is now moving on a faster development trajectory and praised the state’s recent governance direction.
Modi further criticized decades of rule by Congress, Left parties, and the Trinamool Congress, alleging that these governments had hindered Bengal’s progress. He asserted that a “new Bengal” was emerging with a focus on development, infrastructure, investment, and employment generation.
Historical Context: Bengal Partition
The Partition of Bengal in 1947 remains one of the most significant events in the region’s history. On June 20, 1947, the Bengal Legislative Assembly voted on whether Bengal should remain united or be divided. Separate votes by legislators from Muslim-majority and non-Muslim-majority areas eventually resulted in the decision to partition the province, leading to the creation of West Bengal in India and East Bengal in Pakistan, which later became Bangladesh in 1971.
The issue continues to carry political significance because competing political parties often interpret the events of Partition differently, particularly regarding the roles played by Congress leaders, regional nationalist figures, and community organizations.
Political Impact
Modi’s remarks are expected to intensify political debate in West Bengal, where historical narratives surrounding Partition, migration, identity, and citizenship remain influential issues. By invoking Partition-era events during Paschimbanga Divas, the Prime Minister sought to connect Bengal’s historical struggles with contemporary political discourse, reinforcing the BJP’s emphasis on regional pride, nationalism, and historical remembrance.
Key Highlights
- PM Modi alleged that Congress failed Bengal during the 1947 Partition.
- He said efforts were made to merge the entire Bengal region with Pakistan.
- Paschimbanga Divas marks the June 20, 1947 resolution that led to the creation of West Bengal.
- Modi inaugurated and announced projects worth over ₹1,492 crore in the state.
- The speech combined historical remembrance with a strong political and development-focused message.
