Mamata Banerjee Honors BJP MP Ananta Maharaj with Bangabibhushan Award
In a significant political gesture, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Saturday presented the state government's prestigious Bangabibhushan award to BJP Rajya Sabha MP Ananta Maharaj. The ceremony recognized Maharaj's dedicated efforts towards the socio-economic development of the Rajbanshi community in Bengal.
BJP MP's Critical Remarks and Swift Departure
Maharaj, whom the BJP sent to the Upper House from Bengal in 2023, made striking comments following the award presentation. "What good is being a BJP MP if nothing is done for us?" he questioned, expressing dissatisfaction with the central government's approach towards his community.
The BJP parliamentarian has been an outspoken critic of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of poll rolls, which he believes is systematically disenfranchising the Rajbanshi community he represents. Maharaj highlighted historical grievances, noting that Rajbanshis became part of India in 1947 alongside the Dominion government but have faced persistent neglect, humiliation, and criticism ever since.
The award ceremony concluded quickly as Maharaj had prior commitments requiring him to catch a flight. Chief Minister Banerjee acknowledged his tight schedule and expressed gratitude for his attendance despite the time constraints. Before departing, Maharaj delivered a brief speech thanking the CM and recited a poem in the Rajbanshi language.
Banerjee's Strong Defense of Bengali Language and Culture
The award presentation coincided with International Mother Language Day, providing Banerjee with a platform to deliver a passionate defense of Bengali language and culture. She cited ongoing atrocities against Bengali-speaking populations in other states and positioned Bengal as a bastion of linguistic respect.
"We respect all languages. We are people from the land of Ramakrishna Paramahamsa. Out of respect for all languages, we say that if any language is attacked, we will stand against it," Banerjee declared. "However, I see that anyone speaking Bengali is being labelled an infiltrator. Is speaking our language a crime? Why is there a conspiracy to take away our language?"
The Chief Minister directly challenged those she described as "a particular group of outsiders" oppressing Bengali speakers, asserting that "the Bengali language did not come by their grace."
Allegations of Cultural Marginalization and Historical Context
Banerjee extended her criticism to cultural institutions, revealing that Delhi's Sahitya Akademi had nominated one of her books for an award last year but ultimately gave it to no one because it bore her name. "I am not eager for their gift. This year, too, you (Sahitya Akademi) did not give anything to Bengali. Does no one write in Bengali?" she questioned.
Without naming specific entities, the CM slammed the central government for what she perceives as systematic attacks on Bengal. "Remember, we will not accept any insult to Bengali. Today, Bengal is under attack. What is the rush to exclude the people of Bengal from their voting rights, their culture and respect for their language? What do you want — for Bengal to disappear or to take control of Bengal by force?"
Banerjee provided historical context to underscore Bengal's contributions to Indian society. "Without Bengal, there wouldn't have been the start of the freedom struggle; there wouldn't have been a Renaissance. Without Bengali, social reform would not have happened," she emphasized, citing the abolition of Sati and the widow remarriage movement initiated by Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar as Bengali-led reforms.
The Chief Minister highlighted that "in our freedom struggle, 90% of people who went to the gallows were Bengalis and 10% were Punjabis," noting these were the two regions most affected by Partition. She referenced Jallianwala Bagh and Rabindranath Tagore's renunciation of his Knighthood in protest as examples of Bengal's historical resistance.
Other Distinguished Award Recipients
The Bangabibhushan awards ceremony honored several other notable figures from Bengal's cultural landscape:
- Artist Ganesh Chandra Halui
- Poet Srijato Bandyopadhyay
- Singers Sibaji Chattopadhyay, Sriradha Bandyopadhyay, Nachiketa Chakraborty, Lopamudra Mitra, Babul Supriyo, and Iman Chakraborty
The Bangabhushan honor was awarded to an equally distinguished group:
- Singers Monomoy Bhattacharya, Rupankar Bagchi, and Raghab Chattopadhyay
- Footballer Samaresh Choudhury
- Actor Parambrata Chattopadhyay
- The additional chief secretary in the land and land reforms and refugee relief and rehabilitation Department
- Several vernacular television channels
The ceremony thus served dual purposes: recognizing community development work through Ananta Maharaj's award while providing Chief Minister Banerjee with a platform to articulate her government's cultural and linguistic priorities in the face of what she perceives as central overreach.
