Bangladeshis have mixed reaction to West Bengal’s name-change proposal

[Riyad]

How is Bangladesh reacting to West Bengal’s name-change proposal?
Priyanka Dasgupta | TNN | Aug 5, 2016, 05.35 PM IST

KOLKATA: After Mamata Banerjee's cabinet resolved to drop the word 'West' from the state's name, Bangladesh gave mixed reactions to the move. For many across the border, the idea of changing to 'Bengal' in English and 'Banga' or 'Bangla' instead of 'Paschimbanga' in Bengali might translate into an attempt to forget history. Some fear that it might lead to complications regarding the ownership of Tagore's "Amar Sonar Bangla" anthem. For others, any change that makes a neighbour happy is always welcome.

Author Anisur Hoque has welcomed this endeavour, saying, "Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib, our father of the nation, never accepted the word East Pakistan for this part of Bengal after 1947. We earned the independence of our part of Bengal at the cost of million lives. We named it Bangladesh - a country named after language. But when Tagore wrote 'aji Bangladesher hridoy hotei kakhon apni', he meant both."

According to Hoque, since Bangladesh is an independent country, it's redundant to have the prefix 'West' to Bengal. "Since we don't call our land East Bengal, why should West Bengal not change its name? Bangla or Bengal should suffice. Both sound politically correct too. It's up to the people of West Bengal to choose. We are happy to see our neighbours happy. Personally, I am voting for the name Bango," he said.

Actress Sohana Saba also welcomed the proposal on similar grounds. "Although the name of West Bengal has history behind it, name changes have always been accommodated in case of need. There is nothing called East Bengal anymore. While West Bengal as a name is nice, I am happy if it's changed to Bengal or Bongo." However, she isn't keen on the name Bangla for apprehension that it might lead to identity confusion with Bangladesh. "If someone says Bangla, one will again have to explain Bangladeshi-Bangla or India's Bangla. That will lead to problems," she said.

Meanwhile, Bangladeshi author Taslima Nasreen has dubbed this as a childlike move. She doesn't buy the argument that official representatives of the state will no longer have to wait endlessly for their turn to present the state's case in all-India meetings. Painter and leading contemporary Bangladeshi architect Mustapha Khalid Palash also agrees with Nasreen and adds that such a step will then prompt other states to join the bandwagon of changing names to be ahead in the race. "Once we were one country. Though now we are separate entities, we can trace our root through the existing name of 'Paschimbanga'. Why change that?" he asked. Considering the current global situation particularly of Bangladesh, Palash apprehends that this change will have an impact. "Some fundamentalists might fear that this could be a trigger of some hidden agenda of reunification of two Bengals. Some have already started writing on Facebook about what will happen to our National anthem - 'Amar Sonar Bangla' - that was penned by Tagore. The question is who will then stake claim to this song - Bangla or Bangladesh?" he asked.

Author Farah Ghuznavi insists that instead of the name-change fiasco, there are more "pressing issues" to be dealt with now. "This seems both utterly unnecessary and politically motivated - to deny historical ties and undermine the natural affinities across this border. And it is inaccurate. By virtue of language alone, Bangladesh can claim the title of 'Bangla' with as much justification as West Bengal; and that will be the case whatever West Bengal calls itself," Ghuznavi said.

Equally strong is the first reaction of Bangladeshi-American Sharbari Zohra Ahmed, the former writer of 'Quantico'. The situation, according to her, is already tense and this might add to trouble in fostering Indo-Bangla ties. "I think, Bangladesh shouldn't have been separated from India. But since we were separated and we fought a war to maintain our own identity, it should not now be encroached upon in this manner," she said.

Exiled Bangladeshi blogger Ananya Azad has dubbed this as a "political game". "It also smacks of a conspiracy against Bangladesh. If the proposal to change the name to Bangla or Banga gets accepted, it will then lead to further complications regarding who is the true-blue Bengali. This, in turn, will increase complexities for those living in border states like Assam and Tripura."

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/...name-change-proposal/articleshow/53558947.cms

 

[mb444]

Who gives a flying f**k what these kno*heads call themselves as for the shi*y tagore garbage they can have it.. This anemic anti-Muslim song is an embarrassment to the nation.

 

[Saiful Islam]

Who gives a flying f**k what these kno*heads call themselves as for the shi*y tagore garbage they can have it.. This anemic anti-Muslim song is an embarrassment to the nation.

It was a pain trying to sing some alien garbage in my short lived Bengali classes that my father forced me to go to.

 

[Nabil365]

Of course razakar will have pain to sing this beautiful anthem cause they want to sing Pakistan's national anthem.Why don't you razakar go back to Pakiatan.

 

[ghost250]

Of course razakar will have pain to sing this beautiful anthem cause they want to sing Pakistan's national anthem.Why don't you razakar go back to Pakiatan.

actually ,that song was pretty hilarious..i rather prefer nazruls song as a national anthem.. rokto gorom hye jay!!..

 

[Al-zakir]

Who gives a damn?

It was a pain trying to sing some alien garbage in my short lived Bengali classes that my father forced me to go to.

It was a pain trying to sing some alien garbage in my short lived Bengali classes that my father forced me to go to.

I concur. It's sound gay, if I may add to your thought.

 

[Major d1]

comments is coming soon ......

 

[dray]

Who gives a flying f**k what these kno*heads call themselves as for the shi*y tagore garbage they can have it.. This anemic anti-Muslim song is an embarrassment to the nation.

It was a pain trying to sing some alien garbage in my short lived Bengali classes that my father forced me to go to.

Who gives a damn?
I concur. It's sound gay, if I may add to your thought.

It was all evil Hindu conspiracy against unsuspecting Bangladeshis.

"Some fundamentalists might fear that this could be a trigger of some hidden agenda of reunification of two Bengals.

Yep, that's the sinister plan...Bangladesh banega India. @asad71

Some have already started writing on Facebook about what will happen to our National anthem - 'Amar Sonar Bangla' - that was penned by Tagore. The question is who will then stake claim to this song - Bangla or Bangladesh?

What will happen? We will gonna claim it rightfully.

Equally strong is the first reaction of Bangladeshi-American Sharbari Zohra Ahmed, the former writer of 'Quantico'. The situation, according to her, is already tense and this might add to trouble in fostering Indo-Bangla ties. "I think, Bangladesh shouldn't have been separated from India. But since we were separated and we fought a war to maintain our own identity, it should not now be encroached upon in this manner," she said.

"Encroached upon"??? Hello....it was East Pakistan that encroached upon our identity.

Exiled Bangladeshi blogger Ananya Azad has dubbed this as a "political game". "It also smacks of a conspiracy against Bangladesh. If the proposal to change the name to Bangla or Banga gets accepted, it will then lead to further complications regarding who is the true-blue Bengali. This, in turn, will increase complexities for those living in border states like Assam and Tripura."

You already know who is the true-blue Bengali when you right in Kolkata dialect, you already know it, don't you?

 

[Arefin007]

We don't want Tagore Indian dirty song plz go back I spit

WB Bangladesh different entities They Bengali we Bangladeshi Need to get rid of inferior complex and assert own ethnic identity separate from Bengalee Our language different Should be made as Islamic as possible it is matter of pride Also ban Pulao Boisakh festival its making ashamed

Ban Tagore songs they don't belong in Bangladesh very annoying gives headache

West Bengalis never want good for us they want harm We separated from them for reason not to give s*@t or care 'bout them Need to change national anthem as soon as possible remove all trace of Hindu WB culture plz stop I'm gettin' angry now

 

[fallstuff]

The work of Rabindranath is beyond superb, some of the the young generation posting here have no clue about it as they probably went to English medium schools. I suggest these guys take some culture appreciation classes !!!

 

[Akhill]

This thread stands as an evidence about how Islam will corrupt minds of people and even make them forget their roots and moreover hate their roots. As cruel as it can get. I wonder how my ancestors stood against this onslaught for 1000 years and still preserved our civilization and stuck to the roots of hinduism. Thank god.

West Bengalis never want good for us they want harm We separated from them for reason not to give s*@t or care 'bout them Need to change national anthem as soon as possible remove all trace of Hindu WB culture plz stop I'm gettin' angry now

do you even know why was Bengal divided into two parts ??? You think you seperated from west bengal ?? You think people at that time wanted to seperate into two parts ??? OMG.. this kind of ignorance is really appalling. Man.. atleast learn your history.

 

[TopCat]

West Bengali Jamindar and babus never accepted the reality that they lost the free loading from East Bengal, so they kept West in their part of Bengal with an imaginary existence of East Bengal. Better late then never. India has only one Bengal and that should be named as Bengal instead of West Bengal.

The work of Rabindranath is beyond superb, some of the the young generation posting here have no clue about it as they probably went to English medium schools. I suggest these guys take some culture appreciation classes !!!

Tagore died almost a century ago. People should move on and find something new to read or sing. Beshi kochlaile shob kichu tita hoia jai. Tagor falls into beshi kochlano category.

 

[kobiraaz]

I have no problem regarding the national anthem, I just want to put Jasimuddin into somewhere. Maybe as our national poet instead of Nazrul.

 

[Akhill]

West Bengali Jamindar and babus never accepted the reality that they lost the free loading from East Bengal, so they kept West in their part of Bengal with an imaginary existence of East Bengal. Better late then never. India has only one Bengal and that should be named as Bengal instead of West Bengal.


Tagore died almost a century ago. People should move on and find something new to read or sing. Beshi kochlaile shob kichu tita hoia jai. Tagor falls into beshi kochlano category.

Sir.. i dont want to offend anyone on this forum, but by going with your logic, Prophet Mohammad died centuries ago.. why didnt you move on and find something new to read and sing ??

 

[livingdead]

I see nothing wrong in changing the name but is this the priority of wb govt? first changed name of Calcutta and now this?
why should we care what bangladesh thinks about it.. they are not called bengal, I see no chance of confusion.