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