Mamata Banerjee Requires PM’s Apology Over ‘Bankim Da’ Remark in Lok Sabha

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Tuesday (December 9, 2025) demanded an apology from Prime Minister Narendra Modi, alleging that he has insulted novelist Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay by calling him “Bankim da”.

Addressing a rally in Cooch Behar district, Ms. Banerjee mentioned the Prime Minister was not even born when the nation achieved Independence and but selected to handle certainly one of Bengal’s best cultural icons casually.

“You didn’t even present him the minimal respect he deserves. It is best to apologise for this, to the nation,” she mentioned.

The flashpoint was Prime Minister’s reference to the creator throughout a dialogue in Lok Sabha on Monday (December 8, 2025) to commemorate 150 years of the nationwide tune, Vande Mataram, written by Chattopadhyay.

TMC MP Saugata Roy objected to using the suffix ‘da’ and urged the PM to say ‘Bankim babu’ as a substitute.

Mr. Modi instantly accepted the sentiment, saying, “I’ll say Bankim ‘babu’. Thanks, I respect your sentiments,” and requested in a lighter vein whether or not he may nonetheless deal with Roy as ‘dada’.

Focusing on the BJP, Ms. Banerjee claimed that it’s going to destroy Bengal’s tradition, language and heritage if it involves energy within the state.

She additionally claimed that the Meeting elections within the State shall be declared quickly after publication of the ultimate electoral rolls following the SIR train, in order that nobody can problem it in court docket.