West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has called on Prime Minister Narendra Modi to apologize for referring to novelist Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay as ‘Bankim da,’ terming it disrespectful to Bengal’s literary heritage. Speaking at a rally in Cooch Behar on December 9, 2025, Banerjee criticised Modi for casually referring to one of India’s greatest cultural icons. She argued that even though the Prime Minister was not born during Independence, he should have shown proper respect to the legendary author.
#FAM4TMC
Mamta Banerjee Zindabad 🙏💚♥️ pic.twitter.com/COwlaav0ll— Kanhaiya Prasad (@Kanhaiya0891) December 9, 2025
Controversy Over PM Modi’s ‘Bankim Da’ Remark
The ‘Bankim Da’ remark took place during a Lok Sabha discussion commemorating 150 years of Vande Mataram. TMC MP Saugata Roy objected, requesting the Prime Minister say ‘Bankim babu’ instead. PM Modi agreed, replying, ‘I will say Bankim ‘babu’. Thank you, I respect your sentiments.’ Mamata Banerjee criticized the BJP, warning it could harm Bengal’s culture and heritage. The comment has since triggered a wider political and cultural debate across the state.
