'Not Mamata's Epang-Opang-Jhapang': Libraries to carry books on nationalism and great thinkers

West Bengal Public Education Extension and Library Services Minister Gouri Shankar Ghosh on Thursday announced a major restructuring of the state's library system, stating that certain books written by former Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, including Epang-Opang-Jhapang, would no longer be kept in government libraries. After assuming charge of the department, the minister said books that do not contribute to the knowledge and education of students would be removed from library collections and replaced with works promoting nationalist thought, statehood, modern science and the contributions of eminent personalities.

The minister said that unnecessary books written by Mamata Banerjee, such as Epang-Opang-Jhapang, would not remain in libraries. He stated that books authored by the former Chief Minister which do not help students gain knowledge or educational value would be removed. He also announced plans to modernise libraries across the state through the introduction of digital technology and the development of e-library facilities.

Ghosh further claimed that attempts had been made to make people forget the contributions of Syama Prasad Mookerjee and said books on his life and work would be included in library collections. He also alleged that efforts had been made to make people forget Swami Vivekananda, Rabindranath Tagore, Kazi Nazrul Islam and Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay. The minister stated that libraries would include books on nationalism, statehood, modern science and Bengal's great thinkers, while works relating to Syama Prasad Mookerjee would receive particular emphasis. He also alleged that the previous government functioned with an authoritarian mindset and operated according to its own rules.

The announcement comes amid a broader debate on education and history in the state. Recently, state BJP president Shamik Bhattacharya alleged that school textbooks were presenting a distorted version of India's history. Similar concerns have been raised on multiple occasions by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other BJP leaders regarding what they describe as distorted historical narratives. Themes such as nationalism, India's civilisational heritage, Vedic science and culture, and the contributions of freedom fighters have frequently featured in speeches by BJP leaders. Against this backdrop, the RSS is reported to believe that significant changes are needed in West Bengal's education policy, curriculum and education system, leading to discussions on whether educational institutions may move towards a more nationalist interpretation of history.