CM Mamata pays tribute to Pratul Mukherjee, calls for linguistic unity on International Mother Language Day

Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee addressed a gathering at Deshapriya Park on International Mother Language Day, emphasizing that language is not the property of any individual or group. She stressed the importance of linguistic inclusivity and cultural preservation, reaffirming that she attends this event every year to honor the occasion.

At the event, a one-minute silence was observed in memory of renowned Bengali singer Pratul Mukherjee, who passed away recently. Banerjee paid tribute to the late artist, recalling his contributions to Bengali music and his iconic song "Ami Banglay Gaan Gai."

She also mentioned her final meeting with him at SSKM Hospital, where he acknowledged her presence with a gesture before his passing. Banerjee reiterated the need to respect all languages while preserving the significance of Bengali. She highlighted that Bengali has been officially recognized as a classical language and credited Education Minister Bratya Basu for his efforts in compiling extensive documentation to secure this status. 

She stated, "Bratya has proven with volumes of documents that Bengali is a thousand-year-old language." The program featured poetry recitations and musical performances, with poet Joy Goswami and singer Iman Chakraborty participating. The event was conducted by singer and state minister Indranil Sen.

Several prominent personalities, ministers, and legislators were present, with speakers recalling Mukherjee’s legacy and discussing the importance of linguistic identity. The event concluded with a collective call for language preservation and unity. Banerjee read a poem of her own before the national anthem was sung to mark the end of the program.