"Bankim Babu, not 'da'": TMC corrects PM Modi during LS speech | Watch

A linguistic and cultural objection was raised in the Lok Sabha today when Prime Minister Narendra Modi referred to 'Vande Mataram' composer and legendary Bengali poet Bankim Chandra Chatterjee as "Bankim Da" during the special discussion on the national song's 150th anniversary. This brief, yet pointed, exchange added a moment of unexpected tension to the otherwise historical debate.

The objection came from Trinamool Congress (TMC) MP Saugata Roy, who took issue with the use of the suffix ‘Da’. 'Da' is a common short form of 'Dada' (meaning brother) used by Bengalis to address brothers, friends, or acquaintances casually. The MP argued that using such a casual term for a towering cultural icon like Bankim Chandra Chatterjee was not sufficiently respectful.

Saugata Roy interjected during the Prime Minister's speech, stating, "You are saying Bankim Da? You should say Bankim Babu." 'Babu' is a more formal and honorific title traditionally used in Bengali to show respect to gentlemen and figures of authority or stature.

The Prime Minister was swift and gracious in his response, immediately acceding to the sentiment of the Bengal representative. "I will say Bankim Babu. Thank you, I respect your sentiments," PM Modi responded, demonstrating deference to the cultural norm cited by the TMC MP. He then lightened the moment by adding, "I can call you dada, right? Or you have an objection to that, too?"

Later, TMC MP Dr. Kakoli Ghosh Dastidar further escalated the issue, launching a sharp public attack on the Prime Minister and the BJP, accusing them of repeatedly insulting Bengali icons. She argued that the Prime Minister's use of 'Bankim Da' suggested he was speaking about someone he "casually sits with at a tea adda," implying a lack of appropriate reverence.

Dr. Ghosh Dastidar emphasized that Bengalis found this casual reference unacceptable, linking it to previous incidents where, she alleged, BJP workers destroyed the bust of Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar and disrespected Raja Rammohan Roy. She concluded her criticism by stating that Bengalis did not accept those earlier acts, and they will "certainly not accept Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay being referred to as ‘Da’ now."