Bengal Sings 'Sonar Bangla' in Protest against BJP
Samprikta Bose
Leading dignitaries from the educational, literary, art, and cultural spheres of the state, along with student, youth, women, teacher, and cultural mass organizations (SFI, DYFI, AIDWA, ABTA, IPTA etc.), called for a protest on November 4, 2025 against the Assam BJP government's efforts to label Rabindranath Tagore's song 'Amar Sonar Bangla' as seditious and the threats by some West Bengal BJP leaders to ban the song if they came to power.
As part of this resistance, a call was given for the song 'Amar Sonar Bangla' to be sung collectively across the state simultaneously on November 4, at 2 PM and 7 PM. CPI(M) state secretary Md. Salim appealed to larger sections of society to join the protest. The artists, literary figures, and academics asserted that the honor of this song, composed in protest against the Partition of Bengal in 1905, must be upheld against the fundamentalist assault on Bengali language and culture.
Protest Across the State
The protest was triggered by the Assam BJP government's hostile actions against Rabindranath Tagore's song, 'Amar Sonar Bangla.' Specifically, the Assam Chief Minister, Himanta Biswa Sarma, ordered sedition charges against several individuals for singing it and labeled the song 'traitorous.' As a result, millions of voices across West Bengal collectively sang the timeless song, asserting that the humanistic values of unity and harmony would prevail over fundamentalist forces.
Responding to Md. Salim’s call, party members and a large number of citizens actively participated throughout the day, ensuring the program spread widely across districts. Reports of massive participation came from Kolkata, Bankura, Nadia, Hooghly, Midnapore, Burdwan, and several other areas. Party leaders strongly condemned the attempt to brand a song that carries the heritage of the independence movement as 'seditious.' They noted that the BJP-RSS is systematically attacking Tagore’s ideals because he consistently spoke out against communal and fundamentalist forces.
Spontaneous Participation
The protest witnessed spontaneous and enthusiastic participation of civil society members from various strata. On the streets of Jadavpur, eminent educationist Pabitra Sarkar and CPI(M) Central Committee member Sujan Chakraborty, along with others from civil society, joined a march and performed the song collectively.
Pabitra Sarkar, during the event, asserted that the incident goes beyond an attack on a mere song; rather, it constitutes an assault on Bengal's history, culture, and secular character. He emphasized the necessity of upholding the spirit of Rabindranath Tagore as the essential beacon to combat fundamentalist darkness.
Sujan Chakraborty added: "The massive turnout today proves that the people of Bengal will reject any attempt to impose bans or curb our democratic rights. We stand united against the RSS-BJP's politics of hatred and division."
Echoing this sentiment, numerous protests occurred across Kolkata and its surrounding areas, featuring ordinary citizens singing together in harmony at sites like Harisabha More in Behala, Sodepur More, and Kasba Lal Kuthi. These demonstrators, many influenced by Rabindranath Tagore's philosophy, advocated for pluralism as a bulwark against division and bigotry.
Mass Organizations
Mass organizations showed immense strength and unity across all sectors. Teacher organizations like ABTA, youth organizations like DYFI, student organizations like SFI, cultural groups like IPTA, and the West Bengal Democratic Writers and Artists Association actively took part in the programme.
The SFI organized multiple events both outside and within various campuses. During these programs, students collectively sang 'Amar Sonar Bangla' to voice their strong protest against the dishonor of Rabindranath.
SFI West Bengal Secretary, Debanjan Dey, spoke about the widespread mobilization, stating, "We will always treat any attempt to condemn or silence the voice of Tagore with the utmost seriousness. Tagore's songs will resonate across every school, college, and university campus in Bengal. The RSS, followers of Savarkar, are in no position to lecture us on the meaning of nationalism."
The West Bengal State Committee of the All India Democratic Women's Association (AIDWA) strongly denounced the fatwa, organizing protests across several major districts, including Kolkata, Nadia, and South 24 Parganas. The demonstration in Purulia was particularly noteworthy, drawing a large crowd and the presence of both AIDWA State Secretary Kaninika Ghosh and President Jahanara Khan. As hundreds of women sang "Aamar Sonar Bangla...," they symbolically protested by burning an effigy.
'Amar Sonar Bangla...' was sung in schools, colleges, universities, various social spaces, and offices across the state, standing in solidarity with civil society. The Calcutta University Employees Association (CUEA) organized a collective performance of the song across all university campuses. Furthermore, the Calcutta University Research Scholars' Association (CURSA) held a similar program specifically at the Rajabazar campus. The song was also performed at the Centenary Hospital in Kidderpore Dock.
Pledge for Continued Resistance
All dissenting voices affirmed with conviction that Rabindranath's creation cannot be confined by national boundaries or banned by a 'fatwa.' The protestors pledged that resistance against this despicable conspiracy will continue in the coming days to ensure the resurgence of benevolent forces and the marginalization of the agents of darkness.
The celebration of Ritwik Ghatak's birth centenary served as a platform for protest. "Amar Sonar Bangla" was sung at the Ranuchhaya Mancha, located near Kolkata's Nandan Academy of Fine Arts complex. The Bharatiya Gananatya Sangha (IPTA), led by President Hirannay Ghoshal, stated that the event had to be held on an open stage because halls were unavailable. From the Ranuchhaya Mancha, the organizers clearly articulated their stance: they affirmed that the Bangladesh Liberation War was not merely a foreign struggle but also their own, given the number of lives lost. As a result, they insisted that the song, "Amar Sonar Bangla," be sung standing up. This distinct type of cultural resistance fostered widespread public engagement throughout the state, with audiences and listeners frequently standing to perform the song in many different locations.
