Ananya Lohia , Kolkata - Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday linked West Bengal's Partition-era history with its present political landscape, saying the state was finally moving towards the vision envisioned by those who fought to keep Bengal within India. Speaking at the Paschimbanga Divas celebrations in Hooghly, Modi alleged that the significance of June 20, 1947, had been deliberately forgotten and credited Dr Syama Prasad Mookerjee for opposing efforts to include the entire Bengal in Pakistan during Partition.

Addressing the gathering, Modi said today's youth should know about the events that led to the creation of West Bengal. He claimed that while attempts were made to make the whole of Bengal a part of Pakistan, Syama Prasad Mookerjee raised his voice against the move and played a key role in safeguarding Bengal's place in India. The Prime Minister also accused previous governments of trying to erase the historical significance of June 20 and said this year's observance of Paschimbanga Divas was special as it reflected the aspirations behind the state's creation.

Modi's remarks triggered sharp reactions from the opposition. The Trinamool Congress and Congress accused him of presenting a distorted version of history and politicising the issue. During the event, the Prime Minister also laid the foundation stone and inaugurated several development projects and released the 23rd instalment of the PM-Kisan scheme worth ₹18,880 crore. He said the Centre would continue supporting West Bengal's development and urged the state to set short-, medium- and long-term growth targets.

The Prime Minister's remarks brought the historical debate surrounding West Bengal's formation back into focus, while also highlighting the political differences between the BJP and the opposition over the state's identity, legacy and future development path.