Banerjee associated the incident with what she described as the Centre's larger disrespect towards Bengal's heritage.

Mamata Banerjee Demands PM Modi’s Apology Over ‘Bankim Da’ Remark

On December 9, 2025, the Chief Minister of West Bengal and leader of the Trinamool Congress (TMC), Mamta Banerjee, demanded an apology from PM Narendra Modi over his remark of referring to Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay as “Bankim da” during a parliamentary speech during the 150th anniversary of his composition, Vande Mataram. According to her, the remark insulted the nation’s culture, history and freedom movement.

At a rally in Cooch Behar, she said that by using “da”, which is a Bengali suffix implying informal familiarity, Modi treated Bankim Chandra “as if he is just any common man”; thereby, he failed t

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