West Bengal Day
{{Short description|Festival celebrated in the Indian state of West Bengal}}
{{Infobox holiday
| holiday_name = Paschimbanga Dibas
{{small|West Bengal Day}}
| image = West Bengal map for WLM-IN.svg
| imagesize = 200px
| caption =
| type = local
| longtype = Public (West Bengal)
| nickname =
| scheduling =
| frequency = annual
| observedby = Peoples of West Bengal
| date = 20 June
| celebrations =
| significance =
}}
West Bengal Day (also known as Paschim Banga Dibas) is the official state day of the Indian state of West Bengal. Observed annually on 20 June, the day commemorates the adoption of a resolution by the Bengal Legislative Assembly in 1947 that led to the creation of West Bengal as a separate state following the partition of Bengal. The occasion highlights the cultural heritage, history, and achievements of the state. Various events are organised to celebrate the social, literary, and artistic contributions of West Bengal, with cultural programmes, exhibitions, and public addresses by government officials and community leaders. Although not a public holiday, West Bengal Day is marked by festivities and observances across the state in recognition of its distinct identity and historical significance.{{Cite web |last=PR |first=ANI |last2=ThePrint |date=2025-06-21 |title=Raj Bhavan Telangana organizes West Bengal Foundation Day : Governor Shri Jishnu Dev Varma felicitates Bengali Pride in Hyderabad: Abhijeeth Bhattacharjee |url=https://theprint.in/ani-press-releases/raj-bhavan-telangana-organizes-west-bengal-foundation-day-governor-shri-jishnu-dev-varma-felicitates-bengali-pride-in-hyderabad-abhijeeth-bhattacharjee/2665738/ |access-date=2025-06-24 |website=ThePrint |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |title=West Bengal day, 20 june |url=https://www.aninews.in/news/national/general-news/june-25-is-a-black-day-west-bengal-lop-suvendu-adhikari-on-samvidhan-hatya-diwas20250619220526}}{{Cite web |title=20th June, why important for Bengal? |url=https://www.telegraphindia.com/amp/west-bengal/bjp-marks-june-20-for-power-saffron-camp-observes-west-bengal-day-remembers-syama-prasad-prnt/cid/2108970}}{{cite web |title=সরকারি ‘পশ্চিমবঙ্গ দিবস’ পাবে বাংলা, একই দিনে জোড়া উৎসবের সুপারিশ, সিলমোহর দেবেন মমতা |url=https://www.anandabazar.com/west-bengal/committee-recommended-celebrating-1-baisakh-as-west-bengal-day-chief-minister-mamata-banerjee-will-give-the-final-approval-dgtl/cid/1453875 |website=Anandabazar |publisher=Anandabazar Patrika |access-date=22 August 2023 |location=Kolkata |language=bn |date=21 August 2023 |archive-date=21 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230821221502/https://www.anandabazar.com/west-bengal/committee-recommended-celebrating-1-baisakh-as-west-bengal-day-chief-minister-mamata-banerjee-will-give-the-final-approval-dgtl/cid/1453875 |url-status=live }}{{cite web |title=Committee to determine celebration day of Paschimbanga Divas |url=https://www.millenniumpost.in/bengal/committee-to-determine-celebration-day-of-paschimbanga-divas-529842 |website=www.millenniumpost.in |access-date=22 August 2023 |location=Kolkata |date=20 August 2023 |archive-date=22 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230822160449/https://www.millenniumpost.in/bengal/committee-to-determine-celebration-day-of-paschimbanga-divas-529842 |url-status=live }}
History
On 18 August 2023, Biman Banerjee, the Speaker of the Legislative Assembly, has officially created the West Bengal Day Determination Committee.{{cite web |title=রাজ্যের ‘প্রতিষ্ঠা দিবসে’র খোঁজে এ বার শাসকও |url=https://www.anandabazar.com/west-bengal/the-search-for-the-west-bengals-foundation-day-has-been-started-by-the-state-government/cid/1453305 |website=Anandabazar |publisher=Anandabazar Patrika |access-date=22 August 2023 |location=Kolkata |language=bn |date=19 August 2023 |archive-date=22 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230822062500/https://www.anandabazar.com/west-bengal/the-search-for-the-west-bengals-foundation-day-has-been-started-by-the-state-government/cid/1453305 |url-status=live }}{{cite web |author1=Apromeya Datta Gupta |title=‘পশ্চিমবঙ্গ দিবস’ কবে পালন করা হবে? তৃণমূলের বিকল্প তারিখ, কমিটি গড়লেন অধ্যক্ষ |url=https://bangla.hindustantimes.com/bengal/kolkata/assembly-tmc-gives-alternative-date-for-celebrate-paschimbango-diwas-and-speaker-formed-committee-31692435553740.html |website=bangla.hindustantimes.com |publisher=Hindustan Times - Bangla |access-date=22 August 2023 |language=bn |date=19 August 2023 |archive-date=22 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230822175609/https://bangla.hindustantimes.com/bengal/kolkata/assembly-tmc-gives-alternative-date-for-celebrate-paschimbango-diwas-and-speaker-formed-committee-31692435553740.html |url-status=live }} A proposal to officially designate West Bengal Day was tabled in the West Bengal Legislative Assembly in August 2023.{{cite web |title=Bengal government picks Poila Baisakh as state day to counter BJP's June 20 commemoration |url=https://www.telegraphindia.com/west-bengal/bengal-government-picks-poila-baisakh-as-state-day-to-counter-bjps-june-20-commemoration/cid/1960645 |website=www.telegraphindia.com |publisher=The Telegraph India |access-date=22 August 2023 |archive-date=22 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230822152446/https://www.telegraphindia.com/west-bengal/bengal-government-picks-poila-baisakh-as-state-day-to-counter-bjps-june-20-commemoration/cid/1960645 |url-status=live }} After much deliberation, it was decided on August 22 to adopt the date 1st Boishakh or Pohela Boishakh (April 14/15) of the Bengal calendar (original version) as the official West Bengal Day.