Mamata Banerjee Objects to NITI Aayog Showing Bihar as Bengal

Mamata Banerjee Objects to NITI Aayog Showing Bihar as Bengal

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has strongly objected to Bihar being depicted on the map of West Bengal in a NITI Aayog report. This error appeared on the cover page of the "Summary Report for West Bengal State" published on NITI Aayog's official website.

In a strongly worded letter to the Vice Chairman of NITI Aayog, Mamata Banerjee expressed "deep concern and clear disapproval," calling the mistake a "grave error" and an "insult to the identity and dignity of the State of West Bengal."

Banerjee shared a screenshot of the map and the letter on X (formerly Twitter), demanding an apology and immediate correction. She wrote, "This error is not merely a technical oversight but reflects a deeper lack of diligence and respect towards the constituent states of the Union." The Chief Minister warned that such errors "raise legitimate concerns about the rigor and reliability of the institution's work" and "cast doubt on the quality, authenticity, and credibility of its publications."

She urged NITI Aayog to correct the document, issue a formal apology, and "establish robust mechanisms to prevent such errors in the future."

Earlier in the day, Trinamool Congress MP Saket Gokhale also pointed out the mistake on social media, stating, "It's pathetic that the Govt of India can't even place West Bengal on a map." He criticized the BJP for the error, noting that 12 of the party's MPs are from Bengal, including two Union Ministers.

Gokhale urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is also the Chairman of NITI Aayog, to apologize to the people of Bengal. He said, "Otherwise, this insult will haunt your party for a long time."