Mamata Banerjee’s Nameplate Removed at Kolkata’s Nandan Ahead of Film Festival
A political controversy has emerged in West Bengal after the nameplate of former Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee was removed from the main hall of Nandan, a prominent cultural centre in Kolkata. The space where her name appeared has reportedly been painted orange ahead of the upcoming Kolkata International Film Festival. Meanwhile, the plaque bearing the name of former Chief Minister Jyoti Basu remains intact on the premises.
The development has attracted attention because of the contrasting treatment of the two plaques. It has also sparked political discussion at a time when tensions remain high between the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party and the opposition Trinamool Congress in West Bengal.
Mamata Banerjee’s Name Removed from Nandan
Nandan is one of Kolkata’s well-known cultural institutions and serves as an important venue for film screenings and cultural programmes. The removal of Banerjee’s nameplate from its main hall has become a subject of political debate ahead of the annual Kolkata International Film Festival.
Reports indicate that the portion displaying Banerjee’s name was removed or covered with paint. The area was described as having been painted orange. In contrast, the plaque bearing Jyoti Basu’s name has reportedly been left untouched.
The difference has raised questions about the decision and its significance, particularly because both former chief ministers are associated with the institution’s history. However, the circumstances behind the removal and the official reasons for the change have not been clearly established in the available reports.
Nandan’s Historical Significance
Nandan has an important place in West Bengal’s cultural history. The foundation stone for the cultural complex was laid in 1980 by Jyoti Basu, who was then the Chief Minister of West Bengal. The complex was formally inaugurated in 1985 by renowned filmmaker Satyajit Ray.
Over the years, Nandan has developed into a major centre for film screenings, discussions and cultural events. It is also closely associated with the Kolkata International Film Festival, which attracts filmmakers, industry professionals and cinema enthusiasts.
During Mamata Banerjee’s tenure as Chief Minister, her name was displayed on plaques associated with renovation and development work at the premises. The latest removal has therefore drawn attention to how the institution's public displays and commemorative plaques are being handled.
Change Ahead of the Kolkata International Film Festival
The development comes ahead of the 32nd Kolkata International Film Festival. The festival is scheduled to take place from December 16 to December 23, 2026.
The festival is an important event in the state's cultural calendar, bringing together Indian and international films and providing a platform for filmmakers and audiences. Changes at Nandan ahead of the event have added another dimension to the ongoing public discussion.
Reports have also highlighted a change in the festival's new logo, which includes saffron or orange colouring. The logo was designed by Sandeep Ray, son of filmmaker Satyajit Ray. Ireland has been selected as the focus country for this edition of the festival.
The timing of the nameplate change and the new festival preparations has drawn attention from political observers. However, the available reports do not establish a direct connection between the logo's design and the decision concerning Banerjee's nameplate.
Mamata Banerjee Attends INDIA Bloc Rally in Delhi
The controversy at Nandan comes amid a wider political dispute over the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls. On November 1, Mamata Banerjee joined several INDIA bloc leaders at a rally at Ramlila Maidan in New Delhi.
The gathering was organised to protest against alleged irregularities in the electoral roll revision process and to raise concerns about the role of the Election Commission. Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge, along with other opposition leaders, also participated in the event.
Addressing the gathering, Banerjee alleged that West Bengal had been affected by the SIR exercise. She accused the BJP of undermining democratic institutions and said that the opposition would continue its political and democratic fight.
Banerjee also criticised the electoral process and called for efforts to protect people's voting rights. Her remarks reflected the Trinamool Congress's continuing opposition to the voter-list revision exercise.
The allegations made by opposition leaders remain contested. The Election Commission has maintained that electoral roll revisions are intended to identify duplicate and ineligible entries and improve the accuracy of voter lists.
Political Reactions and Wider Debate
The removal of Banerjee's nameplate has added to the political debate in West Bengal. The contrast between the treatment of her nameplate and the plaque bearing Jyoti Basu's name has become a central point of discussion.
The incident has also raised broader questions about the role of political leaders' names and commemorative displays at public cultural institutions. Such institutions are expected to preserve their cultural identity while operating independently of changing political administrations.
The Nandan development is therefore being discussed not only as a change to a nameplate but also in the context of the state's political transition and its cultural institutions. Any official explanation from the authorities responsible for the premises would help clarify the reason for the change.
What Happens Next
With the Kolkata International Film Festival approaching, attention is likely to remain on preparations at Nandan and the public response to the nameplate controversy. The festival is scheduled for December 16 to 23, and its events will place the cultural centre in the spotlight.
Meanwhile, the political disagreement over the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls is expected to remain an important issue for the Trinamool Congress and other opposition parties.
The removal of Mamata Banerjee's nameplate, while Jyoti Basu's plaque remains intact, has become a talking point in West Bengal. The episode highlights the intersection of politics, public institutions and cultural identity in the state. The official reasoning behind the nameplate change, however, remains an important unanswered question.
