Kolkata: West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari announced on Monday that Bengali will become mandatory for all official work within the state government starting September 1, 2026. Addressing the West Bengal Legislative Assembly, the Chief Minister outlined that this linguistic transition will apply across various administrative levels and external communications. He clarified that official correspondence sent to the Central government and other states will be carried out in both Bengali and Hindi to streamline communication without relying on foreign languages.
The Chief Minister strongly advocated for the extensive integration of the state’s native language within governance and public-facing departments to strengthen public trust and encourage civic participation. Adhikari emphasised that Bengali must be utilized systematically across law enforcement and citizen services. This policy will encompass crucial documentations and interactions, such as the registration of First Information Reports (FIRs), complaint filings, the dissemination of citizen information, and public awareness campaigns related to safety.
This administrative shift is intended to fulfil a major promise outlined in the ruling party’s legislative assembly election manifesto, which focused closely on preserving the cultural heritage of the region and accelerating the growth of the Bengali language. The policy aligns with wider initiatives discussed by Union Home Minister Amit Shah during the document’s initial release, where he highlighted that the government would actively coordinate with central authorities to pursue international recognition for Bengali as one of the official languages of the United Nations.
