The West Bengal government’s scrutiny of Mamata Banerjee’s books reflects ongoing challenges for the former chief minister since the 2026 Assembly elections. Gouri Shankar Ghosh, the Minister for Library Services, has signalled that a review of book collections could lead to the removal of works authored by Banerjee from state-run libraries.

During an interview with AajTak Bangla, Ghosh articulated that libraries should predominantly feature texts that foster knowledge, intellectual growth, and nationalistic sentiment. He specifically noted that certain works, such as Epang Opang Jhapang, would likely be excluded from government-supported libraries. Ghosh emphasised that library spaces should focus on literature that enhances learning and nurtures young minds.

Criteria for Library Collections

The library minister elaborated that the primary purpose of libraries is to provide access to knowledge. He stated, “People visit libraries to acquire knowledge. Books that help in gaining knowledge will remain. Unnecessary books will be removed.” Ghosh also mentioned that literary and spiritual masterpieces by eminent figures like Rabindranath Tagore, Kazi Nazrul Islam, and Swami Vivekananda will continue to be available, along with biographies of significant historical personalities such as Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and Maharana Pratap.

This announcement comes in the wake of a prior directive from the Trinamool Congress government, which mandated schools across West Bengal to include Mamata Banerjee’s writings in their libraries. In June 2025, the state sanctioned a list of 515 books to be incorporated into school libraries, of which nearly 90 were authored by Banerjee. Reports indicate that each secondary and higher secondary school received Rs 1 lakh to fund book purchases.

This shift in approach towards the inclusion of Banerjee’s works marks a significant change in the state’s stance on her literary contributions, suggesting a possible reevaluation of cultural narratives as political circumstances evolve.

Context Surrounding Epang Opang Jhapang

The phrase Epang Opang Jhapang has become a focal point of political contention in West Bengal. This term, closely linked to a poem by Mamata Banerjee, has been used by leaders of the BJP to critique her literary endeavours. Notably, the phrase does not possess a formal definition in Bengali and is often perceived as whimsical or nonsensical.

The attention on Banerjee’s writings heightened in 2022 when she was awarded the Bangla Akademi Award for her poetry compilation Kabita Bitan. The recognition prompted scrutiny regarding the literary quality of some of her pieces, particularly those incorporating the controversial phrase. However, her supporters maintain that these types of works align with the tradition of nonsense poetry, a recognised genre within Bengali literature.

The discourse surrounding her literary contributions continues to provoke diverse opinions, reflecting broader tensions in West Bengal’s political landscape. The evolving narrative regarding which books shall be included in state libraries underlines the intersection of literature and politics in the region.

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