SRI VIJAYA PURAM | NOVEMBER 3, 2026 | DWEEP TULIKA | ANDAMAN NEWS
The Bengal Association of Andaman and Nicobar Islands (BAANI) has submitted a formal representation to Lieutenant Governor Prof. (Dr.) Dinesh Sharma, alleging that the Bengali community was ignored and excluded from the Andaman and Nicobar Islands Foundation Day celebration held on November 1, 2026, at the Government Tagore College Auditorium, Middle Point, Sri Vijaya Puram.
In the letter, signed by BAANI President Dr. Ramkanta Halder, the association questioned the process followed by the Department of Arts and Culture in inviting linguistic and regional organisations to participate in the celebration.
BAANI alleged that several associations were invited and advised to attend in their traditional attire and participate in the programme, while the association representing the Bengali community was not invited or informed.
The representation described the alleged exclusion as discriminatory and an insult to the Bengali community. It also questioned why other community organisations were invited while BAANI was left out.
Questions over representation and recognition
The association highlighted the historical presence and contribution of Bengali settlers in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. It referred to the settlement of Hindu Bengali families from erstwhile East Bengal between 1949 and 1974 and argued that the Bengali community has a significant presence across the islands.
BAANI described itself as the organisation representing Hindu Bengalis in the territory and said its exclusion from an event intended to recognise the islands' diverse communities raised concerns about equal representation.
The letter also referred to the Local Born Association and other community organisations, alleging that the invitation process was not applied equally. These assertions and the population figures cited in the representation have not been independently verified by Dweep Tulika.
Raises concerns over Arts and Culture Department
Apart from the Foundation Day event, BAANI raised objections regarding the functioning of the Department of Arts and Culture and the role of its officials.
The association referred to an explanation reportedly posted by a nodal officer in a Sub-Committee group dealing with the naming of unnamed islands. Dr. Halder alleged that the explanation was incorrect and said he was subsequently removed from the group after responding to it.
BAANI also stated that it had sought an appointment with the Lieutenant Governor through an application dated October 5, 2026, followed by email reminders, but had not received an appointment.
Seeks removal of officials
In its representation, BAANI requested the Lieutenant Governor to remove the nodal officer and other officials whom it holds responsible for the alleged exclusion and discriminatory treatment.
The association further sought changes in postings within the Arts and Culture Department, including the appointment of what it described as a transparent and knowledgeable person as Curator.
The letter also made broader allegations concerning the portrayal of the islands' history and the recognition of former convicts and their descendants. These are claims made by BAANI and have not been independently established.
The representation has been sent to the Lieutenant Governor's official email addresses. It remains to be seen whether the Raj Niwas or the Department of Arts and Culture will respond to the allegations and demands raised by the association.
Dweep Tulika has not independently verified the circumstances surrounding the invitation process, the reasons for BAANI's alleged exclusion, or the allegations against individual officials. The response of the Lieutenant Governor's Secretariat and the Department of Arts and Culture was not available at the time of publication.
