The West Bengal government has directed all government employees to participate in the International Day of Yoga on June 21. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will also take part.

This will be the PM’s first public appearance in West Bengal since he attended Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari’s swearing-in after the BJP came to power.

Participation has been made mandatory for all State Government staff. An order dated June 14, from the office of the Chief Secretary of West Bengal, Manoj Kumar Agarwal, asked department heads, district magistrates, and divisional commissioners to ensure that their staff comply.

“The 12th International Day of Yoga will be observed on 21st June 2026 across the country to promote awareness regarding the importance of yoga for physical and mental well-being... All officers and employees, including permanent, contractual, part-time, casual workers, outsourced personnel, and personnel engaged on honorarium basis by the State Government, PSUs, autonomous bodies, and local bodies shall participate in the programme on 21.06.2026 from 6:30 am to 7:45 am from their respective offices, homes, and Red Road & Milan Mela, if nominated,” the letter stated. 

The main yoga day event will be held in the heart of Kolkata at Red Road and will be attended by PM Modi and the West Bengal CM. 

The Department of Health and Family Welfare in West Bengal has already held multiple training sessions across the State for Sunday’s (June 21, 2026) main event. 

West Bengal will now observe Paschimbanga Dibas on June 20, with the celebrations scheduled to take place at the same Red Road venue. PM Modi is scheduled to attend. 

Traffic has been diverted on Red Road to allow construction of the stage that will host the two events. 

Cultural celebration

The event will celebrate the history, culture, and heritage of the State. District committees will organise celebrations across the State.

The previous government observed the first day of Poila Baisakh (Bengali New Year) as ‘Bangla Dibas’ or West Bengal Foundation Day. A resolution was passed in September 2023 in the Assembly, with 167 MLAs supporting the resolution and 62 MLAs opposing.

A controversy had erupted in Bengal in 2023 over West Bengal Foundation Day when Raj Bhavan observed June 20 as the State Foundation Day.  

On June 20, 1947, Jana Sangha founder Shyama Prasad Mookerjee moved a proposal in the Bengal Assembly calling for the partition of Bengal, which the BJP says paved the way for a “homeland for the Hindus of Bengal”.  The current government has chosen this very day to celebrate the Paschimbanga Dibas.