Overview On December 9, 2025 , Trinamool Congress (TMC) MPs staged a silent protest in the Central Hall of Parliament, Samvidhan Sadan. The protest was a response to what the TMC perceived as an "insult" to Bengal's revered icons, Rabindranath Tagore and Bankim Chandra Chatterjee , by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). The MPs aimed to express their discontent over the alleged disrespect shown during a recent parliamentary discussion. Key Developments The Silent Protest Location: The protest took place in the Central Hall of Samvidhan Sadan, a significant location within the Parliament complex. Participants: TMC MPs from both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha participated in the silent demonstration. Symbolism: The MPs held portraits of Tagore and Chatterjee , emphasizing the importance of these figures to Bengali culture and identity. Follow-up: After the silent protest inside the Central Hall, the MPs stood at the gate of the Samvidhan Sadan to further highlight their cause. Context: Debate on 'Vande Mataram' Background: The protest was triggered by a discussion held in the Lok Sabha on 150 years of "Vande Mataram" . Initiation: The debate was initiated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi , adding weight to the proceedings and subsequent reactions. Allegations: The TMC accused Mr. Modi of insulting Chatterjee by referring to him as "Bankim Da" during the debate. TMC's Response and Demands Spokesperson: Sagarika Ghose , deputy leader of TMC in the Rajya Sabha, articulated the party's stance. Accusations: Ms. Ghose alleged that attempts were made to defame, humiliate, and injure the people, culture, and icons of Bengal. Demand for Apology: The TMC demanded that Prime Minister Narendra Modi apologize to the people of Bengal for the perceived insult to their cultural icons. Statements and Reactions Sagarika Ghose stated, "Today, the members of Parliament of the All India Trinamool Congress (AITC), Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha, held a silent protest in the Central Hall of Parliament… We held this silent protest in sorrow and in outrage that yesterday (December 8) in the debate on Vande Mataram, the manner in which none other than the Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi, insulted Bengal's Sahitya Samrat Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay [and] insulted our great icon Rabindranath Tagore." During the debate, Saugata Roy , a senior TMC MP, suggested that the PM refer to Chatterjee as "Bankim Babu" instead of "Bankim Da." Mr. Modi responded positively, stating, "I will say Bankim Babu. Thank you, I respect your sentiments." UPSC Relevance This event is relevant to the UPSC syllabus as it touches upon aspects of Indian culture, political discourse, and regional sentiments. It can be linked to: GS1: Indian Culture - The importance of Rabindranath Tagore and Bankim Chandra Chatterjee as cultural icons. GS2: Parliament and State Legislatures - The functioning of Parliament and the nature of political protests. GS4: Ethics and Human Interface - The ethical considerations in political discourse and the impact on social harmony. Important Facts The protest occurred on December 9, 2025 . The protest was held in the Central Hall of Samvidhan Sadan . The protest was against the alleged insult of Rabindranath Tagore and Bankim Chandra Chatterjee . Sagarika Ghose led the protest. The debate that triggered the protest was on 150 years of "Vande Mataram" .