Bengal strips BJP MP Ananta Maharaj of state honour over remarks 'insulting' Netaji
In a significant move, the West Bengal government has rescinded the Banga Bibhushan award granted to Ananta Maharaj. This decision arose from his controversial comments questioning Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose’s leadership and the establishment of the Azad Hind Fauj. The remarks have sparked strong backlash from various political factions and groups, underscoring the deep emotions tied to the…
West Bengal's government has rescinded the prestigious Banga Bibhushan award from BJP Rajya Sabha member Ananta Maharaj due to his controversial comments disparaging Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose. The Banga Bibhushan, a top civilian honor bestowed by the state, was conferred upon Ananta Maharaj on February 21, 2026, during a ceremony in Kolkata commemorating International Mother Language Day. However, the honor was promptly revoked following the uproar over his remarks.
The controversy stemmed from Ananta Maharaj's questioning of Netaji's role in establishing and leading the Azad Hind Fauj, a guerrilla force aimed at liberating India from British rule. During a meeting in Dinhata on July 19, Maharaj posed a question, "Did Netaji possess the capability to organize and establish the Azad Hind Fauj?"
He further asserted that "all participants were British soldiers" and expressed the view that the "Indian National Army (INA) had been exploited." These assertions, deemed insulting and detrimental to social cohesion, ignited widespread condemnation from West Bengal's political elite and Rajbanshi organizations.
Prominent Rajbanshi leaders vehemently denounced the remarks as baseless, derogatory, and harmful to social harmony. The Forward Bloc, a political party founded by Netaji, lodged formal police complaints and demanded the immediate withdrawal of the MP's Rajya Sabha membership. Internal dissent within the BJP was also palpable, with veteran party figure Tathagata Roy urging central authorities to take prompt action.
The fallout extended beyond the political sphere, with Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee publicly blaming the BJP for insulting Netaji, while Suvendu Adhikari, the state's Chief Minister, vowed that anyone disseminating disparaging remarks about the revered freedom fighter would be held accountable under the law.
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