West Bengal rescinds Banga Bibhushan honor from BJP MP over Netaji comment
The West Bengal government withdrew the Banga Bibhushan award from BJP Rajya Sabha MP Ananta Maharaj after his remarks about Netaji at a Mother Language Day event.
In February, the West Bengal government honored BJP Rajya Sabha member Ananta Maharaj with the Banga Bibhushan award for his contributions to the Rajbanshi language and culture. During an International Mother Language Day ceremony in Kolkata, Maharaj made a statement that was interpreted as disparaging Subhas Chandra Bose, known as Netaji. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s administration subsequently stripped him of the award.
Rajbanshi organisations and political figures denounced the remarks as false and damaging to social harmony. The Forward Bloc, a party founded by Netaji, lodged police complaints and demanded that Maharaj lose his parliamentary seat. The controversy highlights the sensitivity surrounding historical figures in Indian politics.
Why it matters
It shows how remarks about revered leaders can trigger political fallout and affect honors in India.
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