Politics
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Bengal withdraws Banga Bibhushan from BJP MP
NDTV··13 Aug
West Bengal has withdrawn the Banga Bibhushan conferred on BJP Rajya Sabha MP Nagendra Ray, also known as Ananta Maharaj, on February 21, 2026. The Information and Cultural Affairs Department said continued retention was inconsistent with the honour's dignity. The move followed Ray's remarks calling Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose a war criminal and questioning the Azad Hind Fauj.
Prism
What It Means For You
- If you follow Bengal honours, Ray can no longer use the Banga Bibhushan title or any privilege tied to the February 21, 2026 conferment.
- Residents who treat Netaji as a freedom-struggle symbol can see the state linking the withdrawal to remarks that called him a war criminal.
- Anyone comparing governments can note the award was given under Mamata Banerjee and withdrawn under Suvendu Adhikari after the same MP's comments.
What's Happening
- On August 13 the state issued an order withdrawing and annulling Ray's Banga Bibhushan with immediate effect.
- The department said facts after the conferment made continued retention inconsistent with the honour's dignity, prestige and purpose.
- Adhikari had on August 12 directed police to book and arrest people making derogatory remarks against Netaji, saying the law applied to MPs as well.
Why a State Honour Became a Speech Dispute
- Banga Bibhushan is West Bengal's highest civilian award for distinguished contribution to the state and is meant to carry public prestige.
- Ray leads the Greater Cooch Behar People's Association and is an influential Rajbanshi figure in north Bengal; BJP MLAs from the region met the Chief Minister over the remarks.
- Banerjee held a protest beside Netaji's statue at Shyambazar on August 11, a day before Adhikari's police direction and two days before the award was annulled.
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