A fresh political storm has erupted in West Bengal after Education Minister Bratya Basu allegedly made derogatory remarks about the Indian Army during a special session of the Legislative Assembly earlier this week. The Opposition Leader and Bharatiya Janata Party MLA from Nandigram, Suvendu Adhikari, on Friday has announced plans for a major rally and protest meeting in Dum Dum, the Assembly constituency represented by Basu.
Party insiders said Adhikari wants to highlight the “outrageous” comments before the festive season begins. With Durga Puja celebrations set to grip the state from mid-September, the BJP believes this is the right time to reach out to Dum Dum voters and shape the political narrative ahead of the 2026 Assembly elections.
The row began during a discussion in the special Assembly session on Tuesday on a resolution against alleged attacks by BJP-ruled states on Bengalis. Referring to an incident at protest venue, Basu said, “The Chief Minister went to the place where the army dismantled the platform of our protest movement, our political movement. At that time, I was remembering March 25, 1971, when the Pakistan army entered Dhaka at midnight and started killing people.”
The remarks sparked an uproar in the House, with BJP MLAs strongly objecting and Adhikari leading the protest. Speaker Biman Banerjee subsequently suspended the Opposition Leader for his behaviour during the session.
Unwilling to let the issue rest, the BJP has since circulated recordings of Basu’s comments on social media. Leaders claim that the Minister’s statement amounts to an insult to the Indian Army by equating it with the Pakistani military of 1971.
“We want to ensure every voter in Dum Dum knows what their MLA has said. People must take the right decision in 2026,” a BJP legislator said.
According to party sources, while the immediate plan is to organise a large-scale protest in Dum Dum led by Adhikari, sections of the leadership are also considering a statewide movement against Basu’s remarks.
The BJP parliamentary party is expected to finalise dates for the rally in Dum Dum within the next few days. Leaders believe the issue could help them mount fresh pressure on the ruling Trinamool Congress, positioning the Education Minister’s comments as a matter of national honour and respect for the armed forces.
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