West Bengal Revokes Highest Civilian Award From BJP MP

The Government of West Bengal revoked the Banga Bibhushan, the state's highest civilian honor, from Bharatiya Janata Party Rajya Sabha MP Nagendranath Roy, also known as Ananta Maharaj, on August 13, 2026. The Information and Cultural Affairs Department stated that Roy's retention of the award was inconsistent with its dignity and purpose following the emergence of certain facts and circumstances.

The decision followed public outrage after Roy described freedom fighter Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose as a "war criminal" and questioned the role of the Azad Hind Fauj during a public meeting in Siliguri on August 9. Roy, who received the award in February 2026 for his work with the Rajbanshi community, defended his statements in Parliament, claiming they are based on official documents in the national archives.

Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari ordered police to take stringent action against those making derogatory remarks about Bose. In response, the state government registered six FIRs, removed 108 social media posts, and arrested one person in the Islampur area. While BJP state president Shamik Bhattacharya stated party leadership is reviewing the matter, Trinamool Congress leaders and Netaji's grandnephew, Chandra Kumar Bose, demanded Roy's immediate arrest and expulsion from the party. Separately, the Supreme Court of India declined to take suo moto cognisance of the matter, advising the petitioner to file a writ petition.