West Bengal BJP distances itself from Ananta Maharaj’s remarks as comments on Subhas Chandra Bose reignite controversy in North Bengal
New Delhi/West Bengal: BJP Rajya Sabha MP Nagen Roy, popularly known as Ananta Maharaj, has triggered a fresh political controversy in West Bengal after referring to Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose as a “war criminal” and a “world criminal” during a public meeting near Siliguri.
The remarks were reportedly made on Sunday at a gathering of the Greater Cooch Behar People’s Association (GCPA) in Jabravita, organised to commemorate the historic merger agreement involving Cooch Behar. Roy, a prominent Rajbanshi leader and a key GCPA figure, questioned Netaji’s role in India’s freedom struggle and claimed that the people of Cooch Behar, rather than Netaji, had played the decisive role in securing India’s independence.
According to reports, Roy asked the gathering, “Who made Subhas a leader? What kind of leader was he?” He further alleged that Netaji had fought against India, fled to Japan and taken up arms against the country. After members of the gathering reportedly agreed that such a person could be considered a traitor, Roy claimed that Netaji had not liberated India.
“We have liberated India. No one else had the courage. If anyone other than us liberated India, let them provide proof and documents. If they can, they can hang me,” Roy was quoted as saying. He also highlighted the role of former Cooch Behar ruler Maharaja Jagaddipendra Narayan and raised demands concerning the rights of indigenous communities in the region, setting 2029 as a deadline for certain demands.
The latest remarks came less than 24 hours after reports suggested that Roy had moderated his earlier position on Netaji. He has since defended his comments, saying that his statements were based on information and evidence.
Pattern of Controversy
This is not the first time Roy has faced criticism over his remarks on Netaji. In July 2026, he questioned Netaji’s role in organising the Azad Hind Fauj, or Indian National Army (INA), claiming that the force was essentially made up of former British soldiers and had been “misused.”
Those remarks prompted police complaints from All India Forward Bloc leaders in Cooch Behar and drew strong criticism from prominent Rajbanshi intellectuals, who described Roy’s comments as false, misleading and derogatory.
Veteran BJP leader Tathagata Roy also publicly criticised the West Bengal BJP leadership over the controversy. He warned that repeated remarks against Netaji, whom he described as one of three figures “above reproach” for Bengali Hindus, could alienate voters. Netaji researcher Anuj Dhar was also among those who criticised Roy’s comments.
BJP Distances Itself from Remarks
Roy’s latest comments have put the BJP in a politically sensitive position. West Bengal BJP general secretary Bapi Goswami sought to distance the party from the remarks, saying, “Netaji is in the heart of every Indian. I do not know who said what. The party will consider the matter.”
Earlier, BJP leader and former Union minister Nisith Pramanik had similarly maintained that Roy’s views on Netaji were personal and did not represent the party’s position.
Roy was nominated to the Rajya Sabha by the BJP in 2023 and remains an influential figure among the Rajbanshi community in North Bengal. He has, at various times, publicly differed with senior BJP leaders while continuing to focus on regional and community-related demands, including issues linked to the political status and rights of Cooch Behar.
Historical Context
Claims describing Netaji as a “war criminal” have appeared in political and historical debates over the years, sometimes based on disputed documents, wartime allegations or unverified correspondence. However, claims that Bose was formally designated a war criminal require careful qualification, particularly given the historical record surrounding the post-World War II investigations and the status of the Indian National Army.
Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose remains one of India’s most revered figures of the freedom movement, particularly in Bengal, where his legacy continues to carry deep emotional, historical and political significance across ideological and party lines.
Roy’s latest remarks have once again brought the intersection of regional identity politics, historical memory and the legacy of one of India’s most prominent national figures into sharp focus in West Bengal.
