Mitra, a senior MLA known for provocative public statements, was captured on video suggesting that Lord Ram “was a Muslim” and asserting that the deity “did not have a surname”. The clip circulated rapidly across social media platforms, drawing condemnation from the Bharatiya Janata Party, which accused the ruling Trinamool Congress of disrespecting Hindu beliefs and undermining religious sentiments for political convenience.
The BJP’s state leadership described the comment as an affront to faith, alleging that the Trinamool Congress was indulging in calculated provocation to consolidate minority votes. Party spokespersons demanded a public apology and disciplinary action, arguing that such remarks crossed constitutional boundaries protecting religious belief and harmony. Several BJP leaders staged protests in Kolkata and district headquarters, carrying placards and chanting slogans calling for Mitra’s resignation.
Amid the backlash, Mitra sought to clarify his position, insisting that his remarks had been taken out of context. He said his intent was not to insult Hinduism or Lord Ram but to challenge what he described as the BJP’s selective and superficial reading of religious history. According to Mitra, his comments were aimed at questioning the political appropriation of religious symbols rather than disputing faith itself.
Bengal row exposes fault lines over faith politics
Senior figures within the Trinamool Congress moved quickly to distance the party from the controversy, emphasising that Mitra’s statement reflected his personal views. Party leaders reiterated their commitment to secular values and religious coexistence, noting that West Bengal’s political tradition had long resisted overt communal mobilisation. While stopping short of endorsing the remarks, some party insiders privately acknowledged concerns that the episode risked handing the opposition a potent mobilisation issue.
The controversy has unfolded against a broader backdrop of heightened religious rhetoric in the state. Over the past year, religious processions, disputes over slogans, and social media-driven outrage cycles have increasingly intersected with electoral politics. Analysts note that West Bengal, once known for ideological battles rooted in class and culture, has seen sharper religious polarisation as national parties seek to expand their footprint.
Legal experts caution that public figures invoking religious identity must tread carefully, as remarks perceived as derogatory can invite criminal complaints under sections of the penal code dealing with promotion of enmity and deliberate insult to religious feelings. While no formal case had been confirmed against Mitra at the time of writing, BJP leaders indicated they were exploring legal options.
Civil society voices have also weighed in, warning that such controversies distract from pressing governance issues. Scholars of religion and politics point out that mythological figures like Lord Ram occupy a complex space spanning devotion, literature, and cultural memory, making political claims about their identity particularly sensitive. They argue that reducing such figures to contemporary identity categories risks deepening misunderstandings rather than fostering informed debate.
Within the BJP, the incident has been framed as evidence of what the party calls the Trinamool Congress’s alleged appeasement politics. State BJP leaders have linked the episode to earlier controversies involving statements by ruling party figures, asserting a pattern of behaviour. The Trinamool Congress rejects this characterisation, countering that the BJP amplifies isolated remarks to inflame sentiment and divert attention from administrative failures elsewhere.
Mitra himself has remained defiant, reiterating that Hinduism, in his view, is a broad and inclusive tradition that cannot be narrowed to slogans or electoral narratives. He accused the BJP of weaponising faith while lacking deeper engagement with religious texts and philosophical traditions. His defence, however, has done little to stem the political fallout, with clips of the original statement continuing to circulate widely.