Police cases have been registered against BJP legislator Asim Sarkar after remarks attributed to him about the Quran circulated widely on social media, triggering condemnation across West Bengal and prompting the state unit of his party to publicly dissociate itself from the comments.Sarkar, who represents the Haringhata assembly constituency in Nadia district, is accused of making statements that were deemed disrespectful to the Quran during a public interaction last week. Short video clips carrying the remarks spread rapidly online, drawing sharp criticism from religious groups and political rivals, and leading to complaints being filed with the police in multiple districts.
One of the complaints was lodged by Akhruzzaman, minister of state for power in the West Bengal government, at the Raghunathganj police station in Murshidabad district. A separate complaint was submitted at Basanti police station in South 24 Parganas, broadening the legal scrutiny facing the MLA. Police officials confirmed that the complaints invoke provisions related to promoting enmity and hurting religious sentiments, and that preliminary enquiries are under way to assess the material circulated online and the context of the alleged remarks.
As the controversy escalated, the West Bengal unit of the Bharatiya Janata Party issued a statement distancing itself from Sarkar’s comments. Senior party leaders said the BJP did not endorse any remark that insulted religious beliefs and stressed that the organisation respected all faiths. The party’s state leadership indicated that individual statements made by elected representatives did not reflect its official position, signalling an effort to contain political fallout at a time when communal sensitivities remain high.
Opposition leaders accused the BJP of fostering a climate that allowed such statements to surface, arguing that distancing measures after public outrage were insufficient. Leaders from the Trinamool Congress said the episode underscored what they described as a pattern of provocative speech aimed at polarising communities, and called for strict legal action to ensure accountability. Muslim organisations and clerics also condemned the remarks, warning that disrespect toward religious texts risked disturbing social harmony in the state.
Sarkar, for his part, has not issued a detailed public statement addressing the allegations at length. Associates have indicated that he believes his remarks were taken out of context, a claim that investigators are expected to examine as part of their assessment. Legal experts noted that cases involving alleged insults to religious symbols often hinge on intent and context, as courts have repeatedly emphasised the need to balance free expression with the maintenance of public order.
The police response has included verification of the authenticity of the videos in circulation and identification of the original source of the recordings. Officers familiar with the matter said digital forensic teams would be involved if required to establish whether the clips had been edited or selectively shared. Notices may be issued to the accused to record his statement once the preliminary review is complete, according to standard procedure.
The episode has also revived debate within political circles about the responsibilities of elected representatives in public discourse. Analysts pointed out that West Bengal has witnessed several instances in which comments made at local events have rapidly assumed statewide significance because of social media amplification. Parties across the spectrum have periodically urged their leaders to exercise restraint, particularly on matters touching religion.