Adhikari said on Wednesday that anyone who had uploaded offensive material about Bose should immediately remove it and apologise. He also indicated that deleting a post would not necessarily shield its author from prosecution because police would independently decide whether legal action was warranted.
The chief minister instructed police to identify objectionable material circulating through social-media platforms and examine posts, comments, likes and other online activity that could amount to denigration of Netaji. Action could be taken under applicable provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and cyber laws.
“I will not name anyone, but the law is equal for MLAs, MPs, leaders of any party, government officials, or police officers,” Adhikari said while responding to questions about whether action could extend to BJP Rajya Sabha member Nagendranath Roy, popularly known as Ananta Maharaj.
The warning follows a widening controversy over statements attributed to Roy about Bose and the Azad Hind Fauj. Roy had questioned Bose’s role in raising the force and claimed he lacked the capability to organise an army such as the Azad Hind Fauj. He also described Bose as a “war criminal”, remarks that triggered criticism across Bengal’s political and social spectrum.
The dispute intensified after allegedly offensive posts and altered images concerning Bose began circulating online. A police complaint was filed earlier this month against two Facebook users accused of sharing derogatory material and morphed images involving Netaji. The controversy broadened the debate from Roy’s political comments to the limits of expression on social media and the state’s response to material deemed insulting to prominent national figures.
Roy’s comments have also caused unease within sections of the BJP. Veteran party leader Tathagata Roy publicly questioned whether the BJP’s central leadership was aware of the controversy and warned that repeated perceived insults to Bose could damage the party among voters in West Bengal. A group of Rajbanshi intellectuals separately condemned the remarks as false, misleading and derogatory and demanded an unconditional apology.
The issue has meanwhile become another point of confrontation between the BJP government and the opposition Trinamool Congress. Former chief minister Mamata Banerjee has accused the BJP of insulting Netaji and urged people to protest against attempts to diminish his contribution to the freedom movement. Banerjee took part in a protest programme in Kolkata on Tuesday centred on alleged disrespect towards Bose and other freedom fighters.
Bose occupies an unusually powerful place in Bengal’s political memory, cutting across party divisions. His leadership of the Indian National Army, confrontation with British rule and disappearance in 1945 continue to generate intense public interest and political debate. Parties competing in West Bengal have repeatedly invoked his legacy while presenting themselves as custodians of Bengali history and identity.
Adhikari’s intervention followed representations from BJP legislators seeking firm action over statements and online material concerning Netaji. A group of lawmakers from north Bengal met him at the state secretariat, Nabanna, and pressed for measures against those responsible for derogatory comments. The chief minister subsequently made clear that political affiliation would not determine whether police acted.
The state government is also planning to establish Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose Seva Kendras across Assembly constituencies. The centres are intended to provide a platform for legislators to interact with residents and will prominently display Bose’s image, linking the administrative outreach programme with the freedom fighter’s legacy.
(IPA Service)
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