Trinamool Congress (TMC) MP Sagarika Ghose on Wednesday accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of showing disrespect to Bengal and its icons after the party’s MPs allegedly skipped a floral tribute ceremony for Deshbandhu Chittaranjan Das in Parliament.
The TMC Rajya Sabha deputy leader took to social media to criticise the BJP, calling it “Bangla birodhi” (anti-Bengal), and questioned the absence of Bengal BJP MPs at the event held in the Central Hall of Parliament to commemorate the birth anniversary of the legendary freedom fighter.
Sagarika Ghose calls BJP ‘anti-Bengal’
“Question to BJP desperate to win votes in Bengal: why were BJP’s Bengal MPs absent at the floral tributes ceremony for Deshbandhu Chittaranjan Das this morning in Parliament?” Ghose wrote on X (formerly Twitter).
She added, “Bangla birodhi BJP cynical scorn for Bengal again revealed. AITC will always honour and remember Bengal’s greats.”
In another post, Ghose hailed Das as a “Bengal icon, brilliant lawyer and freedom struggle hero,” reaffirming her party’s commitment to honouring historical figures who contributed to India’s independence movement.
Ceremony held in Parliament
According to an official statement from the Lok Sabha Secretariat, floral tributes were offered to Deshbandhu Chittaranjan Das at his portrait in the Central Hall of Samvidhan Sadan on Wednesday.
“Several Members of Parliament, former members, Secretary-General Lok Sabha Utpal Kumar Singh, and other senior officers of Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha Secretariat paid the freedom fighter their tributes,” the statement said.
A commemorative booklet profiling Chittaranjan Das, printed in both Hindi and English, was distributed among the dignitaries. The portrait of Das was originally unveiled in the Central Hall on September 12, 1958, by then President Dr Rajendra Prasad.
Deshbandhu Chittaranjan Das: the ‘friend of the nation’
Chittaranjan Das, fondly known as Deshbandhu (Friend of the Country), was a prominent freedom fighter, lawyer, and political leader from Bengal. He played a crucial role in India’s independence movement and was instrumental in mentoring Subhas Chandra Bose, who went on to become one of the most revered leaders of the freedom struggle.
Das was also the founder-leader of the Swaraj Party in undivided Bengal during the British colonial period, advocating for greater self-governance within the legislative framework established by the British.
His leadership, intellect, and commitment to justice made him one of the most influential figures of Bengal’s political history and a revered icon across India.
Political context behind Ghose’s remarks
Ghose’s comments come at a politically charged time when the BJP and TMC are locked in an ongoing battle over cultural and regional narratives in West Bengal. The TMC has repeatedly accused the BJP of ignoring Bengal’s language, culture, and historical icons in its national discourse.
By invoking the legacy of Deshbandhu Chittaranjan Das, Ghose sought to highlight what her party sees as the BJP’s neglect of Bengal’s contributions to India’s freedom struggle.
While the BJP has not officially responded to her remarks, the issue has added yet another flashpoint to the political rivalry between the two parties ahead of the upcoming state elections.