Archive · 13 Aug 2026
BJP MLA renames Netaji road after Syama Prasad Mookerjee
There is a road in a town called Rampurhat that was named after Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose, a very famous Indian leader.
A local politician named Dhruba Saha put up new boards on the road naming it after another leader, Syama Prasad Mookerjee.
The new boards went up on July 6, which is Mookerjee's birthday.
The town's official papers still say the road is named after Netaji.
Saha says he could not find any proof that the road was ever named after Netaji.
He says he will fix the mistake if someone shows him proof.
Many people were upset and wrote about the name change on social media.
A students' group called AIDSO put up posters to protest.
Another leader, Suvendu Adhikari, said nobody should disrespect Netaji.
The debate grew bigger after a leader named Ananta Maharaj made comments about Netaji.
BJP MLA Dhruba Saha renamed a Rampurhat road after Syama Prasad Mookerjee on July 6, his birth anniversary, replacing Netaji Subhas Road boards.
Municipality chairman Soumen Bhakat said official records still list the road as Netaji Subhas Road, since the change awaits approval from higher authorities.
The controversy resurfaced after social media posts circulated of BJP Rajya Sabha member Nagendra Roy (Ananta Maharaj) commenting on Netaji.
Suvendu Adhikari said no disrespect to Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose would be tolerated.
Saha said he found no record showing the road was named after Netaji and would rectify the decision if proof emerges; AIDSO and local residents protested.
- Who
- BJP MLA Dhruba Saha carried out the renaming; Suvendu Adhikari responded, while AIDSO and local residents protested; BJP Rajya Sabha member Nagendra Roy (Ananta Maharaj) was involved in the surrounding controversy.
- What
- A Rampurhat road officially recorded as Netaji Subhas Road was renamed after Syama Prasad Mookerjee with new saffron boards, though municipal records were not changed.
- When
- The road was renamed on July 6, Syama Prasad Mookerjee's birth anniversary; the controversy resurfaced recently after Ananta Maharaj's comments.
- Where
- Rampurhat, West Bengal, India, on the stretch from Rampurhat Panchmatha More to Dakbungalow Para.
- Why
- The renaming was meant to honour Jana Sangh founder Syama Prasad Mookerjee, but critics said it dishonoured Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose.
Critics and Municipality
BJP and MLA Saha
Road's Original Name
Critics and Municipality
Municipal records officially show the road was named Netaji Subhas Road, and the renaming dishonours Netaji.
BJP and MLA Saha
Saha says no reference was found showing the road was named after Netaji, and he will rectify the decision if proof is provided.
Purpose of the Renaming
Critics and Municipality
AIDSO and local residents say renaming the road amounts to disrespecting Netaji's legacy.
BJP and MLA Saha
The road was renamed to honour Jana Sangh founder Syama Prasad Mookerjee on his birth anniversary.
- Renamed road
- Netaji Subhas Road to Syama Prasad Mookerjee (per new saffron boards)
- Date of renaming
- July 6, Syama Prasad Mookerjee's birth anniversary
- Location
- Rampurhat Panchmatha More to Dakbungalow Para
- Official records
- Still list the road as Netaji Subhas Road
- Official status
- Name change not recorded; requires permission from higher authorities
- Key figures
- Dhruba Saha (BJP MLA), Soumen Bhakat (municipality chairman), Suvendu Adhikari
- Trigger of controversy
- Comments by BJP Rajya Sabha member Nagendra Roy (Ananta Maharaj)
- Protesters
- AIDSO (SUCI's students' wing) and local residents