Archive · 6 Sep 2026
West Bengal BJP Chief Issues Threats During Durga Puja Speech
Samik Bhattacharya, a leader of the Bharatiya Janata Party in West Bengal, gave an angry speech in Kolkata.
He spoke at a ceremony held before the Durga Puja festival.
He warned that people who insulted his party’s beliefs from an Eid-ul-Fitr platform could be attacked.
He also threatened people who used their majority status to threaten others.
Bhattacharya said people writing separatist slogans at universities should be identified.
He said the police should take action against them.
He also said the BJP would not enter university campuses.
His speech may lead to controversy because it included threats of violence.
Samik Bhattacharya warned that people criticizing the BJP’s practices as “Ganda Dharma” at an Eid-ul-Fitr platform would be eliminated.
He said people threatening minorities while claiming majority status would face retaliation.
Bhattacharya called for action against those writing separatist slogans, including “Bharat Tere Tukre Honge,” at university campuses.
He said neither BJP members nor police would enter campuses, but those responsible would be identified and police should act.
Speaking at a Durga Puja Khutipuja event in Kolkata, he also criticized the previous Trinamool Congress government’s handling of immersion timings.
- Who
- Samik Bhattacharya, West Bengal president of the Bharatiya Janata Party and a Rajya Sabha member.
- What
- He issued threats against people criticizing the BJP’s practices, threatening others based on majority status, or writing separatist slogans.
- When
- Sunday; the article does not provide a calendar date.
- Where
- At a Khutipuja event organized by Shatadal Sangha in Bowbazar, Kolkata, West Bengal.
- Why
- He said the warnings were intended to oppose alleged religious insults, threats against minorities, and separatist slogans.
Bhattacharya’s stated position
Potential critics’ concern
Threats over religious criticism
Bhattacharya’s stated position
Bhattacharya said people who described the BJP’s practices as “Ganda Dharma” from an Eid-ul-Fitr platform would be eliminated.
Potential critics’ concern
The article presents the statement as potentially controversial because it threatens violence against people expressing a religious or political criticism.
Majority claims and retaliation
Bhattacharya’s stated position
He said people who claimed majority status while threatening to harm others should receive the same treatment in return.
Potential critics’ concern
The warning itself uses retaliatory language and refers to immersing people in the Bhagirathi River.
University slogans and police action
Bhattacharya’s stated position
Bhattacharya said the BJP and police would not enter university campuses but argued that people writing separatist slogans should be identified and prosecuted.
Potential critics’ concern
The article does not provide a response from the students, university authorities, police, or people accused of writing the slogans.
- Speaker
- Samik Bhattacharya
- Political party
- Bharatiya Janata Party
- Position
- West Bengal BJP president and Rajya Sabha member
- Event
- Khutipuja ceremony ahead of Durga Puja
- Location
- Shatadal Sangha, Bowbazar, Kolkata
- Disputed phrase
- “Ganda Dharma,” meaning “bad religion” in the article’s wording
- Other reference
- Bhattacharya referred to alleged graffiti at Jadavpur University and the slogan “Bharat Tere Tukre Honge.”