The West Bengal government has withdrawn the Banga Bibhushan, the state’s highest civilian honour, from BJP Rajya Sabha MP Nagendra Ray, popularly known as Ananta Maharaj, amid controversy over his remarks about Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose. 

The award was conferred on Ray on February 21, 2026, when the Mamata Banerjee government was in power. The state government said the honour recognises distinguished and exemplary contributions to the state and its people and carries a high degree of dignity and prestige.

Why Bengal withdrew the award

The decision came less than 24 hours after Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari directed the police to take stringent action, including arrests, against people making derogatory remarks about Netaji on social media.

Adhikari had also said that the law would apply equally to MPs, MLAs and government officials.

The directive followed remarks by Ananta Maharaj in which he described Netaji as a “war criminal” and questioned his leadership as well as the role of the Azad Hind Fauj in India’s freedom struggle.

What the Bengal government said

In its order, the state government said that “certain facts and circumstances” had emerged that raised questions over Nagendra Ray’s continued retention of the honour.

The government said the competent authority had concluded that retaining the Banga Bibhushan was inconsistent with the dignity, prestige and purpose of the award.

It therefore withdrew and annulled the honour conferred upon Nagendra Ray on February 21, 2026, with immediate effect. The order did not specifically identify the particular offence behind the decision.

Who is Nagendra Ray?

Nagendra Ray, popularly known as Ananta Maharaj, is a BJP Rajya Sabha MP from West Bengal who hails from Cooch Behar in the northern part of the state and is a leader of the Rajbanshi community. 

The withdrawal of the state honour comes amid controversy over his remarks concerning Netaji, a prominent figure in India’s freedom struggle and a revered personality in Bengal.

The selection process for the Chief Executive Officer of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra has reached its final stage, with interviews of 16 shortlisted candidates completed in Ayodhya.

The final round of face-to-face interviews was held at the Trust’s campus on August 11 and 12. The candidates were assessed for their management abilities, leadership potential, vision, strategic planning, personality and expertise in technology.

From 5,585 applications to 16 finalists

The recruitment process began with 5,585 applications for the CEO position. Of these, 3,877 applicants submitted detailed CVs for evaluation.

Candidates were initially assessed on their management capabilities, experience in handling large-scale events and personnel, personal excellence, language skills, vision and strategic planning.

In the second stage, around 111 candidates were invited for online interactions. Their communication skills, professional experience, leadership qualities, vision, personality and technological knowledge were evaluated.

The process eventually narrowed the field to 16 candidates for face-to-face interviews in Ayodhya. The shortlisted group included Army veterans, retired IAS and IPS officers and professionals from government and non-government services.

Search Committee to recommend three names

The three-member Search Committee will now evaluate the final candidates and forward a panel of three names to the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust.

The committee comprises Justice (Retd.) Permod Kohli, Lieutenant General (Retd.) VK Chaturvedi and nuclear scientist Dr Suresh Hawre. The Trust will make the final appointment and announce the new CEO in due course.

The committee said the selection process was designed to ensure a merit-based, transparent and comprehensive assessment for the leadership position.

What will the new CEO oversee?

The CEO will work under the direct supervision of the Trust and will be responsible for its management, administration and future development.

The role includes ensuring compliance with statutory and regulatory requirements, maintaining financial transparency, coordinating security arrangements with government agencies and overseeing religious rituals and festivals.

The CEO will also be responsible for arrangements concerning devotees and distinguished guests, as well as the day-to-day functioning of the Trust within the powers delegated by it.

The CEO will be appointed on a three-year contract, which can be renewed based on satisfactory performance. The salary and other benefits will be decided through mutual discussion.

A political dispute has erupted between the Congress and the BJP in Uttarakhand over a ‘shuddhikaran’ (purification) ceremony held at the Ramlila Ground in Haldwani after a rally addressed by Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on August 8.

Uttarakhand Congress chief Ganesh Godiyal alleged that the ‘Shri Ram Sena’ group that conducted the ceremony was associated with the BJP. The BJP has strongly denied having any connection with the group.

Godiyal claimed that the purification ritual was conducted because Kharge belongs to the Dalit community. He accused the BJP of promoting divisions in society on the basis of caste and described the ceremony as a “crime against humanity”.

The Congress leader also questioned the Nainital senior superintendent of police over the alleged lack of action against the right-wing group. He said the incident reflected what he described as a fundamental ideological difference between the Congress and the BJP.

BJP rejects Congress allegations

The BJP rejected the allegations and accused the Congress of targeting the saffron party for political gain.

BJP state spokesperson and Cabinet Minister Khajan Das said certain slogans were raised during Kharge’s rally at the Ramlila Ground that, according to him, hurt the sentiments of the Sanatan community.

Das said the Ramlila Ground has religious significance and claimed that people were angered by the chanting of slogans associated with another religion at the venue.

The BJP also rejected the Congress’s claim that the purification ceremony was linked to Kharge’s caste. Das, in turn, accused the Congress of disrespecting Dalit leaders, naming former Congress president Sitaram Kesri, Babu Jagjivan Ram and Dr Bhimrao Ambedkar.

The controversy has since led to a political exchange between the two parties, with the Congress questioning the motive behind the ceremony and the BJP maintaining that the ritual was not connected to Kharge’s caste.