New Delhi. West Bengal Chief Minister Subhendu Adhikari has withdrawn the 'Banga Vibhushan' award given to his own party BJP's Rajya Sabha MP Nagendra Rai alias Anant Maharaj. Actually, Anant Maharaj had recently made very derogatory remarks about Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose. Taking strict action regarding this, Bengal CM had directed to take action. The Bengal government has withdrawn the state honor from the Rajya Sabha MP and also canceled it. On 21 February 2026, the then TMC government of Bengal honored Anant Maharaj with a state honour.
A notice has been issued by the BJP government of Bengal regarding this entire episode. In this, Anant Maharaj is accused of tarnishing the reputation of the state. It is clearly stated in the notice that in view of the social contribution of Anant Maharaj, he was awarded the state honor Bang Vibhushan. But his recent comments cannot be ignored. Anant Maharaj had called Netaji a war criminal. Not only this, many derogatory things were said while raising questions on the contribution of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose in the freedom struggle and the role of Azad Hind Fauj. After this, many BJP leaders had opposed Anant Maharaj.
The West Bengal government has withdrawn and canceled the Banga Bibhushan honor conferred on Nagendra Ray alias Ananta Maharaj on February 21, 2026.
In an order, the Information & Cultural Affairs Department said that certain facts and circumstances that emerged after the… pic.twitter.com/JOb5wahieD
— ANI (@ANI) August 13, 2026
Whereas CM Shubhendu Adhikari had said in clear words that insulting national heroes will not be tolerated at all and strict action will be taken against those who do so. Written complaints have also been lodged against Anant Maharaj in various police stations. The Supreme Court has also been demanded to take suo motu cognizance of this matter. Nagendra Rai is a prominent leader of Greater Cooch Behar People's Association. He has a good influence in the Rajbanshi community of North Bengal.