Kolkata, Aug 13 (IANS) The West Bengal government on Thursday announced the decision on withdrawal and annulment of “Banga Bibhushan” award conferred upon the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Rajya Sabha member Nagendra Ray alias Ananta Maharaj reportedly for making derogatory remarks about Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose.
Ray received the award during the previous Mamata Banerjee-led Trinamool Congress government in West Bengal.
The previous Trinamool Congress government introduced “Banga” awards on lines of the highly revered “Padma” awards and in this new state-specific new line of awards “Banga Bibhushan” was considered as the highest civilian award conferred by the state government.
Ray was conferred the award in February 2026 in recognition of his distinguished and exemplary contribution to the state and its people.
A notification announcing the withdrawal and annulment of Ray’s award has been issued by Special Commissioner and Culture Director under the State Information and Cultural Affairs department, Kaushik Basak, on Thursday.
However, the notification had not categorically specified that the decision of withdrawal and annulment of Ray’s award was taken because of his recent derogatory comments about Netaji, which had created major public outcry first within West Bengal and subsequently within the country.
Instead, the carefully drafted notification had claimed that the decision of withdrawal and annulment of the award was prompted by certain facts and circumstances coming to the notice of the state government, which are considered to be of such nature and seriousness as to raise a question to the continued retention of the above honour by Ray alias Ananta Maharaj.
As per the notification, questions have also surfaced whether continued retention of the award by Ray was consistent with the dignity, prestige and purpose of the honour.
“And whereas, upon such consideration, the competent authority is satisfied that the continued retention of the ‘Bongo Bibhushan’ by Nagendra Ray alias Ananta Maharaj is inconsistent with the dignity, prestige and purpose of the honour; Note, therefore, the Government of West Bengal hereby withdraws and annuls the Bangs Bibhushan conferred upon Nagendra Ray alias Ananta Maharaj on February 21, 2026, with immediate effect. Consequently, Nagendra Ray alias Ananta Maharaj shall cease to be entitled to represent himself as a recipient of the Banga Bibhushan and shall not hereafter use, claim or derive any recognition, privilege or benefit specifically arising from such conferment,” the notification said, a copy of which is available with IANS.
An order had been issued to take necessary action for deletion of his name from the relevant official records/lists of recipients of the Banga Bibhushan.
Recently, Ray’s comments on Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose sparked controversy.
He claimed that Netaji had no role in India’s independence and also accused the great Indian freedom fighter of misusing the Azad Hind Fauj.
On Wednesday, Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari told media persons that that no one will be spared if they make derogatory or unacceptable comments about Netaji and the police would take action against them regardless of political affiliation.
The Cyber Cell has also been instructed to act.
The work of identifying who has made any post on social media defaming Netaji has begun.
After the Chief Minister Adhikari’s announcement, the police also arrested a youth in Uttar Dinajpur on Thursday, who is accused of making objectionable posts about Netaji.
–IANS
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