Nagendra Ray, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Rajya Sabha MP from Cooch Behar who styles himself 'Ananta Maharaj' and claims descent from the erstwhile royal family of the region, is facing mounting political and legal pressure after making remarks widely condemned as disparaging to Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose. Ray recently asserted that Netaji had no role in India's independence struggle and accused him of misusing the Azad Hind Fauj — claims built, according to critics, on doubtful and reportedly fabricated documents.

The Controversial Remarks and the Backlash

Ray's statements triggered an immediate and widespread backlash across the political spectrum. In response, he issued a statement on social media saying that if his 'unintended' words had hurt anyone's sentiments, he was sorry — a formulation observers note stops well short of a direct apology or retraction. Critics argue the statement was damage control prompted by the legal and political fallout, rather than a genuine acknowledgement of error.

The Cooch Behar district police filed a First Information Report (FIR) against the 68-year-old MP on a complaint lodged by a Forward Bloc supporter, and an investigation has been initiated, according to reports. The FIR adds formal legal weight to what was already a significant political controversy.

Banga Bibhushan Award Revoked

In a pointed political rebuke, the West Bengal government — now led by Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari — on Thursday withdrew and annulled the 'Banga Bibhushan' award conferred on Ray in February by the previous All India Trinamool Congress (TMC) government. The Banga Bibhushan is the state's highest civilian honour, instituted by then Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee shortly after she assumed office in 2011. The revocation underscores how swiftly Ray's remarks have made him a political liability across party lines.

A Pattern of Contentious Claims

This is not the first time Ray has courted controversy with assertions that draw scrutiny. During the recently concluded Winter Session of Parliament, he claimed his 'Maharaj' status had earned him a seat in what he called the 'Rajsabha' — apparently believing the Upper House is reserved for 'kings and lords', even after more than 75 years of parliamentary democracy in India. Observers note a recurring pattern of remarks rooted in his self-projected royal identity rather than verifiable fact.

Political Significance: The Rajbongshi Factor

Ray leads a faction of the Greater Cooch Behar Peoples' Association (GCPA), an organisation demanding a separate state of Greater Cooch Behar — encompassing seven districts of north Bengal including Cooch Behar, Jalpaiguri, Darjeeling, Malda, and Murshidabad, as well as Kokrajhar, Bongaigaon, and Dhubri in Assam. His influence derives largely from the Rajbongshi community, whose population numbers over 33 lakh and constitutes the largest Scheduled Caste group in West Bengal.

The community alleges marginalisation within Bengal's political and cultural mainstream, claiming their share of North Bengal's population fell from 80% to just 30% between 1971 and 2011, attributing the decline to illegal immigration and land encroachment. Many affiliated groups back the NRC process and demand deportation of illegal immigrants, though they regard statehood as the primary goal. They also contend that Cooch Behar's merger with West Bengal violated the treaty signed in 1949 by their then king Jagaddipendra Narayan Bhup Bahadur with the Government of India.

An Embarrassment for Both BJP and TMC

When BJP nominated Ray to the Rajya Sabha in 2023, it was a calculated move to consolidate Rajbongshi support ahead of electoral contests in north Bengal. The TMC's decision to bestow the Banga Bibhushan on him earlier this year was similarly read as a bid to neutralise his influence. Now, his outburst has embarrassed both parties that had sought to leverage his community standing. With an FIR registered and a state award revoked, Ray's political utility — carefully cultivated by rival parties — appears significantly diminished, at least for now.