Humayun Kabir appears before Rejinagar police over controversial speech case
Synopsis
AJUP chief Humayun Kabir walked into Rejinagar police station under drone surveillance, warning that 100-120 supporters stood ready to court arrest if he was detained. Three of his party's organisers are already in custody — arrested within 24 hours of Opposition Leader Suvendu Adhikari's public warning. The case is a sharp test of political speech limits in West Bengal.
Key Takeaways
Humayun Kabir , AJUP chief and Naoda MLA , appeared at Rejinagar police station , Murshidabad , on 5 July 2025 at 11:30 am .
Kabir warned that 100 to 120 supporters were ready to court arrest voluntarily if he was detained.
The case stems from a speech Kabir delivered on 26 June at an AJUP meeting in Rejinagar, described as provocative against the BJP .
Three AJUP organisers — Golam Mustafa , Mohammad Aminul Haque , and Anisur Rahman — were arrested on 29 June , within 24 hours of Suvendu Adhikari 's public warning.
Kabir also faces a separate case for allegedly threatening the Officer-in-Charge of Shaktipur police station ; he had skipped that summons the previous day.
Police deployed drones outside Rejinagar police station for surveillance during the appearance.
Aam Janata Unnayan Party (AJUP) chief and Naoda MLA Humayun Kabir appeared before police at Rejinagar police station in Murshidabad district on 5 July 2025, in connection with a case stemming from his recent controversial remarks at a party meeting. He arrived three minutes ahead of his 11:30 am summons, even as party workers gathered outside the AJUP office nearby and police deployed drones for aerial surveillance.
What Kabir Said Before Entering the Station
Before stepping inside, Kabir issued a pointed warning to authorities. Humayun Kabir said, 'If I am arrested, 100 to 120 more people will court arrest voluntarily; the list is ready.' The statement signalled that the AJUP was prepared for an escalation and had mobilised supporters in anticipation of a possible detention.
Background: The Rejinagar Speech and Its Fallout
The controversy traces back to 26 June, when Kabir delivered what police and political opponents described as a provocative speech against the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) at an AJUP meeting in Rejinagar. West Bengal Opposition Leader Suvendu Adhikari personally responded, warning that he would teach Kabir a 'lesson' over the remarks. Within 24 hours of Adhikari's warning, police moved swiftly — by 29 June, three organisers of the Rejinagar meeting had been arrested. The arrested individuals were identified as Golam Mustafa, Mohammad Aminul Haque, and Anisur Rahman, picked up by Murshidabad district police in two separate operations based on FIRs registered at Rejinagar and Shaktipur police stations.
Two Cases, Two Summons
Kabir faces complaints lodged at both Rejinagar and Shaktipur police stations — one related to the speech itself and another concerning an alleged threat made to the Officer-in-Charge of Shaktipur police station. He had been summoned to Shaktipur police station the previous day in the second case but did not appear. His compliance on 5 July at Rejinagar came after sustained police pressure and the prior arrests of his party colleagues.
Security Measures and Ground Situation
The police presence around Rejinagar police station was notably heightened on the day of Kabir's appearance. Drones were deployed outside the station for surveillance, and AJUP workers had been gathering near the party office in the vicinity since early morning. The security arrangements pointed to official concern about potential crowd mobilisation in the event of an arrest.
What Happens Next
As of the time of reporting, Kabir's questioning was ongoing and no immediate arrest had been confirmed. With three AJUP organisers already in custody and the MLA himself now under questioning across two FIRs, the political and legal pressure on the party in Murshidabad is likely to intensify. The case has broader implications for free speech and political accountability in the run-up to any future electoral cycle in West Bengal.
Point of View
But the sequencing matters: Adhikari's warning preceded the FIR action, not the other way around. This pattern, where political statements by the ruling dispensation appear to trigger police mobilisation against opponents, is not new to the state and deserves scrutiny beyond the immediate controversy. The MLA's calculated compliance — arriving early, issuing a defiant statement, mobilising supporters — suggests this is as much a political performance as a legal proceeding.
NationPress
4 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why was Humayun Kabir summoned to Rejinagar police station?
Humayun Kabir was summoned in connection with a case over a speech he delivered on 26 June at an AJUP meeting in Rejinagar, which was described as provocative against the BJP. Complaints were filed against him at both Rejinagar and Shaktipur police stations following the remarks.
Who are the three AJUP organisers arrested in the case?
The three arrested organisers are Golam Mustafa, Mohammad Aminul Haque, and Anisur Rahman. They were picked up by Murshidabad district police on 29 June in two separate operations based on FIRs at Rejinagar and Shaktipur police stations.
What did Humayun Kabir say before entering the police station?
Before entering Rejinagar police station, Kabir said: 'If I am arrested, 100 to 120 more people will court arrest voluntarily; the list is ready.' The statement indicated the AJUP had pre-mobilised supporters in anticipation of a possible arrest.
What role did Suvendu Adhikari play in this case?
West Bengal Opposition Leader Suvendu Adhikari publicly warned after the Rejinagar speech that he would teach Kabir a 'lesson.' Within 24 hours of that warning, police arrested three AJUP organisers — a sequence that has drawn political attention to the timing of the police action.
Does Humayun Kabir face any other case apart from the speech controversy?
Yes. Kabir is also accused of threatening the Officer-in-Charge of Shaktipur police station, and was summoned there the day before his Rejinagar appearance. He did not appear for that summons, making his compliance at Rejinagar on 5 July his first appearance before police in the matter.
