Suvendu Adhikari warns Humayun Kabir over derogatory speeches, FIRs filed
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari on Monday, 29 June issued a sharp public warning to Naoda MLA and Aam Janata Unnayan Party (AJUP) chief Humayun Kabir, declaring 'enough is enough' over a series of provocative and derogatory public speeches. Speaking on the floor of the West Bengal Legislative Assembly, Adhikari confirmed that his government has initiated two separate FIRs against Kabir in connection with recent public programmes in Rejinagar and Shaktipur in Murshidabad district.
FIRs Registered, Sections Cited
Adhikari stated that Case Nos. 219 and 226 have been registered at Rejinagar Police Station in connection with an incident on 26 June, invoking Sections 152, 196, 197, 224, 299, 351(2), 352, and 353 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). A separate case has been registered at Shaktipur Police Station under Sections 176 and 226 of the BNS in relation to a second incident. The Chief Minister read out excerpts of Kabir's speeches in the Assembly, underscoring the gravity with which the government views the matter.
The Political Context Behind the Speeches
Adhikari alleged that Kabir's inflammatory remarks were driven by two political objectives. The first, he said, was to consolidate panchayat-level support across Bharatpur, Rejinagar, and Naoda in Murshidabad under the AJUP banner, regardless of the elected representatives' current party affiliations. The second objective, according to Adhikari, was electoral: Kabir had vacated the Rejinagar Assembly seat as per rules after winning two seats in the Assembly elections, triggering a by-election expected within two to three months. 'You want your son to win from that seat. There are 72 per cent Muslims in that seat. You are playing this game to consolidate Muslim votes,' Adhikari said, addressing Kabir directly.
Adhikari's Warning in the Assembly
In an unusually direct address from the floor of the House, Adhikari said, 'After two incidents, I felt that enough is enough. It is time to teach such people a lesson. I am telling you clearly, Mamata Banerjee is not the Chief Minister now. You have done whatever you wanted after getting a weak Chief Minister till now.' He also invoked the arrests of Sheikh Shahjahan in Sandeshkhali, Saokat Molla in Canning, and Jahangir Khan in Falta — without naming them explicitly — as examples of the state's willingness to act. 'The Constitution and law of India have the final say. Talkative people do not have the final say,' he said. He concluded with a direct admonition to Kabir: 'Be restrained. Be careful. Withdraw such words. Think 25 times before saying such words in the future.'
Humayun Kabir's Response
Kabir, responding after the Chief Minister's address, denied targeting Adhikari personally. 'I did not say anything against the Chief Minister. I spoke against the way those who are new BJP members — those who joined the BJP after May 4 — have caused unrest in the area,' he said. He added that he was prepared to face arrest if it came to that, and reiterated that his decision to form a new party and contest elections had been vindicated by his electoral victories.
What Comes Next
Adhikari confirmed he will travel to Murshidabad within a week, signalling continued administrative attention to the district. With by-election proceedings for the Rejinagar seat expected in the coming months, the political temperature in Murshidabad is unlikely to ease. The legal proceedings under the BNS will be closely watched as a test of the new state government's approach to political speech and law enforcement.