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Kolkata, Nov 1 (IANS) Amid the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of West Bengal’s voter list, state Education Minister Bratya Basu on Saturday courted controversy by drawing comparisons between Rohingya infiltrators and Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose’s Azad Hind Fauj.
The ruling Trinamool Congress is opposing the Election Commission’s move to conduct the SIR exercise in the state, with Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee earlier raising strong objections to the process.
However, the BJP has said that the amendment is necessary to identify Rohingya infiltrators allegedly present in West Bengal.
Speaking on the issue, Basu commented: “BJP is a dangerous party. They do not understand maps. The route by which Rohingyas enter the country from Myanmar is the same route used by the Azad Hind Fauj from erstwhile Burma to Kolkata. The BJP is insulting that route.”
His statement drew a sharp reaction from the BJP, which accused Basu of insulting the Azad Hind Fauj and distorting history.
Union Minister of State for Education and Development of North Eastern Region Sukanta Majumdar criticized Basu on social media, calling the remarks “extremely sad and condemnable”.
Majumdar wrote, “Comparing the Rohingyas with the brave soldiers of the Azad Hind Fauj is extremely sad and condemnable. When the Azad Hind Fauj, under the leadership of the universally acknowledged Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose, entered Indian soil through Burma in 1944, Nehru-Congress was spreading confusion by calling them ‘infiltrators’. This attempt to use the same language today is a deep insult to the history of India’s independence and patriotism.”
BJP has demanded immediate apology from Basu and also his resignation over the controversial statement.
Azad Hind Fauj was formed during World War II under the leadership of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose with the aim of achieving India’s independence from British rule through armed struggle.
Although it did not achieve military victory, the Azad Hind Fauj played an important role in igniting nationalist sentiments across India.
–IANS
SH/PGH