By Shiv Sahay Singh
Copyright thehindu
The West Bengal police on Tuesday (September 9, 2025) arrested suspended Trinamool Congress Chhatra Parishad (TMCP) leader Nasimul Haque alias AB Sohel for burning photograph of Nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore. A complaint was lodged at Chanchal police station on Tuesday morning following which the leader of the student outfit of the ruling party was arrested.
“On 9/9/25 upon a specific complaint from a local person a specific case was initiated at Chanchal PS against one Nasimul Haque @AB Soyel (24) S/O Mukul Ali of Chanchal Nayatola PO+PS Chanchal in an incident of alleged burning of pictures of Guru Rabindranath Tagore and other related violations. The accused was arrested and shall be forwarded to court as per law.” Malda District Police posted on social media.
After the videos of the protests where the former president of state run Chanchal College’s TMCP unit was seen burning photographs of the Nobel laureate went viral, the TMCP leadership on Monday evening suspended him. The protests in front of the college to highlight targeting of migrants from the State was organised on September 2. Along with photos of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah a photograph of the national icon was also set on fire by the suspended TMCP leader.
The incident sparked a huge controversy across the State, with Opposition leaders condemning the act. BJP leaders, including Suvendu Adhikari and State BJP Shamik Bhattacharya, strongly criticized the incident on social media. Mr. Adhikari participated in a protest march with photograph of Tagore hung around his neck.
The development comes days after the Trinamool Congress leaders debated on the significance of Bengali language and culture often quoting from the writings of Rabindranath Tagore in the West Bengal Legislative Assembly during debate on the targeting of Bengali speaking migrants in BJP ruled states.
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has recently held protests and marches with the photograph of Rabindranath Tagore hung around her neck stating that she will not tolerate any attack on Bengali Asmita (language and culture).
