The state government withdrew the honour, which had been conferred during the previous government led by the Trinamool Congress.

Award conferred in February 2026

Anant Maharaj was conferred the Banga Bibhushan, West Bengal government's highest civilian award, on February 21, 2026.

The award was presented by then West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee at a state government programme in Kolkata to mark International Mother Language Day.

Maharaj was honoured for his contributions to the socio-economic development of the Rajbanshi community.

Anant Maharaj's remarks on Netaji trigger protests

The controversy erupted after Anant Maharaj allegedly referred to Netaji as a "war criminal" and questioned his leadership as well as the role of the Azad Hind Fauj in India's struggle against British rule.

He also questioned Netaji's ability to form the Azad Hind Fauj, claiming that its troops were British soldiers and that Netaji had misused them.

The remarks triggered protests both on the ground and across social media platforms.

Maharaj reiterates remark

The state government's decision to withdraw the honour came after Anant Maharaj reiterated his remarks on Netaji on Thursday, despite the Chief Minister's crackdown against offensive statements concerning the freedom fighter.

Speaking to ABP Ananda, Maharaj said, "Whatever I have said is based on the document available with the India government. Netaji was declared as a 'war criminal' when Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru was India's Prime Minister."

Maharaj also referred to BJP MP Samik Bhattacharya's controversial remark on Netaji's All India Forward Bloc.

Questions Adhikari's warning

Responding to the Chief Minister's stated zero-tolerance approach towards offensive remarks on Netaji irrespective of political affiliation, Maharaj said, "He (Suvendu Adhikari) didn't take my name but only referred to parliamentarians. Even Samik Bhattacharya is an MP. So should we get arrested?"

The withdrawal of the Banga Bibhushan marks a fresh escalation in the political controversy surrounding remarks on Netaji in West Bengal.