A political firestorm has erupted after Madhya Pradesh minister Inder Singh Parmar made controversial remarks about 19th-century social reformer Raja Rammohan Roy, providing fresh ammunition to the Trinamool Congress to accuse the BJP of disrespecting Bengal's cultural icons.
Controversial Comments Spark Outrage
During a recent public address, Madhya Pradesh minister Inder Singh Parmar made startling allegations against the revered social reformer Raja Rammohan Roy, who is widely celebrated for his role in abolishing sati and promoting women's rights. The minister claimed that Roy had worked as 'an agent of the British' and was responsible for initiating what he described as a 'vicious cycle of religious conversion' in India.
The comments, made on November 16, 2025, immediately drew sharp reactions from political circles, particularly in West Bengal where Raja Rammohan Roy is considered an iconic figure in the state's rich history of social reform movements.
TMC Launches Counterattack
The Trinamool Congress was quick to capitalize on the controversial statement, using it to reinforce their longstanding accusation that the BJP disrespects Bengal's historical and cultural legacy. TMC leaders seized the opportunity to portray the remarks as part of a pattern of behavior by BJP leaders toward Bengal's revered personalities.
'This is not an isolated incident but part of a systematic attempt to undermine Bengal's cultural icons and rewrite history according to their political agenda,' stated a senior TMC leader during a press conference in Kolkata.
Political Implications and Fallout
The timing of the controversy is significant, coming amid ongoing political tensions between the ruling TMC in West Bengal and the opposition BJP. Political analysts suggest that such remarks could potentially influence public sentiment in the state, where historical and cultural pride often plays a crucial role in political discourse.
The incident has sparked debates about the appropriate way to discuss historical figures and their complex legacies in contemporary political conversations. While some have defended the right to critically examine historical figures, others have condemned what they see as the politicization of respected reformers for current political gains.
As the controversy continues to unfold, all eyes are on how the BJP leadership will respond to the growing criticism and whether any disciplinary action will be taken against the Madhya Pradesh minister for his inflammatory remarks about one of India's most celebrated social reformers.
