Ananta Maharaj
BJP Rajya Sabha MP Ananta Maharaj has apologised for his controversial remarks about Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose, hours after the West Bengal government withdrew the Banga Bibhushan honour awarded to him.
Ananta Maharaj, whose real name is Nagendranath Ray, faced widespread criticism after making remarks questioning Netaji’s role in India’s freedom struggle and the formation of the Indian National Army. The controversy escalated rapidly after the state government decided to revoke the award.
In a video message posted on social media, Ananta Maharaj said that he respected Netaji and expressed regret if any of his remarks had caused emotional hurt.
The apology came after the government formally annulled the Banga Bibhushan awarded to him earlier this year. The timing of the apology has become a major talking point in political circles.
Ananta Maharaj had argued that India’s independence could not be attributed solely to Mahatma Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru and the Congress movement.
He also claimed that the historical role of the Maharaja of Cooch Behar had not received adequate recognition. His remarks about Netaji, however, triggered the strongest reaction. He claimed that the Indian National Army had been formed using Indian soldiers who had been captured by Germany and handed over to Netaji.
He further alleged that Netaji had misused the opportunity. Ananta Maharaj also made a claim that the Maharaja of Cooch Behar had defeated Hitler and the Indian National Army.
He went on to suggest that if the Cooch Behar Maharaja had been made the emperor of independent India, Partition could have been avoided and India and Pakistan might have remained united. The comments generated widespread outrage and criticism.
Opponents accused him of insulting one of India’s most prominent national heroes and questioning Netaji’s contribution to the freedom movement.
Ananta Maharaj initially defended himself. He argued that he had not intended to insult Netaji and said he had merely presented what he believed were historical facts. He also maintained that he had not fabricated stories or deliberately defamed anyone.
However, his position changed after the state government revoked the Banga Bibhushan.
The West Bengal government formally withdrew and annulled the Banga Bibhushan awarded to Ananta Maharaj. The honour had been conferred on him on February 21, 2026. The government said that certain facts and circumstances that came to its notice after the award had been granted raised serious questions about his continued retention of the honour.
According to the government’s order, retaining the award was considered inconsistent with the dignity, prestige and institutional purpose of the Banga Bibhushan. The authorities also directed that his name be removed from the official list of Banga Bibhushan recipients.
He will no longer be entitled to describe himself as a recipient of the honour or claim any recognition, privilege or benefit specifically associated with it.
The decision was announced amid growing political pressure over his remarks. West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari had earlier warned that derogatory remarks against Netaji would not be tolerated.
He also directed the police to take stringent legal action against those making such remarks on social media. The Chief Minister reportedly stressed that the law would apply equally to politicians, MPs, MLAs, government officials and other public figures.
The controversy has therefore moved beyond a political argument and into the realm of potential legal action.
Following the government’s decision, Ananta Maharaj posted a video message expressing regret. He said he was apologising with respect for Netaji and added that if any of his unintended remarks had caused emotional pain, he was sincerely sorry.
The statement marked a notable shift from his earlier defence of the remarks. Earlier, he had insisted that he had not insulted Netaji and had merely discussed historical claims.
The subsequent apology has therefore triggered questions about whether the withdrawal of the state honour influenced his decision to soften his position.
The political controversy is now likely to continue. Several questions remain, including whether the apology will have any impact on complaints filed against him and whether further legal action will follow.
The incident has also reignited a broader debate over how historical figures and national icons are discussed in contemporary political discourse.
Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose remains one of the most prominent figures of India’s independence movement, while the Indian National Army and its role in the final phase of British rule continue to be subjects of historical and academic discussion.
However, political interpretations of history can quickly become contentious when they involve nationally revered figures. In Ananta Maharaj’s case, the controversy intensified because his comments were followed by a formal withdrawal of one of West Bengal’s highest civilian honours.
The state government has made it clear that his name will no longer remain on the official list of Banga Bibhushan recipients. For now, Ananta Maharaj’s apology has added another chapter to the controversy.
The immediate question is whether his expression of regret will ease the political backlash or whether the complaints and possible legal proceedings will continue.
What is clear is that the BJP MP’s position has changed significantly within a short period.
From defending his historical interpretation to publicly expressing regret, Ananta Maharaj has now adopted a considerably softer tone after losing the Banga Bibhushan honour.
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