Controversy Erupts as Activist Nagendra Ray Apologizes for Remarks on Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose

New Delhi, August 14: Activist Nagendra Ray has issued an apology following controversial remarks about Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose. In a statement, he expressed regret if his “thoughtless” words about the national hero offended anyone.

His comments, based on dubious and fabricated documents, sparked a fierce backlash, prompting the BJP Rajya Sabha MP to address the issue on social media.

Recently, Ray claimed that Netaji played no role in India’s freedom struggle and accused him of misusing the Azad Hind Fauj.

On Thursday, the West Bengal government revoked the ‘Banga Vibhushan’ award that had been conferred upon him by the previous Trinamool government in February of this year.

The ‘Banga Vibhushan’ is the state’s highest civilian honor, initiated by former Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee in 2011 to recognize outstanding contributions to West Bengal.

Meanwhile, media reports indicate that the Cooch Behar district police have filed an FIR against the 68-year-old BJP MP following a complaint from a supporter of the ‘Forward Bloc,’ and an investigation is underway.

Some speculate that such incidents forced him to issue a statement of regret. However, he has a history of making controversial remarks, often based on unfounded beliefs or questionable information.

Before the Netaji statement, he had claimed that his ‘royal’ status earned him a seat in the Rajya Sabha. He made this remark during a recent winter session of Parliament, when a journalist reminded him that claiming royal status in the temple of democracy seemed inappropriate.

Despite over 75 years of parliamentary democracy, he believes that the upper house of Parliament is meant for “kings and feudal lords.”

As a leader of the ‘Greater Cooch Behar People’s Association’ (GCPA), Ray holds significant influence among a segment of the Rajbongshi community in North Bengal. His organization is part of a coalition demanding a separate state called ‘Greater Cooch Behar,’ which would include seven districts from North Bengal—Cooch Behar, Jalpaiguri, Darjeeling, Malda, and Murshidabad—as well as districts from Assam, including Kokrajhar, Bongaigaon, and Dhubri.