Known for Islamophobic remarks, BJP’s Suvendu Adhikari calls Bengal win a “victory for Hindutva”
Kolkata: Soon after defeating Mamata Banerjee in the West Bengal Assembly elections, BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari made a series of communal remarks, claiming that Muslims had largely supported Banerjee while Hindus and other communities backed him, describing the result as a “victory for Hindutva.”
According to Kashmir Media Service, Adhikari, who took oath as the Chief Minister of West Bengal today, has long faced criticism for Islamophobic and communally polarising statements.
He told reporters, “Muslims voted for Mamata Banerjee, who wears a hijab, while Hindus, Sikhs, Jains and Buddhists made me win. This is a victory for Hindutva,” and added, “This is Mamata Banerjee’s retirement from politics.”
Over the years, Adhikari has repeatedly drawn criticism for Islamophobic and communally polarising remarks, particularly during election campaigns and public rallies. Among the most controversial statements attributed to him were calls to “throw Muslim MLAs out” of the Assembly if the BJP came to power. In December 2025, he urged action against Bangladesh like Israel did in Gaza. In July 2025, he advised Bengalis to avoid travelling to Muslim-majority areas, especially in Kashmir, and suggested they visit Jammu instead. During the 2026 Assembly election campaign, he again made divisive remarks linking development benefits to religious identity. Across multiple speeches and campaigns, he has frequently referred to “Bangladeshi Muslim intruders” and demanded their removal from voter rolls, while also accusing the All India Trinamool Congress of running a “Muslim League 2.0”-style government.
Opposition leaders and rights groups have condemned Adhikari’s rhetoric as deepening communal divisions and promoting anti-Muslim mobilisation across West Bengal.
