West Bengal’s political theatre intensified on September 2, 2025, as Leader of the Opposition Suvendu Adhikari was suspended for the remainder of the special Assembly session following a heated confrontation over a motion condemning alleged attacks on Bengali-speaking migrants in BJP-ruled states. The suspension, ordered by Speaker Biman Banerjee, came after Adhikari repeatedly interrupted proceedings and vocally objected to remarks made by Education Minister Bratya Basu, which he claimed were defamatory towards the Indian Army.
The incident has triggered a fresh flashpoint in the ongoing TMC-BJP rivalry, with BJP legislators staging a walkout and accusing the ruling Trinamool Congress of politicizing national institutions. Outside the Assembly, Adhikari declared he had been “unethically forced out,” asserting that his protest was in defence of the Army’s honour.
🧭 Timeline of Assembly Disruption and Suspension
| Date | Event / Development | Political Impact |
|---|---|---|
| Sept 1, 2025 | Army dismantles TMC protest stage in Kolkata | TMC accuses BJP of “misusing Army” |
| Sept 2, 2025 | Bratya Basu compares Army action to 1971 Dhaka | BJP alleges insult to Indian Army |
| Sept 2, 2025 | Suvendu Adhikari interrupts Assembly debate | Speaker suspends Adhikari for full session |
| Sept 2, 2025 | BJP MLAs stage walkout, raise slogans | Political polarization deepens |
The special session, convened to debate the treatment of Bengali migrants, was overshadowed by the controversy surrounding Basu’s comments and the Army’s removal of a TMC protest structure near the Gandhi statue on Mayo Road.
🔍 What Triggered the Suspension: Basu’s Remarks and BJP’s Reaction
During the debate, Education Minister Bratya Basu drew a parallel between the Army’s dismantling of the TMC protest stage and the Pakistani Army’s atrocities in Dhaka on March 25, 1971. He said:
“When the Army dismantled our stage yesterday, it reminded me of the Pakistani army firing in Dhaka… It reminded me of the sacrifices made by people who laid down their lives to protect our language and identity.”
The remarks sparked outrage from BJP MLAs, with Adhikari accusing the minister of “defaming a proud national institution.” He demanded the comments be expunged from the Assembly records. When Speaker Biman Banerjee refused, Adhikari stood up, shouted slogans, and repeatedly interrupted proceedings.
| Speaker’s Statement | Action Taken |
|---|---|
| “I am forced to suspend you…” | Adhikari suspended for remaining session |
| Reason for Suspension | Repeated interruptions, leaving seat |
| Session Duration | Ends Sept 5, break on Sept 3 (Karam Puja) |
The Speaker later told media that Adhikari’s conduct violated House decorum and warranted suspension.
📉 Political Fallout: BJP Walkout and TMC Defence
Following Adhikari’s suspension, BJP legislators staged a walkout, chanting slogans such as “We don’t want this pro-appeasement Mamata government” and “shame, shame.” The party accused the TMC of dragging the Army into partisan politics and demanded an apology from Basu.
| BJP’s Allegations | TMC’s Defence |
|---|---|
| Basu insulted Indian Army | Remarks were about Pakistan Army in 1971 |
| Speaker biased towards TMC | Suspension followed repeated disruptions |
| Motion politically motivated | Needed to highlight migrant persecution |
Outside the Assembly, Adhikari told reporters:
“I was suspended because I protested against Basu’s defamatory remarks against the Indian Army. We want those remarks to be expunged. How can a minister compare the Indian Army with that of the Pakistani army?”
TMC leaders countered that Basu’s comments were being “twisted for political gains” and that the motion was necessary to spotlight the “systematic harassment” of Bengali-speaking migrants in BJP-ruled states.
🔥 Army’s Role and the Mayo Road Controversy
The controversy began when Army personnel from the Eastern Command dismantled a bamboo-and-tarpaulin structure erected by the TMC near the Gandhi statue on Mayo Road. The Army cited defence regulations and Calcutta High Court orders prohibiting temporary structures on Maidan land for more than 48 hours.
| Army’s Statement | TMC’s Reaction |
|---|---|
| Structure violated defence norms | Accused BJP of “misusing Army” |
| Permission was time-bound | Mamata Banerjee rushed to site |
| Reminder sent to organizers | TMC refused to remove structure voluntarily |
Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee accused the BJP of vendetta politics and using the Army to suppress dissent. The incident set the stage for the Assembly showdown the following day.
🧠 Expert Commentary and Political Reactions
| Expert Name | Role | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Meera Iyer | Political Analyst | “This is a classic case of symbolic politics escalating into institutional conflict.” |
| Rajiv Bansal | Assembly Watcher | “Adhikari’s suspension reflects deeper tensions within Bengal’s political fabric.” |
| Dr. Rakesh Sinha | Constitutional Scholar | “The Speaker’s decision must be weighed against the right to protest and decorum.” |
The incident has reignited debates over the politicization of the Army, Assembly decorum, and the limits of free speech within legislative forums.
📦 What’s Next: Session Outlook and Political Strategy
The special session of the Assembly will continue until September 5, with a break on September 3 for Karam Puja. BJP is expected to boycott the remaining days, while TMC plans to push forward with its migrant protection motion.
| Date | Assembly Agenda | BJP’s Position |
|---|---|---|
| Sept 3 | No session (Karam Puja) | BJP to hold press conference |
| Sept 4–5 | Debate on migrant motion continues | BJP likely to boycott |
| Post-Session | BJP to escalate issue nationally | TMC to defend motion and Basu’s remarks |
Adhikari has hinted at taking the matter to the Governor and possibly the courts, while TMC sources say they will not retract Basu’s comments.
📌 Conclusion
Suvendu Adhikari’s suspension from the West Bengal Assembly has deepened the political divide between the BJP and TMC, turning a debate on migrant rights into a full-blown institutional clash. As both sides dig in, the controversy underscores the fragile balance between protest and decorum, and the growing role of symbolism in Bengal’s political discourse. With the Assembly session still underway, the fallout from this confrontation is far from over.
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Disclaimer: This article is based on publicly available news reports and political statements as of September 3, 2025. It is intended for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal, political, or strategic advice.
