Madhya Pradesh’s BJP-ruled government has found itself in controversy after one of its ministers referred to Raja Ram Mohan Roy as a “British agent.” The Trinamool Congress in Bengal has strongly reacted to the remark, branding the BJP as “anti-Bengal” for such comments about Rammohan Roy.
On the other side, with the 2026 Assembly elections approaching, the ruling party in Bengal has been sharpening the narrative of “Bengal and Bengali identity” as its political weapon. In such a charged atmosphere, this remark is likely to create discomfort for the Bengal BJP, as the leaders are avoiding the subject. No one from the leadership has commented publicly so far. However, party sources say Madhya Pradesh’s BJP should respond to this matter itself.
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The BJP leadership in Madhya Pradesh has also distanced itself from Inder Singh Parmar’s comments. Shivam Shukla, spokesperson of the party in that state, said, “This is the minister’s personal remark. The BJP respects everyone who has worked for this country. Congress is giving a wrong interpretation of his comment.”
During an event marking the 150th birth anniversary of Birsa Munda, Madhya Pradesh Higher Education Minister Inder Singh Parmar claimed that Rammohan was among those who worked to change people’s beliefs through English education during colonial rule.
According to him, “In Bengal and surrounding regions, a group was working at that time to change people’s beliefs through English education. The British created several Indian fake social reformers. Raja Ram Mohan Roy was among a few of them who worked as a British agent.”
Explaining why he said this, the BJP leader added, “If anyone had the courage to stop their (Ram Mohan Roy’s) conversion racket, it was Birsa Munda. He saved the tribal community.”
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Rammohan is globally known as a social and religious reformer. His influence is undeniable—not only on Bengalis but across the entire country. Often described as the father of modern Indian Renaissance, Rammohan was the key figure behind ending the practice of Sati.
Criticising the remark calling him a “British agent,” the Trinamool attacked the BJP on X (formerly Twitter). They said,.“BJP4India’s hatred for Bengal’s icons knows no bounds.The same Raja Ram Mohan Roy — the great reformer who abolished the horrific practice of Sati, has now been called a “British agent” and a “fake reformer” by BJP leader and, ironically, the Higher Education Minister of Madhya Pradesh, Inder Singh Parmar.But this isn’t the first time they’ve insulted Bengal’s pride.”
The post continues saying, “In Bengal itself, Amit Shah’s rally witnessed the vandalisation of Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar’s statue. Their Bengal president, Sukanta Majumdar, called Swami Vivekananda a “confused leftist. JP Nadda distorted the birthplace of Rabindranath Tagore.And in Uttar Pradesh, BJP removed Tagore from school textbooks.”
Trinamool spokesperson Arup Chakraborty said, “Those who themselves acted as British agents are now calling Rammohan Roy an agent. This is why the BJP is anti-Bengal. The people of Bengal will give them an answer.”
