Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar on Monday cautioned West Bengal’s district election officers (DEOs), including district magistrates and superintendents of police, that the Election Commission would not tolerate any violence during the upcoming Assembly elections in the state.

The Election Commission directed district officials to take immediate preventive measures to ensure peaceful polling. Officials have been asked to begin raids from Monday evening to seize illegal firearms and curb the circulation of black money and illicit liquor.

The poll panel also instructed district authorities to make proper use of central forces to prevent any untoward incidents during the election process.

Meanwhile, the All India Trinamool Congress (AITC) criticised the Chief Election Commissioner, Gyanesh Kumar in a post on X, as he goofed up between the National Song and Anthem. He said the National Song is "Jana Gana Mana" originated from the soil of Bengal.

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'He doesn’t remember which one is the national song', Arup Chakraborty shares his views

Arup Chakraborty, spokesperson, All India Trinamool Congress, shared his views on this matter, “It is our misfortune that a person who doesn’t know the difference between the national song and national anthem is the Chief Election Commissioner of the country. Actually, he’s so busy to please BJP and revoke the citizenship of Bengalis, he doesn’t remember which one is the national song, and which is the national anthem. This is an insult to Rabindranath Tagore.”

TMC leaders question CEC Gyanesh Kumar for his knowledge of National Anthem and National Song

TMC leader Pratik Ur Rahaman said the CEC should have a deeper understanding of the country’s heritage and culture. “He should know about the heritage and culture of India more intricately. The one who doesn’t know the difference between the national song and the national anthem has excluded 60 lakh people from the electoral rolls in West Bengal. Now we know the real reason,” he said. Rahaman added that the CEC should first learn these basic facts before making such decisions. “We would like to request Mr. Gyanesh Kumar to know about these basic things,” he said.

Sudip Raha, spokesperson of the All India Trinamool Congress, also criticised the CEC and said the mistake reflects a lack of basic awareness. “Just like the BJP, the Chief Election Commissioner can’t differentiate between the national song and the national anthem. We believe that people like him lack basic knowledge,” he said. Raha further remarked that such errors should not occur at such a high constitutional position. “He should be given primary education to avoid such mistakes in the future,” he added.

Another TMC spokesperson, Riju Dutta, also raised questions over the issue and demanded accountability. “A person who’s sitting in one of the highest constitutional posts in this country doesn’t know the basics,” he said. Dutta clarified that “Jana Gana Mana is our national anthem, and Vande Mataram is our national song.” He further said that a person who does not know these basics should not be entrusted with important responsibilities like the SIR process across the country.

“I’m saying this on record that Gyanesh Kumar is unfit to sit in the chair of the Election Commissioner of India, and he should be impeached immediately,” Dutta added.

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AITC alleged that large numbers of voters in Bengal were being removed due to so-called “logical discrepancies”.

AITC wrote on X, “‘Illogical Discrepancies’ by Gyanesh Kumar! Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar is busy deleting lakhs of voters in Bengal over so-called ‘logical discrepancies,’ allegedly at the behest of @BJP4India. Yet the same person cannot even distinguish between India’s National Anthem and National Song.

A quick fact check for the CEC:

National Anthem = “Jana Gana Mana” composed by Rabindranath Tagore and adopted as India’s National Anthem.

National Song = “Vande Mataram” composed by Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay.

Those who know nothing about Bengal, its people, culture, and history should think twice before attempting to lecture it.”

BJP responds to TMC criticism

Responding to the allegations, West Bengal BJP spokesperson Dr. Avra Sen said the issue may have been a simple mistake and criticised the Trinamool Congress for creating unnecessary controversy. “May be it was a faux pas. TMC should look into themselves on what they are doing before churning up this furore,” he said.

Sen suggested that the ruling party should focus on its own actions instead of turning the matter into a political dispute.

Earlier in the day, CEC Gyanesh Kumar visited Dakshineswar Kali Temple in Kolkata and offered prayers, seeking the blessings of Maa Kali. During his visit to Kalighat and Dakshineswar temples, slogans of “go back” were raised outside by protesters.

'This Goof Up Kumar': netizens react

Regarding this situation, users opened up and shared their views on X. One user wrote, "What This man is doing? he gone to Bengal to review the election work, or has he gone for a Tour of Bengal?"

Another wrote, "Whether he'll also file a nomination to contest the Vidhansabha Election in West Bengal?"

Another wrote on X, "This Goof Up Kumar - who doesn’t even know the basics is entrusted with SIR deciding the fate of millions in this country…He is unfit to sit on the chair of CEC and should be impeached immediately…!!"