West Bengal CM promises action over CPI(M) leader’s remark on ‘vandalism of Hindutvawadis’; 1 arrested for domestic assault

West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari during the 9th MeDeVision National Convention 2026 at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital on October 9, 2026 | Photo credit: PTI

West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari on Friday (Oct 9, 2026) warned of action against CPI(M) leader Bikash Ranjan Bhattacharya for his remark that “Hindutvawad miscreants were behind the vandalism” at his home as the police booked him and arrested a man for the attack.

“The attack will definitely be investigated. On my instructions, the police have arrested the attacker. But how could he (Bhattacharya) post on social media that Hindutva activists were behind the attack? He has insulted the entire Hindu community. Action will be taken against him,” Mr Adhikari said while addressing an event at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital on Thursday, October 2, 2000.

He continued, “I am not one to let it go. Anyone pointing fingers at saffron, sanatan, Hindutva or nationalist forces must be taught a lesson.”

Mr. Bhattacharya on Thursday (October 8) alleged that “Hindutvawadi” miscreants broke the window panes and CCTV camera at his residence here. The incident took place at around 5 am at Kalikapur near EM Bypass.

The CPI(M) leader, who is also a senior lawyer, said on social media that unidentified masked youths came on motorcycles and broke the window panes of his house. A former mayor of Kolkata filed an FIR, alleging that the attack was carried out by “Hindutvawad miscreants”.

“Today at around 5am, Hindutva goons attacked my house. They came on a motorbike, threw liquor bottles at the windows, broke the glass and ran away. My domestic help narrowly escaped injury,” Mr Bhattacharya wrote on Facebook.

“They had their faces covered and they covered the number plates of the motorcycles. It was a well-planned attack. If these people are not terrorists, then who are they? Let those terrorists know that they cannot intimidate me. Now I will apply for a gun license,” read another of his posts.

A police officer said two FIRs have been registered against Mr. Bhattacharya at the Topsia and Garfa police stations over his remarks on social media.

The man, identified as Bappa Guchait, a resident of Narendrapur, has been arrested for the attack and will be produced in court later in the day, another officer said.

“We are interrogating Guchait to find out the circumstances surrounding the incident and whether others were involved,” the officer said, adding that a photo of the arrested man wearing a Trinamool Congress scarf had also surfaced on social media.

“We are verifying his political affiliation and the motive for the attack,” he added.

A case was initially registered against Guchait under Sections 324(6) (preparation to cause death, injury or wrongful restraint), 125 (endangering life or personal safety), 79 (insulting the modesty of a woman), 352 (intentional insult with the aim of provoking disturbance of public peace) and 351(2) (criminal offense) police officer BNSyyyathitayaita said.

Charges of disappearance of evidence and forgery were later added to the case during the investigation, he added.

Published – 09 Oct 2026 16:21 IST