May 7, 2026: Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan has strongly condemned the killing of Chandranath Rath, describing the incident as another example of the “politics of violence” allegedly prevailing in West Bengal under the government led by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.
In a sharp political statement, the Union Minister alleged that the murder of Rath, who was considered a close aide of BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari, highlights growing concerns over political violence in the state.
Pradhan expressed grief over the death and demanded strict action against those responsible. He stated that repeated incidents involving political workers raise serious questions about law and order and democratic functioning in West Bengal.
The incident has intensified the ongoing political confrontation between the Bharatiya Janata Party and the All India Trinamool Congress, with BJP leaders accusing the ruling party of fostering an atmosphere of intimidation and violence.
Meanwhile, leaders from the Trinamool Congress have rejected the allegations, maintaining that the law will take its course and that political accusations should not precede the investigation.
Political clashes and allegations of violence have frequently dominated political discourse in West Bengal, especially during election periods and local political disputes. The latest incident is expected to further escalate tensions between the ruling and opposition parties.
Security agencies are investigating the case, and officials have assured that appropriate legal action will be taken based on the findings of the probe.
The development has once again brought the issue of political violence in West Bengal into national focus, with leaders from different parties reacting strongly to the incident.
