Controversy Erupts as Chapra Police IC Attends Trinamool Event in Party Symbol

Baby Chakraborty, KalimNews, Kolkata, March 24, 2025: A controversy has erupted in Kolkata after a picture of Chapra Police Station's IC, Anindya Mukherjee, sitting on a Trinamool political stage while wearing a turban adorned with the Trinamool Congress symbol went viral on social media. The incident, which has raised eyebrows, occurred in the Chapra police station area of Nadia, where the Trinamool Congress had been organizing various programs, including Ramadan-related events and clothing donation drives.

For several days, these programs have been actively supported and promoted by the local Trinamool Congress. On one such occasion, Anindya Mukherjee, the police station IC, was invited to attend a community Iftar gathering organized by the Trinamool Minority Cell. The image, showing Mukherjee wearing the turban with the Trinamool party symbol prominently displayed around his neck, quickly spread online, triggering intense political debate.

In response to the controversy, Trinamool Uttar Organizational District Spokesperson, Debashish Roy, defended the event, stating that such programs are intended to honor notable community figures. He argued that it was not unusual for police officers or other dignitaries to be invited to such events. Roy also downplayed the significance of the Trinamool symbol, stating that he could not confirm whether the symbol was indeed visible on the turban, and criticized the BJP for focusing on the issue instead of addressing the lack of developmental work in their own areas.

On the other hand, BJP leader Somnath Kar sharply criticized Mukherjee’s participation, asserting that the picture clearly depicted a police official aligning with the Trinamool party. He questioned how an administrative official could attend a party function and wear a symbol of a political party, raising concerns about the potential implications for legal actions if individuals present at the event had committed criminal acts.

The situation has prompted a wider discussion on the role of public officials in political events and the potential implications for the neutrality expected of government employees. As the debate continues to unfold, the local police and political parties remain at the center of this controversy.