New Delhi: A video showing BJP MLA Koustav Bagchi pressuring a Muslim woman to chant nationalist slogans during a government welfare scheme event in Barrackpore has triggered debate over power use, political messaging and access to public welfare programmes.
The incident took place on June 3, 2026, during the inaugural ceremony of the Annapurna Yojna, a women’s welfare scheme held at Sukanta Sadan in Barrackpore. The programme marked the rollout of financial assistance of Rs 3000 per month for eligible women aged 25 to 60.
A video circulating on social media shows Bagchi interacting with a Muslim woman seated in the front row. He asks her whether she believes the BJP is good or bad and then presses her to respond in support of the party. He also refers to the scheme’s financial benefit during the exchange.
In the footage, Bagchi repeatedly instructs the woman to chant “Bharat Mata ki Jai”. The woman responds softly after continued prompting. He then instructs her to say “Vande Mataram”, which she repeats in a subdued voice with her head lowered.
Bagchi is heard stating, “One has to say this. We are Indians. We have to behave like one”.
The interaction took place in a crowded public setting with the woman appearing hesitant throughout the exchange. The video has since drawn attention on social media, where users have raised questions about the pressure placed on welfare applicants during official events.
Critics argue that the episode highlights concerns over whether access to government welfare schemes is linked to public expressions of political or ideological conformity. They also point to the power imbalance between an elected representative and a beneficiary in a public forum.
Bagchi, who won the Barrackpore seat in the 2026 assembly elections, had earlier been associated with Congress before joining the BJP in 2024. Following the BJP’s electoral victory in West Bengal, the government launched the Annapurna Yojna, replacing the earlier Lakshmir Bhandar scheme.
The video continues to circulate online, prompting wider discussion on governance conduct and the treatment of minority beneficiaries in public welfare programmes.
Story by Alt News
