‘Nothing communal’: On camera, victim’s son interrupts Bengal BJP MLA’s ‘jihadi’ claim over Titagarh murder

According to a report by Alt News, a controversy has emerged in West Bengal following the murder of a shopkeeper in Titagarh on September 11. Barrackpore BJP MLA Koustav Bagchi publicly characterized the incident as a communal crime, labeling the victim a 'Sanatani' and alleging the perpetrators were 'jihadis'. This framing has been met with significant pushback, most notably from the victim's own family.

A 33-second video of the encounter, which has circulated widely on social media for over a week, captures the moment the MLA attempted to address the family regarding the motive behind the killing. During the interaction, the victim’s son is seen interrupting the MLA, explicitly rejecting the communal narrative being pushed by the politician. The son stated on camera that there was 'nothing communal' about the murder, contradicting the MLA's public assertions.

The incident has sparked a broader debate regarding the politicization of criminal acts in the region. Critics argue that the attempt to inject religious identity into the investigation serves to inflame local tensions rather than assist in the pursuit of justice. The local police investigation into the murder remains ongoing, and the victim's family has maintained their stance that the crime should not be viewed through a communal lens.