The Bongaon police have arrested two men for allegedly trying to incite communal tension by placing a Pakistani national flag on the wall of a public toilet next to a railway station in West Bengal’s North 24-Parganas district. The flag was spotted late on April 20, near Akaipur station, which falls under the jurisdiction of Gopalnagar police station.
According to police, the accused had also planned to write inflammatory slogans such as “Hindustan Murdabad” and “Pakistan Zindabad” on the wall to provoke unrest in the area.
In a post shared on social media platform X on May 1, Bongaon police said the act was deliberate and aimed at disturbing communal harmony. The duo, police said, have confessed to the act. “This was wilfully done to trigger communal disturbances,” the post read.
Yesterday night, a Pakistani National flag was found to be pasted on the walls of a washroom beside Akaipur railway station under Gopalnagar PS. Investigation revealed that this was wilfully done by 1. Chandan Malakar (30) and 2. Progyajit Mondal (45), both local residents and…
— SP BONGAON PD (@SP_Bongaon_PD) May 1, 2025
“We shall spare no efforts to bring to book those who are hatching such conspiracies” police said
Police arrested two active members of Sanatani Ekta Manch
A formal case has been registered against the two accused individuals, who are now in police custody. Authorities confirmed that a detailed investigation is currently underway to uncover the full extent of the conspiracy, including any possible links to larger groups or orchestrated campaigns aimed at provoking communal disharmony. Law enforcement officials have emphasised a zero-tolerance approach, stating that stringent legal action will be pursued against anyone found complicit in attempts to disturb public order or exploit religious sentiments for political or ideological gain.
The accused have been identified as Chandan Malakar (30) and Progyajit Mondal (45)—both residents of the local area. According to police sources, preliminary inquiries have revealed that the duo are active members of the Sanatani Ekta Manch, a right-wing outfit, and are reportedly affiliated with a national political party. Investigators are examining whether their actions were part of a coordinated effort to stir communal unrest, particularly in light of the timing and method of the incident.
TMC slams BJP and RSS for hatching conspiracies
Trinamool Congress MP Saket Gokhale took to X to issue a scathing rebuke of what he described as an orchestrated attempt by right-wing forces to incite communal riots. In a strongly worded post, he stated, “THIS is how the BJP & Sangh Parivar are hatching conspiracies to incite communal riots. The deaths of 26 innocent Indians in a terror attack are being used by the shameless BJP & RSS to light fires within the country.” Gokhale linked the timing of the incident to recent national tragedies, suggesting that such provocations are being used to divert public attention and inflame religious tensions. Applauding the swift and decisive response by local authorities, he added, “Bengal will NEVER allow this.”
THIS is how the BJP & Sangh Parivar are hatching conspiracies to incite communal riots.
The deaths of 26 innocent Indians in a terror attack are being used by the shameless BJP & RSS to light fires within the country.
Well done @SP_Bongaon_PD!
Bengal will NEVER allow this. pic.twitter.com/a5kXouRyiE
— Saket Gokhale MP (@SaketGokhale) May 1, 2025
Echoing similar concerns, TMC MP Sagarika Ghose issued a fierce condemnation of the BJP, referring to it as the “Bhartiya Jumla Party.” In her statement, Ghose directly addressed the identities and motives of the accused: “The individuals named Chandan and Progyajit placed Pakistan flags, and when caught, confessed that they intended to create communal riots in Bengal. Saffron goons active in Bengal won’t succeed.”
She credited the vigilance of the West Bengal Police for preventing a potentially dangerous communal flare-up and reaffirmed her party’s commitment to maintaining peace and secularism in the state.
Wah Bharatiya Jumla Party @BJP4India wah. Two individuals named Chandan & Pragyajit paste Pakistan flags and when caught confess they intended to create communal riots in Bengal. Saffron goons active in Bengal won’t succeed. They are up against the stern law enforcement of… pic.twitter.com/7DYZnunq8T
— Sagarika Ghose (@sagarikaghose) May 1, 2025
“They are up against the stern law enforcement of West Bengal Police,” Sagarika Ghose emphasised
Pakistani flag found outside Hanuman temple in Ludhiana, CCTV identifies gey accused
Similarly, on April 29, in Ludhiana (Punjab) a Pakistani flag was found placed outside the Mahabali Sankatmochan Shri Hanuman Temple in the Haibowal area, raising serious concerns about a targeted attempt to disturb communal harmony. The incident occurred on Tuesday evening around 5 PM, just before the temple was set to host its routine Balaji prayer service, which typically draws 10,000 to 15,000 devotees.
According to Rishi Jain, chairman of the temple committee and a resident of Ghumar Mandi, two unidentified individuals arrived on an Activa scooter, approached the temple’s main gate, and placed the Pakistani flags on the ground before quickly fleeing the scene. Their movements were clearly captured on the temple’s CCTV cameras, which have now become central to the investigation, reported Dainik Bhaskar.
Upon reviewing the footage, police identified the main accused as Vikram Anand, a resident of Chander Nagar, Ludhiana. He is believed to have acted with an accomplice, who remains unidentified. Both suspects are currently absconding, prompting a citywide search. Raids are underway to locate and apprehend them, according to Punjab Kesari.
Police register case, link motive to communal destabilisation
Confirming the development, Station House Officer (SHO) Ram Krishna of Haibowal Police Station stated that a case has been registered under sections related to promoting enmity between different groups and disturbing public peace. Authorities are also probing whether the act was a reaction to the recent Pahalgam terrorist attack or a deliberate show of allegiance intended to provoke unrest during a sensitive period.
According to Dainik Bhaskar, speaking to the media, Anuj Madan, another official associated with the temple, described the act as a premeditated attempt to inflame communal sentiments. He emphasised that the placement of the flag was not random but calculated, timed during a major weekly prayer event when the temple is heavily visited and emotions are already heightened.
A pattern or a lone incident? growing concern over intentions
The incident has sparked widespread outrage across Ludhiana, a city known for its communal balance. Religious leaders and civil society members have condemned the act, urging citizens to remain calm while demanding strict legal action against those responsible. The timing and nature of the incident have drawn parallels to the West Bengal case, where a similar flag placement incident occurred almost simultaneously, raising the question of whether these are isolated provocations or part of a larger, coordinated campaign aimed at destabilising peace in sensitive regions.
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