Kolkata, 16 August (H.S.) — A shocking incident during a children’s football match in Medinipur town has embarrassed West Bengal’s ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC). On Friday, Raja Khan — nephew of Medinipur Municipality Chairman Suman Khan and son of district TMC vice-president Hemadri Khan — was caught on camera kicking a referee. The video went viral, prompting police to arrest him on Saturday.

The incident took place at the grounds of a local church school, where referee Lakshman Mandi — a schoolteacher and member of the Kharagpur Sub-Division Referees’ Association — had validated a disputed goal. Angered by the decision, Raja Khan stormed the pitch, engaged in a heated argument, shoved the referee, and eventually kicked him in the stomach.

According to local sources, the dispute arose during a match involving Khan’s own team, with attempts allegedly made to overturn the goal by force. Bystanders tried unsuccessfully to restrain him. After the video spread rapidly online and the referees’ body lodged a strong protest, police took prompt action, detaining Khan.

Political reactions

The incident sparked fierce criticism from the opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Leader of the Opposition Suvendu Adhikari shared the viral footage on social media, remarking: “This attack on a referee reflects TMC’s culture. Whether it is Mamata Banerjee’s assaults on the Election Commission during polls or party workers’ hooliganism on local playgrounds — the attitude is the same.” He further alleged that the referee belongs to a Scheduled Tribe community and demanded that charges be filed under the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act.

TMC spokesperson Arup Chakraborty condemned the assault but distanced the party from responsibility: “This incident is deplorable and cannot be condoned. But just because the accused is related to a TMC leader, why blame the party? Bengal is ruled by law, and action will be taken.”

District TMC president Sujoy Hazra also criticized the attack, saying: “In any game, the referee’s decision is final. Assaulting a referee is a crime. The victim should seek legal recourse, and the administration will act.”

Suman Khan, chairman of Medinipur Municipality and uncle of the accused, expressed shock: “This is a condemnable incident. I was unaware of it until I saw the video. Even if he is my nephew, wrongdoing cannot be excused. He should immediately apologize to the referee.”

West Bengal Referees’ Association official Chittadas Majumdar termed the assault “unacceptable at any level of sport,” adding: “Entering the field and physically attacking a referee is a grave offense and cannot be tolerated.”

Hindusthan Samachar / Satya Prakash Singh