Kolkata, 26 August (H.S.): Police have arrested two Trinamool Congress Chhatra Parishad (TMCP) workers for allegedly tearing up and publicly stomping on a poster featuring Swami Vivekananda at Samsi College in West Bengal's Malda district. A third accused remains absconding, and police are conducting searches to trace him.

A video purportedly showing the incident recently went viral on social media. The footage allegedly shows three TMCP workers associated with Samsi College first tearing an Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) poster and then stomping on it. A photograph of Swami Vivekananda was visible on the poster.

Following the circulation of the video, the incident triggered strong political and social reactions. Police launched an investigation and identified the three individuals seen in the footage. Debojit Saha and Arijit Rabidas were subsequently arrested, while police are searching for the third accused, Tariq Anwar.

After police began taking action, Tariq Anwar reportedly posted a video message on social media apologising for his alleged actions.

Prasun Chowdhury, organisational president of the ABVP in North Malda, condemned the incident and alleged that similar activities by TMCP workers had occurred in the past. He claimed that in 2024, TMCP workers at Chanchal College had allegedly burnt a photograph of Rabindranath Tagore, leading to widespread protests.

Chowdhury alleged that on August 22, the accused tore up and stomped on a poster featuring Swami Vivekananda and subsequently circulated a video of the incident on social media. He said a written complaint was lodged at Chanchal police station on August 23, following which two accused were arrested, while Tariq Anwar remains absconding.

The ABVP has demanded the immediate arrest of the absconding accused, stating that Swami Vivekananda is an inspiration and national icon for the country's youth and that any alleged insult to his image is unacceptable.

The latest incident has also brought back memories of the 2024 controversy at Chanchal College involving the alleged burning of a photograph of Rabindranath Tagore. At the time, protests were held under the leadership of then Leader of the Opposition in the West Bengal Assembly and current Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari. Following widespread criticism, police arrested the then president of the college's TMCP unit.

Police are continuing their search for Tariq Anwar and investigating other aspects of the incident.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Priyanka Pandey