BJP MP Nishikant Dubey recently ignited a political discussion by sharing assertions about the 1962 communal riots in West Bengal. Dubey, in a post titled “The Dark Chapter of Congress,” highlighted the period from May 3 to May 30, 1962, when Hindu-Muslim clashes plagued West Bengal. He mentioned the loss of lives among Hindus in areas like Malda, Murshidabad, Nadia, and Cooch Behar, as well as the plight of Hindus in East Pakistan/Bangladesh, many of whom were from the Matua community.
Dubey accused Nehru of favoring Muslims over Hindus during that time, both within and outside Parliament. He pointed to letters addressed to Rajagopalachari that he claimed exposed the Congress party’s strategy of appeasing Muslims for political gain. According to Dubey, the foundation of the current communal situation in West Bengal was laid during those riots in 1962.
The MP also shared historical documents, including one from June 16, 1962, titled “Statement Re. Migration of the minority community from East Pakistan to West Bengal.” Another reference, labeled “The Nehru Archive,” shed light on incidents in districts such as Nadia and West Dinajpur. One document highlighted specific events in Nadia district, detailing attacks on Muslim houses and properties by Hindus during May 1962.
Dubey’s disclosures have refocused attention on the historical backdrop of communal tensions in West Bengal in the early 1960s, particularly concerning the migration from East Pakistan.
