A case has been registered against Suvendu Adhikari, the Leader of the Opposition in the West Bengal Assembly, over alleged communally sensitive remarks made during Dol Yatra celebrations in Kolkata.

The FIR was filed at Ballygunge police station under the South Division of Kolkata Police following a complaint by Democratic Youth Federation of India (DYFI) leader Sainik Sur.

The complaint relates to comments Adhikari made on Tuesday (March 3) while participating in Dol Yatra festivities along Sharat Bose Road in the Ballygunge area of the Bhabanipur Assembly constituency in south Kolkata, currently represented by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. Adhikari was accompanied by monks and local workers of the Bharatiya Janata Party during the event.

Addressing people gathered at the venue, Adhikari criticised what he termed “pseudo-secularism” and “atheism” and urged “larger Hindu unity” ahead of the upcoming Assembly elections.

"That secularism will not continue. The name of this country is Hindustan. Hindus will rule here," he said.

Adhikari reportedly cautioned the voters against what he described as “pseudo-secularism” and “atheism” and called for “larger Hindu unity” in the upcoming Assembly elections.

"Let atheism be eradicated. Let secularism be eradicated. I will pray that Hindus are safe in West Bengal," he added.

He then raised the slogan "Hindu-Hindu Bhai-Bhai."

In his written complaint, Sur alleged that the remarks were politically provocative and had the potential to incite communal discrimination and hostility against secular-minded citizens and atheists.

According to the complaint, the statements had already sparked public protests and could disturb communal harmony.

“Communal harmony is essential for peaceful coexistence in a pluralistic society, which is now being threatened in a roundabout way,” he told reporters after filing the complaint, reported news agency IANS.

Sur further accused sections of the media of amplifying what he termed “communally sensitive” comments and called on the police to take appropriate legal action to uphold constitutional values. He also indicated that similar complaints would be lodged at other police stations across the state.

Police officials confirmed that an FIR has been registered and said the allegations are being examined as part of an ongoing investigation.