If I can’t throw BJP (supporters) into the river Bhagirathi in two hours, I will leave politics

During a rally in the "Kazipara / Shaktipur" area of Murshidabad on or before 2 May 2024, Humayun Kabir stated (in Bengali) that:
If I can’t throw BJP (supporters) into the river Bhagirathi in two hours, I will leave politics. I will not let you guys stay in Shaktipur. … You are about 30 % (Hindus) and we are 70 % (Muslims) in Murshidabad …
He also said something along the lines of:
If you think you can demolish the mosque at Kazipara in Kamnagar because you think you are the majority ... you’re wrong.

The Election Commission of India (EC) formally censured him on 18 May 2024 for statements "based on religious lines" which could "aggravate existing differences or create mutual hatred between different castes or communities, religious or linguistic groups".

His own party, All India Trinamool Congress (TMC), via its Assembly panel / disciplinary committee, warned him and told him not to speak on religion, to follow party ideology and the Constitution.

More recently (June 2025) TMC issued a "final warning" saying further such conduct could lead to action.

Why these remarks are problematic

• His remarks refer to population/majority-minority along religious lines ("you’re 30%, we’re 70%") which frames political rivalry in communal/identity terms.


• He threatened to "throw you in the river" or "drown you" - i.e., violent imagery against a group identified by religion/party affiliation.


• Such statements fall under what the Model Code of Conduct (during elections) and other norms label as "activity which may aggravate existing differences or create mutual hatred between communities". The EC invoked that provision in his case.


• Whether "hate speech" by legal definition (in Indian law) depends on intent, context, the audience and follow-up actions. But these statements clearly stirred communal controversy and triggered institutional action.