Mahua Moitra faces arrest warrant over alleged religious insults

A court in Krishnanagar, West Bengal, has issued an arrest warrant against Trinamool Congress (TMC) MP Mahua Moitra. The warrant follows her repeated failure to appear in court regarding a case involving alleged hate speech and the outraging of religious sentiments.

The legal dispute stems from a complaint filed in June 2026. It is alleged that Moitra made derogatory remarks concerning religious identity and the wearing of Tulsi garlands (kanthi mala), which critics and BJP leaders claim insulted Hindu traditions and specific communities.

The court rejected Moitra’s legal counsel's argument that she feared being heckled outside the court premises, instead criticizing her “lackadaisical approach” and stating her conduct showed “no respect for the court of law.” The judge has directed police to submit an execution report by August 28.

TMC legislator Kunal Ghosh has condemned the warrant, characterizing it as “political vendetta” and part of a broader pattern of targeting TMC leaders in the state.