Yusuf Pathan Stirs Row With 'Good Chai' Post Amid Bengal Violence, Gives Fresh Ammo To BJP: 'This Is TMC'

As violence continues to engulf West Bengal's Murshidabad district following protests over the Waqf (Amendment) Act, local Trinamool Congress MP and former cricketer Yusuf Pathan is facing backlash over an Instagram post in which he appears relaxing with a cup of tea.

Although the areas most affected by the unrest are not within Pathan's Baharampur constituency, their proximity and the timing of his post have sparked public outrage and criticism across social media platforms.

Photo Credit: https://www.instagram.com/yusuf_pathan/

Pathan had shared three photos on Instagram two days ago with the caption: "Easy afternoons, good chai, and calm surroundings. Just soaking in the moment." Not long after, users began expressing anger, with one commenting, "Do you have any shame?"

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) criticised the Trinamool MP and accused the Mamata Banerjee-led government of enabling violence.

"Bengal is burning. HC has said it can't keep eyes closed and deployed central forces. Mamata Banerjee is encouraging such state protected violence as Police stays silent! Meanwhile Yusuf Pathan - MP sips tea and soaks in the moment as Hindus get slaughtered. This is TMC," BJP national spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla posted on X.

Pathan has yet to respond to the criticism.

Supporters of Left parties also took to social media to condemn Pathan for the post, accusing him of insensitivity at a time of communal unrest.

At least three individuals have lost their lives in the Murshidabad violence, which erupted after protests against the Waqf Amendment Act turned violent.

In response, the Calcutta High Court has ordered the deployment of central forces in the district.

"We cannot turn a blind eye to the various reports that have surfaced which prima facie shows vandalism in few districts of the State of West Bengal," the court stated.

It further added, "Constitutional Courts cannot be a mute spectator and embroil itself in technical defences when the safety and security of the people are at danger."

Pathan, who hails from Baroda in Gujarat and is the brother of fellow cricketer Irfan Pathan, represents Baharampur in the Lok Sabha.

The recent violence has primarily affected areas like Suti, Dhuliya, and Samserganj. Samserganj and Dhuliya fall under the Maldaha Dakshin constituency, represented by Congress MP Isha Khan Choudhury, while Suti is part of the Jangipur constituency, held by Trinamool's Khalilur Rahaman. These areas are roughly 80 kilometres away from Pathan's seat.

In the 2024 general election, Yusuf Pathan defeated veteran Congress leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury in what was considered a long-standing Congress stronghold.

During his campaign, opposition parties had questioned the rationale behind fielding a candidate from Gujarat in a West Bengal constituency.

The recent controversy over his social media post and his silence amid ongoing violence have further stoked public discontent.