Kolkata, December 28, 2025 – Golam Nabi Azad, also known as Sohel, the son of Janata Unnayan Party (JUP) chief Humayun Kabir, was detained on Sunday in West Bengal’s Murshidabad district for allegedly assaulting a police officer posted at their residence. The incident has sparked political tensions in the state, with Kabir claiming harassment by law enforcement and the Trinamool Congress (TMC) insisting that legal procedures were followed.

According to police officials, the matter arose when Constable Jumma Khan, posted as the personal security officer (PSO) of Bharatpur MLA Humayun Kabir, filed a complaint alleging that Azad physically assaulted him at the residence in the Shaktipur area. The officer reportedly approached Azad while seeking leave for a few days, which allegedly triggered the confrontation. Acting on the complaint, police detained Azad for questioning, and investigations are ongoing.

A senior police officer stated, “On the basis of the complaint, the accused has been detained for questioning. The matter is being investigated and necessary legal action will be taken.” Police emphasized that the detention was in accordance with the law, as Azad allegedly committed a cognisable offence by raising a hand on a police officer.

The TMC clarified its position regarding the incident. Party spokesperson Arup Chakraborty said, “As per the information available to us, Kabir’s son pushed the police constable when he went inside the house seeking leave for some personal work. He has committed a cognisable offence, and the police have taken action accordingly. The party has nothing to do with it.”

Humayun Kabir, a former TMC MLA who floated the JUP after being suspended from the party, strongly defended his son and alleged political targeting. Kabir claimed that police had cordoned off his residence following the incident and accused the ruling party of orchestrating harassment. Speaking to reporters in Berhampore, he said, “My son objected to the entry of a policeman inside my house today, and this angered the law enforcers, who levelled false allegations against my son, accusing him of misbehaviour. A police force cannot cordon the house of an elected representative under such flimsy pretext.”

Kabir further announced plans to protest against what he described as politically motivated action. “I will gherao the Superintendent of Police’s office in Murshidabad on January 1 in protest against this harassment. I demand an explanation from senior police and administration officials about today’s incident. They cannot intimidate me,” he stated. Kabir demanded the immediate release of his son, describing the detention as “illegal and based on false charges.”

The political context of the incident is intertwined with Kabir’s recent activities. On December 6, 2025, shortly after his suspension from the TMC, Kabir laid the foundation stone for a mosque in Murshidabad, modelled on the Babri Masjid, a move that had drawn considerable attention and controversy. Following this, he announced the formation of the Janata Unnayan Party and declared that the party would contest 182 of the 294 assembly seats in the upcoming state elections, due early next year.

Kabir has also indicated his desire to form an electoral alliance with Hyderabad MP Asaduddin Owaisi’s All India Majlis-e-Ittehad-ul-Muslimeen (AIMIM). He has criticized West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, accusing her of neglecting the uplift of Muslims and pursuing “appeasement politics” since coming to power in 2011.

The incident comes amid heightened political tensions in Murshidabad, a district with a significant Muslim population and a key focus for parties aiming to consolidate support ahead of the assembly elections. Analysts suggest that the altercation between Azad and the police officer, and the subsequent allegations of political targeting, could further polarize sentiments among voters and intensify the electoral discourse in the region.

While the police maintain that due process was followed, the event has drawn attention from both the state and national political observers. It highlights the complex interplay of political rivalry, law enforcement, and community sensitivities in West Bengal ahead of the polls.

As investigations continue, authorities are expected to scrutinize the circumstances leading to the alleged assault, including the nature of interactions between the PSO and Azad. The outcome of this case could have broader implications, particularly in the context of JUP’s emergence as a new political force and its attempts to establish a foothold in the Murshidabad constituency.

In summary, Golam Nabi Azad’s detention has ignited a political debate in West Bengal, with the JUP accusing state authorities of targeting their leadership, while the TMC and police maintain that legal procedures were followed in response to a cognisable offence. The incident also underscores the charged atmosphere in the state ahead of the upcoming assembly elections, where political maneuvering and community mobilization are likely to play a significant role.