A local football match in Medinipur, West Bengal, descended into chaos on Friday after the nephew of a Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader allegedly stormed the pitch and assaulted the referee, sparking political controversy.
The accused, identified as Raja Khan, is the nephew of Soumen Khan, chairman of Medinipur Municipality. Video footage that has since gone viral shows Raja confronting referee Laxman Mandi — a member of the Kharagpur Sub-Division Referees’ Association — before kicking him in the stomach. Spectators and players were seen attempting to restrain him, but to little effect.
The altercation reportedly began after a disputed goal, which was later disallowed. Local sources allege that Raja used intimidation to force the decision. Opposition parties have seized on the incident. BJP leader and Leader of the Opposition Suvendu Adhikari shared the video online, drawing parallels with alleged attacks on the Election Commission by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. “Attacking referees is part of TMC culture — whether it’s the Election Commission in polls or a referee in a local football match,” he wrote.
The ruling party has distanced itself from the incident. TMC spokesperson Arup Chakraborty condemned the assault, calling it “shameful and indefensible,” but argued the party should not be held responsible for the actions of a relative. He drew comparisons with BJP leader Kailash Vijayvargiya’s son, who once attacked a government official with a cricket bat. “There is rule of law in Bengal. Action will be taken,” he said. Even Raja’s uncle, Soumen Khan, disapproved of his conduct. “I was not present at the ground. I condemn this incident in the strongest terms. He may be my nephew, but wrongdoers cannot be spared. He should apologise to the referee immediately,” the civic chairman said.
West Bengal Referees’ Association official Chittadas Majumder called the assault “a heinous act,” stressing that violence against referees “cannot be tolerated at any level of the game.” The controversy has further intensified the political sparring in Bengal ahead of upcoming polls, with both the ruling TMC and the opposition BJP trading blame over law, order, and culture in the state.
