'Rabindra Sangeet or Ravi Shankar?' Amit Shah sparks row as he confuses reference, TMC takes jibe

A fresh political controversy erupted in Bolpur after Amit Shah made a verbal slip during a public meeting, drawing sharp reactions from the ruling party in the state. The incident occurred while Shah was addressing a gathering and referring to the cultural legacy of Bengal.

How culturally illiterate can you be?
Amit Shah: YES.

For the record:
???? Pandit Ravi Shankar was a sitar virtuoso and one of the greatest exponents of Indian classical music the world has ever known.

???? Rabindrasangeet is the body of songs written and composed by Kobiguru… pic.twitter.com/oD4R4MwkAC

— All India Trinamool Congress (@AITCofficial) April 13, 2026

During his speech, Shah attempted to mention “Rabindra Sangeet” but mistakenly referred to it as “Ravi Shankar,” leading to immediate political backlash. Trinamool Congress seized on the remark, alleging that such errors reflect a lack of understanding of Bengal’s cultural identity and heritage. The controversy quickly gained traction, with the ruling party highlighting the distinction between Rabindranath Tagore, whose compositions form the basis of Rabindra Sangeet, and Ravi Shankar, a globally renowned musician. The party criticised the statement, suggesting that attempts to connect with local culture should be grounded in awareness and respect.

This is not the first time such remarks have triggered debate during the ongoing campaign, as earlier instances of mispronunciations by political leaders have also drawn criticism. The latest exchange has further intensified the political narrative, with parties using cultural identity as a key point of contention in the election discourse.