A simple slip of the tongue by a Union Minister has snowballed into a significant political controversy, highlighting the deep cultural and sporting sentiments in West Bengal. Union Minister Mansukh Mandaviya found himself at the centre of a social media storm after he mispronounced the names of two of India's most iconic football clubs, Mohun Bagan and East Bengal.
The Incident That Lit the Fuse
While addressing a gathering, Mansukh Mandaviya, who holds the portfolio of Minister of Health and Family Welfare and Minister of Chemicals and Fertilizers, momentarily stumbled over the names of the legendary football clubs. Cameras captured the moment when he referred to them as "Mohun baingan, east baingan." 'Baingan' is the Hindi word for brinjal or eggplant.
The minister quickly paused, sought assistance, corrected himself, and moved on with his address. However, the brief moment was enough for the incident to be clipped and widely circulated across social media platforms, where it did not go unnoticed.
Social Media Erupts with Political Barbs
The reaction on platforms like X (formerly Twitter) was swift and sharp. Prominent journalist and commentator Sagarika Ghose led the charge with a critical post. She tweeted on January 7, 2026, calling the minister "clueless" and labelling the mistake as "shameful." Her post, which questioned the Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) understanding of Bengal's culture amidst its political ambitions in the state, set the tone for the ensuing debate.
Her tweet read: "Clueless @BJP4India’s sports minister who does have a clue about LEGENDARY football teams Mohun Bagan and East Bengal. Shameful. And @BJP4India wants to win in Bengal. Saffron vulgarians will be wiped out." It is important to note that Mandaviya is not the Sports Minister, a fact that added another layer to the online discussion.
The incident quickly became a political flashpoint, with many users from West Bengal and football fans across the country expressing their dismay. Critics framed the error as symbolic of the ruling party's alleged disconnect with the regional cultural ethos of Bengal, where football, and these two clubs in particular, command a fanatical, almost religious following.
Beyond the Slip: Sport, Culture, and Politics
This controversy underscores a larger narrative where sport, especially in a state like West Bengal, is inextricably linked with cultural identity and local pride. Mohun Bagan Athletic Club and East Bengal Football Club are not just sports teams; they are century-old institutions representing community identity and regional history.
Any perceived slight against these icons is often interpreted as a disregard for the state's heritage. In the heated arena of West Bengal politics, such moments are rapidly weaponized. The opposition seized the opportunity to question the BJP's grassroots connection to the state, while supporters of the minister dismissed it as an innocent mistake being blown out of proportion for political gains.
The key facts of the event remain:
- Who: Union Minister Mansukh Mandaviya.
- What: Mispronounced "Mohun Bagan" and "East Bengal" as "Mohun baingan" and "East baingan."
- When: The incident occurred and was widely reported on January 7, 2026.
- Reaction: Immediate and intense backlash on social media, led by figures like Sagarika Ghose, morphing into a political row about cultural sensitivity.
While the minister corrected himself on the spot, the digital footprint of the slip ensures the political row will have a longer shelf life, adding another chapter to the complex interplay of sports, language, and politics in contemporary India.
