A political storm has erupted in West Bengal after the alleged desecration of a Kali idol in Kakdwip, near the Sundarbans. The BJP has accused Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and her party of appeasement politics and mishandling the situation, while the ruling Trinamool Congress has dismissed the opposition’s allegations as “distorted politics.”
The controversy began when locals in a village under Suryanagar gram panchayat, in the Kakdwip Assembly constituency, discovered a damaged idol of Goddess Kali. The BJP swiftly launched an attack on the state government, alleging that the police acted insensitively by removing the idol in a prison van.
“Mamata Banerjee’s police took away Maa Kali in a prison van! Shame, shame -- there’s no place to hide this disgrace,” BJP leader Amit Malviya wrote on X, condemning what he described as an attempt to cover up the incident. He further alleged that “police initially intimidated villagers and locked the temple gates, but had to reopen them after strong protests from locals.”
Leader of the Opposition Suvendu Adhikari also criticised the administration, saying, “Instead of arresting culprits, Kali idol was taken into prison van! And seven Hindu protectors were arrested. You can do whatever you want.” Adhikari went on to allege that “jihadi elements” were behind the act and accused the state government of trying to suppress the issue. “Don’t mistake the scene in the video below for Bangladesh; this is the current state of West Bengal,” he posted, warning that “a conspiracy is underway to turn West Bengal into West Bangladesh.”
Union Minister of State for Education Dr Sukanta Majumdar expressed similar outrage. “In a blatant display of appeasement toward hardline fundamentalists, the failed Chief Minister @MamataOfficial and her party leaders have, on multiple occasions, attempted in various ways to hurt the religious sentiments and faith of Sanatan Hindu followers,” he wrote. “The idol of Maa Kali was placed inside a prison van! This incident is not only utterly condemnable but one that compels every devotee to bow their head in shame.”
The Trinamool Congress, however, rejected these claims, calling the BJP’s accusations politically motivated, reported NDTV. A party spokesperson has been quoted to say, “The police have explained it. Some people are trying to play distorted politics out of it. Action is being taken by police.” Another local TMC leader added, “The BJP is trying to communalise the incident and vitiate the atmosphere. Let police complete the probe. We condemn any attempt to disturb the harmony in this area.”
Meanwhile, the West Bengal Police urged people not to believe misinformation. “Efforts are being made from certain quarters to spread misinformation about an incident in Kakdwip,” police posted on X. “Facts are: an idol of Goddess Kali in a village temple under Suryanagar GP was found to be damaged this morning. Efforts are on to identify the person/persons behind the mischief. Stern action will be taken against those responsible for the incident.”
Police officials said that after the damaged idol was discovered, locals blocked the national highway and refused to allow the immersion to proceed. “Police persuaded the agitators for hours to withdraw the blockade, which was causing serious public inconvenience, with ambulances carrying patients also being stuck,” the statement read. “When the agitators did not relent and started pelting stones at the police, minimum force was resorted to by the police to disperse the mob. The immersion of the idol was facilitated thereafter.”
BJP IT cell head Amit Malviya described the episode as “a stark reflection of the TMC government’s administrative apathy.” He alleged that “police arrived at the scene and immediately ordered the temple to be closed as if their primary task was to cover up the crime rather than catch the culprits.”
PTI reported that it could not independently verify the authenticity of the videos and clips circulated by BJP leaders.
While the BJP has demanded immediate arrests, police have said that “stern action” will follow once those responsible are identified. Officials confirmed to PTI that additional forces have been deployed in the area, which remains tense but under control.
With inputs from PTI
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