Trinamool blames BJP after 19 die in Kolkata Durga Puja stampede and protests book stall raids
Nineteen people were killed in a stampede at a Durga Puja pandal in Kolkata, prompting Trinamool leaders to accuse BJP figures and demand a judge-led inquiry, while also condemning police removal of Left-affiliated book stalls.
A crowd crush at the Chorbagan Durga Puja pandal in Kolkata resulted in 19 fatalities, sparking accusations from Trinamool All India Trinamool Congress (MAITC) that BJP-linked organizers were responsible. MAITC general secretary Abhishek Banerjee named chief minister Suvendu Adhikari’s nephew Depdeep Adhikari, BJP north-Kolkata unit president Tamoghna Ghosh, and MLA Vijay Ojha as participants in the puja committee. The chief minister pledged a thorough investigation, ordering the chief secretary to request a Calcutta High Court-appointed judge to head the inquiry, with police and local officials barred from the panel.
In a related controversy, Left parties claimed Hindutva supporters vandalised their book stalls near other pandals; police later removed the stalls citing permit issues. BJP spokesperson Sayantan Basu denied any involvement. Trinamool leaders visited a CPI(M) stall in Jadavpur to show solidarity, highlighting the juxtaposition of the stampede tragedy with the crackdown on Left literature.
Why it matters
The incident fuels political rivalry in West Bengal and raises questions about safety oversight at large public festivals.
How this story developed
- Oct 17 Rain-triggered stampede at Kolkata Durga Puja kills 17 and injures 25
- Oct 18 Death toll updated to 19 and a Special Task Force investigation was launched.
- Oct 18 Families collected the remains of the 19 victims.
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