Ratna Debnath, an MLA of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the mother of the RG Kar rape and muder case victim, whose daughter was the victim of the rape and murder case at RG Kar, has blamed the crowd for the stampede at the Durga Puja pandal at Chorbagan area in north Kolkata.
The accident has led to at least 19 deaths and 25 injuries.
According to Debnath, the crowd would have been smaller had people been ready to step out of the pandal and face the rain. It was important to change the people’s mindset and behaviour in order to cope with such incidents.
“If people had come out and got themselves drenched in the rain, the crowd would not have been so much. People’s mindset needs to be changed,” she added.
Her comments come amid queries about the crowd management and security measures in place at the venue.
Ratna Debnath Says Crowd Was Responsible For Negligence
Speaking to reporters, Debnath said people attending the celebrations had failed to consider the risks of gathering in a crowded space during heavy rain.
She alleged that visitors had prioritised their own interests instead of thinking about the safety of others. When asked who was responsible for the negligence that led to the tragedy, she placed the blame on the crowd.
“There was negligence, of course. It was the people who were negligent. People think of nothing beyond their own selfish interests. What would have happened if they had got drenched in the rain? Nothing would have happened,” she said.
However, Debnath did not rule on the specific circumstances of the stampede. Her comments came as authorities continued investigating the events that led to the deaths and injuries.
Why Did The Chorbagan Durga Puja Stampede Happen?
The Chorbagan Durga Puja pandal is a popular attraction during the festival and is located in a narrow lane in north Kolkata. The limited space, heavy rain and large gathering have emerged as important factors in the preliminary accounts of the incident.
A rumour that the pandal was about to collapse reportedly triggered panic among visitors. People rushed inside the temple area to escape the rain, while dim lighting inside the pandal may have made it harder for visitors to move safely.
The resulting rush led to people falling and being trampled, according to accounts of the incident.
The exact sequence of events and the role of different factors are still subject to investigation. The final findings are expected to clarify how the crowd surge began and whether shortcomings in crowd management or safety arrangements contributed to the tragedy.
BJP MLA Questions Need For Separate Demand For Probe
On being questioned about a formal request for an investigation to be held in the matter, Debnath stated that there was a committee formed by the chief minister of West Bengal, Suvendu Adhikari.
“The question is what good will an investigation do? There is already a committee formed by the Chief Minister. What else can I ask for when the investigation is done by the Chief Minister?” she stated.
A six-member special investigation team (SIT) has been set up by the state government after consultations with the Calcutta High Court.
Ratna Debnath Earlier Blamed Pandal Authorities And Police
Debnath’s latest remarks differ from comments she made after meeting the family of a victim on October 18. At that time, she criticised the pandal organisers and police, alleging serious negligence in the arrangements.
She said the area from which visitors were expected to leave was extremely dark and that the incident occurred during a rush amid rain. She also referred to the rumour that the pandal was about to collapse.
“There is gross negligence on the part of the puja pandal authorities. There is negligence on the part of the police,” she had told reporters.
Her earlier comments raised questions about whether the organisers and authorities had made adequate arrangements for the large number of people visiting the venue.
The apparent difference between her earlier criticism of the organisers and police and her latest remarks blaming the crowd has added another dimension to the public discussion surrounding the tragedy.
Debnath Praises Suvendu Adhikari’s Response, Criticises Mamata Banerjee
Debnath also praised Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari for responding to the tragedy and visiting the families of those who died.
She contrasted his response with that of former Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee during heavy rainfall in Kolkata in 2025. Debnath claimed that a one-hour downpour had severely affected the city and criticised Banerjee for attending a Dandiya event during that period.
“In 2025, a one-hour downpour turned Kolkata into London. The Chief Minister at the time even danced the Dandiya amidst the situation,” she said.
Debnath added that Adhikari was personally visiting the homes of those who lost family members in the stampede.
Her remarks have brought the response of the state government and the handling of public safety during major festivals into the political discussion.
SIT Probe To Examine Responsibility And Safety Measures
With at least 19 people dead and 25 injured, the Chorbagan stampede has raised serious questions about safety at crowded festival venues, especially those located in narrow lanes.
The six-member SIT will examine the circumstances surrounding the incident and recommend measures to reduce the risk of similar tragedies. Its findings could help establish whether crowd behaviour, the venue’s layout, lighting, exit arrangements or other safety failures contributed to the stampede.