New Delhi: A major political controversy has erupted in West Bengal after a Kali idol was allegedly vandalised and later taken away in a police van, in Kakdwip near the Sunderbans. It has led to a sharp exchange between the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC). Both parties have accused each other of politicising the matter.
Videos surfaced on social media that showed the idol being transported in a police vehicle. This led to widespread outrage among Hindu groups and BJP leaders. The BJP has accused West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee of appeasement politics.
‘Maa Kali taken in prison van, shameful,” says BJP
“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 (formerly Twitter). He further alleged that police “intimidated villagers and locked temple gates” before reopening them following strong local protests.
Leader of Opposition Suvendu Adhikari also slammed the state government writing, “Instead of arresting the culprits, the Kali idol was taken in a prison van and seven Hindu protectors were arrested. This is unacceptable.”
TMC calls row ‘politically motivated’
Union Minister of State for Education Dr Sukanta Majumdar called the incident, a “blatant display of appeasement toward hardline fundamentalists.” He also added that “Such an unfortunate and insulting sight has never before been witnessed in West Bengal.”
The Trinamool Congress, however, dismissed the allegations and accused the BJP of “distorting facts” for political mileage. “The police have already explained the situation. Some people are trying to create unnecessary controversy,” a TMC spokesperson said.