A controversy has erupted in West Bengal's South 24 Parganas district following the alleged desecration of a Goddess Kali idol, sparking a political firestorm between the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC). The BJP has strongly condemned the incident, accusing the TMC government of "administrative apathy" and shielding the culprits. The TMC, in turn, has accused the BJP of attempting to polarize the situation for political gain.
The incident occurred in a village under the Suryanagar gram panchayat in the Kakdwip Assembly constituency. According to police reports, the damaged idol was discovered on Wednesday morning, prompting an immediate investigation. However, the situation escalated when locals staged a protest, blocking a national highway and refusing to allow the idol's immersion. Police used "minimum force" to disperse the crowd after some protesters allegedly threw stones. Ambulances carrying patients were also reportedly stuck during the blockade.
The BJP has been highly critical of the state police's handling of the situation, particularly the removal of the idol in a prison van. Suvendu Adhikari, Leader of the Opposition, posted on X (formerly Twitter), calling it an "insult to Hindu faith" and expressing his dismay. "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," he added. Adhikari also alleged that "seven Hindu protectors were arrested". He further claimed that the attackers who desecrated the idol were "Jihadis". Adhikari has repeatedly accused the TMC government of fostering an environment hostile to Hindu religious practices and attempting to turn West Bengal into "West Bangladesh".
The TMC has refuted the BJP's allegations, with local leaders urging calm and accusing the BJP of trying to "communalize the incident and vitiate the atmosphere". They maintain that the BJP is trying to create divisions within the community and that the police should be allowed to complete their investigation. The Bengal police have also denied the allegations and have asked people to not believe the misinformation. They stated that efforts are underway to identify and arrest those responsible for the mischief.
The incident has further strained the already tense relationship between the BJP and TMC, with each party accusing the other of playing politics with religious sentiments. The BJP has alleged that the TMC is engaging in appeasement politics, while the TMC accuses the BJP of trying to stir up communal tensions.
The situation in the area remains tense but under control, with security measures strengthened to prevent any further escalation. The police have facilitated the idol's immersion and have deployed additional personnel to maintain calm. The incident has sparked widespread outrage and has become a major political issue in West Bengal.
