West Bengal plunged into a new political controversy on Wednesday (October 22) after visuals surfaced showing a damaged murti of Maa Kali in a village temple at Kakdwip, South 24 Parganas district. The incident, which later saw the idol being carried away in a police van, has triggered outrage across the state, deepening the BJP-TMC confrontation ahead of the festive season.
Videos circulating on social media showed villagers protesting against the alleged desecration and the subsequent police action. The BJP claimed the idol was “beheaded” and accused the West Bengal Police of locking the temple instead of arresting the culprits, calling it an act of “insult to Hindu faith.”
BJP alleges ‘Appeasement politics’ and police misuse
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) held the Trinamool Congress (TMC) government responsible for the incident, accusing it of allowing “radical elements” to target Hindu places of worship.
Leader of Opposition Suvendu Adhikari alleged a deep conspiracy, linking the act to “jihadi elements.”
“Hindus in West Bengal are bearing the consequences of Mamata Banerjee’s politics of appeasement. Under her misrule, a particular community’s extremists have been vandalising idols, looting homes, and burning temples.
Yet, there has been no punishment. Bengal is being turned into ‘West Bangladesh’,” Adhikari posted on X.
BJP IT Cell head Amit Malviya echoed the charge, posting images of the idol being loaded into a police van.
“Mamata Banerjee’s police took away Maa Kali in a prison van! Shame, shame, there’s no place to hide this disgrace. Instead of arresting the culprits, the police turned their force on villagers protesting the desecration,” Malviya said, calling the act a “stark reflection of the TMC government’s administrative apathy.”
He further alleged that Sundarbans District SP Koteswar Rao “fled the scene with hundreds of policemen, carrying away the idol,” adding that it was “not just an insult to Hindu faith but an assault on Bengal’s soul.”
Sukanta Majumdar: ‘Assault on Sanatan Dharma’
Union Minister and West Bengal BJP chief Sukanta Majumdar also lashed out at the state government, terming the incident “the lowest point in Bengal’s history of appeasement.”
“In a blatant display of appeasement towards hardline fundamentalists, Mamata Banerjee’s administration has repeatedly hurt the sentiments of Sanatan Hindu followers. But never before have we witnessed the sight of Maa Kali being taken away in a prison van,” Majumdar said in a statement.
He added,
“This incident is utterly condemnable. Because of Mamata Banerjee’s shameless politics of appeasement, every Hindu in Bengal today lives in fear and uncertainty. Sanatan Dharma and its followers are under assault, and the police remain mute spectators.”
Police action sparks local protests in Kakdwip
Local residents in Suryanagar Gram Panchayat under Kakdwip Assembly constituency reportedly blocked a stretch of the National Highway, demanding justice and refusing to immerse the damaged idol.
According to the West Bengal Police, officers appealed to protesters to lift the blockade but were met with stone pelting. “Minimum force” was used to disperse the crowd, officials said. The police confirmed that they had taken custody of the idol “for safety reasons” and have initiated an investigation to identify those responsible for the damage.
A senior officer stated, “An idol of Goddess Kali was found damaged this morning. Efforts are on to identify and arrest the person or persons behind the act. Stern action will be taken against those responsible. We urge the public not to fall for misinformation being spread online.”
The police have since deployed additional forces in the area to prevent further escalation.
TMC rejects BJP’s charges, calls it ‘Distorted Politics’
The Trinamool Congress (TMC) dismissed the BJP’s allegations, accusing the party of communalising the incident for political mileage.
A TMC spokesperson told media, “The police have explained the situation. Some people are trying to twist facts and play distorted politics. The BJP is trying to communalise the incident and vitiate Bengal’s peaceful atmosphere.”
Another TMC leader told PTI, “Let the police complete their probe. We strongly condemn any attempt to disturb harmony. The BJP is trying to use religion to divide communities ahead of elections.”
Police warn against misinformation
The West Bengal Police released an official statement on X, cautioning citizens against misinformation campaigns.
“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.”
Officials confirmed that while the situation in Kakdwip remains tense, it is under control, and heavy police deployment has been made to ensure peace during the ongoing festive season.
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