West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari on May 18, issued a sharp warning after violent protests erupted in Kolkata’s Park Circus area, declaring that stone-pelting incidents would be eliminated in West Bengal “just like in Kashmir.” The remarks came after demonstrators allegedly attacked police and CRPF personnel with stones and vandalised vehicles during protests over recent government restrictions linked to animal slaughter, loudspeakers at religious places and namaz on public roads.
The violence broke out in the Park Circus seven-point crossing area, where a large group of protesters gathered and allegedly raised objections to government measures affecting azaan, religious loudspeakers and public road usage for prayers. Authorities said tensions escalated after police and CRPF personnel attempted to clear the roads to restore traffic movement and disperse the crowd. Protesters allegedly responded by pelting stones at security forces and damaging vehicles in the area.
Following the clashes, Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari visited the office of the Deputy Commissioner in Park Circus and met injured police officers and CRPF jawans. Praising the security forces for controlling the situation, Adhikari said the state government firmly stood behind personnel who prevented what he described as a “major tragedy.”
कोलकाता के पार्क सर्कस इलाके में स्थिति तनावपूर्ण!
प्रशासन ने इस इलाके में अवैध निर्माण के खिलाफ बुलडोजर अभियान चलाया था।
जिसके विरोध में भीड़ हिंसक हो गई और पत्थरबाजी शुरू कर दी।
पुलिस को भीड़ को तितर-बितर करने के लिए लाठीचार्ज करना पड़ा, इसके बाद इलाके में तनावपूर्ण स्थिति… pic.twitter.com/UnOrYyd7ed
— Ankit Kumar Avasthi (@kaankit) May 17, 2026
“I came to meet the injured police personnel and CRPF jawans and understand the extent of their injuries. Yesterday, our forces maintained law and order, prevented a major tragedy and protected innocent people. The government stands firmly with them,” Adhikari said.
Taking a strong law-and-order stance, the Chief Minister warned that while democratic protest was acceptable, violence in the name of religion would not be tolerated under the BJP government.
“Stone-pelting at police in Srinagar and Kashmir has stopped; I believe it will stop in West Bengal and Kolkata too,” Adhikari stated, drawing a direct comparison with Jammu and Kashmir.
The Chief Minister further alleged that the unrest appeared to be “pre-planned,” claiming that social media mobilisation had taken place before the protest. He also criticised the previous All India Trinamool Congress administration, accusing it of allowing police personnel to suffer while political leadership remained passive.
“The days when policemen were left injured while the police minister sat in an air-conditioned room are over,” Adhikari remarked.
Suvendu Adhikari’s stern message to habitual offenders. Hails role of @KolkataPolice @SuvenduWB #suvenduadhikari #kolkatapolice pic.twitter.com/dpMqaWXm4x
— Tapas Sengupta (@k_tapas1) May 18, 2026
Issuing what he described as a “last warning,” the Chief Minister cautioned protesters against repeating such incidents in the future.
“I appeal to everyone, do not repeat these things. This should be the first and the last such incident. If this happens again, no one will be tougher than me as the Home Minister,” he warned.
According to Adhikari, six police personnel and two CRPF jawans sustained injuries during the violence. He also confirmed that at least 40 people had been arrested so far in connection with the clashes, while the investigation was being directly supervised by the Commissioner of Police.
Following the violence, heavy deployment of police and CRPF personnel was made in Park Circus and adjoining areas to prevent further unrest. Security forces continued flag marches and monitoring operations late into the evening as authorities attempted to restore normalcy.
The incident has intensified political tensions in West Bengal, with the BJP government projecting a strict law-and-order approach while opposition parties and local groups continue to criticise the administration over restrictions affecting religious practices and minority concerns.
