TMC Questions BJP Links After Fatal Kolkata Stampede

A stampede at the Chorbagan Sarbojanin Durga Puja pandal in North Kolkata killed 19 people and injured 25 others, prompting the All India Trinamool Congress (AITC) to question the alleged connections between BJP leaders and the event's organisers. The incident occurred on Saturday, October 17, amid a massive rush of devotees. By Sunday, October 18, the tragedy had triggered political accusations, police arrests and an investigation into possible failures in crowd management.

The TMC demanded accountability, raising questions about the puja committee's leadership and the arrangements made for Union Home Minister Amit Shah's visit to Kolkata. However, the party's allegations do not establish responsibility for the deaths. Investigators must determine how the crowd surge developed and whether any lapses contributed to the disaster.

In a post on X, the TMC alleged that the nephew of West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari was closely associated with the Chorbagan puja pandal. It also claimed that a BJP legislator chaired the puja committee.

The party questioned who should be held responsible for the deaths and called for accountability from the state leadership. Its post asked whether the chief minister would resign over the tragedy.

These allegations placed the puja committee's political associations at the centre of the debate. The investigation, however, will need to establish the specific responsibilities of the organisers and other individuals involved in managing the gathering.

The TMC reiterated its allegations about the alleged association between Suvendu Adhikari's nephew and the pandal, alongside its claim that a BJP MLA chaired the organising committee.

The party's criticism focused on accountability following the deaths and injuries. The allegations remain claims made by the TMC and should not be treated as proof of wrongdoing by the individuals mentioned.

The TMC also criticised the arrangements surrounding Amit Shah's visit to Kolkata. It questioned whether the attention given to welcoming the Union Home Minister contrasted with the safety measures available to ordinary devotees at the pandal.

The party asked whether police deployment for Shah's security had affected crowd management at the Durga Puja venue. It argued that the incident raised questions about the balance between VIP security arrangements and public safety.

In a separate post, the TMC questioned whether police resources had been concentrated so heavily on Shah's security that crowd control at the pandal was neglected.

The party said public safety should not be compromised by VIP security arrangements and demanded accountability for the deaths. It also asked when Suvendu Adhikari's nephew would be arrested.

These statements reflect the TMC's political response to the disaster. Whether security deployment affected the handling of the crowd remains a matter for investigators to establish through evidence, records and witness accounts.

Seven Arrests as Police Investigation Expands

Kolkata Police arrested seven people in connection with the stampede. Those arrested included Raj Kumar Sewda, also known as Raja, the puja committee's secretary; Santanu Dubey, its vice-president; and Biplab Mukherjee, known as Joy, who was involved in constructing a bamboo structure.

The other arrested individuals were Koushik Saha, who was involved in crowd management and checking VIP passes; Pintu Dey, who worked in crowd management; and Suman Chakraborty and Rajesh Pal, who served as private security in-charges.

Police registered a suo motu case under Sections 105, 110 and 3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) against the organisers and others. Fourteen additional people were detained for questioning, according to the police.

The arrests mark an investigative step, not a final determination of guilt. Establishing individual responsibility will require evidence about crowd-control decisions, site arrangements and the circumstances that led to the deadly surge.

Compensation and Restrictions After the Tragedy

Amit Shah and Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari visited injured people receiving treatment at an Apollo hospital in Kolkata on Sunday. Shah had earlier expressed condolences to the families of those killed and postponed his scheduled programmes in West Bengal to visit the injured.

The state government announced compensation of Rs 25 lakh and a job for the family of each deceased person. A Special Task Force investigation has also been initiated to establish accountability.

Authorities imposed restrictions under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023, in parts of Kolkata from October 18 to October 20. The order covers an area under Bowbazar Police Station bounded by College Street, CR Avenue, Collotola Street and Eden Hospital Road.

The restrictions prohibit unlawful assemblies of five or more people, carrying weapons and activities likely to disturb public peace and tranquillity.

Investigation Must Establish Responsibility

The Chorbagan stampede has left 19 people dead, 25 injured and families seeking answers. Political parties have raised questions about the puja committee, alleged political connections and police deployment, while authorities have begun arrests and a formal investigation.

The central issue now is whether the evidence will establish failures in crowd management, security planning or event organisation. The investigation must identify the decisions and circumstances that led to the loss of life. Compensation and arrests are immediate responses, but determining responsibility will depend on the findings of the inquiry and the legal process that follows.