A political firestorm has erupted in West Bengal ’s Kakdwip, near the Sundarbans, after the alleged desecration of a Kali Ma idol, with the BJP accusing Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and the Trinamool Congress (TMC) of appeasement politics and mishandling the incident. The TMC has dismissed the charges as “distorted politics” aimed at communalising the situation.
The controversy began when locals in village under Suryanagar gram panchayat, West Bengal discovered a damaged idol of Kali Ma. Outrage spread quickly after the idol was removed in a prison van, which BJP leaders described as an “insult to Hindu sentiments.”
BJP leader Amit Malviya posted on X (formerly Twitter):
“Mamata Banerjee’s police took away Maa Kali in a prison van! Shame, shame — there’s no place to hide this disgrace…
Yesterday, from the puja pandal of North Chandannagar village (Suryanagar Gram Panchayat, Kakdwip Assembly constituency), jihadis vandalised the idol of Maa Kali, beheading the Goddess. As expected, the state administration tried its best to hush up the matter. Police initially intimidated villagers and locked the temple gates, but had to reopen them after strong protests from locals. Instead of arresting the culprits, the police turned their force on the villagers. This blatant misuse of power sparked outrage among Hindus, who united in protest — forcing the administration onto the defensive.
In a move that shocked everyone, Sundarbans District SP Koteswar Rao fled the scene with hundreds of policemen, taking away the idol of Maa Kali in a prison van. This is not just an insult to Hindu faith — it is an assault on Bengal’s soul.”
He further alleged that the police initially locked the temple and intimidated villagers, reopening it only after strong local protests.
Leader of Opposition Suvendu Adhikari also condemned the government, claiming:
“Mamata Banerjee’s police finally took Mother Kali away in a prison van!!! Shame, shame, there is no place to hide this disgrace…”
He also added, “Instead of trying to catch the miscreants, the police’s attempt to suppress the villagers led to Hindus waking up and starting a protest movement unitedly, causing embarrassment to the higher authorities of the police. The shameless and brazen Superintendent of Sundarban Police District, Koteshwar Rao, who has been summoned by the ED five times in the coal case, fled with the broken idol of Mother Kali in a prison van along with hundreds of police personnel.”
Union Minister Dr. Sukanta Majumdar joined the criticism, calling it a “blatant display of appeasement toward hardline elements.”
“The idol of Maa Kali was placed inside a prison van — this is utterly condemnable,” he said. Adding that it hurt the sentiments of millions of Sanatan Hindu devotees.
The Trinamool Congress, however, rejected the allegations, saying the BJP is spreading misinformation.
“The police have explained the situation. Some are trying to play distorted politics. Let the investigation take its course,” said a TMC spokesperson.
The West Bengal Police, in an official statement, urged people not to believe false narratives, clarifying that the idol was found damaged in a village temple under Suryanagar GP.
“Efforts are on to identify those behind the mischief. Stern action will be taken,” police said.
Officials added that locals had blocked the national highway, and police used minimum force after the crowd began pelting stones. The idol’s immersion was completed peacefully after the situation was brought under control.
Meanwhile, BJP IT cell head Amit Malviya called the incident “a stark reflection of the TMC government’s administrative apathy,” accusing the police of “trying to cover up the crime instead of catching culprits.”
According to PTI, the authenticity of videos circulated online could not be independently verified. Police have deployed additional forces in Kakdwip, and the situation remains tense but under control.