States » EastPosted at: Oct 26 2026 8:34PM


Chorbagan tragedy not a ‘small incident’ or conspiracy, says Suvendu; vows action against those responsible

Kolkata, Oct 26 (UNI) West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari - refusing to describe the tragedy as either a “small incident” or a conspiracy vowed that his government would not shield anyone responsible for the Chorbagan Durga Puja stampede.
The chief minister was speaking infront of nearly 6000 puja committees from Kolkata, Howrah, Chandannagar and Barrackpore on the occasion of Bijaya Sammilani on Monday which was organised in a subdued way as the state government in the wake of the disaster.
Addressing the gathering at Milan Mela Prangan Adhikari said the government would implement the recommendations of the inquiry committee and circulate them among Puja committees in a brochure to prevent a recurrence of such a tragedy in the coming years.
“Whether the government has done something or intends to do something is not the big issue. An extremely tragic and painful incident has taken place. The incident has shaken us,” he said, explaining why the celebrations had been curtailed.
The chief minister said he would neither attribute the tragedy to a conspiracy nor dismiss it as a minor incident.
Describing it as a case of human error, he said accountability would be fixed irrespective of who was responsible.
“Whoever may have made the mistake that led to this incident, the government will not shield anyone. Whatever measures are necessary, we will implement the recommendations made by the inquiry committee. We will circulate them in a brochure among all Puja committees so that such an incident does not happen again,” Adhikari said.
The investigation into the stampede at the government-approved Chorbagan Puja is being conducted by a committee involving a retired Calcutta High Court judge, constituted following consultations with the Chief Justice of the High Court.
The government had also ensured treatment for the injured at private hospitals without allowing considerations of prestige to come in the way, he said. Financial assistance was handed over to the families of 25 injured people at the curtailed programme.
The chief minister said that barring the Chorbagan tragedy, around 66,000 Durga Pujas across the state had been conducted peacefully and in an orderly manner.
Taking a dig at the previous government, Adhikari alleged that restrictions had earlier been imposed on playing microphones and organising immersion processions in several areas, including Falakata, Farakka, Garden Reach, Contai, Canning, Shirokol and Bhangar.
“This year there was no such restrictions and people took their idol as they wished,” he said.
Without blaming any particular community, he accused the previous administration of adopting a policy of surrender in dealing with such situations.
“I will not blame anyone. The previous government had surrendered. Religion is individual, festivals belong to everyone, but protecting one's religion is everyone's responsibility. This is the new West Bengal, the West Bengal of change,” he said.
Adhikari said preparations for the upcoming Kali Puja, Diwali, Chhath, Jagaddhatri Puja and Kartik Puja would begin with a review meeting after government offices reopen on October 28.
The administration would also prepare for the Gangasagar Mela and major international events, including the Kolkata International Film Festival, the Pravasi Bharatiya Sammelan and World Energy Week.
He said the government would learn from past lapses and ensure that future festivals and large gatherings were conducted with the highest possible safety standards.
UNI SAG BM
Tags: #Chorbagan tragedy not a ‘small incident’ or conspiracy# says Suvendu; vows action against those responsible
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