Suryaa National Desk: Surya National & Regional Desk, Kolkata: Mahasapthami night at the famous Durga Puja venue 'Chorbagan' (locally 'Garden of Thieves') Mandapam in Kolkata... Surya National & Regional Desk, Kolkata: A stampede incident on Mahasaptami night at the famous Durga Puja venue 'Chorbagan' ('Thieves' Garden' in local parlance) mandapam has led to intense political uproar. West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari's response to this tragedy in which at least 19 devotees were killed and more than 25 injured has been heavily criticized for the failure of the administrative machinery. Analyzing this incident, the national media carried an in-depth analysis of the Bengal administration and Pooja politics titled 'Suvendu Adhikari and the Thieves' Garden'. Criticism of Home Guards: After the Chorbagon accident, CM Suvendu Adhikari visited the site of the incident and the victims in the hospital at midnight. He stated that the negligence of the temporary home guards in traffic and security management led to the stampede.
He alleged that many home guards appointed during the previous government's regime did not respond properly and acted negligently by leaving the ropes when it rained. However, the opposition and civil society are furious that the police officials and the administrative department have failed to make proper advance plans to control the rush of devotees in large numbers and it is not right to blame the temporary staff. Financial assistance orders to cancel VIP lines: The government has announced that it will stand by the families of the victims. The families of the deceased will be given Rs. 25 lakhs as an ex-gratia and promised a Group-D government job for one person in the household. Also Rs.
It has been revealed that along with 5 lakh assistance, the full medical expenses will be borne. In order to control the crowd, the authorities were ordered to immediately cancel the special VIP lines at the pooja mandapalas. Is puja a consequence of politics?: The community Durga pujas organized in Kolkata have always been the main platforms for political influence and public relations. Analysts point out that the Chorbagon stampede incident was not just an accident, but a culmination of political hegemony in the name of culture and lack of administrative coordination to put people's lives at risk. The people of Bengal are demanding a full-scale investigation into this heinous incident and strict action against those responsible.
