Kolkata: A fresh controversy erupted in Kolkata after a statue of freedom fighter Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose was found vandalised in the posh New Alipore area, with its right arm broken.
The incident comes on the same day the West Bengal government announced the withdrawal and annulment of the ‘Banga Bibhushan’ award conferred on BJP Rajya Sabha MP Nagendra Ray, also known as Ananta Maharaj, reportedly over his alleged derogatory remarks about Netaji.
Statue found damaged in New Alipore
According to local residents, the statue was intact when they last saw it on Wednesday night. It is suspected that the vandalism took place during the early hours.
Police have launched a preliminary investigation and are examining CCTV footage from cameras installed in and around the area to identify those responsible.
Local BJP workers and supporters reached the spot after learning about the incident. They alleged that miscreants took advantage of the darkness and damaged the statue.
The BJP workers said they would approach the police and file a complaint seeking action against those responsible. The matter is also expected to be brought to the attention of the party’s state leadership.
BJP demands strict action
BJP Secretary for the Kolkata South organisational district, Tarak Banerjee, demanded an immediate investigation and strict legal action against those responsible for damaging the statue.
Banerjee linked the incident to the ongoing controversy surrounding remarks about Netaji and the state government’s recent announcements.
He said Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari had warned that the administration would not tolerate derogatory comments against Netaji and that legal action would be taken against anyone found responsible.
Banerjee also referred to the announcement that health service centres across the state’s 294 Assembly constituencies would be named Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose Seva Kendra.
He said the vandalism of the statue in Ward No. 81 of the Kolkata Municipal Corporation in New Alipore made the sequence of events significant and called for a prompt probe.
The police are continuing their investigation to establish when the statue was damaged and identify those involved.