Kolkata: A statue of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose in south Kolkata's New Alipore area was found damaged on Thursday, with its right hand broken, officials said, triggering a police inquiry and protests by political workers.
Investigation under way
A senior Kolkata Police officer said investigators were trying to determine when and how the damage occurred and whether it was deliberate. The officer told PTI that CCTV footage and other evidence were being examined, and no arrests had been made so far.
The damaged statue stands near a three-way crossing in New Alipore, a busy residential and commercial neighbourhood on Kolkata's southern fringe. Local residents and party activists gathered at the site after the damage was noticed, expressing anger and demanding a swift probe.
Political reaction
The incident came within a day of Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari directing law enforcement to act against those making disrespectful social media posts or other derogatory statements targeting Netaji. Adhikari had said the police should arrest those who posted insulting and defamatory material and insisted deletions or apologies would not preclude legal action.
"I am directing the police to arrest those who have dared to make insulting, false and defamatory statements about Netaji on social media. They must immediately apologise and delete the disrespectful posts,"
BJP South Kolkata organisational secretary Tarak Banerjee visited the spot and alleged the statue was vandalised on Wednesday night. He said the timing — soon after the chief minister's warning — made the incident particularly significant and demanded the prompt arrest of those responsible.
Local concerns and context
Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose remains a revered figure across Bengal, and any perceived insult to his memory often provokes strong public emotion. In Kolkata, public monuments and statues are focal points for civic pride and political symbolism, and damage to such installations typically elicits rapid official and popular responses.
- Location: New Alipore, south Kolkata
- Damage: right hand of the statue broken
- Action: Kolkata Police examining CCTV and other evidence; no arrests yet
Timeline
| When | Event |
|---|---|
| Wednesday | Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari issues warning to police over derogatory social media posts about Netaji |
| Wednesday night (alleged) | BJP workers claim miscreants vandalised the Netaji statue |
| Thursday | Statue found with right hand broken; Kolkata Police begin investigation |
What police say
The senior officer who spoke to PTI emphasised the need to establish the circumstances before drawing conclusions. "It is not immediately clear whether the damage was deliberately caused, and the circumstances under which it occurred," the officer said, indicating that investigators were reviewing available footage and other leads.
Police sources also indicated that probes into vandalism of public statues typically involve neighbourhood queries, examination of nearby CCTV cameras, and scrutiny of social media for any claims of responsibility. The officer added that investigations would proceed along these lines.
Public sentiment and next steps
The episode has already been politicised by local party workers, who are calling for urgent action. In a city where the memory of freedom fighters is woven into civic life, officials are aware of the potential for such incidents to escalate public tensions. Authorities are expected to issue an update once forensic checks and footage reviews yield clearer information.
For residents of New Alipore, the damaged statue is a visible reminder of the fragile nature of public heritage and the sensitivities that surround it. Kolkata Police have appealed for calm and asked anyone with information to come forward to assist the inquiry.
