Kolkata (West Bengal) [India], October 19 : Mamata Banerjee faction Trinamool Congress (TMC) MLA Kunal Ghosh on Monday voluntarily appeared before the Narkeldanga police station on Mahashtami after receiving an opposition-filed FIR notice, emphasising his commitment to being a law-abiding citizen.
Ghosh sharply criticised the police action regarding the Chorbagan Durga Puja stampede, questioning why low-level personnel—such as Home Guards and local civic volunteers—are being scapegoated for policy failures instead of senior police officials and puja committee organisers.
“I am a law-abiding citizen. Someone from the opposition filed a complaint against me at the Narkeldanga police station. I received a notice, and I don't want to just brush this aside. Today might be Mahashtami, but I did not want to leave this matter pending, so I came,” Ghosh said.
Turning to the Chorbagan Durga Puja stampede, the TMC leader questioned the arrests made in connection with the incident and argued that senior officials and influential members of the Puja committee should also face scrutiny.
He said lower-level personnel, including Home Guards and civic police volunteers, should not bear the entire responsibility for decisions made by senior officials and organisers.
“Why are you arresting a Home Guard? A Home Guard doesn't have the authority to make policy decisions. The police officer on duty at the pandal doesn't have the authority to make policy decisions either. Arrest the higher-ups in the police or the higher-ups in the Puja committee,” he said.
Notably, amidst the Durga Puja celebrations, Kolkata witnessed a tragic incident on Saturday as a stampede at the Chorbagan Durga Puja pandal claimed 19 lives and left at least 25 injured.
Ghosh also criticised Kolkata Police Commissioner Manoj Kumar Verma over alleged shortcomings in traffic management and crowd-control arrangements during the festival, demanding his immediate removal.
“The entire city is jammed up. The City of Joy has turned into the City of Jams. This Police Commissioner needs to be removed immediately,” he said.
The MLA further expressed concern over alleged attacks on political bookstalls, including those associated with the CPI(M), and called for peaceful religious celebrations without political interference.