Kolkata pandal fire: Bengal CM vows no shield for guilty after 19 killed
Synopsis
West Bengal CM Suvendu Adhikari publicly pledged that no one responsible for the deadly Chorebagan Durga Puja pandal stampede — which killed 19 people in Kolkata — will be shielded by his government. He also defended the transfer of 25 injured persons to a private hospital and announced enhanced safety measures for upcoming festivals including Chhath Puja.
Key Takeaways
West Bengal CM Suvendu Adhikari vowed full accountability in the Chorebagan Sarbojanin Durga Puja pandal stampede that killed 19 people in Kolkata .
Adhikari made the remarks at the Vijaya Sammilani programme at Milan Mela premises on 26 October 2026 .
The government defended its decision to transfer 25 injured persons from a state hospital to a private hospital, citing better care standards.
Special precautionary measures are being put in place for Chhath Puja , Jagaddhatri Puja , and Kartik Puja in the aftermath of the incident.
Adhikari took a dig at the previous government, alleging it had placed restrictions on religious events including immersion routes and microphone use.
West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari on Monday, 26 October declared that his government will not protect anyone found responsible for the Chorebagan Sarbojanin Durga Puja pandal stampede in Kolkata, which claimed 19 lives. Adhikari made the remarks while attending the Vijaya Sammilani programme at the Milan Mela premises, expressing grief over the incident and promising accountability.
Chief Minister's Key Assurances
'This is the new West Bengal. The government will not shield anyone responsible for such incidents. We will not term any incident as a small incident or bring conspiracy theories,' Adhikari said. He also sought advice on ensuring smooth conduct of cultural events in the future and committed to organising all upcoming festivals without incident.
Political Dig at Previous Government
The Chief Minister used the occasion to draw a contrast with the previous administration, alleging that earlier, restrictions were placed on microphone usage at specific times and immersion processions were barred from certain routes. He, however, stopped short of blaming any community directly, instead attributing such disruptions to what he described as failures of the earlier government. He also noted that this year, no one had to approach the Calcutta High Court to seek permission for Durga Puja celebrations — a pointed reference to past controversies.
Hospital Transfer Controversy
Following the Chorebagan tragedy, a controversy erupted over the transfer of 25 injured persons from a government hospital to a private facility. Adhikari responded to the criticism directly, saying the decision was driven entirely by patient welfare, not institutional ego. 'There is no failure here. The service in the private hospital is better than the service in the government hospital. I did not keep them in the government hospital due to ego, arrogance, or saying, Hum kisi se kam nehi,' he said.
Precautionary Measures for Upcoming Festivals
Drawing lessons from the Chorebagan stampede, Adhikari said special precautionary steps are being taken for Chhath Puja, Jagaddhatri Puja, and Kartik Puja. He emphasised that both puja committees and the district administration must remain alert well in advance of each event. 'It is the responsibility of the government to protect the religion. People have understood this,' he said. The remarks signal a shift toward stricter pre-event safety protocols at major public gatherings in the state.
Point of View
And defending a shift to private care as a quality decision, rather than a capacity failure, is a claim that deserves independent verification. With Chhath, Jagaddhatri, and Kartik Pujas on the immediate calendar, the real test of this administration's resolve will be event safety on the ground — not statements at commemoration programmes. Nineteen deaths at a religious festival is a failure of planning, regardless of which party bears responsibility.
NationPress
26 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What happened at the Chorebagan Durga Puja pandal in Kolkata?
A stampede at the Chorebagan Sarbojanin Durga Puja pandal in Kolkata killed 19 people. The incident has triggered a probe and prompted West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari to pledge full accountability.
What did Bengal CM Suvendu Adhikari say about the investigation?
Adhikari said his government will not shield anyone responsible for the Chorebagan stampede, and specifically stated that no incident would be minimised or explained away with conspiracy theories. He made these remarks on 26 October at the Vijaya Sammilani programme in Kolkata.
Why were injured victims transferred from a government to a private hospital?
Adhikari defended the transfer of 25 injured persons from a government hospital to a private hospital by saying the decision was based on quality of care, not ego. He stated that all patients were able to return home after receiving treatment at the private facility.
What safety measures are being taken for upcoming festivals?
Following the Chorebagan tragedy, the West Bengal government has announced special precautionary measures for Chhath Puja, Jagaddhatri Puja, and Kartik Puja. Adhikari called on puja committees and the district administration to remain alert well in advance of each event.
How does Adhikari's response relate to the previous state government?
Adhikari used the occasion to draw a contrast with the previous administration, alleging past restrictions on religious practices such as immersion routes and microphone timing. He credited his government with enabling Durga Puja celebrations without the need for High Court intervention this year.
