Kolkata stampede: BJP chief Nitin Nabin cancels all public events in solidarity
Synopsis
A deadly stampede at a Durga Puja pandal in North Kolkata has claimed 19 lives and injured 25 others, prompting BJP national president Nitin Nabin to cancel all public programmes in solidarity — while the West Bengal government announced ₹25 lakh compensation and a job for every bereaved family.
Key Takeaways
BJP National President Nitin Nabin cancelled all public events on 18 October 2026 in solidarity with victims of the Chorbagan Durga Puja stampede in North Kolkata.
The stampede at Muktarambabu Street killed 19 people , including 17 who died on the spot, and left 25 injured.
One person remains in critical condition ; 24 others injured are reported out of danger.
BJP MLA Ratna Debnath alleged serious negligence by puja organisers and police after meeting victim families.
The West Bengal government announced ₹25 lakh compensation plus a job for each bereaved family, and ₹5 lakh for the injured, with full medical expenses covered.
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) National President Nitin Nabin on Sunday, 18 October 2026, cancelled all public programmes scheduled for the day in the wake of the deadly stampede at the Chorbagan Sarbojanin Durga Puja pandal in North Kolkata, expressing solidarity with bereaved families and survivors of the tragedy.
What Nabin Said
Speaking in Patna, Bihar, Nabin said the incident had deeply shaken people across West Bengal and that the party had decided to stand with the victims rather than proceed with its scheduled engagements.
'The tragedy has affected our brothers and sisters in West Bengal. We have therefore cancelled all public programmes scheduled for today. We will continue our other work while standing with society, but today we stand with the families affected by this incident,' Nabin said.
BJP MLA Meets Victim Families on the Ground
BJP MLA Ratna Debnath, who visited families of the stampede victims, described the tragedy as 'extremely painful' and alleged serious negligence by both the puja organisers and the police. Debnath recounted meeting the mother of a victim identified as Pranjol, who reportedly could not accept her son's death, and Kalpana Jana, whose husband was hospitalised while her children remained at home.
'I met Pranjol's family. His mother still cannot believe that her son is no more. I also met Kalpana Jana, whose children are at home while her husband is in the hospital. The incident is extremely tragic, and I am at a loss for words,' Debnath said.
How the Stampede Unfolded
The stampede struck on Saturday night at the Chorbagan Sarbojanin community Durga Puja pandal on Muktarambabu Street in North Kolkata. Heavy rainfall combined with severe overcrowding triggered panic among visitors, with people reportedly struggling to move out of the packed premises.
West Bengal Chief Minister Shuvendu Adhikari said 19 people had lost their lives — 17 on the spot — while 25 were injured, of whom 24 were stated to be out of danger and one remained in critical condition.
State Government Announces Compensation
The state government announced compensation of ₹25 lakh and a job for each bereaved family. It also committed to bearing the full medical expenses of those injured and providing an additional ₹5 lakh in compensation to the wounded. The BJP, meanwhile, is expected to resume its political programmes from Monday pending further review of the situation on the ground.
Point of View
The party is acutely aware of how it is perceived against tragedies. Ratna Debnath's allegation of police negligence puts the spotlight on crowd management at one of Bengal's most attended festivals, a perennial safety concern that authorities have struggled to address. The ₹25 lakh compensation package and job promise from the state government are significant commitments, but the deeper question — whether the Chorbagan organisers held a valid permission for the number of visitors present that night — has not yet been publicly answered. Until an independent inquiry addresses that gap, the political blame game is likely to overshadow the more important accountability conversation.
NationPress
18 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What happened at the Chorbagan Durga Puja stampede in Kolkata?
A stampede struck the Chorbagan Sarbojanin Durga Puja pandal on Muktarambabu Street in North Kolkata on Saturday night, 17 October 2026, killing 19 people and injuring 25 others. Heavy rainfall and severe overcrowding triggered panic, leaving visitors unable to move out of the packed premises.
Why did BJP president Nitin Nabin cancel public events?
Nitin Nabin cancelled all BJP public programmes on 18 October 2026 as a mark of solidarity with the families bereaved in the Kolkata stampede. He said the party chose to stand with the victims rather than proceed with its scheduled engagements.
What compensation has the West Bengal government announced for stampede victims?
The state government announced ₹25 lakh and a job for each bereaved family, along with full coverage of medical expenses for the injured and an additional ₹5 lakh compensation for those hurt in the stampede.
How many people died and were injured in the Kolkata stampede?
According to West Bengal Chief Minister Shuvendu Adhikari, 19 people died in the stampede — 17 on the spot — while 25 were injured. Of those injured, 24 were reported out of danger and one remained in critical condition.
What allegations has the BJP made over the Kolkata stampede?
BJP MLA Ratna Debnath, after meeting victim families, alleged serious negligence by both the Durga Puja organisers and the police in managing the large crowd at the Chorbagan pandal. No official inquiry findings have been released yet.
