Netaji statue vandalised in Kolkata, BJP demands probe into broken arm

Kolkata: A statue of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose was allegedly vandalised in south Kolkata's New Alipore, with its right arm found broken on Thursday morning. The incident has triggered concern in the area, with BJP workers demanding an immediate investigation to identify those responsible.

The statue, a bust of Netaji, is located at Bottala Tin Mathar More in Ward 81 of New Alipore.

According to residents, the statue was intact until Wednesday, but was found damaged the following morning. The circumstances in which the statue was vandalised remain unclear.

BJP workers reached the spot after the incident came to light. They alleged that miscreants may have damaged the statue under the cover of darkness and said a complaint would be lodged with the police.

BJP South Kolkata secretary Tarak Bandyopadhyay said the incident was particularly significant as it came a day after Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari's warning in the Assembly against making derogatory remarks about Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose.

The government has also announced plans to name service centres across all 294 Assembly constituencies as 'Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose Seva Kendra'.

Bandyopadhyay said the alleged vandalism in New Alipore needed to be investigated urgently and demanded strict legal action against those responsible. The BJP has also said the matter will be brought to the attention of the party's state leadership.

Police are expected to investigate the incident and determine who damaged the statue and whether the act was deliberate.