Bengal Police Defends Transporting Desecrated Kali Idol in Prison Van Amid Political Controversy

The incident has sparked a political controversy in Bengal.

Following viral video footage showing a Kali idol being placed into a prison van in West Bengal's South 24 Parganas district, police have defended their actions, stating it was done to preserve the goddess's dignity.

Intermittent violence erupted in Kakdip near Sundarbans after a temple's idol was discovered desecrated on October 22, approximately 5:30 pm. West Bengal had celebrated Kali Puja just two days earlier on October 20.

Superintendent of Police (SP) of Sunderban Police District, Koteswara Rao, explained that while officers were engaging with puja committee members, residents from nearby villages gathered and transported the idol to the national highway.

"A road blockade formed, trapping several ambulances. When we asked them to clear the road, they began throwing stones. Protecting the purity, sanctity, and dignity was our highest priority. The only vehicle available at the scene was a police van because traffic was blocked on both sides of the road," SP Koteswara Rao explained.

Authorities confirmed arresting one suspect after collecting technical evidence and intelligence. "Narayan Haldar, son of Bhupati Haldar, was apprehended following our raids. After extensive questioning at the police station, he confessed to desecrating the idol while intoxicated," the SP stated. Police are investigating whether others were involved in the incident.

Despite police assertions that the accused had no political affiliations, the incident has ignited political tensions.

Opposition Leader Suvendu Adhikari and senior BJP officials shared the video of the idol being transported in the police van, commenting, "Look, my Fellow Bengalis! See how our Maa Kali is being forcefully pushed into a Police Van where they transport common criminals! What else is left of our culture? Mamata has converted this land of Shakti into a Jihadi hellscape!"

Trinamool Congress spokesperson Kunal Ghosh responded, "Distorted politics is being played out, but the police have made it very clear, and action has been taken."