Kolkata, August 13, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
A statue of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose was vandalised in Kolkata's New Alipore area, with its right arm found broken, prompting police to launch an investigation into the incident.
The vandalism came amid a political controversy in West Bengal over the state government's decision to withdraw the Banga Bibhushan award from BJP Rajya Sabha MP Nagendra Roy, popularly known as Ananta Maharaj, following alleged derogatory remarks about Netaji.
Local residents said the statue was intact when they last saw it on Wednesday night. Police are examining CCTV footage from the area to identify those responsible for the damage.
BJP workers and supporters reached the spot after learning about the incident and alleged that miscreants took advantage of darkness to vandalize the statue. They said a complaint would be lodged with the police and that the matter would also be brought to the attention of the party's state leadership.
BJP Kolkata South organizational district secretary Tarak Banerjee called for an immediate investigation and strict legal action against those responsible. He said the incident was particularly significant in view of recent developments concerning remarks against Netaji and the state government's decision to name health service centers across the 294 Assembly constituencies as Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose Seva Kendra.
Banerjee said the sequence of events warranted a prompt investigation to establish the circumstances surrounding the vandalism and identify the perpetrators.
The police are continuing their probe, while further details are awaited.