Biswabrata Goswami
KRISHNAGAR, 2 NOV: The grand immersion procession marking the conclusion of Krishnagar’s Jagadhatri Puja—one of Nadia’s most vibrant post-Durga festivities—wound up largely peacefully on 1 November after two days of celebrations, with over 200 idols making their way to various ghats of the Jalangi River.
However, the calm festive spirit was briefly marred by an altercation at Kadamtala ghat involving members of Chakerpara club and police personnel, culminating in a viral video that has since stirred political controversy and public criticism.
According to police sources, the immersion processions across the town concluded without major incidents. The only notable disturbance occurred when members of Chakerpara club allegedly harassed and attempted to manhandle lady police personnel stationed at the ghat. To control the situation, police resorted to a mild lathi charge to disperse the miscreants and restore order. The Kotwali police subsequently registered a case (No. 1198/01.11.2025) under several sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, including 61(2), 74, 75, 76, 79, 126(1), 132, 133, and 351(2).
Police officials stated that the Chakerpara club has a history of creating disturbances and causing property damage during previous immersion processions. “This was purely a law and order issue,” a senior officer commented, adding that “attempts to give it a communal colour are both unfortunate and misleading.”
However, tensions escalated after a video surfaced online late Saturday night showing Inspector-in-Charge of Kotwali, Amalendu Biswas, engaged in a heated verbal exchange with members of the Chakerpara Baroari. In the footage, Mr. Biswas is seen warning the group that if they “speak against the police,” he would “beat them up.” The IC was also heard using unrestrained and unparliamentary language during the altercation, which quickly drew sharp reactions from residents after the video went viral on social media.
The video first appeared on the official X (formerly Twitter) handle of BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari, who accused the IC of “attacking Hindu devotees” and “abusing the residents of Chakerpara.” Following this, Arjun Biswas, BJP’s Nadia North District president, also condemned the officer’s conduct, calling his remarks “disgraceful and unbecoming of a responsible police officer.”
Local residents, too, expressed displeasure over the tone and language used by the IC. “We expect restraint and respect from senior officers during public events. What we saw in the video was deeply disappointing,” said a Krishnagar resident, requesting anonymity.
Meanwhile, senior officials of Krishnagar Police District (KPD) maintained that the matter is being examined. “We are verifying the authenticity and context of the video before taking any view,” said a senior police source.
While the district police are keen to portray the Kadamtala incident as an isolated breach of discipline amid an otherwise peaceful immersion, the viral clip has given fresh ammunition to political opponents and ignited debate over policing conduct during religious events.
The Jagadhatri Puja, celebrated with immense enthusiasm across Krishnagar following Durga Puja, has long been seen as a symbol of community harmony. This year’s immersion, despite the controversy, remained largely peaceful—yet the fallout from one heated exchange threatens to overshadow the spirit of the festival, a senior Krishnagar resident said.
