West Bengal

IIE DIGITAL DESK : Jiaganj, Murshidabad, 6 May: The Lenin statue was reportedly vandalised and pulled down by a group of people during late-night celebrations in Jiaganj, Murshidabad district, triggering widespread political controversy and tension in the area.

The incident took place around 10 PM on Tuesday night near the road adjacent to Sri Pratap Singh College under Azimganj Municipality’s Ward 2. A statue of Vladimir Lenin, which had been installed during the Left Front era, was targeted by a gathering of people who assembled in large numbers following the announcement of recent election results.

Witnesses claimed that the group initially damaged the facial portion of the statue before gradually dismantling the entire structure from its base and toppling it to the ground. During the act, slogans including “Jai Shri Ram” were reportedly raised, while several individuals were seen recording the incident on mobile phones, footage of which later circulated on social media platforms.

Unverified videos of the incident have sparked intense political debate, although their authenticity has not been independently confirmed by media authorities.

Reports suggest that there were also statements from the crowd indicating that a new statue, possibly of historical figures such as Chhatrapati Shivaji or Gopal Patha, could be installed at the same site, though no official confirmation has been made regarding such plans.

The incident comes at a time when Murshidabad district has witnessed heightened political activity following the recent election results, in which the Bharatiya Janata Party secured a notable number of seats in the region. Since the announcement of results, several pockets across the district have reported sporadic incidents of tension and unrest.

The vandalism, personnel from Jiaganj police station reached the spot and attempted to restore order. By then, those involved in the incident had reportedly left the area. Police officials have stated that the identities of the individuals involved are yet to be confirmed and that CCTV footage from the surrounding area will be examined as part of the investigation.

Authorities have assured that appropriate legal action will be taken once those responsible are identified, while maintaining that efforts are underway to prevent further escalation of tension in the region.