Sat Dec 13 10:07:06 UTC 2025: Headline: Messi Event in Kolkata Turns Violent; Officials Blame Organizers and Each Other

Kolkata, India – December 13, 2025 – Chaos erupted at Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata today during an event featuring football superstar Lionel Messi, with frustrated spectators resorting to violence after being unable to see the player. The incident has sparked a political firestorm, with opposition leaders and the Governor of West Bengal sharply criticizing the event organizers and the state government’s handling of the situation.

Governor C.V. Ananda Bose condemned the event as a “black day” for sports in Kolkata, criticizing both the organizers and the police for failing to control the crowd. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), led by figures like Suvendu Adhikari and Sukanta Majumdar, accused the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) of hijacking the event for political gain, alleging that ministers were given preferential access while fans who paid exorbitant ticket prices were left disappointed. Adhikari shared images of TMC ministers with Messi, questioning their proximity to the player.

BJP leaders are demanding the resignation of Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and the arrest of Ministers Aroop Biswas and Sujit Bose. They are also calling for the arrest of event organizer Shatadru Dutta, who has already been detained by police, and a full refund for all ticket holders.

The TMC, however, is distancing itself from the debacle. Spokesperson Kunal Ghosh blamed the chaos entirely on the private organizers’ “gross mismanagement,” emphasizing that the event had no connection to the state government. While acknowledging Minister Biswas’s presence, Ghosh stated he was there in his official capacity as Sports Minister.

Chief Minister Banerjee has apologized to Messi and sports fans for the chaos, ordering a probe into the events leading to the violence. The incident is expected to have lasting repercussions, raising serious questions about event management and political accountability in West Bengal.

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