Lionel Messi's much-anticipated visit to Kolkata for the 'GOAT Tour 2025' on Saturday was marred by widespread chaos and mismanagement, drawing sharp criticism from Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma. Sarma launched a scathing attack on the West Bengal government, attributing the pandemonium to a complete breakdown of law and order and rampant VIP culture within the state. The incident has ignited a debate over the state government's capacity to manage large public. Events, especially when involving global icons, and has raised serious questions about public safety protocols.
Allegations of Law and Order Breakdown and VIP Culture
Chief Minister Sarma unequivocally stated that the law and order situation in West Bengal has completely collapsed. He directly blamed the prevailing VIP culture in the state for the chaotic scenes witnessed during Messi's visit. According to Sarma, this VIP culture often prioritizes preferential treatment for certain individuals over the safety and convenience of the general public, leading to disorder and anarchy at major public gatherings, while such disarray during the visit of a global football icon like Messi casts a significant shadow on the state's administrative capabilities and its commitment to public welfare, suggesting a systemic failure in anticipating and managing large crowds.
Call for Top-Level Accountability: Demand for CM and Police Commissioner's Arrest
In a strong statement, the Assam Chief Minister demanded accountability for the incident, asserting that responsibility must begin at the highest echelons of power. He explicitly called for the arrest of the state's Home Minister, who is also the Chief Minister, and the Kolkata Police Commissioner. Sarma emphasized that the primary responsibility for maintaining law and order and ensuring public safety rests. Squarely with the state Home Minister and the Police Commissioner, making them directly answerable for any failures. While he didn't take a definitive stance on the arrest of event organizers, his focus remained firmly on the accountability of top officials, highlighting the principle that leadership must bear the ultimate responsibility for administrative shortcomings.
West Bengal Government's Failure in Crowd Management
To highlight the West Bengal government's apparent failure in crowd management,. Sarma drew comparisons with successful large-scale public events in other states. He cited the instance of approximately 10 lakh people gathering on Guwahati's streets for three days following the death of Zubeen Garg, where no untoward incident occurred. Similarly, he mentioned the peaceful Post Malone concert in Guwahati, attended by around 50,000 people, which proceeded without any issues. Referring also to the Women's World Cup final in Mumbai, Sarma contrasted these examples of effective crowd control with the "unpredictable" and "uncontrolled" situation in West Bengal, which he attributed to the state's extreme VIP culture. This comparison serves to underscore the argument that with proper planning and execution, large events can be managed safely, a standard that Kolkata allegedly failed to meet.
Introspection and Broader Concerns on State Governance
The Assam Chief Minister urged the leadership of West Bengal to engage in introspection following the incident. He remarked that Lionel Messi is an idol for the entire world, and the chaos during his visit should prompt Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee to reflect deeply on the state of affairs. Sarma further expressed concern, stating that "innocent people are subjected to atrocities every day in Bengal," which he described as a matter of grave concern, while this comment extended beyond the immediate incident, reflecting a broader apprehension about the overall law and order situation and citizen safety within the state, suggesting a need for a comprehensive review of governance.
Himanta Biswa Sarma's sharp remarks have undoubtedly stirred political and administrative circles in West Bengal. The demand for the arrest of a Chief Minister by a Chief Minister from a neighboring state, specifically concerning mismanagement during a global celebrity's visit, marks an unprecedented political development. This incident not only underscores the critical challenges in crowd management but also raises serious questions about the state of law and order and the pervasive influence of VIP culture in West Bengal, necessitating profound introspection and reform from the state government. The episode highlights the need for solid planning and execution for public events to ensure safety and order.
