Kolkata: West Bengal Governor CV Ananda Bose was unable to attend the Messi event at the Yuva Bharati Krirangan due to the chaos that ensued. The following day, Sunday, he visited the venue to assess the situation firsthand. After leaving the Yuva Bharati stadium, he spoke to reporters and stated that the roles of all parties involved in the ‘Messi’ incident would be investigated.
The Governor said, “I have come here to the ‘ground zero’ or the scene of the incident to assess the situation myself. I have inspected the area. For the fans, Messi is like a ‘messiah’ or a god. Yet, his visit was ruined for no reason. The roles of the organizing committee, the government, the police, and intelligence agencies should all be investigated.”
Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has formed an inquiry committee to verify the facts of the incident at Yuva Bharati. This inquiry team also visited the Yuva Bharati Krirangan on Sunday to assess the situation. The Governor also met with the members of the committee.
CV Ananda Bose said, “I have met with the inquiry committee that has been formed. They have conducted a detailed investigation. However, it seems that the roots of the incident are much deeper than they appear.” ‘The incident has opened everyone’s eyes’
He further added, “Yesterday’s incident has opened everyone’s eyes. This incident has become a matter of shame for the people of Kolkata. There should be a specific Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for such situations in the future. When someone is commercializing a sport and profiting from it, the public cannot be inconvenienced. This includes the administration as well. People’s fundamental rights are also involved.”
The Governor said that he would submit a report after speaking to the victims of Saturday’s incident. He said, “I have spoken to some of the victims of the Yuva Bharati incident. To prevent such incidents in the future, I will submit a detailed report with recommendations to the central government and the sports authorities. My report is almost ready.” ‘Immediate Action Needed’
He further said, “The steps that need to be taken immediately after Saturday’s incident include a judicial inquiry into the incident, the arrest of the organizers, refunding ticket money, seizing the organizers’ bank accounts, formulating Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), and launching an insurance scheme. I have advised the government to take 12 such steps. Both short-term and long-term measures should be implemented.”
The Governor added, “One person has been arrested in connection with the incident at the Yuva Bharati Stadium. Now the law will take its course. The general public feels that their feelings and sentiments have been completely ignored, and that is why they became angry.” Incidentally, there was a huge commotion at the Yuva Bharati Stadium on Saturday during Lionel Messi’s event. Spectators present there claimed that they had been cheated.
Verbal War Begins
Despite being present at the stadium, they could not properly see the football legend. Allegations have been made that the crowd of leaders, ministers, and people associated with the organizers ruined Messi’s Kolkata visit. Feeling cheated, the spectators resorted to vandalism, causing significant damage to the Yuva Bharati Stadium. Following this unrest, administrative and political tensions and a verbal war have erupted.
On the day of the incident, Governor CV Ananda Bose went to the Yuva Bharati Stadium to assess the situation, but it is reported that no one from the administration was there to receive him on Saturday night. He could not enter the stadium due to the gates being closed. The lights at the Yuva Bharati Stadium were also switched off. The Governor said that the truth will definitely come out. He then visited the Yuva Bharati Stadium again on Sunday and personally assessed the situation.
Meanwhile, Leader of the Opposition Suvendu Adhikari has already criticized the situation at Yuva Bharati. The ruling party is somewhat on the back foot. The Sports Minister declined to comment, citing the ongoing investigation. Fire Services Minister Sujit Bose remained silent. Although Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has apologized to Messi and the spectators for Saturday’s incident, the controversy shows no signs of subsiding.
Overall, the Messi incident has caused considerable turmoil in state politics. Meanwhile, organizer Shatadru Dutta has been arrested in connection with the incident at the Yuva Bharati Stadium. When he was produced in court on Sunday, the judge remanded him to 14 days of police custody.
