Ratna Debnath’s Remarks on Durga Puja Stampede Trigger Debate Over Sensitivity
Brief By Newsbrief / 2:44 PM on 22 Oct 2026
Kolkata: BJP MLA Ratna Debnath from Panihati has come under criticism after a video showed her attributing the October 17 stampede at the Chorbagan Durga Puja pandal to crowd behaviour. The tragedy claimed 19 lives, with women and children reportedly accounting for most of the victims.
Her remarks triggered a debate over the sensitivity expected from public representatives when addressing a tragedy of this scale. Critics questioned whether the statement adequately acknowledged the suffering of victims and their families.
Debnath’s political journey has also been shaped by her campaign for justice following the 2024 rape and murder of her daughter in the RG Kar Hospital case. She has reportedly met families affected by the stampede to hear their concerns regarding poor crowd management and the police response.
Meanwhile, Kolkata Police identified alleged mismanagement, narrow entry and exit gates, and false alerts about a possible collapse as key factors contributing to the chaos. Investigations and arrests are ongoing.
The controversy has renewed discussions about crowd safety at major religious gatherings and the responsibility of public figures to communicate with empathy while authorities investigate the circumstances surrounding such incidents.