Award to Chorbagan Durga Puja Sparks Safety Debate After 19 Dead in Stampede

The Information and Cultural Affairs Department, together with the Kolkata Municipal Corporation, awarded the ‘Serar Sera-3’ (Best of the Best) Devi Durga Samman 2026 to Chorbagan Sarbojonin Durgotsav Samity despite a stampede that killed 19 people and injured 25 on October 17, 2026 during Saptami. ## What Happened The stampede erupted on a Saturday evening when sudden rain, a narrow lane and a heavy rush of visitors converged, while volunteers and police were not enough to manage the crowd. Residents of Chorbagan said the lack of adequate entry and exit gates added to the chaos. ## Party Reaction On Monday, the Mamata Trinamool Congress posted on social media questioning whether "spectacle over safety" guided the award decision. The party highlighted that the same puja had earlier won Best Lighting, Best Pandal and Best Environment‑Friendly Puja, and asked who would be held accountable when public safety fails. Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari had earlier blamed low lighting and theme choices for safety lapses, urging organizers to improve lighting and provide sufficient gates. ## Context Durga Puja pandals across Kolkata and West Bengal compete with elaborate themes, often prioritising visual impact. The high‑level safety panel, comprising Disaster Management Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh, Director General of Fire Services Anuj Sharma and STF Director General Jawed Shamim, visited several community pujas on October 18 to review crowd‑control measures.