Two Journalists Arrested for Posting Video of Kali Puja Vandalism in Bengal

 Police lodged a suo moto case in this connection and arrested the duo following a search operation at the portal's office in Kaikhali area

PTI, Calcutta, 06.11.24 : West Bengal Police arrested two journalists of a vernacular news portal after they posted a video — allegedly filmed by them — showing vandalism at a Kali Puja pandal in North 24 Parganas district, an officer said on Wednesday.

Police lodged a suo moto case in this connection and arrested the duo following a search operation at the portal's office in Kaikhali area on Tuesday afternoon, he said.

"The matter is under investigation. The video shot by the duo could trigger a law and order problem. We will produce them in the court this afternoon," the police officer told PTI.

He said a computer and a few other items were seized during Tuesday's raid.

The video showed vandalism during the recent Kali Puja celebrations at Dakshindari area under Bidhannagar City Police.

BJP MLA and Leader of the Opposition in West Bengal Assembly, Suvendu Adhikari, criticised the Mamata Banerjee government for its alleged failure to prevent incidents of vandalism during Kali Puja celebrations and for arresting journalists who reported these.

Adhikari claimed that "Sanatan Dharma is under attack" in Bengal and accused the state government of suppressing voices that raise concerns about these attacks.

"Recently the portal uploaded a video covering the vandalism at a Kali Puja Pandal at Dakshindari area. The video got a substantial amount of views and is getting viral. Mamata Police who failed to secure the Kali Puja Pandal and desecration of Maa Kali's idol, arrested Journalist Ananyo Gupta today. It seems, his fault is that he was covering the truth," Adhikari posted on X.

"This is not just about Free Press, this is an attempt to suppress those voices which raise an alarm when the Sanatan Dharma is under attack in West Bengal," he added.