Black cloth tied over Mahatma Gandhi statue in Bengal, Congress cries conspiracy

A statue of Mahatma Gandhi in West Bengal's Katwa town triggered a political row on Wednesday after it was found with a black cloth tied around its face, prompting the Congress to allege a larger conspiracy and demand the immediate arrest of those responsible.

The incident came to light in the morning when locals noticed that the face of the Gandhi statue in Purba Bardhaman district had been covered with black cloth. The act sparked outrage among Congress workers, who condemned it as an insult to the Father of the Nation.

Police reached the spot soon after being informed and launched an investigation into the incident. Officials are scanning CCTV footage from the surrounding area to identify those behind the act.

The Congress has demanded strict action against the culprits, calling the incident a deliberate attempt to provoke tensions.

Reacting strongly, West Bengal Congress president Shubhankar Sarkar alleged that the incident was not an isolated act of vandalism but part of a wider conspiracy.

"Who could have done this? Surely, it must be the work of some miscreants. But why did they suddenly think of Gandhiji? It is clear that there is a big conspiracy behind this; there is a plot," Sarkar said.

He asserted that Mahatma Gandhi's ideals could not be erased by defacing his statue.

"By tying a black cloth over Gandhiji's face, you cannot suppress or alter his ideals, principles and the path he showed us. The Father of the Nation is the guiding light not just for India but for the entire world," he said.

Drawing a parallel with Congress leader Rahul Gandhi's political messaging, Sarkar said Gandhi had taught people to "seek freedom from fear," adding that Rahul Gandhi's slogan of 'Daro Mat, Darao Mat' echoed the same philosophy.

He further claimed that those behind the act were 'afraid of Gandhiji' and argued that 'they may have covered the face of Gandhiji's statue, but in reality, they have covered their own faces.'

"How many of Gandhiji's statues will you tie black cloths around? How many statues will you break? Mahatma Gandhi lives in the hearts of the people of Bengal, India and the world," Sarkar said, while demanding that the administration take strict action and immediately arrest those responsible.

Police said the investigation is underway, and efforts are being made to identify the culprits through CCTV footage and other evidence.

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