Temple Vandalism Sparks Tension in Asansol, BJP Hits Streets Ahead of West Bengal Polls

Asansol: Ahead of the 2026 Assembly Elections in West5 Bengal, attacks on the religious sites have raised the political temperature. After Nandigram and Hooghly, an ancient temple in the Kali Pahari area of Asansol has been targeted and vandalized, which has sparked tension across the region.

What is the incident?

According to reports, some unknown miscreants entered the temple premises and vandalized the Hanuman idol, along with the Shivling, Brahma, Vishnu and other deities.

After the news of the incident spread, people became angry, and a large number of people gathered at the scene.

What did the BJP do?

After the incident, BJP leaders raised serious questions about law and order. Later BJP candidate from Asansol South, Agnimitra Pal, and other party leaders arrived at the scene and launched a vigorous protest against thye state government.

BJP leaders leveled serious allegations against the state government, saying that Hindu religious sites are being consistently targeted in the state. They cited the incidents in Nandigram and Hooghly, calling these attacks a conspiracy.

Asansol MLA Agnimitra Paul strongly reacted to the incident, stating that there are no CCTV cameras in or around the temple, raising questions about both the security system and the investigation. She added that mere assurance of an investigation is not enough; concrete action is also necessary.

Where the protest happen?

BJP workers have launched a sit-in protest in front of the Asansol South Police Station. The protesters have burned tires on GT Road, completely blocking the main road. This road is one of Asansol's busiest and most important thoroughfares, and the blockage has slowed the city's pace and severely disrupted normal life.

The sit-in and protest, led by Agnimitra Pal, demands the arrest of the culprits. Given the gravity of the situation, a heavy police force and central forces have been deployed in the area.