Police in West Bengal's Shantipur have registered a formal case against two individuals for allegedly ransacking an idol-making workshop in the Matal Garh area. The incident, which resulted in the destruction of numerous religious idols, occurred on Tuesday and is reported to have originated from a long-standing personal dispute between two families.
Social Media Post Brings Incident to Light
The vandalism gained widespread attention after Bharatiya Janata Party leader Amit Malviya shared images of the devastated workshop on social media platform X. In his post, Malviya stated that approximately 50-60 idols of Goddess Kali and Saraswati, meticulously crafted by local potter Jayanta Das, were brutally destroyed outside his workshop near the Loknath Temple.
Following the social media spotlight, a formal complaint was lodged by the artisan himself. In his FIR, Jayanta Das claimed that around 85 idols were vandalised, leading to a financial loss estimated to be over Rs 1 lakh. The potter asserted that the individuals responsible were clearly identified through the CCTV footage installed at his workshop premises.
Police Investigation and Accused on the Run
Shantipur police confirmed the registration of the FIR and named the two accused as Amit Dey and Asit Dey. Authorities stated that both individuals are currently absconding. Providing further details on Wednesday, the police revealed that the two accused were in an intoxicated state when they carried out the act of vandalism.
A police official involved in the case clarified the motive, emphasising that preliminary investigations point away from communal or political angles. "No political or religious atrocity has been found," the official stated, reiterating that the root cause appears to be a personal rivalry between the families involved.
Aftermath and Community Impact
The destruction has dealt a severe blow to potter Jayanta Das, whose painstaking work over an extended period was wiped out in a single act. The vandalised idols, intended for upcoming festivals and religious ceremonies, represent not just a significant monetary loss but also a loss of labour and artistic effort. The incident has caused unease in the local community, though police assurances about the non-communal nature of the crime have aimed to prevent any escalation of tensions. The search for the two accused persons continues as the investigation proceeds.
