Event organiser Satadru Dutta has claimed that he was made a 'scapegoat' for the fiasco that occurred during the Lionel Messi event at the Salt Lake stadium in Kolkata. He alleged that former West Bengal Sports minister Aroop Biswas interfered in the event operations and exerted pressure on the organisers for additional access passes.
Background of the Incident
The event, which featured global football icon Lionel Messi, ended in chaos after a massive crowd surge and security breaches led to injuries and widespread criticism. Dutta, who was one of the key organisers, now asserts that the blame was unfairly placed on him.
Allegations Against Former Minister
In a statement, Dutta claimed that Aroop Biswas, who served as the Sports minister at the time, directly intervened in the logistical arrangements. According to Dutta, Biswas demanded extra passes for unauthorised individuals, which compromised the security protocols. 'I was just following orders from higher authorities. The minister's interference created a situation where we could not maintain proper crowd control,' Dutta said.
Impact on Event Management
The organiser further explained that the pressure from the political establishment forced them to deviate from the original plan. 'We had a robust security framework, but the demand for additional access passes disrupted everything. When things went wrong, they made me the scapegoat to protect the powerful,' he added.
Reactions and Consequences
The allegations have sparked a political row, with opposition parties demanding a thorough investigation. The state government, however, has dismissed Dutta's claims as baseless. Meanwhile, the incident has raised questions about the management of high-profile events in the city and the role of political figures in such operations.
Dutta has urged the authorities to conduct a fair inquiry into the matter, stating that he has evidence to support his claims. 'I am ready to face any investigation, but the truth must come out,' he concluded.
