Opposition Protests Mismanagement During Messi's Kolkata Event
In a significant protest, Suvendu Adhikari, the opposition leader in West Bengal, accused the state government of mismanagement during Lionel Messi's event in Kolkata. The BJP has filed a petition in court, and Adhikari has called for the resignation of Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. The chaos at the event, part of the GOAT India Tour 2025, led to vandalism by frustrated fans who felt obstructed by VIPs. Following the uproar, Sports Minister Arup Biswas resigned, and a special investigation team has been formed to look into the incident. Messi's tour continues across India despite the controversy.
Dec 17, 2025, 16:06 IST
Protests Erupt Over Messi's Event in Kolkata
The leader of the opposition in the West Bengal Assembly, Suvendu Adhikari, led a protest on Wednesday at the Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata, accusing the state government of mismanagement during a program featuring football superstar Lionel Messi. Addressing the crowd, Adhikari stated that the protests would continue and that the BJP has also filed a petition in court regarding the matter. He emphasized that the protests would persist and mentioned that they had submitted an appeal in court the previous day. He called for the arrest of Arup Biswas, asserting that he bears full responsibility for the chaos.
Adhikari also demanded the resignation of Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. Earlier that day, BJP MP Shashank Mani criticized the Chief Minister for the disorder and vandalism that occurred during Messi's event. Speaking to a news outlet, he remarked that the chaos reflects the gross negligence of the state government and stressed that party members would strongly condemn such disorder.
He pointed out that the turmoil caused by Messi's arrival was a result of the government's ignorance. Under her leadership, the event led to a stampede. Mamata Banerjee must understand that Bengal will not tolerate such chaos, and if it continues, the public will denounce it. The controversy began when Messi's performance in Kolkata, part of the GOAT India Tour 2025, turned chaotic. Fans alleged that VIPs and politicians surrounded the field, obstructing the audience's view of the football legend. Frustrated fans vandalized parts of the stadium and accused the organizers of poor planning and mismanagement.
Following these events, Sports Minister Arup Biswas resigned, a decision accepted by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. The state government has formed a special investigation team comprising IPS officers Piyush Pandey, Javed Shamim, Supratim Sarkar, and Murli Dhar to conduct a thorough inquiry. Subsequently, Messi completed the remaining stages of his India tour, which included visits to Hyderabad, Mumbai, and Delhi. After a stop at the Vantara Animal Sanctuary, he departed from Jamnagar.