Kolkata, October 18, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Sunday visited a private hospital in Kolkata and met devotees injured in a stampede at a community Durga Puja pandal that claimed 19 lives.
Fourteen people were admitted to the hospital following the incident. Shah spoke to hospital authorities to enquire about their medical condition and interacted with some of the injured whose health permitted them to meet him.
Shah was accompanied by Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari, West Bengal BJP president and Rajya Sabha member Samik Bhattacharya.
The Union Home Minister arrived in Kolkata on Saturday night and had several Durga Puja-related programmes scheduled for Sunday, including a visit to Belur Math, the international headquarters of the Ramakrishna Math and Ramakrishna Mission, founded by Swami Vivekananda, in neighbouring Howrah district.
However, following the stampede tragedy, Shah cancelled his scheduled engagements. On Sunday morning, he first visited the iconic Kali temple at Kalighat in south Kolkata and offered prayers before proceeding to the hospital with Adhikari and Bhattacharya. He is scheduled to return to New Delhi later in the day.
Shah also shared a message on social media about his hospital visit.
“I visited the hospital and met with the devotees injured in the accident at the Chorbagan Public Durga Puja pandal in Kolkata and inquired about their well-being. In this difficult time, the West Bengal government stands firmly with every injured person and affected family. I pray to Mother Durga that all the injured recover swiftly,” the Union Home Minister said.
Meanwhile, state Health Minister Dr Saradwat Mukherjee said the condition of most of the injured admitted to the private hospital was stable and that they were out of danger.
“Even the person whose condition is a bit serious, I will not use the word ‘crisis’ for him. I am hopeful that the death toll will not increase further. I am personally monitoring the treatment arrangements of the injured people,” Mukherjee said.
The minister, who is also a medical practitioner, said he was personally monitoring the treatment arrangements for the injured.
The stampede has claimed 19 lives, while the injured continue to receive medical care.
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