Youth Brutally Attacked in Belgharia — A shocking incident in Belgharia, North 24 Parganas, has sparked outrage across the city after a 22-year-old youth was violently assaulted by a group of men for refusing to pay a hefty ₹50,000 “subscription fee” for Ganesh Puja celebrations. The young man, identified as Aditya Mohanty, is currently battling for his life at College of Medicine and Sagore Dutta Hospital, where he remains in critical condition.
This case has once again brought to the forefront the growing menace of festival-related extortion, where ordinary citizens are pressured — and sometimes brutalized — for declining to contribute financially to local puja committees.
Youth Brutally Attacked in Belgharia: The Incident
Eyewitnesses said that Aditya was returning home on his motorcycle late in the evening when he was stopped near Colony Bazar, Belgharia. Members of a local club allegedly demanded a contribution of ₹50,000 for their upcoming Ganesh Puja celebrations. When Aditya firmly refused, the situation escalated into violence.
According to locals, the assailants attacked him with the butt of a revolver, bricks, and sticks, leaving him unconscious on the road. His motorbike was also smashed during the assault. Passersby rushed him to the hospital and alerted the police.
Community Shock and Fear
The brutality of the attack has left residents shaken. Many locals described the incident as a “warning” to others who might refuse to pay subscriptions. While puja contributions are a long-standing tradition in Bengal, residents argue that they are now being forcibly collected under the threat of violence.
One resident said, “Puja should be about devotion and celebration, not intimidation. Asking for ₹50,000 from a young boy is outright extortion. If someone refuses, how can they be beaten nearly to death?”
Political and Administrative Response
Local councillor Arpita Ghosh intervened after social media clips and images of the incident went viral, calling for urgent police action. She described the attack as “barbaric” and warned against the normalization of violence tied to cultural festivities.
Police have since launched a manhunt for the attackers, but no arrests have been made so far. Senior officers said the case has been registered under charges of extortion, attempt to murder, and criminal intimidation.
The Dark Side of Festival Culture
Ganesh Puja, like Durga Puja and Kali Puja, is celebrated with enthusiasm in West Bengal, often funded by donations from residents and local businesses. However, in recent years, reports of forced subscriptions have been on the rise.
This has created a situation where cultural pride is overshadowed by fear. Many families now view these contributions as compulsory “fees” rather than voluntary donations. The Belgharia case is only the latest — but one of the most brutal — examples of this growing problem.
Legal Context
Under Indian law, forced collection of money for festivals falls under Section 384 (extortion) and Section 506 (criminal intimidation) of the Indian Penal Code. If violence is involved, charges can escalate to attempt to murder (Section 307).
Despite these provisions, enforcement often remains weak. Many victims choose not to report extortion demands, fearing retaliation from powerful local groups.
A Pattern Across Bengal
This is not an isolated case. Over the past few years, Kolkata and surrounding districts have witnessed multiple incidents of puja-related coercion:
- In several localities, residents have complained of being forced to pay “minimum” amounts running into thousands.
- Business owners often face threats of vandalism if they refuse to contribute.
- In rural belts, even small farmers and daily wage earners are pressured into giving a portion of their earnings for festival committees.
These practices have eroded the festive spirit and transformed what should be occasions of joy into sources of tension.
Expert Views
Sociologists argue that the commercialization of pujas is partly to blame. The rising costs of decorations, music, celebrity performances, and pandal competitions have pushed clubs to demand higher contributions.
Legal experts, meanwhile, emphasize the need for stricter enforcement of laws and better monitoring of puja finances. “No cultural celebration should come at the cost of public safety,” noted a Kolkata-based lawyer.
Public Sentiment
The attack has triggered widespread anger on social media, with hashtags like #JusticeForAditya trending in Kolkata. Citizens are demanding that the perpetrators be arrested swiftly and punished.
Many users highlighted how safety during festivals has become a pressing concern, urging both police and civic bodies to regulate collections transparently.
The Way Forward
To restore faith in cultural celebrations, experts and residents suggest several steps:
- Transparent accounting of puja funds collected
- Helpline numbers for reporting extortion threats
- Police patrolling around clubs and community committees
- Community awareness drives about the illegality of forced collections
Conclusion
The Belgharia incident is more than just a crime; it is a warning sign about the growing misuse of cultural festivals. Unless authorities take decisive action, coercive practices could undermine the very essence of Bengal’s rich puja traditions.
Aditya Mohanty’s condition remains critical, and the city waits for justice. The incident is a chilling reminder that faith and festivity should unite communities, not divide or endanger them.
External References
- Indian Penal Code – Extortion & Criminal Intimidation
- Background on Ganesh Puja Celebrations in India
- Law Commission of India – Report on Extortion and Public Safety
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