Chaos in Kolkata: Messi Frustrated, Organiser Arrested, Fans Set Dugout on Fire

As violence erupted at Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata on Saturday (December 13, 2025) at footballer Lionel Messi’s event, both opposition leaders and the Governor raised questions about the organisers and the government’s role in handling the situation. They blamed the ruling party and its State machinery like the local police for failing to manage the crowd.

“While the organisers of the event are to be blamed squarely for the situation that unfolded, it is also the police that has failed the Government, the people and the Chief Minister who is also the Home Minister,” the Lok Bhavan Social Media page of Governor C.V. Ananda Bose posted on X after the event. He also stated that this incident will be considered a “black day” in the sports loving community of Kolkata.

Bharatiya Janta Party (BJP) leaders like Leader of Opposition Suvendu Adhikari, MP Sukanta Majumdar, and senior spokesperson Amit Malviya all came down heavily on the ruling government, the police, and the Trinamool Congress ministers for the chaos at the event.