Vladimir Lenin Statue Vandalized in Murshidabad, BJP Supporters Accused

Following the victory of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in the West Bengal Assembly elections, the statue of Vladimir Lenin in Jiaganj, Murshidabad, was vandalized on May 5. The Communist Party of India (Marxist) has accused BJP supporters, labeling them as ‘goons,’ of damaging the statue while celebrating their electoral success. The CPI(M) announced plans to reconstruct the Lenin statue at the same location on May 8, and police have arrested five individuals in connection with the incident.

The statue, located near Shreepat Singh College in Jiaganj, was defaced on May 5. The CPI(M) took to the social media platform X to allege that BJP sympathizers climbed onto the statue during celebrations and caused deliberate damage. Video footage released publicly shows fragments of the statue scattered on the ground, while the assailants are heard shouting slogans. BJP candidate Gaurishankar Ghosh from the area won the election by a margin exceeding 30,000 votes.

Immediately after the vandalism, CPI(M) filed a police complaint. Following the complaint and subsequent protests, authorities have arrested five persons linked to the event. The CPI(M) described the act as ideological intolerance and reaffirmed their commitment to rebuild the Lenin statue at the same site on May 8.