Kolkata, October 2026 : Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Sunday visited a private hospital in Kolkata and met devotees injured in a stampede at the Chorbagan Public Durga Puja pandal that claimed 19 lives. He enquired about their health and spoke to patients whose medical condition allowed them to interact with visitors.
A total of 14 people were admitted to the private hospital following the tragedy. Shah was accompanied by West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari and BJP state president and Rajya Sabha member Samik Bhattacharya.
The Home Minister arrived in Kolkata on Saturday night and was scheduled to attend several Durga Puja-related programmes on Sunday, including a visit to Belur Math in neighbouring Howrah district. The institution serves as the international headquarters of the Ramakrishna Math and Ramakrishna Mission, founded by Swami Vivekananda.
However, following the stampede, Shah cancelled all his scheduled engagements to focus on the tragedy and meet the injured.
On Sunday morning, he visited the iconic Kalighat Kali temple in south Kolkata and offered prayers before proceeding to the hospital. He is scheduled to return to New Delhi later in the day.
Sharing details of his hospital visit on social media, Shah said he had met devotees injured in the incident and enquired about their well-being.
“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,” he said.
The Home Minister added that the West Bengal government stood firmly with the injured and affected families during the difficult period. He also prayed to Goddess Durga for the speedy recovery of those receiving treatment.
Meanwhile, West Bengal Health Minister Dr Saradwat Mukherjee said the condition of most patients admitted to the private hospital was stable and that they were out of danger. However, one patient's condition remained relatively serious.
“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 an acclaimed medical practitioner, said he was closely monitoring the treatment and ensuring that the injured received appropriate medical attention.
The stampede at the community Durga Puja pandal has triggered concern over crowd management and safety arrangements at public religious gatherings. The incident claimed 19 lives and left several devotees injured, prompting the cancellation of the Home Minister's planned engagements in the city.
Shah's hospital visit came amid efforts to provide medical care to the injured and support the families affected by the tragedy. The immediate priority for the authorities remains the recovery of those hospitalised and continued monitoring of their health.
