West Bengal sports minister Aroop Biswas resigns over Messi event chaos at Salt Lake Stadium
West Bengal Sports Minister Aroop Biswas has resigned after widespread criticism over the chaotic crowd management at the Lionel Messi event at Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata. The resignation follows public anger and official scrutiny of safety failures during the high-profile appearance.
West Bengal Sports Minister Aroop Biswas has tendered his resignation amid mounting criticism over the mishandling of crowd control and safety arrangements at the Lionel Messi event held at Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata. The chaotic scenes during Messi’s appearance prompted widespread public outrage, with many pointing to inadequate planning and organisational lapses.
The resignation came after intense scrutiny from opposition parties, media and local residents who expressed anger over how the event was managed. Videos and eyewitness accounts showed overcrowding, long delays at entry points and confusion among attendees as fans struggled to access the venue. Concerns over safety and logistical planning quickly became the focus of debate in political circles and on social media.
Aroop Biswas cited responsibility for the event’s oversight as one of the reasons for stepping down. In his resignation statement, he acknowledged the public’s concerns and said that he had decided to take moral responsibility for the incident. His resignation marks a rare case of political accountability after a high profile event that drew large crowds and national attention.
The Salt Lake Stadium event had attracted thousands of fans eager to see football superstar Lionel Messi. However, the absence of clear crowd management measures and insufficient coordination between authorities resulted in chaotic scenes. Many attendees complained that they were unable to enter the venue smoothly and that inadequate communication made the situation worse.
Government officials and law enforcement agencies have faced questions about planning, permits and safety protocols for large gatherings. The Messi event has sparked a wider discussion about how major events should be organised, particularly when large crowds are expected to arrive in a concentrated area.
Political reactions to the resignation were swift. Supporters of the opposition praised the move as a step toward accountability, while some ruling party leaders expressed regret over the incident and affirmed that measures would be taken to prevent similar issues in the future. The government has also initiated inquiries to assess what went wrong and to propose improvements in coordination and event safety.
With Biswas’s resignation, attention is now on how the sports ministry and state authorities will restructure responsibilities ahead of upcoming major events. Public expectations remain high for reforms in crowd management, emergency planning and inter-agency coordination as event calendars fill up in the coming months.
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