Minister Shashi Panja’s residence attacked ahead of Modi rally; Trinamool, BJP trade charges

Clashes erupt in Kolkata ahead of Modi's rally, as Trinamool and BJP trade accusations following attack on Shashi Panja's residence.

Kolkata

Trinamool Congress Minister and MLA Shashi Panja’s residence was attacked on Saturday (March 14, 2026) by Bharatiya Janata Party workers en route to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s public address in Kolkata. However, both parties accused each other of initiating the violence.

On Saturday morning, before Mr. Modi’s meeting at the Brigade ground, clashes broke out between workers and supporters of the two political parties in the streets of north Kolkata near Girish Park. Ms. Panja, an MLA from north Kolkata, resides at Girish Park, where the clashes broke out. During the violence, her house was pelted with stones and vandalised. Broken glass was seen across her residence, which also doubles as the Trinamool’s party office.

Women and Child Development and Social Welfare Minister Ms. Panja said she was physically injured during the attack on her house. She added that several party workers sustained injuries and were sent to a local hospital for treatment. Ms. Panja was seen wearing a bandage around her collarbone on Saturday evening.

“I am shocked after this incident... This shows that the BJP is housing goons and murderers. All these years we thought they only murder democracy, but now I realise they want to commit murders physically,” Ms. Panja said at a press conference on Saturday evening.

The Shyampukur constituency MLA also alleged that the BJP does not spare women or Ministers and said bricks were thrown at her, one of which hit her stomach and injured her. Trinamool leaders alleged that their workers and Ms. Panja’s house were attacked without any provocation.