Kolkata: The newly formed BJP government in West Bengal has removed a large football-themed sculpture that was installed during the Trinamool Congress (TMC) regime at the VIP entrance of Kolkata’s Salt Lake Stadium.
The artwork was set up in 2017, when the state hosted the FIFA U-17 World Cup. The structure depicted two oversized legs appearing to kick a football, with the ball carrying the then state branding “Biswa Bangla” and the word “Joyee”. It was widely reported at the time that then Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee had designed the sculpture.
The sculpture’s headless, waist-down design and its symbolism had drawn criticism from football fans and the public even when it was unveiled. With a change in government, the installation was taken down on Friday, triggering fresh political debate in the state.
Sports Minister Nisith Pramanik said the statue looked “ugly” and “distorted” and argued there was no need for such an installation at the stadium entrance. The BJP government also announced plans to upgrade Salt Lake Stadium to international standards.
