Archive · 19 Dec 2025
Kolkata Slum Fire Sparks Political Row
A big fire destroyed a slum called Ghuni Basti near Kolkata.
Over 300 families lost their homes and belongings, but no one was hurt.
The Chief Minister ordered an investigation.
The opposition party, BJP, says the ruling party, TMC, might have started the fire to help people who are not supposed to be in India.
The TMC says these are false claims and that the BJP is playing politics.
The fire started on Wednesday evening and spread quickly because the houses were made of materials that burn easily.
Firefighters worked to put it out.
The area has been in the news because some people say many residents are from Bangladesh and might not be allowed to stay in India.
The BJP says the fire might have been started to help these people get new documents.
The TMC says this is not true and that the BJP is lying.
A massive fire destroyed Ghuni Basti slum in New Town’s Eco Park, affecting 300 families and gutting over 100 shanties.
Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee ordered a probe into the fire's causes and impact.
The opposition BJP alleged the fire was intentionally started by the ruling TMC to shield alleged Bangladeshi infiltrators.
The TMC dismissed the allegations as outrageous and anti-Bengal, accusing the BJP of playing politics.
The fire spread quickly due to inflammable materials and explosions from gas cylinders, with 20 fire tenders deployed to control it.
- Who
- Residents of Ghuni Basti slum, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, Opposition BJP, TMC
- What
- A massive fire destroyed a slum, sparking a political row
- When
- The fire began on Wednesday evening, probe ordered on Thursday
- Where
- Ghuni Basti, New Town’s Eco Park, North 24 Parganas district, West Bengal
- Why
- The cause of the fire is under investigation, with political allegations of intentional arson
- Location
- Ghuni Basti, New Town’s Eco Park, North 24 Parganas district, West Bengal
- Number of Families Affected
- 300
- Number of Shanties Gutted
- Over 100
- Casualties
- None reported
- Fire Tenders Deployed
- 20
- Initiated By
- Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee
- Opposition Claims
- Fire was intentionally started by ruling TMC to shield infiltrators
- TMC Response
- Allegations are outrageous and anti-Bengal
