India: West Bengal Sports Minister and senior Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader Aroop Biswas submitted his resignation to Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, taking moral responsibility for the mismanagement and chaos during Lionel Messi’s appearance at Salt Lake Stadium (Vivekananda Yuva Bharati Krirangan) in Kolkata on December 13, 2025.
The incident was part of Messi’s “GOAT Tour India 2025.” Messi, joined by Inter Miami teammates Luis Suárez and Rodrigo De Paul, spent only about 20-22 minutes at the stadium. Fans, who paid up to Rs.15,000 for tickets, accused VIPs, politicians (including Biswas, seen in close proximity to Messi), and security of crowding the star, blocking views.
This led to widespread frustration, with spectators vandalising the stadium—ripping seats, throwing bottles and chairs onto the pitch, and invading the field.
In a handwritten letter (in Bengali), Biswas cited the need for an impartial probe, noting the inquiry committee already formed. Some reports indicate Mamata Banerjee accepted the resignation, while others note it was an offer pending final decision—no successor announced yet.
The government formed a high-level inquiry (headed by a retired judge) and a Special Investigation Team. Show-cause notices were issued to police officials, including the DGP. Event organiser Satadru Dutta was arrested and remanded to custody.
The fiasco drew sharp criticism from opposition parties and civil society, highlighting poor crowd management. Messi’s tour continued smoothly in other cities (Hyderabad, Mumbai, Delhi). This move underscores political accountability in West Bengal ahead of future elections.
