Jalpaiguri, 16 July (H.S.) Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose, the man who paved the path of India's freedom is now ironically shrouded in neglect and darkness. The statue of the freedom fighter, located in Gayerkata Bazaar under Banarhat Block of Jalpaiguri district, stands surrounded by garbage.

Local residents said that a number of lottery shops spring up around the statue every evening, and garbage is carelessly dumped near it. This situation has persisted for years without any meaningful intervention from the local Gram Panchayat. Ironically, the statue stands just a little away from Sankoyajhora-1 Gram Panchayat office and two local schools.

According to sources, the original statue of Netaji was installed decades ago and replaced with a new one in 1992. The area eventually came to be known as “Netaji More” (Netaji Junction). A high mast streetlight was installed a few years ago to illuminate the location, but it has long since stopped functioning. As a result, the statue remains engulfed in darkness after dusk.

When questioned, Panchayat head Sravani De Ghosh claimed she was in a meeting. However, Deputy Head Gopal Chakraborty admitted his unawareness of the issue but assured that it would be raised in the next Panchayat meeting.

Sanjay Debnath, Secretary of the Gayerkata Nagarik Mancha (Citizens’ Forum), remarked that the statue area becomes a hub for lottery shops and garbage every evening. Even on Independence Day, Republic Day, or Netaji’s birth anniversary, no one comes forward to pay tribute, he lamented.

Suren Salgi, Secretary of the local traders' association, stated, “It is a matter of shame for all of us that the statue of a freedom fighter is left in darkness and surrounded by filth. The Gram Panchayat must take this matter seriously.”

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Hindusthan Samachar / Priyanka Pandey