Mamata Banerjee-Designed Football Sculpture Demolished Near Kolkata Stadium

A controversial football-themed sculpture outside Kolkata’s iconic Salt Lake Stadium was demolished on Saturday, days after leaders of the new BJP-led government criticised the structure and promised to remove it.

The installation, reportedly designed by Mamata Banerjee, featured two legs cut at the torso with a football placed above them. Installed in 2017 ahead of the FIFA U-17 World Cup, the sculpture had become a recognisable landmark near the stadium’s VVIP gate.

Structure long sparked debate
Over the years, the artwork divided public opinion in Kolkata’s football community. While some viewed it as a unique symbol linked to the stadium, critics often described it as visually unappealing and out of place outside one of India’s most iconic football venues.

Residents on Saturday noticed demolition work underway near the stadium complex, which recently hosted events linked to football star Lionel Messi.

The structure also prominently displayed the ‘Biswa Bangla’ branding associated with the previous Trinamool Congress government.

BJP leaders defend removal
BJP leaders welcomed the demolition, saying the sculpture did not suit the aesthetics of the stadium.

Nisith Pramanik had earlier called the installation “grotesque” and stated that the government planned to redesign and upgrade parts of the stadium infrastructure.

“Such an ugly-looking structure does not match the importance of this iconic venue,” Pramanik had said earlier this week while confirming that it would be removed.

BJP leader Keya Ghosh also reacted to the demolition on social media, calling the sculpture an “abomination.”

Political symbolism
The structure had increasingly become a political symbol after the change in government in West Bengal. Shortly after taking oath as Chief Minister, Suvendu Adhikari had reportedly indicated that the sculpture would eventually be removed.

The debate surrounding the installation intensified further after criticism over crowd management during Messi-related events at the stadium last year, which triggered vandalism and chaos outside the venue.