The fire and explosion at Patharpratima in South 24 Parganas, which claimed the lives of eight members of the same family, including four children, has sparked a political clash between the ruling Trinamool Congress and opposition parties. The blast was reportedly caused by fireworks stored inside their home.
Concerns have been raised about the possibility of illegal firework production with the police investigating whether the family had a valid license to manufacture fireworks. Opposition parties have pointed to multiple similar explosions in allegedly unlicensed firework units across West Bengal in recent years, accusing the state government of shielding this illicit industry.
The BJP has called for an investigation by the National Investigation Agency (NIA), with the party’s state president and Union Minister of State for Education, Sukanta Majumdar, writing to Home Minister Amit Shah to press the demand.
South 24 Parganas, West Bengal: A powerful explosion occurred while making firecrackers in Patharpratima under, Dholaahat police station limits, resulting in the death of two people and leaving several others seriously injured pic.twitter.com/AjVoNOt6dS
— IANS (@ians_india) March 31, 2025
“The chief minister has made West Bengal stand atop piles of explosives,” Dr. Majumdar said while speaking to the press at Bagdogra Airport. “It’s necessary to investigate whether any anti-India forces are involved in this incident. Under Mamata Banerjee’s influence, South 24 Parganas has completely fallen into the hands of jihadis.”
Subhankar Sarkar, the West Bengal Pradesh Congress (WBPCC) chief visited the spot in Patharpratima and spoke to local residents. He demanded an investigation under the watch of Calcutta High Court.
“Fireworks are being manufactured in village homes. Instead of taking action, the administration is covering it up. If such incidents occur, the responsible public representatives must be held accountable for their lack of awareness,” Sarkar said.
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Meanwhile, the ruling party hit back at the opposition by questioning whether the BJP is also demanding an NIA investigation into the firecracker factory explosion in Gujarat's Banaskantha where 18 people lost their lives. The party also pointed out that while PM Narendra Modi tweeted about the incident from his home state, he has remained silent on Bengal.
Labelling the BJP as “anti-Bengal” and “outsiders”, TMC leader Kunal Ghosh remarked, “They are politicising accidents. Many people died in the Gujarat explosion. If the NIA must investigate, they should start with the Prime Minister and Home Minister’s own state.”
Meanwhile, the police are investigating whether the owners of the firecracker factory in Patharpratima had a valid licence. Earlier, in 2022, one of the factory’s owners, Chandrakant Banik, was allegedly arrested. He was later granted bail. The police are now investigating whether he had taken any steps to obtain a licence for the firecracker factory.
IPS Supratim Sarkar, ADG & IGP South Bengal, informed the media during a press conference that the incident was a result of callousness and lack of awareness. “If you or I store petrol at home, keep a gas cylinder nearby, and cook in the same space, it’s not possible for the police to monitor such activities daily. This is a clear case of negligence and a lack of awareness.”
