For years, a controversial football-themed sculpture standing outside Kolkata’s iconic Salt Lake Stadium remained one of the most debated visual landmarks associated with the venue. The unusual structure, reportedly designed by former West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee herself, featured two human legs cut off at the torso with a football placed above them. While some viewed it as a symbolic artistic installation linked to football culture, many critics described it as bizarre, unattractive, and even grotesque.
On Saturday, the BJP government in West Bengal officially removed the sculpture, days after state minister Nisith Pramanik publicly announced that the structure would be demolished.
Residents and football supporters arriving near the stadium on Saturday morning were surprised to find that the sculpture had already been dismantled from its location near the VVIP gate of the stadium complex. The removal quickly became a major talking point on social media and among Kolkata football fans because the structure had long been associated with the stadium’s identity despite years of criticism.
The sculpture was originally installed in 2017 ahead of the FIFA U-17 World Cup hosted in India. The installation also prominently displayed the “Biswa Bangla” logo, a signature branding symbol closely associated with the previous All India Trinamool Congress government led by Mamata Banerjee.
Since its unveiling, however, the structure had repeatedly sparked debate among football supporters, artists, political critics, and the general public. Many people questioned both its design and aesthetic appeal, arguing that the sculpture looked awkward and failed to represent the sporting spirit of one of India’s most historic football venues.
Despite the criticism, the structure gradually became visually linked to the Salt Lake Stadium, which has hosted numerous historic football events over the years, including iconic Kolkata derbies between East Bengal FC and Mohun Bagan Super Giant.
The stadium also recently drew international attention after hosting football legend Lionel Messi during his visit to India.
Following the removal, BJP leader Keya Ghosh reacted publicly on social media and celebrated the demolition of the sculpture.
“Remember this abomination in front of Salt Lake stadium? Now it has been removed as promised,” she wrote in a post online.
In fact, shortly after taking oath as West Bengal’s first BJP Chief Minister, Suvendu Adhikari had reportedly stated that the controversial structure would eventually be removed.
The issue resurfaced earlier this week when Sports Minister Nisith Pramanik reiterated the government’s decision to dismantle the sculpture. He criticised the installation and argued that it did not suit the image or architectural aesthetics of such a prominent sports venue.
“Such an ugly-looking statue... It does not look aesthetically pleasing either. So we will not keep such a grotesque structure that has no meaning, and it will be taken down,” Pramanik told reporters on May 17.
The minister also stated that the BJP government was planning several infrastructure and aesthetic upgrades for the stadium complex as part of broader renovation efforts.
Pramanik further linked the sculpture symbolically to the political decline of the Trinamool Congress government. According to him, the installation of the structure coincided with a period of growing controversies and setbacks for the previous administration.
“I feel that after this statue was installed, the bad days of the previous government started. Then the Messi controversy happened, and the government lost power,” he remarked.
The minister’s comments referenced the controversy surrounding the GOAT India Tour held last December, during which allegations of poor crowd management, disorder, and vandalism emerged at Salt Lake Stadium.
Following that event, many football fans and opposition leaders criticised the then TMC administration for alleged mismanagement and chaos at the venue.
The demolition of the sculpture is now being viewed not only as an administrative decision regarding stadium aesthetics but also as a symbolic political move by the new BJP government seeking to visibly distance itself from symbols associated with Mamata Banerjee’s rule and the Trinamool Congress era in Bengal.
