Every year, as the bamboo frames go up and the dhak rehearsals start drifting across the para, a familiar complaint returns: the chanda drive that feels less like a request and more like a toll. A rope across a lane, a bike stopped mid-ride, a shopkeeper told how much “everyone else” has paid. This season, Kolkata Police has put a direct line in the hands of anyone who is pushed around for money in the name of the Puja.
On September 24, 2026, Lalbazar announced a dedicated helpline for reporting forcible collection of Puja subscriptions, with a toll-free number that runs 24 hours a day and a WhatsApp number that accepts written complaints. The message from the force was simple: do not stay quiet if someone forces you to pay.
The Numbers to Save
- Toll-free (24×7): 1800-345-5678
- WhatsApp: 9432624365 (text messages accepted)
The WhatsApp number is not new to Kolkatans. It is a long-standing Kolkata Police helpline that has been pressed into service before, during board exams and emergencies, which makes it easier to trust than a random number doing the rounds on social media. Always confirm any number against the official Kolkata Police handle (@KolkataPolice on X) or kolkatapolice.gov.in before sharing it further.
What Counts as Forcible Chanda
Voluntary donations are the lifeblood of Kolkata’s neighbourhood Pujas, and nobody is asking clubs to stop collecting. The helpline is aimed at the line being crossed. That typically looks like:
- Vehicles, trucks or two-wheelers being stopped on a road until the driver pays.
- A fixed amount being demanded from a household or shop, with pressure or threats if it is refused.
- Repeated visits, intimidation or harassment after someone has said no.
- Blocking a lane or a shop entrance as leverage.
According to reports, Lalbazar has said complaints will be taken seriously and acted on quickly. The state government had separately set up helplines for extortion complaints earlier, so this is a Puja-season layer on top of that system, specific to Kolkata Police jurisdiction.
Why It Matters This Year
The 2026 Puja calendar is already busy. KMC has tightened the rules on hoardings (applications for permission closed on September 25, and no Puja banners can go up before October 3), and the state has announced large-scale celebrations, including a planned drone show over the city from Mahalaya to Ashtami. With footfall expected to be heavy and roads already stretched by pandal construction and monsoon rain, a clear complaint channel helps keep the festive build-up from turning into daily friction for commuters and small traders.
If you are following the other Puja rules this season, our explainer on KMC’s Puja hoarding rules for 2026 covers the dates organisers must follow.
Practical Tips If You Are Stopped for Chanda
- Stay calm and do not argue on the spot. Your safety comes first, especially at night or on an isolated stretch.
- Note the details. The location, time, club or committee name if visible, and a rough description of the people involved.
- Use WhatsApp for a written record. A text complaint with the location and time is easier to follow up than a verbal account.
- Take photos only if it is safe. Do not provoke a confrontation to get evidence.
- In an emergency, dial 112 or 100. The chanda helpline is for reporting; if you feel threatened, call the emergency number immediately.
- Outside city limits? Areas like Salt Lake, New Town, Howrah and Barrackpore fall under separate commissionerates, so contact the local police there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it illegal for a Puja committee to ask for donations?
No. Asking for a voluntary contribution is normal and legal. The problem is coercion: stopping vehicles, fixing amounts, threats or harassment when someone refuses.
Is the helpline available at night?
Yes. The toll-free number is meant to work 24 hours a day through the Puja season.
Can I complain without calling?
Yes. Kolkata Police has said complaints can be sent as text messages on the WhatsApp number.
Does this cover Salt Lake or Howrah?
The line is run by Kolkata Police, so it is meant for areas under its jurisdiction. For Bidhannagar, Howrah or Barrackpore, contact those commissionerates or dial 112.
The Bottom Line
Kolkata’s Pujas run on community money, and most clubs collect it with a smile and a receipt. For the few that do not, residents now have a round-the-clock number and a WhatsApp line to report forced collection. Save both numbers, verify them against official Kolkata Police channels, and keep the festive season about the goddess, not the shakedown.
Sources: Kolkata Police announcement on its official X handle (@KolkataPolice), September 24, 2026, as reported by India Hood and Bangla Hunt; cross-checked with earlier Kolkata Police helpline listings reported by The Statesman.
Featured image: A themed Durga Puja pandal in Kolkata, photo by RASHNI PARICHHA on Unsplash.
