kolkata News
Text view
TMCs Abhishek invokes Vajpayees raj dharma, targets right-wing forces over hate crimes
KOLKATA: Trinamool Congress general secretary Abhishek Banerjee invoked late former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayees message on Friday to condemn what he called the rising tide of hate in the country. Abhishek posted an archived video of Vajpayees news conference in 2002 with then Gujarat chief minister Narendra Modi seated beside him on X and []
SIR hearings to begin on Saturday in Bengal; 32 L unmapped voters to be covered
Kolkata: The hearings under the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the electoral rolls in West Bengal will commence on Saturday, with 3,234 centres set up across the state, a senior official said. Around 32 lakh unmapped voters, those who are unable to establish linkage with the 2002 electoral roll, will be called for hearings in Get the latest updates in Hyderabad City News , Technology , Entertainment , Sports , Politics and Top Stories on WhatsApp & Telegram by subscribing to our channels. You can also download our app for Android and iOS .
Plan to double originating train capacity in 48 cities
NEW DELHI: In a first-of-its-kind initiative amid sustained growth in passenger travel demand, the Ministry of Railways has decided to expand coaching terminals and enhance sectional and operational capacities in a planned manner over the next five years. The objective is to meet emerging and projected travel demand by 2030 across 48 major cities in the country. After extensive deliberations covering all aspects, Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw has accorded priority to this long-pending requirement, setting a deadline for completion by 2030. The initiative aims to significantly ease congestion at busy stations that witness heavy footfalls of originating and terminating passengers. We are expanding coaching terminals, enhancing sectional and operational capacities in various cities to meet rising passenger demand and reducecongestions, Railway minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said on Friday.Under this mega plan, the railways intend to double train-handling capacity in 48 major cities over the next five years. Short- and medium-term measures proposed by railway zones will contribute to the required capacity addition, particularly at high-density stations. The plan includes major infrastructure upgrades such as construction of additional platforms and terminals in and around urban areas, along with multi-functional facilities to handle new originating trains. Cities identified for these developments include Mumbai, Hyderabad, Jodhpur, Bangalore, Kolkata, Delhi, Pune, Chennai, Gaya, Patna, Puri, Jammu and several others. Existing infrastructure will be augmented to meet future requirements through the creation of additional platforms, stabling lines, pit lines and adequate shunting facilities. As part of the effort to double the number of originating trains, the railways will identify and develop new terminals in and around urban centres, supported by maintenance facilities. A critical component of the plan involves increasing sectional capacity through traffic facility works, signalling upgrades and multi-tracking, which will be essential to manage higher train volumes at key locations. For instance, in Pune, Hadapsar, Khadki and Alandi have been identified for capacity enhancement, alongside additional platforms and stabling lines at Pune station. Following the Railway Ministers directive, a comprehensive, city-wise plan for all 48 major cities is under consideration, covering works that are planned, proposed or already sanctioned to achieve the target of doubling train-handling capacity within a defined timeframe. The cities included in the plan are Delhi, Mumbai (CR, WR), Kolkata, Chennai, Hyderabad, Bangalore, Ahmedabad, Patna, Lucknow, Pune, Nagpur, Varanasi among others. Notably, a majority of these stations experience consistently high footfalls due to pilgrimage traffic throughout the year.
On December 27, 2025, gold prices in India range from Rs 13,946 per 1 gram for 24K gold and Rs 12,766 per 1 gram for 22K gold. Silver is priced at Rs 2,34,100 per kilogram. Check city-wise rates here.
Kolkata Port separates from Cochin Shipyard, plans bigger push in ship repair
Syama Prasad Mookerjee Port, Kolkata, and Cochin Shipyard Ltd. have reinforced their collaboration to bolster India's ship repair capabilities. A shared profit of Rs 5.94 crore was distributed from their joint venture, the CochinKolkata Ship Repair Unit.
Ship repair JV of SMPK, Cochin Shipyard posts 5.94 crore profit
The profit was generated by the Cochin-Kolkata Ship Repair Unit, a joint venture between the two public sector entities
Right-wing forces poisoning India through hate-mongering in garb of religion, says TMC's Abhishek
KOLKATA: TMC general secretary Abhishek Banerjee on Friday launched a scathing reproval of the ight-wing forces of the country, accusing them of deliberately poisoning India's climate through hate-mongering in the garb of religion. Banerjee tagged an archived video clip of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, flanked by then Gujarat chief minister Narendra Modi, making a speech on the need of the ruling dispensation to observe aj dharma without discriminating against people on the basis of their irth, caste or creed. Banerjee's comments coincided with the day the body of the migrant worker from West Bengal's Murshidabad district Juel Sheikh, lynched in Odisha's Sambalpur on Wednesday, was brought back to his native village for final rites. Although the police in Odisha have said that the murder was not a targeted killing but a fallout of a personal dispute, a witness to the crime and a co-victim of the assault has alleged that the migrant workers from West Bengal were asked to prove their nationalities upon suspicion of being Bangladeshi nationals. India's climate is being deliberately poisoned. Right-wing forces, emboldened by power, are openly attacking Dalits, STs and minorities - through fear, lynching, threats and hate, all under the garb of religion, Banerjee wrote on X. When those in power are the perpetrators and reward the protectors of this violence, impunity becomes policy, he asserted. This is not governance; this is moral collapse. These attacks are unconstitutional, illegal and tear apart the very foundation of India -- our UNITY in DIVERSITY. Silence today is complicity. History will not forgive this, the TMC MP added in the post. In the attached video clip of Vajpayee with the current Prime Minister and former Gujarat CM Modi seated next to him, the former PM sends out a message to the ruling party to observe the moral duty of the ruler. I am trying to observe raj dharma. The king and the ruler cannot differentiate between his subjects, either on the basis of their birth, or their caste or creed, the ex-PM was heard saying. Banerjee has, in a sharply polarised political atmosphere of West Bengal, which is gearing up for its state polls scheduled be announced early next year, led the TMC's campaign against the BJP for allegedly targeting migrant workers from the state, who are Muslim and speak Bangla, by branding them Bangladeshi infiltrators across states ruled by the saffron party.
Injury scare in Vijay Hazare Trophy! KKR star rushed to hospital after 'freak' injury - Watch
A major injury scare unfolded in the Vijay Hazare Trophy after a Kolkata Knight Riders star suffered a freak injury and was rushed to hospital mid-match. The incident triggered concern among fans, with updates awaited on the player's condition and availability going forward.
Kolkata Metros Blue Line services disrupted for about 43 minutes after girl jumps on tracks, dies
Earlier, police said that a man tried to jump onto the tracks
Man jumps on tracks, Kolkata Metro services on Blue Line partially affected
Person rescued; services remain suspended across seven stations between Maidan and Mahanayak Uttam Kumar on both up and down lines
St+art present Kolkata Festival 2025-26
The initiative extends Asian Paints vision of making creativity a shared, accessible part of Indian cities blending design, storytelling and public engagement
ICC Mens T20 WC 2026 Trophy Tour Wraps Up Qatar And Oman Legs
Indian School Al Wadi Al: After enchanting fans as part of its grand launch at Adams Bridge, culturally revered in India as the Ram Setu, the ICC Mens T20 World Cup 2026 Trophy Tour successfully concluded its Qatar and Oman legs, engaging fans, students and communities across key cities and iconic locations in both countries. In Qatar, the trophy arrived at the Doha Corniche via a traditional dhow, set against the city skyline, symbolising the nations maritime heritage and its growing role in global sport. During its journey across the country, the trophy visited several of Qatars most recognised landmarks including Sealine Beach, Aspire Zone, also known as Doha Sports City, Katara Cultural Village, Souq Waqif, and Lusail Boulevard. These stops allowed fans to engage with the trophy while showcasing Qatars blend of heritage and modern development. Community engagement was a key focus of the tour. The trophy was publicly displayed at a central public gathering space, with national players, embassies, and community leaders in attendance, allowing fans to engage through on-ground activations and photo opportunities. The tour also reached schools and universities, including Birla Public School, UDST University, and Qatar Foundation, engaging thousands of students and promoting inclusivity through sport. Special interactions at Qatar Foundation highlighted inclusion initiatives, including engagement with children with autism. In recognition of the workforce that plays a vital role in the countrys development, a dedicated activation was held at Asian Town, celebrating the South Asian diaspora and their love for cricket. The Qatar leg concluded with the trophy on display at sunset across the desert, marking the end of a memorable chapter of the tour in the country. Following Qatar, the trophy continued to Oman, where it visited a mix of sporting venues, cultural landmarks and public spaces. Key stops included the Muttrah Fort, Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque, Royal Opera House Muscat, Oman Across Ages Museum, Jabal Akhdar Viewpoint, and Qurum Beach, offering scenic backdrops for fan interactions and media engagements. The tour focused on youth and fan engagement through visits to Indian School Muscat and Indian School Al Wadi Al Kabir, giving students the opportunity to see the trophy up close, while public activations enabled fans to view the trophy firsthand. The trophy visited the Oman Cricket Academy, where the senior mens team, including captain Jatinder Singh, head coach Duleep Mendis, and deputy head coach Sulakshan Kulkarni, were present alongside the U19 mens team and senior womens team with their respective coaches, as they posed with the trophy, creating memorable team moments. Through activations at landmark locations, educational institutions and public venues, the ICC Mens T20 World Cup 2026 Trophy Tour with DP World continues to bring fans closer to the tournament and build excitement ahead of the global event. The trophy visited the Oman Cricket Academy, where the senior mens team, including captain Jatinder Singh, head coach Duleep Mendis, and deputy head coach Sulakshan Kulkarni, were present alongside the U19 mens team and senior womens team with their respective coaches, as they posed with the trophy, creating memorable team moments. Also Read: Live Cricket Score The ICC Mens T20 World Cup 2026 is scheduled to take place from 7 February to 8 March 2026 across Narendra Modi Stadium (Ahmedabad), MA Chidambaram Stadium (Chennai), Arun Jaitley Stadium (New Delhi), Wankhede Stadium (Mumbai), Eden Gardens (Kolkata), R. Premadasa Stadium (Colombo), Sinhalese Sports Club Cricket Ground (Colombo) and Pallekele International Cricket Stadium (Kandy). Article Source: IANS
He Has Strong Leadership Qualities: RCB Andy Flower Happy To Aquire Venkatesh Iyer
RCB Andy Flower: Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) head coach Andy Flower expressed his happiness at acquiring Venkatesh Iyer and praised his leadership qualities ahead of the IPL 2026. The mini-auction saw Royal Challengers Bengaluru bolster their championship squad by securing Venkatesh Iyer, Jacob Duffy and Mangesh Yadav. RCB snapped up Venkatesh Iyer for Rs 7 crore after Kolkata Knight Riders withdrew from the bidding, bringing an end to a far more restrained contest than last year, when the two franchises were locked in a fierce auction battle that saw KKR secure him for a staggering Rs 23.75 crore. Venkatesh Iyer has strong leadership qualities. That is great to have in the dressing room and on the field. We are happy to get him and I look forward to working with him. When you plan well and have a good strategy, you know your limits. I think KKR had a little extra money left in their purse after purchasing Cameron Green. They were probably betting some of it on Venkatesh Iyer because they had some money left, but in the end, we ended up acquiring Venkatesh and we are really happy with it, Flower said on JioStar. Venkatesh Iyer has strong leadership qualities. That is great to have in the dressing room and on the field. We are happy to get him and I look forward to working with him. When you plan well and have a good strategy, you know your limits. Also Read: Live Cricket Score On RCB's careful strategy to maintain stability within their squad after the auction, Kumble said, Venkatesh Iyer will not be in the playing eleven at the start. You do not want to create doubt in a winning team. That is probably why they did not go after a Ravi Bishnoi, so that Suyash Sharma does not feel threatened by a senior India spinner. They have done well to keep the core the same, back their players, and just have a few backups in case something goes wrong. Article Source: IANS
Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puraskar: President of India Droupadi Murmu on Friday conferred on India's 14-year-old batting prodigy Vaibhav Suryavanshi for his exploits in the field of cricket. The President conferred the Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puraskar on children for their exceptional achievements in the fields of Bravery, Social Service, Environment, Sports, Art & Culture and Science & Technology at a ceremony held in the national capital. The Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puraskar is Indias highest civilian honour for individuals aged five to 18, instituted to recognise exceptional achievements across diverse fields like art and culture, innovation, science and technology, social service, sports and instances of bravery. Speaking on the occasion, the President congratulated the recipients of the Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puraskar and said, Vaibhav Suryavanshi has made a name for himself in the highly competitive and talent-filled world of cricket and has set many records. The teenager is also slated to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi later in the day. Following the ceremony in Delhi, he will rejoin the India Under-19 squad and travel to Zimbabwe for preparations ahead of the Under-19 World Cup, which begins from January 15. The BCCI also congratulated the youngster for his achievement. Congratulations to our explosive young batter, Vaibhav Suryavanshi, on being conferred the Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puraskar by the Honourable President of India, Smt. Droupadi Murmuji, it posted on X. Earlier this week, Suryavanshi smashed 190 off 84 balls against Arunachal Pradesh at the Vijay Hazare Trophy, becoming the youngest centurion in List A history. The knock also broke AB de Villiers record for the fastest 150 in List A cricket and his 15 sixes in the innings are the most by any Indian in the 50-over format. Earlier this month, Suryavanshi smashed an unbeaten century for Bihar against Maharashtra in an Elite Group B Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2025 match at Eden Gardens in Kolkata. He scored an unbeaten 108 off 61 balls, his maiden ton in the T20 domestic cricket tournament and third overall in the format. His century also made him the youngest batter to score a century in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, at 14 years and 250 days. The 14-year-old cricketer also smashed the record for the highest score by an Indian in U19 Asia Cup history with his 171 off just 95 against the UAE. The explosive southpaw also slammed a ton against the Australia U19 team in Brisbane during a Youth Test match in November. His most recent jaw-dropping innings came in the Rising Stars Asia Cup, where he scored 144 off 42 balls for India A against UAE, smashing 11 fours and 15 sixes. His 32-ball hundred made him the youngest man to score a century for any national representative side at senior level, breaking a 20-year-old record. Suryvanshi was the most-searched Indian on Google and ranked sixth overall worldwide. Last month, social media platform Instagram chose to spotlight Suryavanshis journey on its official page - making him only the second Indian cricketer after Virat Kohli to receive the honour. His 32-ball hundred made him the youngest man to score a century for any national representative side at senior level, breaking a 20-year-old record. Also Read: Live Cricket Score He then stunned everyone nine days later by becoming the youngest centurion in the leagues history. Vaibhavs explosive 35-ball 100 against the Gujarat Titans was the fastest IPL century by an Indian and the second-fastest overall, behind only Chris Gayle. Article Source: IANS
IndiGo flights cancellation 26 December: Winter fog grounds several flights across the nation
IndiGo has cancelled numerous domestic flights on December 26th due to persistent winter fog and poor visibility impacting operations across North India. Several cities, including Varanasi, Chandigarh, and Guwahati, experienced cancellations due to forecasted bad weather. Major hubs like Bengaluru, Chennai, Mumbai, Hyderabad, and Kolkata also saw grounded flights as visibility dropped.
Amit Shahs Year-End Visit To Bengal: Kolkata Camp To Set BJPs 2026 Pitch | Exclusive
CNN-News18 has reliably learnt that Shah will spend the evening of December 29 to 31 in Kolkata, packing his brief visit with high-level political and organisational engagements.
On December 26, 2025, gold prices in India range from Rs 13,946 per 1 gram for 24K gold and Rs 12,766 per 1 gram for 22K gold. Silver is priced at Rs 2,34,100 per kilogram. Check city-wise rates here.
Students protest against alleged Islamophobia at Jadavpur University convocation
KOLKATA: Two students held a poster reading ''there is no place for Islamophobia at Jadavpur University'' while receiving their citations and certificates from the Vice-Chancellor (VC), triggering controversy. Speaking to media, the students alleged that during an English semester examination held on Monday, an invigilator had asked a third-year undergraduate female student wearing a head scarf to help her classmate partially remove her hijab to verify whether she was using any wireless headphone. We thought such type of conduct is undesirable in a prestigious university like JU, which is known for its liberal and secular views. We had no intention to create any ruckus but we thought we must protest against this conduct. Thats why we had held a poster while receiving undergraduate degrees during the convocation programme, said one of two protesting girls on Wednesday evening. Distancing itself from the protest, the CPI(M)-backed Students Federation of India (SFI) leader said, ''What they did is entirely their own decision. It had nothing to do with SFI's demonstration during the convocation demanding immediate student union polls, representation in ICC, or campus security. We do not support any act which may hurt the sentiments of an individual. Dismissing the allegations, an English faculty member said, ''We deny allegations of Islamophobia. Several students were caught attempting to cheat during the exam, following which vigilance was tightened. If anyone's conduct seemed suspicious, re-checking was carried out. At least four examinees were caught using headphones last week, none of whom belonged to the minority community.'' If teachers are targeted in this manner, it would become impossible for them to carry out their duties, the faculty member said requesting anonymity. Its learnt that the JU authorities have started looking into the allegations after students submitted a letter to the VC.
Bangladesh should repeat 1971 to save its minorities: BJP leader
Kolkata: Senior BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari on Thursday said that the right-thinking citizens of Bangladesh may have to repeat the 1971-type situation to establish true democracy and save minorities in the neighbouring country, which has currently been in turmoil. In 1971, Muktijoddhas (liberation warriors) defeated the Pakistanis, Adhikari said, adding that he was commenting on Get the latest updates in Hyderabad City News , Technology , Entertainment , Sports , Politics and Top Stories on WhatsApp & Telegram by subscribing to our channels. You can also download our app for Android and iOS .
TMC slams BJP over lynching of Bengal migrant worker in Odisha
KOLKATA: The Trinamool Congress on Thursday intensified its attack on the BJP, alleging that the lynching of a Bengali migrant worker in Odisha was a direct result of what it called a sustained campaign of harassment against Bengalis in BJP-ruled states. Reacting to the killing of 21-year-old Juel Sheikh from Murshidabad district of West Bengal in Sambalpur, the TMC said the incident reflected a dangerous narrative portraying Bengali-speaking Indians as infiltrators. In a post on X, the party alleged that Sheikh was beaten to death because a mob suspected him of being an illegal Bangladeshi immigrant. The lynching of a Bengali migrant worker in Sambalpur is the direct outcome of @BJP4Indias sustained campaign against Bengalis. A citizen of India was beaten to death because a mob believed the lie that Bengalis are infiltrators who must constantly prove their right to exist, the TMC alleged. Trinamool Congress Rajya Sabha MP Sheikh Samirul Islam said incidents of violence against Bengali-speaking migrant workers were becoming frequent in BJP-ruled states, particularly Odisha. Around 30 lakh migrant labourers from West Bengal work outside the state in the unorganised sector. The Bengal government has already moved the Supreme Court seeking justice on this issue, he told the TNIE . Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has earlier expressed concern over repeated incidents of harassment of migrant workers from West Bengal. In August, she urged migrant labourers to return to the state and start their own businesses. Addressing a programme on MSMEs, she said her government was working to prepare a list of migrant workers, which would be done at the 'Duare Sarkar' (government at doorstep) camps. The incident occurred on Wednesday night in Shantinagar under the Ainthapalli police station area in Sambalpur district, where Sheikh and other migrant workers from West Bengal were employed in construction work. Police said the group was stopped by six local men while returning from work, allegedly over a request for a bidi, which led to an altercation and a scuffle. Sheikh was allegedly thrashed severely and later died while undergoing treatment at a Sambalpur hospital. Police said all six accused have been arrested. Six held in migrant labourer murder in Odisha; lynching on suspicion of being Bangladeshi ruled out According to state labour department sources, around 1.2 lakh migrant workers have applied under the Shramasree scheme, expressing interest in returning to West Bengal. Of these, verification has begun and over 1,500 workers have been receiving a monthly allowance of Rs 5,000 since October. Under the Shramasree scheme, launched in mid-August, the state government offers returning migrant workers a one-time assistance of Rs 5,000 and a monthly allowance of Rs 5,000 for a year during the rehabilitation period. Applications are processed through a mobile app, with police verification underway. For years, BJP leaders have deliberately branded Bengali-speaking Indians as infiltrators, outsiders, and suspects. That poisonous narrative has now reached the streets, where anyone feels empowered to act as immigration officers and executioners, Mamata alleged while addressing on issues in connection with migrant workers working outside Bengal.
Bollywood leading ladies at Sunidhi Chauhan`s Mumbai concert
Sunidhi Chauhan is set to have multiple concerts across the country as part of her I Am Home India Tour. She will perform in Delhi, Jaipur, Kolkata and more metro citiies
Bengal SIR: ECI orders two-level document checks during voter hearings
Kolkata: The Election Commission of India (ECI) has directed a two-level verification to confirm the authenticity of the supporting identity documents of voters during the hearing session on claims and objections on the draft voters list starting from December 27. The unmapped voters, who are the ones not having any link with the 2002 voters Get the latest updates in Hyderabad City News , Technology , Entertainment , Sports , Politics and Top Stories on WhatsApp & Telegram by subscribing to our channels. You can also download our app for Android and iOS .
In another horrific attack on Hindu minorities, two homes of Hindu families were set on fire in Bangladesh's Chittagong. Talking about the violence against Hindus in Bangladesh and their houses being set ablaze, ISKCON Kolkata Vice President Radharaman Das has made shocking claims.
Kolkata Diary | Starter gun firing prompts Bengal Governor to order probe
Starter gun firing prompts Guv to order probe An incident involving the firing of a starter gun during flagging-off of a marathon run in the city on December 21 prompted the West Bengal Governor C V Ananda Bose to order a probe into the matter. The incident occurred when the Governor was firing from the gun to kick-off the event. Bose, on Tuesday, formed a probe committee to assess the matter by exploring multiple angles, officials at the Lok Bhavan said. The order followed a report submitted by the Aide-de-Camp on duty, Major Nikhil Kumar, which stated that the starter gun had been arranged by the event organisers. According to the report, the Governor had followed all prescribed safety instructions. CM Banerjee to visit Gangasagar on Jan 5 CM Mamata Banerjee is likely to visit Sagar Island in South 24 Parganas district on January 5 to review preparations for the annual Gangasagar Mela likely to be held in the second week of the month, an official said on Wednesday. During the visit, CM will hold a preparatory meeting with the district administration and is set to inaugurate and lay foundation stones for several development projects. She will also lay the foundation stone for a 4-km bridge over the Muriganga river. Soon, rail bridge over Rupnarayan river South Eastern Railway is constructing a new rail bridge over the Rupnarayan river in the Howrah-Kharagpur section of Kharagpur Division to improve section capacity in suburban section of Howrah-Kharagpur. This modern state-of-the-art bridge will replace the old Kolaghat Bridge no. 57 over which the Middle line and Down Main line currently runs between Deulti and Kolaghat stations of SER. The old Kolaghat bridge was opened in the year 1900 and has served as a vital link of SER providing connectivity to Howrah and Kolkata area to the rest of the country. This 804 metre long iconic steel girder bridge has served as a major railway asset for the past 125 years.
On December 25, 2025, gold prices in India range from Rs 13,894 per 1 gram for 24K gold and Rs 12,736 per 1 gram for 22K gold. Silver is priced at Rs 2,33,100 per kilogram. Check city-wise rates here.
SA20 Season 4: Proteas Spinner Harmer Joins DSG As Temporary Replacement For Narine
Sunrisers Eastern Cape: Durban's Super Giants (DSG) have signed South Africa off-spinner Simon Harmer as a temporary replacement for West Indies off-spin bowling all-rounder Sunil Narine ahead of Season Fours commencement, said the tournament on Wednesday. Narine will arrive at Kingsmead for his maiden SA20 season after completing his commitments elsewhere, said a statement from the tournament. Harmer returns to Kingsmead after spending the past two seasons with Sunrisers Eastern Cape (SEC), where he was part of their season two championship-winning squad by picking eight wickets in 11 matches. Harmer, 36, joins DSG after being in exceptional form following a spectacular run with the Proteas Test side that saw him dismantle Pakistan and India batting line-ups. Harmer claimed 6-50 in the second Test against Pakistan in Rawalpindi in October, driving South Africa to their first Test victory there in 18 years while reaching the landmark of 1,000 first-class wickets. But his spin bowling masterclass came against India, where he took 17 wickets at an average of 8.94, as South Africa, the current World Test Championship winners, got a 2-0 Test series win. Harmer began by picking figures of 4-30 and 4-21 at Eden Gardens in Kolkata, as South Africa got their first Test victory on Indian soil after 2010. Harmer, 36, joins DSG after being in exceptional form following a spectacular run with the Proteas Test side that saw him dismantle Pakistan and India batting line-ups. Harmer claimed 6-50 in the second Test against Pakistan in Rawalpindi in October, driving South Africa to their first Test victory there in 18 years while reaching the landmark of 1,000 first-class wickets. Also Read: Live Cricket Score The Durban's Super Giants, which is owned by the RP-Sanjiv Goenka Group that also owns Indian Premier League team Lucknow Super Giants, is based in Durban and was formed in 2022. The team's home ground is the Kingsmead Cricket Ground. The team is coached by Lance Klusener. Article Source: IANS
Christmas is when Kolkatans abroad return home to sweets, savouries and the ambience
Kolkata in winter has a different charm altogether, the city touches the soul around this time, a visiting academic said
KOLKATA: Violence broke out between two rival Matua groups affiliated to Union minister of shipping and BJP MP Shantanu Thakur and Trinamool Congress Rajya Sabha MP Mamatabala Thakur in Thakurnagar, the administrative headquarters of the Matua community in West Bengal, on Wednesday. The clash took place amid heightened tensions over the deletion of nearly one lakh Matua voters names following the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in the state. The clash followed comments made by Shantanu Thakur at a BJP meeting on Monday night, where he said the names of nearly one lakh Matuas could be excluded from the draft electoral rolls and remarked that a sacrifice was necessary, even as he spoke of disenfranchising 50 lakh Muslims. His remarks triggered anxiety within the Matua community and intensified political confrontation in Bengal ahead of the Assembly elections scheduled for next year. On Wednesday, several hundred supporters belonging to the Mamatabala Thakur group brought out a protest procession and marched towards the Union ministers residence in Thakurnagar, demanding clarification over the comments made on Monday night. However, followers of Shantanu Thakur attacked the protesters when they attempted to reach his house, triggering a scuffle between the two groups. The area near the ministers residence turned into a battlefield as the rival groups clashed. Several Matuas were injured in the violence, following which a large police contingent rushed to the spot to bring the situation under control. The All India Matua Mahasangha alleged, The aggrieved Matuas were organising a peaceful demonstrations in protest against deletion of their names from electoral rolls but they were attacked. BJP has been duping the Matuas giving false promises to them. Why did the party leadership organise camps and distribute cards assuring them to include names of Matua voters to the electoral rolls? Mamatabala Thakur said. The conspiracy of Shantanu Thakur and the BJP to delete one lakh Matua voters names has come to light through his statement, she added. Addressing a BJP meeting at Hanshkhali-Garapota on Monday night, the BJP MP from Bongaon appeared to ask members of the community to be prepared for what he described as a sacrifice for a good cause. Even if it is a problem, we should accept this, he added. Shantanu Thakur acknowledged the likelihood of a large number of Matua voters being dropped from the electoral roll and reiterated that applying for citizenship under the amended citizenship law was, in his view, the only solution to resolve what he described as the identity crisis of Hindu migrants from Bangladesh, including the Matuas. A large number of voters from Matua-dominated areas in North 24 Parganas, Nadia and parts of Jalpaiguri districts are among the 58 lakh dead, duplicate, permanently shifted and absentee electors dropped from the electoral rolls during the SIR exercise in West Bengal. Shantanu Thakur is the chief of the BJP-leaning faction of the All India Matua Mahasangha. His remarks, however, have put the BJP on the back foot, raising concerns within the party about a possible erosion of its Matua vote base. BJP leaders have sought to portray the omission of voters names as temporary, claiming it would ultimately lead to a permanent resolution of the citizenship issue faced by the community. Within the BJP, concerns over the potential fallout among Matua voters are also rising. BJP MLA Subrata Thakur, brother of Shantanu Thakur, has called for fast-track hearings of Citizenship (Amendment) Act applications to ensure citizenship and voter enrolment for eligible members of the community.
Anti-Bangladesh protests held at land ports in West Bengal
Kolkata: Members of a pro-Hindu organisation held demonstrations at several land ports along the India-Bangladesh border in West Bengal on Wednesday over the killing of a man belonging to the minority community in the neighbouring country. Scuffles also broke out between police personnel and BJP supporters during a protest in Howrah district. Trouble started after Get the latest updates in Hyderabad City News , Technology , Entertainment , Sports , Politics and Top Stories on WhatsApp & Telegram by subscribing to our channels. You can also download our app for Android and iOS .
Histories of theatre often remember movements, institutions, and landmark productions. What they forget are the people in rehearsal rooms and backstage corners the women who acted, wrote, and sustained the stage, yet rarely entered official histories. For the Love of Art: The Lost History of Women in Kerala Theatre, Jayasree Kalathils English translation of Sajitha Madathils acclaimed Malayala Nataka Sthree Charithram, steps into this silence with urgency, restoring women to the centre of Malayalam theatres cultural memory. Widely recognised for its depth and courage, Sajithas original work traces womens presence in Kerala theatre from the late 19th to the early 21st century. These women were not just peripheral participants; they shaped performance traditions, labour practices, and political movements. Yet their contributions remained scattered or overshadowed by dominant male narratives. Jayashrees translation now brings this vital archive to English readers without flattening its texture or intent. Jayashree says she was looking for a book that was significant, genuinely engaging with a social-cultural or political question in relation to Kerala, and was drawn to Sajithas refusal to treat women as marginal. Instead, the book places women firmly at its centre as rightful creators and owners of its cultural capital. Sajitha begins by examining the structures that kept women away from the stage. Rather than repeating the familiar narrative of male actors performing female roles, she probes deeper anxieties around caste, morality, and respectability that rendered womens public performance suspect. The argument is incisive without being academic, and Jayashree preserves this clarity, allowing complex ideas to unfold with narrative ease. The book turns to the first women who entered the theatre despite stigma, surveillance, and exploitation. Sajitha writes about them not as romanticised pioneers but as workers negotiating family resistance and low wages to remain connected to their art. Among the most compelling figures is Palluruthy Lakshmi, The Anarkali of the Stage. Her hunger for performance was elemental. Sir, I cant live without singing Its like how we need water or air, she tells a policeman in a dramatised retelling, explaining why she left home. Even as tuberculosis confined her to bed, Lakshmi insisted on being buried in her stage costume a final gesture that captures the intensity of womens artistic labour in a society that offered them little security. But not all stories culminate in recognition. Sajitha is equally attentive to the women forced to leave the stage. One retired actor reflects: I cant tell you how it suffocates me, not being able to be on stage. And when I see drama troupe vehicles passing by... my heart breaks. This reveals the quiet cost of a system that treated womens artistic ambition as expendable. A significant section focuses on political theatre. The writer traces how Left cultural movements, particularly Kerala Peoples Arts Club (KPAC), expanded opportunities for performers like KPAC Lalitha, KPAC Sulochana, Nilambur Ayisha, and Adoor Pankajam. Their work shaped Malayalam theatres evolution, with figures like KPAC Lalitha carrying this legacy into cinema. Reflecting on the broader conditions of their practice, Sajitha writes: The experiences of these women show that they have made every effort to understand and apply the grammar of a medium they were not familiar with. Several women described theatre as consuming, like an ember smouldering slowly, yet impossible to abandon. The book concludes by charting how women gradually carved out institutional spaces theatre collectives and feminist groups as an ongoing, unfinished journey. Sajitha positions these women as the thinkers and innovators who formed the spine of Malayalam theatre. Jayashrees translation amplifies this clarity while retaining the earthy, textured voice of the original. For readers of gender studies, cultural history, or powerful nonfiction, For the Love of Art is indispensable. It asks us to look again at the stage this time with attention to the women who shaped it against all odds. The book is available on Amazon for `499 Theirchest hurtswhen they cant perform What first pushed you to write this book? I wrote this book in 2010. However, its roots go back to my earliest years in theatre. I began my long tryst with theatre in 1988, with the street plays of the Kerala Sasthra Sahithya Parishad. The discussions on gender between 1986 and 89 influenced me deeply, and they eventually took me to Kolkata to study drama. I was already an activist and a feminist by then. When I returned to Kerala and started reading theatre history, I realised there was nothing on women. That silence pushed me. I had studied theatre for my MPhil and worked on a project for the Kerala Sangeet Natak Akademi, and slowly, through research and interviews, the book began to take shape. When written records were scarce, how did you remain truthful to their stories? Each chapter demanded its own method. I had to read between the lines of existing texts, dig deeper, listen to memories, conduct interviews, and run surveys. I knew I couldnt rely on the usual method of writing theatre history, as those had ignored women in the first place. History keeps on growing. So, I added new findings to the second edition. While researching, was there a story or memory that stayed with you? There are so many. I vividly remember my conversations with actor M K Kamalam. She acted in just one film and chose to return to the theatre right after. Another is of an actress whose name I cant reveal because shes still living. She had to stop acting after marriage, and only returned to the stage at 60. She told me she would watch when vehicles of theatre troupes drive past her home in Kozhikode and weep, saying,My chest physically hurts that I cant perform.You can understand a whole life in that one line. Theres also my visit to KPAC Leela in 1991 or 92. Someone pointed me to what they said was her home. She opened the door but refused to acknowledge that she was KPAC Leela at all. I had to keep insisting, and only then did she finally speak so beautifully. But that denial, that refusal of her own artistic identity, broke my heart. I still think of Velukkutty Aashan, known for playing Vasavadatta at a time when men performed for women. His style shaped how women were expected to act. When he fell ill, and they needed someone for a fundraiser, they convinced Mavelikkara Ponnamma to perform. She told me,I had to become Velukkutty first, then Vasavadatta.What you can see is that men had determined how female characters should be played, even by women. When piecing together the lives of these women, what responsibility did you feel? It was a strong one. Ive always been a feminist, and whenever I asked male theatre artists about women, they would brush it off Oh, women havent done much. They were just there for money. Of course, money mattered as it does for anyone but when you talk to these women, you know thats not what kept them there. Thats why theirchest physically hurtswhen they cant perform. What was the most challenging part of writing a book of this scale, and what kept you going? Structuring it. Everything was scattered stories, interviews, fragments. Organising them into meaningful chapters felt overwhelming. The more I researched, the more the material grew. Eventually, I decided to structure the book by themes and periods so readers could follow it without getting lost. Convincing publishers and even people around me that such a book was necessary was another battle. But here we are. How do you see womens presence in Malayalam theatre today compared to the period you documented? I see a big change. More young women are studying theatre now and entering it simply out of passion. Theyre brave, hardworking and willing to work as a team. As someone inside the field, I have real faith in the coming generation. Is it the exact scale of change we once hoped for? Maybe not. But the change is definitely there. What do you hope English readers take away from this translation People in Kerala may know these women, but outside the state, almost no one is aware of their contribution to theatre. Theyre rarely spoken about, unlike the women artists from the Northern belt. I still remember the National School of Dramas Poorva festival back in 2003. There were mentions of women even from Tamil Nadu, but not Kerala. I hope Jayasrees English translation carries these stories further, to readers whove never encountered this lineage before. Even Anuradha Kapur said much of it was new to her, and Revathy described it as a powerful testament to womens courage and tenacity in theatre. Above all, I want readers to know these women were here working, shaping, and leaving their mark on theatre history.
Fresh protests erupt in West Bengal against Bangladesh lynching
KOLKATA: Fresh incidents of demonstrations in Kolkata and several districts across West Bengal were reported on Wednesday in protest against the brutal killing of a Hindu Bangladeshi youth, Dipu Chandra Das, in Mymensingh. Violence erupted at Howrah Station this afternoon when police prevented demonstrators belonging to the BJP from reaching the Howrah Bridge, the prime lifeline connecting Kolkata and the south Bengal districts. The demonstrators were protesting against the Mymensingh incident in Bangladesh and were involved in heated arguments with security personnel on Howrah Bridge. We will not let anyone hamper normal life and cause trouble to commuters in the name of protest. We will act in accordance with the law to thwart any attempts to create trouble, said a senior officer of Howrah Police. As police prevented the march from proceeding, protesters squatted on the road and attempted to break through barricades, leading to scuffles. Bangladesh government pledges responsibility for family of lynched Hindu worker Dipu Das The area was barricaded, and as protesters raised slogans while sitting on the road, police moved in to disperse them. Police alleged that the demonstrators turned aggressive, forcing security personnel to take action to disperse the protest. Unrest was also reported along the Indo-Bangladesh border in Siliguri of Darjeeling district and Petrapol or Ghozadanga borders in North 24 Parganas district when different groups of Hindutva organisations demonstrated by blocking trucks carrying export and import items. Activists of Sanatani Jatiotabadi Mancha, a Hindutva platform, blocked the road at the Ghozadanga border and prevented trucks carrying goods from entering Bangladesh in protest against the atrocities against minority Hindus in Bangladesh. One agitator, Rajendra Saha, said, We want the Indian government to stop all trade and diplomatic relations with Bangladesh, where minority Hindus like Dipu Chandra Das are being killed and tortured by the majority there. On December 18, Dipu Chandra Das, a 25-year-old garment factory worker, was lynched by a mob and his body set on fire over alleged blasphemy in Baluka in Bangladesh's Mymensingh. Hundreds of people attempted to march to the Bangladesh Deputy High Commission on Tuesday in protest over the attack on minorities in the neighbouring country, but were stopped by the police midway, leading to a clash that left several injured. The rally started from Sealdah and was proceeding towards the Bangladesh Deputy High Commission's office in Park Circus, but was stopped by police in the Beckbagan area. As they tried to breach the barricade, police baton-charged the rallyists. On Monday, senior BJP MLA and Leader of Opposition (LoP) in the West Bengal Legislative Assembly, Suvendu Adhikari, along with other party leaders and supporters, staged a demonstration near the Deputy High Commission on the same agenda. Adhikari led a rally of around 2,000 people who squatted on the road after he was stopped by police from proceeding further. We want strict punishment for all those involved in the murder of Das. We want atrocities and attacks on Hindus in Bangladesh to be stopped immediately. If there is no end to attacks on Hindus, we will return with 10,000 people on December 26, he threatened. On Tuesday, a similar protest was organised outside the Bangladesh High Commission in New Delhi. However, chaos erupted soon after as hundreds of protestors affiliated with the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) and Bajrang Dal clashed with police. An officer said a 15,000-strong police force was deployed ahead of the demonstration. He said police managed to hold the protesters about 800 metres from the high commission. Anti-Bangladesh protests erupt near Deputy High Commission in Kolkata; 12 arrested
Fresh demonstrations in Kolkata and other districts in WB in protest against Mymensingh incident
KOLKATA: Fresh incidents of demonstrations in Kolkata and several districts across West Bengal were reported on Wednesday in protest against the brutal killing of a Hindu Bangladeshi youth, Dipu Chandra Das, in Mymensingh. Violence erupted at Howrah Station this afternoon when police prevented demonstrators belonging to the BJP from reaching the Howrah Bridge, the prime lifeline connecting Kolkata and the south Bengal districts. The demonstrators were protesting against the Mymensingh incident in Bangladesh and were involved in heated arguments with security personnel on Howrah Bridge. We will not let anyone hamper normal life and cause trouble to commuters in the name of protest. We will act in accordance with the law to thwart any attempts to create trouble, said a senior officer of Howrah Police. As police prevented the march from proceeding, protesters squatted on the road and attempted to break through barricades, leading to scuffles. Bangladesh government pledges responsibility for family of lynched Hindu worker Dipu Das The area was barricaded, and as protesters raised slogans while sitting on the road, police moved in to disperse them. Police alleged that the demonstrators turned aggressive, forcing security personnel to take action to disperse the protest. Unrest was also reported along the Indo-Bangladesh border in Siliguri of Darjeeling district and Petrapol or Ghozadanga borders in North 24 Parganas district when different groups of Hindutva organisations demonstrated by blocking trucks carrying export and import items. Activists of Sanatani Jatiotabadi Mancha, a Hindutva platform, blocked the road at the Ghozadanga border and prevented trucks carrying goods from entering Bangladesh in protest against the atrocities against minority Hindus in Bangladesh. One agitator, Rajendra Saha, said, We want the Indian government to stop all trade and diplomatic relations with Bangladesh, where minority Hindus like Dipu Chandra Das are being killed and tortured by the majority there. On December 18, Dipu Chandra Das, a 25-year-old garment factory worker, was lynched by a mob and his body set on fire over alleged blasphemy in Baluka in Bangladesh's Mymensingh. Hundreds of people attempted to march to the Bangladesh Deputy High Commission on Tuesday in protest over the attack on minorities in the neighbouring country, but were stopped by the police midway, leading to a clash that left several injured. The rally started from Sealdah and was proceeding towards the Bangladesh Deputy High Commission's office in Park Circus, but was stopped by police in the Beckbagan area. As they tried to breach the barricade, police baton-charged the rallyists. On Monday, senior BJP MLA and Leader of Opposition (LoP) in the West Bengal Legislative Assembly, Suvendu Adhikari, along with other party leaders and supporters, staged a demonstration near the Deputy High Commission on the same agenda. Adhikari led a rally of around 2,000 people who squatted on the road after he was stopped by police from proceeding further. We want strict punishment for all those involved in the murder of Das. We want atrocities and attacks on Hindus in Bangladesh to be stopped immediately. If there is no end to attacks on Hindus, we will return with 10,000 people on December 26, he threatened. On Tuesday, a similar protest was organised outside the Bangladesh High Commission in New Delhi. However, chaos erupted soon after as hundreds of protestors affiliated with the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) and Bajrang Dal clashed with police. An officer said a 15,000-strong police force was deployed ahead of the demonstration. He said police managed to hold the protesters about 800 metres from the high commission. Anti-Bangladesh protests erupt near Deputy High Commission in Kolkata; 12 arrested
Virat Kohlis First ODI Century Turns 16 The Knock That Started An Era
Virat Kohli registered his first ODI century against Sri Lanka, scoring 107 runs on December 24, 2009, in Kolkata.
Vaibhav Suyavanshi Hits 36-ball Ton For Bihar In Vijay Hazare Trophy Opener
Vijay Hazare Trophy Plate: India's 14-year-old batting sensation, Vaibhav Suryavanshi, made headlines again after smashing a 36-ball century in the Vijay Hazare Trophy Plate league opener for Bihar against Arunachal Pradesh at the JSCA Oval Ground on Wednesday. Suryavanshi's century off 36 balls was the second-fastest hundred by an Indian man in overall List A cricket, after Punjab batter Anmolpreet Singh's 35-ball century against Arunachal in the Vijay Hazare competition last season. Overall, Suryavanshi's 36-ball ton ranks as the joint-fourth-fastest ever in the world in List A cricket. The teenage batter racked up his 150 off only 54 deliveries before being dismissed for 190 off 84, as Bihar are currently 379/2 in 39 overs. Earlier this month, Suryavanshi smashed an unbeaten century for Bihar against Maharashtra in an Elite Group B Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2025 match at Eden Gardens in Kolkata. He scored an unbeaten 108 off 61 balls, his maiden ton in the T20 domestic cricket tournament and third overall in the format. His century also made him the youngest batter to score a century in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, at 14 years and 250 days. The 14-year-old cricketer also smashed the record for the highest score by an Indian in U19 Asia Cup history with his 171 off just 95 against the UAE. The explosive southpaw also slammed a ton against the Australia U19 team in Brisbane during a Youth Test match in November. His most recent jaw-dropping innings came in the Rising Stars Asia Cup, where he scored 144 off 42 balls for India A against UAE, smashing 11 fours and 15 sixes. The 14-year-old cricketer also smashed the record for the highest score by an Indian in U19 Asia Cup history with his 171 off just 95 against the UAE. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Last month, Instagram chose to spotlight Vaibhav Sooryavanshis journey on its official page - making him only the second Indian cricketer after Virat Kohli to receive the honour. Article Source: IANS
Kolkata Police SI admit card 2025 released at wbpolice.gov.in: Direct link to download here
The West Bengal Police Recruitment Board has released the Kolkata Police SI admit card 2025 on its official portal. Registered candidates can download the hall ticket using their application number and date of birth. The written examination begins on December 30, 2025, and the admit card includes key details on exam timing, venue, and mandatory instructions.
Bengal Governor orders inquiry into firing of starter gun at marathon run in Kolkata
Governor has directed that all aspects of the incident be examined, including whether there was any deliberate security breach, an attempt to sabotage the event, or a threat to his life, the official told
13 sentenced to life over lynching of father, son during anti-Waqf Act protests in West Bengal
KOLKATA: 13 persons were sentenced to life imprisonment for the lynching of a man and his son during the protests over the Waqf (Amendment) Act by a court in West Bengal's Murshidabad district on Tuesday. The court also directed the state to give Rs 15 lakh compensation to the family of the victims. Special public prosecutor Bivas Chatterjee said this is the country's second conviction in a mob lynching case and first in West Bengal. Haragobinda Das (72) and his son Chandan Das (42) were killed by a mob at their house in Jafrabad in the Samserganj police station area on April 12. The court had convicted 13 accused on Monday: Dildar Nadab, Asmaul Nadab, Injamul Haque, Ziaul Haque, Fekarul Sheikh, Azfarul Sheikh, Manirul Sheikh, Ekbal Sheikh, Nurul Islam, Saba karim, Hazrat Sheikh, Akbar Ali and Usuf Sheikh. The accused were arrested from West Bengal, Odisha and Jharkhand. Each of the 13 convicts was also sentenced to 10 years in prison for dacoity, 10 years of imprisonment for house trespass and a five-year term for rioting. All the sentences will run concurrently, the court said. While speaking to reporters, Additional Director General of Police Supratim Sarkar said, police had framed a chargesheet in connection with the case within 56 days following prompt investigations. The Das family has expressed their discontentment with the court verdict. Haragobinda's wife, Parul Das, said, We want the death penalty for three of the convicts, whom we have already identified. We are not happy with the court order. Leader of Opposition in the state legislative assembly Suvendu Adhikari said, the BJP will assist the family move the high court seeking death penalty for three of the 13 convicts. We are not happy with this judgment, he claimed. Adhikari alleged that the charges against the three main accused were watered down by the SIT formed to probe the case. The SIT could not live up to the expectation of ensuring exemplary punishment to the main culprits, he said. (With inputs from PTI)
India, Bangladesh summon envoys amid widespread protests
NEW DELHI: India and Bangladesh on Tuesday summoned each others envoys to register formal protests over a series of developments that have further strained bilateral ties between the countries. The move came as widespread demonstrations erupted across India over the lynching of a Hindu man in Bangladesh , prompting authorities to tighten security around Bangladeshi diplomatic missions. Dhaka summoned Indian High Commissioner Pranay Verma on Tuesday morning to express concern over what it described as an unsatisfactory security situation at Bangladesh's missions in India. According to sources, Bangladesh Foreign Secretary Asad Alam Siam called in the envoy at around 9:30 am and raised issues related to protests outside the country's diplomatic premises in New Delhi, Kolkata and Agartala. The foreign secretary conveyed Bangladeshs serious concern over recent incidents and emphasised the host countrys responsibility to ensure full protection of diplomatic premises under the Vienna Convention, a source said. Just hours later, India summoned Bangladesh High Commissioner Riaz Hamidullah for the second time in a week, amid concerns over the security of Indian diplomatic missions in Bangladesh. India told the envoy that rather than blaming New Delhi, a thorough investigation must be carried out into the killing of youth leader Sharif Osman Bin Hadi. New Delhi noted that unverified claims of Indian involvement in the killing has sparked anti-India protests in Bangladesh, including a recent attempt to storm the Indian Assistant High Commission in Chittagong. The diplomatic exchanges came as protests by Hindu extremist groups broke out in several Indian cities against the lynching of Dipu Chandra Das, a 25-year-old garment factory worker, in Mymensingh district of Bangladesh on December 18. Das was allegedly attacked by a mob over accusations of blasphemy, triggering outrage in India. In New Delhi, hundreds of supporters of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) and Bajrang Dal attempted to march towards the Bangladesh High Commission. Holding saffron flags and chanting slogans, protesters broke through barricades and clashed with police near the heavily fortified diplomatic enclave. Authorities had deployed around 1,500 police personnel and erected multiple layers of barricades to prevent protesters from reaching the mission, managing to stop them about 800 metres away. Similar protests were reported from Kolkata, Mumbai and Jammu. In Kolkata, demonstrators tried to march to the Bangladesh Deputy High Commission in Beckbagan, breaching barricades and prompting police to use lathicharge to disperse the crowd. Several protesters and police personnel sustained minor injuries, and at least 12 demonstrators were arrested as a preventive measure. In Mumbai, VHP and Bajrang Dal activists staged protests outside the Bangladesh Deputy High Commission and later at Azad Maidan, while in Jammu, lawyers affiliated with the J&K High Court Bar Association demonstrated and urged the Indian government to ensure the protection of Hindus in Bangladesh. Protesters across cities accused Bangladeshi authorities of failing to protect minorities and demanded strong diplomatic steps by India. Effigies of Muhammad Yunus, chief adviser of Bangladesh's interim government, were also burnt during some demonstrations.
Indian, Bangladesh envoys summoned; protesters clash with cops in New Delhi and Kolkata
Tensions flared as Bangladesh summoned India's envoy following protests near its New Delhi mission and Siliguri visa center. India also summoned Bangladesh's envoy. Protests erupted over alleged violence against Hindus in Bangladesh.
Protesters stopped from marching to Bangladesh mission in Kolkata, Suvendu warns
Kolkata: Hundreds of people attempted to march to the Bangladesh Deputy High Commission in Kolkata on Tuesday in protest over the attack on minorities in the neighbouring country, but were stopped by the police midway, leading to a clash that left several injured. Leader of the Opposition Suvendu Adhikari criticised the state government over the Get the latest updates in Hyderabad City News , Technology , Entertainment , Sports , Politics and Top Stories on WhatsApp & Telegram by subscribing to our channels. You can also download our app for Android and iOS .
We are also covering: BJP Alleges Police Action Against Kolkata Protests Over Bangladesh Lynching and other top stories.
Suspended TMC MLA Humayun Kabir may face Speakers action after floating new party
KOLKATA: A day after floating his new political platform, the Janata Unnayan Party (JUP), the suspended Trinamool Congress (TMC) MLA Humayun Kabir may face action from Speaker Biman Bandyopadhyay in the West Bengal Legislative Assembly. On Tuesday, the Speaker said he may summon the rebel MLA to the Assembly to clarify his present political status as a legislator. Humayun has already been suspended by the leadership on charge of violating party discipline. Documents related to his suspension are lying with the Assembly. But he has announced the formation of his new political party from Murshidabad on Monday without informing anything about the move to the Assembly. He has to clarify with which party he is associated, Biman said. We will also look into the issue if any complaint related to the anti-defection law against him is lodged with us, the Speaker added. Humayun, the Trinamool Congress legislator from Bharatpur, was suspended by the party leadership on charges of anti-party activities, including allegedly making communal statements and laying the foundation stone of a mosque at Beldanga in Murshidabad district, modelled after the Babri Mosque in Ayodhya. 'Will be kingmaker in 2026', claims suspended MLA Humayun Kabir; TMC says 'daydreaming' On Monday, he announced the formation of his new party, JUP. Addressing a public meeting in Beldanga on Monday, he named eight candidates whom his new party would field in the 2026 Assembly elections in the state. Significantly, he withdrew on Tuesday the name of Nisha Chatterjee, whom he had announced as the partys candidate from the Ballygunge Assembly constituency in south Kolkata for the forthcoming elections. He said he was unhappy after coming to know about her photographs that became viral on social media posts. He has decided to field a Muslim candidate from the Ballygunge seat, which is a minority-dominated belt. Humayun said he would contest the Assembly polls from two seats, Rejinagar and Beldanga in Murshidabad, and would release the names of other candidates of his party who would contest the forthcoming elections in the state. The JUP would field candidates in 90 Assembly constituencies across the state, and his party would be a decisive factor in the elections, he claimed. People have already dethroned the Congress. Now they will also bring the Trinamool Congress and the BJP down from power in the state and at the Centre respectively. My party will fight for the cause of the common people in the state, the JUP chairman said. He also said that table would be the symbol of his party and that he would apply to the Election Commission of India (ECI) seeking recognition for his new political platform. The rose may also be proposed as his party symbol as an option if the national poll body does not recognise the table. In the 2016 Assembly elections, he had contested as an Independent candidate using the same symbol.
Zuno General Insurance , a new-age digital insurer committed to making insurance easy, friendly and transparent, today shared increasing early traction for Zuno SmartDrive, its app-led usage-based car insurance (UBI) launched in March 2025. In less than nine months, Zuno SmartDrive users have logged over 1 crore kms, signalling a clear shift towards behaviour-driven, personalised insurance among Indias new generation of drivers. Zuno Smart Drive To share the benefit of UBI with a larger audience, Zuno has launched its flagship initiative of Zuno Driving Quotient (ZDQ) Challenge to non Zuno users too. In this 5-day free trial, customers can simply download the Zuno app, complete a five-day driving assessment and receive a personalised driving score at no cost. This score unlocks additional discounts on car insurance and gift vouchers, making Zuno the first insurer in the country to offer a large-scale, app-based, pre-purchase driving test that delivers real, measurable financial benefits to customers. The feature marks a major step in usage-based insurance adoption, as young India increasingly embraces behaviour-driven, personalised motor insurance. Launched in March 2025, Zuno SmartDrive has already captured over 1.5 lac trips from digital-first drivers across the country, with an average score of 92%. Early participation has been dominated by users aged 2840, signalling strong traction among Indias most mobile, tech-savvy consumers. Zunos telematics driven model also shows that behaviour, not geography or type of car, is the most reliable predictor of risk. Across regions, two driving patterns consistently bring scores down are frequent hard braking and rapid acceleration. These behavioural markers have emerged as the strongest indicators of trip quality and future risk, regardless of where a driver lives or drives. Among the most striking findings: Major metros like Mumbai, Delhi, Bengaluru, Chennai and Kolkata, showed an average driving score of 91%. This might be due to congestion, peak-hour density and erratic traffic flow. Jammu & Kashmir, Punjab and Tamil Nadu emerge as Indias safest driving states, with consistently low rates of harsh braking and rapid acceleration and each maintaining average driving scores above 92%. Speeding was more prevalent in Pune and Kolkata, while harsh braking was frequently observed in Guntur and Vizianagaram. These findings reveal how real-world driving environments shape behaviour across regions. Shanai Ghosh, MD & CEO, Zuno General Insurance said, With SmartDrive, we want to build a fair, transparent and personalised insurance experience that truly reflects how young India drives. The early numbers show that young India is driving safer, smarter and more mindfully, and theyre getting rewarded for it. Our focus is to keep building a simpler, more intuitive and rewarding ecosystem where good drivers finally receive the benefits they truly deserve, making roads in India safer . Indias road safety crisis shows little sign of easing. Provisional data for 2024 released by the Ministry of Road Transport & Highways (MoRTH) indicates that the country recorded over 4.7 lakh road accidents and more than 1.7 lakh fatalities during the year, underscoring the continued risk on Indian roads. Some states are yet to share the data post which the final data will be released by MoRTH. Despite incremental improvements in select states, unsafe driving behaviour, over speeding and low compliance with helmets and seat belts remain dominant contributors to fatal accidents. The challenge is consistent with final MoRTH data for 2023, which reported 4.81 lakh road accidents, 1.73 lakh deaths and over 4.6 lakh injuries nationwide; that works out to roughly 20 deaths and 55 accidents every hour. Together, the data highlights an urgent need to shift focus from reactive protection to prevention-led, technology-driven road safety solutions. At Zuno we have adopted this mission to encourage India to drive safer. Zunos Smart Drive App provides customers with real time feedback on their driving quality and nudges for safer driving behaviour. Zunos telematics insights also highlight notable exposure trends: Drivers with top-tier scores between 96 and 100 show a striking 40% lower claims risk, underscoring how consistent, disciplined behaviour behind the wheel directly translates into fewer incidents. The data also dispels some common assumptions. Gender has almost no impact on driving safety. Women recorded an average score of 92.83%, only marginally higher than men at 92.81%, indicating that both groups demonstrate virtually the same risk profile on the road. When drivers take their trips matters as well. High-scoring behaviour (80100) is most common during weekday , daytime driving, reinforcing the well-known risks associated with night-time travel. Structured, predictable daytime journeys tend to support steadier driving patterns and safer outcomes. Across regions and vehicle types, two behaviours emerge as the strongest predictors of lower scores and higher risk: Frequent harsh braking, and High, rapid acceleration. Regardless of where a person drives, these two actions consistently signal a risky trip. Seasonal behaviour also tells an important story. Even with changing conditions, rain does not turn safe drivers into risky ones. Those with high scores (80100) maintain similarly strong performance across both summer and monsoon seasons, showing that core driving habits remain stable despite weather shifts. Zuno SmartDrive car insurance also includes Indias first real-time crash detection feature. It uses advanced mobile telematics to automatically sense an accident and trigger an alert to Zunos support team. Once triggered, the team coordinates emergency support, roadside assistance and priority claims handling, ensuring that help reaches the customer without requiring them to make a call. About Zuno General Insurance Zuno General Insurance, formerly known as Edelweiss General Insurance, is a new-age digital insurer with an aspiration to reimagine Insurance to make it easy, friendly, and transparent. Amidst all the jargon and seriousness, Zuno is the friendly voice speaking in a language you understand, and listening to what you have to say, stepping in at the right time, so that you dont have to worry when things dont go as planned. Zuno is the friend you can always turn to for help, with the confidence that we will have your back at all times. At Zuno GI, the focus is on building trust through digital solutions that are intuitive and responsive, using consumer insights and data analytics to drive innovation and experience. Our consumer insight driven strategy focused on customers experience; innovative solutions and an intuitive digital platform differentiate us in a competitive market. Zuno GI started operations in 2018. We have over 8 million customers and a growing omnichannel distribution on digital rails. The company has presence across key digital marketing places and partnerships with Maruti, Tata Motors, Mahindra, Skoda, Volkswagen, Jeep, Royal Enfield, PolicyBazaar, Turtlemint, PhonePe, Insurance Dekho, Fedbank Financial Services, Dvara KGFS, Repco Home Finance, Renewbuy, Bajaj Capital, Anand Rathi Global Finance, Avanse Financial Services, Spinny,Nido Home Finance, ECL finance, Mehsana Urban Co-Operative Bank, PolicyBoss, Jio insurance brokers, Coverfox, ORIX leasing & financial Services India Ltd, SMAS auto leasing India Pvt Ltd.s www.hizuno.com .
Brutality: BJP Alleges Police Action Against Kolkata Protests Over Bangladesh Lynching
The allegation came after demonstrations near the Bangladesh Deputy High Commission in Kolkata turned violent, prompting police action to disperse protesters.
Anti-Bangladesh protests erupt near Deputy High Commission in Kolkata; 12 arrested
KOLKATA: Hundreds of supporters of a pro-Hindutva outfit, protesting the alleged attack on minorities in the neighbouring nation, tried to march to the Bangladesh Deputy High Commission here on Tuesday afternoon and clashed with the police when they were stopped by the personnel in uniform. Police resorted to baton charge to disperse the protestors after they breached barricades, both human and iron guard rails, in their attempts to move closer to the Deputy High Commission office at Beckbagan in central Kolkata. At least 12 protestors were arrested. Several protestors and police personnel sustained minor injuries in the clashes. The situation in front of the Bangladesh Deputy High Commission has been brought under control. Those who attempted to gather there illegally have been removed. So far, 12 people have been arrested in the area. These are preventive arrests, a senior Kolkata Police officer said. He added that a large police contingent remains deployed near the Deputy High Commission office to ensure the security of the foreign diplomatic staff and resist further attempts to lay siege to the premises. The march titled 'Hindu Hunkar Padayatra' was organised under the banner of 'Bongiyo Hindu Jagaran Mancha' with protestors carrying saffron flags and shouting slogans against alleged violence on minority Hindus in Bangladesh. The rally started from Sealdah and was proceeding towards the diplomatic office when it was stopped by police in the Beckbagan area, and the activists were pushed back. The march titled 'Hindu Hunkar Padayatra' was organised under the banner of 'Bongiyo Hindu Jagaran Mancha' with protestors carrying saffron flags and shouting slogans against alleged violence on minority Hindus in Bangladesh. The police here are acting like they want to protect those who are lynching our brothers in Bangladesh. They showed no such enthusiasm when Hindus were lynched in Murshidabad earlier this year, a protestor alleged. The protesters raised slogans Hindu Hindu Bhai Bhai, safety for Hindus in Bangladesh and cries denouncing the lynching of a Hindu man in Bangladesh. Earlier in the day, a similar protest was organised outside the Bangladesh High Commission in New Delhi on Tuesday. However, chaos erupted after soon after as hundreds of protestors affiliated with the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) and Bajrang Dal clashed with police. Carrying saffron flags and shouting slogans, the protesters broke through multiple barricades despite a heavy police presence. The high security area witnessed a beefed-up police presence in the morning ahead of the protest announced by VHP. Authorities had deployed additional forces and set up three layers of security to prevent a breach. An officer said a 15,000-strong police force was deployed ahead of the demonstration. He said police managed to hold the protesters about 800 metres from the high commission. The protests follow the death of 25-year-old Dipu Chandra Das, a garment factory worker, who was lynched on December 18 in Baluka, Mymensingh. According to the police, Das was first beaten up by a mob outside the factory and then hanged from a tree. The crowd left the body of the deceased by the Dhaka-Mymensingh Highway and later set it on fire. The protesters in Kolkata demanded action against those responsible for the death of Das and security for Hindus in Bangladesh. On Monday, senior BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari along with other party leaders and supporters, had staged a demonstration near the Deputy High Commission on the same agenda. Adhikari led a rally of around 2,000 people who squatted on the road after he was stopped by police from proceeding further. We want strict punishment for all those involved in the murder of Das. We want atrocities and attacks on Hindus in Bangladesh to be stopped immediately. If there is no end to attacks on Hindus, we will return with 10,000 people on December 26, he had threatened.
KOLKATA: Three persons, including a ruling Trinamool Congress leader and his son, were sentenced to life imprisonment after they were found guilty in the gang rape and death of a schoolgirl in Hanshkhali of Nadia district in West Bengal. The incident took place in April 2022, prompting Opposition parties like the BJP, CPI-M and Congress to intensify protests against the ruling party in the State, demanding Chief Minister Mamata Banerjees resignation. The nine convicted in the case are Trinamool leader Samarendra Gayali, his son Brajagopal aka Sohail and seven others Prabhakar Samaddar, Ranjit Mullick, Surajit Roy, Akash Baroi, Dipta Gayali, Pijush Kanti Bhakta, and Anshuman Bagchi. The court, today, pronounced the sentence giving Sohail, Prabhakar and Ranjit imprisonment till death, while Samarendra, Dipta and another were sentenced for five years jail each. One of the nine convicted is a minor boy who has been granted conditional bail for now. The court will makdecide him after a year. However, the family members of the victim are not happy with the verdict, as they expected that the court would sentence the convicts to death. We are not happy with the judgment because we had demanded their death sentences. I had so many expectations and dreams for my daughter, but the bastards ruined all, the victims mother said. The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) investigated the case following a Calcutta High Court order. They were pronounced guilty under various sections of the BNSS related to gang rape, criminal conspiracy, criminal intimidation, destruction and suppression of evidence, along with Section 6 of the POCSO Act. According to the prosecution, on April 4, 2022, the minor girl attended a birthday party organised for Brajagopal, where she was gang-raped. She returned home bleeding profusely and died the next day. The victims parents said that they were prevented by the convicts from taking her to a hospital. Her body was forcibly taken away and cremated locally without a post-mortem. She did not even get a death certificate.
Bangladesh summons Indian envoy over security concerns for missions
DHAKA, Dec 23: Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh, Pranay Verma, was on Tuesday summoned to Bangladeshs Ministry of Foreign Affairs amid concerns over the security of Bangladeshi missions in India. Bangladeshs Foreign Secretary Asad Alam Siam summoned the Indian High Commissioner, Prothomalo.com reported. Diplomatic sources confirmed the matter. According to the sources, Verma was summoned in light of the emerging security situation surrounding Bangladesh missions located in various parts of India, including New Delhi and Kolkata, the report added. [] The post Bangladesh summons Indian envoy over security concerns for missions appeared first on Daily Excelsior .
Calcutta High Court declines to halt SIT and Inquiry commission probe into Messi event violence
The Calcutta High Court has refused to interfere with the ongoing investigation into the violence and disorder reported during an event linked to football icon Lionel Messi in Kolkata, allowing the West Bengal Special Investigation Team (SIT) and a state-appointed inquiry commission to continue their work. A Division Bench comprising Acting Chief Justice Sujoy Paul [] The post Calcutta High Court declines to halt SIT and Inquiry commission probe into Messi event violence appeared first on India Legal .
Dhaka summons Indian envoy over security of Bangladeshs diplomatic missions
NEW DELHI: Dhaka on Tuesday summoned Indian High Commissioner Pranay Verma to formally raise concerns over the security of Bangladeshs diplomatic missions in India, amid a spate of protests and the suspension of consular services in several cities. Bangladesh Foreign Secretary Asad Alam Siam called in the envoy around 9:30 am to brief him on what Bangladesh described as an unsatisfactory security situation at its missions in New Delhi, Kolkata, and Agartala, foreign ministry sources told The Daily Star . The foreign secretary conveyed Bangladeshs serious concern over recent incidents andemphasisedthe host countrys responsibility to ensure full protection of diplomatic premises under the Vienna Convention, a source said. The meeting came a day after the Bangladesh High Commission in New Delhi suspended all visa and consular services for Indian nationals, citing unavoidable circumstances. A notice posted on themissionspremises said services would remain halted until further notice, while expressing regret for any inconvenience caused. The suspension follows protests outside the High Commission on Saturday, when around 2025 demonstrators gathered to condemn the killing of garment worker Dipu Chandra Das in Mymensingh and demanded protection for minorities in Bangladesh. Indian authorities said the protesters were quickly dispersed. There was no attempt to breach the fence or create a security situation at any time, Indian External Affairs Ministry spokesperson said on Sunday, adding that police intervened within minutes. Dhaka, however, rejected the assertion. Bangladesh has questioned how protesters were able to come so close to a diplomatic mission located in a secured enclave, a source said. Security-related disruptions have also affected Bangladesh missions outside the capital. The Assistant High Commission in Agartala suspended visa services on Sunday following demonstrations by theTipraMotha Party and other groups. In Siliguri, visa services run by a private operator on behalf of Bangladesh were also halted after protests. The developments unfold against a backdrop of rising political violence in Bangladesh, less than two months ahead of parliamentary elections scheduled for February 12. On Monday,MotalebSikdar, Khulna divisional chief of the National Citizen Party (NCP), was shot in the head in Khulna andremainshospitalised. The attack came days after the killing of prominent youth leader Sharif OsmanBinHadi, intensifying fears of targeted violence amid ongoing unrest.
SIR in Bengal: Each ERO to daily handle 150 claims & objections from Dec 27
Kolkata: Each Electoral Registration Officer (ERO) will daily handle 150 cases of hearings on claims and objections to the draft voters list in West Bengal from Saturday, as per the target set by the Election Commission of India (ECI). The daily target had been fixed keeping in mind the schedule of the second and third Get the latest updates in Hyderabad City News , Technology , Entertainment , Sports , Politics and Top Stories on WhatsApp & Telegram by subscribing to our channels. You can also download our app for Android and iOS .
Messi event fiasco: Calcutta High Court refuses to interfere in SIT probe
The Calcutta High Court has declined to intervene in the ongoing investigation into the chaos during Lionel Messi's event in Kolkata. A special investigation team is probing the incident. The court stated the investigation is in its initial phase and found no grounds to transfer it to the CBI. The state government and event organizers must now submit their responses.
This city has the highest number of CBSE board schools in India, surpassing Bengaluru, Mumbai, Pune, Kolkata, and Lucknow.
West Bengal to call 32L unmapped voters for first SIR hearings
Kolkata: Around 32 lakh unmapped voters will be called in the first phase of hearings under the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the electoral rolls, officials said. Hearings for this category, in which voters could not link their names with those of family members in the 2002 electoral rolls, will begin from December 27, he Get the latest updates in Hyderabad City News , Technology , Entertainment , Sports , Politics and Top Stories on WhatsApp & Telegram by subscribing to our channels. You can also download our app for Android and iOS .
Around 32 lakh unmapped voters to be called in phase 1 of SIR hearings from December 27 in Bengal
KOLKATA: Around 32 lakh unmapped voters will be called in the first phase of hearings under the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the electoral rolls, officials said. Hearings for this category, in which voters could not link their names with those of family members in the 2002 electoral rolls, will begin from December 27, he said. We have started sending notices to around 10 lakh such voters from today, while the same will be issued to another 22 lakh voters from Tuesday, the official at the office of the West Bengal Chief Electoral Officer told PTI. During the enumeration phase, a total of 31,68,424 unmapped voters were identified across the state, he said. He said that the proceedings will be conducted at district magistrates' offices, sub-divisional offices, various government departments, as well as in schools and colleges. Voters with logical discrepancies will be taken up in the next phase, for which guidelines have been sought from the Election Commission, another official said on Monday. Each hearing will be conducted under the supervision of a micro-observer, he said. Around 1.36 crore voters will be called for SIR hearings in West Bengal: CEO Training for 4,000 micro-observers will be held in two phases on December 24 in Kolkata, he said, noting that all the micro-observers are officials from the state. Trinamool Congress supremo and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Monday alleged that the micro-observers lack knowledge of the local Bengali language. Meanwhile, a delegation from the Election Commission will visit the state to review the progress of the SIR of the electoral rolls, sources in the office of the state CEO said. The commission's Principal Secretary SB Joshi and Deputy Secretary Abhinav Agarwal will arrive in the state to assess the progress of the hearing phase under the SIR process, he said. The officials will also attend the training programme for micro-observers on December 24, he added. West Bengal SIR: ECI begins to send notices for hearing over claims, objections to draft voters list
BLOs protest in Kolkata against fresh workload, clash with police
They have been directed to go door to door again to correct discrepancies, deliver notices regarding hearings
Kolkata has become a hub of fervent protests in response to the horrific mob lynching and burning of Dipu Chandra Das in Bangladesh. Stirred by the tragic event, BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari rallied demonstrators to voice their condemnation and insist on justice. As the call for accountability resonates, further actions including a border blockade are anticipated.
Calcutta High Court reserves verdict on PILs over Lionel Messi event fiasco at Salt Lake stadium
KOLKATA: Hearing of three PILs over the fiasco during Argentine football legend Lionel Messi showcasing event last week that saw spectator rampage at the Salt Lake stadium here concluded before the Calcutta High Court on Monday. The petitioners sought investigation into the incident by central agencies as well as refund of ticket price to the spectators, a section of whom had gone on a rampage over not being able to see their favourite star and early conclusion of the event following a messy situation on the ground with some people jostling around Messi, thus blocking the view of those seated on the stands. The court reserved judgment after arguments by the parties in the matter were concluded. The counsel for the West Bengal government argued before a division bench presided by Acting Chief Justice Sujoy Paul that the state did not sell the tickets, and it was an event organised by a private event management company. Claiming that the investigation was being done in right earnest by the Bidhannagar Police Commissionerate, he stated before the court that the state's director general of police (DGP) was issued a show cause letter over the incident. The owner of the event management company, Satadru Dutta, was arrested on December 14, soon after the event on that day, in connection with the fiasco. Dutta's lawyer submitted before the division bench, also comprising Justice Partha Sarathi Sen, that they were unaware as to how so many people, who milled around Messi blocking the view of the spectators, entered the ground as the police were in charge of entry points. He further stated that the football legend's events were also held in Hyderabad, Mumbai and Delhi and that all went off smoothly. Billwadal Bhattacharya, the lawyer for Leader of Opposition Suvendu Adhikari, who is one of the petitioners, questioned the source of funds for organising the event and prayed that the court order an investigation by a competent central agency. Senior advocate Bikash Ranjan Bhattacharya, representing another petitioner, submitted before the court that the enquiry committee formed by the state government is not a judicial commission, but is simply an administrative one. The state's lawyer stated that Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee had, soon after the incident, expressed regret for the fiasco and that her government formed the committee comprising a retired high court judge and top officers of the administration. He also said that the police are probing as to how water bottles, which were thrown onto the ground by irate spectators, found their way into the stadium when the police had ordered that these were among the objects not allowed to be taken inside.
Congress workers also stage protest, call for end to violence against minorities in Bangladesh
Four of family charred to death in midnight fire in Bengal's Howrah village
KOLKATA: Four members of a family were charred to death while sleeping inside a room during a fire on Sunday night in Howrah district of West Bengal, officials said on Monday. The incident took place around midnight in Sauria village under the jurisdiction of Joypur police station in Howrah. The deceased were identified as Durjodhan Dolui (72), his son Dudhkumar Dolui (45), daughter-in-law Shibani Dolui (40), and granddaughter Shampa Dolui (15). Their bodies were recovered from the room by police after locals informed the police station. An investigation is underway to ascertain how the thatched house caught fire, officials said. Two fire tenders were deployed and the blaze was brought under control after about an hour. The bodies have been sent to a government hospital in Uluberia for post-mortem examination, officials confirmed. Locals said the family was reportedly very poor. Dudhkumar also had a son who works as a migrant labourer outside the state, officials added.
KOLKATA: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Monday urged minorities, who traditionally support the ruling Trinamool Congress, to remain united at a time when the partys suspended MLA Humayun Kabir floated a new political platform , the Janatar Unnyan Party (JUP). The move has raised concerns over a possible split in the minority vote bank barely four months ahead of the Assembly elections scheduled next year. Addressing a meeting of Trinamool Congress Booth Level Agents (BLAs) in the city, Banerjee appealed to minorities not to panic. I am telling you to take a decision and get united against the BJP, she said. BJP is trying to play division politics among you. But you have to be united against them, the Chief Minister added. Humayun Kabir, the Trinamool Congress legislator from Bharatpur, was recently suspended by the party leadership on charges of anti-party activities. These included allegedly making communal statements and laying the foundation stone of a mosque in Beldanga, Murshidabad district, modelled after the Babri Mosque in Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh. On Monday, Kabir formally announced the launch of his new party, the Janatar Unnyan Party. Addressing a public meeting in Beldanga, Kabir named eight candidates whom his party will field in the 2026 Assembly elections in the state. He said he would himself contest from two seats, Rejinagar and Beldanga in Murshidabad district, and would soon release the names of other candidates. Kabir claimed that the JUP would field candidates in 90 Assembly constituencies across the state and would emerge as a decisive factor in the elections. People have already dethroned the Congress. Now they will also bring the Trinamool Congress and BJP down from power in the state and at the Centre, the JUP chairman said. My party will fight for the cause of common people in the state. He also announced that table would be the partys symbol and said an application would be submitted to the Election Commission of India (ECI) seeking recognition. He added that rose could be used as an alternative symbol if the table is not approved. In the 2016 Assembly elections, Kabir had contested as an independent candidate using the same symbol. West Bengal has earlier witnessed the formation of a new political party, the Indian Secular Front (ISF), which had forged an electoral alliance with the CPI(M)-led Left Front in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections. ISF chairman Naushad Siddiqui is currently the partys sole MLA from the Bhangar constituency in South 24 Parganas. Political observers believe that the emergence of the JUP could significantly impact the Trinamool Congress vote base, particularly in minority-dominated Assembly segments in districts such as Murshidabad, Malda, South Dinajpur, North 24 Parganas and South 24 Parganas. Murshidabad district, which has around 70 per cent Muslim voters, could pose a serious challenge to the Trinamool Congresss electoral prospects following the formation of the JUP, observers said.
The port has facilitated development of a large cold storage facility, where marine products, fruits, vegetables and medicines can be refrigerated and preserved for exports or imports
Kolkata sarod maestro flees Bangladesh after concert venue attacked
Renowned sarod player Shiraz Ali Khan fled Bangladesh after the cultural venue Chhayanaut was vandalized amid unrest. Khan, who concealed his Indian identity during his escape, expressed shock at the attack on the venue where he was scheduled to perform. His tabla player remains stranded in Dhaka.
Suspended TMC MLA Humayun Kabir announces new political party
Kolkata: Humayun Kabir, the suspended Trinamool Congress legislator from Bharatpur Assembly Constituency in Murshidabad district of West Bengal, on Monday announced his political party, christened the Janata Unnayan Party. According to Kabir, the name of his new political outfit was the result of a well-thought-out exercise since he neither wanted to include the word Congress Get the latest updates in Hyderabad City News , Technology , Entertainment , Sports , Politics and Top Stories on WhatsApp & Telegram by subscribing to our channels. You can also download our app for Android and iOS .
Meet The Kolkata-Born Indian Woman Who Built The World Of Avatar Fire And Ash
With her incredible talent and creative vision, Aashrita has played a pivotal role in bringing the world of Pandora to life
KOLKATA: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Monday once again lashed out at Union Home Minister Amit Shah, alleging that he controls the Election Commission of India (ECI). Addressing a meeting of Trinamool Congress Booth Level Agents (BLAs) at the Netaji Indoor Stadium, around 1.5 km from the office of the West Bengal Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) at BBD Bag, the Chief Minister intensified her attack on Shah. I have never seen such an autocratic, worthless home minister who controls the Prime Minister, she said. Notably, Abhishek Banerjee, the partys national general secretary, was absent from the meeting. However, several ministers, including controversial leader Arup Biswas, who recently resigned from the sports and youth affairs portfolio following the Salt Lake Stadium chaos on December 23, along with Sujit Bose, party MLAs and MPs, attended the programme. Think about the future if these rioters run our country. They deleted Gandhijis name from the 100-day job guarantee scheme, Mamata said. On December 11, a day after Shah slammed the ruling Trinamool Congress in the Lok Sabha over alleged Bangladeshi infiltration into Bengal on December 10, Mamata Banerjee had termed him dangerous. She accused the Centre and the ECI of using the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls to unlawfully delete the names of lakhs of eligible Bengali voters ahead of the 2026 Assembly elections. The Election Commission is working only as per the directions of the BJP. There are gross errors in the mapping of voters during the SIR exercise in the state, she alleged at Mondays meeting. The Trinamool Congress supremo also claimed that central officers appointed as micro-observers for SIR hearings have little knowledge of the local language and are unfit to conduct verifications during the second phase of the revision exercise. Mamata further alleged that Shah was directly guiding attempts to remove as many as 1.5 crore names from the electoral rolls in the state. During a previous rally in Nadia district on December 11, she had warned that she would sit on an indefinite dharna if even a single eligible voter was excluded during the SIR exercise. The countrys home minister is dangerous. His two eyes send a message of disaster. In one eye you see Duryodhan, and in the other, Dushasan, she said, dramatically intensifying her rhetoric over the past week. She also alleged that the Commission was deploying officers close to the BJP during the revision process. According to her, the Commission has deleted 44,000 dead and bogus voters from the electoral rolls in her Bhawanipore Assembly constituency, while 72,000 names have been removed from the Chowringhee seat. What do you think? Can you defeat us in the coming Assembly elections by deleting voters? she asked. Names are being deleted if someones address changes because of delimitations. We will win the battle again despite these attempts at deletions, she said, targeting the ECI. We will win Delhi (the Centre) once we come back again in Bengal, she said, urging party grassroots workers to remain alert. She asked BLAs to verify draft electoral rolls through door-to-door visits to ensure whether voters whose names were deleted during the SIR exercise were genuine cases. Voters whose names have been deleted can fill up Form VI and Annexure IV and submit them to the concerned Electoral Registration Officers (EROs) for inclusion, she said. She also instructed BLAs to carefully check whether voters who were unmapped during the first phase of the SIR process had been issued notices by the Election Commission for hearings.
How much money did Messi take home from his India tour?
Hyderabad: Lionel Messi is not just a footballer, he is a global brand and a World Cup winning icon. Wherever he goes, stadiums fill up, airports turn into fan zones, and people travel just to catch one glimpse. That same stardom was seen in India during his GOAT India Tour, starting in Kolkata, where massive Get the latest updates in Hyderabad City News , Technology , Entertainment , Sports , Politics and Top Stories on WhatsApp & Telegram by subscribing to our channels. You can also download our app for Android and iOS .
India Is a Hindu Rashtra, No Constitutional Approval Needed: RSS Chief Bhagwat
New Delhi/Kolkata, Dec 22: Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat on Sunday said that India is a Hindu Rashtra and does not require constitutional approval for it, asserting that it is a factual reality. He made the remarks while addressing a programme at Science City auditorium in Kolkata. Expressing concern over the condition of [] The post India Is a Hindu Rashtra, No Constitutional Approval Needed: RSS Chief Bhagwat appeared first on Northlines .
Resolving differences among warring groups in Manipur will take time: Bhagwat
KOLKATA: RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat said it would take time to resolve differences among warring sides in ethnic strife-torn Manipur, exuding confidence that peace will ultimately prevail in the northeastern state. Bhagwat, who recently visited Manipur, said he had held talks with all tribal and social leaders as well as youth representatives of the state. []
Bengal SIR hearing sessions: ECI disallows individual institution certificates
Kolkata: The Election Commission of India (ECI) has made it clear that academic qualification certificates issued by individual educational institutions, including schools and colleges, will not be recognised as valid identity documents or age proof during the hearing sessions on the claims and objections to the draft voters list in West Bengal, which will start Get the latest updates in Hyderabad City News , Technology , Entertainment , Sports , Politics and Top Stories on WhatsApp & Telegram by subscribing to our channels. You can also download our app for Android and iOS .
Shiraz said his mother is still in Bangladesh, along with several Hindu accompanists whose names he has withheld for safety reasons.
Talk of building Babri again not in Muslim or Hindu interest: Bhagwat
NEW DELHI: RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat on Sunday described the new controversy in West Bengal over the use of the term Babri Masjid as a political plot aimed at reigniting an old dispute for electoral gains. Building a Babri Masjid again and restarting the dispute is a political conspiracy for votes. This is neither in the interest of Muslims nor of Hindus. The dispute was gradually coming to an end and a healthy sense of goodwill was developing, but now efforts are being made to widen the divide again, Bhagwat told the media in Kolkata on the sidelines of the RSS centenary celebrations. The controversy erupted after the foundation of a structure, named Babri Masjid, was recently laid by suspended TMC MLA Humayun Kabir in Beldanga. Bhagwat said such actions were being carried out for votes and should not happen. He said that as per norms, governments should not construct temples or any religious structures. He said Ram temple was built in Ayodhya following a Supreme Court judgment and after the formation of a trust. Government money was not used. The temple was built through donations, he added. Speaking on alleged atrocities against Hindus in Bangladesh, Bhagwat said, Hindus in Bangladesh must remain united and Hindus across India should extend support to them. He added that if Hindu society remains united, a visible change will also be seen in Bengal. Responding to a question, he asserted that Hindustan is a Hindu nation. He rejected allegations that the RSS is anti-Muslim. The Sangh has no doors and works openly. Anyone can come and see how we function and then form their opinion, he said.
On December 22, 2025, gold prices in India range from Rs 13,485 per 1 gram for 24K gold and Rs 12,361 per 1 gram for 22K gold. Silver is priced at Rs 2,11,000 per kilogram. Check city-wise rates here.
Centre rejects mining push charge behind Aravalli definition, asserts no relaxation
New Delhi/Kolkata, Dec 21: Asserting that 90 per cent of the Aravalli region will remain protected, the Centre on Sunday rejected claims that the new definition of the Aravalli range will allow large-scale mining and cited a Supreme Court-ordered freeze on new mining leases in the region. It said a Supreme Court-approved framework provides for []
Sarod player forced to flee Bangladesh hiding Indian identity
Renowned sarod player Shiraz Ali Khan fled Bangladesh to Kolkata after his concert venue was vandalized. Hours before his performance, the cultural hub was attacked amid unrest. Khan, whose family has roots in Bangladesh, concealed his Indian identity to safely depart, while his tabla player remains stranded. He vows not to return until artists and cultural spaces are protected.
World 25K Kolkata: Cheptegei, Azimeraw win; Gulveer, Seema rewrite Indian course records
Kolkata, Dec 21: Ugandas Joshua Cheptegei underlined his mastery of the distance to win the 10th Tata Steel World 25K Kolkata mens race while Indias Gulveer Singh and Seema rewrote the course records in their respective elite categories here on Sunday. Ethiopias Degitu Azimeraw produced a clinical performance to dethrone defending champion Sutume Asefa Kebede []
Sports must get priority over politics, bureaucracy: Bhaichung Bhutia
Kolkata, Dec 21: Former India football captain Bhaichung Bhutia on Sunday termed the chaos during Lionel Messis public event at the Salt Lake Stadium here as undesirable and said sports events must be given priority over political and bureaucratic formalities. Speaking after a running event in Kolkata, Bhutia said fans turn up to watch sport []
RANCHI: The ruling Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) on Sunday distanced itself from the remarks of Health Minister Irfan Ansari , who offered a job to the female Muslim doctor who was allegedly assaulted by Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar during a public event in Patna last week. JMM spokesperson Manoj Pandey said that there is no provision empowering the minister to offer a job with a salary of Rs 3 lakh per month. I dont think a minister can provide a Rs 3 lakh job to anyone. However, the issue that is being suppressed should be discussed, the JMM spokesperson said, stressing that the minister's statement was personal. The party was responding to Ansari's remarks, inviting the female doctor to Jharkhand and offering her a job with a monthly salary of Rs 3 lakh. I have invited the woman doctor to Jharkhand and offered her a job with a Rs 3 lakh monthly salary, a flat, a desired posting and full security, the minister said in Jamtara on Saturday. The minister was responding to the December 15 incident in Patna, where Nitish Kumar pulled the veil (naqab) off the face of a newly-recruited AYUSH doctor while she was receiving her letter of appointment. He accused Nitish Kumar of attempting to demean the hijab (veil) and the Muslim community through the act. Without naming anyone, Ansari also contrasted the incident with Jharkhand's governance. This is Jharkhand. Governance here is sensitive, inclusive and rooted in respect for human dignity, the minister said. Nusrat Parveen, a doctor hailing from Kolkata, was among ten Ayush doctors who had turned up at Chief Minister Nitish Kumar's Secretariat on December 15 to receive their letters of appointment. When Parveen's turn came, the 75-year-old CM pointed towards her veil and exclaimed 'what is this' before pulling it down and exposing her face. The incident has drawn widespread criticism , with many accusing Nitish Kumar of disrespecting Muslim traditions, allegedly in line with the RSS agenda. Meanwhile, former BJP minister C P Singh alleged a possible connection between the woman doctor and the Al-Falah University in Haryana, which has come under scanner in connection with the alleged white collar terror module. Singh demanded an NIA inquiry into the episode and said Ansari was not the health minister for one community alone. People from this particular community want to establish Ghazwa-e-Hind. Therefore, the NIA should investigate whether Nusrat Parveen has any connection to Al-Falah University, the BJP leader alleged. 'She can go to hell': BJP Minister Giriraj Singh defends Nitish Kumar over hijab removal incident involving Muslim doctor
RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat, speaking in Kolkata, voiced concerns about live-in relationships, deeming them an unwillingness to accept responsibility. He suggested renunciation for those avoiding marriage. Bhagwat also shared insights from experts, recommending early marriage (19-25) and three children for health and ego management, while acknowledging his personal lack of experience in these matters.
Misconceptions About RSS Owing To Misleading Campaigns: Mohan Bhagwat
Kolkata, Dec 21: Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh chief Mohan Bhagwat on Sunday said there are some misconceptions about the organisation among a section of people, owing to misleading campaigns. Speaking at a programme at the Science City auditorium here to mark the centenary celebrations of the RSS, Bhagwat said the Sangh has no enemy, but there are some whose shops of narrow interest will shut down if the organisation grows. He said a person has the right to make an opinion [] The post Misconceptions About RSS Owing To Misleading Campaigns: Mohan Bhagwat appeared first on Daily Excelsior .
Bengal SIR: ECI to seek explanations from BLOs on doubtful cases in draft voters list
Kolkata: The Election Commission of India (ECI) will take written explanations from the booth-level officers (BLOs) engaged in the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) in West Bengal on the doubtful cases in the draft voters list, which was published on December 16. Insiders from the office of the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO), West Bengal, said Get the latest updates in Hyderabad City News , Technology , Entertainment , Sports , Politics and Top Stories on WhatsApp & Telegram by subscribing to our channels. You can also download our app for Android and iOS .
Top 5 cities in India to celebrate this Christmas holiday 2025 with lights and cheer
Christmas spirit is already alive across India, with cities offering diverse ways to celebrate. From Goa's relaxed charm and Shillong's intimate warmth to Puducherry's gentle pace, Mumbai's inclusive energy, and Kolkata's vibrant street festivities, each destination provides a unique experience. These five cities beautifully capture the season's joy, lights, and shared warmth.
You were there in person, Lobo Lobo? Kolkata or Mumbai?
Souvik Ghosh At a time when political ambition is often wrapped in calculation, Shashi Tharoors entry into Indian politics was shaped by doubt, family anxiety, and personal conviction. That story unfolded with rare intimacy at a tte--tea hosted by the Prabha Khaitan Foundation, in association with Sanskriti Sagar and FICCI FLO Kolkata, where Tharoor appeared alongside his sisters Shobha and Smita. What followed was not a political speech, but a deeply personal conversation-about motherhood, fear, idealism, and the cost of [] The post The man who defied his mother appeared first on Daily Excelsior .
How to make Kolkata-style jhalmuri at home for evening snacks
Kolkata-style jhalmuri offers a perfect evening snack. This dish is fresh, spicy, and tangy. It requires no cooking or long preparation. Simple ingredients are mixed quickly to create a crunchy and flavorful experience. The key is balancing flavors and textures. Jhalmuri is best enjoyed immediately after preparation. It becomes an easy evening ritual for many.
PM Modi posts on CAA, Lionel Messi mess to target TMC
Prime Minister Modi took to X after leaving Kolkata, addressing CAA concerns for Matua and Namasudra communities, assuring them of dignity and rights. He also criticized Trinamool Congress over the Salt Lake Stadium incident and alleged infiltration from Bangladesh. Trinamool countered, calling his statements damage control and questioning his script.
Dont Join Politics: Why Shashi Tharoor Defied His Mother And Chose Conviction Over Comfort
By Souvik Ghosh At a time when political ambition is often wrapped in calculation, Shashi Tharoors entry into Indian politics was shaped by doubt, family anxiety, and personal conviction. That story unfolded with rare intimacy at atte--tea hosted by the Prabha Khaitan Foundation, in association withSanskriti Sagar and FICCI FLO Kolkata, where Tharoor appeared []
Sesa FA stumbleagainst Garhwal Utd
NT Reporter Panaji Sesa FA suffered a 3-1 defeat to Garhwal United FC in an Indian Womens League clash at the National Centre of Excellence (NCE), Kolkata on Saturday. Garhwal United raced into a commanding lead through Lhingdeikim (12), Sanfida Nongrum (15) and Deepika Pal (45+4), all in the first half. Sesa FAs Sarjida Khatun [] The post Sesa FA stumbleagainst Garhwal Utd appeared first on The Navhind Times .
Messi was unhappy with being touched at Kolkata event: Dutta tells SIT
Kolkata: Satadru Dutta, the arrested main organiser of Lionel Messi event here on December 13, has told investigators that the football icon was unhappy with being touched or hugged during his appearance at the Salt Lake Stadium and left before staying there full-time as scheduled, a source in the SIT said on Saturday. During prolonged Get the latest updates in Hyderabad City News , Technology , Entertainment , Sports , Politics and Top Stories on WhatsApp & Telegram by subscribing to our channels. You can also download our app for Android and iOS .
PM Modi slams maha jungle raj in West Bengal, seeks BJP vote
Kolkata: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday lashed out at the Trinamool Congress in West Bengal, calling the states prevailing situation maha jungle raj and alleging that corruption, nepotism and appeasement of the ruling dispensation have prevented development in the state. Addressing a massive gathering at Taherpur in Nadia district over the phone from Kolkata, Get the latest updates in Hyderabad City News , Technology , Entertainment , Sports , Politics and Top Stories on WhatsApp & Telegram by subscribing to our channels. You can also download our app for Android and iOS .
PM Modi's silence on voter deletions during West Bengal rally irks Matuas
KOLKATA: As the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in West Bengal puts thousands of Matua community members at a risk of losing Indian citizenship, Prime Minister Modi's silence during his rally in West Bengal has sparked sharp criticism from the ruling Trinamool Congress. While addressing the crowd at the Taherpur rally, a Matua-dominated region of the state, the PM started his audio message from Kolkata airport saying Jai Netai, and remembered the roles of social reformers such as Harichand Thakur, Guruchand Thakur and Baroma. However, the PM did not address a major issue plaguing the Matua community as thousands of names were deleted from the voters lists following the 2025 SIR process. Jai Netai is a devotional slogan used to venerate Nityananda Prabhu, a primary figure in Gaudiya Vaishnavism tradition, which is closely associated with the Matua Mahasangha, a significant social and religious reform movement in Bengal. Matuas attending the rally were expecting the PM to address the mass name deletions. Many were excluded from the 2025 draft rolls due to their absence from the 2002 electoral rolls. A majority of the Matuas who had migrated from Bangladesh are Hindus. Aggrieved Matuas staged demonstrations on Saturday in different parts of Ranaghat parliamentary area, a politically significant belt for BJP, demanding that their citizenship be secured. The agitators shouted slogans such as Go Back Modi. The PM could not attend reach the rally site as dense fog had prevented his helicopter from landing at the makeshift helipad in Taherpur this morning. BJP sources said, We had a phenomenal rise in since 2019 Lok Sabha elections in North 24 Parganas, Nadia and parts of Jalpaiguri because Matuas voted for us. But a large section of Matuas anxious about the SIR outcome that deleted thousands of voters belonging to the community. Modiji didnt say anything about their crisis during the rally, and it is upsetting for Matuas, the sources added. TMC Rajya Sabha MP Mamatabala Thakur, belonging to the Matua community, said, BJP has been giving false promises to the community for a long time, but our Prime Minister has nothing more to give them. Instead, he has taken away their voting rights what they used to enjoy in elections. BJP has got Matua votes by giving them false promises. Out of 17 Matua-dominated assembly constituencies in Nadia and North 24 Parganas district, BJP had won all the seats in 2021 assembly polls. The saffron party had also won Ranaghat and Bongaon Lok Sabha seats in Matua belts in 2024 elections. Interestingly, around 85,000 Matua voters names in Bongaon sub-division have been deleted from the electoral rolls following the SIR. Since the SIR kick-started in Bengal, the BJP has asked Matuas not to worry and has launched a massive drive to facilitate citizenship for eligible members of the community.
