Trinamool vs Trinamool Continues. Kalyan Banerjee Jabs Mahua Moitra Again
In a fresh embarrassment to the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) in West Bengal, Lok Sabha MP Kalyan Banerjee on Saturday called party colleague Mahua Moitra elow standard and a waste of time.
War 2 advance bookings off to good start on Day 1
War 2, starring Hritik Roshan and Jr NTR, sees strong advance ticket sales. The film opens August 14. Early numbers are impressive across Hindi, Tamil, and Telugu versions. Maharashtra, Delhi, and West Bengal lead in bookings. War 2 secured a U/A 16+ rating with a runtime of nearly three hours. It dominates single screens, securing 90% in the Hindi belt.
West Bengal tops list as over 2.7K kids awaiting adoption in country
NEW DELHI: As many as 2,768 children are currently awaiting adoption across the country, with West Bengal reporting the highest number of pendencies, followed by Uttar Pradesh, government data shows. Despite the Adoption Regulation, 2022 stipulating timelines for authorities and agencies regarding adoption matters, child adoption is taking longer as it involves different stakeholders, officials pointed out. According to data from Central Adoption Resource Authority (CARA), a nodal body for adoption of Indian children, which is mandated to monitor and regulate in-country and inter-country adoptions, West Bengal has the highest pendency with 352 adoption cases. It is followed by Uttar Pradesh (318), Odisha (262), Maharashtra (250), Telangana (201), Bihar (196), Delhi (176), and Madhya Pradesh (139). Officials said the referral and adoption of a child depends upon the preference made by the Prospective Adoptive Parents (PAPs) regarding age, health condition, and state of the child during online registration on the CARINGS portal and thus leads to inordinate delay on occasions. To avoid pendency, the Centre has notified the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015 (as amended in 2021), which empowers the District Magistrate to effectively coordinate and monitor the functions of agencies responsible for implementation of the Juvenile Justice (JJ) Act which include adoption-related matters. The functionaries of States and Union Territories implement the JJ Act through institutions like State Adoption Resource Agencies, local Child Welfare Committees and District Child Protection Units (DCPUs), officials said, adding the entire adoption process is online and transparent through the CARINGS portal. Moreover, CARA regularly holds training sessions, including weekly virtual refresher programmes that are accessible nationwide to promote and facilitate adoption, they said. In financial year 2024-25, India was able to register a record 4,515 adoptions. Officials said this was the highest in the past 12 years. Out of the total adoptions in the period, 3,950 were domestic, while 565 were international adoptions.
Tradition, Thrill, and Thundering Hooves: West Bengals Moi Chara Cattle Race Festival
Images by Avishek Mitra In the lush heart of West Bengals South 24 Parganas district, the village of Herobhanga comes alive each monsoon with the pulse of a centuries-old traditionMoi Chara, a unique cattle race that fuses agricultural ritual with sheer spectacle. Herobhanga village lies near Canning railway station, approximately 80 kilometers from Kolkata. During [] The post Tradition, Thrill, and Thundering Hooves: West Bengals Moi Chara Cattle Race Festival appeared first on The Shillong Times .
Sold For Marriage Twice, Missing Bengal Girl Rescued From Rajasthan
A minor girl from West Bengal who was abducted and sold twice for illegal marriage was rescued by the CBI from Rajasthan along with the arrest of five accused.
Bengal: Son of Trinamool Congress leader killed in shootout
Kolkata: The son of a Trinamool Congress leader and head of a village panchayat has been killed in a shootout in broad daylight. The incident happened in Cooch Behar district of West Bengal on Saturday. The deceased youth has been identified as Amar Roy, son of the head of the local Dawaguri village panchayat, Kuntala 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 .
'Badi deewar gir gayi hai': Families recall Delhi wall collapse horror; 7 killed
In Jaitpur, a wall collapsed near Mohan Baba Mandir due to heavy rain, killing five members of Ranjan's family and trapping eight people in jhuggis. The victims included two children, a woman, and several migrant workers from West Bengal. Police are investigating the structural condition of the wall and potential negligence, while one survivor receives treatment.
Clashes erupt in Kolkata as RG Kar victims parents lead Nabanna Chalo protest
The city witnessed dramatic scenes today as the parents of the RG Kar Medical College doctor, raped and murdered in August last year, led a protest march towards the West Bengal secretariat, Nabanna. The demonstration part of the Nabanna Chalo ...
KOLKATA : Police baton-charged protestors at the Park Street crossing in central Kolkata during a march to the West Bengal Secretariat Nabanna on Saturday to mark the completion of one year of the brutal rape and murder of an on-duty doctor inside the state-run RG Kar hospital. Tension prevailed as protestors tried to breach the barricades in their attempt to head towards the Vidyasagar Setu after ignoring police warnings not to move beyond the Rani Rashmoni Road assembly point. Leader of Opposition Suvendu Adhikari, alongside BJP leader Agnimitra Paul and other BJP MLAs held a sit-in at the Park Street-J L Nehru Road crossing, while alleging that more than 100 protestors, including Adhikari and other BJP leaders, were injured in police action. Adhikari also claimed that the parents of the RG Kar victim were injured during the lathi charge. Mamata Banerjee will pay dearly for this. This protest is only going to get bigger from here, Adhikari warned. A section of protestors taking part in a march reached Santragachi in Howrah district on Saturday and attempted to breach the iron wall barricades set up by the city police there. As part of the 'Nabanna Chalo Abhiyan', the protestors raised slogans for justice for the RG Kar victim and voiced their resolve to reach the state secretariat, irrespective of the blockades put up by the police. The police can fire upon us, but we are determined to reach 'Nabanna', where the state government must answer why justice has not been delivered to Abhaya (RG Kar victim) even after one year, a protestor was heard saying. #WATCH | Kolkata | At the 'Nabanna Abhiyan' rally, BJP leader Ashok Dinda says, ... That day is not far when we will have to beat up the police as well. They will be thoroughly thrashed. Once the BJP gives instructions from the top, we will beat up the police so much that they https://t.co/XUs3Onc6CL pic.twitter.com/XCSW8JaaVu ANI (@ANI) August 9, 2025 Amid constant alerts over loudspeakers by the police urging protestors to abide by the Calcutta High Court order to maintain law and order, demonstrators were seen scaling the 10-ft-high barricades in their attempts to breach them. Some agitators were also seen using blunt instruments to break the iron walls and carve openings within them to ensure a cross over. The protestors were seen carrying the Tricolour besides posters and banners demanding justice for the victim and the resignation of Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. Massive police deployments, along with RAF personnel and even water cannons, have been made at all the strategic points where the progress of the agitators is to be halted. The parents of the deceased doctor urged citizens to join the march to Nabanna, while Leader of Opposition in the assembly, Suvendu Adhikari, appealed to BJP workers to participate in the procession without any party flag. Adhikari, accompanied by a section of BJP MLAs, earlier in the day, joined the victims parents at the Dorina Crossing in Esplanade in central Kolkata sans BJPs banners, flags and other party insignia. The Mamata Banerjee administration is fearing this massive crowd which has gathered in protest, Adhikari said. Crowds were found swelling at both the assembly points in Howrah and Kolkata, with the state police not allowing the protestors to reach anywhere close to the West Bengal secretariat. The police are not cooperating with us despite the high court permitting us to hold a peaceful protest rally, the father of the victim alleged. The police tried to prevent people from reaching the assembly point by stopping their vehicles at various points en route, he added.
One Year On, Protestors March To West Bengal Secretariat 'Nabanna' Demanding Justice In RG Kar Case
A section of protestors taking part in a march to the West Bengal secretariat 'Nabanna' to mark the completion of one year of the brutal rape and murder of an on-duty doctor inside the state-run RG Kar hospital reached Santragachi in Howrah district.
RG Kar: Protestors reach Santragachi assembly point in Howrah, attempt to breach police barricades
A protest march towards Nabanna, the West Bengal secretariat, saw demonstrators clashing with police at Santragachi in Howrah district. The protestors marked one year since the rape and murder of a doctor at RG Kar hospital. They demanded justice for the victim, Abhaya. The police had set up barricades to stop the march.
Security tightened in Kolkata ahead of march to state secretariat on RG Kar rape-murder anniversary
KOLKATA Security arrangements have been tightened and traffic restrictions are in place across Kolkata and Howrah on Saturday in view of a march to the West Bengal secretariat 'Nabanna' to mark the completion of one year of the rape and murder of an on-duty doctor inside the state-run RG Kar hospital, police said. Prohibitory orders under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) have been imposed in areas adjoining 'Nabanna', while multi-layer barricades were put up at several crossings in the two cities, and vehicular movement on the Howrah Bridge and the Vidyasagar Setu over the Hooghly river has been stopped, they said. The police have earmarked two locations for peaceful gatherings - Santragachi bus stand under the Howrah Police Commissionerate and Rani Rashmoni Avenue in central Kolkata - in line with a Calcutta High Court directive, a senior officer said. The parents of the deceased doctor urged citizens to join the march to Nabanna, while Leader of Opposition in the assembly, Suvendu Adhikari, appealed to BJP workers to participate in the procession without any party flag. A senior TMC spokesperson accused the BJP of politicising the tragic incident, while the saffron party alleged that the government tried to stifle peaceful protests. The security plan includes multi-layered barricades in the Santragachi area, where protesters are expected to arrive by trains from Purba and Paschim Medinipur and Howrah districts. The police have installed over 10ft-high iron barricades, backed by a three-tier security cordon, he said. Water cannons have also been stationed, and mock security drills were conducted to ensure that protesters cannot breach the barricades, he said. Heavy police deployment and barricades were also seen at Rani Rashmoni crossing in central Kolkata, and Kazipara and Foreshore Road in Howrah. Year after RG Kar rape case, doctors say promises on safety, work conditions remain unfulfilled Traffic restrictions have been imposed from 4 am to 10 pm in several throughfares such as Red Road, Circular Garden Reach Road, Jawaharlal Nehru Road, and AJC Bose Road, the police said. Senior officers of the West Bengal Police on Friday said they have no objection to peaceful rallies marking the first death anniversary of the RG Kar Medical College rape-murder victim, but warned of strict legal actions against any attempt to break law and order. Addressing a press conference at West Bengal Police headquarters in Bhawani Bhavan, ADG (Law and Order) Javed Shamim said, We are yet to receive any application from any organisation planning to take out a rally on Saturday to mark the first death anniversary of the RG Kar hospital doctor. He clarified that no protest will be allowed near the state secretariat, Nabanna, where Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) is in force, prohibiting gatherings. Several other protests have also been planned in Kolkata, including a march from Hazra crossing in the southern part of the city to Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's residence in the Kalighat area, on Saturday. A year on, RG Kar victim's parents still ask: 'Who killed our daughter?'
A 25-year-old PhD scholar at IISER Kalyani, West Bengal, died in hospital after allegedly attempting suicide on campus. Hours earlier, Anamitra Roy had posted a note on social media detailing years of personal struggles, including depression, autism, and alleged harassment by a fellow researcher. He claimed repeated complaints to his supervisor and the anti-ragging cell were ignored.
A year after the RG Kar student's rape and murder case, West Bengal braces for a fresh stir as the students and Bharatiya Janata Party leaders will participate in 'Nabanna Abhiyan' protest march on Saturday, demanding justice for the victim.
'Can't Do This Anymore': PhD Scholar Ends Life At Bengal Institute Over Ragging Complaint Inaction
The student posted a long note on social media, hours before attempting suicide on campus of Indian Institutes of Science Education and Research in West Bengal's Nadia.
In the name of a nation: The Bengali migrant worker and Indian citizenship
As thousands of Bengali-speaking migrants across some of Indias States are questioned on their citizenship, detained, or pushed into Bangladesh, a wave of fear has brought them back to West Bengal. Shiv Sahay Singhexplores the reasons for the migration, as the controversy opens up the debate about Bengali identity. Political parties use the crisis as a plank for the Assembly elections in 2026
Parents of R.G. Kar victim to lead march to West Bengal Secretariat to mark one year of the crime
Family sends invitations to political parties except Trinamool; police issue prohibitory orders, mark Howrahs Santragachi Bus Stand and Kolkatas Rani Rashmoni Avenue as alternative venues for rally
'Reclaim the night' set to return to Kolkata with calls for justice, one year after RG Kar incident
KOLKATA: Reclaim the Night is all set to return to the streets of Kolkata on August 9, demanding justice for the RG Kar victim . On August 9 last year, the 26-year-old doctor's body was found in the hospital's seminar room with multiple wounds. Investigations revealed she had been raped and murdered. The investigation of the case was handed over to the CBI from the Kolkata Police. In January 2025, civic volunteer Sanjoy Roy was convicted and sentenced to life imprisonment. However, the victim's family believes there was a larger conspiracy behind the crime. On the first anniversary of the tragedy, the parents had called for a march to Nabanna, the state administrative headquarters, while the 'Abhaya Mancha' group planned a separate march to Kalighat. However, police on Friday denied permission for both events, offering alternative protest sites instead. A year on, RG Kar victim's parents still ask: 'Who killed our daughter?' The West Bengal Junior Doctors Forum has organised a nighttime procession from College Square to Shyambazar, followed by a sit-in protest, though it's unclear if police have approved the gathering. Opposition leader Suvendu Adhikari has supported the family's call for the Nabanna march. Police officials stated that no permission had been sought for the Nabanna march and reminded that the area is a high-security zone where protests are banned under Section 163 of BNS (formerly Section 144 of IPC). They cited two ongoing High Court cases regarding the protests, noting that while peaceful protest is a fundamental right, the administration can impose restrictions to prevent violence or damage. Authorities have suggested alternative protest locations - Santragachi bus stand in Howrah and Rani Rashmoni Avenue in Kolkata. Police commissioners from both Kolkata and Howrah said that protesters must apply in advance with details about participant numbers and logistics. Kolkata Police Commissioner Manoj Verma warned that the planned Kalighat march would not be allowed, adding that surveillance through CCTV and drones would help identify any illegal activity. West Bengal Police ADG Supratim Sarkar stated that gatherings at unauthorized locations would face legal action. The case continues to highlight tensions between citizens' right to protest and security concerns, with the medical community and victim's family insisting that justice remains incomplete one year after the horrific crime. A year after RG Kar incident; workplace safety pledges gather dust, doctors demand action
A year after RG Kar incident; workplace safety pledges gather dust, doctors demand action
KOLKATA: A year after the RG Kar Medical College incident that triggered nationwide protests by doctors, medical professionals say none of the key promises made for their safety have been implemented . Concerns over unsafe working conditions, exhausting duty hours, and weak enforcement of protection laws continue to plague healthcare workers. The recent attack on doctors and security staff at AIIMS Patna by a sitting MLA has once again highlighted the risks faced by medical professionals. Laws exist, but poor implementation leaves doctors vulnerable to violence. The need for safe, respectful, and humane working conditions is more urgent than ever, said Dr. Indra Shekhar, former president of AIIMS Delhi Resident Doctors' Association (RDA). Dr. Rohan Krishnan of FAIMA said both the central and West Bengal governments had assured better hospital safety measures after the RG Kar incident, but those promises remain unfulfilled. Violence against doctors, especially women, is rising. Medical education now has many women students, and since healthcare is an emergency service, they work night shifts in high-risk areaspsychiatric wards, economically vulnerable sections, and even among patients with criminal backgrounds. Proper security is not just important, it's essential, he said. A year on, RG Kar victim's parents still ask: 'Who killed our daughter?' Krishnan stressed that the safety of women doctors, nurses, and paramedics should be a top priority. There were promises of deploying marshals and armed guards in government hospitals with over 300 beds and 50,000 daily patients. The Delhi government made the same commitment, but failed to act. In Bengal, harassment cases are reported almost daily, he added. Dr. Sharda Sahu, president of Lady Hardinge Medical College RDA, said little has changed since last years protests. Except for some measures to manage patient and attendant entry, no major improvements have been made. Violence continues because there is still no Central Protection Act for doctors, she said. No plan to enact Central law to protect healthcare professionals: RTI reply Centre yet to act on model state law for healthcare workers' safety
ECI asks Bengal Chief Secretary to take action against 4 officials, sets Monday deadline
The Election Commission of India (ECI) has directed the West Bengal Chief Secretary to take immediate action against four officials for irregularities in handling Form-6 applications in Baruipur Purba and Moyna. This directive follows Mamata Banerjee's public declaration against executing the suspension order.
Govt asks BSNL circles to improve quality of service, resolve tower power issues
Minister of State for Telecom Chandra Sekhar Pemmasani on Friday directed BSNL circles in UP, Bihar, MP, and West Bengal to improve service quality, fix tower power issues, and adopt region-specific marketing strategies. The government aims to boost BSNLs mobile business by 50% and enterprise and fixed-line segments by up to 30% and 20%, respectively.
ED files chargesheet against Bengal minister Chandranath Sinha in primary teachers recruitment scam
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has filed a chargesheet against West Bengal Minister Chandranath Sinha, revealing fictitious transactions worth Rs 1.5 crore linked to the primary teacher recruitment scam. Governor CV Ananda Bose sanctioned the approval after reviewing the documents provided by ED. The chargesheet details irregularities in the recruitment process, with transactions occurring between 2016 and 2021.
Assam CM accuses Mamata of creating NRC fear for political gain
Himanta Biswa Sarma said his West Bengal counterpart has been raking up the issue with the 2026 Assembly elections in mind
Will gherao EC if a single elector's name from Bengal is omitted from final voter list: Abhishek
Abhishek Banerjee threatened to gherao the Election Commission with one lakh people if even a single voter's name is unfairly removed during the proposed Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in West Bengal. He alleged the BJP is trying to implement SIR quickly, potentially disenfranchising poor people, and criticized the EC for acting on BJP directives.
WB Govt: Got No Word From CEO About SIR
Referring to several media reports, additional chief secretary of the state home and hill affairs department Nandini Chakravorty wrote in a letter to Mr Agarwal on Friday, ...it is learnt that the office of the CEO, West Bengal has informed the ECI that West Bengal is ready for Special Intensive Revision of Electoral Rolls
Bengal minister to BJP: Release funds, stop dreaming about winning 2026 polls
West Bengal Irrigation Minister Manas Ranjan Bhuiyan criticized the central government for allegedly withholding funds for the Tilpara Barrage restoration in Birbhum. Bhuiyan claimed the Centre's non-cooperation is destabilizing Bengal's economy, urging BJP leaders to advocate for the release of Rs 1.77 lakh-crore.
Mamata instilling fear among Bengalis over National Register of Citizens: Himanta Sarma
GUWAHATI: Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma slammed his West Bengal counterpart Mamata Banerjee for allegedly attempting to instil fear in the minds of Bengali people by talking about the National Register of Citizens (NRC) ahead of the Assembly elections. Sarma termed Banerjees concerns over NRC as unwarranted. Suddenly, she says she is not going to obey NRC. Who has asked her to obey NRC. Where is the NRC? Nobody has ordered any NRC, the Assam chief minister told the media in Guwahati. This is her tactic to instil fear in the minds of Bengali people and get their votes. In last five years, she has not talked anything about NRC. Now, she is talking about all these things as the elections are approaching, Sarma said. West Bengal and Assam will go to polls early next year.Earlier, Banerjee had expressed shock over an NRC notice issued to one Uttam Kumar Brajabasi, esident of Dinhata in Cooch Behar, West Bengal for 50 years, by a foreigners tribunal in Assam. However, Sarma stated that Brajabasi was a citizen of Assam who had temporarily gone to Bengal. He also said that the notice issued to the man was a judicial process. Meanwhile, Sarma clarified that the Assam government had not taken any special decision to drop the cases of non-Muslim illegal migrants, who entered India before 2015, from the foreigners tribunals. He said the Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA) provides security and protection to such people. That is the law. The case is in the Supreme Court. Unless the Supreme Court strikes it down, that is the law of the land, Sarma said. He said the state cabinet had earlier decided on dropping the cases of Koch-Rajbanshi and Gorkha people from the foreigners tribunals. CAA gives security to others (non-Muslims) who came from Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan (till December 31, 2014). The state government has nothing to do additionally for them, Sarma further stated. According to official records, eight people in Assam applied for Indian citizenship under CAA till July 15, 2025 and only two appeared for an interview. The 1951 NRC in Assam was updated under the direct monitoring of the Supreme Court. Over 19.06 lakh of the 3.3 crore applicants were left out of its complete draft.
Mamata Banerjee using NRC to create fear ahead of polls: Himanta Sarma
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma accused West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee of instilling fear among Bengali communities regarding the National Register of Citizens (NRC) ahead of state elections. Sarma dismissed Banerjee's claims about BJP's NRC plans in Bengal, stating no such orders exist.
Calcutta High Court Orders WBJEE Board To Release New Merit List
The court directed that affidavits of compliance will be filed by the Registrar, West Bengal Joint Entrance Examinations Board.
The Fight Will Go On: A Year After Abhayas Rape-Murder At RG Kar, Parents To Hold March Tomorrow
Abhaya's parents have called for a massive protest march to the West Bengal State Secretariat, Nabanna, on August 9 to demand answers from the government
Advertisement Department request - Presidency University celebrates 11th National Handloom Day
The event featured an exhibition of handwoven sarees and artifacts from across India from West Bengals Jamdani to Tamil Nadus Kanchipuram, Telanganas Pochampally Ikat
Chhattisgarh HC asks government to reply on migrant return to Bengal
RAIPUR: The Chhattisgarh HC on Thursday issued notice to the state government on a plea of 12 migrant workers from West Bengal seeking quashing of illegal criminal proceedings against them, and compensation for illegal detention and confinement in jail by accusing them of being Bangladeshi immigrants. Mehmoob Sheikh and 11 others, residents of Krishna Nagar and Murshidabad in West Bengal, in the petitions also alleged they were ill-treated in custody, threatened by the police in Kondagaon and forced to leave Chhattisgarh, following which they lost their livelihood and returned to their home state. The petitioners were released from jail after the West Bengal police submitted a report confirming their Indian citizenship. A Division Bench comprising Chief Justice Ramesh Sinha and Justice B D Guru, hearing the plea, had directed the state to respond within two weeks, following which the petitioners have been asked to give a counter reply. The 12 workers were taken into custody on July 12, allegedly mercilessly treated by Kondagaon police without any cognizable offence and subsequently sent to Central jail in Jagdalpur, the petitioners stated. Advocates Sudeep Srivastava and Rajni Soren filed a habeas corpus plea in the high court, but before it came for a hearing, all 12 were released on July 14 by the order of SDM Kondagaon. All 12 were kept in jail for 2 days, but neither produced before any magistrate or court of law nor served any detention order. They had come to work at a construction site in Kondagaon through a contractor to build a school, stated the petition. The petitioners claimed that they were working at the school construction site from June 30, residing in the same premises with proper verification and didnt hide their identity. They had produced their Aadhar cards and other documents on demand to the Kondagaon police.
West Bengal BJP MPs meet ECI, flag threats to State election officials
This development unfolds amidst an ongoing campaign by the Bengal BJP for the removal of foreign infiltrators and fake voters from the States electoral rolls, and their allegations against the Trinamool government for allegedly curbing election officials from discharging their duties
The 2002 Special Intensive Revision (SIR) voters lists for 293 Assembly Constituencies in West Bengal have been published, except for one due to legibility issues, according to the Chief Electoral Officer. Measures are underway to publish the remaining list. The Election Commission is likely to conduct SIR in Bengal in August ahead of 2026 assembly polls.
How climate change and urbanisation are fuelling deadly lightning strikes in India
NEW DELHI: Once a rare occurrence, lightning has now become a frequent and deadly hazard in India. Between March and July 2025 alone, 54 people lost their lives due to lightning strikes in Andhra Pradesh. Other states such as Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, Odisha, and those in the Northeast have also seen []
A year on, RG Kar victim's parents still ask: 'Who killed our daughter?'
KOLKATA: Nearly a year after a young woman doctor was raped and murdered inside a locked seminar room at Kolkatas RG Kar Medical College, her grieving parents continue their agonizing wait for justice, their wounds only deepening with time. On August 9 last year, the womans body was discovered in the emergency building of the hospital. Investigations later revealed she had been raped and murdered. In January 2025, a Kolkata Police civic volunteer, Sanjoy Roy , was convicted by the Sealdah court and sentenced to life imprisonment. Yet, the parents remain unsatisfied, alleging a larger conspiracy and systemic failures in the probe. The horrific crime triggered nationwide outrage and protests, even resonating internationally. But as the first anniversary of her death approaches, the family claims justice remains elusive. 'Will our daughter get justice?': RG Kar victim's parents wait in pain year after incident Frustrated with the Central Bureau of Investigations (CBI) handling of the case, the victims parents traveled to Delhi on Thursday, seeking meetings with Union Home Minister Amit Shah and CBI Director Praveen Sood to voice their grievances. The CBI, which took over the case from Kolkata Police, has submitted five status reports to the Sealdah court, the latest on July 16. However, the victim's father says he has lost all trust in both the police and the investigative agency. Today we met the CBI Director and Joint Director, but it was only a waste of time. We have lost all faith in the police and the CBI, he said. For some reasons best known to them, the CBI appears compromised, either politically or otherwise. They are just parroting what the Kolkata Police had said. He further alleged deliberate attempts to destroy evidence. There were three bodies at the crematorium that day. Yet our daughters body was cremated first. Why the hurry? Steps were taken to wipe out evidence, he claimed. They want us to bring evidence. Is that our job or theirs? The CBI is spineless. None of our demands were heard. We believe more people were involved, and they must be punished. BJP leader seeks police investigation in Kolkata gang rape case, says CBI probe in RG Kar case was flawed The family also cited the Supreme Courts earlier observations questioning the handling of the case. Those questions still remain unanswered all they (CBI) say is, investigation is ongoing. Thats not enough, they said. On Saturday a march to Nabanna, the West Bengal secretariat, will be organized, demanding justice for the victim on her death anniversary. The victims parents said that they were reaching out to various political parties, except the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC), to join the march. Their fight continues, with their last hope now resting on the judiciary. Kolkata: Charges framed against five accused in RG Kar corruption case
West Bengal is prepared for Special Intensive Revision, CEO informs Election Commission
KOLKATA: Chief Electoral officer (CEO) of West Bengal Manoj Agarwal on Thursday informed the Election Commission of India (ECI) that they are ready with all preparations for the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the voter lists in the state. The ECI on Wednesday sent a letter to the CEO office, inquiring about the preparations for the SIR exercise in West Bengal. In response, the CEO office on Thursday compiled the SIR preparation reports from all districts of the state and sent it to the ECI, a source in the CEO office said. The CEO office informed the ECI that it is being ready to start the SIR exercise, the source added. INTERVIEW | SIR is need of the hour else state will become West Bangladesh' According to the instructions of the ECI, no booth will consist of more than 1,200 voters from now onwards. Following the instruction, the number of booths in West Bengal has been increased to a little over 94,000 from 80,680, the source informed. The increased number of booths has already been sent to all the recognized political parties in the state. Following the completion of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise in Bihar , the Election Commission of India (ECI) has now turned its focus to other states and union territories, including West Bengal. Last month, the poll panel had directed all Chief Electoral Officers (CEOs) to complete preparatory measures for the voter list revision process. The ECI had issued letters to CEO offices across these regions, instructing them to finalize all necessary arrangements for the upcoming SIR drive. The commission emphasized the need for timely completion of key tasks, including the recruitment and training of election personnel, to ensure a smooth revision process. In the letter, the ECI asked the states to complete the recruitment of Booth Level Officers (BLOs), BLO Supervisors, Booth Level Agents (BLAs) and also the training of BLOs and BLO supervisors. The CEOs were also asked to submit the relevant information quickly. Last time, the SIR of the voter lists in West Bengal was done more than two decades ago in 2002. Another source in the CEO office said that under the leadership of the CEO, the District Election Officer or District Magistrate (DEO), Additional District Magistrate, Electoral Registration Officer (ERO), Additional Electoral Registration Officer (AERO) and Booth Level Officers (BLOs) will conduct the survey at the homes of everyone voters. Each person will have to fill a form and submit the necessary information which will be verified. Under the supervision of the CEO, district officialsincluding District Election Officers, Electoral Registration Officers, and BLOswill carry out a door-to-door survey to verify voter details. While individuals already listed in the 2002 SIR list or those with guardians listed will not need additional documentation, new voters and migrants from other states must submit specified documents to establish citizenship and family links. The verification process can also be completed online, with political party representatives participating as observers throughout the exercise.
Calcutta High Court orders new merit list for West Bengal JEE 2025 exam
The Calcutta High Court has ordered a revised merit list for the West Bengal Joint Entrance Examination. The court found errors in the OBC reservation implementation. The board must now provide 7% reservation for specific OBC categories. This applies to those recognized before 2010. The court has set a 15-day deadline for this correction.
IMD warns of heavy rain in Darjeeling and other districts of West Bengal
The IMD has issued a heavy rainfall warning for sub-Himalayan West Bengal districts until August 12, with potential for very heavy rainfall on August 11. Several southern districts, including South 24 Parganas and Purulia, are also expected to receive heavy showers until August 9. Kolkata anticipates overcast skies with light to moderate rain.
West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee accused the BJP-led central government of plotting to deprive citizens of their rights by revising the voter list, alleging a scheme to label Indians as Rohingyas and deport them. Banerjee criticized the Election Commission for bias and vowed to protest any removal of genuine voters.
Mamata questions EC's directive to suspend four officers, says her govt is with its staffers
KOLKATA: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Thursday asserted that her government is with its employees, questioning the Election Commission's suspension of four officers, including two state civil servants. The EC had on Tuesday ordered the suspension of four officers and a casual worker of the West Bengal government for allegedly failing to perform their duties and committing lapses while preparing the electoral rolls in two districts. The poll panel also directed that FIRs be lodged against the five -- two Electoral Registration Officers (EROs), two Assistant Electoral Registration Officers (AEROs) and a data entry operator. Questioning the EC's directive, Banerjee said, We all know that the EC can take action only from the date of announcement of elections. There is a lot of time left for elections, do they think that they can browbeat anybody in the name of NRC (National Register of Citizens ) ? she asked. With the assembly elections in West Bengal due in mid-2026, a raging political debate is on as to whether a special intensive revision (SIR) of electoral rolls will be undertaken in the state, on the lines of Bihar, where it has been held and draft rolls announced. Banerjee said that her government is with all officers and other employees of the state government. She questioned under which rule the suspensions were ordered, claiming that the Constitution does not provide for any such provision. The chief minister has been alleging that the EC is trying to introduce NRC hrough the back door in the garb of SIR.
Two men from West Bengal arrested with fake currency notes in Nagpur
NAGPUR: Two men from West Bengal have been arrested in Nagpur for allegedly possessing fake currency notes with a face value of more than Rs 1.21 lakh, police said on Thursday. The duo, Jaminarul Hussain Lokman Sheikh (27) and Azimtanu Sheikh (29), both from Malda district, was caught with 243 counterfeit notes in Rs 500 denomination (face value Rs 1,21,500) on late Wednesday night near a hospital under the Tehsil police station area, they said. The duo initially claimed they were job-seekers, but during a search, police discovered the fake notes hidden in a plastic bag. The men later told cops they had stolen a passenger's bag containing the notes while traveling on the Geetanjali Express from Howrah to Nagpur, the police said. They planned to return home after circulating the notes in Nagpur, they added. The two men were produced in a local court, which remanded them to five-day police custody.
TMC accuses EC of 'shameless role' in denying voters their democratic rights
KOLKATA : Trinamool Congress (TMC) Lok Sabha leader Abhishek Banerjee on Thursday launched a scathing attack on the Election Commission, accusing it of compromising its constitutional neutrality and attempting to undermine the voting rights of genuine citizens of West Bengal. Addressing a press conference before leaving for Delhi to attend a dinner at Rahul Gandhi's residence for a joint strategy on Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls and discuss fielding a joint candidate for the VP election, Banerjee said, The EC also needs to understand and realise that it is an impartial, unbiased organisation and it has to operate within the ambit of the Constitution. The TMC MP went on to accuse the poll body of playing an active and shameless role in denying legitimate voters their democratic rights. Now the EC has taken a shameless role to snatch the voting rights of genuine voters, he alleged. Yesterday, I saw a report that a residential certificate had been issued under the name of Donald Trump. You should ask the Election Commission about it instead of shooting questions at us, the TMC leader told reporters. Banerjee claimed that the EC was being used by the BJP as a tool so that the established Bengalis of Bengal, who speak Bengali and live in Bengal cannot exercise their voting rights. Questioning the EC's mandate, Banerjee alleged that the poll panel was interfering in areas beyond its jurisdiction. Defending the autonomy of the elected state government, Banerjee stressed, It was voted to power in 2021 by 12 crore people of Bengal. The government is solely committed and accountable to the 12 crore people, not to any political party or any central government.
ED raids 12 locations, including six in Jharkhand, in Rs 750 crore fake ITC scam
RANCHI: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) is conducting searches at 12 locations across Jharkhand, West Bengal, and Maharashtra in connection with an ongoing investigation under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2002. The case pertains to a large-scale fake Input Tax Credit (ITC) fraud involving shell entities and unauthorised financial channels. According to sources, ED teams are conducting searches at six locations simultaneously, including a flat located on the fourth floor of Krishna Apartment in the PP compound. Necessary documents, digital records and possible evidence are being searched at all these places, they said. The investigation stems from the arrest of Shiva Kumar Deora, identified as the key mastermind behind the syndicate, who was charge-sheeted last month following his arrest in May 2025. The case pertains to generation of Rs 750 crore fake Input Tax Credit (ITC) involving shell entities and unauthorised financial channels in Jharkhand. The current searches are being undertaken based on credible evidence that indicates involvement of several individuals and firms in laundering proceeds of crime. Earlier, during the first round of raids in the GST scam, ED had arrested four people, including Shiv Kumar Deora from Kolkata and Amit Agarwal alias Vicky Bhalotia from Jamshedpur. During the interrogation, it was found that by making fake bills, paper trade was shown without purchase and sale of goods and Input Tax Credit (ITC) was misused. After getting information about the involvement of more people in this scam, second round of crackdown was launched by the ED. On June 25, 2024, Jamshedpur scrap businessman Bablu Jaiswal, alias Gyanchand Jaiswal, was also arrested on charges of GST scam. The GST department called Bablu to the Intelligence office in Sakchi on the evening of June 24 and interrogated him and then sent him to jail after his arrest.
GST fraud: ED conducts raids in multiple states
New Delhi: The Enforcement Directorate on Thursday conducted fresh searches in Jharkhand, West Bengal and Maharashtra as part of a fake GST invoices generation case to the tune of Rs 750 crore, official sources said. At least a dozen premises in the three states were raided under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 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 .
GST fraud: ED raids in Jharkhand, West Bengal and Maharashtra
The Enforcement Directorate executed new searches across Jharkhand, West Bengal, and Maharashtra concerning a Rs 750 crore GST invoice fraud. These actions, under the PMLA, targeted individuals and firms suspected of laundering illicit funds. This investigation follows the arrest and chargesheet of Shiva Kumar Deora, considered a key figure in the scheme, with initial searches conducted in May.
GST Fraud: ED Raids In Multiple States
New Delhi, Aug 7: The Enforcement Directorate on Thursday conducted fresh searches in Jharkhand, West Bengal and Maharashtra as part of a fake GST invoices generation case to the tune of Rs 750 crore, official sources said. At least a dozen premises in the three states were raided under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), the sources said. The case pertains to generation of Rs 750 crore fake Input Tax Credit (ITC) involving shell entities and unauthorised financial channels [] The post GST Fraud: ED Raids In Multiple States appeared first on Daily Excelsior .
WBJEE 2025 Result Releasing Today, Check Direct Link, Step To download
WBJEE 2025 Result: The West Bengal Joint Entrance Examination is a state-level entrance test for admission into undergraduate programmes in Engineering, Pharmacy, and Architecture offered by both government and private colleges across West Bengal.
Bengals college teachers union, once led by luminaries including S. Radhakrishnan, turning 100
West Bengal College and University Teachers Association which began its centenary celebrations on August 3, will continue holding events throughout the year.
Durand Cup | 'We're called Bangladeshi...' EB fans deliver a stinging message
During a Durand Cup match, East Bengal fans protested against the branding of Bengali as a 'Bangladeshi language'. This followed West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee's strong condemnation of Delhi Police for using the term in an official letter.
WBJEE 2025 result releasing today: Direct link, steps to download scorecard
West Bengal Joint Entrance Examinations Board will announce the WBJEE 2025 results today. Students can check scores on wbjeeb.nic.in. The exam was held on April 27. Result declaration faced delay due to legal issues. Provisional answer key was available on May 9. The board has not confirmed the exact time of result release.
No utilisation certificate, WB police funds withheld: Govt
The home ministry revealed that West Bengal received only Rs 7 crore out of a Rs 117 crore allocation for police modernization in the last five years. This shortfall is attributed to the state government's unspent balances and failure to submit utilization certificates. Consequently, funds were not released in multiple years, despite allocations, highlighting concerns over financial accountability.
Mamata Banerjee slams ECIs SIR drive as hidden NRC plot, vows to block NRC in Bengal
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has accused the Election Commission of India (ECI) of conspiring to implement NRC under the guise of electoral roll revision. She vowed to protect state officers suspended by the ECI for alleged data security breaches and refused to file FIRs against them.
Bengal Protests To Mark RG Kar Case Anniversary From August 8
From this weekend, West Bengal is all set to be rocked again over protest movements by various groups on the first anniversary of the rape and murder of a woman junior doctor of RG Kar Medical College & Hospital in Kolkata in August last year.
BJP MP Samik Bhattacharya calls for discussion on attack against Suvendu Adhikari in West Bengal
Following an attack on his convoy in Cooch Behar, BJP Rajya Sabha MP Samik Bhattacharya seeks a Rajya Sabha discussion. Suvendu Adhikari has filed a complaint naming 41 individuals, including Minister Udayan Guha, while police have arrested seven in connection with the incident. Guha denies involvement and criticizes Adhikari's remarks regarding the arrests, further escalating the tensions.
WBJEE 2025 results to be announced tomorrow at wbjeeb.nic.in: Steps to check and more
The WBJEE 2025 final results are scheduled to be released on August 7, accessible via wbjeeb.nic.in. Following the result declaration, the WBJEEB will publish the cut-off list, influenced by factors like applicant numbers and exam difficulty. The WBJEE exam for this year was conducted on April 27 across various centers in West Bengal.
JHARGRAM: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Wednesday condemned the alleged attacks on Bengali-speaking migrants and accused the BJP of orchestrating a campaign to harass Bengalis in the name of citizenship and voter list revision. Leading a massive protest rally in tribal-heartland Jhargram, the TMC chief said if needed, she will expose the BJP and the Centre over the alleged attacks on the Bengali language and Bengal's people. They (BJP) are saying there is no language called Bengali. I will expose them before the world, Banerjee said. If you attack the Bengali language and Bengal's people, I will not stay silent, she said. 'Can there be Bharat without Bangla?': Mamata warns against insulting Bengali language CM Mamata Banerjee, Left slam Centre over Delhi cop calling Bengali a Bangladeshi language Taking a dig at the BJP over the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, the Trinamool Congress chief said, Not a single elector should be omitted from the voter list in the name of SIR. They are trying to make a BJP list, not a voter list. Banerjee further alleged that the SIR exercise was part of a larger plan to implement the National Register of Citizens (NRC) through the backdoor. The ploy behind SIR is to bring the NRC through the backdoor. People are already dying by suicide out of fear, she alleged. How can someone be branded a Bangladeshi just because he or she speaks in Bengali? the chief minister asked. This is nothing but a conspiracy to harass our people. Slamming the BJP's demand for documents to prove citizenship, Banerjee said, Do BJP leaders themselves have their birth certificates? What right do they have to question the identity of others? The Jhargram rally saw widespread participation from migrant families, students, and local leaders, as Banerjee positioned herself again as the defender of Bengali pride, language, and identity. Trinamool Congress slams BJP over Amit Malviya's remark that there is no language called 'Bengali'
Kharge writes to RS chairman to allow discussion over SIR, citing past rulings by Chair
NEW DELHI: Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge on Wednesday cited past rulings by the Chair to urge Deputy Chairman Harivansh to allow a discussion on the special intensive revision of electoral rolls in Bihar and asserted that it is of fundamental importance to our democracy. In his letter to the deputy chairman, Kharge said that on July 21, 2023, the then chairman of the Rajya Sabha had given a ruling that ...this House is entitled to discuss everything under the planet with one restriction.... The Congress president said the Chair had added that his one restriction relates to the conduct of any judge of the Supreme Court or of a high court in the discharge of his ties...except upon a motion for presenting an address to the President praying for the removal of the judge.... Discussion on SIR cannot take place in LS as matter sub-judice: Union minister Rijiju Further, he claimed that the chairman had ruled that the concept of sub judice is totally misconceived. You will undoubtedly appreciate that the Chair is a continuing entity. You yourself have quoted rulings given by the Chair over the past many years in support of some of your decisions. It is clear from this ruling of the Chair that the Rajya Sabha is entitled to discuss the issue of revision of electoral rolls, which is of fundamental importance in our democracy, Kharge said in his letter to the deputy chairman. 'Discussion not deletion': Opposition MPs step up pressure on governmemt to hold debate on SIR The Congress chief said the Special Intensive Review of the electoral rolls is being undertaken by the Election Commission first in Bihar and is to be taken up in West Bengal, Assam and other states. Opposition MPs have been repeatedly asking for an urgent discussion in the House from the first day of the current session, he said. I, therefore, on my own behalf and on behalf of the Opposition parties in Rajya Sabha, am writing to request you to immediately allow a discussion on this issue that is of paramount concern to crores of voters, especially those belonging to the weaker sections of the society, Kharge said. Opposition parties have been demanding a discussion on the special intensive revision of electoral rolls in Bihar and have been protesting against the exercise in both houses of Parliament. The government has said the matter cannot be discussed on the floor of the House as it is subjudice and deals with the functioning of the Election Commission, which is an autonomous institution. Parliament has not been able to conduct any significant legislative business ever since it met for the Monsoon session on July 21 due to opposition protests over the SIR issue. 'Can't comment on actions of EC': Centre cites 1988 ruling to reject Opposition demands for Bihar SIR debate
Opposition's demand for discussion on 'votebandi' non-negotiable: Congress
The Congress on Wednesday said that the Opposition's demand for a discussion on the Election Commissions 'votebandi' exercise remains non-negotiable in both Houses of Parliament, amid continued disruption over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Bihar. Congress general secretary in charge of communications, Jairam Ramesh, said that the Chair in the Rajya Sabha is a continuing entity and must adhere to established rulings and conventions. Jairam Ramesh slammed the Deputy Chairman's ruling that matters related to the Election Commission could not be discussed in Parliament, citing a precedent set by the Lok Sabha Speaker on December 14, 1988. However, Ramesh pointed to a contrary ruling delivered on July 21, 2023, by the Rajya Sabha Chairman, a nominee of Prime Minister Narendra Modi who had asserted that the Upper House is entitled to discuss any issue under the sun, barring the conduct of judges, unless in the context of an impeachment motion. The then-Chairman had also clarified that the concept of sub judice was totally misconceived, Ramesh said in a post on X (formerly Twitter), questioning why this ruling was being ignored. The Chair in the Rajya Sabha is a continuing entity in spite of the comings to and the goings from it - both scheduled and unscheduled. Yesterday, the Deputy Chairman gave a ruling that because the Lok Sabha Speaker had said so on Dec 14, 1988, any matter concerning the Election pic.twitter.com/b4qtATczx3 Jairam Ramesh (@Jairam_Ramesh) August 6, 2025 The Opposition has alleged that the SIR exercise in Bihar is politically motivated and aimed at manipulating the voter rolls ahead of the upcoming Assembly elections. Protests have erupted across both Houses, with INDIA bloc MPs demanding an open discussion on the matter. The Opposition's demand for a discussion on the votebandi and votechori, being orchestrated by G2 through the Election Commission in Bihar, and soon to be extended to West Bengal, Assam and other states, is non-negotiable, Ramesh asserted. Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Tuesday had dared the government to debate the Election Commission's voter roll revision in Bihar and claimed that the fact that the House is not being able to run smoothly is a manifestation of the ruling side's weakness. Her remarks came amid the logjam in Parliament due to vociferous protests by opposition parties demanding a discussion on the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise. Several MPs of the INDIA bloc parties have also been staging a protest in the Parliament House complex on the issue. Parliament adjourned for the day as Opposition protests continue over Bihar SIR
Mamata visits flood affected areas in south Bengal; inspects condition, offers flood relief
A day ago, the CM blamed the Damodar Valley Corporation and their increased water release for flooding multiple districts of West Bengal; DVC officials have refuted the claims
EC suspends 4 officers for doctoring Bengal poll roll
The Election Commission has taken strict action against West Bengal officials for manipulating the electoral roll. Officers in Baruipur Purba and Moyna constituencies are suspended and face FIRs for adding names without verification and sharing login credentials. This follows reports of similar lapses by other officials.
Peddapalli Emerges As Rakhi Manufacturing Hub
The business now supplies rakhis to 25 states, including Chhattisgarh, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Karnataka, Odisha, Haryana and Gujarat. Even merchants from West Bengal, traditionally a hub for rakhi production, are now sourcing from Peddapalli.
Five suspended in West Bengal for voter data breach: Election Commission
The Election Commission of India has ordered the suspension of five individuals, including two Electoral Registration Officers (EROs), two Assistant EROs, and a casual worker in West Bengal for serious lapses in voter data handling. The officials shared their ER database login credentials with unauthorized persons, leading to alleged wrongful additions of fictitious voters. FIRs and departmental proceedings have been directed.
The Election Commission of India took action against officials in West Bengal. Four officials got suspended for sharing elector roll database credentials. They shared it with unauthorized people. The action followed reports of wrongful additions to electoral rolls in Baruipur Purba. Disciplinary proceedings and FIRs are expected. This is due to potential criminal misconduct.
DP World launches 2 domestic rail services linking Gujarat and West Bengal
The new services are part of DP Worlds ongoing investment of $207 million (1,800 crore) in developing rail freight solutions in India
BJP leader Suvendu Adhikaris convoy attacked in Bengals Cooch Behar
Cooch Behar (WB), Aug 5: The convoy of Leader of Opposition in West Bengal Assembly, Suvendu Adhikari, was allegedly attacked by TMC workers in Cooch Behar district during a protest programme. The TMC, however, dubbed the charges well-scripted drama. Adhikari, who had travelled to the north Bengal district to lead a BJP demonstration outside the office of the Cooch Behar Superintendent of Police, faced sloganeering. He was shown black flags near the Khagrabari area. According to BJP leaders, a mob, [] The post BJP leader Suvendu Adhikaris convoy attacked in Bengals Cooch Behar appeared first on Daily Excelsior .
'Can there be Bharat without Bangla?': Mamata warns against insulting Bengali language
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Tuesday asserted that no one should try to play with or insult the Bengali language, asking whether there can be an India without West Bengal. Banerjee pointed to Bengali litterateurs Rabindranath Tagore, who wrote the national anthem, and Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay, who penned the national song of India. Nobody should try to play with our language or insult it, she said, asking, Can there be Bharat without Bangla? The TMC supremo's remark comes amid her strong criticism of the BJP over alleged attacks on Bengali-speaking migrant workers in various BJP-ruled states, as well as a recent Delhi Police order referring to the Bengali language as the Bangladeshi national language. Pointing to the teachings of Ramakrishna Paramahansa, Banerjee said on Tuesday that he taught all to live in harmony. I believe in Ramakrishna Paramahansa's teaching of harmony of all religions, she said, after laying the foundation stone of a guest house of Ramakrishna Math and Mission at Kamarpukur in Hooghly district. There is no division among us, we have learnt from Ramakrishna Paramahansa to live together with everyone, she said. Stating that Swami Vivekananda had taught that 'unity is strength', Banerjee said that his mother tongue was Bengali language, just as it was of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose or Raja Rammohan Roy. Dharma is to treat other religions with love and respect, she said. Urging all to read Ramakrishna Paramahansa's 'Kathamrita', Banerjee said that people call water by different names, but it is the same. Likewise, mother is called by different names, but she is the same, she said, before embarking on a visit to flood-hit Ghatal in Paschim Medinipur district. Banerjee also declared the formation of Jairambati-Kamarpukur Development Board, with Swami Lokottarananda, the secretary of the Ramakrishna Math, Kamarpukur, as its chairman. On Sunday, the TMC supremo lashed out at the Delhi Police for referring to the Bengali language as Bangladeshi national language in a purported letter, alleging that it was insulting, anti-national and unconstitutional. See now how Delhi Police under the direct control of the Ministry of Home, Government of India, is describing Bengali as Bangladeshi language! Banerjee had posted on her Facebook account, sharing a copy of the letter. The TMC supremo described the Centre as anti-Bengali and urged all to stage protests against such anti-Constitutional language to insult and humiliate Bengali-speaking people of India. Mamata launches Bhasha Andolan, says Bengali identity under attack in BJP-ruled states
KOLKATA: A court here has restrained Leader of Opposition in West Bengal Assembly Suvendu Adhikari from making any defamatory statements against Trinamool Congress MP Abhishek Banerjee. The direction was passed in an interim order applicable till August 19. Passing the order in connection with a civil defamation suit filed by the TMC's Diamond Harbour MP, the 8th court Judge at Alipore court here directed that the matter will be heard again on August 19. The defendant is hereby restrained from making any defamatory statements and/or publishing and/or causing to be published and/or causing to be printed and/or causing to be made, orally or in writing, any words defamatory to the plaintiff as on this day till August 19, the civil judge directed in an ex-parte order on Monday. Banerjee alleged that Adhikari had made certain defamatory comments against him in a press conference at the BJP office here on July 26. The TMC MP prayed for an order of interim injunction restraining the BJP leader from making any defamatory statements against him. After hearing the lawyer representing Banerjee, the TMC national general secretary, the judge said that the court is of the view that he has a prima facie case to go for trial. The court noted that both the TMC MP and the BJP leader, being public figures, have a reputation in society, but it is also a fact that they have a political rivalry with each other.
SC asks NTF to file its stand on reports over safety of medical professionals
NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Tuesday directed the national task force, constituted to protect medical professionals, to file its reply on the reports filed by states and other stakeholders on preventing gender-based violence and developing safety protocols in hospitals. The top court, in a suo-motu case, constituted the national task force (NTF) on August 20 last year to formulate a protocol on safety and security of medical professionals in the wake of the rape and murder of a doctor at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata . During Tuesday's hearing, a bench of Justices M M Sundresh and N Kotiswar Singh granted eight weeks to the NTF to file its response. The top court had previously directed hospitals, including AIIMS in New Delhi, to regularise the unauthorised absence of doctors who were part of protests against the rape and murder of a doctor at RG Kar Hospital, Kolkata. It then took note of the submissions of a doctors' body which said while some hospitals had regularised the absence of the doctors following its August 22, 2024 order, a few others, including AIIMS Delhi, decided to treat the period as leave of absence. On August 22, last year, the bench made an impassioned appeal to the protesting doctors across the country, asking them to resume work. Observing justice and medicine couldn't be stopped, it directed no coercive action would be taken against doctors once they resumed work. The heinous crime triggered nationwide outrage and prolonged protests in West Bengal. On January 20, a Kolkata trial court awarded convict Sanjay Roy life term imprisonment till death in the case. The body of the post-graduate trainee doctor was found in the hospital's seminar room on August 9, last year following which the Kolkata police arrested civic volunteer Roy the next day in connection with the crime.
Bengal LoP Suvendu Adhikari's convoy attacked in Cooch Behar; TMC calls it 'well-scripted drama'
COOCH BEHAR: The convoy of Leader of Opposition in the West Bengal Assembly Suvendu Adhikari was allegedly attacked by TMC workers in Cooch Behar district during a protest programme. The TMC, however, dubbed the charges well-scripted drama. #WATCH | Cooch Behar, West Bengal: The convoy of West Bengal LoP Suvendu Adhikari was allegedly attacked in Cooch Behar, while he was on his way to the Superintendent of Police Office. More details awaited. pic.twitter.com/586iocZFHn ANI (@ANI) August 5, 2025 Adhikari, who had travelled to the north Bengal district to lead a BJP demonstration outside the office of the Cooch Behar Superintendent of Police, faced sloganeering. He was shown black flags near the Khagrabari area. According to BJP leaders, a mob, holding TMC party flags and black flags, gathered at the Khagrabari crossing around 12.35 pm, when Adhikari's convoy was passing through the area. Protesters reportedly shouted go back slogans and hurled shoes at Adhikari's vehicle. At least one car in his convoy, including a police escort vehicle, had its windowpanes shattered. The BJP blamed the ruling Trinamool Congress for the attack, claiming it was a pre-planned attempt to intimidate the Leader of the Opposition. The TMC, however, claimed that no TMC workers were involved in the vandalism and the attack was a esult of the internal feud within the BJP. Visuals from the site showed TMC party flags being used to hit the vehicles, while shoes were seen being hurled from the crowd. It is yet to be confirmed whether anyone was injured in the incident.
Suvendu Adhikaris convoy attacked in West Bengals Coochbehar
BJP accuses Trinamool Congress of orchestrating the attack
West Bengal LoP Suvendu Adhikari's Convoy Attacked In CoochBehar|Video
Adhikari had travelled to Cooch Behar in north Bengal to lead a BJP protest outside the Superintendent of Police's office
BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari's convoy attacked in West Bengal's Cooch Behar
Suvendu Adhikari's convoy, while en route to lead a BJP protest in Cooch Behar, West Bengal, was allegedly attacked by TMC workers, who displayed black flags and shouted slogans. BJP leaders reported that protesters hurled shoes at the convoy, resulting in shattered windows of at least one car and a police escort vehicle.
Huge Cache Of Arms Seized In Bengal, 1 Arrested With 16 Guns, 904 Bullets
A large cache of arms and ammunition were seized from a flat in West Bengal's North 24 Parganas district on Monday, a senior police official said.
Though TMC MP from Serampore in West Bengal has stepped down as party chief whip in Lok Sabha after an ugly spat with fellow MP Mahua Moitra, it is just the tip of the iceberg. The two politicians from the same party have long been at odds, and their relationship has only deteriorated over time.
West Bengal Records 12% YoY Growth In GST Collection For July: Mamata Banerjee
West Bengal has registered a 12% year-on-year growth in gross Goods and Services Tax collections for July 2025, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said on Monday, citing provisional figures released by the Centre.
BJP's Suvendu Adhikari's Convoy Attacked In Bengal's Cooch Behar
Suvendu Adhikari, the Leader of the Opposition in the West Bengal assembly, was attacked while he was leading a protest rally in Cooch Behar.
NH-10, connecting Sikkim and West Bengal, closed for three days as massive crack emerges
National Highway 10, the lifeline connecting Sikkim and West Bengal, is closed. A major crack appeared on the highway in Kalimpong district. The closure, between Coronation Bridge and Chitrey, started Sunday evening. National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited expects to complete repairs by Wednesday evening. Small vehicles can take alternative routes.
INTERVIEW | SIR is match-fixing, TMC will take to the streets in protest
The Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls is match fixing, TMC Rajya Sabha MP Sushmita Dev tells Parvez Sultan in an interview. She claims that it is a politically motivated attempt to tamper with voter rolls. She warns that if the process is initiated in West Bengal, the Trinamool Congress will take to the streets in mass protest. Excerpts: How does the TMC view the SIR exercise in Bihar? The Election Commission has every right to review a voters list, removing names of the deceased or those who have relocated. But how they are doing it makes it unconstitutional and an exclusionary exercise. The EC suddenly started it on short notice, without any discussion with any political party. The EC is seeking documents from three time periods: pre-1987, 19872004, and post-2004. If you look at Section 3 of the Citizenship Act 1955, the entire 1987-2004 period has been lifted from the Citizenship Act. The EC cannot enter into an inquiry on whether a person is a citizen or not. It suggests the poll panel is overstepping its mandate by entering the domain of citizenship verification. Hence, the TMC is certain this is a backdoor National Register of Citizens exercise to exclude voters under the guise of a routine revision. The timing of the exercise, after 2024 polls also raises suspicion. It is a motivated move triggered by the BJPs drop in support. What are your concerns regarding this process in West Bengal? Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee remains one of the strongest challengers to the BJP. Unable to counter her grassroots strength, the BJP is resorting to what Abhishek Banerjee calls a silent intensive rigging (SIR) through voter list manipulation. They cant beat our organisational strength. So they are going to en masse exclude people to tamper with the election result. Over 11,000 voters were removed from Bihars list as untraceable on July 22, which mysteriously jumped to over one lakh the very next day. All this, even as the EC claims it will help people submit documents between August 1 and September 1. They are abusing laws to turn it into an exclusionary exercise. I have every reason to believe that they have already done this exercise, the BJP as a party, and now they are working backwards through the EC. This is match-fixing. Mamata Banerjee said the SIR would not be allowed in Bengal. Can the party or a state government stop such an exercise? The TMC has already moved Supreme Court. Mamata Banerjee will not remain silent as genuine citizens are disenfranchised. She has more workers per booth than the Booth Level Officers, and they will be on the ground to resist any unjust exclusion. She wont hesitate to take to the streets if needed. EC recently asked for delinking the office of the Chief Electoral Officer from the West Bengal government for autonomy... The Trinamool Congress opposes this demand because it sees it as a strategic attempt to bypass state oversight and weaken the role of the elected state government in the electoral process. If this is not a predetermined exercise to tamper with and manipulate the West Bengal elections, then why are you worried? There have been reports of attacks on Bengali-speaking migrant workers in other states. Is TMC getting support from INDIA bloc partners on this? For us, the real issue isnt whether the INDIA bloc is supporting us or not. The core concern is that Mamata Banerjee has a constitutional and moral responsibility to protect genuine citizens of her state. We have been raising this issue in Parliament every single day. We have been asking for a debate. But the Union government is saying, This is not its business The Election Commission is doing it.
BJP ally Tipra Motha criticises Delhi Police for terming Bengali Bangladeshi language
AGARTALA, Aug 4: Tipra Motha Party (TMP), an ally of the BJP, criticised the Delhi Police on Monday for terming Bengali Bangladeshi language. In a recent letter written to the officer-in-charge of Banga Bhavan, the guest house of the West Bengal government in the national capital, the Delhi Police sought a translator for the translation []
Sikkims lifeline NH-10 shut for traffic
GANGTOK, Aug 4: Sikkims lifeline NH-10 was closed for three days as a critical crack was spotted on the highway, officials said on Monday. The crack developed on the highway in West Bengals Kalimpong district, they said. Due to safety considerations, it was shut at 8 pm on Sunday between Coronation Bridge and Chitrey, they []
Parliament Watch: Centre halts MGNREGS, housing funds to Bengal, vacancies on NCS portal, and more
The central government has stopped funding MGNREGS and PMAY-G in West Bengal due to financial irregularities. Maharashtra recorded the highest off-budget borrowing in FY25. Direct Benefit Transfer led to significant savings. The National Career Service portal listed many vacancies. India created a large number of jobs in the last decade.
Amit Shah holds meet with West Bengal MPs, kick-starts poll preparations
Special Intensive Revision of voter list and seats reserved for Scheduled Castes and Tribes come in for special mention
West Bengal CM accuses Damodar Valley Corporation of anti-Bengal conspiracy, triggering floods
Mamata Banerjee also says she suspects a deeper conspiracy behind its release of water, and the consequent damage caused to infrastructure, agriculture and livelihoods across districts due to flood-like situations
Bangladesh arrests 48 Indian fishermen, impounds three boats
Administration informs Central government about the incident; member of West Bengals fishermen association slams those arrested saying they entered Bangladeshi waters despite knowing the consequences
Govt inspecting books of Colliers Int'l (India) Property Services: Minister
The Ministry of Corporate Affairs is inspecting Colliers International India's books. This follows the termination of their services as a valuer for a National Highway Authority of India project in 2015. NHAI also debarred the firm from West Bengal projects in 2018. No related instances were disclosed in the company's Directors' Report between fiscal year 2017-18 and 2019-20.
Trinamool Congress slams BJP over Amit Malviya's remark that there is no language called 'Bengali'
KOLKATA: The Trinamool Congress on Monday launched a scathing attack on BJP after Amit Malviya, the national convenor of the party's IT cell, said that there is no language called Bengali. A day before, on Sunday, the Trinamool Congress chief and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee came down heavily on the BJP-led Centre after Delhi Police described Bengali as Bangladeshi language in one of its written communications. Referring to a letter from Inspector Amit Dutt of Lodhi Colony police station in New Delhi to the officer-in-charge of Banga Bhawan of the West Bengal Government where he called Bengali the language of Bangladeshis, Banerjee had posted on X, See now how Delhi police under the direct control of Ministry of Home, Government of India is describing Bengali as Bangladeshi language! Bengali, our mother tongue, the language of Rabindranath Tagore and Swami Vivekananda, the language in which our National Anthem and the National Song (the latter by Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay) are written, the language in which crores of Indians speak and write, the language which is sanctified and recognised by the Constitution of India, is now described as a Bangladeshi language!! See now how Delhi police under the direct control of Ministry of Home, Government of India is describing Bengali as Bangladeshi language! Bengali, our mother tongue, the language of Rabindranath Tagore and Swami Vivekananda, the language in which our National Anthem and the pic.twitter.com/2ACUyehSx8 Mamata Banerjee (@MamataOfficial) August 3, 2025 Responding to this, national convenor of BJPs IT cell Amit Malviya said that Banerjeesreaction to Delhi Police referring to the language used by infiltrators as Bangladeshi is not just misplaced, it is dangerously inflammatory. He also claimed that nowhere in the Delhi Police letter is Bangla or Bengali described as a Bangladeshi language. He accused Banerjee for inciting linguistic conflict. In his explanation, Malviya said, Delhi Police is absolutely right in referring to the language as Bangladeshi in the context of identifying infiltrators. The term is being used to describe a set of dialects, syntax, and speech patterns that are distinctly different from the Bangla spoken in India. In a bid to further justify his argument, he claimed that the official language of Bangladesh is not only phonologically different, but also includes dialects like Sylheti that are nearly incomprehensible to Indian Bengalis. There is, in fact, no language called Bengali that neatly covers all these variants. Bengali denotes ethnicity, not linguistic uniformity. So, when the Delhi Police uses Bangladeshi language, it is a shorthand for the linguistic markers used to profile illegal immigrants from Bangladeshnot a commentary on Bengali as spoken in West Bengal, Malviya added. Within hours the Trinamool Congress countered Malviya, slamming him for insulting Bengali language. In a post on X, the Trinamool Congress said, There is, in fact, no language called Bengali This shocking justification by @BJP4India -run institutions while profiling Bengali migrant workers reflects the regimes deep-rooted hostility towards the Bengali identity. Denying the existence of a constitutionally recognised language is nothing short of linguistic apartheid. The party also accused BJP for systematically promoting xenophobia and othering, with Bengalis being deliberately targeted across states. Such dangerous narratives must be condemned and resisted at every level, the post added. Meanwhile, the DMK chief and Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin has also lent his support to Banerjee on this controversy. In a post on X on Monday, he said that the Delhi Police, under the Union Home Ministry, has described Bengali as a Bangladeshi language, which is a direct insult to the very language in which Indias National Anthem was written. Attacking the BJP on this issue he stated, Such statements are not inadvertent errors or slips. They expose the dark mindset of a regime that consistently undermines diversity and weaponises identity. In the face of this assault on non-Hindi languages, Honble @MamataOfficial Didi stands as a shield for the language and people of West Bengal. She will not let this attack pass without a fitting response, Stalins post added.
Indias tea production dips 9 pc to 133.5 million kg in June
KOLKATA, Aug 4: Indias tea production dipped 9 per cent to 133.5 million kg in June as compared to the same month of the previous year, according to official data. In June 2024, the country had produced 146.72 million kg of tea, according to data released by the Tea Board. The decline in production was caused by adverse weather conditions and pest attacks, said the Indian Tea Association. Production in North India, comprising West Bengal and Assam, declined to 112.51 [] The post Indias tea production dips 9 pc to 133.5 million kg in June appeared first on Daily Excelsior .
Marine fish catch drops 2 per cent; Gujarat tops chart
KOCHI: The traditional fishermen and mechanised trawlers caught 3.47 million tonnes of marine fish in 2024, according to the data released by the Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI) in Kochi on Monday. The overall fish catch recorded a slight decline of 2% compared to the previous year. Gujarat retained the top slot in fish landings with 7.54 lakh tonnes, followed by Tamil Nadu (6.79 lakh tonnes) and Kerala (6.10 lakh tonnes). As per the annual marine fish landing estimates, the Indian mackerel remained the biggest marine resource, recording a total catch of 2.63 lakh tonnes, followed by oil sardine with 2.41 lakh tonnes. The landing of major species such as Indian mackerel, threadfin breams, oil sardine, ribbonfishes, non-penaeid shrimps and cephalopods recorded a decline in 2024 compared to the previous year, while landings of lesser sardines, penaeid shrimps, anchovies and tunnies increased. While the West Coast region suffered an overall decrease in landings, the East Coast showed an increasing trend, with exceptions in Maharashtra and Andhra Pradesh. Maharashtra registered the highest growth of 47% compared to the previous year. West Bengal, Tamil Nadu and Odisha also recorded notable increases of 35%, 20% and 18% respectively. However, states like Karnataka, Goa, and Daman and Diu experienced a significant decline in landings. The marine resources research institute monitored around 2.5 lakh fishing trips, offering an in-depth view into nationwide effort and productivity. Mechanised fishing vessels reported an average catch of 2,959 kg per trip, while motorised crafts used by traditional fishermen managed 174 kg per trip. Non-motorised vessels recorded a modest 41 kg per trip. The CMFRI report pointed out that cyclonic storms such as Dana, Fengal, Remal, and Asna significantly impacted fishing activities, contributing to the overall decline. Increased heatwave days in Andhra Pradesh and Kerala further disrupted fishing operations. Kerala recorded a marginal decrease of 4% in the marine fish catch in 2024 compared to the previous year. The total fish landing in the state was 6.10 lakh tonnes. Indian oil sardine topped the list of most caught species in the state with 1.49 lakh tonnes, registering a slight increase of 7.6%. Indian mackerel (61,490 tonnes), penaeid shrimp (44,630 tonnes), anchovies (44,440 t) and threadfin breams (33,890 tonnes) were the other major contributors to Keralas total marine catch. Indian mackerel saw a decline of 16% in landings. The year witnessed very low landing and higher landing of oil sardine in different quarters. The year saw an unusual fluctuation in oil sardine landings in Kerala. A severe scarcity in the first quarter led to prices escalating to Rs. 350-400 per kg. However, from September onwards, as landings surged exceeding one lakh tonne in the last quarter, prices dropped sharply to Rs. 20-30 per kg. Compared to 2023, souther districts of the state (Thiruvananthapuram to Ernakulam) recorded a decline, while northern districts (Malappuram to Kasaragod) registered an increase in the landings. The Fishery Resources Assessment, Economics and Extension Division of the CMFRI estimated the annual marine fish landings of the country through its online data collection system.
HC upholds order on CBI probe against Sheikh Shahjahan in 2019 murder case
Kolkata: A division bench of the Calcutta High Court, on Monday, upheld an earlier order by a single-judge bench of the same court on the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe in the murder of three BJP workers at Sandeshkhali in North 24 Parganas district of West Bengal in 2019. One of the prime accused 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 .
