Electoral Rolls SIR Wasn't Held Earlier Not Ground to Challenge: SC
The top court, meanwhile, also fixed the schedule of hearing on several pleas specifically challenging SIR in Tamil Nadu, Kerala and West Bengal
West Bengal CM says SIR exercise is putting BLOs under stress, expresses solidarity with them
KOLKATA: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Wednesday, once again, slammed the Election Commission of India (ECI) over the plights of Booth Level Officers (BLOs) engaged in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls exercise in the State. Mamata, while delivering her speech in a state government programme to commemorate the Constitution Day on Red Road in the city today, said, BLOs have died in Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Bengal. The ongoing SIR exercise in nine states and three Union Territories has landed a large number of BLOs, the main workforce in the electoral rolls revision drive, in stress and strain. 'How many more need to die for SIR?': Mamata attacks EC after another BLO dies by suicide in Bengal They had to wait for 48 hours at the CEO's office to get themselves heard. Why so much arrogance? BLOs are dying. Wont they speak out? How can a work that requires three years be completed in two months? the Chief Minister asked. Her crusade against the ECI remained unabated as the national poll panel wrote a strong letter to Manoj Agarwal, Commissioner of Police, Kolkata, expressing serious concern with the safety and security of the state CEO, Manoj Agarwal, other senior officers and staff in his office at B B D Bag. A section of agitating BLOs backed by her party, Trinamool Congress, gheraoed Agarwals chamber for about 30 hours since Monday afternoon, protesting against the inhuman workload generated by the SIR-related duties like distributions and collections of enumeration forms during door-to-door visits. ECI expresses concern over security of officers, staff at Bengal CEO's office; seeks action taken report Trinamool Congress is attributing many of the Bengal deaths to suicides driven by SIR-related stress. On Tuesday, an assistant teacher in Uttar Pradeshs Jaunpur district, serving as a BLO in Khempur gram panchayat, died by suicide. Last week, Mamata wrote to the chief election commissioner, Gyanesh Kumar, urging him to stop the SIR exercise in Bengal. She had claimed that 28 lives, including three BLOs, have already been lost in the State due to work pressure and stress caused by the SIR drive. Now, we must protect the valuable guidance that the Constitution provides, especially when democracy is at stake, when secularism is in an endangered situation, when federalism is being bulldozed, at this critical time, Mamata wrote on her X. On this sacred day, we reaffirm our commitment to the core democratic values enshrined in our Constitution. Voting rights are being snatched. Communal and social divisions are being encouraged. All rights are being snatched. We have to fight against this together, she said. Nearly 14 lakh SIR forms identified as 'uncollectable' so far in West Bengal BJP trying to implement CAA through SIR in border areas, alleges West Bengal CM at Bongaon rally
CBI arrests key accused wanted for attack on ED team in Bengals Sandeshkhali
NEW DELHI, Nov 26: The CBI has arrested Abul Hossen Molla alias Duronto, who was wanted in connection with the alleged attack on an Enforcement Directorate team at Sandeshkhali in West Bengal on January 5 last year, officials said on Wednesday. A mob attacked the ED team when it went to Sandeshkhali to raid the residence of suspended Trinamool Congress leader Shahjahan Sheikh in an alleged ration distribution scam, they said. The agency arrested Molla, who did not join the [] The post CBI arrests key accused wanted for attack on ED team in Bengals Sandeshkhali appeared first on Daily Excelsior .
CM Mamata hails West Bengal's second rank in foreign tourist arrivals after Maharashtra
Uttar Pradesh (646.81 million) and Tamil Nadu (306.84 million) topped the list of States in terms of domestic tourist footfall
KOLKATA: Expressing serious concern over the safety and security of the West Bengal Chief Electoral Officer (CEO), other officers and staff, the Election Commission of India (ECI) has sought an action taken report (ATR) from Manoj Verma, Commissioner of Police (CP), Kolkata, within 48 hours. Surjeet Kumar Mishra, ECI secretary, on Wednesday, has written a letter to Verma, stating, an action taken report may be sent to the commission within 48 hours of receipt of this letter. The national poll body is concerned about the protest programme inside the CEO Manoj Agarwals office at B D Bag for about 30 hours since Monday afternoon. A section of Booth Level Officers (BLOs) under the banner of BLO Adhikar Raksha Committee, backed by the ruling Trinamool Congress in the State, organised a march between Sealdah and the CEO office on Monday, protesting against the excessive work pressure triggered by the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls duty. On Monday night, they had gheraoed the CEOs chamber and refused to move. The following morning, the standoff continued. SIR row: ECI to appoint observers to keep watch on section of BLOs in West Bengal after alleged negligence Additional CEO Dibyendu Das spoke to the 10-member representatives and asked them to wait in his chamber, but they declined, saying they would remain outside the CEOs office. The secretary in its letter to Verma has strongly criticised the protest programme, saying, I am directed to state that it has come to the notice of the Election Commission of India that on 24.11.2025, a serious security breach has occurred at the office of the Chief Electoral Officer, West Bengal, which has also been widely reported in the Media. The existing security in the office of the CEO appeared to be inadequate to handle the situation, which could lead to a threat to the safety and security of the Chief Electoral Officer, Additional Chief Electoral Officers, Joint Chief Electoral Officers, Deputy Chief Electoral Officers and staff working in the office of the Chief Electoral Officer. Mamata slams ECI after one more BLO dies by suicide in West Bengal; alleges 'unbearable SIR pressure' The commission has taken a serious view of the incident and directs that the Police authorities should take all possible measures to ensure the safety and security of officers and staff posted in the office of the CEO, at their residences and while commuting to and fro. The commission further directs that adequate security classification shall be done on account of the sensitivity involved due to SIR activities and forthcoming elections in the state, and ensure that no untoward incident occurs again, the letter stated. The Opposition parties, BJP and CPI-M, alleged that hardly 50 BLOs were seen in the protest programme at the CEO office, and the rest were from the Trinamool Congress-backed state government employees union. On Tuesday morning, police were deployed in large numbers to cordon off the area, stopping anyone other than staff from entering the building. Barricades were tied together with ropes, and officers checked the IDs of every person entering. Deputy Commissioner of Police (Central Division) Indira Mukherjee also visited the spot but declined to comment on the matter. Despite the sit-in, several BLOs continued uploading enumeration forms digitally from the dharna spot. ECI may introduce AI-based voter list verification in West Bengal amid intensive revision
In West Bengal, an ill-prepared Election Commission, BLOs on the brink
The Election Commission must extend the SIR deadline, ensure a functional digital platform, and have trained data-entry operators to assist the Booth Level Officers
EC seeks report from Kolkata Police over protest by BLOs at CEOs office
Kolkata: The Election Commission on Wednesday wrote to Kolkata Police Commissioner Manoj Kumar Verma over the protest by a section of BLOs at the West Bengal CEOs office, calling it a serious security breach, and sought an action taken report within 48 hours. In the letter, EC secretary Sujeet Kumar Mishra said the existing security 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 .
Serious security breach: EC writes to Kolkata Police amid BLO protest; seeks 48-hour action report
The Election Commission of India has expressed serious concern over the safety of poll officials in West Bengal following a security breach at the Chief Electoral Officer's office. The ECI has directed Kolkata Police to ensure immediate safety measures for officials at their offices, residences, and during travel, citing the sensitivity of upcoming elections.
ECI Seeks Urgent Security Upgrade At Bengal CEO Office After Security Breach
The Election Commission of India asked Kolkata Police to upgrade security at the West Bengal CEO office after a major breach and submit an action report.
NDA secured mandate in Bihar, now it is Bengal's turn: BJP MP Anurag Thakur responds to CM Mamata
KANGRA: BJP MP Anurag Thakur on Wednesday strongly criticised West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's remarks that if the Bharatiya Janata Party tries to touch the state, the Trinamool Congress would shake the entire country. Speaking to the media in Kangra, Thakur said that the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) secured the mandate in Bihar and now it is the turn of West Bengal. The public is ready to shake them up and oust them from power. This statement can be seen as a frustration ahead of defeat in the upcoming election. Bengal today is plagued by corruption, infiltration, and crime. We cannot expect anything more than such remarks from its leaders. Despite Rahul Gandhi's allegations, the NDA secured the mandate in Bihar, and now it is Bengal's turn. he said. Earlier on Tuesday, speaking at North 24 Parganas, CM Mamata Banerjee hit out at the BJP and said that she won't let their game succeed in Bengal. CM Mamata Banerjee said, Elections were held in Bihar. Bihar opposition leaders were 'bechara'; they couldn't understand the BJP's game. We understand their game, and we won't let their game succeed in Bengal. If they try to touch Bengal, we will shake the entire country. Speaking at a rally in Bangaon, Banerjee alleged that she had been denied permission to use a helicopter, which delayed her arrival. She warned the BJP that any attempt to ake her on would not succeed. I thought we could use the government helicopter. But at 10 AM today, I was informed that the helicopter wouldn't fly. The election has not started, but confrontation has already begun. But they don't realise this worked in my favour. Because on the way here I met a lot of people, and I could connect and form a close relationship with them. I tell the BJP: don't try to play with me because you won't be able to compete with me, Mamata Banerjee said while addressing the gathering. (ANI)
Stalin, Mamata Reaffirm Commitment to Constitutional Values
West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee paid tribute to the Constitutions framers
TVS Industrial & Logistics Parks has leased over 33,000 sq. ft at its Visakhapatnam facility to Toyotsu Bharat Integrated Services for Toyotas first global parts distribution centre in South India. The new Regional Parts Centre will improve parts availability and service timelines across Andhra Pradesh and West Bengal, while creating local jobs.
Supreme Court hearing on SIR LIVE: SC to continue to hear pleas today
Tamil Nadu and West Bengal are among the 12 States and Union Territories included in the second phase of the SIR exercise, announced on October 28
Nearly 14 lakh SIR forms identified as 'uncollectable' so far in West Bengal
KOLKATA : Nearly 14 lakh SIR enumeration forms have so far been identified as uncollectable in West Bengal, the Election Commission said. These forms are uncollectable since the voters were either absentee, duplicate, dead or permanently shifted, an official said. As of Tuesday noon, the number stood at 13.92 lakh. We expect this figure to continue rising daily as more updates roll in, he said. The figure was 10.33 lakh on Monday evening, he added. Booth Level Officers (BLOs) have been actively engaged in distributing the forms and gathering necessary details, the official said. More than 80,600 BLOs, along with around 8,000 supervisors, 3,000 Assistant Electoral Registration Officers and 294 Electoral Registration Officers, have been engaged for the special intensive revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in the state, he said.
Bangladesh envoy recalls shared sacrifices
NEW DELHI: Amid strain in bilateral ties, Bangladeshs High Commissioner to India, Riaz Hamidullah used the occasion of Bangladesh Armed Forces Day to honour the sacrifices made by both nations during the 1971 Liberation War and to underline the enduring strength of the relationship. Speaking at a reception at the Bangladesh High Commission in Delhi on Monday, marking the day in 1971 when Bangladeshs Army, Navy and Air Force formally came into being, Hamidullah recalled the coordinated push against Pakistani forces. India was represented by Lt Gen Manish Luthra, Director General of Military Operations (DGMO), who attended as chief guest. Members of the diplomatic community and several Indian veterans of the 1971 war were also present. The envoy said: I do recall the valued contributions of the 1,668 Indian soldiers who made the supreme sacrifice during the 1971 war. I acknowledge the surviving war veterans of India. No less should we pay homage to countless ordinary women, men and families in India, especially in Tripura and West Bengal, who endured so much and shared millions of Bangladeshs agony during the war. Highlighting the foundations of the partnership, he described Bangladesh-India relations as deep and multi-layered, bound by shared history, shared culture, shared geography. Our two people are tied just organically. Its a relationship thats embedded in mutual respect and trust, not to be driven by a zero-sum game. While acknowledging that challenges had emerged, the envoy stressed Dhakas preference for dialogue and pragmatism. Bangladesh has consistently relied on conversation and negotiation, believing in a shared future, he said. It is what I and my colleagues across India engage in practically, to secure peace, stability and prosperity in Bangladesh and India. Hamidullah also noted expanding defence engagement, saying he was satisfied with the multifaceted cooperation between the two armed forces. These interactions, he added, ought to continue and flourish, to the mutual benefit of our people. He also spoke about Bangladeshs contributions to UN peacekeeping missions, noting that 168 Bangladeshi peacekeepers had lost their lives, and said troops were now assisting civil authorities ahead of general elections expected in early 2026. Dhaka has relied on conversation and negotiation While acknowledging that challenges had emerged, the envoy stressed Dhakas preference for dialogue and pragmatism. Bangladesh has consistently relied on conversation and negotiation, believing in a shared future, he said. It is what I and my colleagues across India engage in practically, to secure peace, stability and prosperity in Bangladesh and India.
EC asks TMC team for talks on Nov 28, party seeks live telecast of meet
NEW DELHI: Tensions flared between the Election Commission (EC) and the Trinamool Congress (TMC) on Tuesday, following the ECs invitation to a five-member TMC team for a Friday meeting over the contentious SIR of electoral rolls in West Bengal. While the EC wrote to West Bengal CM and TMC chief Mamata Banerjee on Monday that a five-member delegation can meet its top brass on Friday, TMC insisted that the party would dispatch a 10-member delegation. In a letter to EC on Tuesday, TMC Rajya Sabha leader Derek OBrien listed the names of 10 leaders who would attend the meeting. The list includes Lok Sabha MPs Satabdi Roy, Kalyan Banerjee, Pratima Mondal, Sajda Ahmed and Mahua Moitra, and Rajya Sabha MPs Dola Sen, Mamata Thakur, Saket Gokhale and Prakash Chik Barik, besides OBrien. There is no way we are going to agree to the limit on the number of members in the delegation imposed by EC. A 10-member team would go for the meeting, a TMC leader said. However, in its letter, the EC pointed out that OBrien had requested an appointment with a delegation of party MPs. He wrote to EC on Sunday seeking time. The commission always welcomes regular interaction with political parties for constructive dialogue. Accordingly, the commission has considered the partys request and decided to give an appointment to the delegation comprising the authorised representative of the party along with four other members for a meeting at 11 am on November 28, the EC said in its letter. TMC national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee said If ECI is genuinely transparent, why is it scared to face just 10 MPs? Hold the meeting openly. Telecast it live and answer the five straightforward, legitimate questions of TMC.
Nearly 14 lakh SIR forms identified as uncollectable so far in West Bengal
Kolkata: Nearly 14 lakh SIR enumeration forms have so far been identified as uncollectable in West Bengal, the Election Commission said on Tuesday. These forms are uncollectable since the voters were either absentee, duplicate, dead or permanently shifted, an official said. The figure was 10.33 lakh on Monday. As of Tuesday noon, the number stood 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 .
Attempt to conduct NRC in SIR's name: Mamata Banerjee at Matua headquarters
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee warned of a errible and dangerous situation following the Election Commission's draft electoral rolls release, alleging the SIR drive is a precursor to NRC. Addressing Matuas, she vowed to oppose any genuine voter deletions and questioned the selective implementation of SIR, emphasizing the Election Commission's impartial role.
West Bengal BLOs protest over SIR exercise, demand clarity and support
Mamata Banerjee bullying BLOs, threatening WB Chief Electoral Officer: BJP
New Delhi: The BJP on Tuesday accused West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, who took out another anti-SIR march in the state, of threatening anarchy and asserted that her efforts to derail the special intensive revision (SIR) of electoral rolls will not succeed. It also alleged that Banerjee was lying and twisting facts with regard 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's Left faces an introspective period marked by declining vote shares and ideological confusion, evident in West Bengal and Tripura. While Kerala remains a stronghold, it too faces challenges, prompting questions about the party's ability to adapt and reinvent itself amidst shifting political landscapes and strategic alliances.
Mamata Banerjee's stark warning to centre ahead of SIR: 'I'll shake the nation...'
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee issued a stern warning to the central government ahead of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise in the state, stating that she would take to the streets nationwide and shake the entire nation if she or her people were targeted in the state.
BJP trying to implement CAA through SIR in border areas, alleges West Bengal CM at Bongaon rally
KOLKATA: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Tuesday assured citizens that the Trinamool Congress will not allow the BJP Commission to take away their right to vote, during a rally at Bonagon, a bellwether constituency along the Indo-Bangladesh border. Mamata alleged that the BJP is strategically using the SIR drive to create panic among the masses. But dont get trapped by BJP. Dont be panicked at all. We wont let you leave. No one can get you out with panic when we the Trinamool Congress are with you, she said. Mamata also criticised the ECI, claiming that voters in Matua-majority areas in the state would be immediately delisted if they declared themselves foreigners under the Citizenship (Amendment) Act. The CM was addressing a TMC rally at Bongaon in North 24 Parganas, one of the strong citadels of the Matua community in the state. However, due to infighting within the All India Matua Mahasangha, Mamata did not visit Thakurbari in Thakurnagar, the spiritual centre of the Matuas that traditionally decides electoral fate political parties in more than 30 assembly constituencies in North 24 Parganas, Nadia and Jalpaiguri districts. The rally virtually kickstarted campaigning for the Assembly elections slated for April-May of 2026 and intensified the ongoing anti-SIR agitations. BJP has been offering certificates to you taking Rs 100 from so that you can include your names to the voters list. Their strategy is to show you Bangladeshis by offering the eligibility certificates in 2025 but the mapping was done in 2002 electoral rolls revision exercise, she stated. Mamata slammed the BJP for using deceptive tactics and luring voters into applying for CAA cards. BJP, under the leadership of Rajya Sabha MP Santanu Thakur, had been distributing CAA cards from its makeshift camps to the Matuas at Tahakurnagar so that they could enroll their names in the electoral rolls. 'How many more need to die for SIR?': Mamata attacks EC after another BLO dies by suicide in Bengal BJP is cheating people and trying to implement the CAA through backdoor of SIR. Its playing cards of religion. Why were you sitting idle for so many years? Its not possible to complete the SIR process within three months. It requires three years, she said. The CM questioned the intent of SIR, noting that only a few states like Assam, Manipur, Mizoram and Arunachal Pradesh, have been exempted from the exercise. She further stated that the time given for electoral roll revisions is not adequate. Mamata vowed to 'shake' the BJPs foundation across the country if she was challenged in West Bengal. She alleged that the ECI was o longer an impartial body, but has turned into a BJP Commission. The Matua community, a marginalised Hindu group, had been facing severe difficulties linking their records to the 2002 voters list during the SIR process. Members of the community had even staged a 13-day hunger strike against the SIR, under the leadership of TMC MP Mamatabala Thakur. The protesting group had expected direct interaction with Mamata. However, due to infighting within the All India Matua Mahasangha, plans were changed last minute. The pro-Trinamool faction of the Mahasangha has accused a section of the party of conspiring with BJP MP Santanu Thakur to dissuade the chief minister from visiting the shrine. Mamata participated in the march from Chandpara along Jessore Road in the area. Shamik Bhattacharya, Bengal BJP president said, The chief minister is trying to save Bangdeshi Muslims and Rohingyas by addressing in rallies and marches. Every Bangladeshi infiltrators and Rohingyas will have to leave India following the electoral rolls revisions.
West Bengal's SIR drive triggers panic as voter numbers surge 66%. TMC turns the revision into an early campaign, while BJP alleges illegal influx in border districts.
'Don't Play With Me': Mamata Banerjee Slams BJP Over Cancelled Chopper Ride
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Tuesday accused the BJP of being involved in sabotage in the cancellation of her helicopter ride to Bongaon, warning the opposition party not to play with her as she could not be cornered.
West Bengal to teach its hospitals how to be more sensitive towards vulnerable communities
Workshops to build gender responsive healthcare and improve care for vulnerable communities, including LGBT persons
Mamata Banerjee Sounds War Cry Against Bengal Voter Roll Revision, BJP Labels Her 'Caretaker CM'
Banerjee has accused the Election Commission of acting as the 'BJPs commission'and urged genuine voters of West Bengal not to be afraid of the SIR
Leader of Opposition in Bengal Suvendu Adhikari urges CEC to remove 'biased' cops from poll duty
KOLKATA: The Leader of Opposition (LoP) in the West Bengal Legislative Assembly Suvendu Adhikari on Tuesday urged the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar to remove biased police officers from poll duty during the forthcoming assembly elections likely to be held in May next year in the state. Suvendu, who became an MLA on a BJP ticket after defeating the Chief Minister as well as Trinamool Congress supremo Mamata Banerjee in Nandigram assembly seat in East Midnapore district in 2021, has written a letter to the CEC bringing serious charges against four police officers, raising questions on their 'biased' role. According to his complaint, in a convention of a police association held at Digha in the district recently, several participants expressed a desire to see Mamata again as the chief minister for the fourth term in Bengal. Violating service rules, these police officers have become biased showing their allegiance to Mamata, said Suvendu. These officers should not be deputed on poll duty when the model code of conduct (MCC) comes into force before the assembly polls in the state, the LoP told reporters. I have sent a letter to the CEC seeking removal of the biased police personnel from poll duty, Suvendu said. Asserting that the men in uniform cannot make such political statements, the BJP leader alleged that the police under Mamata Banerjee have ruined the last vestiges of democracy in the state. He claimed that the majority of police personnel are seeking the ouster of the Trinamool Congress government. SIR row: ECI to appoint observers to keep watch on section of BLOs in West Bengal after alleged negligence Regarding the issue of enlistment of data entry operators for election-related work, he alleged that the state government-owned Webel Technology Limited has been entrusted to appoint personnel who will be taken from the TMC's political consultancy firm I-PAC. The data entry operators should ideally be permanent employees of the West Bengal government, he said. The West Bengal CEO recently directed district election officers not to engage contractual data-entry operators and Bangla Sahayata Kendra staff for SIR or other poll-related work. Opposing the move, the chief minister wrote a letter to the CEC on Monday stating, When district offices already have a substantial number of competent professionals performing such functions, what necessitates the CEOs office to outsource the same work through an external agency for a full year? Traditionally, field offices have always hired their own contractual data entry personnel as per requirement. If there is an urgent need, DEOs are fully empowered to undertake such hiring themselves. Is this exercise being undertaken at the behest of a political party to serve vested interests? she questioned.
Dont try to play with me: Mamata alleges political sabotage in helicopter ride cancellation
BONGAON, Nov 25: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Tuesday accused the BJP of being involved in sabotage in the cancellation of her helicopter ride to Bongaon, warning the opposition party not to play with her as she could not be cornered. Banerjee, who was scheduled to land in Bongaon in North 24 Parganas at 12.30 pm, said she was informed at 10 am that the hired helicopter would not fly, forcing her to travel by road. She eventually [] The post Dont try to play with me: Mamata alleges political sabotage in helicopter ride cancellation appeared first on Daily Excelsior .
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Tuesday accused the Election Commission and BJP of political bias over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in the state. Speaking at a rally in Bongaons Matua headquarters, she claimed her helicopter was blocked, criticized the SIR process for potentially targeting genuine voters, and vowed to protect the rights of Bengals electorate ahead of the 2026 assembly polls.
'Delete central govt': Mamata attacks EC, BJP over SIR; will back survey on one condition
West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee expressed affection for Bangladesh due to shared language and criticized the BJP-led central government and Election Commission over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. She warned against rushing the process before the 2026 polls and accused the EC of losing impartiality, calling it a 'BJP Commission'.
SC tells petitioners alleging sexual abuse in ISKCON-run schools to approach child rights body
NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Tuesday asked petitioners seeking a probe into alleged instances of sexual abuse in schools run by ISKCON to approach the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights with their grievances. A bench of Justices B V Nagarathna and R Mahadevan said if such representations are made to the state child rights commissions in Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal, the same shall be considered in a reasonable time. We dispose of this petition by reserving liberty to the petitioners herein to make a fresh representation/reminder to NCPCR, UP SCPCR and West Bengal SCPCR to bring to the notice of these respondents the allegations that are ventilated in this petition, the bench said. The top court was hearing a plea filed by Rajneesh Kapur and others seeking an investigation into alleged instances of sexual abuse in schools run by the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON). The plea alleged that internal records indicated serious cases of sexual abuse and that complaints made to the authorities had not been responded.
Bengal voters list may see over 10 lakh deletions following SIR, says EC
The ECIs estimate follows an evaluation of enumeration forms already collected by two-level officers (BOs/BLOs) and uploaded to the BLO App, an insider from the office of the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO), West Bengal, said.
EC Approves Trinamool Congress Request For Meeting On Nov 28 Amid SIR Row
The Election Commissions decision to meet a Trinamool Congress delegation on 28 November comes amid escalating tensions over West Bengals electoral roll revision.
Scientists Capture First Photographic Evidence Of Himalayan Musk Deer In West Bengal After 70 Years
Scientists confirmed their sighting using a camera trap survey, initiated all the way back in December 2023, under the Pan-India Assessment and Monitoring of Endangered Species programme.
ECI invites TMC delegation for talks on Bengals disputed voter roll revision
NEW DELHI: Amid strong objections from West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee over the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, the Election Commission of India has invited a Trinamool Congress delegation for a meeting at Nirvachan Sadan on November 28 to hear the partys grievances. In a letter to the TMC chairperson, a copy of which is with this newspaper, the ECI noted that TMC parliamentary leader Derek OBrien had sought an appointment for a delegation of MPs. The Commission, after considering the request, agreed to meet the authorised representatives along with four additional party members at 11 am on November 28 at its headquarters on Ashoka Road, New Delhi. The ECI has asked the party to provide the names of delegation members and their vehicle details at the e-mail election@eci.gov.in to facilitate arrangements. The letter also underscores that the Commission always welcomes regular interaction with political parties for constructive dialogue. The TMC has sharply criticised the SIR exercise in West Bengal , alleging that it is a politically motivated move by the BJP and the ECI aimed at manipulating voter lists ahead of the 2026 Assembly elections. Mamata Banerjee and Abhishek Banerjee have termed the initiative Silent Invisible Rigging (SIR), accusing it of targeting genuine voters, particularly minority communities and Bengali migrants. The party has also linked the SIR process to the deaths of Booth Level Officers (BLOs) and citizens, attributing the fatalities to extreme work pressure and stress. It claims at least 34 people have died and has demanded that the ECI halt the exercise and take responsibility. Tension flares as BJP workers reach BLO workers protest site outside Bengal CEO's office
Does This Video Show Bangladeshi Immigrants Fleeing West Bengal Due to SIR? No!
The video is from the Shyama Kali Puja at the Shikarpur village in Nadia, West Bengal.
Senior BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari said he has written to the Chief Election Commissioner seeking the removal of police officers he alleges are biased ahead of next years West Bengal assembly polls. He claimed some officers openly expressed support for Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee at a recent convention and should not be assigned poll duties.
Delhi worst in PM2.5 pollution; 447 districts breach national air quality norm: Report
Delhi recorded the highest PM2.5 pollution levels in India, with an annual average concentration of 101 micrograms per cubic metre, 2.5 times the national limit and 20 times the WHO guideline, according to a new satellite-based assessment by the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA). Chandigarh logged the second-highest PM2.5 level at 70 micrograms per cubic metre between March 2024 and February 2025, followed by Haryana (63) and Tripura (62). Several other states, including Assam (60), Bihar (59), West Bengal (57), Punjab (56), Meghalaya (53) and Nagaland (52), also surpassed the National Ambient Air Quality Standard (NAAQS) of 40 micrograms per cubic metre. Overall, 447 of 749 districts, about 60 per cent breached the annual PM2.5 limit. Pollution was highly concentrated in specific regions, with Delhi and Assam each contributing 11 of the 50 most polluted districts. Bihar and Haryana followed, with seven each. Other states in the top tier included Uttar Pradesh (4), Tripura (3), Rajasthan (2) and West Bengal (2). In several regions, every monitored district exceeded national norms, including Delhi, Assam, Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh, Himachal Pradesh, Meghalaya, Tripura, and Jammu & Kashmir. Many others had an overwhelming majority of districts above the threshold, such as Bihar (37 of 38), West Bengal (22 of 23), Gujarat (32 of 33), Nagaland (11 of 12), Rajasthan (30 of 33) and Jharkhand (21 of 24). Ladakh, Andaman & Nicobar Islands, and Lakshadweep were excluded due to insufficient monitoring data. (With inputs from PTI)
Tension flares as BJP workers reach BLO workers protest site outside Bengal CEO's office
KOLKATA: High drama unfolded as a group of BJP workers came face to face with protesting members of a booth-level officers' forum in front of the West Bengal CEO's office here around midnight, while a police force stood as a barrier between the two groups, a senior officer said on Tuesday. Several members of the BLO Adhikar Raksha Committee were on a sit-in outside the CEO's office since the afternoon hours on Monday, alleging excessive work pressure and unmanageable workload during the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. Matters came to a head when around 50 BJP activists led by KMC Councillor Sajal Ghosh arrived at the spot at 11 pm, shouting slogans against TMC's alleged bid to stall the SIR exercise by intimidating the Election Commission officials who were confined in the CEO's office. The situation turned volatile when the protesting BLOs raised counter-slogans, accusing the BJP of working in collusion with the Election Commission to delete names of genuine voters in West Bengal. They also alleged that the BJP activists were rying to terrorise and provoke the peacefully demonstrating BLOs who only wanted an audience with the CEO. The protesters are not BLOs. They are leaders of TMC-backed organisations, Ghosh claimed. The BLO forum members dismissed the allegation. As the two groups traded barbs in front of mediapersons, a strong police force led by DC Central Indira Mukherjee stood between the warring sides to soothe frayed tempers. West Bengal Chief Electoral Officer Manoj Kumar Agarwal - who was confined due to the sit-in by the BLOs - left his office around 11.40 pm. He refused to comment on the late-night development, but tension subsided as he and other EC officials were escorted by the police to their residences. Ghosh and his party men announced that they would leave the place as the CEO and others boarded vehicles in the presence of the police. As asked by our top leadership, we are now leaving the area. Our immediate objective was to see that the CEO and other officials are not harassed by the Trinamool Congress. Since they have managed to leave, we don't wish to stay back here any more. The TMC got a befitting reply to its sinister campaign to harass the CEO, Ghosh said. Earlier, members of the booth-level officers' platform engaged in altercations with the police while attempting to enter the Chief Electoral Officer's (CEO) office here during a demonstration. The BLO protesters went on a march from College Square to the CEO's office in central Kolkata on Monday afternoon. At least three BLOs in West Bengal have died by suicide over alleged inhuman work pressure during the door-to-door enumeration form distribution and collection process.
Tensions erupt at West Bengal Election Commission Office over SIR dispute
Dec 14 rally against vote theft a pure Congress show
NEW DELHI: INDIA bloc constituents will not take part in the December 14 rally being organised by the Congress to protest against the Election Commission of India (ECI)s alleged vote theft. Party leaders insist that it will be a purely Congress affair and the decision to go solo was firmed up at the AICC review meeting early last week. A senior Congress leader told this newspaper that the rally at Ramlila Maidan would be completely a Congress show aimed at conveying that the party has consistently been at the forefront of exposing irregularities in the electoral process. We have been campaigning on this issue for months and has collected five crore signatures from across the country against vote chori. The party has invested its organisational strength on the matter. This protest is specifically our initiative, the leader said, adding that the party is expecting a huge turnout driven by state units that have been asked to mobilise workers from constituencies where alleged irregularities have surfaced. According to sources, the decision was finalised during the AICC review meeting chaired by Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge with key office-bearers from 12 states and Union Territories (UT), where the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of voter rolls is underway. The meeting was attended by former party president Rahul Gandhi, AICC general secretaries, state unit chiefs, Congress Legislature Party leaders and secretaries of 12 states and UTs where the SIR is underway. The states and UTs are Chhattisgarh, Goa, Gujarat, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, Puducherry, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, and Lakshadweep. Among these, Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, Kerala and West Bengal will go to polls in 2026. Phase 2 of the SIR exercise began on November 4 and will continue till December 4. The party has alleged that the EC is now a blatantly partisan player that is completely destroying the very concept of a level-playing field for all political parties. After the EC rolled out the second phase of the SIR on October 27, opposition-ruled states Tamil Nadu, West Bengal, and Kerala have escalated their objections to the ECs move by seeking legal options. Despite being a key constituent of the INDIA bloc and a primary opposition party, the Congress had not convened a joint meeting or crafted a coordinated strategy with its alliance partners on the SIR issue until now. On Sunday, Congress leader and Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi launched a scathing attack on the EC, linking the ongoing SIR directly to the deaths of 16 Booth Level Officers (BLOs) over nearly three weeks. Gandhi alleged that the ECs rushed, paperwork-heavy process is a deliberate ploy to harass citizens and enable voter fraud. Decision finalised during AICC review meeting According to sources, the decision was finalised during the AICC review meeting chaired by Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge with key office-bearers from 12 states and Union Territories (UT). The meeting was attended by former party president Rahul Gandhi, AICC general secretaries, state unit chiefs, Congress Legislature Party leaders and secretaries of 12 states and UTs where the SIR is underway.
Modi to kickstart Mission Bengal with public rally
NEW DELHI/KOLKATA : The BJP has shifted its attention from what its leaders are calling Fateh Bihar to an ambitious Mission Bengal, but insiders admit that West Bengal will be far more challenging than Bihar. Prime Minister Narendra Modi may kick off the poll campaign in the second week of December, followed by a strategy tour of RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat. Modi may address a rally in Hooghlys Arambag on December 13 or 14, followed by Bhagwats six-day tour beginning December 18. Hindu organisations will also hold a Panch Lokkho Konthe Gita Path at the Brigade Parade Ground on December 7 to consolidate Hindu voters. Party functionaries said the demographic mix in several Bengal districts, even after the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, remains formidable and favourable for the ruling Trinamool Congress. The BJP has drawn up a fresh strategy for the 2026 Assembly polls. Bengal might not go the way Bihar did because caste dynamics dont play the same role here, a senior functionary said. He added that the BJPs focus would be on consolidating Hindu voters who are less outspoken even after being subjected to exploitation by rowdy elements of a particular community enjoying government patronage. The state has been divided into 56 organisational zones, each monitored by senior leaders from outside Bengal. The party is spotlighting alleged law-and-order failures and Jungle-Raj under TMC, echoing its Bihar campaign. With women and youth, we will take the same approach that helped us in Bihar, a BJP leader said, citing the Prime Ministers recent assertion that Bengal bhi mukt hoga Jungle-raj se jald. As the SIR continues, the party expects large deletions of dead and bogus voters, which it claims will reduce the TMCs advantage. The BJP has set up more than 71,000 booth committees and brought in leaders such as Bhupender Yadav, Biplab Deb, Amit Malviya and Sunil Bansal to strengthen ground operations.
West Bengal School Service Commission has released the SLST 2025 results for assistant teacher recruitment in Classes 9 and 10, filling 23,212 vacancies. Over 2.93 lakh candidates appeared for the exam. The Education Minister confirmed the timely completion, assuring transparency. Interview shortlists for Classes 9-10 are expected in early December, following Class 11-12 verification.
West Bengal CEO meets telecom service providers over internet connectivity issues among BLOs
This comes in the wake of a section of BLOs raising concerns around the unavailability of high-speed internet necessary for the digitisation process of enumeration forms
BJP flags threats to officials conducting SIR in West Bengal, Jharkhand
BJP MP Sudhanshu Trivedi stated that Jharkhand Minister allegedly said that any booth-level officer of the Election Commission who comes to gather information from people should be taken hostage
PM Modi vs Mamata Banerjee: BJP's Kaleidoscopic Strategy In The Bengal Battlefield
As the sun sets on the electoral battle in Bihar, the BJP - which appears to have perfected the art of anticipation - has started laying the groundwork for its next big performance: the West Bengal assembly elections of 2026.
BJP to deploy 'Bihar model' for West Bengal, Assam and Tamil Nadu elections
Following its Bihar victory, the BJP is focusing on upcoming elections in West Bengal and Assam. The party plans to use the successful strategies from Bihar. A dinner meeting is scheduled for November 26 to review the Bihar campaign and prepare a roadmap. Key leaders will discuss booth management and outreach for Bengal and Assam.
As BLOs protest, Bengal CEO says no one has been suspended
Booth-level officers in West Bengal protested against demanding work pressure during electoral roll revision. Chief Electoral Officer Manoj Agarwal acknowledged their hard work and assured action on reported issues. Meanwhile, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee questioned the CEO's proposal for hiring data entry operators and setting up polling booths in private complexes. The Special Intensive Revision process is ongoing.
Modi To Begin BJP Campaign in Poll-bound West Bengal Next Month
It might be recalled that the Prime Minister had sent a message to the BJPs workers and supporters in West Bengal while delivering his thanksgiving speech on the Bihar poll results when he said that the Ganga flows through Bihar and reaches Bengal I also congratulate the brothers and sisters of Bengal. Now together with you, the BJP will uproot jungle raj from West Bengal as well. In Bihar, jungle raj (misgovernance) during the RJD era was the main poll plank of the NDA
West Bengal BJP President Samik Bhattacharya has strongly criticized the Mamata Banerjee government. He highlighted concerns over law and order and border security. Bhattacharya stated that the people of West Bengal will end what he termed the 'Maha Jungle Raj'. He asserted that no force can help the Trinamool Congress retain power for a third term.
West Bengal CM writes to CEC asking whether initiatives taken are at the behest of a political party
This is the second letter addressed by the Trinamool Congress chairperson to CEC; in her letter dated November 20, Ms. Banerjee had urged CEC Gyanesh Kumar to halt the SIR pointing out that the human cost of the management of the exercise has turned unbearable
WBSSC SLST Result 2025 declared: Check direct link, steps to download and next process
WBSSC SLST 2025 result declared: The West Bengal School Service Commission has announced the SLST Result for Class IX-X. Candidates can check their scores and download scorecards online. The examination aimed to fill thousands of Assistant Teacher vacancies. Shortlisted candidates will undergo document verification and interviews. Counselling for selected candidates will commence soon, offering choices for subject and posting.
West Bengal Election 2026: Will Mamata Banerjee launch new scheme like Nitish Kumar did in Bihar?
After Nitish Kumar's surprise win backed by women voters, speculation grows on whether Mamata Banerjee will launch a new scheme ahead of the 2026 West Bengal election. Here's a look at her key women-centric programmes.
KOLKATA: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee wrote to the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar on Monday protesting the state Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Manoj Agarwals proposal to set up polling booths inside private housing complexes. The CEO has sent proposals to the state government and directed all district magistrates, who are district electoral officers (DEOs) across the state on the matter. Agarwal has asked the DEOs not to engage the contractual Data Entry Operators and Bangla Sahayata Kendra staff for SIR-related or other election-related data work. When district offices already have a substantial number of competent professionals performing such functions, what necessities the CEOs office initiative to outsource the same work through an external agency for full year? Traditionally, field offices have always hired their own contractual data entry personnel as per requirement. If there is an urgent need, DEOs are fully empowered to undertake such hiring themselves, Mamata raised questions through the letter. Is this the exercise being undertaken at the behest of a political party to serve vested interests? she questioned indicating the CEO and opposition BJP. The Chief Minister, protesting the CEOs move to set up polling booths inside private housing complexes stated, The proposal is deeply problematic. Polling stations have always been-and must remain-located in government or semi-government institutions, preferably within a 2 km radius, to ensure accessibility and neutrality. Private buildings are typically avoided for clear reasons: They compromise fairness, violate established rooms and create discriminatory distinctions between privileged residents and the general public-the haves and have-nots. Why is such a move being contemplated at all? Again, is this being done under pressure from a political party to advance their partisan interests? she wrote in the letter. Why? Why? Why? she questioned the CEC. Its learnt that the ECI has already written to several housing societies in north Kolkata to set up booths on their premises. These booths will be exclusively for residents of societies with over 300 voters. After the incident of the BLOs deaths by suicide in Bardhaman and Jalpaiguri districts last week, Mamata came down heavily on the ECI alleging that precious lives are lost due work pressure and stress generated by the SIR process in the state. She urged the commission to immediately halt this unplanned drive before more lives are lost. BJP leaders alleged that the Chief Minister is fearing her partys fate in the coming assembly polls next year in the state and thats why she is involving saffron camp in connection with CEOs proposals.
BLOs hold protest outside West Bengal CEO's office over 'excessive' work pressure
Booth-level officers in West Bengal clashed with police during a protest against excessive work pressure during the SIR process. A delegation submitted grievances to the Chief Electoral Officer's deputy, leading to an impromptu sit-in and their removal by authorities. The BLO Adhikar Raksha Committee alleges intense workloads, sickness, and suicides due to stress, demanding intervention.
ECI should protect BLOs, safeguard voters' rights: TMC MP
TMC has been vocal in its criticism of the poll panel over reported incidents of death of Booth Level Officers (BLO), particularly in West Bengal
Mamata Banerjee writes to CEC, seeks his intervention into two recent issues
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee wrote to Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar seeking urgent intervention over two issues: a bar on hiring contractual data staff by district election officers and a proposal to set up polling booths inside private residential complexes, which she alleged could serve partisan interests.
KOLKATA: Rattled by complaints of alleged negligence in supervising the filling up of enumeration forms during the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in West Bengal, the office of the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) in the state has decided to engage electoral roll observers (ERO) to prevent manipulations in the exercise. Sources said senior government officers will be appointed as EROs to keep watch on a section of booth level officers (BLOs) who are the backbone of the ongoing SIR process in the state. The CEO office took the unheard-of move after issuing show-cause notices to seven BLOs in Kolkatas Beliaghata constituency over alleged lapses in the digitisation of SIR enumeration forms. According to the sources, the complaint pertains to incomplete or incorrect digitisation of voter data collected during the ongoing revision exercise. The BLOs have been asked to explain why the assigned work was not carried out properly. Disciplinary action may follow if their responses are found inadequate. The Election Commission is currently conducting the second phase of the SIR exercise across 12 states and Union Territories including West Bengal, which goes to the polls early next year. The revision process began on 4 November and will continue until 4 December. The draft electoral rolls are scheduled to be published on 9 December, while the final rolls will be released on 7 February. Earlier this month, the opposition BJP had written a letter to the CEO, alleging appointment of BLOs affiliated to the ruling Trinamool Congress in Nandigram Assembly constituency in East Midnapore district. Lock BLOs inside your house, don't let them delete names from voter list: Jharkhand minister on SIR The party alleged that the ruling Trinamool Congress' activists or their spouses have been appointed as BLOs to give the party electoral benefits in the 2026 assembly polls in the state. Despite drawing attention of respective district magistrates as well district electoral officers (DEOs) the improper appointment of BLOs continues. In most cases the incumbent BLO is directly a TMC activist/worker or linked through his/her spouse, stated a complaint lodged by the BJP with the Election Commission of India (ECI). With the enumeration phase of the SIR just days away, complaints regarding the wrong appointment of BLOs continue, which will vitiate the process. Since West Bengal will be poll-bound in a few months, there will not be any chance to correct the wrong done by the BLOs who clearly have a party affiliation, the BJP claimed. On the other hand, BLOs belonging to a newly-floated platform BLO Adhikar Raksha Committee backed by the Trinamool Congress staged a march on Monday afternoon in the city protesting what it describes as excessive workload and systemic lapses in the exercise. The march, which started from Sealdah area around 12.30 pm, reached the CEO office at BBD Bag around 2 pm and staged a protest demanding extension of the deadline for digitisation of enumeration forms. The agitating BLOs alleged that the national poll body is working as a BJP agent. Two BLOs have died by suicide triggered by SIR-related work pressure and another succumbed to a cerebral attack since 9 November in the state. Hours after BLO Rinku Tarafdar, a 53-year-old para teacher of a local school in Krishnagar in Nadia district, died by suicide on Thursday, chief minister Mamata Banerjee lashed out at the Election Commission of India (ECI), asking how many more BLOs must die under the SIR drive. Struggling to counter Opposition attack, BJP launches SIR training for cadre
BLOs hold protest outside Bengal CEOs office over excessive work pressure under SIR
Kolkata: Booth-level officers, engaged in the ongoing SIR process in West Bengal, scuffled with police personnel on Monday while trying to enter the CEOs office here during a demonstration to protest against alleged excessive work pressure, a senior officer said. Members of the BLO Adhikar Raksha Committee took out the procession from College Square 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 .
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has expressed alarm to the Election Commission over two disturbing developments concerning the state's election machinery. She questioned the outsourcing of data entry work by the Chief Electoral Officer and the proposal to set up polling booths in private housing complexes, citing concerns about fairness and potential political influence.
'End of an era': PM Modi, Bollywood and fans mourn death of veteran actor Dharmendra
Politicians, actors and fans across the country are mourning the death of veteran actor Dharmendra , affectionately known as Bollywoods He-Man and Dharam Paaji. Prime Minister Modi described the actors passing as the end of an era in Indian cinema and expressed his condolences to Dharmendras family, friends, and fans. The passing of Dharmendra Ji marks the end of an era in Indian cinema. He was an iconic film personality, a phenomenal actor who brought charm and depth to every role he played. The manner in which he portrayed diverse roles struck a chord with countless people, Modi wrote, adding that the actor will always be admired for his simplicity, humility, and warmth. Dharmendra passed away in Mumbai on Monday at the age of 89. The passing of Dharmendra Ji marks the end of an era in Indian cinema. He was an iconic film personality, a phenomenal actor who brought charm and depth to every role he played. The manner in which he played diverse roles struck a chord with countless people. Dharmendra Ji was Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) November 24, 2025 Dharmendra left a deep impression with his unparalleled acting, simple life: Kharge Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge condoled the passing away of Bollywood actor Dharmendra, saying the Indian film industry has lost a precious star who ruled over the hearts of cinema lovers for decades. The Indian film world has lost a precious star today. The renowned actor Dharmendra is no longer with us. Honoured with the Padma Bhushan in 2012, Dharmendra reigned over the hearts of cinema lovers for decades and left a deep impression with his unparalleled acting and simple life, Kharge said in a post in Hindi on X. He said his passing away marks the end of an era. In this hour of grief, I extend my deepest condolences to his family and millions of fans. May God grant peace to his soul, the Congress president said. 2012 , pic.twitter.com/Ys1lIHx2LY Mallikarjun Kharge (@kharge) November 24, 2025 His immense contribution to Indian cinema will continue to inspire generations - Mamata Banerjee West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee expressed sorrow over the actors demise, saying she was deeply saddened by the passing of the legendary actor-hero. She added that his immense contribution to Indian cinema would continue to inspire generations. Deeply saddened by the demise of the legendary actor-hero Dharmendra ji today in Mumbai. His immense contribution to Indian cinema will continue to inspire generations. My heartfelt condolences to his family, fraternity, fans and followers. Hema Malini ji, his sons and Mamata Banerjee (@MamataOfficial) November 24, 2025 There is a gaping hole in the industry a space that can never be filled by anyone - Karan Johar Filmmaker Karan Johar took to his Instagram account to offer his condolences. He directed Dharmendras last film, Rocky Aur Rani Ki Prem Kahaani . Remembering the actors warmth, love, and positivity, Karan said the loss leaves a void in Bollywood that no one can ever fill. Today, there is a gaping hole in our industry a space that can never be filled by anyone. There will always be the one and only Dharamji. We love you, kind sir. We will miss you so much. The heavens are blessed today. It will always be my blessing to have worked with you, and my heart says -with respect, reverence, and love, Karan wrote. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Karan Johar (@karanjohar) The OG of the Good Man is gone - Actress Kajol Actress Kajol posted a photo of Dharmendra with her son and penned a heartfelt message on Instagram. The OG of the Good Man is gone and the world is poorer for it somehow it seems like we are only losing the good people in it. Kind to the core and loved always. RIP Dharamji with love always. Kajol had worked with Dharmendra in the films Jab Pyaar Kiya Toh Darna Kya and Taaqat . View this post on Instagram A post shared by Kajol Devgan (@kajol) Weve lost someone who shaped the very soul of our cinema: Ajay Devgn Bollywood star Ajay Devgn took to Instagram to pay tribute to the veteran actor. Heartbroken to hear about Dharam ji. His warmth, generosity, and presence inspired generations of artists. The industry has lost a legend and weve lost someone who shaped the very soul of our cinema. Rest in peace, Dharam ji, he wrote. Dharmendra began his film journey with Dil Bhi Tera Hum Bhi Tere in 1960. He later shared the screen with Amitabh Bachchan in the commercially and critically acclaimed Sholay , a film that redefined Indian cinema and popularised the dacoit western genre. Over the years, he delivered memorable performances in several hits such as Yaadon Ki Baarat , Mera Gaon Mera Desh , Naukar Biwi Ka , Phool Aur Patthar , Betaab , and Ghayal , among many others. Dharmendra is survived by his wife Hema Malini and his children - actors Sunny Deol, Bobby Deol, Esha Deol, and Ahana Deol, as well as Ajeeta and Vijeta.
KOLKATA: On a day the West Bengal School Service Commission is scheduled to publish the SLST results for recruitment of teachers to classes 9-10, two groups of job aspirants held separate protest marches here on Monday over illegal mark allotment and recruitment delays, reflecting persisting unrest in the state's school education sector. Thousands of fresh SSC aspirants to classes 11 and 12 took out a march from the Sealdah Station in north Kolkata, breached multiple police barricades and clashed with personnel in uniform to reach the Esplanade area of central Kolkata, their destination. The unrest broke out after police denied permission to protesters to march along their planned route to the Y-channel in Esplanade and tried to divert them to the Ramleela Maidan on CIT Road instead, which the protesters refused to accept. Till reports last received, the agitating aspirants were holding a sit-in at the Esplanade crossing, throwing traffic along the arterial intersection out of gear. The new aspirants demanded scrapping of the 'experience'-based 10 marks granted to previously appointed teachers whose panel was cancelled by the court in the jobs scam case, public display of all OMR sheets, and creation of one lakh additional teaching posts. We will continue our agitation against the unlawful 10 marks. We worked day and night doing tuition to pay for the exam application fee, and now we are not eligible despite securing full marks, a protester said. The provision of 10 extra marks for experience to former teachers whose appointments were annulled has emerged as a major point of contention among new candidates and has been challenged before both the Supreme Court as well as the Calcutta High Court. In a separate mobilisation, hundreds of candidates from the 2016 Upper Primary batch marched from the Karunamoyee crossing in Salt Lake to Bikash Bhaban, the state education department headquarters, demanding completion of the long-pending appointment process. Though results were declared nearly a decade ago and a court had directed recruitment of 14,052 candidates, appointments of 1,241 qualified aspirants remain stalled despite completing all formalities, including interviews, the protesters alleged, while holding a sit-in near Central Park in Salt Lake. The protesters claimed that counselling he final step before appointment had not been conducted despite a Supreme Court upheld directive that set November 20 as the deadline. It is contempt of the Supreme Court order. Despite the deadline, we are being pushed back and forth between authorities. The chairman asks us to go to Bikash Bhavan for vacancy matching, and officials there direct us back to the chairman, a protester said.
BLO platform holds protest rally in Kolkata in demand of immediate stoppage of SIR in West Bengal
The platform claimed that the poll panel had not taken necessary steps to ease their workload and burdened them with digitization without training despite repeated requests, during the ongoing SIR of electoral rolls. The SIR started in Bengal on November 4.
PM Modi, RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat to visit West Bengal ahead of 2026 Assembly polls
KOLKATA: Ahead of the 2026 West Bengal Assembly polls, Prime Minister PM Narendra Modi and RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat are likely to attend separate programmes to kick off election campaigns for BJP in the state. The Bengal BJP unit has already approached the state administration seeking clearance for a rally in Arambag of Hooghly district on 13 or 14 December. The Bengal leadership of the saffron camp held a meeting in Kolkata last week where the PMs visit to the state to attend the proposed election rally in Arambag was discussed. Besides the PM, heavyweights like Amit Shah, JP Nadda and others may also be called to address several rallies of the party in the state during December and January, according to the insiders of the party. Requesting anonymity, insiders said, The date of the Arambag programme will be finalised soon after the PMO clears their proposal. The union home minister Amit Shah is also expected to attend a programme in Kolkata in end-December. It will be a mega beginning for our party workers ahead of polls if leaders like Modiji and Amitji attend first two or three rallies separately in a row. In order to consolidate Hindu votes in poll-bound Bengal with 70 percent Hindu vote banks, RSS has outlined its plans at the backdrop against its ongoing centenary celebration programmes across the country. The RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat likely to visit the state for around six days from 18 December, hardly four days after Modi attends the Arambag rally. Bhagwat may attend programmes in Siliguri in northern part of the state, on 18 and 19 December. He is also expected to interact with intelligentsia in Kolkata at Science City auditorium on either 20 or 21 December. He has already attended such programmes meeting the intellectual community in Delhi and Mumbai. Besides Bhagwats visit, three Hindu organisations will also organise Panch Lokkho konthe Geeta Path event at the historic Brigade Parade Ground on December 7 where five lakh people will chant verses from the Bhagavada Gita. The same programme organised by the Hindu organisations was also held at the same venue in 2023. Sources said that the RSS would be there behind programme though it is organised by the Hindu bodies in papers. Observers felt that the main agenda of these events starting from RSS chiefs Bengal visits and Panch Lokkho konthe Geeta Path is to woo Hindu voters in favour of the BJP in the forthcoming elections in the state. The BJP had around 39 percent vote share in previous elections, while the ruling Trinamool Congress had retained around 46 percent. BJP plans to increases its vote percentage by a maximum of 6-7% , relying heavily on the Hindu vote bank amidst the ongoing Special intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. The BJP leadership claims that there will be a huge deletion of around one crore dead and bogus voters in the list leading a electoral loss for the ruling party in the state.
Chartered Accountant Found Dead In Kolkata Hotel Room, 2 Arrested
Two people have been arrested after a man was found dead inside his room at a hotel in West Bengal's Kasba area in South 24 Parganas district.
SIR in Bengal: BLOs to hold march on Monday to protest against work pressure
Kolkata: An organisation of booth-level officers engaged in the ongoing SIR process in West Bengal is scheduled to hold a march here on Monday to protest against the alleged excessive work pressure and systemic lapses in the exercise. Members of the BLO Adhikar Raksha Committee planned to submit a representation to the Election Commission, a 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 .
I Am Now In Fear: BLO Alleges Threat Over Dispute In Filling Up Voter's SIR Form In West Bengal
A BLO in North 24 Parganas was threatened by TMC worker Jamirul Islam Molla over a voter form dispute. Molla was arrested after the BLO filed complaints.
Woman pushed off train while resisting snatchers in West Bengal
Kolkata: A woman passenger was seriously injured after she was allegedly pushed off the HowrahPuri Dhauli Express near Kolaghat in West Bengals Purba Medinipur district on Sunday while resisting a snatching attempt, a district police official said. Two snatchers were later arrested by the villagers and handed over to the railway police. Also ReadBurdened by 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 .
Allay fears of people over SIR, West Bengal Governor tells ECI and State government
Ananda Boses call comes amid the BJPs allegation of change of demography in border districts due to infiltration from Bangladesh and the Trinamool Congresss charge that 100-150 voters are being deleted from every booth at the behest of one political party
Attempt to build mosque in name of Babur will meet Ayodhya-like fate: Uma Bharti
Senior BJP leader Uma Bharti issued a strong warning regarding the construction of mosques. She stated that any mosque built in the name of Mughal emperor Babur will meet the same fate as the structure in Ayodhya on December 6, 1992. Bharti urged West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee to take action against such proposals.
NEW DELHI: Chief Electoral Officers (CEOs) have given standing instructions to ensure the welfare of government employees working under their administrative supervision, sources in the Election Commission of India (ECI) said. The clarification comes amid growing uproar over a number of deaths and suicides among Booth Level Officers (BLOs) in states where the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls is under way. They said that in line with the instructions issued to them, the CEOs are looking into the cases of reported deaths and seeking detailed reports from the respective District Collectors while investigating the cases. The sources said, the question of SIR work-related pressure should not be there, as each of the BLOs is given responsibility of distributing and collecting enumeration forms not more than 1,000, as for nearly 51 crore voters, there are five lakh BLOs in the field. However, since cases of deaths and suicides are being reported from West Bengal, Kerala, Gujarat and Rajastan, the CEOs and the District Returning Officers (DROs) are made responsible to ensure welfare of government employees working under their supervision, the sources said. During the past few days, cases of several deaths have been reported from different states. Ruling parties in the opposition-ruled states have demanded postponement of the exercise, as Congress president Mallikarjun Kharde termed the SIR as an imposed oppression and a deliberate ploy under which citizens are being harassed, which is reminiscent of demonetisation and the COVID-19 lockdown. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi alleged that chaos has been created across the country in the name of the SIR of electoral rolls. The result? Sixteen BLOs have lost their lives in three weeks. Heart attacks, stress, suicide - SIR is not a reform, it is an imposed oppression, he said in a post in Hindi on X. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee shot off a letter to Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar recently urging him to take immediate corrective measures to prevent loss of lives owing to SIR-related stress and work pressure. Now, I am compelled to write to you as the situation surrounding the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) has reached a deeply alarming stage. The manner in which this exercise is being forced upon officials and citizens, it is not only unplanned and chaotic, but also dangerous, the West Bengal CMO told the CEC in the letter. Hasty SIR implementation reminiscent of demonetisation and Covid lockdown, says Congress on BLO deaths
Rebel TMC MLA vows to lay foundation stone for Babri Masjid in West Bengal's Murshidabad
KOLKATA: Rebel Trinamool Congress MLA Humayun Kabir is all set to lay the foundation stone for a Babri Masjid in Beldanga, Murshidabad district, a political hotbed with around 70% minority vote share in West Bengal, on December 6, the 33rd anniversary of the demolition of the historic mosque in Ayodhya in 1992. The move has prompted the BJP to allege that it is a sinister move of the ruling party in the state for electoral benefit ahead of the assembly elections scheduled in AprilMay next year. Chief Minister and Trinamool Congress supremo Mamata Banerjee, along with her nephew Abhishek Banerjee, the partys national general secretary, is scheduled to lead a peace march in Kolkata on the same day. Humayun, MLA from Bharatpur constituency in Murshidabad, will head the foundation stone ceremony for the project, estimated at around Rs 125 crore, on 20 bighas of land in Beldanga. The project, which includes a Babri Masjid, a college, a hospital and a six-storied rest house, will come up on 20 bighas of land. I have already prepared invitation letters and will distribute them among dignitaries and guests, including political leaders from my own district, Murshidabad, only, to attend the programme on December 6, the MLA told the TNIE on Sunday. I dont need any approval from my party leadership for the initiative. I wont invite my party supremo or other leaders because they will be busy with another programme the same day in Kolkata. About a year ago, I announced the project to set up a Babri Masjid, and my party leadership is well aware of it. To avoid attending the programme, they have decided to participate in a peace march in the city, Humayun said. He added that the Muslim community across the country had assured him of financial support for the project, initiated by a trust the West Bengal Islamic Foundation of India where he serves as general secretary. Around 10% non-Muslims, mainly Hindus, will be part of the trust, he said. Humayuns move to set up the mosque has triggered a major political row in Bengal. Political analyst Prof Biswanath Chakraborty said, Murshidabad district has 70% Muslims, and Humayun Kabir knows their socio-economic problems. To mobilise vote banks ahead of the assembly polls, he has decided to set up the masjid in his home district. It is too early to comment on its political impact in the coming months until the project progresses and he makes any political decision. Rahul Sinha, veteran BJP leader and former state party president, said, He has been using such tactics to create pressure politics because he has been sidelined in the party for long. We are conveying messages to the general Muslim community, asking them to know their MLA like Humayun Kabir, who has been doing politics with mosques. TMC leaders, especially MLA Humayun Kabir, are known for the politics of hatred. He does politics purely for appeasement. He is intentionally creating communal tension in Bengal, Sinha added. The Bengal Imam Association (BIA) has also strongly opposed Humayuns move. He should clarify his political stand first. What was he doing when he was in the BJP and supported the partys communal agendas? While staying with the saffron camp, he was silent about the mosque. Now he is doing politics with Muslims for his personal gain, said Md Yahiya, chairman of the BIA. The chief minister, who is also the Trinamool Congress supremo, should immediately take action against him and stop the project. What is the necessity of setting up a mosque 33 years after the Babri Masjid demolition? he added. The Trinamool Congress has earlier suspended Humayun on several occasions for anti-party activities, particularly when he joined the BJP in 2019 for about two years. He later returned to the ruling party and was elected MLA from Bharatpur in the 2021 assembly polls.
Reacting to the deaths of Booth Level Officers (BLOs) in several states, the Congress on Sunday alleged that the hasty implementation of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise is similar to the chaos seen during demonetisation and the COVID-19 lockdown. He said that the mounting workload associated with the SIR exercise is driving BLOs and polling officers to suicide. Citing a media report that 16 Booth Level Officers (BLOs) have died in just 19 days, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge said the BJPs vote chori has now taken a deadly turn. Kharge expressed condolences to the families who lost their loved ones. Based on ground reality, this number is far higher than reported, which is extremely worrying. Who will provide justice to these families? Kharge said in his post. The BJP is busy enjoying the fruits of stolen power, while the Election Commission is watching as a mute spectator. The hasty, unplanned, forced implementation of SIR is reminiscent of demonetization and the COVID-19 lockdown, he added. Kharge further alleged that the BJPs hunger for power is driving institutions to forced suicides, shredding of the Constitution, and weakening of democracy. Enough now!! If we still don't wake up, no one can save the last pillars of democracy from collapsing. Those who remain silent on SIR and vote theft are culpable in the deaths of these innocent BLOs. Raise your voice, save democracy!! Kharge said. BLO Polling Officers , , , pic.twitter.com/MTuPaOS6IQ Mallikarjun Kharge (@kharge) November 23, 2025 A female BLO assistant collapsed and died on duty at a Gujarat school on Saturday (November 22). Another Booth Level Officer (BLO), Arvind Mulji Vadher , died by suicide in Gujarat on Friday(November 21). He left a suicide note that directly blamed the crushing workload of SIR (Special Intensive Revision) and rising mental stress. His suicide note, written to his wife, read: I cant do this SIR work anymore I have been feeling constantly tired and mentally stressed for the last few days. Take care of yourself and our son. I love you both very much but now I have no choice but to take this final step. (If you are having suicidal thoughts, or are worried about a friend or need emotional support, someone is always there to listen. Call Sneha Foundation - 04424640050, Tele Manas - 14416 (available 24x7) or iCall, the Tata Institute of Social Sciences' helpline - 02225521111, which is available Monday to Saturday from 8 am to 10 pm.) One more BLO dies by suicide in West Bengal, family alleges SIR-related stress
SIR Sparks Reverse Migration as Undocumented Bangladeshis Queue to Return Home
At West Bengals Hakimpur border, fears over document verification drive a surge in departures amid political tension
In a surprising turn, undocumented Bangladeshi migrants are making their way back from West Bengal, driven by the anxiety surrounding the new Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls. Families are forming long lines at border posts, eager to return to their roots before the threat of detention looms larger.
ED recovers Rs 14 crore during raids at 44 locations in Jharkhand, West Bengal over coal scam
RANCHI: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has seized cash and jewellery worth over Rs 14 crore during extensive raids carried out across Jharkhand and West Bengal on November 21, as part of a probe into an alleged illegal coal mining and smuggling network operating across the two states. According to an official statement, the searches were conducted under Section 17 of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002, and targeted individuals and entities suspected of participating in a longstanding coal theft, transportation, and sale racket. Officials also recovered several property deeds linked to the alleged syndicate, documents related to land dealings, digital devices, and books of accounts belonging to companies reportedly controlled by the accused. In Jharkhand, raids were carried out at 20 locations in Dhanbad and Dumka, covering premises associated with Lal Bahadur Singh, Anil Goyal, Sanjay Khemka, Amar Mondal, and others. In West Bengal, ED teams searched 24 locations across Durgapur, Purulia, Howrah, and Kolkata, including residences, offices, illegal toll booths, and coke plants tied to individuals such as Narendra Kharka, Krishna Murari Kayal, Yudhishthir Ghosh, Raj Kishore Yadav, Lokesh Singh, Chinmay Mondal, and Nirad Baran Mondal. More than 100 ED officers, supported by CRPF personnel, were involved in the coordinated operation. The crackdown follows multiple FIRs registered by police in both states, which allege that a wide network has been moving coal from Jharkhand into West Bengal using forged or invalid documents. Diaries, registers, seized documents, and digital data, according to ED officials, have corroborated claims of a large illegal supply chain and hinted at the involvement of local authorities. Register entries detailing illegal cash collections and beneficiary lists were also recovered, offering investigators key insights into the financial flow of the suspected racket. The ED said the syndicate was particularly active in border districts and generated huge proceeds of crime. The agency noted that scrutiny of the seized material is ongoing and further developments are expected as the investigation progresses.
Illegal cough syrup trade: UP Police book 12 medical store owners
An FIR has been filed against twelve medical store owners and two individuals in Jaunpur, Uttar Pradesh. They are accused of running a large illegal trade of codeine-based cough syrup. Over 37 lakh bottles worth Rs 57 crore were allegedly sold using forged documents. The syrup was smuggled to Bihar, Jharkhand, and West Bengal.
50,000 votes per seat: Akhilesh Yadavs big charge against EC, BJP; claims SIR to target UP, Bengal
Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav accused the Election Commission and BJP of colluding to remove over 50,000 votes in constituencies won by INDIA bloc parties during the 2024 Lok Sabha polls. He alleged this targeted political preparation, using the Special Intensive Revision exercise, is focused on Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal. And urged citizens to verify their voter enrollment.
Two booth level officers engaged in SIR die in Madhya Pradesh, kin blame work pressure
BHOPAL: Two government teachers working as booth level officers under the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of voter rolls have died in two separate districts of Madhya Pradesh over the last 24 hours. The two have been identified as Ramakant Pandey and Sitaram Gond. While the authorities claimed that the two BLOs died due to health related issues, the bereaved families alleged that it was due to unbearable work pressure and fear of being suspended for not achieving the daily targets. Confirming the death of Ramakant Pandey, a teacher-cum-BLO from Satlapur area, who was assigned voter list revision task in Mandideep area, the sub divisional officer (SDO) and electoral registration officer of Raisens Bhojpur assembly segment Chandrashekhar Srivastava reportedly said that Pandey died on Friday night due to some illness. We are awaiting the autopsy, which will make the cause of death clear. Pandeys widow Rekha and other family members, however, alleged that excessive work pressure, including working late at nights, repeated orders to achieve unrealistic targets and fear of being suspended for dereliction of duty if the targets werent met, caused the death of the middle-aged teacher, who was posted at Tilakhedi primary school. Around 220 km away, in Damoh district, another middle-aged school teacher Sitaram Gond, who was tasked with enumeration duties in Ranjra and Kuda Kudan villages, suddenly fell ill on Thursday while getting the enumeration forms filled. He was first taken to the Damoh district hospital, but later referred by doctors to Jabalpur for advanced treatment in serious condition, where he breathed last during treatment on Friday night, an education department official said. The deceased teachers close relatives and friends claimed that he was under severe work pressure. He had only managed to complete 10-15% of work in the two villages assigned to him. Vadodara BLO assistant dies on duty amid rising SIR workload concerns; four deaths in four days across Gujarat Earlier, on Wednesday, another teacher-cum-BLO identified as Bhuwan Singh Chouhan, had died at his home in Alirajpur district, after slipping from the stairs in his house. He left behind his widow and eight children, only two of whom are married. While recounting his suspension for dereliction of duties on Tuesday, elder daughter Sangita and son Anil alleged that the stress after being suspended caused the death. His brother-in-law, who too is a teacher-cum-BLO, said, Unrealistic verbal targets have been set for us, completing enumeration of 100 voters in a single day. A large part of the population works as migrant labourers in the adjoining Gujarat, so its becoming difficult to track them and get the enumeration work done. Bhuwan Singh was suspended for not attending the training. How can he attend training while he was in the field to achieve the unwritten targets of completing enumeration tasks with 100 voters daily? He was under severe stress due to suspension and subsequent attachment to Ranapur tehsil in adjoining Jhabua district, which could have caused the killer mishap. According to SDM-Jhabua district Bhaskar Gachle, Bhuwan was suspended on the basis of a report by Nayab Tehsildar-Bori about the concerned BLO not doing the enumeration work properly. Prior to this, on November 11, a 50-year-old teacher-cum-BLO Udaybhan Sihare had allegedly died by suicide by hanging from a noose tied to a ventilator in the washroom of a primary school in Pandokhar of Datia district. My brother neither knew how to drive a motorcycle, nor did he know how to properly operate a mobile phone. He was unable to do the SIR related work properly and was under severe stress, owing to the fear of getting suspended. It perhaps provoked him to take the extreme step, the deceased teacher-cum-BLOs brother Dharmendra Sihare said. One more BLO dies by suicide in West Bengal, family alleges SIR-related stress
BLO in West Bengal dies by suicide; SIR work pressure alleged
A Booth Level Officer (BLO) in West Bengal's Nadia district allegedly committed suicide due to work pressure from the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise, blaming the Election Commission. This marks the third such death since SIR began, prompting shock from Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and calls for investigation. BLOs report immense pressure from miscommunication, workload, and server issues.
Fresh TMCBJP clash erupts after another BLO suicide in poll-bound West Bengal
KOLKATA: Yet another Booth Level Officer (BLO) suicide in West Bengal has sparked a fresh TrinamoolBJP clash, heightening tensions ahead of next years Assembly elections. Hours after the death of BLO Rinku Tarafdar, a 53-year-old para teacher of a local school in Krishnagar in Nadia district on Saturday, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee once again lashed out at the Election Commission of India (ECI), questioning how many more BLOs must die under the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. Profoundly shocked to know of the death of yet another BLO, a lady para-teacher, who has committed suicide at Krishnanagar today. BLO of part number 201 of AC 82 Chapra, Smt Rinku Tarafdar, has blamed ECI in her suicide note (copy is attached herewith) before committing suicide at her residence today, Mamata said in a social media post, continuing her protest against SIR. How many more lives will be lost? How many more need to die for this SIR? How many more dead bodies shall we see for this process? This has become truly alarming now! the Trinamool Congress supremo said, targeting the national poll panel. Rinku wrote in her suicide note that she had completed ninety per cent of the work but could not finish the digital component. She allegedly feared being penalised for it, writing that she did not want to have a stroke from the stress and dreaded the prospect of going to jail at this age for failing to comply. Accusing the Mamata government of indifference in appointing data entry operators for SIR work, the rival saffron camp alleged that the state administration was responsible for Rinkus death. The ECI had directed the appointment of data entry operators for SIR-related works, but the chief minister has been doing nothing despite the guidelines of the national poll body. According to Rinkus family members, she knew nothing about the computer-based online job of data entry operators. We could not have lost her if the state government had appointed data entry operators to relieve the workload of BLOs, alleged Agnimitra Paul, BJP legislator. Meanwhile, the state Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Manoj Agarwal has sought a detailed report from the district magistrate and the district electoral officer (DEO) of Nadia in connection with Rinkus death.
Akhilesh Yadav alleges 'major SIR scam' in UP; accuses EC of colluding with BJP
LUCKNOW: After the poor performance of the opposition bloc in the recently concluded Bihar Assembly elections, the Samajwadi Party has intensified its tirade against the ruling BJP in Uttar Pradesh, with party chief Akhilesh Yadav alleging irregularities in SIR here on Saturday. He accused the Election Commission of India of working in collusion with the ruling party and cooking up a major scam in the form of SIR. The SP chief alleged that in Assembly seats where the party was strong and had emerged victorious, nearly 50,000 votes were being deleted. Such preparations are underway in UP and West Bengal, he claimed. Akhilesh said, Right now, we are entangled in SIR. We will have to fight the paper battle as well; we have to win elections. Taking a veiled jibe at the attire of UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, Akhilesh said he was ready to jump in the ring whenever asked, but some peoples attire was such that they would not even be able to jump. Akhilesh Yadav was interacting with media persons on SP patriarch late Mulayam Singh Yadavs 85th birth anniversary here on Saturday. We have seen the role of the Election Commission in the by-elections. In 2022, voters' names were removed on a large scale. The Election Commission should issue SOPs to political parties about what to do and how to do it, he said, demanding an extension of the time allotted for conducting SIR. UP is the biggest state and 415 days are left for the UP Assembly election. There is a conspiracy to remove more than 50,000 names from every assembly in UP and West Bengal. We are prepared for this. We will work hard to save democracy, he asserted. He added that contrary to the Election Commissions claim that 99 per cent of people had received the counting form, BLOs were not visiting Dalit and Muslim-populated areas. BLOs sit at ruling party leaders' places and distribute forms from there, alleged the SP chief. He also claimed that Booth Level Agents of political parties were not receiving training anywhere in UP. There is so much pressure on BLOs that they have committed suicide in West Bengal and Tamil Nadu. There is no preparation. BLOs are being pressured, he said. The SP chief further accused the present dispensation of indulging in corruption. The government has no time left now. They say they will clean rivers, Mother Ganga will now go till Bengal. They will talk about Vision-2047 and discuss old issues, but won't talk about the present circumstances, he said. Calling the Union government a failure, Akhilesh said it had failed on every issue from the dollar to foreign policy. Everything is running under industrialists' control. We lost one pilot, and if we say something, they call us traitors, he added.
SIR form download: Check steps to download and submit SIR enumeration form online
The Election Commission of India has launched an online system for Special Intensive Revision (SIR) enumeration forms, eliminating the need for downloads. Electors can now fill and submit forms directly via the ECI/CEO West Bengal website or ECINET app. Linking EPIC and mobile numbers is mandatory for online submission.
Another BLO Dies By Suicide In Bengal, Family Alleges SIR Work-Related Stress; Note Recovered
Rinku Tarafdar, a BLO in West Bengal, was found dead amid SIR workload stress. Similar suicides occurred in Jalpaiguri, Jaipur, and Kannur. Mamata Banerjee urged suspension of SIR.
Bengal Poll Officer Found Dead, Family Says Stress Over Voter Roll Revision
A woman working as a Booth Level Officer was found dead in West Bengal's Nadia, with her family claiming that she was under tremendous work stress due to the Special Intensive Revision exercise.
One more BLO dies by suicide in West Bengal, family alleges SIR-related stress
KOLKATA: Another Booth Level Officer (BLO) in West Bengal died by suicide on Saturday, just days after a BLO from Jalpaiguri district took her life on Wednesday. The incident has intensified the ruling Trinamool Congresss campaign against the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. Since November 9, three BLOs have died, including two by suicide. Another officer succumbed to a cerebral attack in Memari, Bardhaman district, reportedly triggered by unbearable work pressure linked to the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. Bereaved families of the three deceased have alleged that the deaths were caused by deep depression resulting from the unbearable workload linked to the electoral roll revision drive in the state. On Saturday, the body of 53-year-old BLO Rinku Tarafdar was recovered from her house in Krishnagar, Nadia district. She was found hanging from the ceiling of her room. According to police sources, a suicide note was recovered, stating: There will be tremendous pressure on us (BLOs) if we cant complete SIR-related work by stipulated timelines. It was not possible for me to bear the work pressure. Family members alleged that Rinku took her life because she could not cope with the daily workload. She was a para-teacher but was never accustomed to computerised work like data entry of voter names after door-to-door distribution and collection of filled enumeration forms following thorough verification. She was virtually forced to do the SIR job by the administration. Finally, she killed herself because of depression and stress, they said. 'I cant do this SIR work anymore...': Gujarat teacher dies by suicide, cites BLO workload pressure On Friday, Chief Minister and Trinamool Congress supremo Mamata Banerjee wrote a letter to Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, requesting a halt to the SIR process. Now, I am compelled to write to you as the situation surrounding the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) has reached a deeply alarming stage. The manner in which this exercise is being forced upon officials and citizens is not only unplanned and chaotic, but also dangerous. The absence of even basic preparedness, adequate planning, or clear communication has crippled the process from day one, her letter states. The human cost of this management is now unbearable. Yesterday, an anganwadi worker serving as a BLO in Mal, Jalpaiguri, died by suicide reportedly under crushing SIR-related pressure. Several others have lost their lives since this process began. A revision that previously required three years is now being forcibly compressed into three months, subjecting BLOs and officials to inhuman working conditions and forcing common people under the shadow of fear and uncertainty, the letter adds. With reports of BLO and voter deaths allegedly linked to SIR since the national poll body announced the electoral roll revision exercise in nine states, including West Bengal and three Union Territories, the Trinamool Congress has been demanding the withdrawal of the process. Mamata Banerjee has decided to intensify protests against the SIR through rallies and marches to reach out to voters. She is scheduled to kick off anti-SIR and CAA movements by addressing a party rally at Bongaon on Tuesday and participating in a protest march at Thakurnagar, a religious and administrative headquarters of the Matua community in North 24 Parganas district. The Trinamool Congress aims to woo the Matua vote bank, which influences the fate of more than 30 assembly constituencies in three districts, Nadia, North 24 Parganas, and Jalpaiguri, traditionally during assembly polls in the state. Matuas fear that a large number of voter names from their community may be deleted from the electoral rolls following the SIR. By intensifying its protest against the SIR, the Trinamool Congress seeks to reclaim Matua voters who had supported the rival BJP in previous elections.
BLO found dead in West Bengal`s Nadia, family claims SIR work-related stress
A BLO in Nadia district was found dead at her home, with her family alleging extreme SIR-related workload stress. Police have begun a probe
Special Intensive Revision: West Bengal CEO says most BLOs working well
SIR Review: West Bengal's electoral roll revision is progressing with 99% of booth-level officers working hard. The Chief Electoral Officer highlighted their crucial role. Meanwhile, preparations for the 2026 assembly elections are advancing. The first-level checking of EVMs and VVPATs has commenced in Kolkata. This process ensures the machines are ready for the upcoming polls.
Appeasement Politics: BJP Hits Out At TMC MLA Over Babri Mosque Event On December 6
TMC MLA Humayun Kabir plans to lay Babri Masjids foundation in Murshidabad on December 6, sparking BJP criticism and internal TMC tensions ahead of West Bengal polls.
