West Bengal SIR appeals pile up: 37 lakh cases await verdict
Seventeen Appellate Tribunals in West Bengal have resolved 126,194 cases while 37,05,235 appeals remain pending. These appeals primarily stem from disputes over the electoral rolls revision. Murshidabad and Malda, two minority-dominated districts, have the highest pending appeals relative to their disposals. While Hooghly district leads in case resolutions, many judges' resignations have led to vacancies in the Tribunals.
Major Administrative Reshuffle in West Bengal Ahead of Durga Puja
West Bengals government has reshuffled four IAS officers ahead of Durga Puja, marking significant administrative changes. Major Administrative Reshuffle in West Bengal Ahead of Durga Puja
Carriage Owners, Animal Lovers On Either Side Of Horse Divide
Special lounges, ramps for disabled & elderly visitors
Calcutta University to introduce grading system in undergraduate courses, scores for attendance
Years 13th organ donation in city saves three lives
CBCI Condemns Attack on Bible Conference in West Bengal, Calls for Strict Action
The CBCI strongly condemns the attack on a Bible conference in West Bengal and demands immediate action against the perpetrators. CBCI Condemns Attack on Bible Conference in West Bengal, Calls for Strict Action
NFR unloads 1,094 freight rakes in September, Assam accounts for 585
Digital Desk | Guwahati, Oct 12 (IANS) The Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) unloaded 1,094 freight rakes across its zone in September 2026, ensuring the supply of essential commodities and industrial goods to the Northeastern states and strengthening regional supply chains, officials said on Monday. According to NFRs Chief Public Relations Officer (CPRO) Kapinjal Kishore Sharma, food grains, food-grade items, fertilisers, sugar, coal, salt, tank wagons and other commodities were handled at various goods sheds across the zone during the month, facilitating their timely distribution and supporting economic activities. Assam accounted for the highest number of unloaded freight rakes at 585, highlighting the crucial role of the Railways in meeting the requirements of public distribution systems, industries and consumers, he said. Sharma said that during September, 102 freight rakes were unloaded in Tripura, 28 in Manipur, 15 in Nagaland, six in Arunachal Pradesh and five in Mizoram. Outside the mountainous Northeastern states, West Bengal recorded the unloading of 208 freight rakes, while Bihar accounted for 145, further strengthening trade connectivity and regional supply chains, he stated. The CPRO said that for NFR, the uninterrupted movement of essential and other commodities was vital for meeting daily requirements and supporting industrial and commercial activities across the region. He added that regular monitoring at various levels had helped reduce turnaround time and improve unloading efficiency, contributing to the smooth handling and distribution of goods. The freight operations underline the Railways' role in supplying essential commodities to the Northeast, where rail connectivity remains important for transporting goods from other parts of the country, the NFR official said. The Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR), headquartered at Maligaon near Guwahati, operates across the Northeastern states as well as in seven districts of West Bengal and five districts of north Bihar.
Calcutta High Court grants bail to French refugee
25 new pujas form base of KP traffic plans
Office-goers+schoolkids+puja shoppers+ revellers = Post-afternoon traffic gridlock
Tukde tukde gang on CM lips at Allen Park
Ensure no more mob attack on Kunal Ghosh: Calcutta High Court to Kolkata Police commissioner
Calcutta High Court proposes metal detectors, ban on paan, gutka, cigarettes on court premises
From Green Puja to Green Para: Citys oldest eco-puja award sets bigger goal
Smaller gated communities to share festive joy with poor
'Stay tuned for...': US envoy Sergio Gor on India-US ties after Modi-Trump talks
US Ambassador Sergio Gor emphasized the strengthening collaboration between India and America in defense and healthcare sectors. During an event in Kolkata, he mentioned recent military exercises involving Indian and American forces. Gor also highlighted significant investments in information technology and shared trust in India's pharmaceutical industry. The US is actively engaging with West Bengal to foster ties in various sectors.
SRFTI Students Demand VC Ouster Amid Inquiry
Bengal: SSB rescues two minors from Mizoram in human trafficking attempt
Digital Desk | Kolkata, Oct 12 (IANS) Troops of the Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) foiled a human trafficking attempt across the India-Nepal Border. Two minor girls were rescued, and two accused were taken into custody. One of those arrested is suspected to be the key conspirator. Around 5 pm on October 11, personnel of the Border Intelligence Team (BIT), 41 Bn, SSB, who were deployed on the New Bridge, Panitanki, in West Bengal, intercepted a silver-coloured Toyota Hyryder proceeding from India towards Nepal. There were three persons travelling in the vehicle. One of them was Mahesh Bhuralal Tanna (61), a resident of Ahmedabad in Gujarat. The second was Navin Kumar (34), from Muzaffarpur in Bihar. He was driving the vehicle. The third occupant was a 17-year-old girl, a resident of Mizoram. During an on-the-spot preliminary inquiry, the minor girl revealed that she was travelling to Nepal with Tanna, an acquaintance of her father, supposedly for shopping and visiting a casino. She further stated that she had been staying with him at a rented flat near Salugara, Siliguri, lured by promises of employment at his spa centres in Mumbai and Goa, a senior SSB official said. The officials at the site sensed something amiss and alerted the Anti-Human Trafficking Unit (AHTU) of Sector Headquarters, SSB, at Ranidanga and NGO partner Kosi Lok Manch, Siliguri. Teams immediately rushed to the SSB post at Panitanki for joint counselling and questioning. During sustained interrogation, Tanna confessed that an agent based in Mizoram had sent the minor girl to him about ten days earlier. He claimed that as she was underage, he engaged her as domestic help for Rs 4,000 until she attained majority. However, inspection of the suspect's mobile phone (iPhone) revealed compromising photographs and videos of the minor girl and another unidentified female stored in the 'Recently Deleted' folder, indicating gross sexual exploitation under the guise of employment, the official said. On being shown this evidence, Tanna was forced to admit that a second minor girl had been kept at his rented accommodation near Salugara, Siliguri. The SSB team immediately got into action and sent the information to the local police and NGO team in Salugara. Help was sought from the police as the area in Salugara was beyond the jurisdiction of the SSB. A police team, accompanied by members of the Kosi Lok Manch, raided the rented flat in Salugara in Siliguri and successfully rescued the second minor girl, the official said. Both rescued minors were taken to Kharibari Rural Hospital, where mandatory medical examinations were conducted in coordination with 41 Bn SSB personnel and the NGO team members. Subsequently, the girls, along with Tanna and Kumar, as well as the seized vehicle, were handed over to the Kharibari Police Station. An FIR was registered with the active assistance and coordination of 41 Bn SSB personnel for further investigation and prosecution under relevant statutory provisions. The NGO is coordinating with child welfare bodies for safe institutional care, counselling, and family repatriation of the two minors. Senior officials have appreciated the role played by the SSB personnel at Panitanki. It was their alertness and prompt action in coordinating with other agencies that resulted in the rescue of both girls and the arrest of the person behind the racket. Human trafficking is a major issue along the India-Nepal Border. Recently, six girls from Tripura, including three minors, were rescued while being taken to Nepal to work at a dance bar. The SSB has sensitised its troops and has strengthened intelligence gathering to prevent such crimes. It also works with NGOs working in this field to help the innocent victims.
Galiff St nearly empty after HC order, pet traders confused about licence
Thousands down with fever and cough ahead of festive season
Triple-engine governance on CM lips after water body inauguration
UCC committee to launch website for public opinion in 10 days
Married for 15 yrs, man kills wife over an argument in Hyderabad
Hyderabad: A Hyderabad resident, on Monday afternoon, allegedly stabbed his 30-year-old wife to death over a dispute. The incident occurred in New Baba Nagar in Pahadishareef, under Balapur Police Station limits. According to local reports, the couple Ajmera and Mohammed Mustafa hailed from West Bengal and were married for 15 years. They had 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 CM Suvendu Adhikari inaugurates Chorebagan Sarbojanin Durgotsab Samity
By Ujjwal Roy West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari on Monday inaugurated the 91st Durga Puja of Chorebagan Sarbojanin Durgotsab Samity in Kolkata, unveiling the theme
Ranji Trophy: Deshpande's Hat-trick Wrecks Chandigarh, Jadeja Slams Century For Saurashtra
Ranji Trophy Elite Division: Mumbai pacer Tushar Deshpande took a hat-trick and a five-wicket haul as Chandigarh were bundled out for 78 on Day Two of their Ranji Trophy Elite Group D match at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on Monday. Deshpande tore through the top order to pick 5-17, and Mohit Avasthi backed him with figures of 3-9. Mumbai, who had made 429 on the back of half-centuries from Tanush Kotian and Avasthi, enforced the follow-on, and Deshpande struck again in the second innings to leave Chandigarh at 0/1. Veteran left-arm spin bowling all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja, resuming on 72, scored 102 off 209 balls with seven fours as Saurashtra, who began the day on 308/4, were bowled out for 392 in 110.4 overs against Chhattisgarh in an Elite Group B clash at Rajkot. Jadeja fell to his former state-mate Dharmendrasinh Jadeja, who took 2-106 in 25.4 overs. Prerak Mankad went on to make 129 off 150 balls with 15 fours and a six, after starting the day on 92. Dev Aditya Singh was the pick of the Chhattisgarh bowlers with 5-67 in 24 overs, four of them maidens. Chhattisgarh were 122/3 in 55 overs at stumps. Anuj Tiwary was unbeaten on 72 and Mayank Verma on 32, with Ayush Pandey out for 13. Captain Jaydev Unadkat, Chetan Sakariya and Chirag Jani took a wicket each. Elsewhere, in the Elite Group A clash in Nagpur, Vidarbha captain Akshay Wadkar was dismissed two short of a maiden first-class double hundred, and his side finished on 428 against Puducherry after Yash Rathod hit 134 earlier in the day, with the visitors reaching 102/1 at stumps. In Goa, Atit Sheth was bowled for 99 as Baroda declared on 472/8 against Goa, who reached 5/1 at stumps. In Rajgir, Uttar Pradesh were bowled out for 540 against Bihar, with Aaradhya Yadav and Zeeshan Ansari scoring fifties after Madhav Kaushik (150) and Rinku Singh (112) fell. In Kalyani, West Bengal, Sudip Kumar Gharami (122 not out) and Abishek Porel (114 not out) hit centuries each and are unbroken in a 199-run stand as Bengal reached 304/3 against Delhi at Kalyani and have their lead currently at 64 runs. Jharkhand were bowled out for 587 against Kerala in Jamshedpur, with Aditya Singh's 147 and captain Virat Singh's 108 being strong contributions. Assam captain Denish Das (103) and Sibsankar Roy (143) also hit tons against Punjab in New Chandigarh, and Assam were bowled out for 373. For Punjab, veteran pacer Umesh Yadav took 5-70. In Ahmedabad, Gujarat's Vedant Trivedi (94 not out) and Aarya Desai (94) responded strongly to Baroda's 324 and took the hosts to 205/2 at stumps. In Vijayawada, SV Rahul, two days after turning 19, made a hundred on his first-class debut and shared a 202-run stand with wicketkeeper Revanth Reddy (97) that gave Andhra a 57-run lead over Karnataka, after ending day two at 331/6. Akash Vasisht's unbeaten 113 revived Himachal Pradesh, who had been 119/7, against Haryana and took them to 253. In reply, Haryana reached 178/4 in 46 overs and trailed by 75 runs, with Yashvardhan Dalal unbeaten on 69. Narayan Jagadeesan (55) and Pradosh Ranjan Paul (58) put on 104 for Tamil Nadu against Rajasthan, as they reached 167/4 and trailed by 196 runs. Rajasthan had been bowled out for 363, losing five wickets for 16 after Mahipal Lomror hit 66. B. Sai Sudharsan had gone down while fielding, and though he came out to bat, he made just three. Uttarakhand need 18 runs to match Railways' score of 78, with Avneesh Sudha unbeaten on 75. Tripura offspinner Sandip Sarkar took eight wickets in a 41.2-over spell, but Hyderabad still lead by 160 runs and need three wickets to move closer to an innings win. Fast bowler Avesh Khan's three wickets helped Madhya Pradesh bowl out defending champions Jammu and Kashmir for 120 to take a 76-run first-innings lead. But MP ended day twos play in Srinagar at 59/4, and are ahead by 135 runs overall, with fast-bowling all-rounder Auqib Nabis late strikes keeping the hosts in the contest. Uttarakhand need 18 runs to match Railways' score of 78, with Avneesh Sudha unbeaten on 75. Tripura offspinner Sandip Sarkar took eight wickets in a 41.2-over spell, but Hyderabad still lead by 160 runs and need three wickets to move closer to an innings win. Also Read: Special Cricket Stories Article Source: IANS
He said that West Bengal would surpass Uttar Pradesh in the number of police personnel within the next two years
5000 water bodies in Kolkata illegally filled up for real estate promotion by Mamata: Bengal CM
Digital Desk | Kolkata. Oct 12 (IANS) Around 5,000 water bodies in and around Kolkata were illegally filled up for real estate promotion during the previous Mamata Banerjee-led Trinamool Congress regime in West Bengal, claimed Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari on Monday. He made this allegation while speaking at a function organised by the Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) on Monday and accused a section of the Trinamool Congress councillors of the now dismantled KMC board of being behind this menace. These councillors were square feet councillors. They were responsible for illegally filling up around 5,000 water bodies in several pockets under the Kolkata Metropolitan Development Authority from Joka and Haridebpur in the southern outskirts of Kolkata to Barasat, and Madhyamgram on the northern outskirts of the city during the previous regime. These square feet councillors have done everything that needed to be done to destroy the environment of Kolkata, he said. Speaking on the occasion, the Chief Minister was in praise of Agnimitra Paul, the state municipal affairs & urban development minister and fashion-designer-turned politician. She is very active. Just as she works from her office, she also hits the streets for field inspections. The people who have done nothing troll her on social media. I have advised her to totally ignore them, the Chief Minister said. Meanwhile, in another back-to-back program, where the Chief Minister handed over appointment letters to 12,000 police constables both in West Bengal Police and Kolkata Police, the Chief Minister said that there will be 9,000 additional recruitments in the police department soon. The police-to-public ratio in Uttar Pradesh is 200 cops for every one lakh of population. I promise that soon West Bengal will surpass Uttar Pradesh both in terms of police personnel and the police-to-public ratio, the Chief Minister said. Speaking on the occasion, he claimed that during the previous regime the police stations in the state were civic-volunteer centric. I do not blame the civic volunteers. They were recruited by the previous administration without following the basic recruitment procedure and without checking their eligibility. No training was arranged for them. They were also exploited, he said. On handing over the appointment letters to 12,000 police constables, CM Adhikari said that these recruitments in the police department were stuck midway because of the flawed Other Backwards Classes (OBC) policy of the previous ruling dispensation. Now we have corrected those flaws, cleared the appointment process, and appointment letters have been handed over to the successful candidates. More will be done in the coming days, the Chief Minister said.
Calcutta HC directs police chief to ensure security of TMC legislator Kunal Ghosh
Digital Desk | Kolkata. Oct 12 (IANS) The Calcutta High Court on Monday directed the Kolkata Police Commissioner to ensure total security for Trinamool Congress legislator Kunal Ghosh after he reported two consecutive attacks on him and his vehicles last month. A single-judge bench of Justice Saugata Bhattacharyya also directed the city police to ensure that such attacks on Ghosh, a journalist-turned-politician and a prominent face of former West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee-led faction of the Trinamool Congress, are not repeated. The court referred the matter to a Division Bench of the Calcutta High Court. The case will be heard simultaneously with the public interest litigation filed concerning incidents of egg-pelting targeting individuals across West Bengal. Justice Bhattacharyya also directed the office of the Kolkata Police Commissioner, Ajay K Nand, to submit a report on the matter on the next date of hearing. On September 28, Ghosh approached the Calcutta High Court seeking protection amid fears of further attacks. The Beliaghata MLA moved the Calcutta High Court after he and his vehicle were attacked twice within 24 hours, first near Uttar Parara in Hooghly district on September 26 and again in Kolkata on September 27. The matter came up for hearing on Monday. Justice Bhattacharyya directed the city police chief to ensure the security of Ghosh. During the hearing, Ghoshs counsel expressed concern over his security. He argued that his client, despite being an elected public representative, had been provided with just two police guards. Ghoshs counsel sought enhanced security for him, including a pilot car. The incidents that took place on September 26 and September 27 cannot be seen as mere incidents of egg pelting. Rather, there were attempts on his life, he argued further. In view of this argument, Justice Bhattacharyya raised the question of how a mob attack could have taken place despite the presence of two policemen. The court also questioned why such a situation arose if the security personnel were present. Ghoshs vehicle was allegedly attacked at Uttarpara in Hooghly district on the afternoon of September 26, when he was travelling to Serampore to attend a rally to be addressed by former West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. Ghosh alleged that Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) workers were behind the incident. The following day, Ghosh alleged he was targeted again in his Beliaghata constituency in Kolkata. He claimed several people followed his vehicle when he was leaving his residence and that some of them were carrying revolvers. Ghosh further alleged that an attempt was made to break the windows of his car with a hammer, while stones were also hurled at the front and rear windows of his vehicle. He said his vehicle was damaged in the incident. According to Ghosh, his car was chased up to Narkeldanga, and he accused BJP-backed men of being behind the attack. He also alleged that the police had remained inactive despite the incidents. The BJP has denied the allegations of involvement in the attacks.
Maha CM accuses Rahul Gandhi, INDIA bloc of trying to weaken judiciary through protests
Digital Desk | Mumbai, Oct 12 (IANS) Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Monday launched a scathing attack on Lok Sabha Opposition Leader Rahul Gandhi and the INDIA bloc, accusing them of executing a deliberate strategy to pressure and delegitimize India's constitutional institutions, including the Supreme Court, the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG), and the Reserve Bank of India (RBI). The Chief Ministers strong reaction came as INDIA bloc leaders, led by Rahul Gandhi, staged a high-voltage march in New Delhi towards the Supreme Court. The opposition leaders are demanding the removal of Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar, accusing him, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and Union Home Minister Amit Shah of subverting electoral integrity and obbing the nation. CM Fadnavis criticised the opposition for brandishing copies of the Constitution while systematically undermining constitutional bodies. He alleged that the current protests are part of an extreme far-left plot designed to reject Dr B R Ambedkars Constitution and breed public distrust against democratic systems. Questioning the rationale behind marching to the apex court to force a meeting with the Chief Justice of India (CJI), CM Fadnavis asked, Which section of the Constitution empowers a political march to demand an audience with the Chief Justice of India? Attempting to exert pressure on the Supreme Court is a direct insult to Dr Ambedkar's Constitution. Drawing a sharp contrast, he invoked the 1975 Emergency imposed by former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. He highlighted how the Congress regime then suspended fundamental rights and restricted citizens from approaching High Courts and the Supreme Court. We fought against constitutional tampering in 1975, and we will fight again today. We will never allow anyone to alter or tamper with Dr B R Ambedkar's Constitution, he declared. CM Fadnavis asserted that Congress's repeated electoral failures have driven it to resort to anarchy. He also pointed to instances during past agitations at Jantar Mantar, where social media algorithms were manipulated to spread chaos, noting that platforms like Meta later issued apologies over ad-driven content and missteps involving Prime Minister Modi's posts. He stated that Congress needs to stop blaming Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) for its political setbacks and instead look inward at its failed leadership. Congress needs to find the reasons for its failure not in EVMs, but in its own leadership. This is a rejected leadership that is repeatedly re-launched, only to fail every time, he noted. Emphasising Congresss declining footprint, CM Fadnavis noted that key states across the nation have rejected the party for decades, including Tamil Nadu: 59 years, West Bengal: 50 years, Uttar Pradesh: 46 years, Sikkim: 42 years, Bihar: 36 years, Tripura: 33 years, Gujarat: 31 years and Madhya Pradesh & Odisha: 23+ years. He added that across 18 states, voters have distanced themselves from Congress for decades, forcing the party to rely heavily on regional partners like the DMK, RJD, and BSP to survive. He accused the opposition of systematically trying to instill distrust in the public mind regarding democratic institutions and the rule of law.
Trade body flags online-offline price gap after 24,000 crore ecom sales
The Confederation of West Bengal Trade Associations (CWBTA) on Monday expressed concern over the rising volume of online festive sales and the deep discounts offered by e-commerce platforms, saying the widening online-offline price gap was hurting traditional retailers. E-commerce companies have reportedly clocked around Rs 24,000 crore in sales in the first two days of the festive season, it claimed. The apex trade body said such a shift in consumer spending, coupled with aggressive price competition, was putting significant pressure on offline retailers and traditional markets. CWBTA president Sushil Poddar said the issue was not the growth of e-commerce but the large difference in prices between online and offline sellers. Online sales of around Rs 24,000 crore in just two days clearly demonstrate the enormous scale of the shift in consumer purchasing. However, when such sales are driven by substantial price differences, the impact on offline traders cannot be ignored. Traditio
Trinamool to stage rally in Kolkata tomorrow on CEC issue, Mamata Banerjee likely to lead
Trinamool to stage rally in Kolkata tomorrow on CEC issue, Mamata Banerjee likely to lead Kolkata: The Trinamool Congress faction led by the former West Bengal Chief Minister, Mamata Banerjee, has announced a mega rally in Kolkata on Tuesday, demanding the resignation of the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC), Gyanesh Kumar. Although not officially announced as [] The post Trinamool to stage rally in Kolkata tomorrow on CEC issue, Mamata Banerjee likely to lead appeared first on Mangalorean.com .
Billboard with Goddess Durga beside biryani sparks row
Kolkata: A biryani outlets poster featuring an image of Goddess Durga alongside the non-veg dish drew objections from locals in West Bengals Hooghly district, with the local BJP MLA demanding its removal, alleging that it hurt religious sentiments. The poster outside a high-rise residential complex in Uttarparas Hindmotor area features a plate of chicken biryani 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 .
Jantar Mantar de-notified as protest site; Delhi Police designates 3 new venues
New Delhi , Oct 12 : Jantar Mantar has been de-notified as a designated venue for organising protests and demonstrations in Delhi, with the Delhi Police designating three new locations for the purpose, according to an official notice. The three new designated protest venues are Ramlila Ground, Burari Ground and CBD Ground in East Delhi. The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) had constituted a committee to examine alternative venues for citizens to exercise their right to organise protests and demonstrations in place of the existing designated site. Based on the committee's recommendations, Jantar Mantar has been de-notified as a protest venue, the notice stated. Delhi Police Commissioner Anurag Kumar said that a detailed and revised Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for organising protests and demonstrations at the three designated venues would be issued separately. The notice partially modifies the earlier Standing Order dated April 28, 2022. The revised SOP is expected to lay down the procedures for organising protests and demonstrations at the newly designated venues. The development comes as leaders and parliamentarians of the opposition INDIA bloc launched a massive protest march from Connaught Place in central Delhi, intensifying their agitation against the Election Commission over alleged electoral manipulation and subversion of democratic institutions. Launching a fierce attack on the central government during the march, Congress General Secretary (Organisation) KC Venugopal described the Opposition's ongoing agitation as the iggest andolan against the poll panel and declared that the party is taking its legal battle to the apex court. This is the biggest andolan against the Election Commissioner and the election system. Narendra Modi and Amit Shah are using the Chief Election Commissioner as their tool to destroy the democracy of this country, to hijack the democracy of the country, Venugopal said. Emphasizing that the Opposition will fight on both political and legal fronts, he said, Therefore, for the last one week, we are on the streets. Today also we are going to be on the streets, and we are going to file a petition in the Supreme Court also. When asked by reporters regarding an appointment with the Chief Justice of India, Venugopal stated, I don't want to comment on all that now. But anyway, we are going to fight legally also. We are going to the Supreme Court and file a petition there. The Supreme Court, Chief Justice informed us that between 10:00 to 4:00, they are ready to receive our petition; the registry is ready. Joining the protest, Congress MP Renuka Chowdhury condemned the police clampdown and accused the government of acting with impunity despite judicial safeguards. This is a show of giving them assurance that we are going to fight for them, that we represent them and their voice should be heard here. This brute force here and declaring us unlawful is a clear show of violation of anything that is constitutional and disrespect to the Supreme Court which this government is showing, Chowdhury said. She added, Despite the Supreme Court's rulings, they have violated and they have named us. You ask about SIR and they filed an FIR. One Gyanesh is more than 'Bharat desh'? Former West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee said, We are demanding justice, nothing else. This is for people, for humankind, for justice...We want justice and nothing else. Against this backdrop, high security is in place in Central Delhi with barricades at multiple locations. Entry and exit at certain metro stations will also remain closed from 6:00 AM to 4:00 PM on October 12, 2026, for security reasons. The stations are Patel Chowk, Janpath, Rajiv Chowk, Mandi House, Central Secretariat, Barakhamba Road respectively. Security personnel have been deployed at Barakhamba Road, near Mandi House. RAF (Rapid Action Force) and CRPF (Central Reserve Police Force) personnel are also deployed along with Delhi Police personnel.
A forest staffer, Akash Kerketta, helped save a herd of elephants in West Bengal by waving a red flag to alert an approaching Sikkim Mahananda train on the BagdograNaxalbari route. The train pilots responded in time, preventing a possible accident. An IFS officer's post on X praising Kerketta's quick action has won appreciation online, with users calling him an unsung hero.
West Bengal celebrates Mahalaya at Eden Garden: CM Suvendu's initiative creates new Guinness record
Dilip Ghosh Criticizes Congress Leaders Over Democratic Rights and Protests
West Bengal minister Dilip Ghosh responds to Congress leaders comments, asserting the BJPs role in granting media rights. Dilip Ghosh Criticizes Congress Leaders Over Democratic Rights and Protests
ED raids multiple locations in Kolkata in chit fund case
Digital Desk | Kolkata, Oct 12 (IANS) The Enforcement Directorate (ED) was conducting simultaneous raids and search operations in eight locations in Kolkata on Monday in connection with a major chit fund scam in West Bengal. The ED teams were accompanied by the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) personnel. Sources aware of the development said that a chit fund entity lured thousands of investors to invest in their multi-level marketing scheme by promising lucrative returns. Initially, some investors received returns as promised, prompting them to invest more in such schemes. However, the returns stopped coming gradually, which resulted in severe losses for investors. Later, the same money, as paid by the people, was illegally invested in several real estate projects in the city run by influential promoters extremely close to the previous ruling dispensation in the state. It is learnt that the eight locations, where simultaneous raids and search operations are being conducted since this morning, are mainly concentrated in South Kolkata, such as Tollygunge and Sarat Bose Road. However, further details on the matter are awaited. Last month, the ED launched raid and search operations in this particular financial fraud case. At that time, the investigating officers of the Central agency raided various offices of the investment company and the residences of several officials of the company. Based on the information received in the operation last month, the ED launched another operation on Monday, sources said. It is learnt that during the raid and search operations last month, the investigating officials of the ED examined various transactions and bank-related documents of the said entity and came to know that although originating in Kolkata, the said entity had spread its activities to other states as well. For the last few months, ED has become active again in West Bengal in several cases related to money laundering and bank loan fraud, among others, with raids and search operations by Central agency officials having become regular.
Minister signals end of road for traditional horse-drawn carriages around Maidan
Terracotta idol makes journey back to land of terracotta
Festive spirit sets in: City restos & bars rake in the moolah as footfall goes up
State set to launch 375 fair price vet med shops
UCC committee gets 3 office rooms at Writers Buildings
Commuters Suffer As Auto Extortion Peaks In Puja Zones In Kolkata
Six Kolkata Scientists Get Patent From Centre For Electrical Leak-Check device
Pre-dawn Park St rash driving leads to brawl, cop thrashed
Citizens lose lakhs to power bill, visa frauds
Former driver molests woman, attacks home
Man away in Punjab, cash & jewellery stolen from Mukundapur flat
Electrical mechanic found murdered near Nabanna
Teacher held for assaulting toddler inside classroom
Mamata Banerjee Takes Dig At CEC Gyanesh Kumar With Humpty Dumpty Poem
Former West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee took a dig at Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar by reciting the Humpty Dumpty poem. TMC MP Saket Gokhale shared the video, saying he filmed Banerjee during their detention by Delhi Police on Saturday.
Amar Para Maddox Square & Mudiali
Stabbed engg student goes home from hosp
Bengal scientists CO2 research published in Science
Edu data shows surge in admissions to engineering, degree courses
Bengal BJP to invite open applications from professionals willing to contest KMC polls
Digital Desk | Kolkata, Oct 11 (IANS) The West Bengal Bharatiya Janata (BJP) will invite open application from professionals from certain fields who are willing to contest the polls on behalf of the party in the forthcoming election by the year-end for the formation of the new board for Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC). A drop box will be placed at the BJP's old state headquarters at Muralidhar Sen Lane in central Kolkata where interested professionals from specific fields interested to contest the KMC polls on behalf of the party, said BJP Lok Sabha member from Balurghat seat in South Dinajpur district of West Bengal and Minister of State, Sukanta Majumdar, who is hearing a four-member committee to oversee the party's organisational preparations for the forthcoming polls for the KMC scheduled by the end of this year. Majumdar, the former State BJP President, told media persons on Sunday that the party is inviting successful professionals like engineers, doctors, legal practitioners, journalists and social workers to come forward, contest and if elected to get involved in betterment of civic amenities within the KMC areas. He also said that during the selection of candidates priority will be given on the clean image and acceptability of the candidates concerned and that is exactly why applications from successful professionals from significant fields are being invited. The drop box for the applications at Muralidhar Sen Lane office will be present there from Monday. Interested professionals would be able to submit their application at the drop box as long as the party office will remain open, Majumdar said on Sunday. Meanwhile, a state BJP committee member said that providing health-related services is a crucial civic service that KMC is supposed to provide. So, if KMC can have successful practicing doctors as Councillor, there will be automatic improvements in this sphere of work. At the same time, engineers play a role in various department like assessment and collections, buildings and lighting, among others. Similarly, getting legal professionals as Councillors will be immense help for KMC's legal department. The political parties running the KMC boards have never thought on these lines, the state BJP committee member added. The polling for formation of the new KMC board will tentatively be in the last week of November this year and the results are expected to be announced in the first week of December.
Muslim artisans weave Durgas hair, crafting a unique story of harmony in West Bengal
For many artisans several challenges have emerged over the years, and their efforts are not yielding sufficient income
Muslim artisans weave Durgas hair, crafting a unique story of harmony in West Bengal
For many artisans several challenges have emerged over the years, and their efforts are not yielding sufficient income
Buy biryani from Hindu shops posters spark row in Bengal
Siliguri: A poster campaign by the Hindu Jagaran Manch urging people to buy biryani and puja articles from shops owned by Hindus triggered a controversy here, the largest town in the northern part of West Bengal. The posters were put up across the city by the Hindu Jagaran Manch, an affiliate of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak 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 .
AITC team probes attacks on Christians in Bengal after BJP win
Kolkata: A fact-finding team of the opposition Mamata AITC on Sunday, October 11, alleged that it found during visits to various parts of West Bengal that mobs vandalised churches, denied Christians burial rights and disturbed their prayers after the BJP came to power in the state in May. The partys Rajya Sabha MP Sagarika Ghose 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 .
NIA arrests one more in Bangladesh-linked outfit's terror conspiracy targeting Bengal, Northeast
Digital Desk | New Delhi, Oct 11 (IANS) The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Sunday arrested one more accused from West Bengal in connection with a terror conspiracy orchestrated by an offshoot of the proscribed terrorist organisation Jamaat-ul-Mujahideen Bangladesh (JMB), an official said. Several digital devices, including mobile phones and memory cards, were seized from the possession of the accused during the arrest, the NIA official said in a statement. The arrest follows the arrest of 13 accused persons on September 29, after searches conducted at 16 locations across Assam, West Bengal and Kerala in connection with the same conspiracy. Earlier, on June 25, the NIA filed a chargesheet against 11 accused before the NIA Special Court, Guwahati (Assam), under various provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023, and the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967. The NIA investigation revealed the involvement of the accused in a conspiracy hatched by Imam Mahmuder Kafila (IMK), an offshoot of JMB, to spread the banned outfit's extremist ideology and expand its terrorist network in West Bengal and the north-eastern states of India. The conspiracy involved the radicalisation of vulnerable youth, the propagation of extremist ideology and the recruitment of individuals into the organisation, the NIA said. The investigation revealed that Imam Mahmud Habibullah, a senior member of JMB, had established IMK with the objective of promoting the banned organisation's agenda in India, the NIA said. The accused allegedly conspired to expand the activities of IMK/JMB through clandestine meetings, religious indoctrination programmes, circulation of extremist literature and misuse of digital platforms, including Telegram, for radicalisation and dissemination of anti-India propaganda, the statement said. They also sought to promote allegiance to the leadership of IMK/JMB and strengthen the organisation's network in India, it said. The NIA said that it is carrying out further investigation in case RC-01/2026/NIA/GUW to find other aspects of the larger conspiracy.
Uttarakhand college students meet Bengal Governor under Yuva Sangam initiative
Digital Desk | Kolkata, Oct 11 (IANS) A delegation of college students from Uttarakhand interacted with West Bengal Governor R.N. Ravi on issues like learning and cultural exchange as part of the Union Education Ministry's Yuva Sangam initiative, an official said on Sunday. The interaction on October 8 provided the students and faculty members of the Uttarakhand delegation with an opportunity to experience West Bengals cultural identity and traditions, the official said in a statement. The students engaged in a discussion on the importance of strengthening connections among young people from different parts of the country, it said. The visit was organised by the Department of Higher Education, Ministry of Education, as part of Yuva Sangam Phase VII under the Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat programme, it said. The objective of the programme is to foster national integration and strengthen people-to-people connections among the youth of the country, it said. The interaction provided the students and faculty members of the Uttarakhand delegation with an opportunity to gain valuable perspectives while experiencing West Bengals distinctive cultural identity and traditions. The programme provides participants from 20 paired States and Union Territories with opportunities to engage with Indias diverse cultural traditions, educational institutions, innovation ecosystems and developmental initiatives, thereby deepening their appreciation of the nations unity amidst diversity. The visit of the Uttarakhand delegation, with Hemvati Nandan Bahuguna Garhwal University as its nodal institute, to West Bengal commenced with a warm welcome on October 7. The delegation is being hosted by IIT Kharagpur, which is facilitating opportunities for the young participants to explore the States rich cultural and spiritual heritage, vibrant traditions and educational landscape, said the statement. The visit reflects the spirit of Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat by encouraging young people to explore new places, interact with diverse communities and build lasting friendships beyond geographical boundaries, said the statement. Through such immersive experiences, Yuva Sangam Phase VII continues to promote national integration, cultural understanding and appreciation of Indias rich diversity, it said.
Uttarakhand Students Explore the Cultural Richness of West Bengal
A group of students from Uttarakhand is discovering West Bengals culture and heritage through the Youth Sangam initiative. Uttarakhand Students Explore the Cultural Richness of West Bengal
Puja Vacation 2026: Is Your School Closing on October 16? Check Latest Reopening Dates
Planning for the Puja break? West Bengal schools are closing from October 16, 2026, with most reopening on October 27. Check your specific school's closure dates, exam shifts, and traffic advisories to avoid last-minute travel issues.
DRI Busts Indo-Bangladesh Gold Smuggling Racket: 6 Arrested
The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) has disrupted a major cross-border syndicate, seizing approximately 7.8 kg of foreign-origin gold valued at over Rs 11.50 crore in intelligence-led operations across West Bengal. The two-day crackdown on Oct 89 targeted illicit road and rail corridors connecting border zones in Bangladesh and Tripura to commercial hubs in Kolkata, [] The post DRI Busts Indo-Bangladesh Gold Smuggling Racket: 6 Arrested appeared first on Pragativadi I Latest Odisha News in English I Breaking News .
Mamata AITC alleges 'Hindi imposition', distortion of Bengali over KMC poster campaign
Mamata All India Trinamool Congress accused the West Bengal BJP government of distorting the Bengali language. They cited a cleanliness campaign poster that mixed Hindi and Bengali phrases, which sparked controversy. Party leaders have expressed their dissatisfaction, urging corrections to be made to preserve the integrity of Bengali language. No response has been provided yet from the Kolkata Municipal Corporation regarding the allegations.
DRI seizes gold worth Rs 8.98 crore after high-speed chase near Visakhapatnam
Digital Desk | Visakhapatnam, Oct 11 (IANS) The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) has seized foreign-origin gold worth Rs 8.98 crore near Visakhapatnam and arrested two persons. The gold weighing over 5.8 kg was seized from a car after a high-speed chase near Visakhapatnam, the agency said on Sunday. The gold hidden under the car seat was being transported from Kolkata to Hyderabad. According to the DRI, it seized 5,832.90 grams of gold worth Rs 8.98 crore in the market from a car travelling from Kolkata to Hyderabad, following a chase and search on the night of October 8-9. Acting on specific intelligence, DRI officials maintained heightened vigilance along the National Highway. They intercepted the car carrying two passengers after a prolonged chase. After sustained questioning and a systematic search of the vehicle, officials detected a specially fabricated cavity beneath the leg space of the front co-passenger seat. They recovered three packets containing 5,832.90 grams of 24-carat gold of 999 purity from the concealed compartment. According to the officials, the gold had been smuggled into India through the India-Bangladesh border and was being transported to Hyderabad. Officials seized the recovered gold under the provisions of the Customs Act, 1962. They arrested and produced both passengers before the jurisdictional magistrate, who remanded them to judicial custody. The DRI said in another press release on Sunday that it intensified its crackdown on cross-border gold smuggling from Bangladesh, seizing around 7.8 kg of foreign-origin gold valued at more than Rs 11.50 crore in intelligence-led operations conducted on October 8-9 in the eastern region. The operations exposed the use of road and railway networks to transport smuggled gold from border areas towards Kolkata, resulting in the arrest of six persons, the DRI said. The officials seized 50 gold bars, weighing around 6.8 kg and valued at approximately Rs 10 crore, from a four-wheeler at Dankuni Toll Plaza. The vehicle, carrying four persons, was travelling from Banpur, near the Bangladesh border, towards Kolkata. On the same day, DRI teams in West Bengal intercepted passengers on trains at two railway stations, i.e., Malda Town Railway Station and New Jalpaiguri Railway Station and seized around 1 kg of foreign-origin gold, valued at around Rs 1.5 crore, from their possession.
Child marriage in India declines, but millions of girls remain at risk
With the 2030 target to end child marriage approaching, India still accounts for one in three child brides across the world, while one in every five Indian young women was married before turning 18. While the prevalence of child marriages has come down sharply from over 50 per cent in 1996 to little over 20 per cent now, experts, on the occasion of International Day of the Girl Child, have warned not to get swayed by the national average, emphasising that the problem is a lot more acute in some states. Five states -- Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, West Bengal, Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh -- account for more than half of the total child marriages in the country, according to UNICEF and government data. States and union territories that are doing well include Kerala and Lakshadweep. This year's International Day of the Girl Child theme, End Child Marriage and Invest in Girls' Rights, calls for sustained investments throughout adolescence so that girls stay in school, remain healthy and
Rejected by people in Bengal, Mamata Banerjee in Delhi to keep herself relevant: Dilip Ghosh
Digital Desk | Kolkata, Oct 11 (IANS) After being rejected by the people of West Bengal, former Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee is currently in New Delhi with a herculean attempt to keep herself relevant in national politics, said state Panchayat Affairs and Rural Development Minister and BJPs former national vice-president, Dilip Ghosh, on Sunday. Ghosh, also the BJPs former state president, ridiculed her, claiming she would now go to neighbouring Bangladesh and join any movement there to keep herself more relevant. She and her party, Trinamool Congress, have been completely rejected by the people of West Bengal. The combined vote share of the two factions of Trinamool Congress in the recently concluded bypolls to two Assembly constituencies in West Bengal has been less than three per cent. Trinamool Congress is non-existent in West Bengal. So, she has gone to New Delhi to keep herself relevant in the media. She should now go to neighbouring Bangladesh and join any movement there to keep herself more relevant. But still her party will never benefit, said Ghosh while speaking to the media persons. Ghosh also launched a scathing attack against the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP)s ongoing protest in New Delhi over the demand for the resignation of the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC), Gyanesh Kumar, which Mamata Banerjee has been supporting. There is foreign funding behind this movement. A conspiracy by the anti-national forces is behind this movement. The government has done the right thing in taking action in the larger interest of the country and its people, said Ghosh. Ghosh is not the first state BJP leader from West Bengal to ridicule Mamata Banerjee over her eagerness to be a part of the CJP movement. On Saturday, BJPs current state president in West Bengal and the partys Rajya Sabha member, Samik Bhattacharya, without directly naming Congress and the Trinamool Congress faction led by Mamata Banerjee, said that a half-dead political force had joined hands with a dead force to stay relevant over the CJP movement. On the occasion of Mahalaya today, the former West Bengal Chief Minister has gone to New Delhi instead of staying in the state. We want her to stay here during this festivity time and visit various puja pandals. We want to see her doing that. Where have all the big Trinamool Congress leaders gone? Bhattacharya asked on Saturday.
Bengal to soon have 375 fair price medicine shops for pet animals, birds
Digital Desk | Kolkata, Oct 11 (IANS) West Bengal will soon have 375 fair price medicine shops for pet animals and birds to be run by the Directorate of Animal Resources and Animal Health under the state Animal Resources Development Department. The department has issued a notification, saying that these fair price medicine shops for pet animals and birds, popularly known as Pashu Aushadhi Vikray Kendras (PAVKs), will be part of the Union Governments Livestock Health and Disease Control Programme. A department insider said that these PAVKs will not only cater to home pet owners but also to those who depend on livestock for their livelihoods. Of the 375 PAVKs, the main one will be at the state level, which will be at the state capital of Kolkata. Similarly, there will be 30 district-level PAVKs and 344 block-level PAVKs, said the department official. At the PAVKs, medicines and vaccines for pet animals, including dogs, will be available at much cheaper rates compared to those sold in private pet shops or pet clinics. It is often alleged, which to an extent is true, that a major scam has been going on for quite some time with animal medicines and vaccines involving a section of the veterinary doctors and representatives of pharmaceutical companies manufacturing veterinary medicines and vaccines, the state government official said. Explaining the nature of the scam, he said that a section of veterinary doctors is often accused of prescribing medicines and vaccines from particular brands instead of generic medicines in return for hefty commissions and other benefits in kind from the representatives of pharmaceutical companies manufacturing veterinary medicines and vaccines. Once these fair price medicine shops are operative, such alleged scams will automatically get restricted, and pet owners will benefit as they will be relieved of purchasing branded medicines at exorbitant prices, the department official said. He also said that these PAVKs will address another major problem faced by people residing in remote areas, and dependent on livestock for their livelihoods. That is exactly why as many as 344 PAVKs will be opened at the block-levels, keeping in mind the requirements of such people, the department official said. The information has brought cheer to the pet lovers. Often, we have to purchase medicines and vaccines for our pets, especially rabies vaccines for our puppies, at exorbitant prices since the veterinary doctors only prescribe branded medicines at premium prices. Now this initiative by the state government will solve that problem to a great extent, said Jayita Srakr, a city-based pet lover.
Delhi Police register over 20 FIRs in CJP Jantar Mantar stir case
Digital Desk | New Delhi, Oct 11 (IANS) The Delhi Police have registered over 20 FIRs in connection with attempts to forcibly stage protests in the national capital, officials said on Sunday. The FIRs were filed for offences including taking the law into one's own hands, obstructing official duties, and assaulting police personnel, as the protestors gathered around Jantar Mantar in New Delhi, demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar over alleged irregularities in the conduct of Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. Meanwhile, the Executive Magistrate on Sunday ordered the release of Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) leaders Abhijeet Dipke, Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka after the three were placed under preventive arrest by Delhi Police, according to CJP's legal affairs head, Ratna Singh. Singh had earlier said that the three were scheduled to appear before the Executive Magistrate at Delhi Cantt Police Station after being placed under preventive arrest. Abhijeet, Ashutosh and Saurav will be produced before the Executive Magistrate at Delhi Cantt Police Station at 9 AM today. A Delhi police official informed me about this in the morning. As CJP's Legal Head, I will be at the police station along with other advocates representing us, Singh had said in a post on X, earlier on Sunday. The three were detained earlier on Saturday at the Indira Gandhi International Airport as they arrived in the national capital to protest against the Election Commission of India (ECI). This came against the backdrop of the CJP's planned demonstration against CEC Gyanesh Kumar. On Saturday, over 3,000 anti-CEC protesters, including opposition leaders like former West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, AAP national convener Arvind Kejriwal and former Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan, were detained in Delhi as law enforcers threw an unprecedented security ring around the national capital to prevent chaos at Jantar Mantar, forcing the proposed agitation to break into several small gatherings across the city. The authorities had earlier denied permission for the demonstration and warned against unauthorised gatherings, imposing internet restrictions, roadblocks and traffic diversions to prevent a repeat of the CJPs July protest at Jantar Mantar that turned violent. The detained protesters were taken to different destinations, including Chhatrasal Stadium and various police stations, the police said. Most of them, including the opposition leaders, were released later in the evening. Social media influencer Dhruv Rathee was also detained at his residence in Gurugram on Saturday and released early on Sunday. Meanwhile, CJP leader Ajinkya Shinde announced that the protesters will once again march towards Jantar Mantar on Sunday and will rest only after the resignation of the CEC.
Mehboobas condemnation without PDPs participation under scrutiny
Srinagar, Oct 10:Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) President and former chief minister Mehbooba Mufti on Saturday drew parallels between restrictions imposed in New Delhi during protests demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar and the communication blackout and security clampdown in Kashmir following the abrogation of Article 370. However, the absence of PDP leaders from the oppositions street mobilisation in Delhi has raised questions about the partys political positioning and its willingness to participate in a coordinated opposition campaign against the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led government. Criticising the restriction on X, Mehbooba posted: Todays Delhi is a chilling reminder of Kashmir after the unconstitutional abrogation of Article 370. People were locked in their homes, the internet was shut down, and an entire region was placed under siege. The BJP then brazenly claimed that nobody had protested. Today, with Delhi under siege, trains halted, and roads to Jantar Mantar sealed, they may repeat the same lie, claiming that nobody protested against Gyanesh Kumar. First crush the protest, then deny it ever happened. This is how enforced silence is passed off as consent. While her words echoed the concerns articulated by most opposition leaders, the partys visible participation in the protests has remained conspicuously limited. The political messaging has raised a question that the PDP has yet to answer publicly. If the restrictions in Delhi evoke such strong comparisons with Kashmir, why has that outrage not translated into PDP leaders visible presence at the protests? Talking to Greater Kashmir, PDP chief spokesperson Mehbooba Beg said, In principle, every sensible citizen protests this naked onslaught of democracy. The institution of the Election Commission of India has got into disrepute. Registering protest is important, whether one does it through tweets, statements, or hits the streets. He said that the Delhi protests are genuine as the vote theft affects the 13.5 crore people including the women of West Bengal, the minorities, and the citizens of the entire country. The senior PDP leader said that the CEC Gyanesh Kumar should tender his resignation as he headed an institution that was once led by an honest person like T N Seshan. CEC Gyanesh Kumar brought such an institution into disrepute and for that history will not judge him kindly, he said. The Indian Express investigation illustrated that anti-BJP voters had been deleted across the country and the protest is important as there was a small winning margin on many seats. Furthermore, the stand taken by the other two Election Commissioners has also made the issue of vote theft clear. Beg said that PDPs stand against New Delhi had been clear after August 2019. It was for the consistent stand taken by the PDP that the PDP chief Mehbooba Muftis mother (Gulshan Nazir) had been grilled by the Enforcement Directorate, he said. While Mehbooba took to microblogging site X on Saturday, all senior PDP leaders and legislators Waheed-ur-Rehman Para, Muhammad Fayaz Mir, and Rafiq Ahmad Naik - as well as Mehboobas daughter, Iltija Mufti, were conspicuous by their absence from the Delhi mobilisation. Talking to Greater Kashmir, MLA Kupwara Muhammad Fayaz Mir and MLA Tral Rafiq Ahmad Naik said that no directions had been issued to them for participating in the Delhi protests. Im in Kupwara and, so far, I havent received any such direction, Mir said. Naik said that he was the partys foot soldier and would do whatever was asked of him by the party high command. Their participation could have lent greater weight to the PDPs condemnation of the restrictions and demonstrated that its opposition extended beyond statements and social media posts. PDPs non-participation in Delhi mobilisation leaves the party open to questions about the consistency of its opposition and the extent to which it is prepared to join a campaign beyond its own political platforms. PDP has continued to criticise the BJP-led Centre over the loss of J&Ks special status, restrictions on political activity, and other questions of civil liberties. While Mehboobas latest remarks reinforce the PDPs confrontational public posture towards the Centre, the partys absence from the Delhi protests raises questions about whether it is seeking to avoid antagonising Prime Minister Narendra Modis BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government while keeping its options open with the Congress and the wider INDIA bloc. The political metaphor of running with the hare and hunting with the hounds captures the suspicion surrounding this approach, as it has been denouncing the Centres actions but is avoiding an unambiguous demonstration of solidarity with those challenging it on the streets. PDP cannot entirely avoid scrutiny by invoking those complexities. If it believes the restrictions represent an assault on democratic freedoms, PDP leaders must explain whether they consider participation in a common opposition campaign necessary, and if not, why. Silence on that question risks allowing its opponents to portray the partys position as selective. For Mehbooba, the immediate challenge is to reconcile the force of her public condemnation with the absence of her partys prominent faces from the streets. The PDPs statement may have strengthened the oppositions argument about the curtailment of dissent. However, its absence has opened a different debate one about whether the PDP is prepared to match its rhetoric with participation. Until the party clarifies that position, the contrast between Mehboobas words and her partys political presence is likely to remain a source of scrutiny for the PDP.
West Bengal CM Suvendu Adhikari praises zero incidents during Tarpan rituals in Kolkata
The News Mill
West Bengal Congress Invites Applications for Urban Body Elections
The West Bengal Congress is inviting applications from party workers for upcoming urban body elections, aiming for a democratic candidate selection process. West Bengal Congress Invites Applications for Urban Body Elections
NKDA flags 38 bldgs for illegal commercial use
24-day drive to boost flyer services ends
Cop-Railways Meet On Puja Traffic, Security Management
13k ball pens create Durga installation at south Kol puja
Kol to remain dry for next few days: Met
Trial run: Finally, a metro rake bridges Chingrighata gap
10,000-dhak drumroll, 1,000 shankha, 3,000 drones welcome Durga to her earthly abode
12,400 new Durga Pujas in Bengal this year: CM
Flyover road surfaces get festive coat of paint
Adani soft-power push: From sponsor to culture investor
Civic bodies shift gear as Kol, Salt Lake pre-puja road repair drive enters last leg
RTO, Tout Held For Rs 90k Bribe Get Jail Custody Till Oct 12 In Kolkata
West Bengal: Governor RN Ravi says state is determined to create a golden Bengal
West Bengal Governor RN Ravi emphasized the state's commitment to creating a golden Bengal and improving Durga Puja celebrations. The Chief Minister announced financial assistance for puja committees while encouraging larger ones to forgo the funds for rural celebrations. A record number of new pujas are being organized this year, reflecting cultural heritage and community spirit. Events will take place across the state, boosting local traditions.
West Bengals BJP government kicks off first Durga Puja celebration with mega event at Eden Gardens
Chief Minister says Durga Pujas will now follow proper religious traditions, adding that 12,400 more community Durga Pujas are being organised in the State this year
