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.
Congress leadership directionless, blames institutions for poll defeats: Shivraj Chouhan
Digital Desk | New Delhi, Oct 12 (IANS) Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Monday launched a sharp attack on the Congress, accusing its top leadership of being completely directionless and asserting that this was the primary reason behind the party's repeated electoral defeats across the country. Addressing a press conference at the BJP headquarters in New Delhi, Chouhan said, For several years, Congress has been continuously attacking constitutional institutions. Now, it has stooped to a point where putting the blame on constitutional institutions for election defeats has become a pattern. Losing elections one after another and then taking out protests has become the fate of the Congress... The reason for the repeated election defeats is not the Election Commission, but the directionless leadership of Congress itself, Chouhan said, pointing to alleged internal differences in the party's Uttar Pradesh, Punjab and Karnataka divisions. The Union Minister further claimed that the Congress had been politically marginalised in several major states for a considerable period, citing Tamil Nadu, West Bengal, Sikkim, Uttar Pradesh and Bihar as examples. Except for three or four states, Congress has been reduced to a junior partner in every other state, he said. Chouhan also accused the Congress of targeting constitutional institutions for political gain. Congress cannot win the country over by attacking constitutional institutions simply for the sake of holding onto power, he added. In a further attack, Chouhan alleged that the Congress routinely criticised institutions whenever their decisions or actions went against the party's interests. Congress is in such a state that when a court verdict goes against it, it attacks the court. When it loses an election, it attacks the Election Commission. When the Army eliminates terrorists, it attacks the Army. Congress has found it impossible to digest India's progress and the trust of the country's 1.40 crore people. That is why I say, with great anguish, that Congress is now joining hands with forces seeking to divide the country, Chouhan said, reiterating that the party's top leadership was completely directionless. Chouhan also took aim at remarks comparing the Congress to Lord Shiva's wedding procession, and said, Just now, they were saying that Congress is like Lord Shiva's wedding procession. They are talking about Lord Shiva's procession while opposing Lord Ram. This is not Lord Shiva's wedding procession; it is a group of troublemakers spreading chaos and trying to create disorder on the streets, he said. The Agriculture Minister also alleged that the Congress and the INDIA bloc were influenced by foreign powers and accused them of associating with groups and individuals whom he described as being opposed to India's interests. Congress and the INDIA bloc have now become puppets in the hands of foreign powers. For the sake of power, they sometimes rely on the Left, sometimes on cockroaches, sometimes on anti-national forces like George Soros, and sometimes on NGOs, he added. Referring to Rahul Gandhi's earlier statements, Chouhan said, Rahul Gandhi had once said that his fight is against the 'Indian state itself'; what does this mean, Rahul Gandhi? This shows how low Congress and Rahul have stooped. The remarks came amid the Congress-led INDIA bloc's march towards the Supreme Court, seeking the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar over the controversy surrounding the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. Opposition leaders have alleged irregularities in the revision exercise and raised concerns over the electoral rolls, while the BJP has defended the process and accused the Congress of politicising the issue.
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.
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.
West Bengal CM Suvendu Adhikari inaugurates Santosh Mitra Square Durga Puja pandal
By Ujjwal Roy West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari on Sunday inaugurated the Durga Puja pandal at Santosh Mitra Square in Kolkata, which has chosen 'Vande Mataram' as its theme to mark the 150th anniversary of the national song. The inauguration ceremony was attended by BJP's West Bengal in-charge Sunil Bansal, state BJP president Samik Bhattacharya, Union Minister Sukanta Majumdar and other party leaders. Speaking at the event, Adhikari said the Durga Puja celebrations this year would honour Sanatan culture.
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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.
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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
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.
Bhubaneswar: Two Arrested in Nayapalli for Brandishing Sword and Extortion
Nayapalli Police in Bhubaneswar arrested two men from West Bengal on Sunday for brandishing a 32-inch iron sword in public, terrorizing commuters, and attempting extortion near ID Market. According to police, a patrolling team near Ekamra Park was alerted by a passerby around 9 AM regarding two Hindi-speaking youths creating panic with a sword on [] The post Bhubaneswar: Two Arrested in Nayapalli for Brandishing Sword and Extortion appeared first on Pragativadi I Latest Odisha News in English I Breaking News .
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 .
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.
'Good behaviour', 'maintaining peace' placed as conditions for CJP leaders' release: Delhi Police
Digital Desk | New Delhi, Oct 11 (IANS) The Special Executive Magistrate (SEM) court in New Delhi on Sunday placed 'maintaining peace and good behaviour' as a condition for releasing the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) leaders, police said. CJP's legal affairs head Ratna Singh earlier confirmed that the outfit's leaders Abhijeet Dipke, Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka were released by the SEM court after they were placed under preventive arrest by the Delhi Police. In a post on X, Delhi Police said: Preventive arrest u/s 126/170 BNSS of Sh. Abhijeet Dipke, Sh. Ashutosh Ranka and Sh. Saurav Das was done on 10.10.2026. All due legal procedures were followed and they were produced before the SEM Court, Delhi Cantt on 11.10.2026. A bail bond as Surety Bond of Rs 50,000/- was filled for maintaining peace and good behaviour, for a period of one year, and they were released by the SEM Court, it added. The three CJP leaders were detained 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 Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar over alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. Meanwhile, the Delhi Police have registered over 20 FIRs in connection with attempts to forcibly stage protests, 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 protesters gathered around Jantar Mantar in New Delhi, demanding the resignation of 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, warning 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.
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
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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
Bengal permits 12,400 new Durga Pujas; 1 lakh grants to be disbursed soon
West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari on Saturday said his government had granted permission for 12,400 new Durga Pujas this year and all of them had received financial assistance from the state. Speaking at a special programme marking the beginning of 'Debipaksha' at the Eden Gardens here, Adhikari said around 45,000 Durga Pujas were held in the state last year. Earlier, (during the previous government) to hold Durga Pujas, one had to approach the Calcutta High Court to get requisite permission. It was sad. I do not think there is a single such case this time. Compared to the number of Durga Pujas held in 2025, this year we have 12,400 new pujas, he said. In our Cabinet meeting, we decided that Durga Pujas will not commence during Pitripakkha, which is why we inaugurated it today during Debipokkho. We had decided that this year, besides the cultural aspects of the puja, we will also follow the customary rituals as per the traditional Hindu astrological almanac, Adhikari .
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RPF rescues nine-year-old runaway boy from West Bengal at Mangaluru Central station
RPF rescues nine-year-old runaway boy from West Bengal at Mangaluru Central station
ED freezes 139 bank accounts of Bengal-based corporate firm in money laundering case
Digital Desk | Kolkata, Oct 10 (IANS) The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Saturday confirmed to have frozen 139 bank accounts of Gupta Power Infrastructure Limited (GPIL), a company registered with West Bengal, in connection with a money-laundering case in which the central agency had been investigating for some time. According to a statement issued by the ED, the decision to freeze the bank accounts was taken after the officers of the agency's Kolkata-based eastern regional office conducted raids and search operations at nine locations in West Bengal and neighbouring Odisha on October 5 this year, which were linked to GPIL, its associated entities and persons connected with its management, in relation to an investigation into bank fraud committed by the West Bengal company. The central agency claimed that following the raid and search operation, various incriminating documents, devices and records were found and seized, as per the provisions of Prevention of the Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002. ED, the investigation arm of the Ministry of Finance, also claimed that besides 139 bank accounts related to GPIL, and a number of mutual funds and shares held in the name of the corporate entity and its associated individuals were also frozen. In addition, the ED claimed, three high end cars (two Mercedes and one BMW) were also confiscated. The contents of the seized material and financial transactions are currently under investigation, the ED statement said. The ED's investigation in the matter was initiated on the basis of an FIR registered by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), where it was alleged that GPIL availed substantial fund-based and non-fund-based working-capital facilities from a consortium of banks, with Canara Bank as the lead bank. The consortium exposure was around Rs 3,590 crore, including Canara Bank's sanctioned exposure of around Rs 1,174 crore. However, as claimed by the ED, later GPIL allegedly manipulated its drawing power and borrowing capacity by substantially inflating the stock reported to banks vis--vis the stock reflected in its audited financial statements and including around Rs 280 crore worth of project and EPC stock as eligible stock for availing working capital facilities. Further, disputed and doubtful receivables, including claims rejected by the NCLT, were continued to be represented as eligible receivables, while a major discrepancy of around Rs 1115.15 crore was observed in the receivables reported by GPIL, indicating possible inflation of its current assets and consequent enhancement of borrowing limits, the ED statement said.
Police complaint filed against Abhishek Banerjee over 'misleading' Rejinagar bypoll post
Digital Desk | Kolkata, Oct 10 (IANS) A Returning Officer (RO), acting on behalf of the Election Commission of India (ECI), has lodged a police complaint against Trinamool Congress general secretary and Diamond Harbour MP Abhishek Banerjee over allegedly misleading information shared on social media regarding the Rejinagar Assembly bypoll results. On Friday, while the counting was underway, Abhishek Banerjee, also the nephew of former West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, claimed in a social media post that in a particular booth for the Rejinagar Assembly bypoll, the winning BJP candidate, Sakharav Sarkar, received more votes than the total number of registered voters at that particular booth. In the post, the Diamond Harbour MP claimed that at Booth No. 109 in Rejinagar, the BJP candidate secured 909 votes even though the total number of registered voters was 772. The district electoral officer (DEO) & district magistrate (DM) promptly issued a counter statement, rejecting the claims by Abhishek, and said that, as per the electoral roll for that polling station, the total number of registered electors was 1,109, of which 972 votes were polled across all candidates contesting in the Rejinagar bypoll. On Saturday, the concerned RO, on behalf of the ECI, registered a police complaint against Abhishek Banerjee at the Rejinagar Police Station. Both Mamata Banerjee and Abhishek Banerjee are currently in New Delhi to participate in the movement by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar. Now, it remains to be seen whether the Diamond Harbour MP would be summoned to the Rejinagar Police Station for questioning in this matter. The bypolls for Rejinagar and Nandigram Assembly constituencies in East Midnapore district of West Bengal were conducted on October 6, and the results were declared on October 9. The BJP candidates got elected from both constituencies with massive margins. The party increased its tally in the 294-seat West Bengal Assembly to 209.
27 watershed projects in Bengal benefit 2.2 lakh farmers
9 months on, Sunalis son Apon still has no birth certificate
National Ranking TT: Mondal, Kalbhairav Emerge U-15 Champs
Himon Kumar Mondal from West Bengal and Tanishka Kalbhairav from Karnataka secured victories in the U-15 boys' and girls' categories, respectively, at the second National Ranking Table Tennis Championships held in Panchkula on Saturday. Mondal won a thrilling final against Rishaan Chattopadhyay, while Kalbhairav defeated Aarya Redkar.
Mamata Banerjee alleges Delhi Police 'kidnapped' her, holds protest at Dwarka North Police Station
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee alleged that Delhi Police detained her and five Trinamool Congress MPs and drove them around in a prison van for two hours amid protests in the capital. She began a dharna at Dwarka North Police Station, vowed to stay in Delhi and join the INDIA bloc's march on Monday.
Gurugram Encounter: Police Arrest Three, Seize Drugs
Gurugram police arrested three alleged criminals following an encounter in Sector 62 on Friday night. A police official and two accused sustained gunshot injuries during the shootout. The arrested individuals, identified as Marfat alias Maru, Phool Babu Sheikh, and Srikul Sheikh, all from West Bengal, had MDMA and firearms in their possession.
Tribal Affairs Ministry says 25 lakh titles distributed under Forest Rights Act
Digital Desk | Kolkata, Oct 10 (IANS) As many as 25 lakh titles have been distributed out of the 54 lakh claims received till August 31 under the Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006 (FRA), an official said on Saturday. Speaking at the Second Regional Review Conference on implementation of FRA in Kolkata, Joint Secretary, Union Ministry of Tribal Affairs (MoTA), said on Friday that out of over 54 lakh claims received nationally, about 11 lakh claims still remain pending at different stages. The official said over 18 lakh claims have been rejected, noting that Madhya Pradesh, Odisha and Assam account for substantial pendency concentrated in particular districts, according to a statement. He highlighted that the Regional Conference focuses on the following key priorities such as timely disposal of pending claims and review of rejected claims in accordance with the Act and Rules, reconciliation of FRA data, digitisation of FRA case records, incorporation of recognised rights into revenue and forest records, acceleration of recognition of Community Forest Resource Rights and Habitat Rights recognition for PVTGs. The Conference brought together senior functionaries of the Tribal Welfare, Revenue and Forest Departments and Tribal Research Institutes of eight States, namely West Bengal, Assam, Tripura, Jharkhand, Odisha, Bihar, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh, said the statement. Additionally, senior officials of Andhra Pradesh were invited to share the best practices the State has undertaken on digitisation, integration of FRA titles into government records, taking up proactive measures on convergence of livelihood schemes with FRA titleholders and providing credit facilities to the right holders, said the statement. District officials- Collectors, Sub-Collectors and ITDP/ITDA Project Officers- from districts having a large pendency of FRA claims also attended to review the status of implementation and deliberate on a coordinated way forward. The Conference follows the First Regional Review Conference held in Bengaluru on September 10 for the Southern States. Secretary, MoTA, said that the FRA places the rights, dignity and aspirations of forest-dwelling communities at the heart of inclusive and sustainable development. She emphasised that recognised rights must be incorporated into Revenue and Forest records with accurate maps and that convergence with programmes for productive land use, housing and livelihoods must become a regular part of implementation. The Director, FRA, MoTA, presented the national scenario, including pendency in high-pendency States and priority districts. Her presentation also covered the importance of incorporating the Record of Forest Rights into revenue and forest records in line with the Ministrys advisory of June 24, 2026 and Habitat Rights under the Ministrys guidelines of January 5, 2026.
Watch: Delhi police detain Mamata Banerjee near CJP Jantar Mantar protest
Former West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee sits on dharna in Delhi after police block access to youth protest.
SEPC inks 854 cr-order with SAIL in West Bengal
The contract covers the pellet plant BOP, including civil & structural works, at the SAIL-IISCO Steel Plant in Burnpur, West Bengal
'Conspiring With Foreign Powers': Shivraj Chouhan Slams Rahul Gandhi, Oppn Amid CJP Protest
BJP leader Shivraj Singh Chouhan reacts to the recent bypoll results, hailing the BJP-NDAs performance in West Bengal, Assam and Puducherry. He said the results reflect public faith in Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the BJP-NDA leadership and the vision of a Viksit Bharat.Chouhan also targeted the opposition, accusing it of attempting to create chaos through protests and undermine constitutional institutions. He further alleged that the opposition was acting with support from foreign forces.Watch Shivraj Singh Chouhans full statement on the bypoll results, the Modi governments development agenda and his allegations against the opposition.
Mamata Banerjee Recites Satirical Poem Targeting CEC, BJP
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee recites a satirical poem targeting Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and the BJP government.
Will replace health secy if he had ordered repair work at RG Kar: Suvendu
Mamata Banerjee Detained Near South Avenue As Delhi Police Crack Down On CJP Protest 2.0
Former West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee was detained by Delhi Police on Saturday while staging a sit-in protest against Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar near the South Avenue bus stand in New Delhi. Her detention came amid heightened security
Oppn trying to pressure ECI through CJP; agitation won't have any impact, says BJP
Digital Desk | New Delhi, Oct 10 (IANS) The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Saturday accused the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) of staging a protest against the interests of the people, alleging that Opposition parties were attempting to put pressure on the Election Commission of India (ECI) through the agitation. The BJP's remarks came amid the CJP's proposed protest at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi on Saturday against Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar. The protest was also aimed at raising allegations of voter deletions during the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls and alleged vote theft. West Bengal BJP President Samik Bhattacharya criticised the agitation, accusing the protesters of disrespecting the public and undermining the people's mandate. They are insulting the people. The movement taking place today is against the people, and the public is being humiliated. This is a betrayal of the people's mandate, and this cannot be allowed to continue, he said. Speaking to IANS, Bihar BJP President Sanjay Saraogi also alleged that the Congress and other Opposition parties were attempting to influence the Election Commission through the CJP's protest. He said the public was closely watching the developments and claimed that the party's intentions had become clear. The Congress and Opposition parties are trying to pressure the Election Commission through the Cockroach Janata Party's agitation. The country is watching. When the party first launched its agitation, students thought it was raising issues concerning their interests, but its true intentions have now been exposed before the people. The protest will have no impact. Security has been tightened in Delhi to maintain law and order and ensure the safety of ordinary citizens, Saraogi said. Bihar Minister Mithilesh Tiwari, recalling the Supreme Court's remarks concerning the CJP protest, said the administration was taking the necessary precautions in accordance with the observations made by the Chief Justice of India. The Chief Justice of India has given a clear indication to our administration, and officials are taking precautions accordingly. Every word of the Chief Justice is valuable to our government and its officials. So, do not worry. The government is handling every situation with great sensitivity, he said. Tiwari also apologised to passengers affected by the cancellation of trains heading towards Delhi in view of the CJP's proposed agitation. He described the situation as an internal security issue and alleged that some people were attempting to undermine the Modi government's achievements. Some people are jealous of the Modi government's success and are changing their identities. I am saying that the Cockroach Janta Party is none other than a new avatar of the Congress Party operating under a different identity, the minister claimed. These cockroaches could use any child in our country as a weapon, which is why our government is on alert. The people of the country have understood their objective. Everyone knows they are working for the RJD and Congress by changing their identity, and that is why people are no longer with them, he alleged.
Dengue surge in Bengal hotspots raises concern ahead of Durga Puja
Digital Desk | Kolkata, Oct 10 (IANS) A sudden rise in dengue cases in pockets of rural and urban West Bengal over the past month has raised concern in the administration ahead of the forthcoming Durga Puja festival. A state health department official said 14 gram panchayats and eight urban civic bodies, including three municipal corporations and five municipalities, had been identified as dengue hotspots following a sharp increase in cases in specific areas over the past month. Most of the 14 gram panchayats identified as dengue hotspots are in Murshidabad district. The others are in South 24 Parganas, Nadia, Jalpaiguri, Birbhum and Hooghly districts, the official said. The three municipal corporations reporting a similar trend in certain wards are the Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC), Bidhannagar Municipal Corporation (BMC) in North 24 Parganas district and Howrah Municipal Corporation (HMC) in Howrah district, adjoining Kolkata. According to the official, six wards in the KMC, three in the HMC and four in the BMC have been identified as pockets witnessing a sudden rise in new dengue cases over the past month. Among the municipalities identified as sensitive zones are Chakdaha in Nadia district and Dumdum, South Dumdum, Kamarhati and Baranagar in North 24 Parganas district. During the current calendar year, the highest numbers of dengue cases have been reported from nine districts, namely Murshidabad, Kolkata, North 24 Parganas, South 24 Parganas, Nadia, Hooghly, Howrah, Malda and East Burdwan. However, state health department figures show that the overall number of dengue cases reported so far in 2026 remains marginally lower than the corresponding figure for 2025. Till October 7, 2025, West Bengal had recorded 12,652 dengue cases, compared with 10,177 cases during the same period in 2026. Despite the lower cumulative tally, the recent rise in infections has emerged as a cause for concern. The health department official said 3,948 new cases were reported during September, while nearly 1,100 cases were recorded in the first week of October alone. Despite the lower overall number of cases this year, the worrying aspect is the recent rise in infections. While 3,948 new dengue cases were reported in September, nearly 1,100 cases were recorded in the first week of October alone, the official said.
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Attempts to disrupt law and order must be stopped: West Bengal Minister Dilip Ghosh on CJP protest
West Bengal Minister Dilip Ghosh has expressed concerns about public disturbance due to the Cockroach Janta Party protest. Security measures have been heightened across Delhi, with over 35,000 personnel deployed to maintain law and order. The Delhi Police have denied permission for the gathering, citing past violence as a reason. Additionally, intensive security checks are being conducted at various locations, including borders and metro stations.
Dilip Ghosh Criticizes CJP Protests in Delhi, Targets Mamata Banerjee
West Bengal Minister Dilip Ghosh responds to CJP protests in Delhi, emphasizing democracy while condemning disruption. Dilip Ghosh Criticizes CJP Protests in Delhi, Targets Mamata Banerjee
On October 10, 2026, banking services will be suspended due to the second Saturday of the month coinciding with Mahalaya Amavasye celebrated in Karnataka and West Bengal. Following the Reserve Bank of Indias directives, banks close on the second and fourth Saturdays. With various festivals and holidays marked in October, it's essential for customers to plan their banking transactions wisely ahead of this date.
