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News18
19 hours ago
- Politics
- News18
'Pashchimbanga Divas' Row: BJP Accuses Police Of Blocking Rally, TMC Calls Celebration Forced
Last Updated: TMC accused the BJP of undermining the secular spirit of the Constitution, calling the celebration "politically motivated" The ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC), led by Mamata Banerjee, and the opposition BJP engaged in a political slugfest on Friday over the celebration of 'Pashchimbanga Divas'. Union Minister and West Bengal BJP president Sukanta Majumdar accused Kolkata Police of obstructing the party's efforts to observe the day. Majumdar alleged that police tried to stop his two-wheeler rally from reaching Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose's residence on Elgin Road in south Kolkata. The BJP, following a central government notification, marks June 20 — the date in 1947 when the undivided Bengal Assembly voted for the partition of the state — as 'Pashchimbanga Divas'. Earlier this morning, BJP Yuva Morcha members gathered at the Bhowanipore residence of Dr Shyama Prasad Mukherjee, the Jan Sangh founder, before planning to cycle and walk to Netaji Bhavan, about a kilometre away. Majumdar alleged, 'we told the police that we will only carry the Tricolour and no party flags in this rally. Even then the police obstructed our movement and arrested our workers." A small group, including Majumdar and state BJP Yuva Morcha chief Indranil Khan, later managed to reach Netaji's house and garland his bust. 'We failed to understand the police's logic behind this obstruction. This wasn't a political rally and our destination was Netaji's house which lies in the same ward as that of the residence of Shyama Prasad Mukherjee. It is evident that we will either walk or reach there on motorcycles," Khan added. West Bengal Opposition leader Suvendu Adhikari led legislators on a colourful march from the assembly to Dr Mukherjee's statue on Red Road, where they garlanded it and chanted slogans calling for enduring recognition of June 20 as 'Pashchimbanga Divas'. 'This is a historic day which we must observe," Adhikari said. The row centres on which date should be officially recognised as West Bengal Statehood Day. The ruling TMC government has declared Poila Baisakh — the Bengali New Year — as the statehood day, passing a resolution in the assembly. In response to the allegations, TMC spokesperson Kunal Ghosh dismissed the BJP's actions as contrived. Ghosh said: 'The people of Bengal have already chosen their statehood day on the first day of the Bengali calendar. It's a day close to the hearts of all Bengalis. The state assembly has already endorsed it. It doesn't matter where a motley band of BJP workers gather and try to force a celebration which lacks spontaneity and with which the people have no direct association." West Bengal's Parliamentary Affairs Minister Sobhandeb Chatterjee accused the BJP of undermining the secular spirit of the Constitution, calling the celebration 'politically motivated". He said the Poila Baisakh resolution had already been endorsed by the state assembly and criticised the BJP's sudden interest in June 20. (With inputs from agencies) About the Author News Desk First Published: June 20, 2025, 22:09 IST Latest News MP HC commutes death penalty of man convicted of raping 4-year-old girl Agency feeds Agency feeds Jharkhand cabinet gives nod to key infra, edu projects, policy reforms Agency feeds Iran expects India to condemn Israeli military actions against it Cricket Shubman Gill Becomes 5th Indian To Score Century In 1st Test As Captain Politics 'Pashchimbanga Divas' Row: BJP Accuses Police Of Blocking Rally, TMC Calls Celebration Forced latest news
The Print
a day ago
- Politics
- The Print
Bengal BJP alleges police obstructed party to observe ‘Paschimbanga Divas'
While the government has passed a resolution in the state assembly and identified Poila Baisakh, the Bengali New Year's Day, for celebrating West Bengal Day, the state BJP, acting on a central notification, has marked June 20 to observe the state foundation day. A political slugfest over the observance of statehood day has been on for the last two years between the Trinamool Congress-led West Bengal government and the ruling party's prime opposition in the state, the BJP. Kolkata, Jun 20 (PTI) West Bengal BJP president Sukanta Majumdar alleged on Friday that the Kolkata Police resisted the party's attempts to observe 'Pashchimbanga Divas' by trying to stop a two-wheeler rally headed by him from reaching Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose's residence on Elgin Road in the southern part of the city. On that day in 1947, the Legislative Assembly of undivided Bengal met and voted in favour of partition of the state between East and West Bengal. The latter stayed with India while the former was included in Pakistan. The Friday face-off between activists of the BJP Yuva Morcha and the city police took place outside the Bhowanipore residence of Jan Sangh founding member, Dr Shyama Prasad Mukherjee, where the workers had assembled to pay their respects to the leader and then planned to reach Netaji Bhavan, a kilometre away, on two-wheelers and foot. 'We told the police that we will only carry the Tricolour and no party flags in this rally. Even then the police obstructed our movement and arrested our workers,' Majumdar alleged. A small team of party workers, including Majumdar and the state BJP Yuva Morcha president Indranil Khan, later managed to reach Bose's residence on two-wheelers and garland the leader's bust outside the house. 'We failed to understand the police's logic behind this obstruction. This wasn't a political rally and our destination was Netaji's house which lies in the same ward as that of the residence of Shyama Prasad Mukherjee. It is evident that we will either walk or reach there on motorcycles,' Khan said. The only possible explanation is that the police were pressed by the Mamata Banerjee government to stop us from observing Paschimbanga Divas, Khan said. Suvendu Adhikari, leader of the opposition, earlier led a colourful march of BJP legislators from the assembly premises to the statue of Shyama Prasad Mukherjee on Red Road in central Kolkata about two kilometres away and garlanded it. 'This is a historic day which we must observe. On this day in 1947, the West Bengal Assembly under the leadership of Shyama Prasad Mukherjee passed a resolution to remain in India,' Adhikari said, amid chants of Vande Mataram and fervent appeals from rally participants to observe the day as 'Paschimbanga Divas'. PTI SMY NN This report is auto-generated from PTI news service. ThePrint holds no responsibility for its content.
Hans India
3 days ago
- Politics
- Hans India
Celebrating 11 years of good governance under Modi
Puttaparthi: A grand intellectual meet was held on Tuesday at the district headquarters of Sri Sathya Sai to commemorate 11 Years of Good Governance under Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The event, organised under the leadership of district BJP president GM Shekhar, witnessed participation from several prominent leaders, including Rajya Sabha MP Paka Venkata Satyanarayana and former MLA Kapu Ramachandra Reddy, who graced the occasion as chief guests. Addressing the gathering, the leaders highlighted that exactly 11 years ago, a visionary leader, Narendra Damodardas Modi, assumed office as the Prime Minister of India, ushering in a new era in Indian politics. Since then, the country has been on a rapid path of development under his leadership. They emphasized that PM Modi's governance over the past 11 years has been marked by bold decisions and revolutionary welfare policies that transformed the trajectory of the nation. Rising from a humble background, Modi's firsthand experience of poverty inspired people-centric policies. His administration has brought unprecedented changes, many of which were once considered unimaginable. Among the key milestones mentioned were the Balakot air strikes in retaliation to the 2019 Pulwama terrorist attack and Operation Sindoor in April 2025, carried out in response to a terror strike in Pahalgam. These actions demonstrated India's firm stance against terrorism, sending a clear message that those who plot destruction will face consequences. They acknowledged the government's commitment to placing India among the leading global nations through structural reforms and numerous welfare initiatives. The event saw active participation from state-level leaders, including BJP Yuva Morcha State President Mitta Vamshi Krishna, Dalit Morcha State President Gudise Devanand, State Executive Members Ramesh Reddy and Anjaneyulu and many others.
Time of India
20-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Artists protest harassment of content creator at Tripura Sundari Temple
Agartala: Artists and the cultural community in Agartala staged a protest march on Tuesday, condemning the harassment of content creator on the premises. Malakar was allegedly confronted by a group of self-styled on Monday over his use of the song Allah Ke Bande Hasde during his performance. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now A video of the incident, widely circulated on social media, triggered public outrage and strong support for Malakar. The confrontation reportedly began when a spectator, identified as Tushar Kanti Shil, objected to the song's reference to a deity from another religion. The situation quickly escalated into a heated verbal altercation, with reports suggesting Malakar was physically assaulted. Despite conflicting witness accounts regarding the nature of the altercation, the footage sparked widespread criticism of the aggressors and an outpouring of support for Malakar, who is known for using his performances to raise funds for the underprivileged. On the day of the incident, he was reportedly performing to support an elderly woman in need. The public backlash prompted BJP MLA and BJP Yuva Morcha president Sushanta Deb to personally intervene, offering words of encouragement to Malakar. "You are doing commendable work for society. Do not let such incidents shake your resolve. I stand with you," Deb assured him. The cultural community called for legal action against those responsible and urged the administration, particularly the chief minister, to ensure that artists and creative individuals can perform freely, without intimidation. "We demand strict action against the perpetrators to send a strong message to society," the protesters said. Agartala: Artists and the cultural community in Agartala staged a protest march on Tuesday, condemning the harassment of content creator Sanu Malakar on the Tripura Sundari temple premises. Malakar was allegedly confronted by a group of self-styled Hindutva activists on Monday over his use of the song Allah Ke Bande Hasde during his performance. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now A video of the incident, widely circulated on social media, triggered public outrage and strong support for Malakar. The confrontation reportedly began when a spectator, identified as Tushar Kanti Shil, objected to the song's reference to a deity from another religion. The situation quickly escalated into a heated verbal altercation, with reports suggesting Malakar was physically assaulted. Despite conflicting witness accounts regarding the nature of the altercation, the footage sparked widespread criticism of the aggressors and an outpouring of support for Malakar, who is known for using his performances to raise funds for the underprivileged. On the day of the incident, he was reportedly performing to support an elderly woman in need. The public backlash prompted BJP MLA and BJP Yuva Morcha president Sushanta Deb to personally intervene, offering words of encouragement to Malakar. "You are doing commendable work for society. Do not let such incidents shake your resolve. I stand with you," Deb assured him. The cultural community called for legal action against those responsible and urged the administration, particularly the chief minister, to ensure that artists and creative individuals can perform freely, without intimidation. "We demand strict action against the perpetrators to send a strong message to society," the protesters said.
News18
20-05-2025
- Politics
- News18
Ali Khan Mahmudabad: Who Is The Historian Arrested For His Social Media Post On Operation Sindoor?
Last Updated: Born in Lucknow on December 2, 1982, Ashoka University's Ali Khan Mahmudabad is known for his scholarly work on nationalism, political Islam, and South Asian history Ali Khan Mahmudabad – a historian, political scientist, and associate professor at Ashoka University – was arrested from his Delhi residence on May 18 over a social media post that questioned the optics of women officers addressing a press briefing after Operation Sindoor. Mahmudabad's arrest has since ignited a national debate on free speech and drawn sharp reactions, particularly within Uttar Pradesh's political circles. A complaint filed by BJP Yuva Morcha's Haryana general secretary Yogesh Jatheri alleged that his post was 'anti-national" and 'demeaning to India's armed forces". The post in question, published on Facebook, reportedly questioned the 'representational intent" behind showcasing women officers after the military operation and asked whether their presence signified a genuine shift or was limited to symbolism. The Haryana State Commission for Women took suo motu cognisance of the post earlier on May 12. On Sunday evening (May 18), he was produced before a magistrate and remanded to two-day police custody. He has been booked under Section 152 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) – a newly introduced provision replacing sedition – alongside charges related to outraging religious sentiments. Mahmudabad's legal team, led by senior advocate Kapil Sibal, has approached the Supreme Court seeking immediate relief. Chief Justice BR Gavai assured the matter will be heard on May 20 or 21. WHO IS HE? Born in Lucknow on December 2, 1982, Ali Khan Mahmudabad is known for his scholarly work on nationalism, political Islam, and South Asian history. A PhD from Cambridge, he currently teaches political science at Ashoka University in Haryana's Sonipat. He is the author of 'Poetry of Belonging', a widely acclaimed book exploring Muslim political imagination in colonial India. His academic articles, essays, and columns – published in journals and media outlets across the world – reflect a nuanced engagement with issues of identity, democracy, and religious pluralism. Fluent in Urdu, Hindi, English, and Arabic, he is one of India's few multilingual academics who also bridges the gap between scholarship and public debate. He studied Arabic at Damascus University and conducted fieldwork in Iran and Iraq. ARISTOCRATIC ROOTS, POLITICAL PAST Mahmudabad belongs to the storied royal family of Mahmudabad in Uttar Pradesh. His father, Mohammad Amir Mohammad Khan – popularly known as Raja Sahib Mahmudabad – was a two-time Congress MLA and fought a decades-long legal battle to reclaim family properties seized under the Enemy Properties Act. His grandfather, Mohammad Amir Ahmad Khan, was the last ruling Raja of Mahmudabad and a key financier of the Muslim League in the pre-Partition era. On his maternal side, he is the grandson of former foreign secretary Jagat Singh Mehta and nephew of policy expert Vikram Mehta. In 2017, Mahmudabad joined the Samajwadi Party and served as its national spokesperson until 2022. Though he distanced himself from formal politics in recent years, he continued to comment on national issues through writing and lectures. With the Supreme Court set to hear his plea this week, all eyes are on how the judiciary will interpret the use of the new sedition-like provisions under the BNS. As of now, Mahmudabad remains in police custody, even as the chorus for his release grows louder from scholars, opposition parties, and rights activists. Mahmudabad's arrest triggered widespread condemnation from civil society, opposition leaders, and academic communities both in India and abroad. Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge called the arrest 'unconstitutional and dangerous". 'Professors, students, journalists – none are safe from state-sponsored targeting if they dissent. This regime has made it clear that critical thinking is now a punishable offence," he said. Senior Congress leader Shashi Tharoor described Mahmudabad's arrest as an 'alarming blow to academic freedom". 'The criminalisation of a social media post – one that seeks introspection rather than instigation – is deeply troubling. This is not nationalism; this is paranoia," he said. Congress leader Pawan Khera said the case was less about legality and more about a political message. 'This arrest sends a signal: critique the government's narrative, and you will face jail. We cannot let this become the new normal." The SP, which Mahmudabad was associated with between 2017 and 2022, also issued a scathing statement. 'This government is terrified of intellect," SP chief Akhilesh Yadav said. 'It jails those who write, think, and question, and celebrates those who polarise and provoke." More than 100 academics from institutions, including Oxford, Yale, and Jawaharlal Nehru University, have signed a petition demanding Mahmudabad's immediate release. The signatories condemned the 'weaponisation of law to suppress intellectual discourse" and termed the arrest 'chillingly reminiscent of authoritarian regimes." Watch India Pakistan Breaking News on CNN-News18. Get breaking news, in-depth analysis, and expert perspectives on everything from politics to crime and society. Stay informed with the latest India news only on News18. Download the News18 App to stay updated! tags : ashoka university Location : New Delhi, India, India First Published: May 20, 2025, 08:00 IST
