Latest news with #Bandyopadhyay
Indian Express
13 hours ago
- Politics
- Indian Express
Sukanta, doctor who asked question during CM's lecture ‘detained'
STATE BJP president Sukanta Majumdar and a London-based doctor, Rajatshubhra Bandyopadhyay, were both detained by the city police amid a roadside conversation in south Kolkata's Bhabanipur area on Friday. Although they were both released around three hours later, the incident led to protests by BJP workers and a political firestorm. The BJP claimed that around 25 of its workers were also arrested and released nearly hours later. The drama unfolded as Majumdar, who is also a Union minister of state, arrived in Bhabanipur on a motorcycle to observe 'Paschimbanga Dibas' (West Bengal Day), defying police restrictions. After garlanding a statue of Syama Prasad Mookerjee, he went to meet Bandyopadhyay at his residence on Harish Mukherjee Road. Police intercepted Majumdar's convoy, initially claiming that the doctor was not present at home. However, a video later released by the BJP on social media purportedly showed Bandyopadhyay at his residence, prompting protests from party supporters. They accused the police of misleading them and alleged that the state government was 'weaponising the police' to stifle political expression. Amid the standoff, Bandyopadhyay stepped out of the premises of his home to meet Majumdar on the street. The doctor recently garnered attention for publicly questioning Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee during her lecture in London, a video of which had been widely shared online. Their conversation was cut short and both Majumdar and Bandyopadhyay were escorted into police vehicles and taken to the city police headquarters at Lalbazar. 'For what reason have we been detained? I have no clue,' Majumdar told mediapersons as he was led into the van. 'Even a visit to a doctor's house has now become a crime?' a BJP worker questioned. The ruling Trinamool Congress defended the police's actions. 'The BJP is creating provocations. The doctor in question has a track record of inciting controversy. The police acted in accordance with the law to maintain peace in a sensitive locality,' said TMC spokesperson Kunal Ghosh.
Hindustan Times
20 hours ago
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Detention of Bengal BJP chief, London-based doctor sparks political row
In a dramatic turn of events in West Bengal, Kolkata Police on Friday detained the state Bharatiya Janata Party president and a London-based doctor, sparking a major political controversy. Police had allegedly blocked Bengal BJP chief Sukanta Majumdar (R) from meeting the doctor, saying he was not at home. (Screengrab/X/@BJP4Bengal) Union minister and West Bengal BJP chief Sukanta Majumdar had visited the residence of UK-based doctor Rajatshubhra Bandyopadhyay on Harish Mukherjee Road in Kolkata when the incident took place. The issue comes against the backdrop of Dr Bandyopadhyay's 'Kellogg College Lecture' controversy with West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee, which took place in March. The now-viral confrontation saw the doctor asking Mamata Banerjee to name a single major industry that had come to Bengal during her tenure. The question triggered such chaos that university security was forced to intervene. Bandyopadhyay, a British passport holder with his origin in South Kolkata, was later released by the police. However, with the duo's detention, the BJP accused the Mamata Banerjee-led government of using the police to "muzzle dissent" and "criminalise symbolic gestures". In a post on X, the saffron party's state unit posted raised concern over the "alarming" situation in Bengal, where 'even a Union Minister is denied the basic courtesy of meeting a respected doctor! What could be a more shocking example of lawlessness and political vendetta!' As Majumdar's convoy neared the doctor's residence, police intercepted it and allegedly claimed that Bandyopadhyay was "not at home". "But the truth is, the doctor was very much at home and waited for over an hour to meet Dr. Sukanta Majumdar," the BJP stated. The doctor later stepped out of the residential complex and met the West Bengal BJP chief on the side of the road. Their interaction was cut short by the police, who detained both of them without "giving any reason", the party said. Police took both Majumdar and the doctor to the city headquarters at Lalbazar, even as party workers attempted to resist. While being escorted into a police van, Majumdar told reporters, "For what reason have we been detained? I have no clue. Nowhere in the world does something like this happen." Meanwhile, after being released, Bandyopadhyay spoke to reporters as well and said, "Is this the way to treat a British citizen? What crime have I committed? Is it a crime to meet a Union minister in Bengal? The police need to answer on what grounds I was picked up like a criminal." The BJP state unit said that this was a "clear demonstration" of CM Mamata Banerjee "wants to silence every voice being raised". BJP leader Sourav Sikdar described the detention as nothing short of "state-sponsored goondaism". "They are scared of a doctor who asked questions and a minister who came to meet him. The state is weaponizing the police," he claimed. Meanwhile, the Mamata Banerjee-led Trinamool Congress defended the police's action and accused the BJP of "stage-managing provocations". "The BJP is creating deliberate provocations in sensitive areas. The doctor in question has a track record of inciting controversies. The police acted in accordance with law to ensure peace," said TMC spokesperson Kunal Ghosh.
Business Standard
4 days ago
- Business
- Business Standard
Tamal Bandyopadhyay
Tamal Bandyopadhyay is an Indian business journalist, known for his weekly column on banking and finance 'Banker's Trust' published in Business Standard. He is a senior advisor to Jana Small Finance Bank Ltd. He was an adviser at Bandhan Bank Ltd from August 2014 till October 2018. His latest book is Roller Coaster: An Affair with Banking. A student of English Literature (a postgraduate from the University of Calcutta), Bandyopadhyay began his career in journalism as a trainee journalist with The Times of India, in Mumbai in 1985.
Time of India
4 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
Defence stocks rally up to 3% amid Iran-Israel tensions, investors eye sectoral boost, geopolitics fuel long-term export optimism
Defence and aerospace stocks saw renewed momentum in Tuesday's intraday trading session as intensifying geopolitical tensions in the Middle East and expectations of a higher defence allocation in the upcoming budget spurred investor interest. Leading the gains was Data Patterns (India) Ltd, which surged 3% to a day's high of Rs 3,049.50. Bharat Dynamics Ltd (BDL) followed closely with a 2.8% rise to Rs 1,940.70. BEML shares rose 2.2% to Rs 4,473.00, while Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) climbed 1.6% to touch Rs 5,130.50, according to an ET report. The surge comes amid rising tensions between Iran and Israel, pushing investors toward sectors considered resilient during geopolitical crises. Market watchers believe the current situation may also accelerate government defence spending plans. Sankhanath Bandyopadhyay, Economist at Infomerics Valuation and Ratings, noted, 'Defence stocks look promising due to the ongoing geopolitical tussle between Iran and Israel. Moreover, the Indian government is likely to enhance defence spending from the current 2% of GDP to 3–4% over the next decade.' He added that the Centre's aim to achieve Rs 25,000 crore in defence exports by FY26 provides further support to stocks with export-oriented operations. The heightened global uncertainty has strengthened the outlook for companies catering to military and aerospace demand, analysts said. Cautioning investors, Bandyopadhyay said, 'In the current scenario, geopolitical tensions will likely be lingering between different countries, especially as being reflected in rising tensions in the Middle East. Investors should carefully assess the financials and outlook of such stocks before investing, and there should be a judicious mix so that a healthy dividend can also be earned.' The rally also reflects growing confidence in India's indigenous defence manufacturing sector, which has been prioritized under the government's Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative. Stay informed with the latest business news, updates on bank holidays and public holidays . AI Masterclass for Students. Upskill Young Ones Today!– Join Now
Time of India
7 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
TMC ignores Sudip ‘requirement' remark
Kolkata: Trinamool Kolkata North MP Sudip Bandyopadhyay on Saturday said that he would convene the party's north Kolkata core committee meeting "whenever (he felt) it was required". Reacting to this, TMC spokesperson Kunal Ghosh said, "I cannot speak on what has been said. The core committee members may speak on it." In May, TMC removed the MP from north Kolkata president's post and tasked decision-making to a nine-member core committee. Bandyopadhyay was made the party's north Kolkata chairperson. The core committee comprises Atin Ghosh, Jibon Saha, Nayana Bandyopadhyay, Paresh Paul, Shashi Panja, Supti Pandey, Swapan Samaddar, Swarna Kamal Saha and Vivek Gupta. Bandyopadhyay's reply was to a question as to when a meeting of the core committee would be called. In the run-up to the 2024 Lok Sabha polls, TMC's north Kolkata unit was troubled by dissent against Bandyopadhyay. It led to the defection of then-MLA Tapas Roy. While TMC was successful in handling the dissent and scripting Bandyopadhyay's record fourth win from the LS seat, the veteran neta's role — or the lack of it — raised eyebrows as the party battled against the protests following the RG Kar rape and murder. Follow more information on Air India plane crash in Ahmedabad here . Get real-time live updates on rescue operations and check full list of passengers onboard AI 171 .
