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Indian Express
2 hours ago
- Politics
- Indian Express
English empowering, tool to break chains… should be taught to every child: Rahul Gandhi
Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi on Friday said the English language is 'not shameful, it's empowering', but the BJP-RSS don't want poor children to learn English because they don't want them to ask questions, move ahead and become equal. 'English is not a dam, it is a bridge. English is not shameful, it is empowering. English is not a chain — it is a tool to break the chains,' said the Congress leader on X. Gandhi was reacting to Union Home Minister Amit Shah's statement that soon a time would come when those speaking English in the country would 'feel ashamed'. On Thursday, Shah, speaking at the launch of Main Boond Swayam, Khud Sagar Hoon, authored by IAS officer Ashutosh Agnihotri, said: 'In our lifetime, we will see a society in which those speaking English will feel ashamed, that day is not far … I believe that the languages of our country are the ornament of our culture. Without them, we would not have been Bharatiya. Our country, its history, its culture, our Dharma, if these have to be understood, it cannot be done in foreign languages.' In his X post, Gandhi said, 'The BJP-RSS don't want poor kids of India to learn English because they don't want you to ask questions, move ahead, and attain equality.' He said in today's world, English is as important as one's mother tongue because it helps in securing employment and boost one's confidence. 'Every language of India has soul, culture, knowledge. We have to cherish them — and at the same time teach English to every child. This is the path to an India that competes with the world, that gives every child an equal opportunity,' said Gandhi. TMC MP Derek O'Brien also weighed in. In a video statement, he said, 'In India, 97% people use one of the 22 constitutionally recognised languages as their mother tongue. 19,500 languages and dialects are used as mother tongues. This is the 'unity in diversity' of our great nation. Amit Shah, PM Narendra Modi and gang will never understand this.' Another TMC Rajya Sabha member, Sagarika Ghose, said Indians should not be ashamed of any language. 'English is a link language across India, it's aspirational, confers a global advantage and knowledge of English is demanded by millions. Indians should not be 'ashamed' of any language,' she said.
Time of India
3 hours ago
- Politics
- Time of India
TMC, BJP spar over Bengal foundation day
Kolkata: Trinamool and BJP clashed on Friday over Bengal foundation day. Bengal BJP president Sukanta Majumdar alleged that police tried to stop a two-wheeler rally led by him from reaching Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose's residence on Elgin Road. TMC criticised BJP, saying that the saffron party attempted to force a celebration that lacked spontaneity and with which people have no association. Centre has notified June 20 as statehood day in Bengal. Bengal govt has passed a resolution in the assembly and identified Poila Baisakh, the Bengali New Year's Day, for celebrating West Bengal Day. The Friday faceoff between activists of BJP Yuva Morcha and the city police took place outside the Bhowanipore residence of Jan Sangh founding member Dr Syama Prasad Mookerjee, 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 on foot. Suvendu Adhikari, state leader of the opposition, earlier led a march of BJP legislators from the assembly premises to the statue of Syama Prasad Mookerjee on Red Road, 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 Syama Prasad Mookerjee passed a resolution to remain in India," Adhikari said. Trinamool hit back strongly. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Heliopolis: Beautiful New Senior Apartments with Two Bedrooms Senior Apartments | Search Ads Search Now Undo "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 that lacks spontaneity and with which people have no direct association," said TMC spokesperson Kunal Ghosh. State parliamentary affairs minister Sobhandeb Chattopadhyay described it as "politically motivated", pointing out that state govt had already passed a resolution in the assembly and identified Poila Baisakh, the Bengali New Year's Day, for celebrating West Bengal Day. "Why is BJP suddenly so much worked up on June 20 as Paschimbanga Divas?" he asked.
News18
7 hours ago
- Politics
- News18
BJP's Sukanta Majumdar Writes To Amit Shah Flagging 'Threat To Life' Over Attack
Last Updated: Sukanta Majumdar said Diamond Harbour Police DSP Rahul Goswami was physically present at the spot but "failed to take any preventive or protective action" Union Minister Sukanta Majumdar on Friday wrote to Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla and Union Home Minister Amit Shah, alleging a 'grave breach of privilege" and a 'threat to life" following an alleged attack on his convoy in the Budge Budge area of West Bengal's South 24 Parganas district a day earlier. Majumdar, who is also the BJP's West Bengal unit president, was visiting the area on Thursday to meet party workers who were reportedly injured after being attacked outside the Budge Budge-1 BDO office on Wednesday. His visit triggered tensions in the area, where TMC supporters allegedly surrounded his convoy, raised slogans, and pelted it with stones. In a letter written to the Speaker under Rule 222 of the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in Lok Sabha, Majumdar, the Balurghat MP, described the attack as a serious threat not only to his life but also to the safety of those accompanying him. In another letter written to Shah on Friday evening, Majumdar drew his attention to the 'highly alarming and deteriorating law and order situation in West Bengal, specifically in Diamond Harbour area which has witnessed continuous political violence targetting elected representatives and party workers." 'On June 19, during my official visit to meet victims of earlier assaults and assess the situation on ground, my convoy was attacked by a violent mob reportedly comprising TMC workers, stones were pelted, vehicles were vandalised and several individuals accompanying me sustained injuries… The attack posed a serious threat to my life and those in my entourage," Majumdar wrote in the letter to Shah. 'The attack posed a direct and serious threat to my life and the lives of those present," the letter said. 'This constitutes not only a collapse of law and order but also a direct assault on the dignity and security of a Union minister and an MP," he added. Majumdar said Diamond Harbour Police District Superintendent of Police Rahul Goswami was physically present at the spot but 'failed to take any preventive or protective action," which the minister termed as 'wilful negligence" and 'dereliction of duty." He also noted that the SDPO of Diamond Harbour was absent from the scene despite prior intimation of his scheduled visit. 'The situation was brought under control only due to the timely intervention of CISF personnel assigned to me as I have Z category security cover provided by the Union government," Majumdar wrote. 'As a consequence, I have submitted a notice of Breach of Privilege under Rule 222 of the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in Lok Sabha to the Speaker," he informed Shah. Majumdar said while on his way to visit Bharatiya Jana Sangh founder Syama Prasad Mookerjee's house in Kolkata to offer floral tributes on Paschim Banga Divas he was planning to visit the ailing mother of London-based doctor Rajatshubhra Bandyopadhyay but personnel from West Bengal police attempted to prevent him from proceeding. 'In light of the above, I earnestly request your urgent intervention to address the alarming law and order situation in West Bengal, particularly in politically sensitive regions like Diamond Harbour by initiating an immediate review of the prevailing conditions, deploying central paramilitary forces to restore peace and ensure the safety of elected representatives and ordering a prompt inquiry to hold accountable the concerned district officials whose dereliction of duty and inaction enabled such a grave security lapse," he said. In his letter to the Lok Sabha Speaker, Majumdar called the incident at Budge Budge an 'assault on the dignity and privilege of a Member of Parliament", Majumdar urged the Speaker to treat the matter as contempt of the House and refer it to the Committee of Privileges for appropriate action. 'This incident not only endangered the life of a public representative but also constitutes a direct assault on the dignity and privilege of a Member of Parliament. 'Such acts of violence and inaction by state officials severely compromise the democratic functioning of our institutions and the constitutional rights granted to elected members of this House," the letter stated. The BJP leader also took to social media to express his outrage. 'Yesterday in Budge Budge, Diamond Harbour, I was subjected to a brutal, orchestrated attack by TMC-backed criminal mobs, while the @WBPolice stood as mute, spineless spectators. 'The police not only failed to act during the violence, they also failed to take any preventive action, despite clear signs of escalating tension. Even when a Union Minister of State and sitting Member of Parliament was targeted, the state machinery looked the other way," Majumdar posted on X, attaching a copy of his letter to the Speaker. 'This is a grave breach of parliamentary privilege… a direct and dangerous assault on Indian democracy. Today, I have formally apprised Hon'ble Speaker Shri @ombirlakota ji of this shocking breakdown of law and order in West Bengal," he added. 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 : bengal BJP Sukanta Majumdar First Published: June 20, 2025, 23:43 IST
Time of India
7 hours ago
- Time of India
Hawker gets 7-yr RI for chopping off civic official's fingers during drive
Thane: A sessions court on Friday convicted a hawker for the attempted murder of a former assistant commissioner of Thane Municipal Corporation (TMC) in 2021, sentencing him to seven years of rigorous imprisonment. The court imposed additional sentences on the hawker, Amarjit Yadav, to be served concurrently, besides slapping a fine on him. According to special public prosecutor Shishir Hirey, Yadav attacked then assistant TMC commissioner Kalpita Pimple from behind with a sharp knife during an anti-encroachment drive at the weekly market in Thane's Kasarvadavali village on Aug 30, 2021. Three of Pimple's fingers were severed and she suffered injuries to other body parts too. Two of the severed fingers were later recovered and partially restored through reconstructive surgery. Pimple's bodyguard, who tried to shield her, was also assaulted. During the trial, the court found Yadav guilty under multiple charges. Besides the conviction for murder attempt, the hawker was sentenced to two years under Section 353 of IPC for obstructing a public servant in the discharge of duty, two years under Maharashtra Police Act, and one year under Arms Act. All sentences are to run concurrently and involve rigorous imprisonment. Hirey said 21 witnesses were examined during the trial. He said the prosecution presented conclusive evidence that established Yadav's intent and actions beyond reasonable doubt.
India Today
8 hours ago
- Politics
- India Today
Trinamool-backed mob attacked my convoy, police stood mute: BJP's Sukanta Majumdar
Union Minister and BJP leader Dr Sukanta Majumdar on Friday alleged that his official convoy was subjected to a 'brutal, orchestrated attack' by Trinamool Congress (TMC)-backed criminal mobs while he was visiting Diamond Harbour on June 19. He further alleged that the state police did not take any action despite being present a formal letter to Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, Majumdar described the incident as a 'grave breach of privilege' and an assault on democratic wrote on X, 'Yesterday in Budge Budge, Diamond Harbour, I was subjected to a brutal, orchestrated attack by TMC-backed criminal mobs, while the West Bengal Police stood as mute, spineless spectators.' He said that even though he is a sitting Member of Parliament and Union Minister of State, the West Bengal police failed to take any preventive action or respond to the attack.'This is a grave breach of parliamentary privilege—a direct and dangerous assault on Indian democracy,' Majumdar stated. In his letter to Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, Majumdar detailed the events, asserting that his convoy was 'gheraoed and violently attacked by a mob reportedly comprising workers of the Trinamool Congress (TMC). Stones were pelted, vehicles were vandalised, and many persons accompanying me were injured.' He emphasised that the attack posed a 'direct and serious threat' to his June 19, while I was visiting Diamond Harbour to meet the victims of political violence and assess the law-and-order situation in the area, my official convoy was gheraoed and violently attacked by a mob reportedly comprising workers of the Trinamool Congress (TMC). Stones were pelted at my convoy, vehicles were vandalised, and many persons accompanying me were injured. The attack posed a direct and serious threat to my life and the lives of those present," Majumdar wrote in his also directly named Superintendent of Police Rahul Goswami for alleged inaction despite being present during the incident."What is even more alarming is that during this heinous incident, the Superintendent of Police (Rahul Goswami) was physically present at the location but failed to take any preventive or protective action, amounting to wilful negligence, dereliction of duty, and enabling of political violence. The SDPO of Diamond Harbour, was not present at the site, in spite of prior information of my visit to the place," he wrote. The minister credited his Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) security detail for containing the situation. "The situation was brought under control only due to the timely intervention of the CISF security personnel assigned to me as I am having the 2 Security Cover in West Bengal given by the Union Government."advertisementMajumdar further called the incident 'a direct assault on the dignity and privilege of a Member of Parliament.'"Such acts of violence and inaction by state officials severely compromise the democratic functioning of our institutions and the constitutional rights granted to elected members of this House," he minister urged the Speaker to take note of the matter and refer the same to the Committee of Privileges for appropriate examination and Watch
