News for 'kolkata politics'

Mamata links man's suicide to NRC terror, blames BJP

Mamata links man's suicide to NRC terror, blames BJP

Rediff.com28 Oct 2025

A man's alleged suicide in West Bengal, with a note blaming the National Register of Citizens (NRC), has ignited a political firestorm between the ruling TMC and the BJP, with accusations of fear-mongering and political exploitation.

The Salil Chowdhury You Never Knew

The Salil Chowdhury You Never Knew

Rediff.com17 Dec 2025

'At a time when there was little awareness of world music, playing western tunes on eastern instruments like the flute and the dholak, blending vocal polyphony with Indian folk and contemporary styles, Salilkaku created a new musical genre in Bengal called Gana Sangeet.'

EC strongly defends TN, Bengal SIR in SC, denies mass voter deletion

EC strongly defends TN, Bengal SIR in SC, denies mass voter deletion

Rediff.com2 Dec 2025

The Election Commission has defended its Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls in West Bengal and Tamil Nadu in the Supreme Court, refuting allegations of mass deletion of genuine voters as exaggerated and politically motivated.

Decked churches, midnight masses: India celebrates Christmas

Decked churches, midnight masses: India celebrates Christmas

Rediff.com25 Dec 2025

Christmas was celebrated with devotion and festive gaiety across India, with churches decked in lights, midnight masses, and community events spreading cheer. Leaders extended greetings, and celebrations took place in various states with prayers for peace and harmony.

EC notice to PK over name in voter lists of Bihar, Bengal

EC notice to PK over name in voter lists of Bihar, Bengal

Rediff.com28 Oct 2025

According to official records, Kishor is enrolled as a voter in West Bengal at 121, Kalighat Road, the address of the Trinamool Congress headquarters in Kolkata's Bhabanipur assembly constituency, which is Chief Minister and TMC chief Mamata Banerjee's seat, he said.

'Bihar Doesn't Predict Outcomes In Bengal, UP'

'Bihar Doesn't Predict Outcomes In Bengal, UP'

Rediff.com25 Nov 2025

'The question for the TMC is not whether it can hold its bastions, but whether it can expand effectively into regions where the BJP already possesses a good ecosystem.'

EC extends SIR schedule by a week amid Opposition concerns

EC extends SIR schedule by a week amid Opposition concerns

Rediff.com30 Nov 2025

The Election Commission has extended the schedule for the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls in several states and Union Territories following concerns raised by opposition parties.

SIR showdown in Bengal: Mamata, BJP hold rallies

SIR showdown in Bengal: Mamata, BJP hold rallies

Rediff.com5 Nov 2025

Thousands of TMC supporters thronged the rally route, waving the party flags, raising slogans and holding aloft colourful posters.

The Secret US Hand In 1962 War

The Secret US Hand In 1962 War

Rediff.com21 Nov 2025

India emerged from the war militarily bruised and strategically altered. The United States, under the guise of friendship, had succeeded in achieving what open alignment never could: The psychological and political repositioning of India within the Cold War order, points out Dr Kumar.

BJP committing 'big sin': Priyanka on Vande Mataram row

BJP committing 'big sin': Priyanka on Vande Mataram row

Rediff.com8 Dec 2025

In a measured but scathing attack, Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Monday accused the Bharatiya Janata Party of committing a 'big sin' by creating a controversy over Vande Mataram and claimed that the government pushed for a debate on the national song as the West Bengal assembly polls were approaching.

59% of Bihar's unregistered parties skip audit, donation reports

59% of Bihar's unregistered parties skip audit, donation reports

Rediff.com7 Nov 2025

A report by the Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR) reveals that a significant number of registered unrecognised political parties in Bihar have not made their mandatory financial disclosures public for 2023-24.

Was US India's Ally Or Foe In The 1962 War?

Was US India's Ally Or Foe In The 1962 War?

Rediff.com18 Nov 2025

What appeared to be a generous act of friendship was, in truth, a manoeuvre within a much larger strategic game. The United States used the 1962 war not just to aid India but to test how far it could be pulled into the Western fold, points out Dr Kumar.

SC asks states to add more staff, ease pressure on BLOs

SC asks states to add more staff, ease pressure on BLOs

Rediff.com4 Dec 2025

The Supreme Court has directed states to consider deploying additional staff to ease the workload on booth level officers (BLOs) engaged in the special revision of electoral rolls, following concerns about extreme work pressure and related issues.

HC disqualifies Mukul Roy as MLA under anti-defection law

HC disqualifies Mukul Roy as MLA under anti-defection law

Rediff.com13 Nov 2025

The Calcutta High Court has cancelled the membership of senior leader Mukul Roy in the West Bengal assembly under the anti-defection law, marking a significant moment in Indian jurisprudence.

Booth reconfiguration plan sparks major row in Bengal

Booth reconfiguration plan sparks major row in Bengal

Rediff.com29 Aug 2025

A proposed polling booth reconfiguration in West Bengal has ignited a political battle, with the TMC, BJP, Congress, and CPI(M) raising concerns about bias, partisanship, and flawed processes.

'Villains Are The Most Interesting To Design For'

'Villains Are The Most Interesting To Design For'

Rediff.com9 Dec 2025

'Every film had its challenges, but Mr India, Sadak and Gandhi were the toughest.' 'Mr India needed imagination, Sadak needed sensitivity and Gandhi demanded historical authenticity.'

MP minister calls Raja Ram Mohan Roy 'British agent'

MP minister calls Raja Ram Mohan Roy 'British agent'

Rediff.com16 Nov 2025

Madhya Pradesh Minister and Bharatiya Janata Party leader Inder Singh Parmar has sparked controversy by saying that social reformer Raja Ram Mohan Roy was a 'British agent' who started a 'vicious cycle of religious conversion', prompting the Trinamool Congress to call the remarks an insult to Bengal.

'How Did She Come Out At 12.30 At Night?': Mamata's Shocker

'How Did She Come Out At 12.30 At Night?': Mamata's Shocker

Rediff.com13 Oct 2025

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's advice to female boarders on Sunday about not venturing out late at night, in the aftermath of the alleged gangrape of a medical student in Durgapur, drew criticism from the Opposition, which asserted that her remarks were emblematic of the state's law and order situation.

Congress accuses Modi of insulting Tagore, 1937 CWC over Vande Mataram row

Congress accuses Modi of insulting Tagore, 1937 CWC over Vande Mataram row

Rediff.com9 Nov 2025

The Congress party has intensified its criticism of Prime Minister Narendra Modi regarding the Vande Mataram controversy, alleging that he has insulted the Congress Working Committee of 1937 and Rabindranath Tagore. The party demands Modi address current issues instead of historical debates.

Why Educated Muslim Youth Join Terror Modules

Why Educated Muslim Youth Join Terror Modules

Rediff.com27 Nov 2025

Radical Islamist networks are deliberately targeting Muslim youths embedded within the country's professional and academic ecosystems, leveraging their skills, mobility, and digital reach to quietly strengthen operational capabilities. This trend highlights a dangerous evolution in terror recruitment -- one that exploits ideological faultlines, online echo chambers and transnational radical Islamist influences to attract individuals who outwardly embody India's modern and aspirational narrative, points out Dr Kanchan Lakshman.

Adhir says Kolkata victim's family under 'house arrest'

Adhir says Kolkata victim's family under 'house arrest'

Rediff.com31 Aug 2024

West Bengal Congress president Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury on Saturday accused the police of keeping the parents of the doctor who was allegedly raped and murdered under 'house arrest'.

Day after Diwali, Delhi records worst air quality since 2021

Day after Diwali, Delhi records worst air quality since 2021

Rediff.com21 Oct 2025

Delhi residents woke up on Tuesday to heavy grey haze darkening the city skies, reduced visibility and the air quality in the 'red zone' after many celebrated Diwali last night by bursting firecrackers beyond the two-hour limit set by the Supreme Court.

Mohun Bagan pull out of ACL 2 away match over security concerns

Mohun Bagan pull out of ACL 2 away match over security concerns

Rediff.com28 Sep 2025

Earlier, MBSG had requested the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) to shift their September 30 ACL 2 match against Sepahan SC out of Iran, citing safety concerns.

Kolkata rape: Crime scene altered, CBI tells SC

Kolkata rape: Crime scene altered, CBI tells SC

Rediff.com22 Aug 2024

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) alleged in the Supreme Court on Thursday that there was an attempt to cover up the rape and killing of a post-graduate medic at Kolkata's RG Kar Medical College and Hospital by the local police as the crime scene was altered by the time the federal agency took over the probe.

Kolkata rape-murder: SC censures police for delaying FIR

Kolkata rape-murder: SC censures police for delaying FIR

Rediff.com22 Aug 2024

The Supreme Court on Thursday criticised Kolkata Police for their 'extremely disturbing' delay in registering the case of a woman doctor who was raped and killed at RG Kar Hospital, while also urging the agitating doctors to return to work amid the fourteenth day of disruptions in healthcare services in Bengal's state-run hospitals.

Opposition questions EC intentions behind electoral roll revision

Opposition questions EC intentions behind electoral roll revision

Rediff.com28 Oct 2025

Opposition parties are questioning the Election Commission's intentions behind the second phase of special intensive revision of electoral rolls in 12 states and Union Territories. The BJP has slammed the Congress and called the opposition a 'herd of dissatisfied souls'.

'Indira Gandhi Stood Up To The Americans'

'Indira Gandhi Stood Up To The Americans'

Rediff.com24 Nov 2025

'She was brave. She didn't care a hoot. And India was not the strongest of nations as it is now.'

'Indira Gandhi Stood Up To The Americans'

'Indira Gandhi Stood Up To The Americans'

Rediff.com24 Nov 2025

'She was brave. She didn't care a hoot. And India was not the strongest of nations as it is now.'

TMC names Mamata's nephew Abhishek Banerjee as LS Parl party leader

TMC names Mamata's nephew Abhishek Banerjee as LS Parl party leader

Rediff.com4 Aug 2025

Trinamool Congress (TMC) has appointed Abhishek Banerjee as its new parliamentary leader in the Lok Sabha, replacing Sudip Bandopadhyay. The decision was made during a virtual meeting chaired by Mamata Banerjee. This move is seen as a generational shift and a preparation for the 2026 West Bengal Assembly elections.

Azizul Haque, towering leader of Naxalbari uprising, dies at 83

Azizul Haque, towering leader of Naxalbari uprising, dies at 83

Rediff.com21 Jul 2025

Azizul Haque, a prominent figure in India's Naxalite movement, has died at the age of 83. His passing marks the end of an era in Bengal's radical Left history.

Mamata hits out at BJP over voter list 'deletions', attacks EC

Mamata hits out at BJP over voter list 'deletions', attacks EC

Rediff.com28 Aug 2025

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee accused the BJP of 'linguistic terror' and plotting to delete Bengali voters from electoral rolls, vowing to protect voting rights.

Farewell Dr Vece Paes: Hockey Great, Sports Medicine Pioneer

Farewell Dr Vece Paes: Hockey Great, Sports Medicine Pioneer

Rediff.com14 Aug 2025

Olympic medallist Dr Vece Paes was a part of the BCCI's anti-doping programme for several years, besides also working with the Indian Davis Cup team.

Hold me in detention camps if you can: Mamata dares BJP

Hold me in detention camps if you can: Mamata dares BJP

Rediff.com16 Jul 2025

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee criticized the BJP-led central government for allegedly harassing Bengali-speaking people across India, warning of political consequences. She also accused the Centre of influencing the Election Commission and vowed to fight any persecution of Bengalis.

Police forcibly recorded video after cremation: Kolkata doctor's family

Police forcibly recorded video after cremation: Kolkata doctor's family

Rediff.com6 Sep 2024

The Trinamool Congress on Thursday refuted accusations of a police cover-up by the parents of the woman doctor who was allegedly raped and murdered, insisting that a newly surfaced video contradicts their claims by showing the family previously satisfied with the investigation.

India celebrates Diwali with fervour, Delhi AQI worsens

India celebrates Diwali with fervour, Delhi AQI worsens

Rediff.com20 Oct 2025

Buildings were decorated with colourful lights and earthen lamps dotted houses as people across the country thronged temples and celebrated Diwali with pomp on Monday.

A year after RG Kar doctor's rape-murder, parents await justice

A year after RG Kar doctor's rape-murder, parents await justice

Rediff.com3 Aug 2025

A year after a young woman doctor was raped and murdered in Kolkata, her parents express their disappointment with the investigation and their continued pursuit of justice.

Under New Bill Modi, Mantris Face Risk Of Arrest Too

Under New Bill Modi, Mantris Face Risk Of Arrest Too

Rediff.com27 Aug 2025

BJP strategists are missing something somewhere, and they have not acknowledged it, to be able to repair it in good time, points out N Sathiya Moorthy.

Vandalism at Kolkata hospital as midnight protest turns violent

Vandalism at Kolkata hospital as midnight protest turns violent

Rediff.com15 Aug 2024

The incident took place amid midnight protests by women against the horrific rape-murder of the doctor at the hospital.

Diwan Arun Nanda, Last Of India's Advertising Greats

Diwan Arun Nanda, Last Of India's Advertising Greats

Rediff.com8 Sep 2025

Diwan Arun Nanda, founder of Rediffusion and one of India's last great admen, changed the industry with memorable campaigns, political ads, and a rare mix of sharp strategy and creativity.

Chaos in Bengal assembly; 5 BJP MLAs suspended

Chaos in Bengal assembly; 5 BJP MLAs suspended

Rediff.com5 Sep 2025

Uproarious scenes on the concluding day of the special session on Thursday turned the West Bengal Assembly into a cauldron of chaos, as Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's speech was repeatedly drowned out by slogan-shouting, leading to the suspension of five Bharatiya Janata Party MLAs and the collapse of two legislators during forcible eviction by marshalls.