News for 'west bengal'

'Unsettling precedent': I-PAC breaks silence over ED raids

'Unsettling precedent': I-PAC breaks silence over ED raids

Rediff.com10 Jan 2026

Political consultancy firm I-PAC has reacted to the Enforcement Directorate's raids at its Kolkata premises, calling it an "unsettling precedent." The raids have triggered political upheaval in West Bengal, where elections are due in months. The firm, engaged by the TMC, said it would continue to work in an "unfazed and unperturbed" manner.

What Makes Sanju 'Chetta' Kerala's Darling

What Makes Sanju 'Chetta' Kerala's Darling

Rediff.com4 Mar 2026

Whenever he has played a match-winning knock, the pride in Malayalees travels faster than the fastest delivery in world cricket.

Modi flags off India's 1st Vande Bharat sleeper train

Modi flags off India's 1st Vande Bharat sleeper train

Rediff.com17 Jan 2026

Developed to meet the growing transportation needs of modern India, the fully AC Vande Bharat sleeper train would offer passengers an "airline-like travel experience at economical fares," a statement issued by the PMO stated.

Russia refuses to disclose data on crude export to India

Russia refuses to disclose data on crude export to India

Rediff.com7 Mar 2026

The Kremlin has announced it will not disclose data on crude oil exports to India, citing concerns about 'ill-wishers'. This decision follows reports of increased Russian oil supplies to India and China amid geopolitical tensions.

Mamata hits streets, ups ante against Centre as ED row escalates

Mamata hits streets, ups ante against Centre as ED row escalates

Rediff.com10 Jan 2026

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee led a protest march in Kolkata against Enforcement Directorate searches linked to I-PAC, signaling a show of strength ahead of the 2026 assembly polls. The march featured cultural elements and participation from party members and celebrities.

SC steps in to fast-track acid attack cases nationwide

SC steps in to fast-track acid attack cases nationwide

Rediff.com9 Mar 2026

The Supreme Court of India has directed all high courts to establish timelines for trial courts to expedite the conclusion of acid attack cases across the country, emphasising the need for a more proactive approach and adequate compensation for victims.

Budget hollow, directionless; ignoring people's hardships: Opposition

Budget hollow, directionless; ignoring people's hardships: Opposition

Rediff.com1 Feb 2026

The Congress party has strongly criticized the Union Budget, calling it 'lacklustre' and 'disappointing,' claiming it fails to address the needs of farmers, unemployed youth, and other key sectors.

Trump is a 'dictator' and Modi is his slave: Kharge

Trump is a 'dictator' and Modi is his slave: Kharge

Rediff.com8 Mar 2026

AICC President Mallikarjun Kharge criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi's relationship with US President Donald Trump, alleging that Modi is acting as Trump's 'slave' and jeopardising India's interests on trade, oil and foreign policy.

Poll panel to 'verify' Bengal voters with AI help

Poll panel to 'verify' Bengal voters with AI help

Rediff.com18 Nov 2025

The Election Commission is set to introduce artificial intelligence-based verification systems during the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the electoral rolls in West Bengal to prevent the inclusion of fake or deceased voters, a senior official said on Tuesday.

The Mystery of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose's Missing Cap

The Mystery of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose's Missing Cap

Rediff.com13 Mar 2026

'My colleague Naveen Bamel -- he is an advocate of the Supreme Court -- went to the museum at the Red Fort specifically to look for the cap.' 'He inquired with the ASI officials there, and nobody had a clue.' 'So I thought this is not right. This must be brought to the notice of the prime minister.'

US tariff shock to hit Bengal's labour-intensive industries

US tariff shock to hit Bengal's labour-intensive industries

Rediff.com27 Aug 2025

The additional 25 per cent tariff imposed by US President Donald Trump on India is set to deliver a major blow to West Bengal's export-driven economy, with the state's labour-intensive leather, engineering and marine sectors expecting losses ahead of the festive season, stakeholders said. The increased levies on Indian products for the country's purchases of Russian oil came into effect on Wednesday, bringing the total amount of tariff imposed on New Delhi to 50 per cent.

Rahul attacks Mamata in West Bengal

Rahul attacks Mamata in West Bengal

Rediff.com23 Mar 2019

Addressing his maiden poll rally in West Bengal's Malda, the Congress chief said, "Did the youth get employment, did the farmers receive any help? Like Modi, Mamata Banerjee makes only fake promises and lies to the people."

Ex-bureaucrat C V Ananda Bose appointed West Bengal governor

Ex-bureaucrat C V Ananda Bose appointed West Bengal governor

Rediff.com18 Nov 2022

C V Ananda Bose was on Thursday appointed as the new governor of West Bengal, a communique from the Rashtrapati Bhavan said.

Bengal: 32 lakh 'unmapped' voters queue up as SIR hearings begin

Bengal: 32 lakh 'unmapped' voters queue up as SIR hearings begin

Rediff.com28 Dec 2025

Hearings under the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls were underway in West Bengal, focusing on 'unmapped' voters who are unable to establish linkage with the 2002 electoral roll. Many people are being asked to prove their citizenship.

China steps up Nipah virus screening amid outbreak in India

China steps up Nipah virus screening amid outbreak in India

Rediff.com29 Jan 2026

China has initiated screening procedures for travelers arriving from regions affected by the Nipah virus, including India. While no cases have been detected in China, health authorities are taking precautionary measures due to the ongoing outbreak in India.

Mamata's Bhabanipur sees high voter deletions, surpasses Nandigram

Mamata's Bhabanipur sees high voter deletions, surpasses Nandigram

Rediff.com12 Dec 2025

Election Commission data reveals Bhabanipur constituency in West Bengal recorded significantly higher voter deletions compared to Nandigram, sparking political debate ahead of the 2026 Assembly polls.

Himanta Warns Bangladesh Over Threats To North East

Himanta Warns Bangladesh Over Threats To North East

Rediff.com18 Dec 2025

Bangladesh needed to be clearly told that New Delhi would respond firmly if such rhetoric continued.

Chaos at Messi's Kolkata event sparks political slugfest

Chaos at Messi's Kolkata event sparks political slugfest

Rediff.com13 Dec 2025

Political parties in West Bengal, including the ruling TMC and opposition BJP, have condemned the organizers of an event featuring Lionel Messi in Kolkata after it descended into chaos due to spectators' inability to properly view the football star. Demands for action and accountability have been made.

Rs 1.3 cr and counting: Donations pour in for Babri-style mosque

Rs 1.3 cr and counting: Donations pour in for Babri-style mosque

Rediff.com8 Dec 2025

Donation boxes kept for the proposed Babri masjid-style mosque by suspended Trinamool Congress MLA Humayun Kabir in West Bengal's Murshidabad district are nearly full, with cash-counting machines whirring through the night as donations continue to pour in both physically and online.

Dream debut for Bharat Coking Coal; shares skyrocket nearly 77% at close

Dream debut for Bharat Coking Coal; shares skyrocket nearly 77% at close

Rediff.com19 Jan 2026

Shares of Bharat Coking Coal Ltd on Monday made a bumper stock market debut and ended with a premium of nearly 77 per cent, commanding a market valuation of Rs 18,935 crore. The stock was listed at Rs 45.21, a steep premium of 96.56 per cent from the issue price of Rs 23 on the BSE.

'Kerala Story 2' sparks fresh political firestorm ahead of release

'Kerala Story 2' sparks fresh political firestorm ahead of release

Rediff.com20 Feb 2026

The trailer of the film, produced by Vipul Amrutlal Shah and directed by Kamakhya Narain Singh, released on Tuesday and landed straight into controversy. It tracks the stories of three Hindu women from three different states going against their families to marry Muslim men and then being forced to convert.

'Kerala Story 2' sparks fresh political firestorm ahead of release

'Kerala Story 2' sparks fresh political firestorm ahead of release

Rediff.com19 Feb 2026

The upcoming Hindi film 'The Kerala Story 2: Goes Beyond' is embroiled in controversy, similar to its predecessor, with accusations of hate propaganda and defenses of legitimate concern over religious conversion.

Lynching Sees No End

Lynching Sees No End

Rediff.com3 Jan 2026

Between 2014 and 2023, India recorded 189 lynching cases.

If someone tries to hit me...: Mamata after I-PAC raids

If someone tries to hit me...: Mamata after I-PAC raids

Rediff.com10 Jan 2026

Turning her guns on the Election Commission, Banerjee alleged that the BJP had "stolen" the mandate in Maharashtra with the poll panel's help and was now attempting to replicate it in Bengal through the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise by deleting genuine voters' names.

Will Kolkata fiasco dent India's Olympic hosting chances?

Will Kolkata fiasco dent India's Olympic hosting chances?

Rediff.com15 Dec 2025

The All India Football Federation (AIFF) issued a statement clarifying that Lionel Messi's event in Kolkata was a private event organised by a PR agency and the federation was not involved in the "planning or execution" of the event at Salt Lake Stadium on Saturday.

SC asks poll panel to respond to parties' pleas on SIR in 2 weeks

SC asks poll panel to respond to parties' pleas on SIR in 2 weeks

Rediff.com11 Nov 2025

The Supreme Court has requested the Election Commission to respond to petitions challenging the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls in Tamil Nadu and West Bengal. The court has also asked the Madras and Calcutta High Courts to keep proceedings on similar petitions in abeyance.

Haryana ex-DGP Kapoor appointed as ITBP chief; Praveen Kumar to head BSF

Haryana ex-DGP Kapoor appointed as ITBP chief; Praveen Kumar to head BSF

Rediff.com15 Jan 2026

Former Haryana Police chief Shatrujeet Singh Kapoor has been appointed as the director general of the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP). He succeeds Praveen Kumar, who has been named the new head of the Border Security Force (BSF).

EC orders out West Bengal DGP, Mumbai civic bosses

EC orders out West Bengal DGP, Mumbai civic bosses

Rediff.com18 Mar 2024

Seeking to ensure a level-playing field in the Lok Sabha elections, the Election Commission on Monday ordered the removal of home secretaries of Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand, sources said.

Goa nightclub fire: 5 tourists, 20 staffers among dead

Goa nightclub fire: 5 tourists, 20 staffers among dead

Rediff.com7 Dec 2025

All 25 victims killed in the Goa nightclub fire tragedy have been identified, including 20 members of the staff and five tourists, authorities said on Sunday night.

'Suddenly, LPG Supply Stopped On Sunday'

'Suddenly, LPG Supply Stopped On Sunday'

Rediff.com11 Mar 2026

'Nobody explained why. After that there was panic buying, there was hoarding -- and then nothing reached us.'

Bihar verdict: Memefest keeps social media abuzz

Bihar verdict: Memefest keeps social media abuzz

Rediff.com14 Nov 2025

The social media handles of the Bharatiya Janata Party were abuzz with memes and jibes targeted at Congress and Rahul Gandhi on Friday, soon after the bumper performance of the saffron party in the Bihar assembly polls, with the party's Assam unit apologising for upsetting the 'national child' on Children's Day.

Now, India's gems & jewellery sector on par with China, Thailand

Now, India's gems & jewellery sector on par with China, Thailand

Rediff.com4 Feb 2026

Exporters of gems and jewellery have said the free-trade agreement (FTA) has brought relief to their sector because this opens up the world's second-largest market and brings them on a par with China and Thailand, which face zero tariffs on shipments to Europe.

The 2021 West Bengal Election Sentimeter

The 2021 West Bengal Election Sentimeter

Rediff.com23 Mar 2021

The BJP which won only three seats in the last assembly election is looking confident to make inroads is Mamata's den.

Suspended TMC MLA lays 'Babri-style' mosque foundation in WB

Suspended TMC MLA lays 'Babri-style' mosque foundation in WB

Rediff.com6 Dec 2025

Kabir cut a ceremonial ribbon alongside visiting clerics on the dais as slogans of "Nara-e-Takbeer, Allahu Akbar" were raised at the venue, where thousands had gathered since morning.

West Bengal police arrest 100 for running illegal firecracker factories

West Bengal police arrest 100 for running illegal firecracker factories

Rediff.com23 May 2023

The police seized a huge quantity of explosives and banned firecrackers during raids in different locations in rural West Bengal and arrested at least 100 people for their alleged involvement in running illegal manufacturing factories, a senior state police official said on Tuesday.

How India's Children Celebrate Republic Day

How India's Children Celebrate Republic Day

Rediff.com26 Jan 2026

Happy Republic Day!

Return to Bengal if harassed in BJP states: Mamata to migrant workers

Return to Bengal if harassed in BJP states: Mamata to migrant workers

Rediff.com29 Jul 2025

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee claims a Bengali-speaking woman and her child were threatened in Delhi after an alleged assault. She urges Bengali migrant workers in BJP-ruled states to return to Bengal if harassed and questions the absence of central commissions in BJP-ruled states when atrocities occur.

EC dismisses Trinamool charge of SIR-related deaths

EC dismisses Trinamool charge of SIR-related deaths

Rediff.com28 Nov 2025

A Trinamool Congress delegation on Friday alleged before the Election Commission top brass that around 40 SIR-related deaths had occurred in West Bengal so far, a charge junked by the poll authority.

'Child Marriage Is Nothing But Child Rape'

'Child Marriage Is Nothing But Child Rape'

Rediff.com27 Feb 2026

'People don't believe that a 15-year-old girl subjected to sexual intercourse within a marriage is a victim of rape.'

I-League to be renamed as Indian Football League

I-League to be renamed as Indian Football League

Rediff.com28 Jan 2026

The I-League, the country's second-tier football competition, will be restructured and rechristened as Indian Football League (IFL).