West Bengal

Kolkata: Amid the political and administrative churn surrounding the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in West Bengal, the state witnessed a record surge in marriage registrations in 2025. Officials attribute the unprecedented spike largely to documentation requirements linked to the voter list revision process. According to data compiled by the Directorate of Registration and Stamp Revenue, 1,83,733 marriages were registered in 2025, the highest ever recorded in the state. This figure surpasses the previous peak of 1,81,923 registrations in 2022 and marks an increase of 12,335 registrations compared to 2024. SIR Drive Triggers Documentation Rush The Special Intensive Revision of voter rolls triggered widespread scrutiny of documentation, as citizens sought to en...

Kolkata, West Bengal: In the aftermath of violent clashes between two student groups, Jadavpur University has imposed a ban on student gatherings on campus after 8 PM. The decision, announced by the university administration, will come into effect from Tuesday. The move follows a violent incident on Friday at the Science–Arts crossing inside the campus, where clashes between rival student groups left two professors and at least six students injured. Tensions reportedly continued into Monday, when an English Department student was assaulted and later hospitalized. Teachers’ Association Demands Action The Jadavpur University Teachers’ Association (JUTA) wrote to Vice-Chancellor Chiranjib Bhattacharjee, demanding disciplinary action against six students allegedly involved in Friday’s...

Kolkata/Jharkhand: In a poignant story of loss, faith, and fractured family ties, a 70-year-old woman from Jharkhand who had been missing for 25 years was recently traced to her native village — only to be refused acceptance by her own son, allegedly over religious differences. Sushila Murmu, a resident of Dahupagar village in Jharkhand’s Godda district, has spent the last two decades in a shelter home in Kolkata. After years of counseling and medical care to address memory loss, she was finally able to recall details of her home and family. What seemed like the beginning of a long-awaited reunion, however, ended in heartbreak. According to reports, Murmu went missing shortly after the death of her husband. While her husband followed Hindu traditions, Murmu continued to practice Chri...

Malda / Sagar, Madhya Pradesh: A migrant from Malda, West Bengal, was stabbed and seriously injured in Sagar, Madhya Pradesh, allegedly because he spoke Bengali. The victim, Syed S.K., has been selling cloth in Sagar for the past nine years and has become the latest target in a troubling pattern of attacks on Bengali-speaking workers in BJP-ruled states. Attack DetailsThe incident occurred last Thursday, February 19. According to reports, Syed S.K. was repeatedly assaulted and robbed, and the attackers used knives during the attack. He is currently undergoing treatment in a Bundelkhand hospital, where he underwent surgery. The victim’s wife, Nurefa Bivi, claimed that he had recently expressed fear after receiving derogatory remarks for speaking in Bengali. Support from Migrant Welfar...

Kolkata: With West Bengal heading toward Assembly elections in the next two months, political tensions are rising between Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The CM has repeatedly targeted the PM, accusing him of undermining Bengal’s cultural heritage. Her latest criticism came in response to the PM’s post commemorating the birth anniversary of Shri Ramakrishna Paramahamsa. Mamata Banerjee Objects to Honorific UsageIn his post, PM Modi wrote: “Respectful tributes to Swami Ramakrishna Paramahamsa Ji on his birth anniversary. His spiritual teachings and dedication as a way of life will continue to benefit humanity across generations. His wisdom and messages will remain a beacon of inspiration.” Reacting to this, Mamata Banerjee accused the PM of demonstrati...

Kolkata, West Bengal: As the West Bengal Assembly elections approach, tensions are rising within the Left Front over seat-sharing negotiations with the Indian Secular Front (ISF), led by Pirzada Abbas Siddiqui of Furfura Sharif. The ISF’s demand for 45 assembly seats has sparked a dispute, particularly with the Forward Bloc, which claims several of these are its traditional constituencies. The Forward Bloc has issued a stern warning that it may exit the alliance if its own allotted seats are compromised. The ISF, despite winning just one seat in the last assembly elections and capturing only 1.35% of votes, has steadily expanded its influence. Furfura Sharif, located 40 km from Kolkata, is a major center of faith for millions of Bengali Muslims and exerts direct influence over over 2,50...

Kolkata: In a shocking revelation, the Kolkata Police have busted a pickpocket gang that used to disguise itself as Hindu deities such as Goddess Kali, Goddess Durga, and Lord Shiva to target unsuspecting people on city streets. The accused reportedly exploited public faith and sympathy by dressing up in religious costumes and roaming in crowded areas, where they allegedly stole valuables, particularly mobile phones, from devotees and pedestrians. Four Accused Arrested, All From Gujarat Police confirmed that four men have been arrested in connection with the case. The accused have been identified as: Elin Ramju Salat Dhiru Kalobhai Salat Samirbhai Salat Raju Kumar All four are residents of Anand district in Gujarat. Police officials stated that the men are habitua...