<p>Following the clashes in West Bengal during the Ram Navami celebrations, section 144 has been imposed in parts of the state including Asansol and Raniganj.</p>

<p>The section will be imposed till April 4.</p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Visuals?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Visuals</a> from Asansol: Section 144 still imposed in view of clashes during <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/RamNavami?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#RamNavami</a> procession, internet services continue to be suspended. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WestBengal?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WestBengal</a> <a href="https://t.co/Xa13EmPBOY">pic.twitter.com/Xa13EmPBOY</a></p>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/979619945792274432?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 30, 2018</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

<p>Also, the police have restricted&nbsp;any rally in the area for Hanuman&nbsp;Jayanti on Saturday.</p>

<p>More police personnel have been deployed in the area and internet services have been disrupted to pacify the growing violence in Asansol and other parts of Bengal.</p>

<p>Meanwhile, BJP leader Babul Supriyo&nbsp;has filed a counter-FIR in response to the one lodged against him for assaulting a police officer.</p>

<p>The leader claimed that he was not allowed to enter his "Own" constituency.</p>

<p>He further said that though he was restricted entry into his constituency, the TMC councillors moved freely around the area.</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en">4/5:Check this vdo too?Police file cases against me cuz I visit the Victims in my OWN constituency where victims belong 2 ONLY one community?Is that a crime in Bengal?Everytym the same story!!Police wil push&pull me&stop me frm talking 2 people cuz they r spelling the truth out? <a href="https://t.co/CjL0osyjq6">pic.twitter.com/CjL0osyjq6</a></p>
— Babul Supriyo (@SuPriyoBabul) <a href="https://twitter.com/SuPriyoBabul/status/979523427903115266?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 30, 2018</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-cards="hidden" data-lang="en">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en">5/5:TMC councillorS can move around freely in an area&if I try 2 get down frm the car I am a criminal who needs 2 b engulfed by RAF, wrapped tight by Cop-hands, TOUCHING me bodily?Didi probably forgot her struggle against CPIM atrocity•She JUST CANNOT STOP ME FROM DOING MY DUTY <a href="https://t.co/ZcSid4TXXZ">pic.twitter.com/ZcSid4TXXZ</a></p>
— Babul Supriyo (@SuPriyoBabul) <a href="https://twitter.com/SuPriyoBabul/status/979524310581817346?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 30, 2018</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en">I wil not•Wil take them to court• I have already filed a FIR against one Police officer who assaulted me, pushed&threatened me•Why encircle me with RAF?What ws RAF doing when the victims’ were beaten, their houses burnt down&looted?Shall continue 2 fight against this injustice <a href="https://t.co/U5389r9wtQ">https://t.co/U5389r9wtQ</a></p>
— Babul Supriyo (@SuPriyoBabul) <a href="https://twitter.com/SuPriyoBabul/status/979575013555822592?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 30, 2018</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>The clashes that erupted in West Bengal during the Ram Navami have led to the death of five people so far.</p>

<p>The clashes fueled after the ruling party Trinamool Congress and opposition Bharatiya Janata party took out rallies across the state on Sunday to celebrate Ram Navami festival.</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p><br />
&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>


More police personnel have been deployed in the area and internet services have been disrupted to pacify the growing violence in Asansol and other parts of Bengal

Following the clashes in West Bengal during the Ram Navami celebrations, section 144 has been imposed in parts of the state including Asansol and Raniganj. The section will be imposed till April 4. #Visuals from Asansol: Section 144 still imposed in view of clashes during #RamNavami procession, internet services continue to be suspended. #WestBengal pic.twitter.com/Xa13EmPBOY — ANI (@ANI) March 30, 2018 × Also, the police have restricted any rally in the area for Hanuman Jayanti on Saturday. More police personnel have been deployed in the area and internet services have been disrupted to pacify the growing violence in Asansol and other parts of Bengal. Meanwhile, BJP leader Babul Supriyo has filed a counter-FIR in response to the one lodged against him for assaulting a police officer. The leader claimed that he was not allowed to enter his "Own" constituency. He further said that though he was restricted entry into his constituency, the TMC councillors moved freely around the area. 4/5:Check this vdo too?Police file cases against me cuz I visit the Victims in my OWN constituency where victims belong 2 ONLY one community?Is that a crime in Bengal?Everytym the same story!!Police wil push&pull me&stop me frm talking 2 people cuz they r spelling the truth out? pic.twitter.com/CjL0osyjq6 — Babul Supriyo (@SuPriyoBabul) March 30, 2018 × 5/5:TMC councillorS can move around freely in an area&if I try 2 get down frm the car I am a criminal who needs 2 b engulfed by RAF, wrapped tight by Cop-hands, TOUCHING me bodily?Didi probably forgot her struggle against CPIM atrocity•She JUST CANNOT STOP ME FROM DOING MY DUTY pic.twitter.com/ZcSid4TXXZ — Babul Supriyo (@SuPriyoBabul) March 30, 2018 × I wil not•Wil take them to court• I have already filed a FIR against one Police officer who assaulted me, pushed&threatened me•Why encircle me with RAF?What ws RAF doing when the victims’ were beaten, their houses burnt down&looted?Shall continue 2 fight against this injustice https://t.co/U5389r9wtQ — Babul Supriyo (@SuPriyoBabul) March 30, 2018 × The clashes that erupted in West Bengal during the Ram Navami have led to the death of five people so far. The clashes fueled after the ruling party Trinamool Congress and opposition Bharatiya Janata party took out rallies across the state on Sunday to celebrate Ram Navami festival.

Violence escalates in Asansol, West Bengal, section 144 imposed

<p>Union Minister and singer Babul Supriyo got booked on Wednesday in Asansol for allegedly violating section 144 of the Code of Criminal Procedure.</p>

<p>Also read: <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/west-bengal-1-dead-in-clash-between-locals-police-on-ram-navami-37031">1 dead in </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/west-bengal-1-dead-in-clash-between-locals-police-on-ram-navami-37031">clash</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/west-bengal-1-dead-in-clash-between-locals-police-on-ram-navami-37031"> between locals, police on Ram Navami</a></p>

<p>An FIR has also been filed in Asansol North Police station for allegedly assaulting a senior IPS officer Rupesh Kumar.</p>

<p>From Wednesday Section 144 has been imposed in Asansol --&nbspBabul Supriyo's constituency -- after the continuous tense situation following the Ram Navami procession in the state.</p>

<p>According to reports, Babul Supriyo was stopped by police while he was driving through Kalyanpur to reach Asansol. Following an argument between him and police, Supriyo assaulted an IPS officer.</p>

<p>Meanwhile, a counter FIR has also been filed by the minister against the IPS officer for assaulting him despite the warning of to not 'touch him physically'.</p>

<p>Supriyo was going there to take the stock of the situation which arrived from the violence in the state.</p>

<p>Reports say that he was barred from entering the area by police citing security reasons.</p>

<p>Internet services were also barred in Asansol and Ranigunj by the state government.</p>

<p>According to news reports, the internet services restrictions will remain in effect till March 30.</p>

<p>One villager was killed in a clash between locals and police during a Ram Navami procession in Beldi village in Purulia, West Bengal.&nbsp</p>

<p>Four people were also injured in the clash.&nbsp</p>

<p>The ruling party Trinamool Congress and opposition Bharatiya Janata party took out rallies across the state on Sunday to celebrate Ram Navami festival fuelling communal tension.</p>


An FIR has also been filed in Asansol North Police station for allegedly assaulting a senior IPS officer Rupesh Kumar

Union Minister and singer Babul Supriyo got booked on Wednesday in Asansol for allegedly violating section 144 of the Code of Criminal Procedure. Also read: 1 dead in clash between locals, police on Ram Navami An FIR has also been filed in Asansol North Police station for allegedly assaulting a senior IPS officer Rupesh Kumar. From Wednesday Section 144 has been imposed in Asansol --&nbspBabul Supriyo's constituency -- after the continuous tense situation following the Ram Navami procession in the state. According to reports, Babul Supriyo was stopped by police while he was driving through Kalyanpur to reach Asansol. Following an argument between him and police, Supriyo assaulted an IPS officer. Meanwhile, a counter FIR has also been filed by the minister against the IPS officer for assaulting him despite the warning of to not 'touch him physically'. Supriyo was going there to take the stock of the situation which arrived from the violence in the state. Reports say that he was barred from entering the area by police citing security reasons. Internet services were also barred in Asansol and Ranigunj by the state government. According to news reports, the internet services restrictions will remain in effect till March 30. One villager was killed in a clash between locals and police during a Ram Navami procession in Beldi village in Purulia, West Bengal. Four people were also injured in the clash. The ruling party Trinamool Congress and opposition Bharatiya Janata party took out rallies across the state on Sunday to celebrate Ram Navami festival fuelling communal tension.

West Bengal: Babul Supriyo booked for assaulting IPS officer

<p>A Ram Navami pandal was vandalised on Saturday evening by unidentified miscreants in Bardhman district of West Bengal.</p>

<p>The pandal was set up by Bhartiya Janata Party members who have alleged that it was attacked by workers of Trinamool Congress.</p>

<p>Four persons are reported to be injured in the incident.</p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en">West Bengal: 4 injured after a <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/RamaNavami?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#RamaNavami</a> pandal set up by BJP workers was attacked by miscreants in Bardhaman last night. BJP alleged that TMC was behind the incident. Police investigation underway. <a href="https://t.co/WBP4LrrmJ4">pic.twitter.com/WBP4LrrmJ4</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/977764065354317824?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 25, 2018</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">&times;</a></div>

<p>A police investigation is also underway.</p>

<p>Security has also been stepped up in the region following the incident.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The BJP has further planned rallies across the state to celebrate the festival fuelling the tension in the state.</p>

<p>In Kolkata also several rallies were organised reportedly by members of the Sangh Parivar.</p>

<p>Following the rally announcement made by BJP workers, TMC had also announced that it would organise Ram Navami in several districts as the&nbsp;festival is not very popular in the region.</p>

<p>So far no reports of any violence have been reported from any district.</p>

<p>West Bengal chief minister Mamta Banerjee had also instructed police to no permit any organisation to hold processions displaying arms during Ram Navami.</p>

<p>However, news agency ANI reported Ram Mandir Mahotsav Samiti was seen brandishing swords in a procession at Siliguri, West Bengal.</p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Ram Mandir Mahotsav Samiti took out a procession on the occasion of <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/RamNavami?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#RamNavami</a> where people were seen brandishing swords, in West Bengal&#39;s Siliguri <a href="https://t.co/UZudBIo0Hn">pic.twitter.com/UZudBIo0Hn</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/977827172902633472?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 25, 2018</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">&times;</a></div>

<p>&nbsp;</p>


The pandal was set up by Bhartiya Janata Party members who have alleged that it was attacked by workers of Trinamool Congress

A Ram Navami pandal was vandalised on Saturday evening by unidentified miscreants in Bardhman district of West Bengal. The pandal was set up by Bhartiya Janata Party members who have alleged that it was attacked by workers of Trinamool Congress. Four persons are reported to be injured in the incident. West Bengal: 4 injured after a #RamaNavami pandal set up by BJP workers was attacked by miscreants in Bardhaman last night. BJP alleged that TMC was behind the incident. Police investigation underway. pic.twitter.com/WBP4LrrmJ4 — ANI (@ANI) March 25, 2018 × A police investigation is also underway. Security has also been stepped up in the region following the incident. The BJP has further planned rallies across the state to celebrate the festival fuelling the tension in the state. In Kolkata also several rallies were organised reportedly by members of the Sangh Parivar. Following the rally announcement made by BJP workers, TMC had also announced that it would organise Ram Navami in several districts as the festival is not very popular in the region. So far no reports of any violence have been reported from any district. West Bengal chief minister Mamta Banerjee had also instructed police to no permit any organisation to hold processions displaying arms during Ram Navami. However, news agency ANI reported Ram Mandir Mahotsav Samiti was seen brandishing swords in a procession at Siliguri, West Bengal. Ram Mandir Mahotsav Samiti took out a procession on the occasion of #RamNavami where people were seen brandishing swords, in West Bengal's Siliguri pic.twitter.com/UZudBIo0Hn — ANI (@ANI) March 25, 2018 ×

West Bengal: Ram Navami pandals vandalised, BJP accuses TMC

<p>One villager has been killed in a clash between locals and police during a Ram Navami procession in Beldi village in Purulia, West Bengal.</p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en">One villager killed, around four injured following a clash between locals &amp; police during a <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/RamNavami?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#RamNavami</a> procession in Purulia&#39;s Beldi; police personnel also injured; visuals from hospital in Purulia <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WestBengal?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WestBengal</a> <a href="https://t.co/vuaTUOehwN">pic.twitter.com/vuaTUOehwN</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/977875507701313536?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 25, 2018</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">&times;</a></div>

<p>Four people were also injured in the clash.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The ruling party Trinamool Congress and opposition Bharatiya Janata party took out rallies across the state on Sunday to celebrate Ram Navami festival fuelling communal tension.</p>

<p>The BJP party has reportedly organised rallies across the state stating it is a step towards &quot;uniting the Hindus&quot;&nbsp;of the state.</p>

<p>Countering this, the TMC also organised rallies in various parts of the state.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Police have also increased the security in the region following the clash.</p>

<p>Last week chief minister Mamata Banerjee had instructed police to not permit any organisation to hold processions displaying arms during Ram Navami.</p>

<p>Meanwhile, various right-wing groups were also seen brandishing swords in a procession in the state.</p>

<p>In a procession taken out by the Ram Navami Janmo Maha Utsab Committee, people were also seen riding bikes without helmets. Five people were also seen riding one bike.</p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en">People seen riding bikes without helmets in a procession took out on the occasion of <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/RamNavami?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#RamNavami</a> by Ram Navami Janmo Maha Utsab Committee in Siliguri; five people seen riding on one bike <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WestBengal?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WestBengal</a> <a href="https://t.co/nxootUtEsC">pic.twitter.com/nxootUtEsC</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/977883461469048832?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 25, 2018</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">&times;</a></div>

<p>Party chief of BJP&#39;s Bengal unit, Dilip Ghosh was also seen brandishing swords during the rally in Kharagpur, West Bengal.</p>

<p>Ghosh called this a tradition to conduct procession with weapons.</p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
<p dir="ltr" lang="hi">Their is a tradition of holding <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/RamNavami?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#RamNavami</a> procession with weapons in Kharagpur.Ram iss desh ke purwaj hain. Hindu, musalmaan, isayi sabhi ke purwaj hain,Ram dharmik purush nahi the woh rajneetik purush aur raja the toh unke saath kya virodh hai?:Dilip Ghosh,West Bengal BJP chief <a href="https://t.co/OEeQJKFhx2">pic.twitter.com/OEeQJKFhx2</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/977884098655064064?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 25, 2018</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">&times;</a></div>

<p>&nbsp;</p>


The ruling party Trinamool Congress and opposition Bharatiya Janata party took out rallies across the state on Sunday to celebrate Ram Navami festival fuelling communal tension

One villager has been killed in a clash between locals and police during a Ram Navami procession in Beldi village in Purulia, West Bengal. One villager killed, around four injured following a clash between locals & police during a #RamNavami procession in Purulia's Beldi; police personnel also injured; visuals from hospital in Purulia #WestBengal pic.twitter.com/vuaTUOehwN — ANI (@ANI) March 25, 2018 × Four people were also injured in the clash. The ruling party Trinamool Congress and opposition Bharatiya Janata party took out rallies across the state on Sunday to celebrate Ram Navami festival fuelling communal tension. The BJP party has reportedly organised rallies across the state stating it is a step towards "uniting the Hindus" of the state. Countering this, the TMC also organised rallies in various parts of the state. Police have also increased the security in the region following the clash. Last week chief minister Mamata Banerjee had instructed police to not permit any organisation to hold processions displaying arms during Ram Navami. Meanwhile, various right-wing groups were also seen brandishing swords in a procession in the state. In a procession taken out by the Ram Navami Janmo Maha Utsab Committee, people were also seen riding bikes without helmets. Five people were also seen riding one bike. People seen riding bikes without helmets in a procession took out on the occasion of #RamNavami by Ram Navami Janmo Maha Utsab Committee in Siliguri; five people seen riding on one bike #WestBengal pic.twitter.com/nxootUtEsC — ANI (@ANI) March 25, 2018 × Party chief of BJP's Bengal unit, Dilip Ghosh was also seen brandishing swords during the rally in Kharagpur, West Bengal. Ghosh called this a tradition to conduct procession with weapons. Their is a tradition of holding #RamNavami procession with weapons in Kharagpur.Ram iss desh ke purwaj hain. Hindu, musalmaan, isayi sabhi ke purwaj hain,Ram dharmik purush nahi the woh rajneetik purush aur raja the toh unke saath kya virodh hai?:Dilip Ghosh,West Bengal BJP chief pic.twitter.com/OEeQJKFhx2 — ANI (@ANI) March 25, 2018 ×

West Bengal: 1 dead in clash between locals, police on Ram Navami

<p>Union Minister for Social Justice Thawar Chand Gehlot on Wednesday said West Bengal has the highest number of beggars and vagrants in India, according to news agency ANI.</p>

<p>The country in total has over four lakh beggars, with the highest 81,000 beggars in West Bengal, while Lakshadweep merely has two vagrants.</p>

<p>At least 4,13,670 beggars reside in India, which consists of 2,21,673 males and 1,91,997 females, the report further said.</p>

<p>Gehlot in a written reply to Lok Sabha quoted a 2011 census and mentioned that Uttar Pradesh and Andhra Pradesh stood at second and third positions, with 65,835 and 30,218 beggars respectively.</p>

<p>The union territories have the least number of beggars.</p>

<p>As per the government report, there are only two beggars in Lakshadweep, while Dadra Nagar Haveli, Daman and Diu and the Andaman and Nicobar islands have 19, 22 and 56 vagrants respectively.</p>

<p>Amongst the UT&#39;s New Delhi and Chandigarh have the largest numbers of beggars. In the national capital, there are 2,187 beggars and whereas the city beautiful homes 121.</p>


Lakshadweep has the lowest number of panhandlers — only 2

Union Minister for Social Justice Thawar Chand Gehlot on Wednesday said West Bengal has the highest number of beggars and vagrants in India, according to news agency ANI. The country in total has over four lakh beggars, with the highest 81,000 beggars in West Bengal, while Lakshadweep merely has two vagrants. At least 4,13,670 beggars reside in India, which consists of 2,21,673 males and 1,91,997 females, the report further said. Gehlot in a written reply to Lok Sabha quoted a 2011 census and mentioned that Uttar Pradesh and Andhra Pradesh stood at second and third positions, with 65,835 and 30,218 beggars respectively. The union territories have the least number of beggars. As per the government report, there are only two beggars in Lakshadweep, while Dadra Nagar Haveli, Daman and Diu and the Andaman and Nicobar islands have 19, 22 and 56 vagrants respectively. Amongst the UT's New Delhi and Chandigarh have the largest numbers of beggars. In the national capital, there are 2,187 beggars and whereas the city beautiful homes 121.

Over 4 lakh beggars in India, West Bengal tops chart with 81,000

<p>West Bengal Education Minister Partha Chatterjee on Wednesday said that the state government will ask the management of a reputed girls school in the city whether it had secured written admission from 10 students that they had indulged in lesbianism.</p>

<p>A section of the media had reported that the school had forced written undertakings from 10 of its students on Monday that they had indulged in lesbianism in a classroom.</p>

<p>The school&#39;s move had triggered protests from guardians.</p>

<p>Chattterjee told reporters here he had never come across reports in the past. &quot;We are not treating the issue lightly. We had not come across such reports at educational institutions in past ... If such an incident (lesbianism) had really taken place that will be against the ethos of Bengal.</p>

<p>&quot;I will ask the school management what prompted them to seek such an undertaking. I will also want to know why the same school is getting embroiled in controversies repeatedly,&quot; the minister said referring to the arrest of one of its non-teaching male staff on the charge of sexually abusing a class nine student on February nine.</p>

<p>The school authorities had told reporters earlier that some of the students had complained against the 10 students for indulging in improper behaviour.</p>

<p>&quot;As the 10 students admitted it verbally we asked them to give it in writing. They complied,&quot; a school spokesperson had said.</p>

<p>Some of the guardians trashed the claims and alleged that the school authorities had extracted the undertaking from the girls by pressurising them.<br />
The guardians had demonstrated in front of the school gates against its authorities.&nbsp;</p>


A section of the media had reported that the school had forced written undertakings from 10 of its students on Monday that they had indulged in lesbianism in a classroom.

West Bengal Education Minister Partha Chatterjee on Wednesday said that the state government will ask the management of a reputed girls school in the city whether it had secured written admission from 10 students that they had indulged in lesbianism. A section of the media had reported that the school had forced written undertakings from 10 of its students on Monday that they had indulged in lesbianism in a classroom. The school's move had triggered protests from guardians. Chattterjee told reporters here he had never come across reports in the past. "We are not treating the issue lightly. We had not come across such reports at educational institutions in past ... If such an incident (lesbianism) had really taken place that will be against the ethos of Bengal. "I will ask the school management what prompted them to seek such an undertaking. I will also want to know why the same school is getting embroiled in controversies repeatedly," the minister said referring to the arrest of one of its non-teaching male staff on the charge of sexually abusing a class nine student on February nine. The school authorities had told reporters earlier that some of the students had complained against the 10 students for indulging in improper behaviour. "As the 10 students admitted it verbally we asked them to give it in writing. They complied," a school spokesperson had said. Some of the guardians trashed the claims and alleged that the school authorities had extracted the undertaking from the girls by pressurising them. The guardians had demonstrated in front of the school gates against its authorities.

Lesbianism against ethos of Bengal: State education minister

<p>In a disturbing incident in Bengal, a girl was brutally gang-raped in South Dinajpur.</p>

<p>The 18-year-old was abducted by six to seven people and gang-raped with such brutality that even her genitals were pulled out.</p>

<p>The girl had at the time been returning from a local fair at Kushmandi village. She was left to die after the assault on her.&nbsp;</p>

<p>She was however spotted by some locals who took her to the nearest hospital.</p>

<p>The girl is in critical condition and has been referred to Malda Medical College.</p>

<p>Police have recorded her statement and so far one person has been arrested and one has detained.</p>

<p>Further investigations are underway.</p>


The girl was abducted by six to seven people

In a disturbing incident in Bengal, a girl was brutally gang-raped in South Dinajpur. The 18-year-old was abducted by six to seven people and gang-raped with such brutality that even her genitals were pulled out. The girl had at the time been returning from a local fair at Kushmandi village. She was left to die after the assault on her. She was however spotted by some locals who took her to the nearest hospital. The girl is in critical condition and has been referred to Malda Medical College. Police have recorded her statement and so far one person has been arrested and one has detained. Further investigations are underway.

Another Nirbhaya in Bengal: 18-year-old gang-raped, genitals pulled out

<p>Two videos purportedly shot by Shambhu Lal Raigar, an accused in a murder case, from inside a jail here have gone viral, wherein he claims threat to his life from an inmate and justifies his killing of a labourer from West Bengal over &quot;love jihad&quot;.</p>

<p>Raigar, who is lodged in the Central Jail here after he hacked and burnt to death Mohammad Afrazul from West Bengal in December last year, named the inmate as Vasudev, an accused in the NDPS Act.</p>

<p>Vasudev hails from West Bengal, claimed Raigar.</p>

<p>In one of the videos, Raigar claims that the issue of &quot;love jihad&quot; has become &quot;serious&quot; and accuses the West Bengal government of not doing enough about it.</p>

<p>Rajasthan Home Minister Gulab Chand Kataria said they were investigating how Raigar got access to a mobile phone inside the jail.</p>

<p>&quot;It would be looked into how Raigar got access to a mobile phone and how he made the videos. The police have registered an FIR and are investigating the matter,&quot; he said.</p>

<p>The minister said that action against those guilty in the matter would be taken after the investigation. Vasudev has been shifted to another cell for Raigar&#39;s safety, he said.</p>

<p>&quot;A separate FIR has been lodged and the search is on,&quot; Kataria told reporters in the Assembly.</p>

<p>Raigar had killed Afrazul while, in a video, ranting against &quot;love jihad&quot;, a term used by sections of Hindu activists to describe marriages between Hindu women and Muslim men.</p>

<p>In the latest video, Raigar said he was &quot;infuriated&quot; over a &quot;jihadist comment&quot;, targeting Hindu women, and that was why he had killed Afrazul.</p>

<p>The Jodhpur Central Jail administration said it had launched an &quot;intense search operation&quot; to find out how Raigar was able to make the videos using a cell phone.</p>

<p>According to a preliminary investigation, Raigar could have used the cell phone of another inmate, but the jail authorities have failed to recover a mobile from the said inmate.</p>

<p>Jail Superintendent Vikram Singh said they were investigating the matter and had also reviewed the security of Raigar.</p>

<p>Singh said the presence of mobile phones inside the jail was a &quot;serious matter&quot; and added that the prison authorities were trying to find out how the phones were making their way into the prison.</p>

<p>Raigar was arrested from Rajsamand district of Rajasthan.</p>

<p>His act of killing Afrazul and latter filming the act with the help of his teenage nephew had created a nationwide outrage.</p>


Rajasthan Home Minister Gulab Chand Kataria said they were investigating how Raigar got hold of a mobile phone inside jail

Two videos purportedly shot by Shambhu Lal Raigar, an accused in a murder case, from inside a jail here have gone viral, wherein he claims threat to his life from an inmate and justifies his killing of a labourer from West Bengal over "love jihad". Raigar, who is lodged in the Central Jail here after he hacked and burnt to death Mohammad Afrazul from West Bengal in December last year, named the inmate as Vasudev, an accused in the NDPS Act. Vasudev hails from West Bengal, claimed Raigar. In one of the videos, Raigar claims that the issue of "love jihad" has become "serious" and accuses the West Bengal government of not doing enough about it. Rajasthan Home Minister Gulab Chand Kataria said they were investigating how Raigar got access to a mobile phone inside the jail. "It would be looked into how Raigar got access to a mobile phone and how he made the videos. The police have registered an FIR and are investigating the matter," he said. The minister said that action against those guilty in the matter would be taken after the investigation. Vasudev has been shifted to another cell for Raigar's safety, he said. "A separate FIR has been lodged and the search is on," Kataria told reporters in the Assembly. Raigar had killed Afrazul while, in a video, ranting against "love jihad", a term used by sections of Hindu activists to describe marriages between Hindu women and Muslim men. In the latest video, Raigar said he was "infuriated" over a "jihadist comment", targeting Hindu women, and that was why he had killed Afrazul. The Jodhpur Central Jail administration said it had launched an "intense search operation" to find out how Raigar was able to make the videos using a cell phone. According to a preliminary investigation, Raigar could have used the cell phone of another inmate, but the jail authorities have failed to recover a mobile from the said inmate. Jail Superintendent Vikram Singh said they were investigating the matter and had also reviewed the security of Raigar. Singh said the presence of mobile phones inside the jail was a "serious matter" and added that the prison authorities were trying to find out how the phones were making their way into the prison. Raigar was arrested from Rajsamand district of Rajasthan. His act of killing Afrazul and latter filming the act with the help of his teenage nephew had created a nationwide outrage.

Shambhu Lal Raigar makes videos from jail, claims threat to life

<p>The Congress on Thursday won an assembly seat in Rajasthan and had a major victory in two <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/bypoll-results-31475">parliamentary </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/bypoll-results-31475">bypolls</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/bypoll-results-31475">.&nbsp;</a></p>

<p>The Congress is ready to take the Ajmer and Alwar parliamentary seats from the BJP and has won the Mandalgarh assembly segment, also held by the BJP.</p>

<p>Congress president Rahul Gandhi hailed the party&rsquo;s Rajasthan unit for its impressive show in the bypolls for two Lok Sabha and one Assembly seats, calling the outcome a &ldquo;rejection&rdquo; of the BJP by the people.</p>

<p>&quot;Well done Rajasthan Congress! Proud of each and every one of you. This is a rejection of the BJP by the people of Rajasthan,&quot; tweeted Congress president Rahul Gandhi.</p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Well done Rajasthan Congress! Proud of each and every one of you. This is a rejection of the BJP by the people of Rajasthan.<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/RajasthanByPolls?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#RajasthanByPolls</a></p>
&mdash; Office of RG (@OfficeOfRG) <a href="https://twitter.com/OfficeOfRG/status/959017563572359168?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 1, 2018</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">&times;</a></div>

<p>The ruling BJP on Thursday conceded defeat in Rajasthan.&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;&ldquo;We respect the people&rsquo;s mandate and we will analyse the reasons for our defeat. I am taking responsibility for the defeat,&rdquo; Rajasthan BJP chief Ashok Parnami said.&nbsp;</p>

<p>&quot;We are going to study the reasons, but bypolls don&#39;t reflect the full picture,&quot; said BJP leader Kailash Vijayvargiya also said.&nbsp;</p>

<p>All three seats are linked to Rahul Gandhi&#39;s top lieutenants in Rajasthan - Pilot, CP Joshi and Jitendra Singh Bhanwar.</p>

<p>All the three seats fell vacant after the deaths of Ajmer MP Sanwar Lal Jat, Alwar MP Chand Nath and Mandalgarh MLA Kirti Kumari.</p>


The Congress is ready to take the Ajmer and Alwar parliamentary seats from the BJP and has won the Mandalgarh assembly segment, also held by the BJP

The Congress on Thursday won an assembly seat in Rajasthan and had a major victory in two parliamentary bypolls. The Congress is ready to take the Ajmer and Alwar parliamentary seats from the BJP and has won the Mandalgarh assembly segment, also held by the BJP. Congress president Rahul Gandhi hailed the party’s Rajasthan unit for its impressive show in the bypolls for two Lok Sabha and one Assembly seats, calling the outcome a “rejection” of the BJP by the people. "Well done Rajasthan Congress! Proud of each and every one of you. This is a rejection of the BJP by the people of Rajasthan," tweeted Congress president Rahul Gandhi. Well done Rajasthan Congress! Proud of each and every one of you. This is a rejection of the BJP by the people of Rajasthan.#RajasthanByPolls — Office of RG (@OfficeOfRG) February 1, 2018 × The ruling BJP on Thursday conceded defeat in Rajasthan. “We respect the people’s mandate and we will analyse the reasons for our defeat. I am taking responsibility for the defeat,” Rajasthan BJP chief Ashok Parnami said. "We are going to study the reasons, but bypolls don't reflect the full picture," said BJP leader Kailash Vijayvargiya also said. All three seats are linked to Rahul Gandhi's top lieutenants in Rajasthan - Pilot, CP Joshi and Jitendra Singh Bhanwar. All the three seats fell vacant after the deaths of Ajmer MP Sanwar Lal Jat, Alwar MP Chand Nath and Mandalgarh MLA Kirti Kumari.

Bypoll results: Congress sweeps Rajasthan, setback for Raje's BJP

<p>Counting of votes for the by-polls of three Lok Sabha and two Assembly seats in Rajasthan and West Bengal began today.&nbsp;</p>

<p>After completion of 80 per cent of counting in Alwar congress has maintained a lead of over 1.40 lakh votes and is winning in Ajmer as well with a margin of 80,204 votes.</p>

<p>In a big jolt to the Vasundhara Raje-led BJP government,&nbsp;Congress&nbsp;candidate Vivek Dhakad on Thursday won the Mandalgarh Assembly seat by 12976 votes.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Congress president Rahul Gandhi took to Twitter to congratulate fellow leaders Sachin Pilot and Ashok Gehlot for their victory in the Rajasthan&nbsp;bypolls&nbsp;on Thursday.&nbsp;</p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Forget trends now,<br />
<br />
We <a href="https://twitter.com/INCIndia?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@INCIndia</a> have won all 3 seats , done and dusted!<br />
<br />
Let me take this opportunity to congratulate <a href="https://twitter.com/SachinPilot?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@SachinPilot</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/ashokgehlot51?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ashokgehlot51</a> and every congress worker and every proud Rajasthani to believe in congress &lsquo; ideology.<br />
<br />
Big thanks ????????????????<br />
<br />
<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/RajasthanByPolls?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#RajasthanByPolls</a></p>
&mdash; Office of RG (@0ffice0ffRG) <a href="https://twitter.com/0ffice0ffRG/status/958963108332163072?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 1, 2018</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">&times;</a></div>

<p>TMC&#39;s Sunil Singh has won the Naopara assembly seat in West Bengal with 1,11,729 votes.&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;Singh said, &ldquo;It is a great win and it shows people&rsquo;s faith in TMC. I will now work for the people. There was a rumour that former TMC leader and now a BJP leader&nbsp;Mukul Roy&nbsp;would be a factor in Noapara seat but he could not make a difference in reality.&rdquo;</p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Initial trends from <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/RajasthanByPolls?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#RajasthanByPolls</a> are a mandate against the Govt, I hope our leads will increase even more. Vasundhara ji and her Govt have been totally rejected by people: Sachin Pilot,Congress <a href="https://t.co/UyW82Vhfvt">pic.twitter.com/UyW82Vhfvt</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/958929143130984448?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 1, 2018</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">&times;</a></div>

<p>&nbsp;Meanwhile, many prominent figures took to Twitter to congratulate the winning party.</p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en">The real headline of the day is <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/RajasthanByPolls?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#RajasthanByPolls</a> . Sorry Mr Jaitley, but your <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Jumlanomics?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Jumlanomics</a> is totally overshadowed. India has had enough of manipulated headlines. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Budget2018?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Budget2018</a></p>
&mdash; Sanjay Jha (@JhaSanjay) <a href="https://twitter.com/JhaSanjay/status/958948646107648000?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 1, 2018</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">&times;</a></div>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en">The sacrifice of <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Padmaavat?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Padmaavat</a>&#39;s &quot;i&quot; didn&#39;t go in vain ????<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/RajasthanByPolls?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#RajasthanByPolls</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/RajasthanBypollsResult?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#RajasthanBypollsResult</a></p>
&mdash; Shirish Kunder (@ShirishKunder) <a href="https://twitter.com/ShirishKunder/status/958975784219303936?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 1, 2018</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">&times;</a></div>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Big day for Congress. Looks set to take away BJP seats of Alwar and Ajmer. And now started leading in Mandalgarh assembly constituency too. Big message for BJP Govt. <a href="https://twitter.com/CNNnews18?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@CNNnews18</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/RajasthanByPolls?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#RajasthanByPolls</a></p>
&mdash; Arunoday Mukharji (@ArunodayM) <a href="https://twitter.com/ArunodayM/status/958937704942551040?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 1, 2018</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">&times;</a></div>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en">The truth is staring in the faces of the BJP...<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Congress?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Congress</a> leading in all the 3 seats in <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/RajasthanByPolls?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#RajasthanByPolls</a>..people learn from their mistakes..choosing BJP was a mistake.. <a href="https://twitter.com/OfficeOfRG?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@OfficeOfRG</a> is the only compassionate leader with a large heart to lead the country..</p>
&mdash; khushbusundar (@khushsundar) <a href="https://twitter.com/khushsundar/status/958926828508360704?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 1, 2018</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">&times;</a></div>

<p>&nbsp;</p>


The polling in all the constituencies took place on Monda

Counting of votes for the by-polls of three Lok Sabha and two Assembly seats in Rajasthan and West Bengal began today. After completion of 80 per cent of counting in Alwar congress has maintained a lead of over 1.40 lakh votes and is winning in Ajmer as well with a margin of 80,204 votes. In a big jolt to the Vasundhara Raje-led BJP government, Congress candidate Vivek Dhakad on Thursday won the Mandalgarh Assembly seat by 12976 votes. Congress president Rahul Gandhi took to Twitter to congratulate fellow leaders Sachin Pilot and Ashok Gehlot for their victory in the Rajasthan bypolls on Thursday. Forget trends now, We @INCIndia have won all 3 seats , done and dusted! Let me take this opportunity to congratulate @SachinPilot @ashokgehlot51 and every congress worker and every proud Rajasthani to believe in congress ‘ ideology. Big thanks ???????????????? #RajasthanByPolls — Office of RG (@0ffice0ffRG) February 1, 2018 × TMC's Sunil Singh has won the Naopara assembly seat in West Bengal with 1,11,729 votes. Singh said, “It is a great win and it shows people’s faith in TMC. I will now work for the people. There was a rumour that former TMC leader and now a BJP leader Mukul Roy would be a factor in Noapara seat but he could not make a difference in reality.” Initial trends from #RajasthanByPolls are a mandate against the Govt, I hope our leads will increase even more. Vasundhara ji and her Govt have been totally rejected by people: Sachin Pilot,Congress pic.twitter.com/UyW82Vhfvt — ANI (@ANI) February 1, 2018 × Meanwhile, many prominent figures took to Twitter to congratulate the winning party. The real headline of the day is #RajasthanByPolls . Sorry Mr Jaitley, but your #Jumlanomics is totally overshadowed. India has had enough of manipulated headlines. #Budget2018 — Sanjay Jha (@JhaSanjay) February 1, 2018 × The sacrifice of #Padmaavat's "i" didn't go in vain ????#RajasthanByPolls #RajasthanBypollsResult — Shirish Kunder (@ShirishKunder) February 1, 2018 × Big day for Congress. Looks set to take away BJP seats of Alwar and Ajmer. And now started leading in Mandalgarh assembly constituency too. Big message for BJP Govt. @CNNnews18 #RajasthanByPolls — Arunoday Mukharji (@ArunodayM) February 1, 2018 × The truth is staring in the faces of the BJP...#Congress leading in all the 3 seats in #RajasthanByPolls..people learn from their mistakes..choosing BJP was a mistake.. @OfficeOfRG is the only compassionate leader with a large heart to lead the country.. — khushbusundar (@khushsundar) February 1, 2018 ×

Bypoll results: Forget trends now, we have won all 3 seats, done and dusted, says Rahul Gandhi

<p>Congress has taken a massive leap and grabbed Mandalgarh Assembly seat and is now on a path to take over Ajmer and Alwar Lok Sabha in <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/bypoll-results-tmc-wins-naopara-assembly-in-west-bengal-congress-leads-in-ajmer-alwar-31424">Rajasthan </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/bypoll-results-tmc-wins-naopara-assembly-in-west-bengal-congress-leads-in-ajmer-alwar-31424">bypolls</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/bypoll-results-tmc-wins-naopara-assembly-in-west-bengal-congress-leads-in-ajmer-alwar-31424">.&nbsp;</a></p>

<p>Congress is on the verge of winning the Alwar bypoll as after 90 per cent of counting of votes, Congress is leading with a massive margin of over 1.6 lakh votes. BJP could only manage 4,42,502 votes.</p>

<p>Trinamool candidate Sajda Ahmed wins Uluberia Lok Sabha constituency and defeated BJP candidate Anupam Mallick by 4,74,023.</p>

<p>The BJP meanwhile emerged second in both the seats pushing Left Front to the third position. In Uluberia, BJP received 1,68,805 votes while CPM bagged 85,244 votes. In Noapara, BJP registered 38,711 votes while CPM managed to get 35,497 votes. The Congress meanwhile came fourth in both the seats and lost its deposits.</p>

<p>Congress&#39;s Karan Singh wins Alwar Lok Sabha constituency seat and defeated BJP&#39;s Jaswant Yadav by 1,56,319 votes.</p>

<p>The Trinamool Congress under&nbsp;Mamata Banerjee has won West Bengal&#39;s Naopara seat and is maintaining a steady lead in Ulluberia constituency.&nbsp;</p>

<p>However, BJP has been lagging behind in Rajasthan but still running close in West Bengal relegating the Left Front to third and Congress to the fourth position.</p>

<p>The counting of votes for the Rajasthan bypolls in two Lok Sabha and one assembly constituency &mdash; a crucial contest ahead of the state elections due later this year &mdash; began at 8am on Thursday.</p>


The polling in all the constituencies took place on Monday

Congress has taken a massive leap and grabbed Mandalgarh Assembly seat and is now on a path to take over Ajmer and Alwar Lok Sabha in Rajasthan bypolls. Congress is on the verge of winning the Alwar bypoll as after 90 per cent of counting of votes, Congress is leading with a massive margin of over 1.6 lakh votes. BJP could only manage 4,42,502 votes. Trinamool candidate Sajda Ahmed wins Uluberia Lok Sabha constituency and defeated BJP candidate Anupam Mallick by 4,74,023. The BJP meanwhile emerged second in both the seats pushing Left Front to the third position. In Uluberia, BJP received 1,68,805 votes while CPM bagged 85,244 votes. In Noapara, BJP registered 38,711 votes while CPM managed to get 35,497 votes. The Congress meanwhile came fourth in both the seats and lost its deposits. Congress's Karan Singh wins Alwar Lok Sabha constituency seat and defeated BJP's Jaswant Yadav by 1,56,319 votes. The Trinamool Congress under Mamata Banerjee has won West Bengal's Naopara seat and is maintaining a steady lead in Ulluberia constituency. However, BJP has been lagging behind in Rajasthan but still running close in West Bengal relegating the Left Front to third and Congress to the fourth position. The counting of votes for the Rajasthan bypolls in two Lok Sabha and one assembly constituency — a crucial contest ahead of the state elections due later this year — began at 8am on Thursday.

Rajasthan, West Bengal bypolls: More wins for Congress, TMC

<p>TMC&#39;s Sunil Singh has won the Naopara assembly seat in West Bengal with 1,11,729 votes.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/RajasthanByPolls?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#RajasthanByPolls</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/UPDATE?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#UPDATE</a>: Congress leading in Ajmer Lok Sabha by 45321 votes, in Alwar Lok Sabha by 72101 votes and in Mandalgarh assembly by 11136 votes</p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/958967791150878720?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 1, 2018</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">&times;</a></div>

<p>Congress&#39;s Vivek Dhakad has won Mandalgarh assembly seat by 12976 votes.</p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/RajasthanByPolls?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#RajasthanByPolls</a> : Congress&#39;s Vivek Dhakad has won Mandalgarh assembly seat by 12976 votes</p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/958970906839277568?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 1, 2018</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">&times;</a></div>

<p>As of now, the Congress leads in Ajmer and Alwar parliamentary seats in Rajasthan. TMC leads in West Bengal&#39;s&nbsp;Uluberia.</p>

<p>The counting began at 8 am today amid tight security.</p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Naopara assembly seat by-poll: TMC candidate Sunil Singh wins with 1,11,729 votes</p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/958933052180312064?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 1, 2018</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">&times;</a></div>

<p>According to reports, Congress&#39; Karan Singh Yadav was leading by 61,500 votes over BJP&#39;s Jaswant Yadav in Alwar.</p>

<p>In Ajmer, Congress&#39;s Raghu Sharma was ahead of BJP&#39;s Ram Swaroop Lamba by 3,398 votes, they said.</p>

<p>In Mandalgarh, BJP candidate Shakti Singh Hada was ahead of independent candidate Gopal Malviya by over 3,000 votes. Congress&#39; Vivek Dhakad was trailing.</p>

<p>Chief Election Officer Ashwani Bhagat said the results would be declared before noon.</p>

<p>The polling in all the constituencies took place on Monday.</p>

<p>The election was held for Ajmer and Alwar Lok Sabha seats and Mandalgarh Assembly constituency in Rajasthan.</p>

<p>All the three seats fell vacant after the death of Ajmer MP Sanwar Lal Jat, Alwar MP Chand Nath and Mandalgarh MLA Kirti Kumari, who all were from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).</p>

<p>While in West Bengal, by-polls were held for Uluberia Lok Sabha Constituency in Howrah district and Noapara Assembly Seat in North 24 Parganas.</p>

<p>The election was necessitated due to the death of the Trinamool Congress (TMC) MP Sultan Ahmed and the Congress party MLA Madhusudan Ghosh.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;</em></p>


TMC's Sunil Singh has won the Naopara assembly seat in West Bengal by 1,11,729 votes

TMC's Sunil Singh has won the Naopara assembly seat in West Bengal with 1,11,729 votes. #RajasthanByPolls #UPDATE: Congress leading in Ajmer Lok Sabha by 45321 votes, in Alwar Lok Sabha by 72101 votes and in Mandalgarh assembly by 11136 votes — ANI (@ANI) February 1, 2018 × Congress's Vivek Dhakad has won Mandalgarh assembly seat by 12976 votes. #RajasthanByPolls : Congress's Vivek Dhakad has won Mandalgarh assembly seat by 12976 votes — ANI (@ANI) February 1, 2018 × As of now, the Congress leads in Ajmer and Alwar parliamentary seats in Rajasthan. TMC leads in West Bengal's Uluberia. The counting began at 8 am today amid tight security. Naopara assembly seat by-poll: TMC candidate Sunil Singh wins with 1,11,729 votes — ANI (@ANI) February 1, 2018 × According to reports, Congress' Karan Singh Yadav was leading by 61,500 votes over BJP's Jaswant Yadav in Alwar. In Ajmer, Congress's Raghu Sharma was ahead of BJP's Ram Swaroop Lamba by 3,398 votes, they said. In Mandalgarh, BJP candidate Shakti Singh Hada was ahead of independent candidate Gopal Malviya by over 3,000 votes. Congress' Vivek Dhakad was trailing. Chief Election Officer Ashwani Bhagat said the results would be declared before noon. The polling in all the constituencies took place on Monday. The election was held for Ajmer and Alwar Lok Sabha seats and Mandalgarh Assembly constituency in Rajasthan. All the three seats fell vacant after the death of Ajmer MP Sanwar Lal Jat, Alwar MP Chand Nath and Mandalgarh MLA Kirti Kumari, who all were from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). While in West Bengal, by-polls were held for Uluberia Lok Sabha Constituency in Howrah district and Noapara Assembly Seat in North 24 Parganas. The election was necessitated due to the death of the Trinamool Congress (TMC) MP Sultan Ahmed and the Congress party MLA Madhusudan Ghosh. (With inputs from agencies)

Bypoll results: Congress wins in Mandalgarh, Rajasthan; TMC leads in West Bengal

<p>Counting of votes for the by-polls of three Lok Sabha and two Assembly seats in Rajasthan and West Bengal has begun.</p>

<p>The polling in all the constituencies took place on Monday.</p>

<p>The election was held for Ajmer and Alwar Lok Sabha seats and Mandalgarh Assembly constituency in Rajasthan.</p>

<p>All the three seats fell vacant after the death of Ajmer MP Sanwar Lal Jat, Alwar MP Chand Nath and Mandalgarh MLA Kirti Kumari, who all were from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).</p>

<p>While in West Bengal, by-polls were held for Uluberia Lok Sabha Constituency in Howrah district and Noapara Assembly Seat in North 24 Parganas.</p>

<p>The election was necessitated due to the death of the Trinamool Congress (TMC) MP Sultan Ahmed and the Congress party MLA Madhusudan Ghosh.</p>

<p>According to fresh reports, TMC leads with more than 19,000 votes in Naopara.&nbsp;</p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Naopara assembly seat by-poll results: TMC leads with more then 19000 votes <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WestBengal?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WestBengal</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/958907299027931136?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 1, 2018</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">&times;</a></div>

<p>In Rajasthan&#39;s Mandalgarh, BJP currently leads with 699 votes while in Alwar Congress leads by 9225 votes.&nbsp;</p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Mandalgarh assembly seat by-poll trends: BJP leading with 699 votes;<br />
Alwar Lok Sabha seat by-poll trends: Congress leading with 9225 votes <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Rajasthan?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Rajasthan</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/958908100538523650?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 1, 2018</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">&times;</a></div>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Alwar Lok Sabha seat by-poll trends: Congress leading with 30,595 votes<br />
Ajmer Lok Sabha seat by-poll trends: Congress leading with 7585 votes <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Rajasthan?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Rajasthan</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/958911016036954112?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 1, 2018</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">&times;</a></div>

<p>&nbsp;</p>


Counting of votes for the by-polls of three Lok Sabha and two Assembly seats in Rajasthan and West Bengal has begun. The polling in all the constituencies took place on Monday. The election was held for Ajmer and Alwar Lok Sabha seats and Mandalgarh Assembly constituency in Rajasthan. All the three seats fell vacant after the death of Ajmer MP Sanwar Lal Jat, Alwar MP Chand Nath and Mandalgarh MLA Kirti Kumari, who all were from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). While in West Bengal, by-polls were held for Uluberia Lok Sabha Constituency in Howrah district and Noapara Assembly Seat in North 24 Parganas. The election was necessitated due to the death of the Trinamool Congress (TMC) MP Sultan Ahmed and the Congress party MLA Madhusudan Ghosh. According to fresh reports, TMC leads with more than 19,000 votes in Naopara. Naopara assembly seat by-poll results: TMC leads with more then 19000 votes #WestBengal — ANI (@ANI) February 1, 2018 × In Rajasthan's Mandalgarh, BJP currently leads with 699 votes while in Alwar Congress leads by 9225 votes. Mandalgarh assembly seat by-poll trends: BJP leading with 699 votes; Alwar Lok Sabha seat by-poll trends: Congress leading with 9225 votes #Rajasthan — ANI (@ANI) February 1, 2018 × Alwar Lok Sabha seat by-poll trends: Congress leading with 30,595 votes Ajmer Lok Sabha seat by-poll trends: Congress leading with 7585 votes #Rajasthan — ANI (@ANI) February 1, 2018 ×

Bypolls results: Counting in Rajasthan, West Bengal begins

<p>A Rohingya refugee camp has come up in West Bengal&#39;s South 24 Parganas district. The camp currently houses six families who were brought over the border from Bangladesh by cattle smugglers and agents.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Each of the refugees was charged between Rs 20,000 to 25,000 and they came minus passports or visas.&nbsp;</p>

<p>WION was the first channel to uncover the racket along the Indo-Bangladesh border. Now, with the coming up of the camp, there is definite proof that Rohingya are being smuggled into India from Bangladesh.&nbsp;</p>

<p>This particular camp came up about a month ago.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The camp has eight large rooms with a partition each. So each of the six Rohingya families has access to a two-roomed shelter.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The rooms are made of tin and have asbestos ceilings from which hang small ceiling lamps. Some of the rooms have beds.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The Rohingya refugees have access to two common toilets and one tube-well for water.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Hussain Gazi, a social worker, gave up his plot of land and with the help of NGOs and local villagers helped set up the camp.&nbsp;</p>

<p>&quot;NGOs and local villagers have been contributing towards the Rohingyas with rice, lentils, warm clothing for winters and even blankets. I felt that I should be doing something towards these homeless people hence donated my land to them and with the help of locals set up these houses. Some locals are also hiring the men of the camp and giving them money in return,&quot; Gazi told WION.&nbsp;</p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false"><img alt="" draggable="false" src="http://s.wionews.com/photos/rohingya5-20180115023917.JPG" />
<div class="media-description">
<p>Local villagers have donated food, warm clothing and blankets to the Rohingya to help them tide over the winter. (WION)</p>
</div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="javascript:void(0)" id="jqclosemark">&times;</a></div>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false"><img alt="" draggable="false" src="http://s.wionews.com/photos/rohingya6-20180115023953.JPG" />
<div class="media-description">
<p>Cattle smugglers speak to WION. Because of a crackdown on cattle smuggling by the BSF and the West Bengal Police, the cattle smugglers have now taken to smuggling in Rohingya. (WION) (WION)</p>
</div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="javascript:void(0)" id="jqclosemark">&times;</a></div>

<p>Cattle smugglers have been active across the Malda-Bangladesh border for decades. They&#39;ve now switched to smuggling in Rohingya because of a crackdown by the BSF and the West Bengal Police.&nbsp;</p>

<p>WION spoke to some of the smugglers who confessed to being involved in the racket.&nbsp;</p>

<p>They said organised networks are in place. Agents from both sides strike up a deal and finalise the rates.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The smugglers said rates for the smuggling of Rohingya have been fixed. And that discounts are given should an entire Rohingya family want to cross over.&nbsp;</p>

<p>&quot;There is a lot of competition and if we don&#39;t give out a discount, agents in Bangladesh will strike a deal with other smugglers. Profit margins in cattle smuggling are very high, in comparison to smuggling of Rohingyas. Helping Rohingyas cross over into Bengal does not fetch them big profits but in absence of any other jobs and industry in the district, we have chosen this as our sole source of livelihood,&quot; one cattle smuggler said. &nbsp;</p>

<p>&quot;We stay in touch with agents in Bangladesh for the smuggling of cattle, the same agent finds us the Rohingya family from refugee camps and strikes a deal. Once they come close to the Indian border the labours who work for these smugglers and are directly involved in pushing cattle from the Indian territory into Bangladesh territory help these Rohingyas cross into the border,&quot; said another. &nbsp;</p>

<p>&quot;We charge Rs 20,000-25,000 from each of the Rohingya refugee, half of which has to be given to the labourers, who help them cross over the border physically,&quot; he added.&nbsp;</p>

<p>At the camp, the Rohingya say they crossed over the border but that they do not have visas or passports.&nbsp;</p>

<p>&quot;I don&#39;t have any passport, I entered with the help of an agent through the border. Some of my family members could not come with me as I did not have enough money. I&#39;m trying to earn some money here so that I can bring my family members here,&quot; one of the refugees, Md. Jahangir, said. &nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

<p>There has been no word on the camp from the government of West Bengal.&nbsp;</p>

<p>But the SP of Baruipur district, Arijit Sinha, told WION that they have submitted the Rohingya refugees&#39; UNHRC cards and other documents and are looking into the legal ramifications of whether they can continue to stay on in Bengal or not. &nbsp;&nbsp;</p>


A Rohingya refugee camp has come up in West Bengal's South 24 Parganas district. The camp currently houses six families who were brought over the border from Bangladesh by cattle smugglers and agents. Each of the refugees was charged between Rs 20,000 to 25,000 and they came minus passports or visas. WION was the first channel to uncover the racket along the Indo-Bangladesh border. Now, with the coming up of the camp, there is definite proof that Rohingya are being smuggled into India from Bangladesh. This particular camp came up about a month ago. The camp has eight large rooms with a partition each. So each of the six Rohingya families has access to a two-roomed shelter. The rooms are made of tin and have asbestos ceilings from which hang small ceiling lamps. Some of the rooms have beds. The Rohingya refugees have access to two common toilets and one tube-well for water. Hussain Gazi, a social worker, gave up his plot of land and with the help of NGOs and local villagers helped set up the camp. "NGOs and local villagers have been contributing towards the Rohingyas with rice, lentils, warm clothing for winters and even blankets. I felt that I should be doing something towards these homeless people hence donated my land to them and with the help of locals set up these houses. Some locals are also hiring the men of the camp and giving them money in return," Gazi told WION. Local villagers have donated food, warm clothing and blankets to the Rohingya to help them tide over the winter. (WION) × Cattle smugglers speak to WION. Because of a crackdown on cattle smuggling by the BSF and the West Bengal Police, the cattle smugglers have now taken to smuggling in Rohingya. (WION) (WION) × Cattle smugglers have been active across the Malda-Bangladesh border for decades. They've now switched to smuggling in Rohingya because of a crackdown by the BSF and the West Bengal Police. WION spoke to some of the smugglers who confessed to being involved in the racket. They said organised networks are in place. Agents from both sides strike up a deal and finalise the rates. The smugglers said rates for the smuggling of Rohingya have been fixed. And that discounts are given should an entire Rohingya family want to cross over. "There is a lot of competition and if we don't give out a discount, agents in Bangladesh will strike a deal with other smugglers. Profit margins in cattle smuggling are very high, in comparison to smuggling of Rohingyas. Helping Rohingyas cross over into Bengal does not fetch them big profits but in absence of any other jobs and industry in the district, we have chosen this as our sole source of livelihood," one cattle smuggler said. "We stay in touch with agents in Bangladesh for the smuggling of cattle, the same agent finds us the Rohingya family from refugee camps and strikes a deal. Once they come close to the Indian border the labours who work for these smugglers and are directly involved in pushing cattle from the Indian territory into Bangladesh territory help these Rohingyas cross into the border," said another. "We charge Rs 20,000-25,000 from each of the Rohingya refugee, half of which has to be given to the labourers, who help them cross over the border physically," he added. At the camp, the Rohingya say they crossed over the border but that they do not have visas or passports. "I don't have any passport, I entered with the help of an agent through the border. Some of my family members could not come with me as I did not have enough money. I'm trying to earn some money here so that I can bring my family members here," one of the refugees, Md. Jahangir, said. There has been no word on the camp from the government of West Bengal. But the SP of Baruipur district, Arijit Sinha, told WION that they have submitted the Rohingya refugees' UNHRC cards and other documents and are looking into the legal ramifications of whether they can continue to stay on in Bengal or not.

Rohingya refugee camp comes up in West Bengal's South 24 Parganas

<p>An Indian journalist accompanying West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee was caught stealing cutlery at a dinner party in Edinburgh, Scotland.</p>

<p>The dinner was hosted by an industrialist on November 17 last year at an Edinburgh hotel.</p>

<p>The journalist, who is around 60 years old, had at first denied the charges but the&nbsp;security footage caught him out.&nbsp;</p>

<p>This was Mamata&#39;s maiden trip to Scotland.&nbsp;The meeting had been meant to attract investment.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The chief minister had been accompanied by government officials, editors, and senior journalists.</p>

<p>The journalist had also tried to put the stolen cutlery into the bag of a fellow journalist.&nbsp;</p>

<p>He was finally charged with a 50-pound fine by the hotel.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The other journalists had not mentioned the incident because it involved a colleague but, news reports said, one of them finally broke&nbsp;his silence to a Bengali tabloid.&nbsp;</p>


The dinner was hosted by an industrialist on November 17 last year at a hotel

An Indian journalist accompanying West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee was caught stealing cutlery at a dinner party in Edinburgh, Scotland. The dinner was hosted by an industrialist on November 17 last year at an Edinburgh hotel. The journalist, who is around 60 years old, had at first denied the charges but the security footage caught him out. This was Mamata's maiden trip to Scotland. The meeting had been meant to attract investment. The chief minister had been accompanied by government officials, editors, and senior journalists. The journalist had also tried to put the stolen cutlery into the bag of a fellow journalist. He was finally charged with a 50-pound fine by the hotel. The other journalists had not mentioned the incident because it involved a colleague but, news reports said, one of them finally broke his silence to a Bengali tabloid.

Journalist accompanying Mamata Banerjee caught stealing cutlery at Edinburgh dinner party

<p>Mamata Banerjee today stands as one of the few unaligned politicians who has the capacity to capture the national audience. She is a state leader with a national stature. A quintessential outsider who made it big on her own merit and hard work.</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;She not only defeated the Left Front but also stopped the BJP&rsquo;s surge in West Bengal. Whether it was &#39;Ma Mati Manush&#39; campaign line or Congress-Left combine campaign against her, Mamata survived. She bettered herself. Highly populist, overtly loud but simple in style, Mamata today stands at the crossroad. &nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;The question is whether Mamata Banerjee can do a Harkrishan Surjit? Can Mamata be a Kingmaker? Can Mamata forge an alliance of regional parties with the Congress to give a good fight in the Lok Sabha elections slated in 2019?</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>The answer lies in the changing landscape of the Indian politics. The 1970s saw the rise of powerful non- Congress leadership across Indian states.&nbsp; Most of the leaders enjoyed iconic status in the national politics. From Karunanidhi to Prakash Singh Badal to Sharad Pawar to Hedge to Bal Thackery, these leaders had both way and the say. The politics at Centre had leaders like Charan Singh, Madhu Dandavate, Surendra Mohan, Somnath Banerji, Chandrashekhar and many others. They were united by anti-Congressism.</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;It is this stream which birthed two non-Congress governments. The first was between 1970-80 and second was 1990 VP Singh&rsquo;s government and third was United Front experiment of 1996-98. Surprisingly all three tenures gave two prime ministers each. The first had Morarji Desai and Charan Singh. The second one gave VP Singh and Chandrasekhar and the last gave Deve Gowda and IK Gujaral.</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>Once this exercise got politically discredited, India saw a split in the regional parties on the issue of Congress and, subsequently, most of them took positions on the issue of secularism. It is because of this division that Vajpayee government came to power in 1998. It was called the NDA. The same experiment was successfully replicated by Congress in 2004 when it formed the government under the rubric of UPA.</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;This world collapsed after 2014. BJP expanded its base across India, edging out its own alliance partners like Shiv Sena. Similar expansion took place in North East where regional parties became subservient to BJP&rsquo;s consolidating social base. Those who managed to stand tall, either allied with BJP or stayed neutral like the TRS.&nbsp; It is this complex scenario that Mamata will have to navigate in case she wants to play a bigger role nationally.</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;Occasionally, Mamata has aligned with other regional leaders on national issues but she remains tied to the state where politics is volatile and she is the lobe pole. Secondly, Mamata also has to deal with the Left which has collaborated very closely with the Congress both at the state and national level. In my opinion, the days of the powerful kingmakers from states are over.&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>Most of the chief ministers are today only opinion makers. They can influence a discourse but none of them have the capacity to build a confederacy. Almost all are unpredictable and solely focused on their existence as a regional party which runs like a family cartel. In this scenario, Mamata will have her national say but stay rooted to West Bengal as she knows that her power stems from it, and rest of India can be extremely time consuming and politically disastrous as Kejriwal tasted it first-hand. For now, Mamata will stay in both news and views but from West Bengal, unless 2019 throws up a fractured Parliament and the Lady keeps her numbers in the Lower House.</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p><i>(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL).</i></p>


Mamata will stay in both news and views but from West Bengal, unless 2019 throws up a fractured Parliament and the Lady keeps her numbers in the Lower House.

Mamata Banerjee today stands as one of the few unaligned politicians who has the capacity to capture the national audience. She is a state leader with a national stature. A quintessential outsider who made it big on her own merit and hard work. She not only defeated the Left Front but also stopped the BJP’s surge in West Bengal. Whether it was 'Ma Mati Manush' campaign line or Congress-Left combine campaign against her, Mamata survived. She bettered herself. Highly populist, overtly loud but simple in style, Mamata today stands at the crossroad. The question is whether Mamata Banerjee can do a Harkrishan Surjit? Can Mamata be a Kingmaker? Can Mamata forge an alliance of regional parties with the Congress to give a good fight in the Lok Sabha elections slated in 2019? The answer lies in the changing landscape of the Indian politics. The 1970s saw the rise of powerful non- Congress leadership across Indian states. Most of the leaders enjoyed iconic status in the national politics. From Karunanidhi to Prakash Singh Badal to Sharad Pawar to Hedge to Bal Thackery, these leaders had both way and the say. The politics at Centre had leaders like Charan Singh, Madhu Dandavate, Surendra Mohan, Somnath Banerji, Chandrashekhar and many others. They were united by anti-Congressism. It is this stream which birthed two non-Congress governments. The first was between 1970-80 and second was 1990 VP Singh’s government and third was United Front experiment of 1996-98. Surprisingly all three tenures gave two prime ministers each. The first had Morarji Desai and Charan Singh. The second one gave VP Singh and Chandrasekhar and the last gave Deve Gowda and IK Gujaral. Once this exercise got politically discredited, India saw a split in the regional parties on the issue of Congress and, subsequently, most of them took positions on the issue of secularism. It is because of this division that Vajpayee government came to power in 1998. It was called the NDA. The same experiment was successfully replicated by Congress in 2004 when it formed the government under the rubric of UPA. This world collapsed after 2014. BJP expanded its base across India, edging out its own alliance partners like Shiv Sena. Similar expansion took place in North East where regional parties became subservient to BJP’s consolidating social base. Those who managed to stand tall, either allied with BJP or stayed neutral like the TRS. It is this complex scenario that Mamata will have to navigate in case she wants to play a bigger role nationally. Occasionally, Mamata has aligned with other regional leaders on national issues but she remains tied to the state where politics is volatile and she is the lobe pole. Secondly, Mamata also has to deal with the Left which has collaborated very closely with the Congress both at the state and national level. In my opinion, the days of the powerful kingmakers from states are over. Most of the chief ministers are today only opinion makers. They can influence a discourse but none of them have the capacity to build a confederacy. Almost all are unpredictable and solely focused on their existence as a regional party which runs like a family cartel. In this scenario, Mamata will have her national say but stay rooted to West Bengal as she knows that her power stems from it, and rest of India can be extremely time consuming and politically disastrous as Kejriwal tasted it first-hand. For now, Mamata will stay in both news and views but from West Bengal, unless 2019 throws up a fractured Parliament and the Lady keeps her numbers in the Lower House. (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL).

Opinion: Will anti-communal politics help Mamata to counter BJP?

<p>West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee&#39;s&nbsp;remarks on the latest move by National Register of Citizen(NRC) has landed her in trouble as an&nbsp;FIR was lodged against her in Guwahati.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The FIR was lodged after a complaint was filed by advocate Tailendra Nath Das.</p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en">FIR lodged against West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee in Guwahati after complaint by advocate Tailendra Nath Das in connection with statement she made on Assam&#39;s National Register Of Citizens(NRC) <a href="https://t.co/xK7ZRqQiP7">pic.twitter.com/xK7ZRqQiP7</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/948934395502649345?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 4, 2018</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">&times;</a></div>

<p>In a public meeting at Ahmedpur in Birbhum district, the West Bengal chief minister reportedly described the current updation of the NRC as an attempt to drive out Bengalis from Assam.&nbsp;</p>

<p>She allegedly asked the BJP government of the state to not to play with fire. Banerjee also warned the government that she would not remain silent if Bengalis were uprooted from the state.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The BJP led government in Assam said that her statement amounted to contempt of&nbsp;Supreme Court.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The National Register of Citizens (NRC)&nbsp;published its first draft on Sunday.</p>

<p>The draft declared almost 1.9 crore Assam residents&nbsp;as &quot;legal&quot;&nbsp;while declaring the rest to&nbsp;await&nbsp;further stages of verification.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The total population of the state is around 3.29 crore.</p>


In a public meeting at Ahmedpur in Birbhum district, the West Bengal chief minister had described the current updation of the NRC as an attempt to drive out Bengalis from Assam

West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee's remarks on the latest move by National Register of Citizen(NRC) has landed her in trouble as an FIR was lodged against her in Guwahati. The FIR was lodged after a complaint was filed by advocate Tailendra Nath Das. FIR lodged against West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee in Guwahati after complaint by advocate Tailendra Nath Das in connection with statement she made on Assam's National Register Of Citizens(NRC) pic.twitter.com/xK7ZRqQiP7 — ANI (@ANI) January 4, 2018 × In a public meeting at Ahmedpur in Birbhum district, the West Bengal chief minister reportedly described the current updation of the NRC as an attempt to drive out Bengalis from Assam. She allegedly asked the BJP government of the state to not to play with fire. Banerjee also warned the government that she would not remain silent if Bengalis were uprooted from the state. The BJP led government in Assam said that her statement amounted to contempt of Supreme Court. The National Register of Citizens (NRC) published its first draft on Sunday. The draft declared almost 1.9 crore Assam residents as "legal" while declaring the rest to await further stages of verification. The total population of the state is around 3.29 crore.

FIR registered against Mamata Banerjee over statements on NRC

<p>The ruling Trinamool Congress in West Bengal has won the Sabang Assembly constituency bypoll.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The Trinamool candidate&nbsp;Gita Rani Bhunaia won by a margin of 64,192 votes.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Communist Party of India (Marxist) candidate Rita Mondal secured 41,987 votes, losing out to Gita Rani Bhunaia who secured 1,06,179 votes.</p>

<p>Though the BJP candidate secured only 37,476 votes, the party acquired a substantial increase in the number of votes in this election.</p>

<p>The BJP received about 5,000 votes in the 2016 Assembly elections.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweeted expressing his happiness on the significant rise in the BJPs vote share in Sabang.</p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Happy to see a significant rise in the BJP&rsquo;s vote share in Sabang, West Bengal. I thank the people for their support and assure them that BJP will leave no stone unturned in serving West Bengal. I appreciate the <a href="https://twitter.com/BJP4Bengal?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@BJP4Bengal</a> Karyakartas for their effort.</p>
&mdash; Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) <a href="https://twitter.com/narendramodi/status/944918455362371586?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 24, 2017</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">&times;</a></div>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>The bypoll&nbsp;results&nbsp;made a major dent on the Congress party as&nbsp;it lost the seat it had won in the 2016 Assembly polls. Congress candidate Chiranjib Bhowmick secured only 18,060 votes.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The Secretary-General of the winning party said that the people voted for them because of the development they carried.</p>

<p>The opposition CPI(M) party has accused the winning party of indulging in a&nbsp;massive rigging.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Antara Bhattacharyya, the BJP candidate in the election has also accused that the elections were not &quot;free and fair&quot;.</p>

<p>The bypolls in the constituency were conducted after sitting Congress legislator Manas Bhunia resigned and moved over to the Trinamool Congress.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Trinamool candidate Gita Rani is Manas Bhunia`s wife.</p>


The Trinamool candidate won by a margin of 64,192 votes

The ruling Trinamool Congress in West Bengal has won the Sabang Assembly constituency bypoll. The Trinamool candidate Gita Rani Bhunaia won by a margin of 64,192 votes. Communist Party of India (Marxist) candidate Rita Mondal secured 41,987 votes, losing out to Gita Rani Bhunaia who secured 1,06,179 votes. Though the BJP candidate secured only 37,476 votes, the party acquired a substantial increase in the number of votes in this election. The BJP received about 5,000 votes in the 2016 Assembly elections. Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweeted expressing his happiness on the significant rise in the BJPs vote share in Sabang. Happy to see a significant rise in the BJP’s vote share in Sabang, West Bengal. I thank the people for their support and assure them that BJP will leave no stone unturned in serving West Bengal. I appreciate the @BJP4Bengal Karyakartas for their effort. — Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) December 24, 2017 × The bypoll results made a major dent on the Congress party as it lost the seat it had won in the 2016 Assembly polls. Congress candidate Chiranjib Bhowmick secured only 18,060 votes. The Secretary-General of the winning party said that the people voted for them because of the development they carried. The opposition CPI(M) party has accused the winning party of indulging in a massive rigging. Antara Bhattacharyya, the BJP candidate in the election has also accused that the elections were not "free and fair". The bypolls in the constituency were conducted after sitting Congress legislator Manas Bhunia resigned and moved over to the Trinamool Congress. Trinamool candidate Gita Rani is Manas Bhunia`s wife.

West Bengal by-polls: Congress loses Sabang assembly seat to Trinamool Congress

<p>The Rajasthan government on Saturday announced a compensation of Rs 5 lakh for the family of the <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/man-burnt-alive-in-rajasthans-rajsamand-in-suspected-case-of-love-jihad-26095" target="_blank">man who was burnt alive </a>in a case of suspected &#39;love jihad&#39;.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The announcement comes after the&nbsp;police recently recovered a partly burnt body of a man in Rajasthan&#39;s Rajsamand.</p>

<p>The victim was identified as Mohammed Afrazul, a migrant from Malda, West Bengal.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The man is suspected to be a victim of &quot;Love Jihad&quot;.</p>

<p>The police have stated that the victim was burnt alive.&nbsp;</p>

<p>A&nbsp;video had emerged on social media in which a resident of Rajsamand was seen beating the victim&nbsp;Afrazul. In the video, he is initially seen hitting the victim with an axe. Later, pouring kerosene on his body and burning him.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The man is also heard as saying &#39;&#39;those who indulge in &#39;love jihad&#39; will be met with same fate.&#39;&#39;</p>

<p>Accused has been arrested and a special investigation team (SIT) has been formed to investigate in the case.</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>


The man is suspected to be a victim of 'Love Jihad'

The Rajasthan government on Saturday announced a compensation of Rs 5 lakh for the family of the man who was burnt alive in a case of suspected 'love jihad'. The announcement comes after the police recently recovered a partly burnt body of a man in Rajasthan's Rajsamand. The victim was identified as Mohammed Afrazul, a migrant from Malda, West Bengal. The man is suspected to be a victim of "Love Jihad". The police have stated that the victim was burnt alive. A video had emerged on social media in which a resident of Rajsamand was seen beating the victim Afrazul. In the video, he is initially seen hitting the victim with an axe. Later, pouring kerosene on his body and burning him. The man is also heard as saying ''those who indulge in 'love jihad' will be met with same fate.'' Accused has been arrested and a special investigation team (SIT) has been formed to investigate in the case.

Rajasthan government announces Rs 5 lakh compensation for man burnt alive

<p>West Bengal government officials met on Saturday with the family members of the man who was burnt to death in Rajasthan&#39;s Rajsamand.</p>

<p>The officials visited the victim&#39;s residence in Malda, gave his wife a widow&#39;s pension and assured employment to his next of kin.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Rajasthan government on Saturday announced a <a href="http://www.wionews.com/topic/rajasthan-government-announces-rs-5-lakh-compensat" target="_blank">compensation of Rs 5 lakh</a> for the family of the man who was identified as Mohammed Afrazul, a migrant from Malda, West Bengal. Afrazul was reportedly burnt to death because his attacker accused him of &#39;love jihad&#39;.&nbsp;</p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en">West Bengal: State government officials met family of man burnt to death in Rajasthan&#39;s Rajsamand, at their residence in Malda; provided widow pension to deceased&#39;s wife &amp; assured employment to kin <a href="https://t.co/TiYGYpKCiq">pic.twitter.com/TiYGYpKCiq</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/939510562345459712?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 9, 2017</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">&times;</a></div>

<p>A video of the incident went viral on social media showing Afrazul getting beaten by a local resident who is now arrested.</p>

<p>Afrazul is first seen getting hit with an axe and is later set on fire.</p>

<p>The accused is heard saying, &#39;&#39;those who indulge in &#39;love jihad&#39; will be met with the same fate,&#39;&#39; in the video.&nbsp;</p>

<p>A special investigation team (SIT) investigates the case at present.</p>


Mohammed Afrazul's next of kin were assured of employment

West Bengal government officials met on Saturday with the family members of the man who was burnt to death in Rajasthan's Rajsamand. The officials visited the victim's residence in Malda, gave his wife a widow's pension and assured employment to his next of kin. Rajasthan government on Saturday announced a compensation of Rs 5 lakh for the family of the man who was identified as Mohammed Afrazul, a migrant from Malda, West Bengal. Afrazul was reportedly burnt to death because his attacker accused him of 'love jihad'. West Bengal: State government officials met family of man burnt to death in Rajasthan's Rajsamand, at their residence in Malda; provided widow pension to deceased's wife & assured employment to kin pic.twitter.com/TiYGYpKCiq — ANI (@ANI) December 9, 2017 × A video of the incident went viral on social media showing Afrazul getting beaten by a local resident who is now arrested. Afrazul is first seen getting hit with an axe and is later set on fire. The accused is heard saying, ''those who indulge in 'love jihad' will be met with the same fate,'' in the video. A special investigation team (SIT) investigates the case at present.

Man burnt alive in Rajasthan: Bengal officials meet victim's widow, offer her pension

<p>Amidst the controversy over a nursery student&#39;s alleged sexual assault by two teachers at a city institute, another reputed school here today suspended a member of its service staff following a three-month old case of sexual abuse of a child inside the school.</p>

<p>A large number of guardians today demonstrated before the M P Birla Foundation Higher Secondary School, which said that it suspended its service staff after discussion with the police, pending further investigation.</p>

<p>In a statement, the school authorities said a complaint was received from the parents of a girl student about alleged sexual misconduct against her in September&nbsp;2017 but that the complaint did not point out any individual.</p>

<p>&quot;The parents had also lodged a complaint with the local police station. The school has been thoroughly cooperating with the police in the investigations,&quot; it said.</p>

<p>Hours of CCTV footage were reviewed by the school and the police, the statement said, adding that the police also questioned several members of the support staff and teachers.</p>

<p>&quot;We are committed to ensuring that the child gets justice. However, we also hope that no member of the staff of our school should be judged in the matter except according to law. We are confident that members of the staff are committed to the safety of the children. Anyone found wanting in this regard will be prosecuted as per law,&quot; it said.</p>

<p>Meanwhile, a section of guardians demonstrated before the school building for hours today alleging the school and the police did not take much action to find out and prosecute those responsible for the alleged molestation of the girl.</p>

<p>The guardians were joined by the mother of the child who claimed she has been still traumatised and unable to attend classes.</p>

<p>They refused to leave the premises even after it was announced that one service staff was suspended, and demanded increase in number of female attendants and periodic police patrolling during school hours.</p>

<p>After the guardians blocked the arterial James Long Sarani, police dispersed them.</p>

<p>Meanwhile, the Kolkata Police today formed a special committee to look into the allegations of negligence and false representation on part of the G D Birla Centre for Education where a 4-year-old girl was sexually assaulted on November 30 allegedly by two male PT teachers, who were later arrested.</p>

<p>A senior police officer said a complaint in this regard has been lodged with the Jadavpur police station.</p>

<p>The committee consists of representatives from the West Bengal State Education Department, West Bengal Commission for Protection of Child Rights and the ICSE Board, New Delhi and Kolkata Police, he added.</p>

<p>The West Bengal Commission for Protection of Child Rights (WBCPCR) today sought the arrest of the principal of the G D Birla Centre for Education in connection with the incident.</p>

<p>Principal Sharmila Nath could have dealt with the matter in a sensible manner, WBCPCR Chairperson Ananya Chatterjee Chakraborti told PTI.</p>


The school said it suspended the service staff member after a discussion with police

Amidst the controversy over a nursery student's alleged sexual assault by two teachers at a city institute, another reputed school here today suspended a member of its service staff following a three-month old case of sexual abuse of a child inside the school. A large number of guardians today demonstrated before the M P Birla Foundation Higher Secondary School, which said that it suspended its service staff after discussion with the police, pending further investigation. In a statement, the school authorities said a complaint was received from the parents of a girl student about alleged sexual misconduct against her in September 2017 but that the complaint did not point out any individual. "The parents had also lodged a complaint with the local police station. The school has been thoroughly cooperating with the police in the investigations," it said. Hours of CCTV footage were reviewed by the school and the police, the statement said, adding that the police also questioned several members of the support staff and teachers. "We are committed to ensuring that the child gets justice. However, we also hope that no member of the staff of our school should be judged in the matter except according to law. We are confident that members of the staff are committed to the safety of the children. Anyone found wanting in this regard will be prosecuted as per law," it said. Meanwhile, a section of guardians demonstrated before the school building for hours today alleging the school and the police did not take much action to find out and prosecute those responsible for the alleged molestation of the girl. The guardians were joined by the mother of the child who claimed she has been still traumatised and unable to attend classes. They refused to leave the premises even after it was announced that one service staff was suspended, and demanded increase in number of female attendants and periodic police patrolling during school hours. After the guardians blocked the arterial James Long Sarani, police dispersed them. Meanwhile, the Kolkata Police today formed a special committee to look into the allegations of negligence and false representation on part of the G D Birla Centre for Education where a 4-year-old girl was sexually assaulted on November 30 allegedly by two male PT teachers, who were later arrested. A senior police officer said a complaint in this regard has been lodged with the Jadavpur police station. The committee consists of representatives from the West Bengal State Education Department, West Bengal Commission for Protection of Child Rights and the ICSE Board, New Delhi and Kolkata Police, he added. The West Bengal Commission for Protection of Child Rights (WBCPCR) today sought the arrest of the principal of the G D Birla Centre for Education in connection with the incident. Principal Sharmila Nath could have dealt with the matter in a sensible manner, WBCPCR Chairperson Ananya Chatterjee Chakraborti told PTI.

Kolkata: School suspends staffer on 3-month-old sexual abuse complaint

<p>In this day and age, whenever we read the newspaper, turn on the radio or television, log on to the Internet, or simply open our eyes and look around, we are confronted with all sorts of evidence confirming ever-present religious intolerance, which certainly raises red flags concerning the age-old perennial idea of the oneness of all religious traditions.</p>

<p>If this were the case, we would not have wars fought over religion, hate crimes against members of other faiths, discrimination, and so on. Instead, we would all gather together holding hands to dance happily around the campfire. It is all too easy to ignore differences at the expense of claiming some sort of illusory oneness that unites human beings across, racial, national, ethnic, and linguistic lines.</p>

<div class="ui-state-default">
<div class="row">
<div class="article-blockquote">
<div class="col-sm-10 col-sm-offset-1 blockquote-content quoteshare">
<blockquote>
<h5>There still are some people in the world who advocate a liberal outlook on the interaction and interpenetration of religions.</h5>
</blockquote>
</div>

<div class="col-sm-1 blockquote-content">
<div class="share-blockquote"><a class="twitter popup" href="http://twitter.com/intent/tweet?text=There still are some people in the world who advocate a liberal outlook on the interaction and interpenetration of religions."><i class="fa fa-share">&nbsp;</i></a></div>
</div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#">&times;</a></div>
</div>
</div>

<p>Indeed the practices of a Roman Catholic parishioner in the Philippines or Sri Lanka might seem as alien to an Italian or American Catholic as an obscure ritual originating in the highlands of Papua New Guinea. Yet thankfully there still are some people in the world who advocate a liberal outlook on the interaction and interpenetration of religions.</p>

<p>India, for example, has seen its fair share of communal violence over the centuries, especially since the painful years of the Partition that led to the division of Bharat into two modern nation-states based precisely on religious orientation. Much of that animosity continues today on all sides of the Indian border and recent atrocities against the Muslim Rohingya in Buddhist Myanmar remind us that intolerance more often than not flares up into mass violence on unprecedented scales. Amidst the almost daily accounts of religious tension and conflict echoing throughout South Asia, it is sobering to escape the constant attack on the senses experienced in South Asian cities and retreat to the countryside, where life slows down just enough to become quiet and even tranquil at times.</p>

<p>Roughly ninety kilometres south of Kolkata, lies a small, almost unnoticeable village called Naya, which is located in Medinipur District, West Bengal. I first went there in 2001, just a few months after the terrible attacks on the World Trade Center in New York City. There, in the middle of rice paddy fields, along a pockmarked asphalt road with a tea stall on each side, my overcrowded bus stopped.</p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="row">
<div class="article-blockquote">
<div class="col-sm-10 col-sm-offset-1 blockquote-content quoteshare">
<blockquote>
<h5>I met Gurupada Chitrakar, a member of a community known as Patuas because they paint pats, narrative scrolls that tell stories about ancient lore located in the Hindu epics and Puranas.</h5>
</blockquote>
</div>

<div class="col-sm-1 blockquote-content">
<div class="share-blockquote"><a class="twitter popup" href="http://twitter.com/intent/tweet?text=I met Gurupada Chitrakar, a member of a community known as Patuas because they paint pats, narrative scrolls that tell stories about ancient lore located in the Hindu epics and Puranas." target="_blank"><i class="fa fa-share">&nbsp;</i></a></div>
</div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqquoteclosemark">&times;</a></div>
</div>
</div>

<p>I alighted and immediately met Gurupada Chitrakar, a member of a community known as Patuas because they paint pats, narrative scrolls that tell stories about ancient lore located in the Hindu epics and Puranas, but also some about Sufi saints. These have been supplemented in recent decades by narratives about secular topics, such as ecological issues, environmental tragedies, and the pros and cons of globalisation. Indeed, they now dare sing about once-taboo topics such as HIV/AIDS and dowry death. They even sing about 9/11, the late Osama Bin Laden, and other such pertinent matters of global import.</p>

<p>Gurupada became my guide, as I pursued my studies of this remarkable community during a Fulbright Fellowship year in 2004-2005, which resulted in a museum exhibition held during 2006 in the United States and my illustrated book titled Village of Painters that accompanied the display of scrolls that I organised at the Museum of International Folk Art in Santa Fe, New Mexico.</p>

<p>Gurupada introduced me to his teacher, the &ldquo;guru&rdquo; of the village whose poetic name was Dukhushyam Chitrakar, an individual who looked virtually twice his age but nevertheless beamed with charismatic authority. I spent many hours drinking tea and smoking bidies with him, as he told me about the Patuas&rsquo; unique position betwixt and between Hindus and Muslims, among whom his scroll-painting community lived side by side.</p>

<p>According to Dukhushyam, they are &ldquo;na Hindu na Musalman,&rdquo; neither Hindu nor Muslim. Instead, they inhabit a perpetual position between the two communities, acting as sorts of mediators between the two. I continuously learned about how they respected the customs of both Hindus and Muslims in their daily lives, respecting both mosque and temple. When communal violence would flare up, they would immediately take up the cause of tolerance. The best example of this that I encountered during my many stays in the village was their collective stance on the violence that surrounded the destruction of the Babri Masjid in Ayodhya.</p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="row">
<div class="article-blockquote">
<div class="col-sm-10 col-sm-offset-1 blockquote-content quoteshare">
<blockquote>
<h5>We are the human race, one mother&rsquo;s offspring. Hindus and Muslims we&rsquo;re all brothers, brothers.</h5>
</blockquote>
</div>

<div class="col-sm-1 blockquote-content">
<div class="share-blockquote"><a class="twitter popup" href="http://twitter.com/intent/tweet?text=We are the human race, one mother?s offspring.
Hindus and Muslims we?re all brothers, brothers." target="_blank"><i class="fa fa-share">&nbsp;</i></a></div>
</div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqquoteclosemark">&times;</a></div>
</div>
</div>

<p>Gurupada Chitrakar sang me the following song he composed to go along with the unravelling of a scroll about the tragic incident that pitted Hindus and Muslims against each other, mostly motivated by political concerns. The song that I have translated literally from Bengali into English here goes like this:</p>

<p>We are the human race, one mother&rsquo;s offspring.<br />
We are the human race, one mother&rsquo;s offspring.<br />
Some of us became Hindus.<br />
Again, some became Muslims.<br />
One mother&rsquo;s offspring.<br />
Adam&rsquo;s wife became pregnant.<br />
Sabil and Kabil took birth.<br />
Sabil and Kabil took birth.<br />
Those two brothers took two religions.<br />
Those two brothers took two religions.<br />
Look, look, there is proof in the scriptures!<br />
One mother&rsquo;s offspring.</p>

<p>We are the human race, one mother&rsquo;s offspring.<br />
Marang Burung, say the Santals.<br />
And again the Christians say, they say God.<br />
And again the Christians say, they say God.<br />
Again, those Muslims say Allah.<br />
Again, those Muslims say Allah.<br />
Hindus say Bhagavan.<br />
One mother&rsquo;s offspring.</p>

<p>We are the human race, one mother&rsquo;s offspring.<br />
Usurping religion, politics wanders from place to place.<br />
Abandoning all that, sir, everyone live in harmony.<br />
Abandoning all that, sir, everyone live in harmony.<br />
In the name of religion, fighting and killing place after place.<br />
Abandoning all that, sir, everyone live in harmony.<br />
That which is God (ishvar), is nature (prakriti) itself.<br />
Today, though, science is giving proof.<br />
One mother&rsquo;s offspring.</p>

<p>We are the human race, one mother&rsquo;s offspring.<br />
Hindus and Muslims we&rsquo;re all brothers, brothers.<br />
But aside from human nature there is no other actual religion.<br />
But aside from human nature there is no other actual religion.<br />
How could we fight with these brothers, brothers.<br />
We, that is, how could we fight with these brothers, brothers.</p>

<p>We are the human race, one mother&rsquo;s offspring.<br />
That&rsquo;s why, everyone get together and worry.<br />
Destroy this animosity encompassing castes.<br />
That&rsquo;s why we should all get together and move forward.<br />
Destroy this caste animosity.<br />
Lets&rsquo; go, we&rsquo;ll all say it together.<br />
We&rsquo;ll all say the slogan.<br />
One mother&rsquo;s offspring.<br />
We are the human race, one mother&rsquo;s offspring.</p>

<p>The clever reference to the Adam and Eve creation story shared by the Abrahamic faiths here serves as a perfect vehicle to bring Hindus and Muslims together into the same parivar (family). By claiming that Hindus and Muslims both descended from Cain and Able (Qabil and Sabil in Arabic), Gurupada urges us to be sensible and humanistic; otherwise, we would be just like lower simians.</p>

<p>&ldquo;How can one attack and kill one&rsquo;s own brother or sexually violate one&rsquo;s own sister,&rdquo; he asked me? Gurupada and his extended Patua clan have a point. We are, indeed &ldquo;one mother&rsquo;s offspring,&rdquo; ek mayer santan in Bengali, and could learn much from this simple wisdom. Feuding like the legendary Hatfields and McCoys of American folklore flies in the face of civility. Let&rsquo;s all remember our common source of humanity, and when spurred by anger to lash out at others who do not necessarily share our personal worldview, recall Gurupada&rsquo;s chant: One mother&rsquo;s offspring.</p>

<p><em>(Disclaimer: The author writes here in a personal capacity).</em></p>

<p>Image Credit: Frank J. Korom</p>


Let?s all remember our common source of humanity, and when spurred by anger to lash out at others who do not necessarily share our personal worldview, recall Gurupada?s chant: One mother?s offspring.

In this day and age, whenever we read the newspaper, turn on the radio or television, log on to the Internet, or simply open our eyes and look around, we are confronted with all sorts of evidence confirming ever-present religious intolerance, which certainly raises red flags concerning the age-old perennial idea of the oneness of all religious traditions. If this were the case, we would not have wars fought over religion, hate crimes against members of other faiths, discrimination, and so on. Instead, we would all gather together holding hands to dance happily around the campfire. It is all too easy to ignore differences at the expense of claiming some sort of illusory oneness that unites human beings across, racial, national, ethnic, and linguistic lines. There still are some people in the world who advocate a liberal outlook on the interaction and interpenetration of religions. × Indeed the practices of a Roman Catholic parishioner in the Philippines or Sri Lanka might seem as alien to an Italian or American Catholic as an obscure ritual originating in the highlands of Papua New Guinea. Yet thankfully there still are some people in the world who advocate a liberal outlook on the interaction and interpenetration of religions. India, for example, has seen its fair share of communal violence over the centuries, especially since the painful years of the Partition that led to the division of Bharat into two modern nation-states based precisely on religious orientation. Much of that animosity continues today on all sides of the Indian border and recent atrocities against the Muslim Rohingya in Buddhist Myanmar remind us that intolerance more often than not flares up into mass violence on unprecedented scales. Amidst the almost daily accounts of religious tension and conflict echoing throughout South Asia, it is sobering to escape the constant attack on the senses experienced in South Asian cities and retreat to the countryside, where life slows down just enough to become quiet and even tranquil at times. Roughly ninety kilometres south of Kolkata, lies a small, almost unnoticeable village called Naya, which is located in Medinipur District, West Bengal. I first went there in 2001, just a few months after the terrible attacks on the World Trade Center in New York City. There, in the middle of rice paddy fields, along a pockmarked asphalt road with a tea stall on each side, my overcrowded bus stopped. I met Gurupada Chitrakar, a member of a community known as Patuas because they paint pats, narrative scrolls that tell stories about ancient lore located in the Hindu epics and Puranas. × I alighted and immediately met Gurupada Chitrakar, a member of a community known as Patuas because they paint pats, narrative scrolls that tell stories about ancient lore located in the Hindu epics and Puranas, but also some about Sufi saints. These have been supplemented in recent decades by narratives about secular topics, such as ecological issues, environmental tragedies, and the pros and cons of globalisation. Indeed, they now dare sing about once-taboo topics such as HIV/AIDS and dowry death. They even sing about 9/11, the late Osama Bin Laden, and other such pertinent matters of global import. Gurupada became my guide, as I pursued my studies of this remarkable community during a Fulbright Fellowship year in 2004-2005, which resulted in a museum exhibition held during 2006 in the United States and my illustrated book titled Village of Painters that accompanied the display of scrolls that I organised at the Museum of International Folk Art in Santa Fe, New Mexico. Gurupada introduced me to his teacher, the “guru” of the village whose poetic name was Dukhushyam Chitrakar, an individual who looked virtually twice his age but nevertheless beamed with charismatic authority. I spent many hours drinking tea and smoking bidies with him, as he told me about the Patuas’ unique position betwixt and between Hindus and Muslims, among whom his scroll-painting community lived side by side. According to Dukhushyam, they are “na Hindu na Musalman,” neither Hindu nor Muslim. Instead, they inhabit a perpetual position between the two communities, acting as sorts of mediators between the two. I continuously learned about how they respected the customs of both Hindus and Muslims in their daily lives, respecting both mosque and temple. When communal violence would flare up, they would immediately take up the cause of tolerance. The best example of this that I encountered during my many stays in the village was their collective stance on the violence that surrounded the destruction of the Babri Masjid in Ayodhya. We are the human race, one mother’s offspring. Hindus and Muslims we’re all brothers, brothers. × Gurupada Chitrakar sang me the following song he composed to go along with the unravelling of a scroll about the tragic incident that pitted Hindus and Muslims against each other, mostly motivated by political concerns. The song that I have translated literally from Bengali into English here goes like this: We are the human race, one mother’s offspring. We are the human race, one mother’s offspring. Some of us became Hindus. Again, some became Muslims. One mother’s offspring. Adam’s wife became pregnant. Sabil and Kabil took birth. Sabil and Kabil took birth. Those two brothers took two religions. Those two brothers took two religions. Look, look, there is proof in the scriptures! One mother’s offspring. We are the human race, one mother’s offspring. Marang Burung, say the Santals. And again the Christians say, they say God. And again the Christians say, they say God. Again, those Muslims say Allah. Again, those Muslims say Allah. Hindus say Bhagavan. One mother’s offspring. We are the human race, one mother’s offspring. Usurping religion, politics wanders from place to place. Abandoning all that, sir, everyone live in harmony. Abandoning all that, sir, everyone live in harmony. In the name of religion, fighting and killing place after place. Abandoning all that, sir, everyone live in harmony. That which is God (ishvar), is nature (prakriti) itself. Today, though, science is giving proof. One mother’s offspring. We are the human race, one mother’s offspring. Hindus and Muslims we’re all brothers, brothers. But aside from human nature there is no other actual religion. But aside from human nature there is no other actual religion. How could we fight with these brothers, brothers. We, that is, how could we fight with these brothers, brothers. We are the human race, one mother’s offspring. That’s why, everyone get together and worry. Destroy this animosity encompassing castes. That’s why we should all get together and move forward. Destroy this caste animosity. Lets’ go, we’ll all say it together. We’ll all say the slogan. One mother’s offspring. We are the human race, one mother’s offspring. The clever reference to the Adam and Eve creation story shared by the Abrahamic faiths here serves as a perfect vehicle to bring Hindus and Muslims together into the same parivar (family). By claiming that Hindus and Muslims both descended from Cain and Able (Qabil and Sabil in Arabic), Gurupada urges us to be sensible and humanistic; otherwise, we would be just like lower simians. “How can one attack and kill one’s own brother or sexually violate one’s own sister,” he asked me? Gurupada and his extended Patua clan have a point. We are, indeed “one mother’s offspring,” ek mayer santan in Bengali, and could learn much from this simple wisdom. Feuding like the legendary Hatfields and McCoys of American folklore flies in the face of civility. Let’s all remember our common source of humanity, and when spurred by anger to lash out at others who do not necessarily share our personal worldview, recall Gurupada’s chant: One mother’s offspring. (Disclaimer: The author writes here in a personal capacity). Image Credit: Frank J. Korom

Opinion: Religious tolerance in an age of intolerance

<p>The Odisha government is set to apply for geographical indication (GI) tags for Odishara Rasagola and Kandhamal turmeric after neighbouring West Bengal was granted it for the Banglar Rosogolla.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The Odishara Rasagola is Odisha&#39;s variant of the sweetmeat.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Odisha Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) minister Prafulla Samal said the state will &quot;soon&quot; apply for GI tags for the two products.</p>

<p>The state government has completed collection of primary data and will apply for GI tags for Odishara&nbsp;Rasagola and Kandhamal turmeric at the GI Registry office in January 2018, he said.</p>

<p>About the sweet Odisha has said it has been a part of the state&#39;s centuries-old ritual of offering prayers to Lord Jagannath and was mentioned in a 16th century Odiya epic.</p>

<p>Kandhamal turmeric is famous for being organically grown without the use of chemical fertilisers and pesticides and has a demand in international market too.</p>

<p>The Intellectual Property Facilitation Centre (IPFC) for MSMEs at the Central Tool Room and Training Centre (CTTC) here has already started preliminary research and field work necessary for submitting the application with the GI Registry at Chennai, sources in it said.</p>

<p>The GI status would enhance the trade value of the Kandhamal turmeric and its import to other states would become easy, he added.</p>

<p>The GI tag is a sign that identifies a product as originating from a particular place.</p>

<p>The 15 items from Odisha which have already obtained GI tag comprise nadicraft items Kotpad handloom fabric, Orissa ikat, Konark stone carving, Orissa pattachitra, Pipli applique work, Khandua saree and fabrics and Gopalpur tussar fabrics.</p>

<p>The other handicraft products for which Odisha won the GI tag are Dhalapathar parda and fabrics, Sambalpuri bandha saree and fabrics, Bomkai saree and fabrics, Habaspuri saree and fabrics, Berhampur patta and saree and joda.</p>

<p>The state had also won the tag for agricultural products Ganjam kewda rooh, Ganjam kewda flower and Orissa pattachitra, the sources said.&nbsp;</p>


Odisha will also apply for a GI tag for Kandhamal turmeric

The Odisha government is set to apply for geographical indication (GI) tags for Odishara Rasagola and Kandhamal turmeric after neighbouring West Bengal was granted it for the Banglar Rosogolla. The Odishara Rasagola is Odisha's variant of the sweetmeat. Odisha Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) minister Prafulla Samal said the state will "soon" apply for GI tags for the two products. The state government has completed collection of primary data and will apply for GI tags for Odishara Rasagola and Kandhamal turmeric at the GI Registry office in January 2018, he said. About the sweet Odisha has said it has been a part of the state's centuries-old ritual of offering prayers to Lord Jagannath and was mentioned in a 16th century Odiya epic. Kandhamal turmeric is famous for being organically grown without the use of chemical fertilisers and pesticides and has a demand in international market too. The Intellectual Property Facilitation Centre (IPFC) for MSMEs at the Central Tool Room and Training Centre (CTTC) here has already started preliminary research and field work necessary for submitting the application with the GI Registry at Chennai, sources in it said. The GI status would enhance the trade value of the Kandhamal turmeric and its import to other states would become easy, he added. The GI tag is a sign that identifies a product as originating from a particular place. The 15 items from Odisha which have already obtained GI tag comprise nadicraft items Kotpad handloom fabric, Orissa ikat, Konark stone carving, Orissa pattachitra, Pipli applique work, Khandua saree and fabrics and Gopalpur tussar fabrics. The other handicraft products for which Odisha won the GI tag are Dhalapathar parda and fabrics, Sambalpuri bandha saree and fabrics, Bomkai saree and fabrics, Habaspuri saree and fabrics, Berhampur patta and saree and joda. The state had also won the tag for agricultural products Ganjam kewda rooh, Ganjam kewda flower and Orissa pattachitra, the sources said.

After Bengal gets GI tag for 'rosogolla', Odisha to apply for 'Odishara rasagola'

<p>Coastal areas of Odisha and West Bengal will encounter heavy rainfall over the next 24 hours due to depression over the Bay of Bengal, said the India Meteorological Department on Thursday.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Officials have said&nbsp;that there is no need to panic as this will only last for about 24 to 48 hours and eventually move towards the north-east, Cyclone Warning Centre told media.&nbsp;</p>

<p>According to reports, there will also be heavy winds, blowing at the speed of 50 kilometers up to 60 kilometers per hour. Thus, advising fishermen to put their journey to the sea to a halt.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The chief minister also canceled the weekly holiday of field staff of the two departments as the farmers were struggling to save their crop affected due to the unseasonal rains, PTI reported.</p>

<p>A depression has been found over west central Bay of Bengal out of the Andhra Pradesh coast, situated 210 km from Machhlipatnam, 240 km from Vizag and 460 km from Gopalpur in Odisha, as per reports.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The district collectors are asked to report on the crop loss as soon as the rain stops, Special Relief Commissioner (SRC) B P Sethi said on Thursday.&nbsp;</p>


Officials have said that that there is no need for panic as this will only last for about 24 to 48 hours and eventually move towards the north-east, Cyclone Warning Centre told media.?

Coastal areas of Odisha and West Bengal will encounter heavy rainfall over the next 24 hours due to depression over the Bay of Bengal, said the India Meteorological Department on Thursday. Officials have said that there is no need to panic as this will only last for about 24 to 48 hours and eventually move towards the north-east, Cyclone Warning Centre told media. According to reports, there will also be heavy winds, blowing at the speed of 50 kilometers up to 60 kilometers per hour. Thus, advising fishermen to put their journey to the sea to a halt. The chief minister also canceled the weekly holiday of field staff of the two departments as the farmers were struggling to save their crop affected due to the unseasonal rains, PTI reported. A depression has been found over west central Bay of Bengal out of the Andhra Pradesh coast, situated 210 km from Machhlipatnam, 240 km from Vizag and 460 km from Gopalpur in Odisha, as per reports. The district collectors are asked to report on the crop loss as soon as the rain stops, Special Relief Commissioner (SRC) B P Sethi said on Thursday.

Heavy rainfall predicted in eastern coast due to depression over Bay of Bengal

<p>Over 80 elephants have entered a village in West Bengal.&nbsp;</p>

<p>ANI reported that villagers and forest officials were trying to drive away the pachyderms from Sonakhali in West Midnapore and protect their&nbsp;paddy crop.</p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en">West Bengal: Villagers and forest officers trying to drive away more than 80 elephants, which entered Sonakhali in West Midnapore, in a bid to protect their paddy crops. <a href="https://t.co/MIzHeBmhQ1">pic.twitter.com/MIzHeBmhQ1</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/930789367299186690?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 15, 2017</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">&times;</a></div>

<p>Man-animal conflict has become a major concern in Bengal and India in recent years.</p>

<p>News reports said 108 people were killed and 95 injured by wild elephants in the state in 2015-16.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Last week, a picture of a baby elephant set on fire had gone viral. The award-winning photograph,&nbsp;again taken in Bengal, was also emblematic of the man-animal conflict in the state.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/powerful-photo-captures-elephant-calf-escaping-flaming-tar-balls-hell-is-here-23733" target="_blank">Powerful photo captures elephant, calf escaping flaming tar balls: &#39;Hell is Here&#39;</a></p>


The pachyderms had entered Sonakhali in West Midnapore

Over 80 elephants have entered a village in West Bengal. ANI reported that villagers and forest officials were trying to drive away the pachyderms from Sonakhali in West Midnapore and protect their paddy crop. West Bengal: Villagers and forest officers trying to drive away more than 80 elephants, which entered Sonakhali in West Midnapore, in a bid to protect their paddy crops. pic.twitter.com/MIzHeBmhQ1 — ANI (@ANI) November 15, 2017 × Man-animal conflict has become a major concern in Bengal and India in recent years. News reports said 108 people were killed and 95 injured by wild elephants in the state in 2015-16. Last week, a picture of a baby elephant set on fire had gone viral. The award-winning photograph, again taken in Bengal, was also emblematic of the man-animal conflict in the state. Also read: Powerful photo captures elephant, calf escaping flaming tar balls: 'Hell is Here'

Over 80 elephants enter village in West Bengal

<p>Nobin Chandra Das&#39;s name entered the record books on Tuesday, although there was little need for that.</p>

<p>He has been famous since 1868 -- when he invented the rasgulla.</p>

<p>He had been trying for some years before that to create a new sweetmeat.</p>

<p>He finally hit gold (silver?) when he concocted his mixture of cottage cheese and sugar syrup.</p>

<p>The magic though it is said is in how long the silver ball is boiled.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Nobin was born in 1845. Just the right time, for this was the period of the Bengal Renaissance.&nbsp;</p>

<p>And the music, literature, poetry coming out of the state needed something sweet to wash it all down.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Nobin&#39;s first attempt at setting up a shop in Jorashinko in 1866 bombed but he hit pay dirt with his second attempt -- he had invented the rasgulla by then -- on Chitpur Road (today called Rabindra Sarani).&nbsp;</p>

<p>Nobin&#39;s father had been a sugar merchant -- which might explains the sweet tooth -- who died a few months before Nobin was born.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The family fell on hard times thereafter and Nobin&#39;s childhood was spent in poverty.&nbsp;</p>

<p>But all of that changed after the rasgulla.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Nobin by the way was dubbed the &quot;Columbus of the Rossogolla&quot;, a pun both on his discovery and his incessant need to create. The invention of other sweets were also attributed to him.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

<p>But perhaps his greatest contribution to his ilk was that he changed the way sweetmakers were thought of.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Looked down upon till then, they began to be seen, after him, as artisans.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The creative gene was passed on to his son Krishna Chandra, who is credited with the invention of the rasmalai.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The rasgulla -- and the rasmalai -- are now of course a part and parcel of Bengal.</p>

<p>And just as visiting dignitaries in other parts of the country are given replicas of the Taj, in Bengal they are fed on the rasgulla.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

<p>The state therefore got a bit of a shock in 2015 when Odisha said the rasgulla had actually been invented in Puri some 600 years ago.&nbsp;</p>

<p><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/bengal-finally-wins-the-rosogolla-war-24177" target="_blank">Also read:&nbsp;Finally, Bengal wins &#39;Rosogolla war&#39; over Odisha</a></p>

<p>Expectedly, a tiff ensued with the two states battling it out, armed with history and legend.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The Geographical Indications Registry put a stop to all of that Tuesday, saying the sweetmeat originated in Bengal.&nbsp;</p>

<p><a href="http://www.wionews.com/photos/a-short-and-sweet-history-of-the-rasgulla-551" target="_blank">Also read:&nbsp;A short and sweet history of the </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/photos/a-short-and-sweet-history-of-the-rasgulla-551" target="_blank">rasgulla</a></p>

<p>If you&#39;re Bengali then, celebrate; if you&#39;re Odiya, hang in there, there have been some noises that the Odisha government might continue the battle.&nbsp;</p>

<p>As for the rest of us, we should just give thanks to Nobin Chandra and his legacy.&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>


Nobin, also called the 'Columbus of the Rossogolla', invented the sweetmeat in 1868

Nobin Chandra Das's name entered the record books on Tuesday, although there was little need for that. He has been famous since 1868 -- when he invented the rasgulla. He had been trying for some years before that to create a new sweetmeat. He finally hit gold (silver?) when he concocted his mixture of cottage cheese and sugar syrup. The magic though it is said is in how long the silver ball is boiled. Nobin was born in 1845. Just the right time, for this was the period of the Bengal Renaissance. And the music, literature, poetry coming out of the state needed something sweet to wash it all down. Nobin's first attempt at setting up a shop in Jorashinko in 1866 bombed but he hit pay dirt with his second attempt -- he had invented the rasgulla by then -- on Chitpur Road (today called Rabindra Sarani). Nobin's father had been a sugar merchant -- which might explains the sweet tooth -- who died a few months before Nobin was born. The family fell on hard times thereafter and Nobin's childhood was spent in poverty. But all of that changed after the rasgulla. Nobin by the way was dubbed the "Columbus of the Rossogolla", a pun both on his discovery and his incessant need to create. The invention of other sweets were also attributed to him. But perhaps his greatest contribution to his ilk was that he changed the way sweetmakers were thought of. Looked down upon till then, they began to be seen, after him, as artisans. The creative gene was passed on to his son Krishna Chandra, who is credited with the invention of the rasmalai. The rasgulla -- and the rasmalai -- are now of course a part and parcel of Bengal. And just as visiting dignitaries in other parts of the country are given replicas of the Taj, in Bengal they are fed on the rasgulla. The state therefore got a bit of a shock in 2015 when Odisha said the rasgulla had actually been invented in Puri some 600 years ago. Also read: Finally, Bengal wins 'Rosogolla war' over Odisha Expectedly, a tiff ensued with the two states battling it out, armed with history and legend. The Geographical Indications Registry put a stop to all of that Tuesday, saying the sweetmeat originated in Bengal. Also read: A short and sweet history of the rasgulla If you're Bengali then, celebrate; if you're Odiya, hang in there, there have been some noises that the Odisha government might continue the battle. As for the rest of us, we should just give thanks to Nobin Chandra and his legacy.

Nobin Chandra Das: The man who made the rasgulla

<p>The West Bengal health and family welfare department has suspended a government doctor for&nbsp;a Facebook post which accused the authorities of concealing the&nbsp;facts relating to dengue outbreak in the state.&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en">West Bengal Health and Family Welfare Department suspended a Government doctor over a Facebook post that the authorities were suppressing facts relating to the dengue outbreak.</p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/929235336529510400?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 11, 2017</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">&times;</a></div>

<p>Doctor&nbsp;Arunachal Dutta Choudhury&#39;s post on Facebook led to &quot;misrepresentation in the public and (are) derogatory to the hospital administration, the suspension order issued by the state health department said.</p>

<p>In the&nbsp;post, Chowdhury claimed that 500 people were admitted to the hospital on October 6. He wrote about the&nbsp;struggle in diagnosing the patients and added that&nbsp;many of the patients were lying on the floor.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The doctor was posted at Barasat District Hospital in North 24 Parganas district.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The opposition party has blamed Mamta Banerjee government for trying to suppress the number of deaths due to dengue in the state.&nbsp;</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from PTI)</em></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>


The post indicated that the authorities were concealing facts relating to the dengue outbreak in West Bengal

The West Bengal health and family welfare department has suspended a government doctor for a Facebook post which accused the authorities of concealing the facts relating to dengue outbreak in the state. West Bengal Health and Family Welfare Department suspended a Government doctor over a Facebook post that the authorities were suppressing facts relating to the dengue outbreak. — ANI (@ANI) November 11, 2017 × Doctor Arunachal Dutta Choudhury's post on Facebook led to "misrepresentation in the public and (are) derogatory to the hospital administration, the suspension order issued by the state health department said. In the post, Chowdhury claimed that 500 people were admitted to the hospital on October 6. He wrote about the struggle in diagnosing the patients and added that many of the patients were lying on the floor. The doctor was posted at Barasat District Hospital in North 24 Parganas district. The opposition party has blamed Mamta Banerjee government for trying to suppress the number of deaths due to dengue in the state. (With inputs from PTI)

West Bengal: Government doctor suspended for Facebook post on dengue outbreak

<p>With the deployment and pulling out of Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) in the states often becoming a tug-of-war between the Centre and state governments, the Centre has now clearly stated that CAPFs &ldquo;cannot substitute the state police force&rdquo; since their deployment is related to emergent or unforeseen crises.</p>

<p>This comes in the backdrop of an ongoing standoff between the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) and the West Bengal government over the pulling out of central forces from the hill town of Darjeeling which has witnessed unrest for the past few weeks over demands of creation of a separate state.</p>

<p>In the past, too, there have been many instances where the Centre has found itself in situations where state governments have contested its decisions over either deployment or pulling out of central forces.</p>

<p>The Centre has now decided to set-up a state-level committee to examine and scrutinize the requirements of CAPF by keeping in view the internal security, previous scale of deployment, optimal utilisation of state resources, intelligence inputs and the availability of CAPFs in nearby locations.</p>

<p>This committee will be headed by ADG (Law &amp; Order) of the state and will co-op local representatives of the Intelligence Bureau and the CAPFs at the DIG/Commandant level.</p>

<p>&ldquo;The recommendation of the Committee must be specific and indicate the quantum of CAPF deployment and duration along with justification. Requests for extension of deployment and increase in the quantum must also be examined by the Committee on similar lines,&rdquo; the MHA has told the state governments.</p>

<p>Arguing its case, the Centre has said that &ldquo;state governments often make requests to the Centre for deployment of CAPFs even for occasions where State should normally be in a position to take all security measures from their own resources by dispatching police and state armed police&rdquo; and are &ldquo;are reluctant to de-induct CAPFs and keep requesting for extension which should not ordinarily be made unless there are adequate security for their extension&rdquo;.</p>

<p>With the new Standard Operating Procedures in place, the Centre hopes that the CAPFs will &ldquo;be able to meet more pressing commitments like guarding borders, fighting insurgency, anti-naxal operations and related situations which need immediate mobilization of forces&rdquo;.</p>


It comes in the backdrop of ongoing standoff between the MHA and the West Bengal government over the pulling out of central forces

With the deployment and pulling out of Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) in the states often becoming a tug-of-war between the Centre and state governments, the Centre has now clearly stated that CAPFs “cannot substitute the state police force” since their deployment is related to emergent or unforeseen crises. This comes in the backdrop of an ongoing standoff between the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) and the West Bengal government over the pulling out of central forces from the hill town of Darjeeling which has witnessed unrest for the past few weeks over demands of creation of a separate state. In the past, too, there have been many instances where the Centre has found itself in situations where state governments have contested its decisions over either deployment or pulling out of central forces. The Centre has now decided to set-up a state-level committee to examine and scrutinize the requirements of CAPF by keeping in view the internal security, previous scale of deployment, optimal utilisation of state resources, intelligence inputs and the availability of CAPFs in nearby locations. This committee will be headed by ADG (Law & Order) of the state and will co-op local representatives of the Intelligence Bureau and the CAPFs at the DIG/Commandant level. “The recommendation of the Committee must be specific and indicate the quantum of CAPF deployment and duration along with justification. Requests for extension of deployment and increase in the quantum must also be examined by the Committee on similar lines,” the MHA has told the state governments. Arguing its case, the Centre has said that “state governments often make requests to the Centre for deployment of CAPFs even for occasions where State should normally be in a position to take all security measures from their own resources by dispatching police and state armed police” and are “are reluctant to de-induct CAPFs and keep requesting for extension which should not ordinarily be made unless there are adequate security for their extension”. With the new Standard Operating Procedures in place, the Centre hopes that the CAPFs will “be able to meet more pressing commitments like guarding borders, fighting insurgency, anti-naxal operations and related situations which need immediate mobilization of forces”.

Central forces can't substitute state police: Home ministry to states

<p>The Calcutta High Court on Thursday revoked the Mamata Banerjee-led West Bengal government&#39;s ban on the immersion of Durga idols on Muharram.</p>

<p>The court has allowed Durga idols&#39; immersion till 12 am on all days including&nbsp;Muharram and has asked police to ensure routes are designated for immersion and Tazia or Muslim religious processions.</p>

<p>The high court told the state government of Bengal that &quot;you are exercising power without any basis&quot;.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Mamata Banerjee called the comments against her &quot;deeply insulting&quot; and said she did not believe in appeasement politics.</p>

<p>&quot;I do not believe in appeasement. These comments are deeply insulting. I believe in the religion of humanity that talks about the harmony among all the religions,&quot; Mamata Banerjee said.<br />
<br />
&quot;I will do what I can to keep peace,&quot; the West Bengal chief minister said, adding, &quot;Someone can split my throat but no one can tell me what to do.<br />
&nbsp;</p>

<p>Chief minister Mamata Banerjee had banned the immersion of Durga idols after 10 pm on September 30 and on October 1.</p>

<p>October 1 is also Muharram.&nbsp;</p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="row">
<div class="article-blockquote">
<div class="col-sm-10 col-sm-offset-1 blockquote-content quoteshare">
<blockquote>
<h5>If you get a dream that something will go wrong, you cannot impose restrictions,&#39; the high court told the West Bengal government</h5>
</blockquote>
</div>

<div class="col-sm-1 blockquote-content">
<div class="share-blockquote"><a class="twitter popup" href="http://twitter.com/intent/tweet?text=If you get a dream that something will go wrong, you cannot impose restrictions,' the high court told the West Bengal government" target="_blank"><i class="fa fa-share">&nbsp;</i></a></div>
</div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqquoteclosemark">&times;</a></div>
</div>
</div>

<p>The government&#39;s stated reason for the ban was that it was worried about a law-and-order situation developing.</p>

<p>(People would have been allowed to start immersing Durga idols again from October 2. But PILs had been filed against the ban on October 1.)&nbsp;</p>

<p>But the high court told the government, &quot;If you get a dream, that something will go wrong, you cannot impose restrictions.&quot;</p>

<p>And asked it, &#39;Just because you are the state, can you pass arbitrary order?&quot;</p>

<p>The court added that &quot;&#39;there is a difference between regulation and prohibition.&quot;</p>

<p><br />
&nbsp;</p>


Chief minister Mamata Banerjee had banned the immersion of Durga idols on October 1, which is also Muharram

The Calcutta High Court on Thursday revoked the Mamata Banerjee-led West Bengal government's ban on the immersion of Durga idols on Muharram. The court has allowed Durga idols' immersion till 12 am on all days including Muharram and has asked police to ensure routes are designated for immersion and Tazia or Muslim religious processions. The high court told the state government of Bengal that "you are exercising power without any basis". Mamata Banerjee called the comments against her "deeply insulting" and said she did not believe in appeasement politics. "I do not believe in appeasement. These comments are deeply insulting. I believe in the religion of humanity that talks about the harmony among all the religions," Mamata Banerjee said. "I will do what I can to keep peace," the West Bengal chief minister said, adding, "Someone can split my throat but no one can tell me what to do. Chief minister Mamata Banerjee had banned the immersion of Durga idols after 10 pm on September 30 and on October 1. October 1 is also Muharram. If you get a dream that something will go wrong, you cannot impose restrictions,' the high court told the West Bengal government × The government's stated reason for the ban was that it was worried about a law-and-order situation developing. (People would have been allowed to start immersing Durga idols again from October 2. But PILs had been filed against the ban on October 1.) But the high court told the government, "If you get a dream, that something will go wrong, you cannot impose restrictions." And asked it, 'Just because you are the state, can you pass arbitrary order?" The court added that "'there is a difference between regulation and prohibition."

Calcutta High Court revokes Mamata Banerjee's immersion ban

<p>Four states, all non-BJP ruled, moved the Supreme Court on Wednesday seeking to intervene in the hearing on whether the Right to Privacy can be declared as one of the Fundamental Rights under the Indian Constitution.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The states include Karnataka, West Bengal, Punjab and Puducherry.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Senior advocate Kapil Sibal is representing the four states. He initiated his arguments before a nine-judge Constitutional bench headed by Chief Justice J S Khehar and said that the court needs to take a fresh look on the Right to Privacy in the light of technological advancements.&nbsp;</p>

<p>&quot;Privacy cannot be an absolute right. But it is a Fundamental Right. This court needs to strike a balance,&quot; he submitted before the bench, PTI reported.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The top court had set up a Constitution bench on July 18 after the issue was referred to a larger bench by a five-judge bench.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The petitioners have claimed that the collection and sharing of biometric information under the Aadhaar scheme is a breach of the &quot;fundamental&quot; right to privacy.</p>

<p>The Central government on July 19 submitted a report before the Supreme Court saying that Right to Privacy is a common law right and not a Fundamental Right.<br />
&nbsp;<br />
&nbsp;<br />
&nbsp;</p>


The states include Karnataka, West Bengal, Punjab and Puducherry.

Four states, all non-BJP ruled, moved the Supreme Court on Wednesday seeking to intervene in the hearing on whether the Right to Privacy can be declared as one of the Fundamental Rights under the Indian Constitution. The states include Karnataka, West Bengal, Punjab and Puducherry. Senior advocate Kapil Sibal is representing the four states. He initiated his arguments before a nine-judge Constitutional bench headed by Chief Justice J S Khehar and said that the court needs to take a fresh look on the Right to Privacy in the light of technological advancements. "Privacy cannot be an absolute right. But it is a Fundamental Right. This court needs to strike a balance," he submitted before the bench, PTI reported. The top court had set up a Constitution bench on July 18 after the issue was referred to a larger bench by a five-judge bench. The petitioners have claimed that the collection and sharing of biometric information under the Aadhaar scheme is a breach of the "fundamental" right to privacy. The Central government on July 19 submitted a report before the Supreme Court saying that Right to Privacy is a common law right and not a Fundamental Right.

Four non-BJP ruled states move Supreme Court in favour of Right to Privacy

<p>The recent communal clashes in Baduria Block of West Bengal came as a surprise to me. Surprise, not because I think that Hindus and Muslims never fight and hate each other unless instigated. No. That would be simplistic and utopian. Religion does cause animosity and hatred and there is a long history of Hindus and Muslims disliking each other in Bengal. Organisations, political or otherwise, can provoke and manipulate tensions in order to push people towards violence but they cannot do so unless there is a latent feeling of mistrust between them.</p>

<p><strong>So, why was I surprised?</strong></p>

<p>Towards the beginning of this century, I had taken a somewhat unplanned decision to start working in the rural development sector. I felt that I needed to spend time in rural areas in order to develop an understanding that one cannot get from academic literature such as Subaltern Studies. After a brief stint in Birbhum district, I landed up in an NGO in Baduria Block, named Swanirvar. If one takes a local train from Sealdah station towards Bongaon, one can get down at a station named Machlandapur. There is nothing special about the station. It is crowded with the unplanned growth of shops around it, a familiar sight in southern Bengal. One sweet shop was particularly popular though. After getting down from the station platform, I usually got into a &ldquo;trekker&rdquo;, an illegal four wheeler which managed to fit in an absurd number of people inside it. Sometimes, I used to stand on the back and enjoy the lovely wind as the &ldquo;trekker&rdquo; moved towards Baduria. It usually took about forty minutes.</p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="row">
<div class="article-blockquote">
<div class="col-sm-10 col-sm-offset-1 blockquote-content quoteshare">
<blockquote>
<h5>So, once more, why was I surprised to hear about the communal clashes? This is because, although I had seen a lot of rivalries of different kinds in Baduria, I never saw communal rivalry</h5>
</blockquote>
</div>

<div class="col-sm-1 blockquote-content">
<div class="share-blockquote"><a class="twitter popup" href="http://twitter.com/intent/tweet?text=So, once more, why was I surprised to hear about the communal clashes?

This is because, although I had seen a lot of rivalries of different kinds in Baduria, I never saw communal rivalry" target="_blank"><i class="fa fa-share">&nbsp;</i></a></div>
</div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqquoteclosemark">&times;</a></div>
</div>
</div>

<p>I usually got down a few stops before Baduria, at a village named Andharmanik. By West Bengal standards, this is a fairly developed area. The landscape is lush green, the soil is fertile, there are big ponds which are used for fish farming. Three crops a year is usual and poultry farming is also popular. But there are problems &ndash; arsenic poisoning of ground water being the most serious one. Also, population density is among the highest in the country and, therefore, landholding size is quite small. Over time as properties have become fragmented the size of agricultural land per household has shrunk further and further. The input of agriculture was already going up when I started working there, and it has gone up even more over time.</p>

<p>Swanirvar, by West Bengal standards, was a medium sized NGO, with 60-70 people working there. Except for two persons, who were Kolkata-based bhadraloks, and one person who was a&nbsp;local rural middle class, the rest of the staff were local villagers spread over Baduria and a few other adjoining Blocks. They worked on issues such as sustainable agriculture, pre-primary and primary education, adolescent boys and girls and Self Help Groups. In Andharmanik village, there was a large building which was both a training centre and the main office of the NGO. This is where I also stayed when I went there. I mostly worked with the microfinance team, trying to rescue a programme in bad shape, apart from helping out in documentation and setting up a small library.</p>

<p>I was not there to do ethnography but I had a good exposure to the rural society as well the semi-urban society of Baduria. This place was located only about 50 kilometres from Kolkata, and therefore the residents were not far away from metropolitan city life. However, they did not have the benefits that a Calcuttan like me had. There was a sense of grudge and perhaps even jealousy which came out every now and then. Their condition was much better than the condition of most villagers in West Bengal, but they preferred to compare themselves with Calcuttans rather than with the villagers from other parts of West Bengal. Among the young people who worked there this sense of deprivation was quite acute. It took me a while to realise that I was a bhadralok elite from Calcutta. It took quite a lot of time for some of the staff to accept me.</p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="row">
<div class="article-blockquote">
<div class="col-sm-10 col-sm-offset-1 blockquote-content quoteshare">
<blockquote>
<h5>Hindus and Muslims sat down every day to have lunch together, Hindu and Muslim women belonging to Self Help Groups stayed together in the campus to have residential training</h5>
</blockquote>
</div>

<div class="col-sm-1 blockquote-content">
<div class="share-blockquote"><a class="twitter popup" href="http://twitter.com/intent/tweet?text=Hindus and Muslims sat down every day to have lunch together, Hindu and Muslim women belonging to Self Help Groups stayed together in the campus to have residential training" target="_blank"><i class="fa fa-share">&nbsp;</i></a></div>
</div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqquoteclosemark">&times;</a></div>
</div>
</div>

<p>&nbsp;As this was my first serious exposure to rural society, I was quite surprised by the amount of animosity I saw among villagers. Once I went to document a farmer who had won an award his sustainable agriculture practices. I found that although he was an award winner, his own brother was not willing to accept his practices. When I asked why he explained that there was jealousy involved. His brother was jealous of the success he has had and therefore, stubbornly refused to adopt his practices. Later on, I have found this to be quite common in West Bengal. There were other cases of rivalry as well. Anyone trying to do pond based fish farming had to be on the guard against rivals poisoning their ponds at night.</p>

<p>And of course, in those days there was a party based rivalry. However, it was not as if party affiliation determined personal rivalries all the time. It could be the other way round as well. Same family but different party affiliation was not uncommon either.</p>

<p>So, once more, why was I surprised to hear about the communal clashes?</p>

<p>This is because, although I had seen a lot of rivalries of different kinds in Baduria, I never saw communal rivalry. The NGO I worked in had staff, both male and female, who were Hindu as well as who were Muslims. There were&nbsp;rivalry and competition among them. But this was never along religious lines. In a faction fight inside the organisation, a Hindu and a Muslim could be in one faction trying to supersede another faction consisting also of Hindus and Muslims. Hindus and Muslims sat down every day to have lunch together, Hindu and Muslim women belonging to Self Help Groups stayed together in the campus to have residential training. This was not the result of any special culture developed by the NGO. This was normal.</p>

<p><strong>Why was this normal?</strong></p>

<p>To explain this, we must avoid the trap of liberal sentimentalism. No, the innate humanity of the people did not bring Hindus and Muslims together in an enlightened alliance. This was because the primary identity of the people of Baduria was that of a Bengali. The Bengali language was the only language they knew. There were some who knew a little bit of English or Hindi but most people were at heart a Bengali. Since&nbsp;this was their primary identity, it was not unusual for Hindu and Muslim women to stay together for SHG training or the staff to have lunch together cooked by a woman named Jahanara who looked like a Hindu married woman. In fact, I never asked her whether she was Hindu or Muslim, the question itself never arose.</p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="row">
<div class="article-blockquote">
<div class="col-sm-10 col-sm-offset-1 blockquote-content quoteshare">
<blockquote>
<h5>Local Bengalis have helped each other. It is their local pride, that their locality should not earn a bad name</h5>
</blockquote>
</div>

<div class="col-sm-1 blockquote-content">
<div class="share-blockquote"><a class="twitter popup" href="http://twitter.com/intent/tweet?text=Local Bengalis have helped each other. It is their local pride, that their locality should not earn a bad name" target="_blank"><i class="fa fa-share">&nbsp;</i></a></div>
</div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqquoteclosemark">&times;</a></div>
</div>
</div>

<p>Is the society fundamentally different today? There is no clear answer. There are stories of both Hindu and Muslim extremist organisations developing their strongholds in the region. However, my source, a former colleague, told me that the riot was engineered by outsiders and there are plenty of media reports available now to suggest that Hindus and Muslims have helped each other to bring Baduria back to normalcy. There is one small problem with such reporting. I will say local Bengalis have helped each other. It is their local pride, that their locality should not earn a bad name, that has motivated them to help each other. But we need ethnographers to spend more time there than journalists typically do to get a firm answer to the question.</p>


The shared bengali identity of Hindus and Muslims provided the bedrock of communal harmony in Baduriya, West Bengal.

The recent communal clashes in Baduria Block of West Bengal came as a surprise to me. Surprise, not because I think that Hindus and Muslims never fight and hate each other unless instigated. No. That would be simplistic and utopian. Religion does cause animosity and hatred and there is a long history of Hindus and Muslims disliking each other in Bengal. Organisations, political or otherwise, can provoke and manipulate tensions in order to push people towards violence but they cannot do so unless there is a latent feeling of mistrust between them. So, why was I surprised? Towards the beginning of this century, I had taken a somewhat unplanned decision to start working in the rural development sector. I felt that I needed to spend time in rural areas in order to develop an understanding that one cannot get from academic literature such as Subaltern Studies. After a brief stint in Birbhum district, I landed up in an NGO in Baduria Block, named Swanirvar. If one takes a local train from Sealdah station towards Bongaon, one can get down at a station named Machlandapur. There is nothing special about the station. It is crowded with the unplanned growth of shops around it, a familiar sight in southern Bengal. One sweet shop was particularly popular though. After getting down from the station platform, I usually got into a “trekker”, an illegal four wheeler which managed to fit in an absurd number of people inside it. Sometimes, I used to stand on the back and enjoy the lovely wind as the “trekker” moved towards Baduria. It usually took about forty minutes. So, once more, why was I surprised to hear about the communal clashes? This is because, although I had seen a lot of rivalries of different kinds in Baduria, I never saw communal rivalry × I usually got down a few stops before Baduria, at a village named Andharmanik. By West Bengal standards, this is a fairly developed area. The landscape is lush green, the soil is fertile, there are big ponds which are used for fish farming. Three crops a year is usual and poultry farming is also popular. But there are problems – arsenic poisoning of ground water being the most serious one. Also, population density is among the highest in the country and, therefore, landholding size is quite small. Over time as properties have become fragmented the size of agricultural land per household has shrunk further and further. The input of agriculture was already going up when I started working there, and it has gone up even more over time. Swanirvar, by West Bengal standards, was a medium sized NGO, with 60-70 people working there. Except for two persons, who were Kolkata-based bhadraloks, and one person who was a local rural middle class, the rest of the staff were local villagers spread over Baduria and a few other adjoining Blocks. They worked on issues such as sustainable agriculture, pre-primary and primary education, adolescent boys and girls and Self Help Groups. In Andharmanik village, there was a large building which was both a training centre and the main office of the NGO. This is where I also stayed when I went there. I mostly worked with the microfinance team, trying to rescue a programme in bad shape, apart from helping out in documentation and setting up a small library. I was not there to do ethnography but I had a good exposure to the rural society as well the semi-urban society of Baduria. This place was located only about 50 kilometres from Kolkata, and therefore the residents were not far away from metropolitan city life. However, they did not have the benefits that a Calcuttan like me had. There was a sense of grudge and perhaps even jealousy which came out every now and then. Their condition was much better than the condition of most villagers in West Bengal, but they preferred to compare themselves with Calcuttans rather than with the villagers from other parts of West Bengal. Among the young people who worked there this sense of deprivation was quite acute. It took me a while to realise that I was a bhadralok elite from Calcutta. It took quite a lot of time for some of the staff to accept me. Hindus and Muslims sat down every day to have lunch together, Hindu and Muslim women belonging to Self Help Groups stayed together in the campus to have residential training × As this was my first serious exposure to rural society, I was quite surprised by the amount of animosity I saw among villagers. Once I went to document a farmer who had won an award his sustainable agriculture practices. I found that although he was an award winner, his own brother was not willing to accept his practices. When I asked why he explained that there was jealousy involved. His brother was jealous of the success he has had and therefore, stubbornly refused to adopt his practices. Later on, I have found this to be quite common in West Bengal. There were other cases of rivalry as well. Anyone trying to do pond based fish farming had to be on the guard against rivals poisoning their ponds at night. And of course, in those days there was a party based rivalry. However, it was not as if party affiliation determined personal rivalries all the time. It could be the other way round as well. Same family but different party affiliation was not uncommon either. So, once more, why was I surprised to hear about the communal clashes? This is because, although I had seen a lot of rivalries of different kinds in Baduria, I never saw communal rivalry. The NGO I worked in had staff, both male and female, who were Hindu as well as who were Muslims. There were rivalry and competition among them. But this was never along religious lines. In a faction fight inside the organisation, a Hindu and a Muslim could be in one faction trying to supersede another faction consisting also of Hindus and Muslims. Hindus and Muslims sat down every day to have lunch together, Hindu and Muslim women belonging to Self Help Groups stayed together in the campus to have residential training. This was not the result of any special culture developed by the NGO. This was normal. Why was this normal? To explain this, we must avoid the trap of liberal sentimentalism. No, the innate humanity of the people did not bring Hindus and Muslims together in an enlightened alliance. This was because the primary identity of the people of Baduria was that of a Bengali. The Bengali language was the only language they knew. There were some who knew a little bit of English or Hindi but most people were at heart a Bengali. Since this was their primary identity, it was not unusual for Hindu and Muslim women to stay together for SHG training or the staff to have lunch together cooked by a woman named Jahanara who looked like a Hindu married woman. In fact, I never asked her whether she was Hindu or Muslim, the question itself never arose. Local Bengalis have helped each other. It is their local pride, that their locality should not earn a bad name × Is the society fundamentally different today? There is no clear answer. There are stories of both Hindu and Muslim extremist organisations developing their strongholds in the region. However, my source, a former colleague, told me that the riot was engineered by outsiders and there are plenty of media reports available now to suggest that Hindus and Muslims have helped each other to bring Baduria back to normalcy. There is one small problem with such reporting. I will say local Bengalis have helped each other. It is their local pride, that their locality should not earn a bad name, that has motivated them to help each other. But we need ethnographers to spend more time there than journalists typically do to get a firm answer to the question.

Why do recent communal clashes in West Bengal surprise me

west-bengal

West Bengal, News on West Bengal, stories on West Bengal, articles on West Bengal, West Bengal stories at Wion, West Bengal news, West Bengal latest news

west bengal