After West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee referred to the Maha Kumbh as "Mrityu Kumbh," Trimbakeshwar's Tantrapeethadhishwar Aniket Shastri Maharaj demanded a public apology from her for hurting the sentiments of Hindus. He also criticized her for not addressing the ongoing issues in her state. Banerjee's remarks have sparked widespread backlash, with many calling for her to apologize for her derogatory statements.
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee slammed the BJP-led Uttar Pradesh government for their poor planning and mismanagement at the Maha Kumbh, which she referred to as "Mrityu Kumbh". Banerjee also highlighted the lack of proper arrangements for the poor at the holy gathering and criticized the VIP culture. She also stressed the need for better planning and management at large religious gatherings to ensure public safety. The upcoming match between Gujarat Giants and Mumbai Indians in the WPL 2025 will see Giants hoping to capitalize on Mumbai's recent loss to Delhi Capitals.
In a fiery address during the ongoing budget session in the assembly, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee lashed out at the BJP-led Union government, raising issues such as the Mahakumbh stampede and the deportation of Indians from the US. She also spoke about the controversy surrounding the celebration of Saraswati Puja in a Kolkata college and presented evidence to counter BJP's claims. Banerjee accused the BJP of spreading false propaganda and said she would take up the matter with PM Modi.
With ongoing attacks on Hindus in Bangladesh, the debates on minority rights and communal harmony have resurfaced in West Bengal. The ruling Trinamool Congress and the Opposition Bharatiya Janata Party are using the situation to further their political agendas, highlighting the impact it has on the state's political landscape. Amidst calls for action from the central government and accusations of politicizing the issue by the Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, the vulnerable Hindu minority in Bangladesh continues to face violence and discrimination.
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has commented on the arrest of ISKCON saint Chinmoy Krishna Das Brahmachari in Bangladesh, stating that her party will stand with the central government's decision on the matter. The monk was taken into custody on several charges, including sedition, prompting protests from the Hindu community. His bail plea was rejected and he was sent to prison, triggering further demonstrations. The arrest is yet another attack on the minority community in Bangladesh, which has been facing violence since the fall of the Sheikh Hasina government.
Bengali film and theatre legend, Manoj Mitra, passed away at the age of 86 due to old-age related ailments. Known for his contributions to both the film and theatre world, Mitra was best known for his farces and fantasy plays that often addressed social and political issues. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee expressed her condolences and praised Mitra's immense contributions to the industry.
In a move to preserve and celebrate India's diverse cultural heritage, the Union Cabinet has approved the status of classical language to five Indian languages: Marathi, Pali, Prakrit, Assamese, and Bengali. This brings the total number of recognized classical languages to 11, with the government acknowledging their significance in preserving the country's rich history and tradition. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee both took to social media to express their delight at this decision, emphasizing the importance of promoting regional languages in India.
In a shift from previous years, the West Bengal government has decided to keep Teachers' Day celebrations to a minimum following the recent shocking rape and murder of a postgraduate student at RG Kar Hospital. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee will not be participating in festivities and the state education minister, Bratya Basu, will lead a small program. This decision may have been influenced by the ongoing protests over the horrific crime and the possibility of teachers joining in on demonstrations.
In the wake of the heinous RG Kar rape-murder case, Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee introduced the Aparajita Women and Child Bill in the state assembly. However, the bill's introduction was met with a heated exchange between the CM and Leader of Opposition Suvendu Adhikari. The bill proposes the establishment of a Special Task Force, a dedicated special court and investigation team, and has been named after the victim of the aforementioned case. CM Banerjee also called out the Prime Minister for not taking similar steps, suggesting his resignation.
The Bengal Health Department has suspended the principal of RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata, Sandip Ghosh, amid ongoing investigations into a recent rape and murder case. At the same time, the West Bengal Assembly unanimously passed a new anti-rape bill, proposed by CM Mamata Banerjee, which includes harsh punishments for rape convicts. However, BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari's proposed amendments to the bill were not accepted by the House.