Latest news with #YouthCongress
United News of India
3 days ago
- Politics
- United News of India
Bengal: Mamata launches statewide "Language Movement," warns of voter rights agitation
Kolkata, July 21 (UNI) West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee today announced the launch of a statewide "language movement" starting July 26, accusing the BJP-led central government and several states ruled by the saffron outfit of targeting the Bengali culture and identity. Her announcement came during the Trinamool Congress's (TMC) annual Martyrs' Day rally, which drew a massive crowd in Kolkata and carried deep emotional and political undertones. The 21 July Martyrs' Day rally is held annually by the TMC to commemorate 13 people killed allegedly by West Bengal Police during a 1993 protest by the Youth Congress against the erstwhile Left Front government of Bengal. Led by Mamata Banerjee, then state Youth Congress president, the protest — called "Writers' Chalo Abhiyan" — demanded that voter ID cards be the sole proof for voting to curb purported widespread electoral fraud, referred to as "scientific rigging" by the opposition parties and a section of the media. Addressing the gathering, Banerjee alleged that a "systematic attack" is underway on Bengali identity, with reports of Bengali-speaking individuals being harassed and even arrested in states like Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, and Rajasthan - all ruled by the BJP. 'Over a thousand people have been jailed just for speaking in Bengali,' Banerjee said, citing a controversial circular that she claims allows authorities to detain suspects for up to a month. 'They're afraid of Bengal's intellect and legacy,' she said passionately, invoking the state's cultural icons like Rabindranath Tagore and Kazi Nazrul Islam. 'This is the land where the National Anthem was born. Why are you afraid of our language?' Banerjee called for weekly street protests every Saturday and Sunday until the next assembly elections scheduled for mid next year, urging citizens to stand up against linguistic and cultural discrimination. She also vowed to escalate the movement to the national level if needed. 'I ask everyone to go home and prepare for a larger language movement,' Banerjee said. 'There should be street protests against the continuous attacks on the Bengali language.' Intensifying her criticism of the BJP, the TMC supremo claimed Bengalis are facing cultural and linguistic discrimination in other states. 'They say you can't speak in Bengali. They want to control what people eat — fish, meat, eggs. A BJP leader even claimed that 17 lakh Rohingyas live in Bengal. In Myanmar, there are only 10 lakh Rohingyas. From where 17 lakh Rohingyas will come? ' she asked. Responding, Banerjee accused the BJP of using such claims to delete the names of Bengali voters from electoral rolls in Maharashtra, Bihar, and "possibly Bengal next". She also alleged the Centre was withholding funds and discontinuing central welfare schemes as part of a "broader attempt to hinder" the state's development. However, she emphasised that despite the bottlenecks, her government has continued to provide housing, improve infrastructure, and support all communities without waiting for central assistance The Chief Minister's speech also took aim at the Election Commission of India (ECI), which she accused of acting under political pressure in allegedly deleting Bengali names from electoral rolls. 'They are deleting names in Bihar. In Gujarat, they are striking out names of Bengali-speaking people. For every Bengali name, four outsiders are being added. This is nothing short of a 'super emergency,'' she said. Referring to the ECI's Special Intensive Revision (SIR) drive, Banerjee warned, 'If even one voter from Bengal is removed, we will hit the streets. We will go to Delhi, and if necessary, gherao the Election Commission.' She compared the voter deletion efforts to an NRC-like exercise, claiming that minorities and Bengali-speaking people are being selectively targeted. These warnings follow Prime Minister Narendra Modi's recent comments in Durgapur, where he accused the TMC of protecting infiltrators through a "fake documentation ecosystem." 'This isn't just a national security threat — it's a betrayal of Bengal's culture,' Modi had said, assuring that non-citizens would face legal consequences. In response, Banerjee accused the BJP of using national security as a pretext to disenfranchise legitimate Bengali voters. Adding a poignant layer to the rally, Banerjee paid emotional tribute to two Bengalis recently killed in terror-related incidents in Jammu and Kashmir — Bitan Adhikari, a TCS engineer and civilian victim of the Pahalgam attack, and Havildar Jhantu Ali Sheikh of the Indian Army's elite 6 Para Special Forces, martyred in Udhampur. Their families present on stage were embraced by Banerjee, who emphasised the state's respect for their sacrifice. The Chief Minister used the moment to underline the emotional and political stakes of her campaign. As the 2026 West Bengal Assembly elections draw near, Banerjee's rallying cry signals a combative phase in state politics, with the TMC gearing up for a sustained campaign around language, identity, and democratic rights. UNI XC SSP
Indian Express
3 days ago
- Politics
- Indian Express
Why Mamata's Martyrs' Day rally is key to TMC roadmap
On July 21 every year, the Trinamool Congress (TMC) and its chief Mamata Banerjee mark 'Shaheed Diwas' (Martyrs' Day), holding a mega rally in the heart of Kolkata, which outlines their roadmap for the coming months. This time, while addressing the Martyrs' Day rally Monday, Banerjee, the West Bengal Chief Minister, has set the tone for the Assembly polls slated for early 2026. She accused the BJP of allegedly unleashing 'linguistic terrorism' against Bengalis, asserting that the fight for identity and language will continue till the BJP is defeated. 'There will be a language movement against the BJP's terrorism on the Bengali language… From July 27, the language movement will start in West Bengal in protest against attacks on Bengalis,' Banerjee thundered before a massive gathering at the rally venue in central Kolkata. 'We have to win more seats in the 2026 Assembly polls, and then march to Delhi to defeat the BJP,' the CM said. On July 21, 1993, the Bengal Youth Congress, led by Mamata Banerjee who was then with the Congress, organised a 'Writers' Abhijaan' (march to Writers' Building, a colonial building that was the seat of the state secretariat) with the demand to make voter ID cards mandatory for voting. The Congress raised this demand to put an end to the alleged rigging of polls by the then CPM-led Left Front government. Veteran TMC MP Saugata Roy, who participated in that 1993 march, recalled that thousands of Youth Congress workers gathered at five different points in Kolkata before starting the march towards Writers' Building. But Jyoti Basu, the CM at the time, had announced that he would not allow the Youth Congress workers to lay siege on the state secretariat – and the government imposed prohibitory orders to quell the demonstration. As one of the Youth Congress processions approached the Writers' Building from the Mayo Road area, the police stopped it and a scuffle broke out. A few of the protesters started throwing stones and the police responded with a baton charge. As the protest kept gaining momentum, the police, afraid they would be outnumbered, opened fire and killed 13 Youth Congress workers. 'Since July 21, 1994, the first anniversary of the deadly clash, Mamata Banerjee has held an annual rally in central Kolkata to commemorate the 13 young men killed on July 21, 1993. Since the formation of the Trinamool Congress on January 1, 1998, the July 21 rally has been the biggest day in the annual calendar of the party,' political scientist Sumantra Bose wrote in his book Transforming India: Challenges to the World's Largest Democracy. In her memoir, My Unforgettable Memories, Banerjee writes that 'all of us were bashed up black and blue'. 'I took most of the blows on my abdomen and around the waist. It was so bad that I had to go in for surgery and all through 1994–95 I used to ride in Bappan's Ambassador because I had to wear an orthopaedic belt,' she wrote. 'It is the day when we remember and offer our respect to the hundreds of people who are fighting death every day, whose lives are a living death, who have lost life and limb in this struggle. For us, it is a day of sorrow and shame. It is a day all of us come together so we started organising district conventions with Trinamool workers,' Banerjee added.
News18
3 days ago
- Politics
- News18
Kerala govt to conduct emergency safety audit in schools
Agency: PTI Palakkad (Kerala), Jul 21 (PTI) The Kerala government on Monday announced that it would conduct an emergency safety audit in state-run schools, considering the safety of the children and institutions. The move comes after a portion of a roof collapsed in a government school in Alappuzha on July 20 and a 13-year-old boy died after suffering an electric shock on his school premises in Kollam on July 17. Kerala General Education Minister V Sivankutty said a team of officials from the education department will visit each school and take stock of the situation and facilities there from July 25 to 31. The initiative would be implemented in a time-bound manner, he told reporters here. A meeting of higher officials of the education department would be conducted in Thiruvananthapuram on Tuesday ahead of the audit, he said. Designated officials should conduct checks in each institution during working hours, and a seven-member district-level official group would monitor things in this regard. A state-level safety audit steering committee would be held on August 12 as part of the programme, the minister added. Sivankutty further said that steps have already been taken to shift the classes of the Karthikappally Government UPS School in Alappuzha, where a portion of the roof collapsed on July 21, to a newly constructed building. The roof and tiles of an unfit building, located in front of the school, had collapsed, he said, adding that the headmaster had informed senior officials that classes were not being held there. A building worth Rs one crore has been completed using KIIFB funds, and the school headmaster has been instructed to shift classes to the new building on Tuesday itself, the minister added. A portion of the roof of the government upper primary school at Karthikappally collapsed on Sunday following heavy rains. No injuries were reported as the incident occurred on a holiday. Though the school authorities said no classes were being conducted in the specific building, parents of students told reporters that classes were going on in the building where the portion of the roof collapsed. The school is reportedly more than 150 years old. More than 1,000 students are studying in the school, sources said. Meanwhile, activists of the Youth Congress and the ruling CPI(M) clashed with each other at the school on Monday. The violence erupted when a protest carried out by the YC activists, over the roof collapse, at the school was blocked by the Left workers. Sivankutty strongly condemned the incident and accused the Youth Congress of unleashing violence inside the school. Mithun, a student at Thevalakkara Boys High School, died after coming into contact with a live electric wire on the school premises in Kollam. The incident occurred when he reportedly tried to retrieve a slipper that had fallen on top of the cycle shed adjacent to the school building, police said. A low-hanging electric wire was nearby, and Mithun was electrocuted while trying to retrieve his slipper. PTI LGK KH view comments First Published: July 21, 2025, 16:30 IST Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Indian Express
3 days ago
- Politics
- Indian Express
Traffic ‘maintained very well,' Calcutta HC praises Kolkata police on Shaheed Diwas rally day
The Calcutta High Court on Monday was all praises for the way the Kolkata Police managed traffic on the day of the Shaheed Diwas rally by the Trinamool Congress, when lakhs of people had come from all over the state. Justice Tirthankar Ghosh observed, 'The roads have been maintained very well. I always say that I have full faith in the Kolkata police,' while giving the police a certificate. A lawyer from New Alipore agreed, claiming that he had reached the court from his residence at the same time as on other days in his car. At the same time, the Justice expressed his disappointment on seeing the absence of lawyers in the courtroom. On Monday, the Bar Association had appealed to the Chief Justice not to give any verdict in a case if one of the parties does not appear. Referring to that issue, the Justice observed, 'The court's work cannot proceed like this. I do not believe that the road conditions are not such today that we cannot reach the court by 10:30 am. You are spoiling the work atmosphere.' The court on Friday had directed that all processions heading to the TMC's rally at Central Kolkata's Dharmatala on July 21 must reach the venue by 8 am or after 11 am to ensure the smooth flow of traffic through Central Kolkata during rush hours. 'From 9 am to 11 am, the police authorities would ensure that there is no traffic congestion through the routes which lead to the High Court at Calcutta or within a fringe of 5 km where offices are situated at the Central Kolkata… Commissioner of Police, Kolkata would ensure that deployment of police force be adequately maintained to ensure smooth traffic movement,' said the court's order. Justice Tirthankar Ghosh, on Thursday in a verbal observation, had urged the TMC to choose a different venue for the Martyrs' Day rally from next year, such as Shahid Minar, the Brigade Parade Ground, or the Salt Lake Stadium. The court had been hearing a petition filed by a group of lawyers alleging potential inconvenience to commuters due to the rally. The annual Shaheed Diwas or Martyrs' Day rally commemorates the death of 13 Youth Congress workers in 1993 after the police resorted to lathi-charge and opened fire at protesters, demanding that voter ID be made the sole document required for voting. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, then a leader of the Youth Congress, was leading the protest demonstration.
Indian Express
4 days ago
- Politics
- Indian Express
Kolkata braces for Shahid Diwas traffic curbs amid high court directives
The Kolkata Police have decided to implement a slew of traffic measures in the central part of the city on Monday in view of the ruling Trinamool Congress's Shahid Diwas program. Besides, in a recent order, the Calcutta High Court has mandated that processions related to the annual TMC rally in Dharmatala be permitted only before 8 am and after 11 am. The three-hour window, from 8 am to 11 am, the court observed, was critical for maintaining the traffic flow in Kolkata. Kolkata Police Commissioner (CP) Manoj Verma, after reviewing arrangements on Saturday, affirmed the force's commitment to fulfilling the high court's directives. 'The preparations for the Martyrs' Day rally are in the final stages. We will ensure that the Calcutta High Court's orders are complied with. All the officers have been informed in this regard. We will deploy extra police officers and civic volunteers to ensure smooth traffic movement,' CP Verma said. He also launched three helplines – 1073, 9830811111, and 9830010000 – for the assistance of the public on rally day. 'July 21st is an emotion; people go there out of emotion. We have full respect for the high court, the police will take care of the traffic, but on July 21st, people come voluntarily and feel emotional about it,' said TMC Spokesperson Kunal Ghosh. The police released a notification outlining extensive traffic restrictions for passenger vehicles from 4 am to 9 pm on July 21. These include: No goods vehicles will be permitted to enter the city from 3 am to 8 pm on July 21. Exceptions have been made for vehicles carrying essential goods such as LPG gas cylinders, fish, and meat. Parking will be strictly prohibited in several important areas and streets, including those adjacent to the Victoria Memorial (Hastings Crossing, Cathedral Road, Hospital Road, Lovers Lane, Casuarina Avenue). Trams and other vehicles will not be allowed to park on roads along the procession routes towards Dharmatala. The police may temporarily direct vehicles to alternate routes, including diverting major road traffic to smaller roads, based on real-time assessments. Given that Monday, July 21, is the first working day of the week, the police have advised commuters to anticipate significant diversions and delays. The Kolkata Metro has been recommended as the most reliable travel option to avoid road congestion. The annual Shahid Diwas rally commemorates the death of Youth Congress workers in police firing in 1993. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, then a leader of the Youth Congress, was leading the demonstration at the time of the incident.
