Page 19 - West Bengal

'Waqf won't be implemented in Bengal': Mamata amid clashes in Murshidabad

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee appealed for calm during her visit to Murshidabad

Waqf (Amendment) Act will not be implemented in West Bengal: Mamata

The Waqf (Amendment) Act will not be implemented in West Bengal, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said on Saturday amid violent protests in the state. Banerjee said the law was made by the Centre and answers should be sought from it. "My sincere appeal to people of all religions, please remain calm, remain restrained. Do not engage in any irreligious behaviour in the name of religion. Every human life is precious; do not incite riots for the sake of politics. Those who are inciting riots are harming society," she said in a post on X. Several vehicles, including police vans, were set on fire, stones were hurled at security forces, and roads were blocked as violence rocked Malda, Murshidabad, South 24 Parganas and Hooghly districts during protests over the new legislation on Friday. "Remember, we did not make the law over which many are agitated. The law was made by the central government. So the answer you want should be sought from the central government," the CM said. "We have made

Mamata trying to create Bangladesh by threatening Hindus: Sukanta Majumdar

When asked about the situation in violence-hit districts, including Murshidabad, Majumdar alleged that the situation was "grave" and the houses were being "looted"

Over 110 held in Murshidabad over Waqf Act violence, says Bengal Police

Over 110 people were arrested in connection with the violence that broke out in the Muslim-dominated Murshidabad district of West Bengal during a protest over the Waqf (Amendment) Act, police said on Saturday. Several vehicles, including police vans, were set on fire, stones were hurled at security forces, and roads were blocked as violence rocked Malda, Murshidabad, South 24 Parganas and Hooghly districts over the new legislation on Friday. Raids were underway in all these districts, with over 110 arrested in Murshidabad, police said. "About 70 people were arrested from Suti, and 41 people from Samserganj in connection with the violence," a police officer said. The situation in these violence-hit places remained tense on Saturday morning, but no untoward incident was reported, officials said. In the worst-hit Murshidabad district, prohibitory orders have been imposed and internet services suspended in places that saw violence, they said. "Patrolling in Suti and Samserganj areas

Suvendu Adhikari demands central forces deployment amid violence in Bengal

Adhikari noted that the state administration has sought BSF deployment in Murshidabad to control the situation

Violent protests against Waqf Act in Bengal leave 10 policemen injured

Protests against the Waqf Act rocked parts of West Bengal on Friday, as agitators set ablaze vehicles, disrupted vehicular and rail movement, with a few policemen suffering injuries while trying to control the mob, officials said. The demonstrations took a violent turn in Suti in Murshidabad district when the protesters assembled despite prohibitory orders and blocked roads, hurled stones at security personnel, torched police vans and public buses during processions, they said. According to a senior police officer, trouble started when Muslims gathered after Friday prayers and staged protests against the Waqf Act, blocking a stretch of National Highway-12 from Dakbanglo More in Shamsherganj to Sutir Sajur More. "The protests turned violent after the agitators hurled stones at a police van, resulting in a clash in which around 10 policemen were injured," he said. Police had to lathi-charge to bring the unruly mob under control, and later use tear gas shells when some protesters thre

Can post OMR sheets of 22 lakh candidates after legal advice: WB minister

The West Bengal School Service Commission (SSC) is ready to publish the digital mirror images of Optical Mark Recognition (OMR) sheets of all 22 lakh candidates who appeared for the 2016 exams with appropriate legal advice, state Education Minister Bratya Basu said on Friday. The Supreme Court court had on April 3 upheld a 2024 Calcutta High Court judgment annulling the recruitment of 25,753 teaching and non-teaching staff appointed through the 2016 SSC recruitment drive, terming the entire selection process vitiated and tainted. Emerging from a meeting with agitating teachers and non-teaching staff, Basu said the state government was hopeful of publishing the list within two weeks. Basu said although the SSC does not retain its own digital images of the OMR sheets in question, it does possess copies of those sheets retrieved by the CBI during its course of investigation, and which the agency later shared with the commission. Since the matter concerns a judgment of the Supreme Cour

Teachers who lost jobs begin march in Bengal, demand release of OMR sheets

Thousands of teachers, who lost their jobs following a Supreme Court verdict that invalidated their appointments, began a march from Karunamoyee in Salt Lake to the West Bengal School Service Commission (SSC) Bhawan on Friday demanding the release of their Optical Mark Recognition (OMR) sheets to identify the genuine candidates. Carrying placards demanding reinstatement, the protesters were joined by members of various civil society organisations in a show of solidarity. "SSC should release the copies of the OMR sheets to help segregate the eligible teachers," a demonstrator said. They claimed that the police officer accused of kicking teachers during a previous protest at the DI office in Kasba has now been assigned to investigate the cases registered against them. "What can we expect from such a probe? In no civilised society does an accused investigate the victims," a protester remarked. A large police contingent, including personnel from the Rapid Action Force, was deployed to

Guv has no authority to summon officers to discuss Bills: Bengal minister

West Bengal's Parliamentary Affairs Minister Sovandeb Chattopadhyay said the governor does not have any authority to summon officers to discuss pending Bills. Chattopadhyay's statement on Thursday came after Governor C V Ananda Bose said he has sought meetings with officers of different departments before approving some Bills that are pending with him. "The Constitution clearly states that the governor does not have the power to indefinitely hold back Bills. If there are legal concerns with a Bill, the governor may write to the government. But nowhere does the Constitution say he can summon officials or hold discussions. I have read the Constitution many times," the minister said. Following a Supreme Court verdict on the matter, Speaker Biman Banerjee said 23 Bills passed by the West Bengal Assembly since 2016 have not received the governor's assent. In a major victory for the DMK-led Tamil Nadu government, the apex court on Tuesday cleared 10 Bills that were stalled and reserved b

Sacked teachers start relay hunger strike over job loss, police action

A section of teachers who lost their jobs following a Supreme Court judgment which held that the whole appointment process was tainted, on Thursday announced a relay hunger strike in protest over the issue. The teachers and other staff who lost their jobs said that they were also protesting police action against their compatriots at the district inspector (DI) of school's office at Kasba in south Kolkata on Wednesday. "We started a relay hunger strike agitation with one teacher at the beginning and will soon chalk out further programme to protest the issue," one of the protesters told reporters outside the West Bengal School Service Commission (SSC) office at Salt Lake here. The agitating teachers have been holding a sit-in outside the SSC office building 'Acharya Sadan' since Wednesday night to protest the loss of jobs and police action against their compatriots. The protesters alleged they were subjected to baton-charge and were even kicked and shoved around by law enforcement ..

22 held over violence during protests against Waqf Act in WB's Murshidabad

The official further said that the situation remains under control even though stone pelting occurred

PM Modi pays tribute to Lord Mahavir, hails message of non-violence

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday paid tributes to Mahavir, the 24th and last 'tirthankar' in the Jain religion, on his birth anniversary, saying his ideals give strength to countless people all around the world. Modi said his government will always work to fulfil the vision of the reverted holy figure. He noted that the government last year conferred the status of classical language on Prakrit, a decision which received a lot of appreciation. He said, "We all bow to Bhagwan Mahavir, who always emphasised on non-violence, truth and compassion. His ideals give strength to countless people all around the world." "His teachings have been beautifully preserved and popularised by the Jain community. Inspired by Bhagwan Mahavir, they have excelled in different walks of life and contributed to societal well-being," he added.

West Bengal govt to seek SC review after annulling 25,000 teacher jobs

West Bengal Chief Secretary Manoj Pant on Wednesday urged teachers to continue working in their respective schools to ensure that the state's education system does not collapse and asserted that the government would soon file a review petition in the Supreme Court in the context of its order annulling over 25,000 jobs last week. Referring to clashes between police and teachers outside the District Inspector (DI) of Schools' office at Kasba here, Pant appealed to the educators not to get involved in confrontations so that their plan to legally resolve the impasse does not get affected. "It has come to our notice that teachers were seen attending schools and interacting with students. I would like to congratulate them. I will appeal to them not to get involved in anything that would affect the steps we are planning to take. I would like to assure them that the government is trying to find a solution to the problem legally," Pant added. "We have already filed a clarificatory petition i

A string of airports in Gangetic plains aims to change the face of travel

These airports in Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and West Bengal could also provide logistics services and help bring down notoriously high freight charges out of these states

22 held for violence over Waqf Act in Murshidabad; security tightened

Twenty-two people were arrested in connection with the violence in the Muslim-dominated Murshidabad district of West Bengal during a demonstration against the Waqf (Amendment) Act, police said on Wednesday. The situation has been peaceful with a huge contingent of police maintaining a strict vigil on the sensitive areas, especially in and around Jangipur, which was rocked by the violence on Tuesday, they said. "The situation is calm, peaceful and under control. Not a single untoward incident was reported from anywhere in the district. Prohibitory orders would continue to remain in force till 6 pm on April 10. Internet would also remain suspended till 6 pm on April 11," a senior police officer said. Prohibitory orders were clamped in and around Raghunathganj and Suti police station areas following the violence. Stones were hurled targeting the police, and vehicles of the force were set on fire by a mob that blocked the NH-12, demanding the withdrawal of the legislation. "Since Tues

Mamata Banerjee says Waqf Amendment Act will not be implemented in Bengal

Speaking at a programme organised by the Jain community in Kolkata, CM Mamata Banerjee said she would always stand by the minority communities and protect their rights

BJP slams Mamata for 'vote bank politics' over Murshidabad Waqf protest

Reportedly, during the protest against the controversial Waqf Amendment Act in Murshidabad, violence broke out on Tuesday

Waqf row: Police vehicles torched, stones hurled during protest in Bengal

Stones were allegedly hurled at the police and their vehicles were set on fire during a protest over the Waqf (Amendment) Act in the Muslim-dominated Murshidabad district of West Bengal on Tuesday, officials said. The incident happened in the Jangipur area where a large number of people gathered in the afternoon to demand the withdrawal of the Act. "The protestors hurled stones at the police who were deployed in the area, following which some police vehicles were set on fire," a senior district police officer said. Security has been strengthened in the area following the incident, he said. The Waqf (Amendment) Bill was passed by the Lok Sabha on Thursday, and by the Rajya Sabha in the early hours of Friday after marathon debates in both Houses of Parliament. President Droupadi Murmu gave her assent to the bill on Saturday. The Act aims to streamline the management of Waqf properties (assets permanently donated by Muslims for religious or charitable purposes) with provisions to ..

Rahul Gandhi urges President Murmu to protect jobs of sacked WB teachers

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi drew attention of President Droupadi Murmu to the plight of the teachers who were selected through 'fair means'

Supreme Court stays HC order for CBI probe into Bengal SSC jobs case

The Supreme Court's stay gives interim relief to the West Bengal government, which was under scrutiny over alleged irregularities in the appointment of staff through the SSC recruitment process