Saturday, March 21

West Bengal

Private Video of Bengali Influencers Sonali and Sofik SK Leaked, Sparks Online Debate
State, West Bengal

Private Video of Bengali Influencers Sonali and Sofik SK Leaked, Sparks Online Debate

Kolkata: A private video featuring Bengali content creators Sofik SK and his girlfriend Dustu Sonali has recently leaked online, generating widespread attention on social media. The 19-minute clip, showing the couple in a private setting, has raised curiosity among netizens about the influencers and their work. Who are the influencers?Dustu Sonali, based in Kolkata, is a social media personality with around 4 lakh Instagram followers. She frequently appears in videos alongside Sofik SK and describes herself as an actor in her bio. Sofik SK is a popular content creator running the “Palli Gram TV” YouTube channel, which produces comedy skits and the widely-followed series “Sofik Ki Chalaki.” Both creators have a strong following in small towns and rural areas in West Bengal. Details of...
BJP Compares Mamata Banerjee to Hitler Ahead of West Bengal Elections
Politics, State, West Bengal

BJP Compares Mamata Banerjee to Hitler Ahead of West Bengal Elections

Kolkata: In a major political attack ahead of the West Bengal Assembly elections, the BJP has compared Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee to German dictator Adolf Hitler. The West Bengal BJP shared a post on social media platform X, calling both “the same” and stating, “The dictator is scared.” The attack comes shortly after the appointment of Bihar minister Nitin Nabin as the new executive president of the party, signaling BJP’s intensified focus on the upcoming state polls. The post highlights growing tension between the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) and the BJP, as elections are expected in March-April, leaving just two to three months for campaigning. Voter List Controversy Adds Fuel to FireThe BJP’s criticism comes at a time when the Election Commission is set to release the draft...
At 45, Nitin Nabin Becomes BJP’s Youngest National Working President, Faces Veteran Leaders Ahead of 2026 Elections
Politics, State, West Bengal

At 45, Nitin Nabin Becomes BJP’s Youngest National Working President, Faces Veteran Leaders Ahead of 2026 Elections

Kolkata, 15 Dec 2025: Politics may value experience, but age is no barrier. Nitin Nabin, 45, has been appointed as the National Working President of the BJP, making him the party’s youngest national leader. In the upcoming 2026 elections, he will face seasoned veterans like Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, who is 83 years old. The age gap between the BJP and Congress presidents stands at 38 years. Why BJP Chose Nitin NabinNitin Nabin, a five-time legislator and minister in the Bihar government, is considered one of the brightest young faces in the party. Compared to other state-level leaders in Bihar—such as RJD’s Tejashwi Yadav (36) or JDU’s 74-year-old national president—Nabin brings youthful energy and organizational skills. Political analysts note that despite BJP’s strong per...
Chaos at Lionel Messi Event in Kolkata: Chief Organizer Arrested, Ticket Refunds Ordered After Massive Mismanagement
State, West Bengal

Chaos at Lionel Messi Event in Kolkata: Chief Organizer Arrested, Ticket Refunds Ordered After Massive Mismanagement

In the wake of unprecedented chaos during a football event featuring global icon Lionel Messi at Salt Lake Stadium, Kolkata Police have arrested the chief organizer, Shatadru Dutta, holding him responsible for large-scale mismanagement that triggered violent scenes inside the venue. Authorities have also assured that spectators will receive refunds for their tickets. Dutta was arrested from Kolkata airport while he was there to see off Messi and other members of the visiting delegation, who were scheduled to depart for Hyderabad. The arrest followed widespread disorder during the event, which forced the Argentine World Cup–winning captain to leave the stadium much earlier than planned. West Bengal Director General of Police (DGP) Rajeev Kumar confirmed the arrest and said strict acti...
Fundraising Frenzy for Babri Masjid in West Bengal: Donations Flood In via Cash and UPI
State, West Bengal

Fundraising Frenzy for Babri Masjid in West Bengal: Donations Flood In via Cash and UPI

In Murshidabad district’s Beldanga, Muslims have opened their coffers to fund the construction of a Babri Masjid, following a donation appeal by suspended TMC MLA Humayun Kabir. On December 6, Kabir inaugurated the project with a ribbon-cutting ceremony and called for contributions, sparking an overwhelming response from donors across the state and the country. According to reports, 11 donation boxes placed in Beldanga quickly filled with cash. QR codes shared on social media also generated massive online donations, with Kabir confirming that as of Monday evening, contributions through UPI alone had crossed ₹2.47 crore. The cash collected in six boxes totaled approximately ₹57 lakh, and counting continued into Tuesday. Kabir estimated the total budget for the mosque construction at ₹...
Humayun Kabir’s Big Political Move: Alliance with Owaisi, Plan for New Party, and Ambition to Capture Bengal in 2026
Politics, State, West Bengal

Humayun Kabir’s Big Political Move: Alliance with Owaisi, Plan for New Party, and Ambition to Capture Bengal in 2026

Kolkata:With the 2026 West Bengal Assembly elections approaching, political activities in the state are gaining momentum. Trinamool Congress (TMC) MLA Humayun Kabir has stirred the political waters by announcing his willingness to forge an alliance with Asaduddin Owaisi’s All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM). While Kabir says he is already in touch with Akbaruddin Owaisi’s personal assistant, AIMIM has not officially responded yet. According to sources, AIMIM wants Kabir to join the party directly, but Kabir prefers a pre-poll alliance rather than merging himself with AIMIM. New Political Party to be Launched on December 22 Just a day after laying the foundation stone of a “Babri Masjid–style mosque” in Murshidabad’s Raninagar, Humayun Kabir signalled a major shift in hi...
Defying Government Ultimatum, Darjeeling Locals Build 140-Foot ‘Gorkhaland Bridge’ Through Community Fund Pool
Politics, State, West Bengal

Defying Government Ultimatum, Darjeeling Locals Build 140-Foot ‘Gorkhaland Bridge’ Through Community Fund Pool

Guwahati | December 8, 2025 — In a remarkable display of community resolve, residents of Darjeeling have constructed a 140-foot bridge entirely through local contributions and voluntary labour, bypassing government agencies and ignoring state-level restrictions. The newly built structure, connecting Tungsung Tea Estate to Dhotrey Valley, has been symbolically named the “Gorkhaland Bridge,” giving fresh momentum to long-standing regional sentiments. The bridge was inaugurated on Sunday and has quickly become a focal point of political conversation in the hills, especially ahead of the upcoming Bengal Assembly elections. Community-Built, No Government Aid Constructed over the Balason River, the bridge is the outcome of collective contributions by 29 local community organisations and...
Mamata Banerjee Alleges Amit Shah Behind Voter List Revision in Bengal
Politics, State, West Bengal

Mamata Banerjee Alleges Amit Shah Behind Voter List Revision in Bengal

Malda, West Bengal: Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has strongly criticized the BJP over the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of voter lists in West Bengal, accusing Union Home Minister Amit Shah of deliberately targeting voters to gain control over the state. CM Targets BJP and Amit ShahAddressing a massive rally against SIR in Gajol, Malda, Mamata Banerjee alleged that the saffron party miscalculated the pulse of Bengal and hastily pushed forward the voter list revision, which, she claimed, has created fear among ordinary citizens. The Chief Minister asserted that Amit Shah is using the SIR exercise as a political tool to harass voters and consolidate BJP’s influence in the state just ahead of the assembly elections. “She wants to control West Bengal at any cost,” Banerjee s...
Bengal Teachers’ Jobs Safe: Calcutta HC Sets Aside Single-Bench Order Canceling 32,000 Appointments
State, West Bengal

Bengal Teachers’ Jobs Safe: Calcutta HC Sets Aside Single-Bench Order Canceling 32,000 Appointments

Kolkata: In a major relief for primary school teachers in West Bengal, the Calcutta High Court has overturned a single-bench order that had canceled the appointments of 32,000 teachers. The decision was delivered by a division bench comprising Justices Tapabrata Chakraborty and Ritobrata Kumar Mitra. While the court acknowledged irregularities in some appointments, it ruled that these did not warrant the cancellation of all appointments. The bench noted that terminating jobs after nearly nine years of service would have severely impacted the teachers and their families. Expressing her satisfaction, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said the decision brings relief to the teachers and their families. “I am very happy that the teachers have received this relief,” she added. Background of t...
Mamata Banerjee Flays Ban on “Vande Mataram” and “Jai Hind” Slogans in Rajya Sabha
Politics, State, West Bengal

Mamata Banerjee Flays Ban on “Vande Mataram” and “Jai Hind” Slogans in Rajya Sabha

Kolkata: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has strongly criticized the decision to prohibit slogans such as “Jai Hind” and “Vande Mataram” in the Rajya Sabha. Speaking out against the move, the Trinamool Congress chief questioned the logic behind it, emphasizing the patriotic significance of these slogans. Addressing the issue, Mamata said, “Why shouldn’t we say it? ‘Jai Hind’ and ‘Vande Mataram’ are our national songs and slogans of freedom. ‘Jai Hind’ was also Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose’s slogan. Anyone who opposes them will face the consequences.” The Rajya Sabha bulletin instructed members not to use phrases such as “Thanks,” “Thank you,” “Jai Hind,” or “Vande Mataram” within the House. The notice also reminded MPs to refrain from criticizing the Chair’s decisions both i...