Baby Chakraborty, KalimNews, June 9, 2025, Kolkata: With West Bengal heading toward Assembly elections next year, the All India Trinamool Congress (AITC) has begun early preparations for its annual July 21 Martyrs’ Day event. Recognized as a key moment on the party’s political calendar, this year’s observance carries added weight as it sets the stage for what could become the opening of a high-stakes electoral campaign.

Organized primarily by the student and youth wings of the party in consultation with senior leaders, Martyrs’ Day commemorates the death of 13 individuals during a political rally on July 21, 1993. Preparations this year have commenced earlier than usual. A key preparatory meeting is scheduled at the party’s Bhabanipur office next week, with invitations already extended to district presidents, chairpersons, and the core committees from Kolkata North and Birbhum organizational districts.

Every year, the program draws significant attention from across the state. Held at Dharmatala Square in Kolkata, the central gathering typically features prominent student and youth leaders, along with party supremo Mamata Banerjee and All India General Secretary and MP Abhishek Banerjee. The occasion is marked by political messages, organizational mobilization, and reaffirmation of the party’s political vision.

The origin of Martyrs’ Day dates back to July 21, 1993, when a protest march led by Mamata Banerjee—then a Youth Congress leader—demanded the mandatory use of photo voter ID cards in elections. The rally, organized against the backdrop of political unrest and internal conflict within the Congress party, was directed toward the Writers’ Building, the administrative headquarters of the West Bengal government. It culminated in a violent confrontation with law enforcement, resulting in the deaths of 13 individuals following police firing. The event had a profound impact on the political landscape of the state and played a crucial role in shaping Banerjee’s subsequent political trajectory.

Over the years, the narrative surrounding the 1993 incident has remained contentious. The official justification for the protest was electoral reform—specifically the implementation of voter ID cards, which falls under the purview of the Election Commission of India, not the state government. However, analysts and critics have long questioned the true intent of the rally, suggesting it may have stemmed more from intra-party rivalries within the Congress than from democratic demands.

Eyewitness accounts and later investigations revealed that parts of the crowd engaged in violence, vandalism, and arson. Security personnel were severely injured, and weapons including loaded pipe guns and bombs were recovered from the scene. Despite the widespread disruption and ensuing casualties, no senior leaders were ultimately held accountable after multiple inquiries. A commission led by retired Justice Sushanta Chatterjee—set up by the Trinamool Congress government after assuming power in 2011—did not attribute direct responsibility to the leadership of the then Left Front government or the police. Its report, submitted in 2014, controversially concluded that at least one of the deceased died from cirrhosis of the liver, not police action.

The political fallout from the incident was substantial. Mamata Banerjee, who had briefly held a ministerial role in the P.V. Narasimha Rao-led central government, went on to form the All India Trinamool Congress after distancing herself from the Congress party. Over time, July 21 became a symbolic cornerstone of her political movement. Every year since, the event has been commemorated as Martyrs’ Day, serving both as a remembrance and a rallying cry for party workers.

However, the legacy of the day continues to evoke debate. While the Trinamool Congress portrays the 13 deceased individuals as martyrs of a democratic cause, others contest this characterization due to the violence associated with the protest. Questions linger about the planning, intent, and aftermath of the demonstration. The fact that Manish Gupta, the then Home Secretary who authorized the police firing, later joined the Trinamool Congress and became a cabinet minister, adds another complex layer to the historical narrative.

As July 21, 2025, approaches, the Trinamool Congress seeks not only to honor the memory of the 1993 protest but also to galvanize its youth base and reaffirm its political direction in anticipation of the upcoming Assembly elections. With attention again turning to Dharmatala, the event is expected to serve as both a tribute and a strategic political platform in the shifting landscape of West Bengal politics.

Baby Chakraborty, KalimNews, Kolkata, June 8, 2025: The Calcutta High Court has directed Trinamool Congress state general secretary Kunal Ghosh to appear in person before a specially constituted three-judge bench on June 16 at 12:30 p.m. in connection with a contempt of court case arising from a controversial protest near the court premises.

The notice, served through Narkeldanga Police Station, clearly states that Ghosh must remain present in court until permitted to leave and must explain why punitive action, including imprisonment, should not be initiated against him. Legal experts have noted that failure to appear or provide a satisfactory explanation could result in immediate imprisonment from the courtroom, should the court find sufficient grounds under contempt laws.

The contempt proceedings stem from a protest held in April by a group of job aspirants for upper-primary teaching positions. The demonstrators staged their protest outside the chamber of CPI(M) Rajya Sabha MP and senior advocate Bikas Ranjan Bhattacharya, accusing him of legal actions that allegedly led to the cancellation of several school job appointments in West Bengal. During the protest, derogatory remarks were reportedly made against Justice Biswajit Basu, whose judicial observations in related cases had drawn public attention.

Taking suo motu cognisance of the matter, Chief Justice T.S. Sivagnanam of the Calcutta High Court ordered the Kolkata Police Commissioner Manoj Kumar Verma to investigate the incident and identify the individuals involved. A contempt case was subsequently initiated, and a special bench comprising Justices Arijit Banerjee, Sabyasachi Bhattacharya, and Rajarshi Bharadwaj was constituted to hear it.

Ghosh, along with six other individuals, had been directed to file reply affidavits. However, none of them complied within the stipulated timeframe, prompting the court to issue contempt rules against all seven. Ghosh has now officially received the rule notice.

Ghosh’s legal counsel, Biswaroop Bhattacharya and Ayan Chakraborty, have stated that their client was not present during the protest in question. They added that while their affidavit is ready, the recent submission of a police report compelled them to delay filing it, as they wish to reference the report in their submission.

This case adds to a growing list of contempt matters being closely monitored by the judiciary. Recently, the Calcutta High Court ordered a four-day jail term for an advocate for making slanderous remarks against a judge—setting a precedent that highlights the court’s zero-tolerance approach to acts undermining judicial dignity.

As of now, the court awaits Kunal Ghosh’s appearance and explanation on June 16, which could prove pivotal in determining the next legal course of action.

Baby Chakraborty, KalimNews, June 8, 2025, Kolkata: The newly inaugurated Jagannath Temple in Digha has emerged as a point of political contention in West Bengal ahead of the 2026 elections. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee recently announced that offerings—referred to as “prasad”—from the Digha temple would be distributed to households across the state starting June 17. The initiative is being carried out through the state’s ‘Duare Ration’ (door-to-door ration) scheme, with arrangements being coordinated by Block Development Officers (BDOs) and Sub-Divisional Officers (SDOs). Sweet shops in each locality have been contacted to prepare the boxes, which will include traditional Bengali sweets like pera and gaja, along with images of the temple.

This announcement has triggered a sharp reaction from Leader of the Opposition Suvendu Adhikari, who has questioned the authenticity of the offerings being described as prasad. Speaking to the media on Friday, Adhikari alleged that the state government is misrepresenting locally sourced sweets as temple prasad, thereby hurting the sentiments of Hindu devotees. He stated that although Rs 20 per box has been allocated for the initiative, the content does not originate from the temple, calling it “demeaning to Hindu dharma.” He urged people to treat the contents as ordinary sweets and not as religious offerings.

In response to the criticism, the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) has defended the initiative. State Information and Culture Minister Indranil Sen refuted Adhikari’s claims, asserting that the prasad will indeed be sourced from the Jagannath Temple and distributed with proper religious consideration. Sen emphasized that the program is intended to allow access to temple offerings for those unable to travel to Digha. He accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of politicizing a community outreach effort and undermining the Chief Minister’s inclusive development initiatives, including her contributions to other religious sites like Dakshineswar, Kalighat, and Kankalitala.

Sen further claimed that the BJP’s criticism is a deliberate attempt to downplay the state government’s work. He reiterated that the Chief Minister’s intention was to provide a symbolic religious connection to all households, especially those who cannot personally visit the temple.

The Jagannath Temple in Digha, located in the Purba Medinipur district, was inaugurated by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee in May 2025. The temple, a significant new religious site in Bengal, has quickly become a focal point in the evolving political narrative of the state.

Baby Chakraborty, KalimNews, Kolkata, June 3, 2025 : Recent events within the Trinamool Congress (TMC) suggest that the party is grappling with internal tensions and public controversies involving some of its most prominent figures. Speculation is growing about the party leadership’s efforts to recalibrate its strategy, particularly regarding controversial figures such as Anubrata Mondal, whose influence within the party may be slowly waning.

Abhishek Banerjee, a central figure in the TMC, is expected to make a final decision about Mondal’s future within the party upon his return from an international trip. In the meantime, the party has swiftly moved to address other tensions, notably by suspending Bikramjit Shaw, a close ally of Mondal and the state president of Trinamool Chhatra Parishad (TMCP), following a violent incident that went viral on social media.

The incident, which took place in Birbhum’s Belagam, saw Bikramjit attack Bolpur IC Liton Halder during a live-streamed broadcast. Although the video was later deleted, it rapidly spread through local and regional political circles, causing significant public backlash. In response, the TMC issued a suspension letter on Sunday, with Trinamool Chhatra Parishad (TMCP) state president Trinankur Bhattacharya confirming that Bikramjit Shaw would be suspended for six years from his role in the student wing. This swift action appears to be part of the party’s efforts to contain the damage and preserve its public image.

In the viral video, Bikramjit is heard making a series of inflammatory statements, accusing Liton Halder of corruption and even implying that Halder was planning to transfer his assets to Anubrata Mondal. The video’s inflammatory content, which included threats directed at Halder and his family, further fueled tensions within the party and the region.

The TMC’s response to the incident was immediate and decisive. Bhattacharya condemned Bikramjit’s actions as “unacceptable,” emphasizing that such behavior did not align with the party’s values. Although the video was deleted and the suspension handed down, the internal conflict remains a focal point within the party, raising questions about the influence of figures like Mondal and the potential power struggle within the TMC ranks.

Meanwhile, Anubrata Mondal himself continues to make headlines for his refusal to comply with police summons. Despite being summoned by the Bolpur SDPO on Saturday and Sunday, Mondal failed to appear both times. Instead, his lawyer presented a medical report explaining Mondal’s absence, stating that he had been advised bed rest for five days. Mondal’s supporters are now suggesting that he is the victim of a conspiracy, a narrative that his lawyer, Bipad Taran Bhattacharya, reiterated in an interview with the media.

Bhattacharya, while unwilling to elaborate on the details, insisted that Mondal’s case would be resolved through the legal system. He also expressed confidence in the law, judiciary, and administration, although he refrained from commenting further, citing the ongoing investigation.

Complicating matters, local TMC leader Debabrata Sarkar fueled rumors of a conspiracy, suggesting that artificial intelligence (AI) had been used to doctor an audio tape that allegedly captured Mondal’s conversation with Liton Halder. Sarkar’s comments were vague, but they seem to signal a coordinated effort to downplay the allegations against Mondal and shift the narrative to one of victimhood.

This chain of events has left the Trinamool Congress in a precarious position. With both Mondal and Shaw under intense scrutiny, the leadership must navigate a complex internal landscape. The suspension of Shaw and the ongoing controversy surrounding Mondal’s legal issues suggest that the party is facing challenges in controlling its own members and handling public relations effectively.

As the situation develops, it remains unclear whether these actions will lead to further fissures within the party or whether they will serve to reinforce the TMC’s resolve to manage its leadership more tightly. Whatever the outcome, the unfolding drama is likely to have lasting implications for the Trinamool Congress and its position in Bengal’s volatile political arena.

Baby Chakraborty, KalimNews, June 2, 2025, Kolkata: Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s ongoing visit to West Bengal is not limited to political engagements; it also includes key government programs and strategic administrative discussions. During this state visit, a high-level meeting is scheduled in Kolkata today to address pressing issues concerning law and order, border security, and the implementation of the newly codified Indian Penal Code (Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita).

According to official sources, the meeting will take place at a location near the Eastern Metropolitan Bypass around noon and will be chaired by the Union Home Secretary. Senior officials from the state, including the Chief Secretary, the Home Secretary, and the Director General of Police, are expected to be present. The agenda will focus primarily on enhancing border area security, resolving land-related challenges connected to the installation of border fencing, and outlining a structured plan for the rollout of the new legal code across the state.

The Union Home Department is set to present a detailed PowerPoint presentation to the state officials, highlighting the areas that require further administrative attention and intervention. This interaction forms a part of a coordinated effort to align central and state mechanisms for effective governance and security management.

The Union Home Secretary arrived in Kolkata ahead of the meeting to oversee preparations. Home Minister Amit Shah landed at Kolkata airport around 10 p.m. on Saturday. He was welcomed by a large group of BJP supporters and leaders at the airport. Amid cheering crowds, he acknowledged his supporters by halting his motorcade and waving to them. State BJP President Sukanta Majumdar accompanied him on the same flight, and they were later joined by Leader of the Opposition Suvendu Adhikari during their onward journey from the airport.