West Bengal is a state situated in eastern India and shares its borders with Jharkhand, Bihar, Assam, Odisha, Sikkim and the Bay of Bengal washes its southern frontiers. Bengal also shares international borders with Nepal, Bangladesh and Bhutan.
The state capital is Kolkata and Asansol, Siliguri, Durgapur, Howrah, Baharampur, Jalpaiguri are some of the other major cities in the state. It is the fourth-largest state in population and the fourteenth-largest state by area in India. Bengali is the main language of the state and is spoken by the majority of the population. Other languages include Hindi, Santali, Urdu and Nepali (largely spoken in the Darjeeling area).
The state is the largest producer of rice in the country and is the second-largest tea-producing state. West Bengal is also a major producer of fish.
The main river in West Bengal is the Ganga, which further divides into two branches. Other rivers to flow through Bengal are the Hooghly, Bhagirathi, Teesta, Torsa, Mahananda, Kangsabati. The state also includes the Darjeeling Himalayan hill region which is home to the globally acclaimed Darjeeling tea variety. The main seasons witnessed by the state are summer, monsoon, short autumn and winter.
West Bengal houses distinct natural attractions including an impressive mountain range, variety of wildlife, verdant tea gardens and the world's largest mangrove forests, the Sunderbans. In addition to this, the state also has a rich tradition of art, craft, culture and cuisine. Durga Puja is the biggest, most popular and widely celebrated festival in West Bengal. The colourful and auspicious Hindu festival includes intense celebration, big pandals and transformation across the state.
Political conflict in West Bengal over the police encounter killing of the Raiganj rape and murder case accused.
Political tensions escalate in West Bengal after a police encounter in Raiganj triggers a dispute between BJP and Trinamool Congress over law enforcement actions.
A man accused of raping and murdering a minor in Raiganj was killed in a police encounter after firing at officers while trying to escape across the Bihar border.
In this debate on India Today's prime-time show, host Preeti Choudhry leads a discussion on the eight course corrections initiated by the Election Commission of India over five weeks following media reports alleging irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process. Former Chief Election Commissioner OP Rawat describes these actions as merely a 'damage control exercise' and calls on the three election commissioners to hold a joint media conference to address doubts, clarify procedures, and protect the credibility of the institution. Bharatiya Janata Party spokesperson Radhika Khera defends the poll body, asserting that the Election Commission is a responsive and dynamic institution adapting to an electorate exceeding 140 crore. Congress spokesperson Advocate Arshdeep Khadial counters that the repeated rectifications represent admissions of wrongdoing, pointing to protests and court petitions challenging modifications to Form 6 and voter deletions. The panel also debates RTI findings detailing communications sent to the Cabinet Secretary.
A major political row has erupted in West Bengal following a comprehensive school curriculum revision. Under the revised syllabus announced by School Education Minister Deepak Barman, chapters detailing the Singur anti-land acquisition movement and the flagship Kanyashree scheme have been removed from middle school textbooks. Concurrently, lessons on the life and contributions of Bharatiya Jana Sangh founder Shyama Prasad Mukherjee have been introduced across classes. The revisions, framed by a state-appointed committee, also incorporate Information and Communication Technology from classes five to eight, third language textbooks for classes seven and eight, and the printing of the full text of Vande Mataram at the front of each textbook. The political opposition and academics have criticised the move, terming the exclusion of pivotal peasant movements an attempt at saffronisation, while the state government maintains that the modifications aim to encourage critical thinking and highlight prominent state personalities.
The political confrontation between the INDIA bloc and the Bharatiya Janata Party has escalated over the Special Summary Revision process, Election Commission functioning, and voter roll controversies. Following a gathering by opposition parties at Delhi's Ramlila Maidan, the Bharatiya Janata Party organised counter-rallies, demonstrations, and padayatras across Hyderabad, Bihar, and West Bengal. Senior leaders, including Congress leader Renuka Chowdhury and BJP leader Sushmita Dev, traded arguments over turnout figures, public grievances, draft electoral rolls, and voter deletions. An India Today panel featuring Tavleen Singh, Ashutosh, and Rajat Sethi analyzed the political fallout, addressing allegations concerning Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, opposition demonstrations targeting constitutional bodies, and the question of contesting elections amid manipulation claims. The panelists examined street mobilization versus organizational readiness, regional strategies including the Samajwadi Party's focus on Uttar Pradesh, and the BJP's counter-measures ahead of upcoming assembly elections. The standoff highlights sharp disputes surrounding electoral integrity, crowd numbers, and narrative building across state battlegrounds.
The opposition INDIA bloc held a massive show of strength at Delhi's Ramlila Maidan to protest against alleged vote theft and target the Election Commission. Addressing the gathering, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi demanded the resignation and imprisonment of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, accusing the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party of hijacking democratic institutions and claiming the 2024 general election was illegal. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and Samajwadi Party Chief Akhilesh Yadav also took aim at the central government, alleging widespread manipulation of voter lists and predicting the defeat of the ruling alliance in upcoming state assembly polls. In response, the BJP mounted a sharp counteroffensive, dismissing the opposition rally as an exaggerated flop and questioning the turnout figures. Ruling party leaders hit back at Rahul Gandhi, questioning whether claiming the 2024 election was illegal implied that sitting opposition MPs were also illegitimate, as the political war of words intensified.
The opposition INDIA bloc mounted a major demonstration at Delhi's Ramlila Maidan to protest against alleged electoral irregularities and targeted the Election Commission of India. Key leaders, including Rahul Gandhi, Mallikarjun Kharge, and Akhilesh Yadav, addressed the gathering, demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. Rahul Gandhi accused the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party of hijacking institutions and labelled the 2024 parliamentary elections illegal. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav also criticised the government over voter list manipulation and predicted electoral defeats for the ruling party. Meanwhile, the Bharatiya Janata Party dismissed the opposition demonstration as a flop show and a waste of time. Pointing to visuals from Ramlila Maidan, the party countered claims of a 10 lakh attendance, asserting that significant sections of the venue remained vacant.
Following the conclusion of the INDIA bloc's mega rally at Delhi's Ramlila Maidan, the Bharatiya Janata Party mounted a counter-offensive against the opposition. The BJP scheduled a press conference featuring national spokesperson Sambit Patra to rebut allegations raised by Rahul Gandhi, who demanded the resignation of the Chief Election Commissioner. Concurrently, BJP national president Nitin Nabin criticised the opposition leaders, asserting that the political parties participating in the rally represent defeated forces from states like Delhi, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and West Bengal seeking to spread anarchy out of frustration. The BJP also organised counter-protest marches in Delhi and Rohtak, raising the 1984 anti-Sikh riots to accuse the Congress party and its allies of ignoring historical violence against victims while staging political agitations in the national capital.
Top leaders of the INDIA bloc, including Rahul Gandhi, Mallikarjun Kharge, Mamata Banerjee, Akhilesh Yadav, Tejashwi Yadav, and M.A. Baby, took part in an open-jeep procession in Delhi en route to Ramlila Maidan. Ranthambore open-air safari jeeps were brought in for the leaders as the cavalcade moved towards Connaught Place and Minto Road Junction. Cadres from Congress, Samajwadi Party, and Trinamool Congress gathered with flags and beating drums, passing near the BJP headquarters on Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Marg. The opposition mobilised supporters from across several states, including Rajasthan, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Jharkhand, West Bengal, and Tamil Nadu. The demonstration was marked by demands regarding voter lists, the removal of Gyanesh Kumar, and the scrapping of the Special Summary Revision exercise, alleging improper deletion of voters. The procession saw tight security arrangements alongside designated media vehicles to cover the joint opposition gathering.
A mega victory parade highlighted the decisive elimination of armed Maoist terror across the red corridor, celebrating the valor of central paramilitary and state police forces. From Chhattisgarh's District Reserve Guard to Andhra Pradesh and Telangana Greyhounds, Maharashtra's C-60, and Bihar STF, anti-Naxal commando contingents marked major milestones in restoring peace across conflict-hit zones. Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid tribute to the brave personnel involved in operations that reclaimed territory from Maoist insurgents. Operations by elite forces, supported by specialized sniffer dogs, led to thousands of surrenders, arrests, and the neutralisation of armed cadres while honouring the supreme sacrifice of fallen security jawans.
National Unity Day celebrations at Ekta Nagar in Gujarat featured a grand parade and cultural presentations, highlighted by a special theatrical performance titled 'Naxal Mukt Bharat'. Conceptualised, written, and directed by National School of Drama Director Chittaranjan Tripathy, the production brought together NSD Repertory members alongside tribal artists from states including Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Kerala, Jharkhand, West Bengal, Chhattisgarh, and Odisha. The performance depicted the genesis of the Naxalite movement from Naxalbari in 1967, tracing its spread across the red corridor, the violence and extortion endured by local communities, and the eventual restoration of peace and development through security operations. The broadcast highlighted the pivotal role played by Central Armed Police Forces—including CRPF's CoBRA unit, BSF, ITBP, and SSB—and state police contingents in setting up forward operating bases in strongholds like Abujhmad, driving surrenders, and enabling skill development and road construction in tribal regions.
The Ekta Parade showcased India's elite security forces celebrating the achievement of a Naxal-free India. The march past featured Shaurya Chakra recipients from the CRPF and Jammu and Kashmir Police, including Deputy Commandant Anjani Kumar, Constable Deepak Sah, Assistant Commandant Vipin Wilson, DSP Dheeraj Singh Katoch, DSP Sukhbir Singh, Inspector Ajay Singh Chib, and Sub-Inspector Niaz Ahmed. Led by Parade Commander SP Subodh Ramesh Mankar and 2IC DSP Brij Kishore Yadav, specialized anti-Naxal units from across the country participated, including Chhattisgarh's District Reserve Guard, CISF, Andhra Pradesh Greyhounds, ITBP, Bihar STF, SSB, Jharkhand Jaguar, Karnataka ANF, Kerala SOG, Madhya Pradesh Hawk Force, Odisha SOG, Maharashtra C60, and West Bengal CIF. The commentary highlighted the bravery and supreme sacrifices made by personnel in dismantling the Red Corridor, transitioning from severe Left-Wing Extremism to widespread peace, unity, and development.
On India Today's 'India First', Gaurav Sawant reports on the internal contradictions within the Congress party regarding the Election Commission of India's Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls.
A debate on India First examines the political battle over the Special Intensive Revision and voter list deletions in India. BJP National Spokesperson Charu Pragya counters allegations of electoral disenfranchisement, stating that the figures cited by the opposition represent legitimate administrative updates. She notes, 'Out of these people, 13 crore, if more than six crore people are those who have shifted base, if around three crore people are those who have lost their lives already they are deceased, if more than a crore and a half people are those who had duplicate entries, all of this needs to be taken into account.' Political analyst Sanjay Jha argues that the process represents a systemic challenge currently being examined by the Supreme Court of India. Senior journalist Aarti Jerath and former Election Commission official Mohammed Amin evaluate the legal arguments, political rhetoric, and the right to peaceful protest amid the ongoing controversy.
In this edition of 'The Democratic Newsroom', editors examine the political fallout surrounding the opposition's campaign against the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise and allegations of vote theft. The discussion centers on the Election Commission of India, calls for Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar's resignation, and a joint affidavit submitted by the three election commissioners to the Supreme Court. Panelists analyze the defense of the SIR process by Congress ministers in Karnataka and Kerala, procedural aspects involving Form 6 declarations, and voter roll deletions in West Bengal. The debate evaluates whether graduate constituency and MLC election results across Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, and Bihar reflect voter sentiment on electoral integrity or previous patterns seen in state elections. The panel further contrasts the role of judicial resolution in the Supreme Court with demands for the Election Commission of India to address political parties' claims through a press conference rather than written statements.
A major political controversy has emerged as Karnataka Minister Satish Jarkiholi defended the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise in Karnataka, differing from Congress leader Rahul Gandhi's nationwide stance. Jarkiholi maintained that the enumeration and deletion of nearly one crore voters in Karnataka was properly conducted, removing duplicate, relocated, and deceased electors. He stated that the party's objections were focused on states such as West Bengal, Maharashtra, and Bihar. In contrast, Rahul Gandhi has fiercely attacked the Election Commission and Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over the drive, alleging vote rigging and the disenfranchisement of genuine voters while demanding the exercise be halted. The divergence has triggered attacks from the Bharatiya Janata Party, which claimed Congress leaders are exposing Rahul Gandhi's claims. Meanwhile, other Congress leaders have questioned the Karnataka deletions, citing reports of living electors being erroneously marked as dead and reaffirming full backing for Rahul Gandhi's nationwide campaign.
A political debate has erupted within the Karnataka Congress following its defeat in the MLC elections, as Karnataka Cabinet Minister Satish Jarkiholi defended the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. Jarkiholi stated that the SIR process in Karnataka was conducted properly and justified the deletion of nearly one crore names, citing duplicate, deceased, and relocated voters. He clarified that objections from the Congress were directed towards the implementation in states such as Bihar, West Bengal, and Maharashtra rather than Karnataka. His stance presents an apparent contradiction to earlier positions taken by party leadership, including Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar, amid ground reports of living individuals being erroneously classified as dead on voter lists. Responding to the remarks on India Today, BJP spokesperson G.S. Prashanth argued that Jarkiholi's admission proves the legal validity of the constitutional process and urged Congress leaders to introspect rather than blame the Election Commission or the electoral revision exercise.
A cyclone landfall process is underway between Kakinada in Andhra Pradesh and Yanam in Puducherry, triggering heavy rainfall and gusty winds across eastern coastal states including West Bengal, Odisha, and Tamil Nadu. Uprooted trees have blocked national highways and damaged several vehicles, with visuals showing destruction in Visakhapatnam and Odisha's Ganjam. Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu is monitoring live updates as low-lying areas are evacuated and disaster response teams deployed. The storm is projected to weaken as it advances towards Telangana.
A severe cyclonic storm has triggered heavy rainfall, gusty winds reaching up to 150 kilometres per hour, and rough sea conditions across the eastern coastline, including Odisha, West Bengal, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, and Puducherry. Landfall is underway along the Andhra Pradesh coast, which is projected to face the maximum impact over the crucial next few hours. In Odisha, districts such as Ganjam, Gajapati, Malkangiri, Nabarangpur, and Koraput have experienced torrential rains and uprooted trees blocking key road networks. Emergency rescue teams, including the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and Odisha Disaster Rapid Action Force (ODRAF), alongside district administrations and senior officials, have been deployed to clear blocked roads and restore connectivity. While wind intensity is shifting away from Odisha towards Andhra Pradesh, the India Meteorological Department has issued warnings for heavy to very heavy rainfall and thunderstorms across several districts, advising citizens to remain in safe locations as authorities monitor the situation closely.
