Kolkata’s historic Red Road roared with the energy of 35,000 yoga practitioners on Sunday when Prime Minister Narendra Modi joined them for the 12th International Day of Yoga. The Prime Minister moved among participants, corrected postures, and performed Tadasana, Ardha Chakrasana, Bhadrasana and Trikonasana as the crowd followed the Common Yoga Protocol.

Modi said yoga has become the world’s largest community movement and is uniting people, nations and cultures. “The entire nation, world, seems connected. This is the power of yoga. Yoga connects everyone, brings everyone together,” he said. He also praised West Bengal for carrying forward yoga through saints like Ramakrishna Paramahamsa, Swami Vivekananda and Lahiri Mahasaya, calling collective practice on Bengal’s sacred land a unique spiritual experience.

The theme for this year’s International Day of Yoga is “Yoga for Healthy Ageing”. Modi explained the theme in personal terms: “We should strive to remain as flexible at 40 as we were at 20, stay as energetic at 50 as we were at 30, and look and remain healthy at 70 as we were at 50.” He said the message is not for the elderly only — it applies to people of all ages.

Before the main session, Modi performed Sukshma Vyayam, a yoga warm-up, and during Sheetali Pranayama he gestured to participants to stick out their tongues while practising the breathing technique. He spent time at different locations across the venue, guiding people on how to perform asanas correctly and interacting with them.

The day’s celebrations were spread across India. In Visakhapatnam, Baba Ramdev led an event where young men and women practised yoga on poles and ropes. In Vadodara, women performed aqua yoga in a swimming pool at the Sama Sports Complex. Indo-Tibetan Border Police personnel of the 47th Battalion performed yoga on the banks of Pangong Tso Lake in Ladakh at an altitude of 13,862 feet.

Union Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya said yoga is India’s heritage and a gift to the world. “When the world was searching for peace, India gave Lord Buddha, and when the world sought ways to maintain health, Indian sages gifted yoga to humanity,” he said. He urged all Indians to make yoga part of their daily routine.

Union Minister Piyush Goyal, speaking after a Mumbai event, highlighted massive participation in West Bengal and said residents of North Mumbai practised yoga on the seashore alongside spiritual leaders. He recalled Modi encouraging him to practise yoga and pranayama during the COVID-19 period and linked good rainfall to better crops, food security and growth.

Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan extended Yoga Day greetings from Bhopal, saying yoga unites humanity and reflects “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam” — the world is one family. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Air Chief Marshal AP Singh performed yoga in Shillong. Home Minister Amit Shah practised yoga in Ahmedabad, while Gujarat CM Bhupendra Patel and Odisha CM Mohan Charan Majhi also joined celebrations.

June 21 was chosen for International Yoga Day because it is the summer solstice — the longest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere. Yogic tradition says on this day Lord Shiva, regarded as the first yogi, began teaching yoga to the Saptarishis. The first International Day of Yoga was celebrated on 21 June 2015 at Rajpath in New Delhi, with 35,985 participants including Modi and representatives from 84 countries; the event set two Guinness World Records.

Why it matters: Yoga Day is now a global ritual that crosses borders, age groups and communities. The Prime Minister’s personal participation and public message — “be 50 at 70” — puts healthy ageing in the spotlight, while the scale of participation signals yoga’s cultural reach in India.

Serena Bibi detained for allegedly coordinating a violent demonstration to free her husband from custody; comes days after the arrested assembly candidate was publicly paraded by police.

Dawn crackdown on political family

KOLKATA: In a sharp escalation of the ongoing law-and-order crackdown in West Bengal, the state police on Saturday morning arrested Serena Bibi, the wife of controversial Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader Jahangir Khan. She stands accused of mobilizing a violent mob, orchestrating an assault on federal and state security forces, and attempting to breach a police facility.

The 37-year-old was picked up by a special contingent following extensive review of security footage. According to local authorities, Serena spearheaded a large group of political loyalists who laid siege to the Falta police station earlier this week.

Violent bid to breach police custody

The charges against Serena stem from a highly volatile incident on June 16, when hundreds of supporters converged on the Falta station. Sources familiar with the matter said the demonstration quickly degenerated into a riot, with the crowd pelting heavy stones at the building and clashing with personnel on duty.

Initial reports indicate that the primary objective of the mob was to forcibly liberate Jahangir Khan from the lockup. Khan, a high-profile TMC assembly candidate from Falta, had been apprehended near the India-Nepal border on June 8 following a brief period on the run. He faces multiple serious criminal counts, including systemic financial extortion and issuing gang-rape threats to local village women.

Viral public parading fuels local tension

The situation in the South 24 Parganas district has remained electric ever since Khan’s arrest. In a series of highly unusual and widely shared videos, Falta police officers were seen publicly parading the prominent politician through the township streets on multiple occasions.

Timeline of Events in Falta Conflict:

┌─────────┬─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐

│ Date    │ Operational & Legal Developments                                │

├─────────┼─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤

│ June 08 │ Jahangir Khan apprehended at the India-Nepal border crossing    │

│ June 11 │ First public police parade of the accused through Falta streets  │

│ June 15 │ Second street parade; Khan seen holding ears, asking for pardon │

│ June 16 │ Mob attacks Falta police station; retaliatory lathi-charge      │

│ June 20 │ Khan's wife, Serena Bibi, arrested in morning raid              │

└─────────┴─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘

During these security escorts, Khan was forced to walk in undergarments, holding his ears and folding his hands in a posture of public humiliation while apologizing to residents. The public spectacles drew severe criticism from legal circles but appeared to embolden his political opponents and infuriate his remaining factional base.

State orders zero-tolerance policy

The violent pushback at the police station prompted a direct response from the state's highest office. Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari issued a stern directive on June 17, ordering law enforcement agencies to maintain an uncompromising stance against the agitators.

CCTV footage from the station courtyard captured chaotic scenes where police were forced to execute a heavy lathi-charge to disperse the protesters. In the ensuing panic, several demonstrators were seen jumping into waterlogged ditches near the boundary walls to escape the batons. State authorities confirmed that at least 27 individuals have been formally booked and arrested alongside Serena Bibi for their direct involvement in the rioting.

The fall of a local heavyweight

Jahangir Khan, known for cultivating a larger-than-life political persona modeled on aggressive cinematic characters, has long held a powerful grip over the Falta area, an integral part of the Diamond Harbour Lok Sabha constituency. However, his political fortunes plummeted following widespread allegations of booth capture and irregularities during the April 29 voting cycle.

Recent Grassroots Backlash Against Regional Leaders:

• Howrah: Local functionary Sanyasi Manna shaved and paraded with shoe garland.

• Namkhana: Village council member forced to return ₹5,000 "cut money" bribes.

• Kolkata: Protesters pelt eggs at cars of TMC lawmakers and councilors.

The Election Commission subsequently nullified that round, ordering a re-poll on May 21. Just 48 hours before the fresh voting, Khan abruptly announced his withdrawal from the race. Following a crushing electoral defeat where the opposition BJP secured the seat by a record margin, Khan vanished from his residence, prompting the filing of seven distinct criminal cases against him.

Heightened security at judicial facilities

With both the regional strongman and his spouse now behind bars, security has been heavily beefed up around the district court complexes and police outposts. Sources within the labor and home ministries indicate that additional central paramilitary units have been deployed across the Diamond Harbour belt to suppress any further attempts at coordinated political violence or public disruption.

West Bengal has officially revised its Bakrid holiday schedule for 2026, putting an end to days of confusion surrounding the festival break across government offices, schools, and public institutions.

According to the latest administrative directive issued by the state government, May 28, 2026 (Thursday), has been declared the sole public holiday for Bakrid, also known as Eid-ul-Adha. The holiday has been notified under the Negotiable Instruments Act, making it applicable for government establishments and notified institutions across the state.

The revised order also confirmed that the previously announced holidays on May 26 and May 27 have been cancelled. Both days will now function as regular working days for government departments, educational institutions, and other state-run offices.

The clarification comes after widespread public discussion and uncertainty over whether the state would observe multiple holidays linked to Bakrid celebrations. Students, government employees, and private sector workers had been awaiting an official confirmation regarding the final holiday calendar.

Administrative officials stated that the updated directive was issued to streamline the official holiday schedule and avoid further confusion. Authorities also advised citizens and institutions to rely only on verified government notifications for information related to public holidays and festival schedules.

Bakrid is one of the major Islamic festivals celebrated across India and is observed with prayers, gatherings, and charitable activities. Since the festival date depends on moon sighting, state governments often review and finalize holiday schedules closer to the occasion.

In Kolkata and several other districts, educational institutions and offices are now expected to follow the revised government order without any additional holiday extension unless a fresh notification is issued later.

Officials clarified that no further changes to the Bakrid holiday calendar have been announced as of now. The updated schedule effectively limits the official Eid-ul-Adha break in the state to a single day on May 28, 2026.

Tamil Nadu, Kerala and West Bengal introduce convoy limits, ASHA pay rise and live assembly telecasts as new administrations set priorities

Within days of taking office, three newly formed state governments in South and East India have begun rolling out administrative changes aimed at reducing disruption to public life, improving transparency and signalling policy shifts — from limits on VIP convoys in Tamil Nadu and West Bengal to a cash boost for ASHA workers in Kerala.

Traffic orders and separate lanes

In Chennai, Chief Minister Vijay has told officials that his convoy should not stop regular traffic while he travels to and from the Secretariat, sources in the secretariat confirmed on Friday. The CM reportedly uses a separate lane for his commute each morning and remains at the Secretariat through the day; security protocols have been altered so routine traffic is not halted for his movement for the first 12 days in office, administration sources said.

Officials said the instruction is part of a broader effort to reduce inconvenience to commuters and demonstrate a lower-profile official travel style. The new cabinet — of 33 ministers, including 11 below 40 and 32 newcomers — has also ordered the closure of 717 liquor shops located within 500 metres of temples, schools and bus stands, and appointed R. Kumar as the state’s minister in charge of artificial intelligence.

Smaller convoys, fewer escorts

In Kolkata, Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari has similarly directed that ordinary vehicles not be stopped for his convoy, and instructed ministers and officials to avoid blocking public movement during field visits, government sources said. Security details have been slimmed down and VIP motorcades shortened, part of an administrative push to keep roads moving and cut visible privilege.

The Bengal government has also decided to telecast Assembly proceedings live, a move officials say will strengthen legislative transparency. Preparations are underway for a free bus service for women, expected to begin on June 1, and directives have gone out to make the singing of "Vande Mataram" compulsory in educational institutions, including madrasas, according to circulars reviewed by this reporter.

Kerala eases access, boosts ASHA pay

In Thiruvananthapuram, the United Democratic Front (UDF) government under V. D. Satheesan announced several immediate administrative changes after the new cabinet meeting on May 18. Ministers will be required to meet citizens both at their offices and at their residences, officials said, and public access to the Secretariat has been eased to allow more direct engagement.

The CM’s convoy has been pared down to just two vehicles, and ministers have been asked to forego extensive renovations of official bungalows — only essential repairs will be permitted. The government has also scrapped the previous administration’s SilverLine semi-high-speed rail project, citing environmental concerns and displacement issues.

A direct financial change came for grassroots health workers: ASHA workers’ monthly honorarium has been increased by ₹3,000 to ₹12,000, a senior health department official confirmed. The raise is aimed at improving frontline health worker retention and recognition ahead of expanded public health outreach plans.

AI ministry and press briefings

Kerala also announced what it called the country’s first dedicated Artificial Intelligence ministry, with veteran leader P. K. Kunhalikutty named minister in charge. The government has restarted weekly press briefings after cabinet meetings, reversing a communication freeze that prevailed under the previous regime.

Officials described the array of early decisions as a package intended to signal transparency, fiscal restraint on visible trappings and a focus on welfare measures. “These are small but visible steps to bring government closer to people and reduce everyday friction,” a senior Kerala official said on condition of anonymity.

Public impact and next steps

The administrative tweaks have immediate public visibility — fewer roadblocks and smaller convoys ease commuter delays — while policy shifts such as the liquor-shop closures and the ASHA pay hike carry wider social implications. Critics and opposition parties have yet to mount systematic responses, though some legal and logistical questions remain, particularly over implementation of liquor shop closures and the future of transport projects such as SilverLine.

Officials in all three states said more orders and detailed implementation plans are expected in the coming weeks as new cabinets settle into governance. For now, the early actions serve both practical aims and a political narrative of pared-down VIP culture and a return to visible accessibility.

Bengal cabinet approves Seventh Pay Commission; women to get free state bus travel

Seventh State Pay Commission cleared, Annapurna scheme approved and religion-based welfare plans to be axed; free bus rides for women from June 1

The West Bengal cabinet on Monday approved the constitution of a Seventh State Pay Commission to review and redraw the salary structure for state government employees, a key early move by the new BJP-led administration under Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari. The decision — among several welfare and administrative measures cleared at a morning meeting in Kolkata — is being viewed as the government’s effort to deliver on pre-election promises while reshaping some legacy programmes.

Pay commission formally set up
According to officials who attended the meeting, formal approval was given to constitute the Seventh State Pay Commission, tasked with examining pay scales, allowances and related service conditions for the state’s workforce. “The cabinet has approved setting up the pay commission,” Minister Agnimitra Paul told reporters after the meeting. The panel’s terms of reference, membership and timetable were not disclosed immediately.

Free bus travel for women
In another high-profile decision, the cabinet gave in-principle approval for free travel for women in all state-run government buses from June 1. State transport authorities will issue implementing guidelines in the coming days, officials said. The measure is slated to cover the state transport corporation and other government-operated bus services, though private and interstate services were not mentioned.

New welfare move: Annapurna Yojana
The cabinet also cleared the Annapurna Yojana under the Department of Women and Child Development and Social Welfare — a nutrition and food-assistance scheme aimed at vulnerable populations. Officials said the Annapurna Bhandar programme will be launched as part of the government’s social welfare push, but detailed beneficiary lists, funding allocations and operational plans will be announced after further consultations.

Religion-based schemes to end
In a major administrative shift, the government decided to discontinue certain assistance programmes that were administered on the basis of religious classification under the Information and Cultural Affairs Department and the Minority Affairs and Madrasa Education Department. Sources said these schemes will continue for the current month but will be stopped from next month. Officials framed the move as part of a broader realignment of welfare schemes, but did not provide figures on how many beneficiaries would be affected.

DA, OBC review left for later
Despite expectations among state employees for an immediate Dearness Allowance (DA) hike, the DA issue was not discussed at Monday’s meeting. Sources close to the administration said the DA would be examined separately, suggesting employees may have to wait for a dedicated session. The cabinet did, however, clear a review of Other Backward Classes (OBC) reservations and sub-categorisation for state government posts. Agnimitra Paul said fresh inquiries will be launched and decisions will follow directions issued by the Calcutta High Court on inclusion of communities in the OBC list.

Ground-level reactions
Reaction from employee unions and opposition parties was swift. A leader of one government staff association, speaking on condition of anonymity, said workers will press for an early announcement on DA and want the pay commission to move quickly. Opposition figures called for transparency on which religion-based schemes will be discontinued and urged the state to publish beneficiary data before changes take effect.

Implementation questions remain
Officials acknowledged several implementation challenges. Transport department sources said logistics for free women’s travel — from funding compensation to issuing smartcards or passes — must be finalised within days. Similarly, social welfare officers said the Annapurna rollout will require coordination with district administrations and existing food distribution channels.

What happens next
The immediate next steps include formal notification of the pay commission’s terms and timelines, and an official government order detailing the scope and start date for free bus travel for women. The state has also prepared to launch fresh inquiries into OBC lists, with district-level teams expected to collect records and submissions over the coming months.

With several measures aimed at signalling a policy reset and welfare focus, the administration faces the practical test of translating these cabinet decisions into functioning programmes on the ground — all under a tight timetable and sharp public scrutiny.

Asansol Violence: Police Outpost Vandalised After Loudspeaker Volume Dispute in West Bengal

 A violent confrontation erupted late on Friday night in the Railpar area of Asansol, West Bengal, after a routine police awareness campaign on loudspeaker regulations escalated into an attack on local law enforcement. A large mob targeted a local police outpost, resorting to heavy stone-pelting and widespread vandalism of public and private property.

The unrest began when teams from the Jahangiri Mohalla police outpost, operating under the Asansol-Durgapur Police Commissionerate, visited several neighborhoods in the Railpar locality. Following recent high-level policy directives aimed at regulating noise levels, officials held discussions with residents, requesting both local temples and mosques to keep their loudspeaker volumes within permissible administrative limits.

Crowd Gathers at Outpost

While initial community interactions earlier in the day were conducted peacefully, local sources familiar with the matter said that rumors regarding the guidelines began circulating rapidly across the neighborhood by late evening. Within a short span, an agitated crowd gathered outside the police outpost in the Kasai Mohalla area.

[Timeline of Friday Night Escalation]

7:00 PM - Police hold local awareness meetings on loudspeaker limits

9:30 PM - Rumors spread; crowd accumulates outside the local outpost

10:15 PM - Stone-pelting begins; vehicles and office property vandalised

11:00 PM - Security forces fire tear gas shells to restore order

The situation quickly spiraled out of control as sections of the crowd turned aggressive. Heavy stones and brickbats were hurled directly at the outpost facility, forcing the skeletal police staff inside to take cover.

Extensive Damage Reported

The aftermath of the attack left the police facility heavily compromised. Debris, shattered glass, and fractured bricks lay scattered across the interior floors of the outpost. Essential technical infrastructure, including the outpost's computers, digital printers, and the main external CCTV surveillance network, sustained significant damage during the ransacking.

The violence spilled onto the adjoining roads, where multiple parked vehicles bore the brunt of the mob's anger. Windows of parked auto-rickshaws and private cars were smashed, and several two-wheelers belonging to both police personnel and local civilians were overturned and vandalised along the roadside.

Security Forces Deploy Tear Gas

As local police reinforcements rushed to the spot, they were met with continuous resistance. To disperse the violent assembly and prevent the unrest from spreading to adjacent pockets of Asansol, law enforcement personnel initially resorted to a baton charge (lathi-charge).

When the stone-pelting persisted, the police fired multiple rounds of tear gas shells to scatter the crowd. Additional contingents of state police and paramilitary forces were subsequently deployed to the affected sectors to secure the perimeter. A flag march was conducted by senior officers into the early hours of Saturday morning to project administrative control.

Tight Security Tightened in Asansol

"The situation has been brought fully under control, and an extensive police presence remains on the ground to prevent any further flare-ups," said Deputy Commissioner of Police V.G. Satish Pasumarthy.

"We are actively reviewing available CCTV footage and local digital recordings from the area to identify the individuals who instigated the attack on the police outpost. Strict legal action will be initiated against everyone found responsible for the violence and destruction of public property," the DCP added.

The incident occurs amidst a highly charged political atmosphere in West Bengal, following the recent transition of power in the state. The strict enforcement of loudspeaker volumes follows a series of policy decisions prioritizing administrative and civic regulations across sensitive urban zones. Local authorities have urged citizens not to succumb to unverified social media rumors and to cooperate with ongoing law enforcement patrols.

Mamata Banerjee appears in Calcutta HC in lawyer’s robe; argues TMC post-poll violence case

Former CM represents party before Chief Justice Sujoy Paul’s bench; highlights attacks on workers following 2026 Assembly results.

In a move that caught the legal fraternity and political observers by surprise, Trinamool Congress (TMC) chairperson Mamata Banerjee arrived at the Calcutta High Court on Thursday afternoon dressed in a lawyer’s black gown. The former Chief Minister appeared before a Division Bench led by Chief Justice Sujoy Paul and Justice Parthasarathi Sen to personally argue a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) regarding alleged widespread violence against her party workers following the 2026 West Bengal Assembly elections.

Unexpected appearance in courtroom

The sight of the TMC supremo in formal legal attire created a stir within the court premises. While Banerjee holds an LL.B. degree from Jogesh Chandra Chaudhuri Law College, her appearance as an arguing counsel is rare. Accompanied by senior advocate and party colleague Kalyan Banerjee, she walked into the Chief Justice's courtroom around noon.

The move is being seen as a high-stakes political statement following the recent election results, where the BJP secured a significant victory in the state.

Allegations of systemic violence

The PIL, filed by advocate Shirshanya Bandyopadhyay, alleges that TMC supporters and local leaders have been subjected to systematic attacks across several districts. During the proceedings, Banerjee informed the bench that the situation on the ground was one of "extreme distress."

"Our offices are being vandalized, and workers are being forced to flee their homes in many areas," she submitted before the court. She further alleged that women and children have not been spared in the unrest and claimed that at least 10 party workers had lost their lives in various incidents since the results were declared.

Chaos outside court premises

The legal drama was not limited to the courtroom. As Banerjee was exiting the High Court building following the hearing, she was met with "thief" slogans from a section of lawyers present on the premises. The situation briefly turned chaotic as TMC legal cell members and security personnel struggled to escort her to her vehicle.

Kalyan Banerjee later addressed the media, condemning the heckling. "The court is a place for legal arguments, not for public branding or political slogans. If a former Chief Minister can face such conduct inside the temple of justice, one can only imagine the plight of ordinary workers in remote villages," he said.

Context of the PIL

The petition highlights specific incidents in South 24 Parganas, Howrah, and parts of North Bengal. It seeks the court’s intervention to provide immediate protection to displaced workers and a directive to the state police to act against "hooliganism" that is allegedly occurring in plain sight.

The TMC has also linked this unrest to the "Special Intensive Revision" (SIR) of electoral rolls, an issue they previously challenged in the Supreme Court. The party maintains that the deletion of over 90 lakh names from the voter list had a direct bearing on the election outcome.

Judicial observation and next steps

Chief Justice Sujoy Paul’s bench took note of the submissions and the gravity of the allegations. While the court did not pass an immediate interim order, it has asked the state administration to file a status report on the law and order situation by early next week.

The matter is expected to be heard again on Tuesday. For now, the images of Mamata Banerjee in a lawyer’s robe have dominated the political discourse in Bengal, signaling that the TMC is prepared to take its fight from the streets to the highest corridors of the judiciary.

BSF to get land within 45 days: Bengal joins Ayushman Bharat as CM Suvendu clears 6 major moves

In his first Cabinet meeting at Nabanna, Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari announced the implementation of several central schemes and a crackdown on illegal border activities.

Kolkata: Marking a tectonic shift in West Bengal’s administrative direction, Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari on Monday chaired his first cabinet meeting at Nabanna, clearing six major policy decisions that align the state closely with the Centre. Highlighting national security and public welfare as immediate priorities, the Chief Minister announced that all pending land requirements for the Border Security Force (BSF) would be cleared within 45 days.

The meeting, which took place just two days after the BJP government was sworn in following a landslide victory, also saw the official entry of West Bengal into the Ayushman Bharat health insurance scheme—a long-standing point of contention between the previous TMC regime and the Union government.

Focus on border security and land transfer

The decision to expedite land handover to the BSF is being seen as the new administration's first major move to curb illegal infiltration. Addressing the media after the session, Adhikari alleged that the previous government had deliberately stalled border fencing projects.

“National security cannot be a matter of political negotiation. We have directed the Land and Land Reforms Department to ensure that 100% of the required land for fencing along the international border is handed over to the BSF within 45 days,” the Chief Minister said. Sources in the state secretariat indicated that nearly 90% of the land identification process is already in its final stages.

Rollout of Ayushman Bharat and central schemes

In a move that will impact millions of families, the cabinet gave its nod to implement the Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana, popularly known as Ayushman Bharat, in West Bengal. The Health Secretary has been instructed to sign the necessary Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Union Health Ministry immediately.

Beyond healthcare, the state will now also adopt other flagship central programmes including PM Vishwakarma, PM SHRI, and the Beti Bachao Beti Padhao initiative. The Chief Minister emphasized that these schemes would complement existing state-run social programs, which he assured would not be stopped but made more transparent through updated DBT (Direct Benefit Transfer) portals.

Relief for government job aspirants

Addressing a key poll promise that resonated with the state’s youth, the cabinet approved a five-year relaxation in the upper age limit for government job applicants. This move is intended to compensate for the "lost years" of recruitment cycles that were allegedly frozen or marred by litigation in the past decade.

“We are committed to the youth of Bengal. This relaxation will ensure that those who missed out on opportunities due to administrative delays get a fair shot at serving the state,” Adhikari added.

Administrative and legal overhaul

The cabinet also signaled a shift in how the state’s bureaucracy and police interact with the Centre. West Bengal cadre IAS and IPS officers will now be permitted to attend central government training programs, a practice that had seen significant friction previously.

On the legal front, the government announced the full implementation of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). The Chief Minister noted that criminal and anti-social activities would be dealt with strictly under the new central laws, adding that the state would also immediately begin the 2025 Census process as per the Ministry of Home Affairs circular.

Tribute to political martyrs

The meeting began with a formal tribute to 321 individuals described by the government as "martyrs" of political violence in Bengal. Adhikari stated that the families of these workers would receive the state's full support.

“This government is born out of the sacrifice of our workers. We will ensure justice reaches every corner of Bengal where lawlessness once prevailed,” he said.

Crackdown on syndicates and smuggling

Earlier in the day, Nabanna issued high-level instructions to district Superintendents of Police to initiate an immediate crackdown on cattle smuggling and "syndicate raj" (unauthorised construction and supply cartels).

A separate law-and-order review meeting was held at 5 pm, where senior officials including the Director General of Police and the Kolkata Police Commissioner were briefed on the new government's policing priorities.

Future roadmap for the Cabinet

The next cabinet meeting is scheduled for next Monday, where the government is expected to discuss the formation of a fact-finding committee regarding the RG Kar case and other issues concerning women's safety. Senior leaders like Dilip Ghosh and Agnimitra Paul, who were present at today's meeting along with other newly inducted ministers, are expected to play a central role in these upcoming deliberations.

As the Adhikari administration moves towards a "paperless office" system and a complete administrative overhaul, the first day’s decisions have set a clear, aggressive tone for the BJP’s debut innings in West Bengal.

PM Modi Arrives in Kolkata as Suvendu Adhikari Set to Take Oath as Bengal CM Today

Thousands gather at Brigade Parade Ground for historic swearing-in ceremony; 20 NDA chief ministers to attend

Prime Minister Narendra Modi landed at the RCTC Ground in Kolkata just before 10 am on Saturday, marking the start of a high-stakes day that will see Suvendu Adhikari sworn in as West Bengal's first BJP chief minister. The oath-taking ceremony is scheduled for 11 am at the historic Brigade Parade Ground.

Adhikari, dressed in a saffron kurta for the occasion, arrived at the airport to receive the Prime Minister. The gesture carried political weight, signalling the close coordination between the BJP's central leadership and its newest state government.

Historic Transition of Power

The legislative party meeting held Friday at a Convention Centre in Kolkata formally elected Adhikari as their leader. Union Home Minister Amit Shah announced the decision shortly after. Adhikari then met the Governor at Lok Bhavan to stake claim for forming the government.

For the BJP, this represents a breakthrough in a state it had never governed before. The party's performance in last month's assembly elections reshaped West Bengal's political map.

Massive Gathering Expected

Authorities expect over one lakh people to assemble at the Brigade Parade Ground. Four thousand security personnel have been deployed across the venue. Barricades are being installed to manage the crowd, and waterproof tents have been set up as a precaution against unpredictable late-morning weather.

The pandal features a Bengal theme with approximately 20 varieties of flowers used for decoration. A large floral rangoli has been arranged before the main stage. The vehicle meant to carry Adhikari and PM Modi to the podium has also been specially decorated.

NDA Leaders Flock to Kolkata

Chief ministers from 20 NDA and BJP-ruled states have arrived to attend the ceremony. Among those confirmed present are Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath, Delhi CM Rekha Gupta, Uttarakhand CM Pushkar Singh Dhami, Bihar CM Samrat Choudhary, and Andhra Pradesh CM N. Chandrababu Naidu.

Union ministers Rajnath Singh, Nitin Gadkari, and BJP president JP Nadda have also reached the venue. Gadkari landed earlier this morning, while Nadda left his hotel shortly before 9.30 am.

Ground-Level Preparations

Beyond the political spectacle, organisers have arranged stalls selling local favourites like jhalmuri and rasgulla. The VIP lunch menu includes aloo dum, black lentils, pulao, mixed vegetables, masala kulcha, baingan bhaja saag, aloo poshto, and gulab jamun for dessert.

A memorial has been erected at the ground for BJP workers killed in political violence in West Bengal over recent years. Party leaders have framed the swearing-in as a tribute to those deaths.

What Comes Next

BJP's Dilip Jaiswal told reporters earlier that the new government would work to fulfil the vision of a "new Bengal". Party leader Sankar Ghosh described the moment as time to meet the aspirations of the state's people.

Adhikari himself called the BJP's Bengal victory a "historic dawn" in a statement released Friday evening. Once sworn in, his immediate challenges will include cabinet formation and administrative transition in a state where the BJP previously had no governing experience.

The ceremony is expected to conclude by early afternoon.

IPS officer Ajay Pal Sharma has just started his new posting with the West Bengal government, and it’s caused quite a stir behind the scenes. He’s a 2011-batch officer from Uttar Pradesh, and people in police circles know him for his “encounter specialist” reputation. Now, he’s landed in the politically sensitive South 24 Parganas district.

Sharma’s timing couldn’t be more critical. West Bengal’s assembly elections are underway, and tensions are running high. Both the BJP and the Election Commission say he’s there as an “observer” to keep voting clean and fair.

Still, his appointment has already sparked political drama. Local TMC leaders and others are raising eyebrows at Sharma’s past record. The situation’s heated enough that someone has taken it all the way to the Supreme Court with a PIL, arguing that his selection breaks standard safeguards for neutral policing. On the other side, BJP insiders are standing by him. They call him a sort of “Singham”—tough, no-nonsense, and ready to handle any law and order challenge the elections throw at him.

US President Donald Trump sent his congratulations to Prime Minister Narendra Modi after the BJP scored a huge win in West Bengal and Assam. In a WhatsApp message from May 6, Trump called the victory "historic" and "decisive," and he even said, "India is lucky to have you as leader."

The BJP’s win in West Bengal marks a big political shift—finally breaking Mamata Banerjee’s Trinamool Congress’s 15-year grip on the state. According to White House spokesman Kush Desai, Trump admires the clarity of Modi’s win.

This message isn’t just about politics; it’s part of a warm relationship between Trump and Modi. They've talked plenty about global security and trade, and now, Trump’s taking the extra step to comment on state elections, not just national ones. It shows how much attention India’s changing political scene is grabbing around the world.

After fifteen long years, the Bastin Bazar Durga Temple in Asansol finally reopened its doors. This isn’t just about a temple—people see it as a big shift in West Bengal's cultural scene.

It all happened this week. The temple’s gates swung open after years of political wrangling and legal battles. The BJP recently made big election gains in the area, and local MLA Krishnendu Mukherjee kept his campaign promise: daily worship is back at Bastin Bazar.

For fifteen years, the place had been almost off-limits. The Shri Shri Durgamata Charitable Trust managed the temple, and except for the short Durga Puja festival, most people couldn’t get near it.

Tuesday morning felt electric. Devotees crowded inside, conch shells echoed, and chants filled the air. A shopkeeper said, “We’ve waited for this day for 15 years. This temple is the soul of our market.” You could feel the relief and excitement—they'd missed their temple.

The building itself got caught up in political tensions. The BJP and the Trinamool Congress argued endlessly, with BJP leaders saying the government ignored High Court orders about the temple. On the other hand, local officials insisted the closure was about administrative and trust disputes—not politics.

Now, the BJP is calling the reopening a “victory for Hindu identity” in Bengal. Party supporters claim the previous administration suppressed religious life. Krishnendu Mukherjee and senior BJP members were there for the celebrations, leading prayers and marking their win.