'Park Circus' really matters in West Bengal’s new power equation ::: Now new 'Suvendu Sarkar' :::: Chief Minister says talks on with the Centre on the "continued deployment" of central forces

Stone pelting. Lathi charge. Protest marches. 

Kolkata’s Park Circus — long seen as one of Bengal’s most politically significant Muslim-majority neighbourhoods.

Thanks to new steps by the Suvendu Sarkar;  this part of the metropolis has now become the centre of a major confrontation.

CM warned people protesting over curbs on namaz on roads and anti-encroachment drives of strict action.

From restrictions on public namaz to demolition drives and clashes with police, the tensions unfolding on these streets are about far more than one protest. They reflect a larger political shift underway in Bengal. 

'Park Circus' really matters in West Bengal’s new power equation.  

Protesters clashed with police at Kolkata's Park Circus on Sunday, which left at least 10 cops injured. 

West Bengal CM Suvendu Adhikari reached Park Circus on Monday and warned people protesting over curbs on namaz on roads and anti-encroachment drives of strict action. Around 40 people have been arrested over the violence.

Hundreds of paramilitary forces were deployed in the state for the just concluded Assembly polls on April 23 and April 29.

"I would like to request the Union Home Minister to allow the 40 companies of paramilitary forces currently deployed here to remain in the state until alternative arrangements can be made; otherwise, we will face a severe manpower shortage," Adhikari said.

While BJP leaders accused the Trinamool Congress of orchestrating the Park Circus clashes, the Mamata Banerjee-led party rejected the allegations and continued to focus on the "human cost" of actions of the BJP government.

Adhikari there were prior tele calls and hence the violence was "pre-planned". 

Heavy police and CRPF deployment continued flag marches on Monday and intensified patrolling in Kolkata's Park Circus area was carried out. 

By reaching Park Circus, the epicentre of the clases, Suvendu Adhikari has tried to send across a tough message.

Adhikari said vandalism in name of religion will not be tolerated  

He issued what he called a “last warning” against attacks on police personnel and vandalism during protests, a day after violence erupted in Kolkata’s Park Circus-Tiljala area during demonstrations against a bulldozer drive targeting alleged illegal structures.

The unrest left six police personnel and two CRPF jawans injured, while 40 people have been arrested so far. 

According to reports, violence erupted after demonstrators gathered near Park Circus to protest against the restrictions on roadside namaz and the alleged targeting of Muslim-majority localities during anti-encroachment drives.

Protesters reportedly blocked roads and raised slogans before clashes broke out with security personnel. Police said stones were hurled at personnel and official vehicles during the confrontation, which CM Suvendu Adhikari said, was a "pre-planned one".  

Authorities later imposed tighter security arrangements in and around Park Circus, Tiljala and adjoining pockets considered sensitive. Senior police officers remained stationed in the locality overnight to monitor the situation, according to reports.  

Bengal CM Suvendu Adhikari criticised the Mamata Banerjee government over her alleged patronage to the "miscreants". 

Attacking former CM Mamata, Suvendu said, "Police personnel get injured and the Chief Minister would sit in an air-conditioned room and watch. This won't happen now."

"They [protesters] may seek answers, and it is the responsibility of the police station concerned to satisfy them and provide appropriate responses. There is no objection to that. However, crowds gathering, raising religious slogans, and pelting stones, have stopped even in Srinagar. I think such things must stop in West Bengal as well," Adhikari said on Monday.  

West Bengal ends allowances for imams, purohits

The Bengal government's latest cabinet decisions have triggered sharp political debate, with religious stipends scrapped, women-focused welfare expanded and Suvendu Adhikari pushing a governance model centred on "no appeasement" and direct outreach.  

Addressing the media after the meeting, Adhikari defended the move and said the funds would now be redirected towards merit-based scholarships open to students from all communities and political backgrounds.

“Should the government focus on paying stipends to imams and priests, or should it focus on education? Today, the cabinet has ended all religious stipends,” Adhikari said.

“The money from these allowances will now go towards the Vivekananda Meritorious Scholarship. 

Any student can receive it. Hindu, Muslim, Sikh, Jain, BJP supporter, TMC supporter or CPM supporter. There will be no appeasement,” he added.

Urban Development Minister Agnimitra Paul said the cabinet had approved phasing out religion-based assistance schemes operated under the Madrasa Department and the Information and Cultural Department.

The schemes will continue till the end of the month before being formally withdrawn.

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Why US toppled Imran Khan ::::: :::: PAKISTAN: CAUGHT BETWEEN SAUDI & IRAN ::::: Pak deploys 8,000 troops, jets to Saudi under defence pact amid Iran war !! :::: New-fake gestures !! Pak restores pre-Partition names of Lahore streets: Islampura is now Krishan Nagar

 PAKISTAN: CAUGHT BETWEEN SAUDI & IRAN

Pakistan had sent jets to Saudi Arabia after Iranian strikes hit key energy infrastructure and killed a Saudi national, raising concerns that the Gulf kingdom might retaliate heavily and widen the conflict.

Pakistan has deployed 8,000 troops, a squadron of fighter jets and an air defence system to Saudi Arabia under a mutual defence pact, top military sources in Pakistan told Reuters on Monday.

Islamabad is ramping up military cooperation with Riyadh at a time when it is serving as the main mediator in the US-Iran war.

The deployment was confirmed by three security officials and two government sources, all of whom described it as a substantial, combat-capable force intended to support Saudi Arabia's military if the kingdom comes under further attack. (India Today)  

Pakistan's military and foreign office and Saudi Arabia's government media office did not respond to requests for comment on the deployment.

The full terms of the defence agreement, signed last year, are confidential. Both sides have said it requires Pakistan and Saudi Arabia to come to each other's defence in the event of an attack. Defence Minister Khawaja Asif has previously implied that it places Saudi Arabia under Pakistan's nuclear umbrella.

Pakistan has deployed a full squadron of around 16 aircraft, mostly JF-17 fighters made jointly with China, which were sent to Saudi Arabia in early April. Two of the security officials said Pakistan had also sent two squadrons of drones.

All five sources said the deployment includes around 8,000 troops, with a pledge to send more if needed, as well as a Chinese HQ-9 air defence system. 

The equipment is operated by Pakistani personnel and financed by Saudi Arabia, they added.  

The military and air force personnel deployed during the Iran conflict will primarily have an advisory and training role, according to two of the security officials, who said they had seen exchanges between the two countries and documents on the military assets' deployment.

The deployment adds to thousands of Pakistani troops with a combat role that were already stationed in the kingdom under previous agreements, all three security officials said.  

Why Pakostan restored pre-Partition names of Lahore streets: Islampura is now Krishan Nagar  

Across Lahore, names that survived only in memory are slowly finding their way back onto the city's walls again after 79 years.  

Nearly eight decades after Partition carved the subcontinent apart, 

Lahore is now putting Hindu, Sikh, Jain and colonial-era names back on its streets, alleys and roads. Many of these names had earlier been renamed after Islamic, Pakistani or local figures.

Islampura is once again Krishan Nagar. 

Babri Masjid Chowk has reverted to Jain Mandir Chowk. 

Sunnat Nagar is now Sant Nagar. 

Mustafaabad has become Dharampura again.  

Why ?

The renaming is part of Pakistan's Punjab government's effort to bring back Lahore's pre-Partition heritage that many believe were slowly erased over the decades. 

"The Punjab Cabinet meeting, chaired by Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, a few days ago had approved a plan to restore the original and historical names of various streets and roads in Lahore and its neighbourhood," a Punjab government official told a news agency.   

The new signboards bearing the older names have already appeared across parts of Lahore over the past two months. Nine locations have officially reverted to their earlier identities. Among them are 

Lakshmi Chowk, once renamed Maulana Zafar Ali Khan Chowk; 

Davis Road, which had become Sir Aga Khan Road; 

and Queens Road, which was known as Fatima Jinnah Road. 

Lahore’s famous Lawrence Gardens is also reclaiming its older colonial association after years as Bagh-e-Jinnah.   

All will be forgiven: US orchestrated Imran Khan's ouster, leaked cable reveals

A leaked Pakistani diplomatic cable has reignited controversy over the ouster of former Prime Minister Imran Khan, with investigative outlet Drop Site publishing the original document at the centre of the cricketer-turned-politician's claims of US-backed regime change.

Investigative outlet Drop Site published the original document, known as a cypher, at the centre of the cricketer-turned-politician’s claims of US-backed regime change in Pakistan. 

The document, identified as cable I-0678, records a meeting between Pakistan’s then-ambassador to Washington and senior US State Department official Donald Lu shortly before Imran Khan lost a no-confidence vote in April 2022.

ends 

 

Do Indians listen to PM Narendra Modi? ::::: Sickularism may die another 'jealousy death'; tourist arrivals in Lakshadweep surged from 3,875 in 2020 to 68,328 in 2024. Jump came after PM's January 2024 visit

Do Indians listen to PM Narendra Modi? Lakshadweep tourism numbers tell a story

RTI data accessed by India Today shows that tourist arrivals in Lakshadweep surged from just 3,875 in 2020 to a record 68,328 in 2024. The sharpest jump came after PM Modi's January 2024 visit to the islands.

As Prime Minister Narendra Modi urges Indians to avoid unnecessary foreign travel, conserve fuel and cut discretionary spending amid the Iran war-driven economic uncertainty, the Lakshadweep tourism story offers a recent example of how strongly people can respond to his public appeals and messaging.

RTI data accessed by India Today shows that tourist arrivals in Lakshadweep surged from just 3,875 in 2020 to a record 68,328 in 2024. 

The sharpest jump came after PM Modi’s January 2024 visit to the islands, when he posted pictures and videos highlighting Lakshadweep’s beaches and tourism potential.  

Interestingly, Modi's visit was followed by a diplomatic controversy after some Maldivian ministers made derogatory comments against him online. 

The remarks triggered outrage in India, calls to boycott the Maldives and a wider campaign encouraging Indians to choose Lakshadweep instead of foreign island destinations.  

The numbers suggest many people may actually have paid heed to that message.

Lakshadweep tourist arrivals rose from 46,551 in 2023 to 68,328 in 2024, a jump of nearly 47 per cent within a year. 

At the same time, Indian tourist arrivals to the Maldives witnessed a sharp decline.

According to Maldives Tourism Ministry statistics, 

Indian arrivals to the Maldives fell from 2,09,193 in 2023 to 1,30,805 in 2024, a drop of 37.5 per cent. 

India, once among the Maldives’ top tourism markets, slipped to sixth position in terms of total share of visitors.  

The Lakshadweep experience suggests that when PM Modi combines political messaging with a nationalistic economic appeal, it can translate into measurable behavioural shifts among sections of the public.

Interestingly, while the RTI response provides detailed Lakshadweep tourist figures till 2024, the government has not shared tourism numbers for 2025 despite the application being filed in 2026.

Given the extraordinary rise in Lakshadweep footfall following Modi’s visit, the absence of the latest data is particularly notable.

Indian Sickular politicians and ecosystem will be displeased !!

The contrasting trend has become one of the clearest examples in recent years of Modi’s public messaging influencing consumer behaviour and travel choices.

Celebrities, influencers and travel platforms amplified the campaign after Modi’s Lakshadweep posts. Lakshadweep, which had long remained relatively underdeveloped despite its similarities with the Maldives, suddenly became a national tourism symbol.

The 2024 episode now gains fresh relevance after PM Modi called upon citizens to change consumption patterns amid global uncertainty caused by the Iran conflict. 

Over the past week, the Prime Minister has urged Indians to avoid unnecessary overseas travel, reduce fuel use, use public transport and postpone gold purchases in order to conserve foreign exchange reserves.

ends 

458 fresh enquiries launched, 181 FIRs registered, 59 cases reopened in 2021 West Bengal post-poll violence probe :::::: TMC ex-MLA Gias Uddin Molla lodges case against Abhishek, blames him for poll debacle :::: Ready to give land for fencing, but villagers demand resolution of legal tangle first

458 fresh enquiries launched, 181 FIRs registered, 59 cases reopened in 2021 West Bengal post-poll violence probe

TMC ex-MLA Gias Uddin Molla lodges case against Abhishek, blames him for poll debacle

The former junior minister for minority affairs and madrasah education alleged that Mithun Kumar Dey, the former sub-divisional police officer of Diamond Harbour, took unwarranted punitive action against sections of Trinamool rank and file who were 'unwilling to accept the autocratic manner in which Abhishek Banerjee ran the party'

Molla’s complaints were filed at a local police station under the Magrahat Paschim constituency.

He said he did not protest before Suvendu Adhikari became chief minister, fearing retribution from his own party.

“I can do this now (go to the police) because I have full faith in the administration under the new chief minister,” said Molla, who was once Suvendu’s cabinet colleague.

He also said he confidentially raised the issues with both Mamata and Abhishek, but in vain.

Molla is among the dozens in the middle to lower tiers of the Trinamool leadership who have publicly criticised Abhishek and his management of the party, as well as Mamata’s inability or unwillingness to rein him in. They have largely blamed him for the electoral debacle that has raised serious questions about the party’s very existence in the near future.

Multiple senior leaders, speaking on the condition of anonymity, said that Mamata’s refusal to accommodate or even acknowledge such views has exacerbated the problems.

Arrests

Moumita Bhattacharya, a Group D employee of Dinhata municipality, known to be close to Trinamool Congress leader and former minister Udayan Guha, was arrested on Saturday evening for allegedly approving fake building plans.

Gouri Shankar Maheswari, the former chairman of the municipality, who was allegedly involved in the same racket, remains at large.

Cooch Behar welcomes Speaker Rathindra Bose with rousing reception

A first-time MLA from the Cooch Behar Dakshin Assembly seat, Bose is regarded as one of the BJP’s key organisational faces in north Bengal. He has also been associated with the RSS since his early days.

An alumnus of Cooch Behar B.T. & Evening College, Bose has an impressive academic background. Apart from being a successful chartered accountant, he had secured fifth position in the all-India cost accountancy examinations. He lived in London for a few years before returning to India.

Bose settled in Siliguri and began practising as a chartered accountant, though he remained closely connected to his ancestral home in the Debibari area of Cooch Behar.

Fresh from being elected Speaker after his name was proposed by chief minister Suvendu Adhikari, Bose took out a gratitude rally through Cooch Behar town, standing atop a hoodless vehicle before offering puja at the Madan Mohan Temple, greeting people with folded hands

Fresh from being elected Speaker after his name was proposed by chief minister Suvendu Adhikari, Bose took out a gratitude rally through Cooch Behar town, standing atop a hoodless vehicle before offering puja at the Madan Mohan Temple, greeting people with folded hands.  

“North Bengal is quite a favourite place of the leader of the nation, Narendra Modi. The BJP government has a number of development plans for north Bengal. Our party will strive to develop north Bengal unprecedentedly,” Bose said, thanking people for the warm reception accorded to him.

People gathered in large numbers on both sides of the roads as Bose's rally passed through different parts of the town.

Ready to give land for fencing, but villagers demand resolution of legal tangle first

These South Berubari villages — Chilahati, Boroshoshi, Nawtori-Debottar and Kajaldighi — fall under the Jalpaiguri Assembly constituency  Residents of four villages in South Berubari of Jalpaiguri district have welcomed the state government’s decision to expedite land acquisition for fencing and road construction along the India-Bangladesh border, but demanded that decades-old land mutation issues be resolved first.

These South Berubari villages — Chilahati, Boroshoshi, Nawtori-Debottar and Kajaldighi — fall under the Jalpaiguri Assembly constituency.

"Pahele toh voters list mein Detect ho gaya, uskey baad Delete ho gaya, abhi toh time aa gaya hae bandhu Deport karne ka" - CM Suvendu Adhikari's firm message to Bangladeshis ::: On Vandalism in Park Circus area, he said: "Wrongdoers will have to pay a price"

 Addressing a gathering at Bhabanipur in Kolkata, from where he won the prestigious polls and humbled Mamata Banerjee; West Bengal chief minister Suvendu Adhikari on May 18, 2026 (Monday) asserted: 

"Pahele toh voters list mein Detect ho gaya, uskey baad Delete ho gaya, abhi toh time aa gaya hae bandhu Deport karne ka".  

First they have been detected, then deleted and now friend time has come to Deport, he said in reference to illegal Bangladeshi Muslim infiltrators. 

He said :"More than TMC, Congress and Left parties; my becoming chief minister has displeased Jamaits in Bangladesh more". 

He also cautioned against vandalism and hurling of stones on police in Park Circus area on Friday. "Aap ko bhugot na padega (The wrongdoers will have to pay a price)," he was very categorical. 

After Park Circus unrest, Bengal CM Suvendu Adhikari says vandalism in name of religion will not be tolerated  

He issued what he called a “last warning” against attacks on police personnel and vandalism during protests, a day after violence erupted in Kolkata’s Park Circus-Tiljala area during demonstrations against a bulldozer drive targeting alleged illegal structures.

The unrest left six police personnel and two CRPF jawans injured, while 40 people have been arrested so far, Adhikari said, adding that the investigation was being monitored directly by the Kolkata Police commissioner.  

After visiting the Park Circus Deputy Commissioner’s office and meeting injured personnel, Adhikari, who also holds the home portfolio, projected a hardline law-and-order stance and asserted that police would no longer function with “tied hands and feet”.

“I am giving a clear message that there will be zero tolerance towards this kind of unrest, hooliganism and anti-national, anti-social activities. We will not allow such things to continue,” he asserted.  

“Do not think old rules still apply. If anyone believes the police force will continue to function with tied hands and feet, they are mistaken,” he said.

Referring to allegations of stone-pelting during the protests, Adhikari drew parallels with Kashmir and warned against repetition of such incidents.

“Political and religious organisations can hold programmes after informing the police. But gathering people, raising religious slogans and pelting stones cannot continue. Stone-pelting at police in Srinagar and Kashmir has stopped; I believe it will stop in West Bengal and Kolkata, too,” Adhikari asserted.

Calling the violence “planned”, he claimed social media activity indicated prior mobilisation.

“I am making an appeal – do not repeat these things. Listen carefully, this should be the first and the last such incident. We will not allow these to recur,” he said.

“Take this as the last warning. If such incidents are repeated, no one will be worse than me as the home minister,” Adhikari said.

Suvendu puts erstwhile Trinamool regime under major legal scrutiny :::: West Bengal govt sets up Commissions of Inquiry to probe Corruption and Crimes against women after 2021

 Bengal govt sets up panels to probe corruption, crimes against women after 2021

The move effectively places the administration in West Bengal under the previous government led by Mamata Banerjee, whose Trinamool Congress (TMC) had won a third consecutive term in the 2021 Assembly polls, under major legal scrutiny.  

Newly elected West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari on Monday announced that his government has constituted two commissions headed by ex-High Court judges to probe instances of atrocities against women and girls and institutional corruption that have allegedly taken place in the state "after" 2021.

The probe panel focusing on cases of violence against women will be headed by former Calcutta High Court judge Samapti Chatterjee, with IPS officer Damyanti Sen, who solved the Park Street rape case in 2012, as a member secretary.  

Another commission, headed by retired Calcutta High Court Justice Biswajit Basu, will probe alleged cases of financial irregularities in various government schemes, including mid-day meal, during the same period. 

Senior IPS officer K Jayaraman will also be a part of the anti-corruption panel.

The committee will also look into allegations of 'cut money," which refers to a bribe or unofficial commission extorted by local officials or politicians from funds disbursed to beneficiaries of government welfare schemes, according to CM Adhikari.

"The committees are scheduled to begin functioning on June 1," he said. 

The formation of the two panels was declared after the chief minister chaired his second Cabinet meeting earlier in the day.

Damayanti Sen, who solved Park Street case

This came days after his government ordered the administration to carry out fresh scrutiny of 2021 post-poll violence cases, among other instructions. According to the directives, police officials have been asked to reopen and thoroughly investigate the cases wherever lapses in investigation are found.

The government said there were “serious complaints” regarding the earlier investigations into political violence linked to the 2021 West Bengal Assembly elections.

The order stated that Final Reports (FRTs) submitted in connection with post-poll violence incidents must be reviewed carefully and necessary legal action taken wherever required.

"Bangladesh regards India as a good friend", says Deputy Speaker Kayser Kamal :::: Rajnath Singh to visit Vietnam and Korea

 On Defence Minister Rajnath Singh's visit to the country, Indian Ambassador to Vietnam, Tshering Wangchuk Sherpa says, 

"The strengthening of  India- Vietnam partnership will lead to further stability, prosperity and peace in the region. 

We both believe in evolution and not expansionism. Vietnam is a key partner of ours in the Act East police in a broader Indo-Pacific context."  

Tshering Wangchuk Sherpa says, "Indian-Vietnam established diplomatic ties in 1972. However, our friendship is rooted in civilization linkages of shared Buddhism and heritage. Our partnership is based on mutual trust, shared values, mutual respect, and solidarity. 

This year is special, 2026, as we commemorate 10 years of our comprehensive strategic partnership, which was established during the visit of Prime Minister Modi to Vietnam in 2016. In the recent visit of President To Lam to India, our partnership was elevated to enchanced comprehensive partnership."