June 19, 2026

2026

Ram Mandir donations under scrutiny: RJD MP sends legal notice amid irregularity allegations

Ram Mandir donations under scrutiny: RJD MP sends legal notice amid irregularity allegations

Vamsikrishna03 mins mins

NEW DELHI: The Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust in Ayodhya on Thursday received a legal notice from Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) MP Sudhakar Singh seeking detailed disclosures on donations received by the Ram Mandir and how those funds have been spent.The notice comes amid a political row over allegations of financial irregularities in the…

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‘To be negotiated’: US–Iran interim deal defers final decision on Tehran’s nuclear future

‘To be negotiated’: US–Iran interim deal defers final decision on Tehran’s nuclear future

Vamsikrishna04 mins mins

The United States and Iran have reached an interim agreement on Tehran’s nuclear programme, opening a two-month window for negotiations, though key issues such as verification mechanisms, enrichment limits, and long-term compliance remain unresolved and are now set for further negotiation.The peace deal signed by US President Donald Trump and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian on…

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AI generated image On June 18, 1951, the First Amendment to the Indian Constitution came into force. Few constitutional changes have had a deeper impact on the Republic. Introduced less than 16 months after the Constitution’s adoption, it reshaped the relationship between the State, the judiciary and citizens at a formative moment in India’s democratic life.The amendment altered the scope of three fundamental rights: freedom of speech, equality and property rights. It also created a new constitutional mechanism through which certain laws could be protected from challenge on the ground that they violated fundamental rights. Significantly, these changes were enacted before independent India’s first general elections.The First Amendment expanded the grounds on which the State could impose reasonable restrictions on free speech under Article 19(2), including public order and friendly relations with foreign states. It enabled special provisions for socially and educationally backward classes under Article 15(4). It also inserted Articles 31A and 31B and created the Ninth Schedule, initially to protect land reform laws from being invalidated on fundamental-rights grounds.The amendment arose from a clash between constitutional rights and the social and political priorities of a newly independent nation. To its supporters, it was a pragmatic response to urgent demands of reform and nation-building. To its critics, it marked an early narrowing of the liberal promise of fundamental rights. Seventy-five years later, debates over speech, affirmative action, property, Parliament and judicial review still carry the imprint of choices made in 1951.When speech met public orderThe central question before the young Indian State and the Supreme Court was stark that how far could speech, especially press freedom, be restricted in the interest of public order?In Brij Bhushan v State of Delhi, the Supreme Court struck down a pre-censorship order against the Organiser under the East Punjab Public Safety Act, holding that prior restraint violated press freedom under Article 19(1)(a). In Romesh Thappar v State of Madras, it invalidated a ban on the magazine Cross Roads under the Madras Maintenance of Public Order Act, ruling that the restriction went beyond the then-existing limits under Article 19(2). Speech and the StateThese judgments prompted a constitutional response. The First Amendment expanded Article 19(2), giving the State wider grounds to impose reasonable restrictions on speech.The contrast with the United States is often noted. The American First Amendment is framed as a restriction on Congress’s power to abridge speech or press freedom. India’s First Amendment moved in a different direction: it recalibrated the balance between freedom and regulation, placing greater emphasis on constitutionally recognised grounds for restriction.Critics have long argued that this altered the liberal architecture of the original Constitution. Historian Tripurdaman Singh, in Sixteen Stormy Days, describes the First Amendment as a moment that narrowed individual liberty and civil rights. Others, including advocate Abhinav Chandrachud, have argued that the amendment must be understood against the anxieties of a newly independent country still dealing with Partition, communal violence and the challenge of maintaining order. Chandrachud has also noted that the insertion of the word “reasonable” gave courts a standard by which to test disproportionate restrictions.The legacy of this compromise remains visible. Modern disputes over speech, censorship, platform restrictions, films, books and public order continue to be argued within a framework in which free expression is constitutionally guaranteed but also subject to defined restrictions. The enduring question is whether that framework remains balanced in an age of instant communication, digital mobilisation and expanding State capacity.When reform was shielded from courtsThe most far-reaching provisions of the First Amendment related to land reform and judicial review. The abolition of the zamindari system was a major political and social project for governments at the Centre and in the states, but early land reform laws faced constitutional challenge.A key moment came when the Patna High Court struck down the Bihar Land Reforms Act in Kameshwar Singh. Concerned that similar laws could be vulnerable to judicial invalidation, the government introduced Articles 31A and 31B. Article 31B created the Ninth Schedule, which initially included 13 land reform laws. Land reform vs rightsThe stated purpose was to protect a major programme of agrarian reform from being stalled by litigation over property rights. Nehru expressed this concern in letters to chief ministers, writing that urgent social change could not be indefinitely delayed because the Constitution stood in the way, and that a remedy might require a constitutional change.The deeper constitutional question was larger than land reform. Could Parliament place certain laws beyond ordinary fundamental-rights scrutiny in pursuit of social and economic transformation? The First Amendment answered that question by creating a special shield for selected laws.A comparison is sometimes drawn with Franklin D Roosevelt’s New Deal struggle with the United States Supreme Court. Both Roosevelt and Nehru faced judicial resistance to transformative socio-economic programmes. But the constitutional routes differed. Roosevelt’s confrontation unfolded within the existing constitutional framework, while Nehru’s government amended the Constitution to reduce the vulnerability of land reform laws to rights-based challenge.Over time, the Ninth Schedule expanded far beyond its original land-reform setting. Laws relating to areas such as industrial regulation, reservations, electoral matters and taxation were also placed in it. This growth sharpened the tension between parliamentary power and constitutional supremacy.The Supreme Court addressed that tension in I.R. Coelho in 2007. A nine-judge bench held that laws placed in the Ninth Schedule after the Kesavananda Bharati judgment could still be tested if they damaged or destroyed the basic structure of the Constitution. In effect, the Court restored a constitutional limit: the Ninth Schedule could not become a blanket route to avoid judicial review.When equality made room for social justiceThe First Amendment also inserted Article 15(4), allowing the State to make special provisions for socially and educationally backward classes, as well as Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes.This change followed the Supreme Court’s decision in State of Madras v Champakam Dorairajan, which struck down the Communal G.O. governing admissions in Madras on the ground that it violated the equality provisions of the Constitution. The case involved admissions to educational institutions and raised a foundational question: how should a constitutional promise of formal equality respond to deeply unequal social realities? Article 15(4) became the constitutional basis for affirmative action in education. It later shaped the broader trajectory of reservation policy, including debates that culminated in the Mandal Commission and the Supreme Court’s Indra Sawhney judgment.The larger debate has never disappeared. India continues to wrestle with how to reconcile equality of opportunity, historical disadvantage, representation and social mobility. The First Amendment did not settle that argument. It created the constitutional space in which the argument would unfold.The bargain that still governs IndiaThe First Amendment remains one of the most consequential moments in Indian constitutional history. Its critics see it as the point at which the Constitution’s promise of liberty was qualified by the imperatives of governance. Its supporters see it as a necessary adjustment by a fragile new democracy confronting social inequality, public disorder and urgent reform.Both readings contain a measure of truth. The amendment reminds us that constitutional democracies are sustained neither by rights alone nor by State power alone, but by a continuing negotiation between the two.As India marks 75 years of the First Amendment, the question is not simply whether the amendment was right or wrong in 1951. The more urgent question is whether the balance it struck between freedom and regulation, reform and rights, Parliament and courts, remains adequate for a twenty-first-century democracy.Avirup Bose is Professor of Competition Law and Policy at Jindal Global Law SchoolGet the latest India news and live updates. Download the TOI App.About the AuthorAvirup BoseAvirup Bose is Professor of Competition Law and Policy at Jindal Global Law School. He is a former expert consultant to the Competition Commission of India. Views are personal.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosRanchi Police Arrest 2 Accused In RSS Office Petrol Bomb Attack’Calculated Move To Isolate And Endanger Her’: TMC On Mamata Security RowPM Modi, Trump Hold Bilateral Talks On Hormuz, Seafarers, Defence, Trade TiesSpeaker to Hear TMC and Rebel Camps Before Deciding on Breakaway Faction’s Claim’If India Comes Under Attack And Modi Is The Leader, US Will Help’: Trump’It’s A Rough…’: Trump Reacts To Indian Seafarers’ Deaths As PM Modi Raises ConcernsAfter BJP Exit, Annamalai Eyes New Political Party With Growing Membership Base’We Are Prepared’: Akhilesh Yadav Rejects Split Buzz, Accuses BJP of Engineering Defections | WatchRevolt-Hit TMC Asked to Vacate Kolkata Headquarters Amid Lease DisputeIndia Blocks Telegram Ahead Of NEET Re-Exam, But It Remains Operational On VPN123Photostories6 localities of Nagpur attracting homebuyers and real estate investorsWhat would you do? My colleague borrowed money from me and is not returning despite requests; 6 women share exactly how they dealt with itFather’s Day 2026: Father’s day traditions that never get oldBigg Boss Malayalam 8: Celebrities netizens wish to see on the showMushrooms can provide up to 1200 IU Vitamin D per 100 grams if this small thing is done before cooking themHow to visit Kailash Mansarovar: Routes, permits, costs, best time to visit and key questions to ask60-second money lesson: 8 money saving hacks every woman using UPI should know right now5 luxury residential regions in Greater Noida attracting premium homebuyersWhat to do when your child is angry: Parents share most effective techniques that almost invariably workedRupali Ganguly’s rise to fame: From a filmmaker’s daughter to Indian television’s leading lady123Hot PicksOperation TigerNEET aspirant suicideKerala lipstick-free campusUS fed policyCrude prices fallStock MarketSSC CGL Tier 2 final answer keyWBJEE admit cardMP board second resultTop TrendingCristiano RonaldoIshan KishanShubham GillFIFA World Cup 2026SSC CGL Tier 2 final answer keyDownload Optifine for Minecraft 26.2SpaceXCBSE 10th Second Board Result 2026Eknath ShindeAustria vs Jordan Match Result

AI generated image On June 18, 1951, the First Amendment to the Indian Constitution came into force. Few constitutional changes have had a deeper impact on the Republic. Introduced less than 16 months after the Constitution’s adoption, it reshaped the relationship between the State, the judiciary and citizens at a formative moment in India’s democratic life.The amendment altered the scope of three fundamental rights: freedom of speech, equality and property rights. It also created a new constitutional mechanism through which certain laws could be protected from challenge on the ground that they violated fundamental rights. Significantly, these changes were enacted before independent India’s first general elections.The First Amendment expanded the grounds on which the State could impose reasonable restrictions on free speech under Article 19(2), including public order and friendly relations with foreign states. It enabled special provisions for socially and educationally backward classes under Article 15(4). It also inserted Articles 31A and 31B and created the Ninth Schedule, initially to protect land reform laws from being invalidated on fundamental-rights grounds.The amendment arose from a clash between constitutional rights and the social and political priorities of a newly independent nation. To its supporters, it was a pragmatic response to urgent demands of reform and nation-building. To its critics, it marked an early narrowing of the liberal promise of fundamental rights. Seventy-five years later, debates over speech, affirmative action, property, Parliament and judicial review still carry the imprint of choices made in 1951.When speech met public orderThe central question before the young Indian State and the Supreme Court was stark that how far could speech, especially press freedom, be restricted in the interest of public order?In Brij Bhushan v State of Delhi, the Supreme Court struck down a pre-censorship order against the Organiser under the East Punjab Public Safety Act, holding that prior restraint violated press freedom under Article 19(1)(a). In Romesh Thappar v State of Madras, it invalidated a ban on the magazine Cross Roads under the Madras Maintenance of Public Order Act, ruling that the restriction went beyond the then-existing limits under Article 19(2). Speech and the StateThese judgments prompted a constitutional response. The First Amendment expanded Article 19(2), giving the State wider grounds to impose reasonable restrictions on speech.The contrast with the United States is often noted. The American First Amendment is framed as a restriction on Congress’s power to abridge speech or press freedom. India’s First Amendment moved in a different direction: it recalibrated the balance between freedom and regulation, placing greater emphasis on constitutionally recognised grounds for restriction.Critics have long argued that this altered the liberal architecture of the original Constitution. Historian Tripurdaman Singh, in Sixteen Stormy Days, describes the First Amendment as a moment that narrowed individual liberty and civil rights. Others, including advocate Abhinav Chandrachud, have argued that the amendment must be understood against the anxieties of a newly independent country still dealing with Partition, communal violence and the challenge of maintaining order. Chandrachud has also noted that the insertion of the word “reasonable” gave courts a standard by which to test disproportionate restrictions.The legacy of this compromise remains visible. Modern disputes over speech, censorship, platform restrictions, films, books and public order continue to be argued within a framework in which free expression is constitutionally guaranteed but also subject to defined restrictions. The enduring question is whether that framework remains balanced in an age of instant communication, digital mobilisation and expanding State capacity.When reform was shielded from courtsThe most far-reaching provisions of the First Amendment related to land reform and judicial review. The abolition of the zamindari system was a major political and social project for governments at the Centre and in the states, but early land reform laws faced constitutional challenge.A key moment came when the Patna High Court struck down the Bihar Land Reforms Act in Kameshwar Singh. Concerned that similar laws could be vulnerable to judicial invalidation, the government introduced Articles 31A and 31B. Article 31B created the Ninth Schedule, which initially included 13 land reform laws. Land reform vs rightsThe stated purpose was to protect a major programme of agrarian reform from being stalled by litigation over property rights. Nehru expressed this concern in letters to chief ministers, writing that urgent social change could not be indefinitely delayed because the Constitution stood in the way, and that a remedy might require a constitutional change.The deeper constitutional question was larger than land reform. Could Parliament place certain laws beyond ordinary fundamental-rights scrutiny in pursuit of social and economic transformation? The First Amendment answered that question by creating a special shield for selected laws.A comparison is sometimes drawn with Franklin D Roosevelt’s New Deal struggle with the United States Supreme Court. Both Roosevelt and Nehru faced judicial resistance to transformative socio-economic programmes. But the constitutional routes differed. Roosevelt’s confrontation unfolded within the existing constitutional framework, while Nehru’s government amended the Constitution to reduce the vulnerability of land reform laws to rights-based challenge.Over time, the Ninth Schedule expanded far beyond its original land-reform setting. Laws relating to areas such as industrial regulation, reservations, electoral matters and taxation were also placed in it. This growth sharpened the tension between parliamentary power and constitutional supremacy.The Supreme Court addressed that tension in I.R. Coelho in 2007. A nine-judge bench held that laws placed in the Ninth Schedule after the Kesavananda Bharati judgment could still be tested if they damaged or destroyed the basic structure of the Constitution. In effect, the Court restored a constitutional limit: the Ninth Schedule could not become a blanket route to avoid judicial review.When equality made room for social justiceThe First Amendment also inserted Article 15(4), allowing the State to make special provisions for socially and educationally backward classes, as well as Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes.This change followed the Supreme Court’s decision in State of Madras v Champakam Dorairajan, which struck down the Communal G.O. governing admissions in Madras on the ground that it violated the equality provisions of the Constitution. The case involved admissions to educational institutions and raised a foundational question: how should a constitutional promise of formal equality respond to deeply unequal social realities? Article 15(4) became the constitutional basis for affirmative action in education. It later shaped the broader trajectory of reservation policy, including debates that culminated in the Mandal Commission and the Supreme Court’s Indra Sawhney judgment.The larger debate has never disappeared. India continues to wrestle with how to reconcile equality of opportunity, historical disadvantage, representation and social mobility. The First Amendment did not settle that argument. It created the constitutional space in which the argument would unfold.The bargain that still governs IndiaThe First Amendment remains one of the most consequential moments in Indian constitutional history. Its critics see it as the point at which the Constitution’s promise of liberty was qualified by the imperatives of governance. Its supporters see it as a necessary adjustment by a fragile new democracy confronting social inequality, public disorder and urgent reform.Both readings contain a measure of truth. The amendment reminds us that constitutional democracies are sustained neither by rights alone nor by State power alone, but by a continuing negotiation between the two.As India marks 75 years of the First Amendment, the question is not simply whether the amendment was right or wrong in 1951. The more urgent question is whether the balance it struck between freedom and regulation, reform and rights, Parliament and courts, remains adequate for a twenty-first-century democracy.Avirup Bose is Professor of Competition Law and Policy at Jindal Global Law SchoolGet the latest India news and live updates. Download the TOI App.About the AuthorAvirup BoseAvirup Bose is Professor of Competition Law and Policy at Jindal Global Law School. He is a former expert consultant to the Competition Commission of India. Views are personal.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosRanchi Police Arrest 2 Accused In RSS Office Petrol Bomb Attack’Calculated Move To Isolate And Endanger Her’: TMC On Mamata Security RowPM Modi, Trump Hold Bilateral Talks On Hormuz, Seafarers, Defence, Trade TiesSpeaker to Hear TMC and Rebel Camps Before Deciding on Breakaway Faction’s Claim’If India Comes Under Attack And Modi Is The Leader, US Will Help’: Trump’It’s A Rough…’: Trump Reacts To Indian Seafarers’ Deaths As PM Modi Raises ConcernsAfter BJP Exit, Annamalai Eyes New Political Party With Growing Membership Base’We Are Prepared’: Akhilesh Yadav Rejects Split Buzz, Accuses BJP of Engineering Defections | WatchRevolt-Hit TMC Asked to Vacate Kolkata Headquarters Amid Lease DisputeIndia Blocks Telegram Ahead Of NEET Re-Exam, But It Remains Operational On VPN123Photostories6 localities of Nagpur attracting homebuyers and real estate investorsWhat would you do? 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Vamsikrishna07 mins mins

On June 18, 1951, the First Amendment to the Indian Constitution came into force. Few constitutional changes have had a deeper impact on the Republic. Introduced less than 16 months after the Constitution’s adoption, it reshaped the relationship between the State, the judiciary and citizens at a formative moment in India’s democratic life.The amendment altered…

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Jun 18, 2026, 10:24 IST

Jun 18, 2026, 10:24 IST

Vamsikrishna02 mins mins

Colombia’s Luis Diaz (7) celebrates after scoring his team’s second goal. (AP Photo) Luis Diaz marked his FIFA World Cup debut in style with a goal and an assist as Colombia opened their 2026 campaign with a commanding 3-1 victory over debutants Uzbekistan, moving to the top of Group K ahead of Portugal.Back at the…

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WBJEE admit card 2026 to be released today at wbjeeb.nic.in: Check steps to download hall tickets

WBJEE admit card 2026 to be released today at wbjeeb.nic.in: Check steps to download hall tickets

Vamsikrishna02 mins mins

The West Bengal Joint Entrance Examinations Board (WBJEEB) has declared the WBJEE 2026 results, bringing relief to thousands of aspirants seeking admission to professional degree programmes across the state. Rank cards are available online from 4 PM and will be used during the counselling process. Candidates can access their scores, merit ranks and other details…

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Angelina Jolie on working with son Maddox in ‘Couture’; credits six children for helping her reclaim ‘fighting spirit’

Angelina Jolie on working with son Maddox in ‘Couture’; credits six children for helping her reclaim ‘fighting spirit’

Vamsikrishna04 mins mins

Angelina Jolie is opening up like never before, about the emotional experience of working alongside her son, Maddox Jolie, on her upcoming film ‘Couture’. The actress, who has been out and about promoting the new film, reflected on her emotional journey with the film and the subject it tackles, while also opening up about her…

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6 localities of Nagpur attracting homebuyers and real estate investors

6 localities of Nagpur attracting homebuyers and real estate investors

Vamsikrishna01 mins mins

Dharampeth remains one of Nagpur’s most prestigious and established residential localities. Known for its prime location, excellent civic infrastructure, premium residential properties, and vibrant commercial activity, the area continues to attract affluent homebuyers. Strong demand, limited land availability, and proximity to educational institutions and business centres contribute to its long-term investment appeal. Nagpur’s evolving real…

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NEET UG 2026: NTA eases admit card access, allows download before bank detail verification

NEET UG 2026: NTA eases admit card access, allows download before bank detail verification

Vamsikrishna02 mins mins

The National Testing Agency has introduced a new facility enabling NEET UG 2026 aspirants to download their admit cards without immediately confirming bank account details linked to fee refunds. The move comes after candidates reported difficulties with the verification process ahead of the June 21 medical entrance examination. The National Testing Agency (NTA) has allowed…

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‘It cuts out negativity’: Samantha Ruth Prabhu’s morning routine to beat self-doubt

‘It cuts out negativity’: Samantha Ruth Prabhu’s morning routine to beat self-doubt

Vamsikrishna02 mins mins

Samantha Ruth Prabhu once opened up about the morning routine that helps her overcome self-doubt and negative self-talk. During an Instagram Ask Me Anything session in 2025, a follower asked what helps her work through internal negativity and confusion when she experiences it, prompting Samantha to share insight into a practice she has built into…

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‘Messi, Messi’ chants follow Cristiano Ronaldo after Portugal’s shock draw against DR Congo

‘Messi, Messi’ chants follow Cristiano Ronaldo after Portugal’s shock draw against DR Congo

Vamsikrishna02 mins mins

Cristiano Ronaldo. Image via: Getty Images Cristiano Ronaldo endured a frustrating start to his FIFA World Cup 2026 campaign, extending his goal drought for Portugal in a disappointing outing. To make matters worse, fans of the Democratic Republic of the Congo taunted the Portuguese star by chanting Lionel Messi’s name after Portugal’s 1-1 draw in…

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BJP leader Agnimitra Paul (Image/ANI) NEW DELHI: West Bengal BJP leader Agnimitra Paul said the recent incidents of eggs being hurled at Trinamool Congress (TMC) leaders reflected growing public anger over alleged corruption and misgovernance in the state, describing it as a show of ‘deemocracy’ by the people.Her remarks came amid a series of egg-throwing incidents targeting several TMC leaders across West Bengal.Speaking to reporters on Wednesday in Hooghly, Paul said: “We don’t want anyone to take the law into their own hands, but you cannot forget how the people of Bengal were persecuted, corruption happened on every level of society, and Mamata Banerjee did not do anything.”The BJP leader alleged that people in the state had suffered due to corruption and claimed that the recent incidents reflected widespread resentment against the ruling TMC.”If people are hurling eggs, I call it ‘deemocracy’, and this is the fate of the TMC leaders,” Paul said.She maintained that the BJP does not support lawlessness but argued that public frustration had been building over the years. According to Paul, the incidents were a consequence of what she described as years of corruption and neglect by the Mamata Banerjee government.The latest incident occurred outside Banerjee’s heavily guarded Kalighat residence on June 14, when veteran TMC leader and Beliaghata MLA Kunal Ghosh was allegedly targeted by a youth who threw an egg at him while he was addressing reporters.The egg struck Ghosh on the head and broke on impact. The accused, identified as Chandan, later claimed that Ghosh ‘deserved’ the attack because of alleged wrongdoings by the TMC.Reacting to the incident, Ghosh described it as a ‘planned act of hooliganism’ and questioned how such an attack could take place near a residence protected by Z-category security.”Throwing an egg is not the problem. The problem is that an attack is being carried out right in front of Mamata Banerjee’s house, which is under Z-category security. We need to see who is carrying out this attack,” Ghosh said.The controversy deepened after Ghosh alleged that one of the accused was linked to a recent CID operation at Banerjee’s residence. Police later arrested two people in connection with the incident.The Kalighat episode was not an isolated case. On Tuesday, TMC youth leader Soumitra Banerjee was pelted with eggs and greeted with chants of “chor, chor, chor” while being escorted to court following his arrest in a separate case. Police later brought the situation under control and ensured his safe passage to court.Earlier, residents in Ariadaha allegedly hurled eggs at a vehicle linked to senior TMC MLA Madan Mitra amid protests over alleged “cut money” collections and local grievances. Mitra blamed the incident on “BJP-backed miscreants”, while residents claimed their anger had been building for months.The attacks come at a time when the TMC is facing political turbulence following a series of defections, resignations and internal dissent after its Assembly election setback. Rebel leaders have claimed that public dissatisfaction with corruption and governance issues is increasingly translating into visible protests against TMC functionaries.Paul had earlier made similar remarks in Asansol, where she argued that the trend of throwing eggs at political leaders was a reaction to what she described as ’15 years of oppression’ under the TMC government.”India is a democracy, and people have various ways of registering their protest. In Bengal, the culture of throwing eggs has begun, and it is a result of how Mamata Banerjee and Abhishek Banerjee have treated the people,” she had said.The BJP leader claimed that the growing number of such incidents demonstrated that citizens were increasingly pushing back against the ruling party.”The people are finally responding. What we are witnessing is a growing trend of defiance that is now visible everywhere,” Paul said.Get the latest India news and live updates. Download the TOI App.About the AuthorTOI News DeskThe TOI News Desk comprises a dedicated and tireless team of journalists who operate around the clock to deliver the most current and comprehensive news and updates to the readers of The Times of India worldwide. With an unwavering commitment to excellence in journalism, our team is at the forefront of gathering, verifying, and presenting breaking news, in-depth analysis, and insightful reports on a wide range of topics. The TOI News Desk is your trusted source for staying informed and connected to the ever-evolving global landscape, ensuring that our readers are equipped with the latest developments that matter most.”Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosRanchi Police Arrest 2 Accused In RSS Office Petrol Bomb Attack’Calculated Move To Isolate And Endanger Her’: TMC On Mamata Security RowPM Modi, Trump Hold Bilateral Talks On Hormuz, Seafarers, Defence, Trade TiesSpeaker to Hear TMC and Rebel Camps Before Deciding on Breakaway Faction’s Claim’If India Comes Under Attack And Modi Is The Leader, US Will Help’: Trump’It’s A Rough…’: Trump Reacts To Indian Seafarers’ Deaths As PM Modi Raises ConcernsAfter BJP Exit, Annamalai Eyes New Political Party With Growing Membership Base’We Are Prepared’: Akhilesh Yadav Rejects Split Buzz, Accuses BJP of Engineering Defections | WatchRevolt-Hit TMC Asked to Vacate Kolkata Headquarters Amid Lease DisputeIndia Blocks Telegram Ahead Of NEET Re-Exam, But It Remains Operational On VPN123PhotostoriesBigg Boss Malayalam 8: Celebrities netizens wish to see on the showMushrooms can provide up to 1200 IU Vitamin D per 100 grams if this small thing is done before cooking themHow to visit Kailash Mansarovar: Routes, permits, costs, best time to visit and key questions to ask60-second money lesson: 8 money saving hacks every woman using UPI should know right now5 luxury residential regions in Greater Noida attracting premium homebuyersWhat to do when your child is angry: Parents share most effective techniques that almost invariably workedRupali Ganguly’s rise to fame: From a filmmaker’s daughter to Indian television’s leading ladyHow to recognize manipulation: 5 life skills parents must teach children6 fun, cute and unique souvenirs you must bring home from JapanYou may not notice these health problems after 40 until it’s too late: The essential tests every man needs123Hot PicksOperation TigerNEET aspirant suicideKerala lipstick-free campusUS fed policyCrude prices fallStock MarketSSC CGL Tier 2 final answer keyWBJEE admit cardMP board second resultTop TrendingCristiano RonaldoIshan KishanShubham GillFIFA World Cup 2026SSC CGL Tier 2 final answer keyDownload Optifine for Minecraft 26.2SpaceXCBSE 10th Second Board Result 2026Eknath ShindeAustria vs Jordan Match Result

BJP leader Agnimitra Paul (Image/ANI) NEW DELHI: West Bengal BJP leader Agnimitra Paul said the recent incidents of eggs being hurled at Trinamool Congress (TMC) leaders reflected growing public anger over alleged corruption and misgovernance in the state, describing it as a show of ‘deemocracy’ by the people.Her remarks came amid a series of egg-throwing incidents targeting several TMC leaders across West Bengal.Speaking to reporters on Wednesday in Hooghly, Paul said: “We don’t want anyone to take the law into their own hands, but you cannot forget how the people of Bengal were persecuted, corruption happened on every level of society, and Mamata Banerjee did not do anything.”The BJP leader alleged that people in the state had suffered due to corruption and claimed that the recent incidents reflected widespread resentment against the ruling TMC.”If people are hurling eggs, I call it ‘deemocracy’, and this is the fate of the TMC leaders,” Paul said.She maintained that the BJP does not support lawlessness but argued that public frustration had been building over the years. According to Paul, the incidents were a consequence of what she described as years of corruption and neglect by the Mamata Banerjee government.The latest incident occurred outside Banerjee’s heavily guarded Kalighat residence on June 14, when veteran TMC leader and Beliaghata MLA Kunal Ghosh was allegedly targeted by a youth who threw an egg at him while he was addressing reporters.The egg struck Ghosh on the head and broke on impact. The accused, identified as Chandan, later claimed that Ghosh ‘deserved’ the attack because of alleged wrongdoings by the TMC.Reacting to the incident, Ghosh described it as a ‘planned act of hooliganism’ and questioned how such an attack could take place near a residence protected by Z-category security.”Throwing an egg is not the problem. The problem is that an attack is being carried out right in front of Mamata Banerjee’s house, which is under Z-category security. We need to see who is carrying out this attack,” Ghosh said.The controversy deepened after Ghosh alleged that one of the accused was linked to a recent CID operation at Banerjee’s residence. Police later arrested two people in connection with the incident.The Kalighat episode was not an isolated case. On Tuesday, TMC youth leader Soumitra Banerjee was pelted with eggs and greeted with chants of “chor, chor, chor” while being escorted to court following his arrest in a separate case. Police later brought the situation under control and ensured his safe passage to court.Earlier, residents in Ariadaha allegedly hurled eggs at a vehicle linked to senior TMC MLA Madan Mitra amid protests over alleged “cut money” collections and local grievances. Mitra blamed the incident on “BJP-backed miscreants”, while residents claimed their anger had been building for months.The attacks come at a time when the TMC is facing political turbulence following a series of defections, resignations and internal dissent after its Assembly election setback. Rebel leaders have claimed that public dissatisfaction with corruption and governance issues is increasingly translating into visible protests against TMC functionaries.Paul had earlier made similar remarks in Asansol, where she argued that the trend of throwing eggs at political leaders was a reaction to what she described as ’15 years of oppression’ under the TMC government.”India is a democracy, and people have various ways of registering their protest. In Bengal, the culture of throwing eggs has begun, and it is a result of how Mamata Banerjee and Abhishek Banerjee have treated the people,” she had said.The BJP leader claimed that the growing number of such incidents demonstrated that citizens were increasingly pushing back against the ruling party.”The people are finally responding. What we are witnessing is a growing trend of defiance that is now visible everywhere,” Paul said.Get the latest India news and live updates. Download the TOI App.About the AuthorTOI News DeskThe TOI News Desk comprises a dedicated and tireless team of journalists who operate around the clock to deliver the most current and comprehensive news and updates to the readers of The Times of India worldwide. With an unwavering commitment to excellence in journalism, our team is at the forefront of gathering, verifying, and presenting breaking news, in-depth analysis, and insightful reports on a wide range of topics. The TOI News Desk is your trusted source for staying informed and connected to the ever-evolving global landscape, ensuring that our readers are equipped with the latest developments that matter most.”Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosRanchi Police Arrest 2 Accused In RSS Office Petrol Bomb Attack’Calculated Move To Isolate And Endanger Her’: TMC On Mamata Security RowPM Modi, Trump Hold Bilateral Talks On Hormuz, Seafarers, Defence, Trade TiesSpeaker to Hear TMC and Rebel Camps Before Deciding on Breakaway Faction’s Claim’If India Comes Under Attack And Modi Is The Leader, US Will Help’: Trump’It’s A Rough…’: Trump Reacts To Indian Seafarers’ Deaths As PM Modi Raises ConcernsAfter BJP Exit, Annamalai Eyes New Political Party With Growing Membership Base’We Are Prepared’: Akhilesh Yadav Rejects Split Buzz, Accuses BJP of Engineering Defections | WatchRevolt-Hit TMC Asked to Vacate Kolkata Headquarters Amid Lease DisputeIndia Blocks Telegram Ahead Of NEET Re-Exam, But It Remains Operational On VPN123PhotostoriesBigg Boss Malayalam 8: Celebrities netizens wish to see on the showMushrooms can provide up to 1200 IU Vitamin D per 100 grams if this small thing is done before cooking themHow to visit Kailash Mansarovar: Routes, permits, costs, best time to visit and key questions to ask60-second money lesson: 8 money saving hacks every woman using UPI should know right now5 luxury residential regions in Greater Noida attracting premium homebuyersWhat to do when your child is angry: Parents share most effective techniques that almost invariably workedRupali Ganguly’s rise to fame: From a filmmaker’s daughter to Indian television’s leading ladyHow to recognize manipulation: 5 life skills parents must teach children6 fun, cute and unique souvenirs you must bring home from JapanYou may not notice these health problems after 40 until it’s too late: The essential tests every man needs123Hot PicksOperation TigerNEET aspirant suicideKerala lipstick-free campusUS fed policyCrude prices fallStock MarketSSC CGL Tier 2 final answer keyWBJEE admit cardMP board second resultTop TrendingCristiano RonaldoIshan KishanShubham GillFIFA World Cup 2026SSC CGL Tier 2 final answer keyDownload Optifine for Minecraft 26.2SpaceXCBSE 10th Second Board Result 2026Eknath ShindeAustria vs Jordan Match Result

Vamsikrishna04 mins mins

BJP leader Agnimitra Paul (Image/ANI) NEW DELHI: West Bengal BJP leader Agnimitra Paul said the recent incidents of eggs being hurled at Trinamool Congress (TMC) leaders reflected growing public anger over alleged corruption and misgovernance in the state, describing it as a show of ‘deemocracy’ by the people.Her remarks came amid a series of egg-throwing…

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Jun 18, 2026, 09:45 IST

Jun 18, 2026, 09:45 IST

Vamsikrishna02 mins mins

Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi (ANI Photo) Cristiano Ronaldo etched his name deeper into FIFA World Cup history by becoming only the second men’s footballer to feature in six editions of the tournament, joining long-time rival Lionel Messi in an exclusive club. However, the milestone came on a frustrating night as Portugal were held to…

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MP Board Class 10th second board exam results 2026 released at result.mponline.gov.in: Direct link to download scorecards here

MP Board Class 10th second board exam results 2026 released at result.mponline.gov.in: Direct link to download scorecards here

Vamsikrishna02 mins mins

MPBSE has released the Class 10 Second Examination Result 2026 on its official portal. The supplementary examination was conducted for students seeking to clear pending subjects or improve their marks. Candidates can now check their results online and download provisional scorecards by logging in with their roll number and application number.(Representative Image) Madhya Pradesh Board…

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Kylie Jenner and Timothee Chalamet enjoy NYC bike ride after sister Kim Kardashian paints town red with beau Lewis Hamilton – PICS

Kylie Jenner and Timothee Chalamet enjoy NYC bike ride after sister Kim Kardashian paints town red with beau Lewis Hamilton – PICS

Vamsikrishna02 mins mins

Timothée Chalamet and Kylie Jenner were spotted enjoying a relaxed day out in New York City, taking a stroll and later cycling side by side through the streets just ahead of the city’s highly anticipated Knicks championship parade.The couple, who have been dating since early 2023, were all smiles as they stepped out hand-in-hand. Chalamet…

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‘Kiss me here, kiss me’: Local boy grabs Australian tourist’s hand and asks for a kiss; man says he was ‘getting molested by people younger’

‘Kiss me here, kiss me’: Local boy grabs Australian tourist’s hand and asks for a kiss; man says he was ‘getting molested by people younger’

Vamsikrishna03 mins mins

“Kiss me here, kiss me.”A few words shouted on a Kolkata street were enough to turn a routine travel video into a viral storm online – sparking outrage, discomfort, and a sharply divided debate across social media.What started as a brief street interaction between an Australian tourist and a young local man has now snowballed…

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Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang does not agree with Trump admin’s idea of taking stake in AI companies; says: Remember that these are American companies, and “Americans have …

Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang does not agree with Trump admin’s idea of taking stake in AI companies; says: Remember that these are American companies, and “Americans have …

Vamsikrishna04 mins mins

Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang isn’t in favour of the US government taking a stake in artificial intelligence (AI) companies. In a recent interview, the chief executive of the chip giant said he does not fully understand what such a proposal aims to achieve. He argued that Americans already benefit from the success of AI companies…

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