April 20, 2026

Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami announced the 2027 Haridwar Ardh Kumbh Mela will be celebrated grandly, mirroring the Purna Kumbh. For the first time, sadhus and saints will participate in ‘Shahi Snan’ during the four-month event, with extensive preparations underway to ensure its historic significance and the safety of millions of expected devotees. Uttarakhand chief minister Pushkar Singh Dhami (Photo credit: ANI) HARIDWAR: The Haridwar Ardh Kumbh Mela to be held in Uttarakhand in 2027 will be celebrated as “divinely and grandly” as the Purna Kumbh, and for the first time, sadhus and saints will take ‘Shahi Snan’ (royal bath) during the Ardh Kumbh, chief minister Pushkar Singh Dhami said on Friday. Dhami made this announcement after meeting with representatives of all 13 Akharas of sadhus and saints on the banks of the Ganga here. He also announced the dates for a total of 10 bathing festivals, including three Amrit (royal) baths, during the Ardh Kumbh, which will be celebrated on the lines of the Purna Kumbh. He also honoured the Mahants and saints of all 13 Akharas on this occasion. The saints praised the chief minister’s decision, calling it a step taken to preserve culture and offered their blessings. The Haridwar Ardh Kumbh 2027 will run for four months from January to April. Referring to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s call to establish Uttarakhand as a spiritual capital, the chief minister said that the state government is preparing to make the event as historic as the Purna Kumbh. He said that the 2021 Kumbh was only held for a short period due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and the shahi snan was only performed symbolically. However, the 2027 Haridwar Ardh Kumbh will be historic and of special significance in many respects. Dhami said that the number of devotees coming to the Ardh Kumbh is expected to be many times greater than the 2010 and 2021 Kumbhs, and in view of this, the state government has already begun extensive preparations. He directed officials to ensure foolproof arrangements and ensure full coordination with state and central security agencies for the safety of devotees and saints. The chief minister sought suggestions and guidance from the Acharyas of the Akharas for the successful organisation of the event and stated that the traditions, needs, and conveniences of the saints will be given top priority. Dhami said that it is his good fortune to receive the blessings and guidance of the saints for the smooth and grand organisation of the Kumbh. Dhami said, “Without the inspiration, suggestions, and blessings of the saints, the completion of this grand plan is unimaginable. We endeavour to use everyone’s invaluable suggestions to make the preparations for Kumbh 2027 more comprehensive, well-organised, and in line with the expectations of the saint community.” He also announced the important dates for the 2027 Ardh Kumbh Snan. There will be a total of 10 bathing festivals at the Haridwar Ardh Kumbh, including three Amrit or royal baths. For the first time in the Ardh Kumbh, the Akharas will perform the Amrit Snan with grandeur on these three snans-Mahashivratri on March 6, Falgun Amavasya on March 8, and Mesha Sankranti on April 14. In addition, other bathing festivals during the Ardh Kumbh include Makar Sankranti on January 14, Mauni Amavasya on February 6, Vasant Panchami on February 11, Magh Purnima on February 20, Nav Samvatsara (New Year) on April 7, Shri Ram Navami on April 15, and Chaitra Purnima on April 20. Mahant Ravindra Puri, national president of the Akhil Bharatiya Akhara Parishad, described the chief minister’s decision to celebrate the Ardh Kumbh as grand and divine, as the Kumbh as historic and said that he is leaving no stone unturned to establish Sanatan Dharma. He stated that all Akharas will fully support and cooperate with the state government in this regard. He expressed hope that the 2027 Ardh Kumbh in Haridwar will be as successful and historic as the Prayag Kumbh. In addition to the MLAs, Garhwal commissioner Vinay Shankar Pandey, Garhwal Police Inspector General Rajiv Swaroop, Mela Adhikari Sonika, and other senior officials were also present at the meeting.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosNepal’s Currency Map Includes Indian Land; Ex-Minister Calls Dialogue Essential Amid Rising TensionIndia’s Maritime Future Is Preordained: CDS Chauhan Predicts Indian Navy’s Decisive Warfighting RolePak Slams Rajnath’s Sindh Remark But Ignores Its Leader Claiming Gujarat, Rajasthan, Haryana As OwnIndiGo And Air India Warn Of Delays As Airbus Solar Radiation Snag Hits 350 A320 Jets In IndiaPakistan Faces Global Scrutiny as UN Flags Grave Risks to Rule of Law, Judicial Freedom, GovernanceCyclone Ditwah Approaches India: Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, Andhra Pradesh Brace For Impact’Op Sindoor Was Just A Glimpse Of Future Theatre Commands’: Air Marshal Ashutosh DixitPM Modi Unveils World’s Tallest Bronze Statue Of Lord Ram In South GoaIndia Says US Trade Deal Is ‘Only Matter Of Time’ As Tariffs Reshape Bilateral Trade NegotiationsPM Modi Joins Over 1 Lakh Devotees In Mass Bhagwat Gita Recitation At Udupi Event123Photostories5 must visit places in Delhi for a fun weekend with kidsHow Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge rewrote the way India falls in loveHow Universe Communicate With You According To Your Birth Date7 everyday Indian foods that help improve your child’s memoryExpert-approved 3 best drinks and their right quantity to reverse fatty liver naturallyWeekly Cosmic Messages From November 29 To December 5, 2025 According To Your Birth DateBrainless but brilliant: 5 animals that survive without a brainJustin Bieber as a doting dad: Times the Grammy winner won our hearts with his love for Jack Blues BieberBengali film stories that shaped generations and still move hearts today10 emotional skills you must teach your child123Hot PicksDelhi AQI TodayNew Labour CodeWorld NewsGold rate todaySilver rate todayPublic Holidays NovemberBank Holidays NovemberTop TrendingGiannis AntetokounmpoBo BichetteWWE Smackdown HighlightsDonald TrumpPerez HiltonCyclone DitwahR AshwinAyesha CurryFuzzy ZoellerJammie Booker

Vamsikrishna04 mins mins
Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami announced the 2027 Haridwar Ardh Kumbh Mela will be celebrated grandly, mirroring the Purna Kumbh. For the first time, sadhus and saints will participate in ‘Shahi Snan’ during the four-month event, with extensive preparations underway to ensure its historic significance and the safety of millions of expected devotees. Uttarakhand chief minister Pushkar Singh Dhami (Photo credit: ANI) HARIDWAR: The Haridwar Ardh Kumbh Mela to be held in Uttarakhand in 2027 will be celebrated as “divinely and grandly” as the Purna Kumbh, and for the first time, sadhus and saints will take ‘Shahi Snan’ (royal bath) during the Ardh Kumbh, chief minister Pushkar Singh Dhami said on Friday. Dhami made this announcement after meeting with representatives of all 13 Akharas of sadhus and saints on the banks of the Ganga here. He also announced the dates for a total of 10 bathing festivals, including three Amrit (royal) baths, during the Ardh Kumbh, which will be celebrated on the lines of the Purna Kumbh. He also honoured the Mahants and saints of all 13 Akharas on this occasion. The saints praised the chief minister’s decision, calling it a step taken to preserve culture and offered their blessings. The Haridwar Ardh Kumbh 2027 will run for four months from January to April. Referring to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s call to establish Uttarakhand as a spiritual capital, the chief minister said that the state government is preparing to make the event as historic as the Purna Kumbh. He said that the 2021 Kumbh was only held for a short period due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and the shahi snan was only performed symbolically. However, the 2027 Haridwar Ardh Kumbh will be historic and of special significance in many respects. Dhami said that the number of devotees coming to the Ardh Kumbh is expected to be many times greater than the 2010 and 2021 Kumbhs, and in view of this, the state government has already begun extensive preparations. He directed officials to ensure foolproof arrangements and ensure full coordination with state and central security agencies for the safety of devotees and saints. The chief minister sought suggestions and guidance from the Acharyas of the Akharas for the successful organisation of the event and stated that the traditions, needs, and conveniences of the saints will be given top priority. Dhami said that it is his good fortune to receive the blessings and guidance of the saints for the smooth and grand organisation of the Kumbh. Dhami said, “Without the inspiration, suggestions, and blessings of the saints, the completion of this grand plan is unimaginable. We endeavour to use everyone’s invaluable suggestions to make the preparations for Kumbh 2027 more comprehensive, well-organised, and in line with the expectations of the saint community.” He also announced the important dates for the 2027 Ardh Kumbh Snan. There will be a total of 10 bathing festivals at the Haridwar Ardh Kumbh, including three Amrit or royal baths. For the first time in the Ardh Kumbh, the Akharas will perform the Amrit Snan with grandeur on these three snans-Mahashivratri on March 6, Falgun Amavasya on March 8, and Mesha Sankranti on April 14. In addition, other bathing festivals during the Ardh Kumbh include Makar Sankranti on January 14, Mauni Amavasya on February 6, Vasant Panchami on February 11, Magh Purnima on February 20, Nav Samvatsara (New Year) on April 7, Shri Ram Navami on April 15, and Chaitra Purnima on April 20. Mahant Ravindra Puri, national president of the Akhil Bharatiya Akhara Parishad, described the chief minister’s decision to celebrate the Ardh Kumbh as grand and divine, as the Kumbh as historic and said that he is leaving no stone unturned to establish Sanatan Dharma. He stated that all Akharas will fully support and cooperate with the state government in this regard. He expressed hope that the 2027 Ardh Kumbh in Haridwar will be as successful and historic as the Prayag Kumbh. In addition to the MLAs, Garhwal commissioner Vinay Shankar Pandey, Garhwal Police Inspector General Rajiv Swaroop, Mela Adhikari Sonika, and other senior officials were also present at the meeting.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosNepal’s Currency Map Includes Indian Land; Ex-Minister Calls Dialogue Essential Amid Rising TensionIndia’s Maritime Future Is Preordained: CDS Chauhan Predicts Indian Navy’s Decisive Warfighting RolePak Slams Rajnath’s Sindh Remark But Ignores Its Leader Claiming Gujarat, Rajasthan, Haryana As OwnIndiGo And Air India Warn Of Delays As Airbus Solar Radiation Snag Hits 350 A320 Jets In IndiaPakistan Faces Global Scrutiny as UN Flags Grave Risks to Rule of Law, Judicial Freedom, GovernanceCyclone Ditwah Approaches India: Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, Andhra Pradesh Brace For Impact’Op Sindoor Was Just A Glimpse Of Future Theatre Commands’: Air Marshal Ashutosh DixitPM Modi Unveils World’s Tallest Bronze Statue Of Lord Ram In South GoaIndia Says US Trade Deal Is ‘Only Matter Of Time’ As Tariffs Reshape Bilateral Trade NegotiationsPM Modi Joins Over 1 Lakh Devotees In Mass Bhagwat Gita Recitation At Udupi Event123Photostories5 must visit places in Delhi for a fun weekend with kidsHow Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge rewrote the way India falls in loveHow Universe Communicate With You According To Your Birth Date7 everyday Indian foods that help improve your child’s memoryExpert-approved 3 best drinks and their right quantity to reverse fatty liver naturallyWeekly Cosmic Messages From November 29 To December 5, 2025 According To Your Birth DateBrainless but brilliant: 5 animals that survive without a brainJustin Bieber as a doting dad: Times the Grammy winner won our hearts with his love for Jack Blues BieberBengali film stories that shaped generations and still move hearts today10 emotional skills you must teach your child123Hot PicksDelhi AQI TodayNew Labour CodeWorld NewsGold rate todaySilver rate todayPublic Holidays NovemberBank Holidays NovemberTop TrendingGiannis AntetokounmpoBo BichetteWWE Smackdown HighlightsDonald TrumpPerez HiltonCyclone DitwahR AshwinAyesha CurryFuzzy ZoellerJammie Booker


Haridwar Ardh Kumbh 2027 will be celebrated as grandly as Purna Kumbh: CM Dhami
Uttarakhand chief minister Pushkar Singh Dhami (Photo credit: ANI)

HARIDWAR: The Haridwar Ardh Kumbh Mela to be held in Uttarakhand in 2027 will be celebrated as “divinely and grandly” as the Purna Kumbh, and for the first time, sadhus and saints will take ‘Shahi Snan’ (royal bath) during the Ardh Kumbh, chief minister Pushkar Singh Dhami said on Friday. Dhami made this announcement after meeting with representatives of all 13 Akharas of sadhus and saints on the banks of the Ganga here. He also announced the dates for a total of 10 bathing festivals, including three Amrit (royal) baths, during the Ardh Kumbh, which will be celebrated on the lines of the Purna Kumbh. He also honoured the Mahants and saints of all 13 Akharas on this occasion. The saints praised the chief minister’s decision, calling it a step taken to preserve culture and offered their blessings. The Haridwar Ardh Kumbh 2027 will run for four months from January to April. Referring to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s call to establish Uttarakhand as a spiritual capital, the chief minister said that the state government is preparing to make the event as historic as the Purna Kumbh. He said that the 2021 Kumbh was only held for a short period due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and the shahi snan was only performed symbolically. However, the 2027 Haridwar Ardh Kumbh will be historic and of special significance in many respects. Dhami said that the number of devotees coming to the Ardh Kumbh is expected to be many times greater than the 2010 and 2021 Kumbhs, and in view of this, the state government has already begun extensive preparations. He directed officials to ensure foolproof arrangements and ensure full coordination with state and central security agencies for the safety of devotees and saints. The chief minister sought suggestions and guidance from the Acharyas of the Akharas for the successful organisation of the event and stated that the traditions, needs, and conveniences of the saints will be given top priority. Dhami said that it is his good fortune to receive the blessings and guidance of the saints for the smooth and grand organisation of the Kumbh. Dhami said, “Without the inspiration, suggestions, and blessings of the saints, the completion of this grand plan is unimaginable. We endeavour to use everyone’s invaluable suggestions to make the preparations for Kumbh 2027 more comprehensive, well-organised, and in line with the expectations of the saint community.” He also announced the important dates for the 2027 Ardh Kumbh Snan. There will be a total of 10 bathing festivals at the Haridwar Ardh Kumbh, including three Amrit or royal baths. For the first time in the Ardh Kumbh, the Akharas will perform the Amrit Snan with grandeur on these three snans-Mahashivratri on March 6, Falgun Amavasya on March 8, and Mesha Sankranti on April 14. In addition, other bathing festivals during the Ardh Kumbh include Makar Sankranti on January 14, Mauni Amavasya on February 6, Vasant Panchami on February 11, Magh Purnima on February 20, Nav Samvatsara (New Year) on April 7, Shri Ram Navami on April 15, and Chaitra Purnima on April 20. Mahant Ravindra Puri, national president of the Akhil Bharatiya Akhara Parishad, described the chief minister’s decision to celebrate the Ardh Kumbh as grand and divine, as the Kumbh as historic and said that he is leaving no stone unturned to establish Sanatan Dharma. He stated that all Akharas will fully support and cooperate with the state government in this regard. He expressed hope that the 2027 Ardh Kumbh in Haridwar will be as successful and historic as the Prayag Kumbh. In addition to the MLAs, Garhwal commissioner Vinay Shankar Pandey, Garhwal Police Inspector General Rajiv Swaroop, Mela Adhikari Sonika, and other senior officials were also present at the meeting.





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Humayun Kabir “Rajneeti nie kichu bolbo na”, we will not speak about politics. That is the repeated line from workers and staff at the Babri Masjid site in Beldanga, Murshidabad. Their trepidation is not hard to understand. The leaked tape controversy around former TMC MLA Humayun Kabir has already disrupted the trajectory of his newly formed party, AJUP, with AIMIM pulling out of the alliance. Kabir is the key force behind the plan to build a Babri Masjid in Murshidabad, a project that has drawn attention not just nationally, but even across the border. On the ground, however, construction is moving at a slow, uneven pace, with most people saying it may pick up only after the election.The larger question remains unanswered. Is the future of the Babri Masjid tied to Humayun Kabir’s own electoral fortunes? A purported clip released by Trinamool allegedly showed Kabir discussing a Rs 1,000 crore deal with the BJP and talking about misleading Muslim voters. The clip has not been independently verified. Kabir first dismissed it as fake and AI-generated. Later, he changed tack, saying it was real but selectively edited from a longer conversation. Whether his political and financial support system remains intact may become clear only after the results. Kabir is contesting from two nearby seats, Rejinagar and Naoda. To complete a project like this, he would need considerable political leverage and financial heft, especially after Union home minister Amit Shah said no Babri Masjid would be allowed to come up in Bengal if the BJP came to power. Abhishek Banerjee, from the other side, has attacked Kabir as someone effectively helping the BJP in the district. That leaves Kabir politically squeezed from both sides. Watch Babri Masjid Ground Report: Slow Construction In Murshidabad’s Beldanga As Politics Stays Quiet Those political cross-currents are visible in the sombre mood at the site. The foundation ceremony was held on December 6 last year, the anniversary of the demolition of the Babri Masjid in Ayodhya. The symbolism was unmistakable. At the time, there was visible excitement, with donations reportedly pouring in and people arriving with bricks for construction. Kabir had said the structure would be modelled on the Babri Masjid, with a larger complex that would also include a hospital and a guest house. A visit to the site now shows bricks still stacked and waiting to be used. Around it, a small Babri economy has taken shape. Mugs are being printed, T-shirts are being sold, and local businesses have started borrowing the Babri name.Locals say construction has slowed because of the heat and the election. Even so, people continue to come in the evenings, some out of curiosity, some out of sympathy, and some perhaps because they want to witness a site whose meaning goes well beyond its boundary wall.Humayun Kabir is no fringe figure in Murshidabad. He began in the Congress, moved to Trinamool, was expelled, joined the BJP, lost the 2019 Lok Sabha election from Murshidabad, returned to Trinamool, and was suspended again in December 2025 after pushing the Babri Masjid project. Since then, he has launched AJUP.Construction formally began in February. For now, the project depends on donations, making the timeline uncertain. Around two dozen workers are currently on site. The project is spread across around 11 bighas. Boundary walls are being built. Masons have been at work for the past few weeks, while shuttering began earlier. Food and lodging are arranged locally. Depending on the payment system, workers put in nine or twelve hours a day. Some associated with the site say the mosque could be completed in three years. Others are less specific. Nothing about the site suggests immediate completion.Commerce, meanwhile, has moved faster than construction. White mugs and T-shirts are being brought from Kolkata and printed locally with Babri branding. Prices are modest. These are not premium souvenirs, but tokens for visitors who want to carry something back. One local shopkeeper says footfall is lower now than it was earlier. Still, the existence of this small merchandise economy is telling. Before the mosque is complete, the market has already recognised its emotional and symbolic value.After the votes are counted, Beldanga will reveal what this moment really was. A project of faith, a piece of political theatre, or a gamble that outgrew its maker. For now, the bricks remain stacked, the work remains slow, and the silence around the site says more than the slogans around it. In Murshidabad, the Babri Masjid is still under construction. The politics around it is not.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosUnmanned Mine Counter Measure Vessels Take Lead In Demining OperationsIndia-South Korea Mega Deal: PM Modi & Lee Jae Myung Target 50 Billion Trade, Boost TiesFire Erupts At Rajasthan’s HPCL Refinery Ahead Of PM Modi’s Launch EventNSA Doval Meets Top Saudi Leaders, Focus On Security And EnergyFact Check: No, Indian Navy Did NOT Detain Somali Pirates In Viral VideoTMC Hits Out At PM Modi Over Jhalmuri Stop, Claims Hemant Soren Forced To ReturnTMC vs Himanta Biswa Sarma Erupts As Mamata Banerjee Row Sparks Election Commission ComplaintManipur Erupts In Anger As No Arrests Made After 5 Killings, Protests Turn Violent‘Ripple Impact On India…’: Misri After Indian Tankers Hit In HormuzUS Nationals Detained At Srinagar Airport Over Banned Satellite Device123PhotostoriesJitendra Kumar, Aniruddh Agarwal, Amol Parashar to Vipul Goyal: Actors who swapped engineering degrees for stardomWhy non-vegetarian thali has become cheaper than vegetarian thaliDoes your home breathe? 5 lessons to learn from the timeless beauty of Chettinad interiorsGurgaon SPR bottleneck sparks urgent road expansion, missing link reopened7 morning affirmations that work for sure (why are they so powerful)Best exercises for liver health, according to expert: How walking, strength training, and HIIT can reduce fatty liverFrom building 5 businesses at 24 to being told to retire despite a net worth of approximately Rs 250 crore- Jannat Zubair gets candid8 traditional Mango pickles from across India to tryLessons you should learn from Adi Shankaracharya; based on your birth dateVinod Kambli’s ₹8 crore apartment in Bandra, Mumbai is defined by a Sachin-Kambli friendship wall, untold struggles, and family-first living123Hot PicksIran warDelimitation Bill DefeatPurple cap winnerOrange cap winnerIPL Points TablePublic holidays April 2026Bank Holidays AprilTop TrendingBan vs NZKanpur MurderAndhra Pradesh Bomb ExplodeKanpur Rape CaseTCS Nashik CaseJammu Bus AccidentAndhra Pradesh MurderLucknow Girl MurderTamil Nadu Firecracker Unit BlastJapan Earthquake

Humayun Kabir “Rajneeti nie kichu bolbo na”, we will not speak about politics. That is the repeated line from workers and staff at the Babri Masjid site in Beldanga, Murshidabad. Their trepidation is not hard to understand. The leaked tape controversy around former TMC MLA Humayun Kabir has already disrupted the trajectory of his newly formed party, AJUP, with AIMIM pulling out of the alliance. Kabir is the key force behind the plan to build a Babri Masjid in Murshidabad, a project that has drawn attention not just nationally, but even across the border. On the ground, however, construction is moving at a slow, uneven pace, with most people saying it may pick up only after the election.The larger question remains unanswered. Is the future of the Babri Masjid tied to Humayun Kabir’s own electoral fortunes? A purported clip released by Trinamool allegedly showed Kabir discussing a Rs 1,000 crore deal with the BJP and talking about misleading Muslim voters. The clip has not been independently verified. Kabir first dismissed it as fake and AI-generated. Later, he changed tack, saying it was real but selectively edited from a longer conversation. Whether his political and financial support system remains intact may become clear only after the results. Kabir is contesting from two nearby seats, Rejinagar and Naoda. To complete a project like this, he would need considerable political leverage and financial heft, especially after Union home minister Amit Shah said no Babri Masjid would be allowed to come up in Bengal if the BJP came to power. Abhishek Banerjee, from the other side, has attacked Kabir as someone effectively helping the BJP in the district. That leaves Kabir politically squeezed from both sides. Watch Babri Masjid Ground Report: Slow Construction In Murshidabad’s Beldanga As Politics Stays Quiet Those political cross-currents are visible in the sombre mood at the site. The foundation ceremony was held on December 6 last year, the anniversary of the demolition of the Babri Masjid in Ayodhya. The symbolism was unmistakable. At the time, there was visible excitement, with donations reportedly pouring in and people arriving with bricks for construction. Kabir had said the structure would be modelled on the Babri Masjid, with a larger complex that would also include a hospital and a guest house. A visit to the site now shows bricks still stacked and waiting to be used. Around it, a small Babri economy has taken shape. Mugs are being printed, T-shirts are being sold, and local businesses have started borrowing the Babri name.Locals say construction has slowed because of the heat and the election. Even so, people continue to come in the evenings, some out of curiosity, some out of sympathy, and some perhaps because they want to witness a site whose meaning goes well beyond its boundary wall.Humayun Kabir is no fringe figure in Murshidabad. He began in the Congress, moved to Trinamool, was expelled, joined the BJP, lost the 2019 Lok Sabha election from Murshidabad, returned to Trinamool, and was suspended again in December 2025 after pushing the Babri Masjid project. Since then, he has launched AJUP.Construction formally began in February. For now, the project depends on donations, making the timeline uncertain. Around two dozen workers are currently on site. The project is spread across around 11 bighas. Boundary walls are being built. Masons have been at work for the past few weeks, while shuttering began earlier. Food and lodging are arranged locally. Depending on the payment system, workers put in nine or twelve hours a day. Some associated with the site say the mosque could be completed in three years. Others are less specific. Nothing about the site suggests immediate completion.Commerce, meanwhile, has moved faster than construction. White mugs and T-shirts are being brought from Kolkata and printed locally with Babri branding. Prices are modest. These are not premium souvenirs, but tokens for visitors who want to carry something back. One local shopkeeper says footfall is lower now than it was earlier. Still, the existence of this small merchandise economy is telling. Before the mosque is complete, the market has already recognised its emotional and symbolic value.After the votes are counted, Beldanga will reveal what this moment really was. A project of faith, a piece of political theatre, or a gamble that outgrew its maker. For now, the bricks remain stacked, the work remains slow, and the silence around the site says more than the slogans around it. In Murshidabad, the Babri Masjid is still under construction. The politics around it is not.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosUnmanned Mine Counter Measure Vessels Take Lead In Demining OperationsIndia-South Korea Mega Deal: PM Modi & Lee Jae Myung Target 50 Billion Trade, Boost TiesFire Erupts At Rajasthan’s HPCL Refinery Ahead Of PM Modi’s Launch EventNSA Doval Meets Top Saudi Leaders, Focus On Security And EnergyFact Check: No, Indian Navy Did NOT Detain Somali Pirates In Viral VideoTMC Hits Out At PM Modi Over Jhalmuri Stop, Claims Hemant Soren Forced To ReturnTMC vs Himanta Biswa Sarma Erupts As Mamata Banerjee Row Sparks Election Commission ComplaintManipur Erupts In Anger As No Arrests Made After 5 Killings, Protests Turn Violent‘Ripple Impact On India…’: Misri After Indian Tankers Hit In HormuzUS Nationals Detained At Srinagar Airport Over Banned Satellite Device123PhotostoriesJitendra Kumar, Aniruddh Agarwal, Amol Parashar to Vipul Goyal: Actors who swapped engineering degrees for stardomWhy non-vegetarian thali has become cheaper than vegetarian thaliDoes your home breathe? 5 lessons to learn from the timeless beauty of Chettinad interiorsGurgaon SPR bottleneck sparks urgent road expansion, missing link reopened7 morning affirmations that work for sure (why are they so powerful)Best exercises for liver health, according to expert: How walking, strength training, and HIIT can reduce fatty liverFrom building 5 businesses at 24 to being told to retire despite a net worth of approximately Rs 250 crore- Jannat Zubair gets candid8 traditional Mango pickles from across India to tryLessons you should learn from Adi Shankaracharya; based on your birth dateVinod Kambli’s ₹8 crore apartment in Bandra, Mumbai is defined by a Sachin-Kambli friendship wall, untold struggles, and family-first living123Hot PicksIran warDelimitation Bill DefeatPurple cap winnerOrange cap winnerIPL Points TablePublic holidays April 2026Bank Holidays AprilTop TrendingBan vs NZKanpur MurderAndhra Pradesh Bomb ExplodeKanpur Rape CaseTCS Nashik CaseJammu Bus AccidentAndhra Pradesh MurderLucknow Girl MurderTamil Nadu Firecracker Unit BlastJapan Earthquake

Vamsikrishna 0
NEW DELHI: TMC MP Mahua Moitra slammed UP CM Yogi Adityanath for misattributing a famous quote, originally said by Subhas Chandra Bose, to Swami Vivekananda at a West Bengal rally on Monday. Calling him a “bulldozer buddhi”, Mahua asked him to get his “facts right”.”Hello Bulldozer Buddhi @myogiadityanath get your facts right. Netaji Subhash Bose said “Give me blood and I will give you freedom”. Swami Vivekananda did NOT say it. Please go back to drinking Fanta in UP and leave Bengal alone. You’re a joke,” the TMC MP said in a post on X.The official handle of TMC shared video of the UP CM where he can be heard misattributing the quote ‘Give me blood and I will give you freedom’ to Swami Vivekananda. The party said that the gaffe exposed BJP’s “shocking ignorance and contempt for Bengal’s history.””Yogi Adityanath has once again exposed @BJP4India’s shocking ignorance and contempt for Bengal’s history. He attributed the immortal line “Give me blood and I will give you freedom” to Swami Vivekananda. It was Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose. Two completely different icons. Two completely different legacies. Both sons of Bengal. Both insulted in a single sentence by one man,” the party’s X handle said.”They cannot tell Swami Vivekananda apart from Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose. They misattribute quotes. They garland Swami Vivekananda’s statue while calling him Netaji. And yet these same people have the audacity to dream of building ‘Sonar Bangla’. The depth of their ignorance is only matched by their arrogance,” it said.West Bengal will hold its assembly elections in two phases on April 23 and April 29, with the counting of votes scheduled for May 4.The state has a total of 294 assembly constituencies, and a party needs at least 148 seats to form a majority.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 MediaVideosUnmanned Mine Counter Measure Vessels Take Lead In Demining OperationsIndia-South Korea Mega Deal: PM Modi & Lee Jae Myung Target 50 Billion Trade, Boost TiesFire Erupts At Rajasthan’s HPCL Refinery Ahead Of PM Modi’s Launch EventNSA Doval Meets Top Saudi Leaders, Focus On Security And EnergyFact Check: No, Indian Navy Did NOT Detain Somali Pirates In Viral VideoTMC Hits Out At PM Modi Over Jhalmuri Stop, Claims Hemant Soren Forced To ReturnTMC vs Himanta Biswa Sarma Erupts As Mamata Banerjee Row Sparks Election Commission ComplaintManipur Erupts In Anger As No Arrests Made After 5 Killings, Protests Turn Violent‘Ripple Impact On India…’: Misri After Indian Tankers Hit In HormuzUS Nationals Detained At Srinagar Airport Over Banned Satellite Device123PhotostoriesJitendra Kumar, Aniruddh Agarwal, Amol Parashar to Vipul Goyal: Actors who swapped engineering degrees for stardomWhy non-vegetarian thali has become cheaper than vegetarian thaliDoes your home breathe? 5 lessons to learn from the timeless beauty of Chettinad interiorsGurgaon SPR bottleneck sparks urgent road expansion, missing link reopened7 morning affirmations that work for sure (why are they so powerful)Best exercises for liver health, according to expert: How walking, strength training, and HIIT can reduce fatty liverFrom building 5 businesses at 24 to being told to retire despite a net worth of approximately Rs 250 crore- Jannat Zubair gets candid8 traditional Mango pickles from across India to tryLessons you should learn from Adi Shankaracharya; based on your birth dateVinod Kambli’s ₹8 crore apartment in Bandra, Mumbai is defined by a Sachin-Kambli friendship wall, untold struggles, and family-first living123Hot PicksIran warDelimitation Bill DefeatPurple cap winnerOrange cap winnerIPL Points TablePublic holidays April 2026Bank Holidays AprilTop TrendingBan vs NZKanpur MurderAndhra Pradesh Bomb ExplodeKanpur Rape CaseTCS Nashik CaseJammu Bus AccidentAndhra Pradesh MurderLucknow Girl MurderTamil Nadu Firecracker Unit BlastJapan Earthquake

NEW DELHI: TMC MP Mahua Moitra slammed UP CM Yogi Adityanath for misattributing a famous quote, originally said by Subhas Chandra Bose, to Swami Vivekananda at a West Bengal rally on Monday. Calling him a “bulldozer buddhi”, Mahua asked him to get his “facts right”.”Hello Bulldozer Buddhi @myogiadityanath get your facts right. Netaji Subhash Bose said “Give me blood and I will give you freedom”. Swami Vivekananda did NOT say it. Please go back to drinking Fanta in UP and leave Bengal alone. You’re a joke,” the TMC MP said in a post on X.The official handle of TMC shared video of the UP CM where he can be heard misattributing the quote ‘Give me blood and I will give you freedom’ to Swami Vivekananda. The party said that the gaffe exposed BJP’s “shocking ignorance and contempt for Bengal’s history.””Yogi Adityanath has once again exposed @BJP4India’s shocking ignorance and contempt for Bengal’s history. He attributed the immortal line “Give me blood and I will give you freedom” to Swami Vivekananda. It was Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose. Two completely different icons. Two completely different legacies. Both sons of Bengal. Both insulted in a single sentence by one man,” the party’s X handle said.”They cannot tell Swami Vivekananda apart from Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose. They misattribute quotes. They garland Swami Vivekananda’s statue while calling him Netaji. And yet these same people have the audacity to dream of building ‘Sonar Bangla’. The depth of their ignorance is only matched by their arrogance,” it said.West Bengal will hold its assembly elections in two phases on April 23 and April 29, with the counting of votes scheduled for May 4.The state has a total of 294 assembly constituencies, and a party needs at least 148 seats to form a majority.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 MediaVideosUnmanned Mine Counter Measure Vessels Take Lead In Demining OperationsIndia-South Korea Mega Deal: PM Modi & Lee Jae Myung Target 50 Billion Trade, Boost TiesFire Erupts At Rajasthan’s HPCL Refinery Ahead Of PM Modi’s Launch EventNSA Doval Meets Top Saudi Leaders, Focus On Security And EnergyFact Check: No, Indian Navy Did NOT Detain Somali Pirates In Viral VideoTMC Hits Out At PM Modi Over Jhalmuri Stop, Claims Hemant Soren Forced To ReturnTMC vs Himanta Biswa Sarma Erupts As Mamata Banerjee Row Sparks Election Commission ComplaintManipur Erupts In Anger As No Arrests Made After 5 Killings, Protests Turn Violent‘Ripple Impact On India…’: Misri After Indian Tankers Hit In HormuzUS Nationals Detained At Srinagar Airport Over Banned Satellite Device123PhotostoriesJitendra Kumar, Aniruddh Agarwal, Amol Parashar to Vipul Goyal: Actors who swapped engineering degrees for stardomWhy non-vegetarian thali has become cheaper than vegetarian thaliDoes your home breathe? 5 lessons to learn from the timeless beauty of Chettinad interiorsGurgaon SPR bottleneck sparks urgent road expansion, missing link reopened7 morning affirmations that work for sure (why are they so powerful)Best exercises for liver health, according to expert: How walking, strength training, and HIIT can reduce fatty liverFrom building 5 businesses at 24 to being told to retire despite a net worth of approximately Rs 250 crore- Jannat Zubair gets candid8 traditional Mango pickles from across India to tryLessons you should learn from Adi Shankaracharya; based on your birth dateVinod Kambli’s ₹8 crore apartment in Bandra, Mumbai is defined by a Sachin-Kambli friendship wall, untold struggles, and family-first living123Hot PicksIran warDelimitation Bill DefeatPurple cap winnerOrange cap winnerIPL Points TablePublic holidays April 2026Bank Holidays AprilTop TrendingBan vs NZKanpur MurderAndhra Pradesh Bomb ExplodeKanpur Rape CaseTCS Nashik CaseJammu Bus AccidentAndhra Pradesh MurderLucknow Girl MurderTamil Nadu Firecracker Unit BlastJapan Earthquake

Vamsikrishna 0
West Bengal BJP president Samik Bhattacharya (File photo/ANI) Are you a film buff? The question seems to catch Samik Bhattacharya slightly off guard. He had been listing the celebrities set to campaign for the BJP in West Bengal. But he ends up giving an answer that feels distinctly Bengali. He says he is more comfortable in theatre and, in less demanding times, was an active participant too.For someone who says he appreciates poetry and has a self-confessed weakness for Shakti Chattopadhyay, that love for theatre feels like a natural corollary. In that sense, the West Bengal BJP president might seem more at ease in a freewheeling adda in a Kolkata by-lane with intellectuals of opposing political beliefs than some of his party colleagues.That he is trying to build from Bengal’s past to imagine its future is evident in the way he talks about a Bengal model of development instead of a bulldozer model, rooted in the legacy of Syama Prasad Mookerjee and Bidhan Chandra Roy, the state’s first chief minister after Independence and one of the tallest Congress leaders Bengal has produced. That instinct to extend courtesy to opponents continues even when he speaks of present rivals. He describes Abhishek Banerjee as smart and articulate, an assessment that carries respect even across political lines.But when it comes to political groundwork, Samik is unrelenting. In a no-frills apartment in Salt Lake, where he is currently based for the election, he patiently listens to streams of party workers arriving to fine-tune strategy, seek reinforcements or ask for solutions. Asked to compare the BJP’s ground game with the Trinamool Congress’s battle-hardened electoral machinery, he pauses. Then he says plans are in place, and points to 2011, when the TMC swept the Left out of power despite organisational disadvantages of its own.He leans on the BJP slogan that this election is Janata versus Mamata and claims the TMC will be wiped out in North Bengal, from Darjeeling to Malda. Yet when asked how the BJP reconciles with sharing political space with figures like Bimal Gurung, who openly championed Gorkhaland, the careful political persona comes through. He says the people of the hills have been historically deprived, deceived and culturally ridiculed. Their grievances, he says, must be addressed, but he rules out any partition of West Bengal.Bhattacharya is candid in admitting that the BJP has historically performed poorly in the old Kolkata Presidency region, where 109 seats are at stake. But he insists the party will do much better this time, with even Mamata’s Bhowanipore shaping up, in his telling, as a tough contest. He goes so far as to suggest that Mamata Banerjee may have already filed her last nomination. On Junglemahal, another BJP bright spot in 2021, he says the party has learnt from its setbacks in the 2024 Lok Sabha election. He predicts a comfortable BJP majority, claiming the party could cross 175 seats. The mood for change, he says, is building across the state.Beneath the confidence lies a larger argument about Bengal itself. This election, he suggests, could alter the state’s political narrative. Referring to Ashoknagar, where oil was discovered but development has moved slowly, he alleges that such projects were stalled because of vendetta politics. It is a familiar BJP charge against the Trinamool, but he uses it to make a broader point that Bengal has been denied not just better governance, but momentum itself.On the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls, Bhattacharya sounds dissatisfied, even aggrieved. He says he is unhappy with the process surrounding the deletion of names. He alleges that the TMC put pressure on poll officials and even judicial officers. He also claims that in some places Form 7 applications were burnt while the police remained silent spectators. By criticising the process, the leader also appears to be creating an outlet for the anger building among some BJP support bases, including Matuas, over large-scale deletions. For him, the priorities of a future BJP government are simple: improve law and order, restore democracy and re-establish constitutional norms.On infiltration, he enters more familiar BJP territory. He calls it an “international conspiracy” and, when pressed about the role of the BSF under the Union home ministry, says greater public awareness is needed to stop it. Yet even there, he adds a careful caveat that no Indian Muslim’s name, he says, should be cut from the electoral rolls. It is an attempt to hold together the BJP’s harder border politics with some degree of reassurance against blanket exclusion.He is pragmatic on welfare too, despite recognising the fiscal strain on a cash-strapped state like West Bengal. Lakshmir Bhandar, he says, would not be removed if the BJP came to power. Instead, it would be doubled and rebranded as Annapurna Bhandar.He is equally dismissive of the claim that fish would disappear from Bengali plates under BJP rule. If the BJP wins, he jokes, they would send fish to the chief minister. He strikes a similar note when asked about Mamata Banerjee’s temple politics, including the Jagannath temple in Digha and similar announcements in Siliguri. Asked whether Mamata is chasing the BJP’s Hindu vote bank, Samik replies with humour that even the gods are angry with the chief minister.On candidate changes, the ticket given to tainted leaders like Rakesh Singh, and the exclusion of Ashok Lahiri, he is unfazed. These are internal decisions, he says, and they will not alter the larger outcome.Taken together, Bhattacharya’s pitch is both blunt and layered. He is clear that BJPs governance model would be firmer, though still framed within the Constitution, and that sectors such as education and health would need rebuilding. He has been with the BJP for more than four decades, from a time when people had to be told the difference between the Janata Party and the Bharatiya Janata Party. From there to what many see as the BJP’s best chance yet of taking power in Bengal, this is close to a full-circle moment for him. While many pollsters believe the BJP may win around 120 seats in the 294-member Assembly, Samik points to Haryana and Delhi, where the party outperformed pre-poll expectations, and argues that a final Modi-Shah push will take it past the halfway mark.Samik is not a mass crowd-puller like Suvendu Adhikari, nor an organisational force in the mould of Dilip Ghosh. What he does bring is a language of civility, visible in the ease with which he quotes Tagore while parrying uncomfortable questions. In his writings, Samik does not concede Bengal’s literary and civilisational icons to the liberal or Left imagination. He wants to enter that space and rearrange it, arguing that cultural legitimacy and nationalist politics need not exist in separate worlds. He is presenting himself as a Bengali conservative who sounds culturally literate, historically grounded and socially recognisable.Mamata Banerjee’s TMC has long tried to paint the BJP as bohiragato zamindars, outsiders seeking to reset Bengal’s politics and culture. With Samik at the helm, the BJP will hope that line of attack loses some force. In Bengal, the party has often appeared culturally external, politically forceful but emotionally distant. Whether Samik can help soften that perception may, in the end, shape how far the BJP can go in challenging Mamata Banerjee.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosIndia-South Korea Mega Deal: PM Modi & Lee Jae Myung Target 50 Billion Trade, Boost TiesFire Erupts At Rajasthan’s HPCL Refinery Ahead Of PM Modi’s Launch EventNSA Doval Meets Top Saudi Leaders, Focus On Security And EnergyFact Check: No, Indian Navy Did NOT Detain Somali Pirates In Viral VideoTMC Hits Out At PM Modi Over Jhalmuri Stop, Claims Hemant Soren Forced To ReturnTMC vs Himanta Biswa Sarma Erupts As Mamata Banerjee Row Sparks Election Commission ComplaintManipur Erupts In Anger As No Arrests Made After 5 Killings, Protests Turn Violent‘Ripple Impact On India…’: Misri After Indian Tankers Hit In HormuzUS Nationals Detained At Srinagar Airport Over Banned Satellite DeviceNo Fuel Shortage: Govt Assures 100% Domestic Gas Supply As India’s LPG Demand Falls 13% In March123PhotostoriesWhy non-vegetarian thali has become cheaper than vegetarian thaliDoes your home breathe? 5 lessons to learn from the timeless beauty of Chettinad interiorsGurgaon SPR bottleneck sparks urgent road expansion, missing link reopened7 morning affirmations that work for sure (why are they so powerful)Best exercises for liver health, according to expert: How walking, strength training, and HIIT can reduce fatty liverFrom building 5 businesses at 24 to being told to retire despite a net worth of approximately Rs 250 crore- Jannat Zubair gets candid8 traditional Mango pickles from across India to tryLessons you should learn from Adi Shankaracharya; based on your birth dateVinod Kambli’s ₹8 crore apartment in Bandra, Mumbai is defined by a Sachin-Kambli friendship wall, untold struggles, and family-first living8 Habits that quietly destroy your inner peace123Hot PicksIran warDelimitation Bill DefeatPurple cap winnerOrange cap winnerIPL Points TablePublic holidays April 2026Bank Holidays AprilTop TrendingBan vs NZKanpur MurderAndhra Pradesh Bomb ExplodeKanpur Rape CaseTCS Nashik CaseJammu Bus AccidentAndhra Pradesh MurderLucknow Girl MurderTamil Nadu Firecracker Unit BlastJapan Earthquake

West Bengal BJP president Samik Bhattacharya (File photo/ANI) Are you a film buff? The question seems to catch Samik Bhattacharya slightly off guard. He had been listing the celebrities set to campaign for the BJP in West Bengal. But he ends up giving an answer that feels distinctly Bengali. He says he is more comfortable in theatre and, in less demanding times, was an active participant too.For someone who says he appreciates poetry and has a self-confessed weakness for Shakti Chattopadhyay, that love for theatre feels like a natural corollary. In that sense, the West Bengal BJP president might seem more at ease in a freewheeling adda in a Kolkata by-lane with intellectuals of opposing political beliefs than some of his party colleagues.That he is trying to build from Bengal’s past to imagine its future is evident in the way he talks about a Bengal model of development instead of a bulldozer model, rooted in the legacy of Syama Prasad Mookerjee and Bidhan Chandra Roy, the state’s first chief minister after Independence and one of the tallest Congress leaders Bengal has produced. That instinct to extend courtesy to opponents continues even when he speaks of present rivals. He describes Abhishek Banerjee as smart and articulate, an assessment that carries respect even across political lines.But when it comes to political groundwork, Samik is unrelenting. In a no-frills apartment in Salt Lake, where he is currently based for the election, he patiently listens to streams of party workers arriving to fine-tune strategy, seek reinforcements or ask for solutions. Asked to compare the BJP’s ground game with the Trinamool Congress’s battle-hardened electoral machinery, he pauses. Then he says plans are in place, and points to 2011, when the TMC swept the Left out of power despite organisational disadvantages of its own.He leans on the BJP slogan that this election is Janata versus Mamata and claims the TMC will be wiped out in North Bengal, from Darjeeling to Malda. Yet when asked how the BJP reconciles with sharing political space with figures like Bimal Gurung, who openly championed Gorkhaland, the careful political persona comes through. He says the people of the hills have been historically deprived, deceived and culturally ridiculed. Their grievances, he says, must be addressed, but he rules out any partition of West Bengal.Bhattacharya is candid in admitting that the BJP has historically performed poorly in the old Kolkata Presidency region, where 109 seats are at stake. But he insists the party will do much better this time, with even Mamata’s Bhowanipore shaping up, in his telling, as a tough contest. He goes so far as to suggest that Mamata Banerjee may have already filed her last nomination. On Junglemahal, another BJP bright spot in 2021, he says the party has learnt from its setbacks in the 2024 Lok Sabha election. He predicts a comfortable BJP majority, claiming the party could cross 175 seats. The mood for change, he says, is building across the state.Beneath the confidence lies a larger argument about Bengal itself. This election, he suggests, could alter the state’s political narrative. Referring to Ashoknagar, where oil was discovered but development has moved slowly, he alleges that such projects were stalled because of vendetta politics. It is a familiar BJP charge against the Trinamool, but he uses it to make a broader point that Bengal has been denied not just better governance, but momentum itself.On the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls, Bhattacharya sounds dissatisfied, even aggrieved. He says he is unhappy with the process surrounding the deletion of names. He alleges that the TMC put pressure on poll officials and even judicial officers. He also claims that in some places Form 7 applications were burnt while the police remained silent spectators. By criticising the process, the leader also appears to be creating an outlet for the anger building among some BJP support bases, including Matuas, over large-scale deletions. For him, the priorities of a future BJP government are simple: improve law and order, restore democracy and re-establish constitutional norms.On infiltration, he enters more familiar BJP territory. He calls it an “international conspiracy” and, when pressed about the role of the BSF under the Union home ministry, says greater public awareness is needed to stop it. Yet even there, he adds a careful caveat that no Indian Muslim’s name, he says, should be cut from the electoral rolls. It is an attempt to hold together the BJP’s harder border politics with some degree of reassurance against blanket exclusion.He is pragmatic on welfare too, despite recognising the fiscal strain on a cash-strapped state like West Bengal. Lakshmir Bhandar, he says, would not be removed if the BJP came to power. Instead, it would be doubled and rebranded as Annapurna Bhandar.He is equally dismissive of the claim that fish would disappear from Bengali plates under BJP rule. If the BJP wins, he jokes, they would send fish to the chief minister. He strikes a similar note when asked about Mamata Banerjee’s temple politics, including the Jagannath temple in Digha and similar announcements in Siliguri. Asked whether Mamata is chasing the BJP’s Hindu vote bank, Samik replies with humour that even the gods are angry with the chief minister.On candidate changes, the ticket given to tainted leaders like Rakesh Singh, and the exclusion of Ashok Lahiri, he is unfazed. These are internal decisions, he says, and they will not alter the larger outcome.Taken together, Bhattacharya’s pitch is both blunt and layered. He is clear that BJPs governance model would be firmer, though still framed within the Constitution, and that sectors such as education and health would need rebuilding. He has been with the BJP for more than four decades, from a time when people had to be told the difference between the Janata Party and the Bharatiya Janata Party. From there to what many see as the BJP’s best chance yet of taking power in Bengal, this is close to a full-circle moment for him. While many pollsters believe the BJP may win around 120 seats in the 294-member Assembly, Samik points to Haryana and Delhi, where the party outperformed pre-poll expectations, and argues that a final Modi-Shah push will take it past the halfway mark.Samik is not a mass crowd-puller like Suvendu Adhikari, nor an organisational force in the mould of Dilip Ghosh. What he does bring is a language of civility, visible in the ease with which he quotes Tagore while parrying uncomfortable questions. In his writings, Samik does not concede Bengal’s literary and civilisational icons to the liberal or Left imagination. He wants to enter that space and rearrange it, arguing that cultural legitimacy and nationalist politics need not exist in separate worlds. He is presenting himself as a Bengali conservative who sounds culturally literate, historically grounded and socially recognisable.Mamata Banerjee’s TMC has long tried to paint the BJP as bohiragato zamindars, outsiders seeking to reset Bengal’s politics and culture. With Samik at the helm, the BJP will hope that line of attack loses some force. In Bengal, the party has often appeared culturally external, politically forceful but emotionally distant. Whether Samik can help soften that perception may, in the end, shape how far the BJP can go in challenging Mamata Banerjee.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosIndia-South Korea Mega Deal: PM Modi & Lee Jae Myung Target 50 Billion Trade, Boost TiesFire Erupts At Rajasthan’s HPCL Refinery Ahead Of PM Modi’s Launch EventNSA Doval Meets Top Saudi Leaders, Focus On Security And EnergyFact Check: No, Indian Navy Did NOT Detain Somali Pirates In Viral VideoTMC Hits Out At PM Modi Over Jhalmuri Stop, Claims Hemant Soren Forced To ReturnTMC vs Himanta Biswa Sarma Erupts As Mamata Banerjee Row Sparks Election Commission ComplaintManipur Erupts In Anger As No Arrests Made After 5 Killings, Protests Turn Violent‘Ripple Impact On India…’: Misri After Indian Tankers Hit In HormuzUS Nationals Detained At Srinagar Airport Over Banned Satellite DeviceNo Fuel Shortage: Govt Assures 100% Domestic Gas Supply As India’s LPG Demand Falls 13% In March123PhotostoriesWhy non-vegetarian thali has become cheaper than vegetarian thaliDoes your home breathe? 5 lessons to learn from the timeless beauty of Chettinad interiorsGurgaon SPR bottleneck sparks urgent road expansion, missing link reopened7 morning affirmations that work for sure (why are they so powerful)Best exercises for liver health, according to expert: How walking, strength training, and HIIT can reduce fatty liverFrom building 5 businesses at 24 to being told to retire despite a net worth of approximately Rs 250 crore- Jannat Zubair gets candid8 traditional Mango pickles from across India to tryLessons you should learn from Adi Shankaracharya; based on your birth dateVinod Kambli’s ₹8 crore apartment in Bandra, Mumbai is defined by a Sachin-Kambli friendship wall, untold struggles, and family-first living8 Habits that quietly destroy your inner peace123Hot PicksIran warDelimitation Bill DefeatPurple cap winnerOrange cap winnerIPL Points TablePublic holidays April 2026Bank Holidays AprilTop TrendingBan vs NZKanpur MurderAndhra Pradesh Bomb ExplodeKanpur Rape CaseTCS Nashik CaseJammu Bus AccidentAndhra Pradesh MurderLucknow Girl MurderTamil Nadu Firecracker Unit BlastJapan Earthquake

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Supreme Court NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Monday dismissed a public interest litigation (PIL) seeking a declaration that freedom fighter Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose be recognised as the country’s “national son.”The petitioner had also sought directions to declare that Bose’s Indian National Army (INA) secured India’s independence, and to mark October 21 (INA foundation day) and January 23 (his birth anniversary) as national days.A bench led by Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant noted that a similar plea filed earlier had already been dismissed by the top court. The bench observed that such matters fall outside the scope of judicial review and can be taken up with the appropriate authority. Watch Over Eight Decades Later, Netaji’s Daughter Anita Bose Appeals For Return Of Bose’s Ashes From Japan Expressing disapproval, the judges remarked that the petitioner had refiled the plea “only to gain publicity.” The CJI also cautioned against filing such “frivolous petitions” in future and directed the Supreme Court Registry not to entertain any PILs filed by the petitioner on similar issues.“Ab aap jaiye, nahi toh aur cost laga denge (Now you should leave, otherwise we will impose further costs),” the CJI told the petitioner.In 2022, the Supreme Court had dismissed a similar plea seeking directions to declare a national holiday on Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose’s birth anniversary. A bench then headed by CJI DY Chandrachud and Justice JB Pardiwala had said such decisions lie with the government.“The best way to celebrate his contribution is by working hard just like he worked hard for independence,” Justice Chandrachud had observed, adding that the court’s jurisdiction should not be misused for such petitions.(With ANI inputs)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 MediaVideosIndia-South Korea Mega Deal: PM Modi & Lee Jae Myung Target 50 Billion Trade, Boost TiesFire Erupts At Rajasthan’s HPCL Refinery Ahead Of PM Modi’s Launch EventNSA Doval Meets Top Saudi Leaders, Focus On Security And EnergyFact Check: No, Indian Navy Did NOT Detain Somali Pirates In Viral VideoTMC Hits Out At PM Modi Over Jhalmuri Stop, Claims Hemant Soren Forced To ReturnTMC vs Himanta Biswa Sarma Erupts As Mamata Banerjee Row Sparks Election Commission ComplaintManipur Erupts In Anger As No Arrests Made After 5 Killings, Protests Turn Violent‘Ripple Impact On India…’: Misri After Indian Tankers Hit In HormuzUS Nationals Detained At Srinagar Airport Over Banned Satellite DeviceNo Fuel Shortage: Govt Assures 100% Domestic Gas Supply As India’s LPG Demand Falls 13% In March123PhotostoriesWhy non-vegetarian thali has become cheaper than vegetarian thaliDoes your home breathe? 5 lessons to learn from the timeless beauty of Chettinad interiorsGurgaon SPR bottleneck sparks urgent road expansion, missing link reopened7 morning affirmations that work for sure (why are they so powerful)Best exercises for liver health, according to expert: How walking, strength training, and HIIT can reduce fatty liverFrom building 5 businesses at 24 to being told to retire despite a net worth of approximately Rs 250 crore- Jannat Zubair gets candid8 traditional Mango pickles from across India to tryLessons you should learn from Adi Shankaracharya; based on your birth dateVinod Kambli’s ₹8 crore apartment in Bandra, Mumbai is defined by a Sachin-Kambli friendship wall, untold struggles, and family-first living8 Habits that quietly destroy your inner peace123Hot PicksIran warDelimitation Bill DefeatPurple cap winnerOrange cap winnerIPL Points TablePublic holidays April 2026Bank Holidays AprilTop TrendingBan vs NZKanpur MurderAndhra Pradesh Bomb ExplodeKanpur Rape CaseTCS Nashik CaseJammu Bus AccidentAndhra Pradesh MurderLucknow Girl MurderTamil Nadu Firecracker Unit BlastJapan Earthquake

Supreme Court NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Monday dismissed a public interest litigation (PIL) seeking a declaration that freedom fighter Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose be recognised as the country’s “national son.”The petitioner had also sought directions to declare that Bose’s Indian National Army (INA) secured India’s independence, and to mark October 21 (INA foundation day) and January 23 (his birth anniversary) as national days.A bench led by Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant noted that a similar plea filed earlier had already been dismissed by the top court. The bench observed that such matters fall outside the scope of judicial review and can be taken up with the appropriate authority. Watch Over Eight Decades Later, Netaji’s Daughter Anita Bose Appeals For Return Of Bose’s Ashes From Japan Expressing disapproval, the judges remarked that the petitioner had refiled the plea “only to gain publicity.” The CJI also cautioned against filing such “frivolous petitions” in future and directed the Supreme Court Registry not to entertain any PILs filed by the petitioner on similar issues.“Ab aap jaiye, nahi toh aur cost laga denge (Now you should leave, otherwise we will impose further costs),” the CJI told the petitioner.In 2022, the Supreme Court had dismissed a similar plea seeking directions to declare a national holiday on Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose’s birth anniversary. A bench then headed by CJI DY Chandrachud and Justice JB Pardiwala had said such decisions lie with the government.“The best way to celebrate his contribution is by working hard just like he worked hard for independence,” Justice Chandrachud had observed, adding that the court’s jurisdiction should not be misused for such petitions.(With ANI inputs)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 MediaVideosIndia-South Korea Mega Deal: PM Modi & Lee Jae Myung Target 50 Billion Trade, Boost TiesFire Erupts At Rajasthan’s HPCL Refinery Ahead Of PM Modi’s Launch EventNSA Doval Meets Top Saudi Leaders, Focus On Security And EnergyFact Check: No, Indian Navy Did NOT Detain Somali Pirates In Viral VideoTMC Hits Out At PM Modi Over Jhalmuri Stop, Claims Hemant Soren Forced To ReturnTMC vs Himanta Biswa Sarma Erupts As Mamata Banerjee Row Sparks Election Commission ComplaintManipur Erupts In Anger As No Arrests Made After 5 Killings, Protests Turn Violent‘Ripple Impact On India…’: Misri After Indian Tankers Hit In HormuzUS Nationals Detained At Srinagar Airport Over Banned Satellite DeviceNo Fuel Shortage: Govt Assures 100% Domestic Gas Supply As India’s LPG Demand Falls 13% In March123PhotostoriesWhy non-vegetarian thali has become cheaper than vegetarian thaliDoes your home breathe? 5 lessons to learn from the timeless beauty of Chettinad interiorsGurgaon SPR bottleneck sparks urgent road expansion, missing link reopened7 morning affirmations that work for sure (why are they so powerful)Best exercises for liver health, according to expert: How walking, strength training, and HIIT can reduce fatty liverFrom building 5 businesses at 24 to being told to retire despite a net worth of approximately Rs 250 crore- Jannat Zubair gets candid8 traditional Mango pickles from across India to tryLessons you should learn from Adi Shankaracharya; based on your birth dateVinod Kambli’s ₹8 crore apartment in Bandra, Mumbai is defined by a Sachin-Kambli friendship wall, untold struggles, and family-first living8 Habits that quietly destroy your inner peace123Hot PicksIran warDelimitation Bill DefeatPurple cap winnerOrange cap winnerIPL Points TablePublic holidays April 2026Bank Holidays AprilTop TrendingBan vs NZKanpur MurderAndhra Pradesh Bomb ExplodeKanpur Rape CaseTCS Nashik CaseJammu Bus AccidentAndhra Pradesh MurderLucknow Girl MurderTamil Nadu Firecracker Unit BlastJapan Earthquake

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