Global Tourists to Arrive as ISKCON Mayapur to Celebrate Janmashtami 2025 with Grand Festivities
The International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) will mark the 5,252nd anniversary of the divine appearance of Lord Sri Krishna with grand celebrations at its global centres, including its headquarters in Sri Mayapur, Nadia district, West Bengal. The event will be observed with full religious devotion, traditional rituals, and a series of cultural programmes, ISKCON Public Relations Officer Rasik Gauranga Das confirmed. In Sri Mayapur, the Janmashtami festival will be held on Saturday, 16 August 2025, followed the next day, Sunday, 17 August, by the Nandotsav celebrations and the 129th birth anniversary of ISKCON’s founder-acharya, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada. Thousands of devotees from across India and abroad are expected to gather for the festivities, with elaborate security arrangements in place to manage the large crowds. According to Hindu tradition, Lord Krishna, revered as the Supreme Personality of Godhead, appeared at midnight on the eighth day (Ashtami) of the dark fortnight in the month of Bhadra, over 5,000 years ago in Mathura. His birth took place in the prison of King Kansa, a tyrant whose reign brought fear and injustice. At that moment of deep crisis, Krishna manifested in his four-armed form, holding a conch, discus, mace, and lotus, to protect humanity and re-establish dharma (righteousness). The teachings, ideals, and life of Lord Krishna—marked by his triumph over demonic forces and his message of love, friendship, and peace—remain relevant even today. In the current world scenario, where oppression of the weak, political selfishness, and erosion of human values persist, his example continues to inspire millions. ISKCON Mayapur’s celebrations will feature kirtans (devotional chanting), discourses on Krishna’s pastimes, temple decorations, abhishek (ceremonial bathing of the deity), and distribution of sanctified food (prasadam) to thousands of devotees and visitors. The celebrations will culminate at midnight with the symbolic reenactment of Krishna’s divine birth. On Janmashtami, devotees will offer prayers seeking the Lord’s blessings to remove unrighteousness, restore peace, and guide humanity towards spiritual fulfilment, just as he did thousands of years ago.
Two Freight Trains Derail in Jharkhand, Disrupting Rail Traffic
At least 10 wagons from two freight trains derailed between Chandil and Nimdih stations in Jharkhand early on Saturday, disrupting rail traffic on both up and down lines, railway officials said. No casualties have been reported so far, but several passenger trains, including the Tatanagar-Patna Vande Bharat Express, Tatanagar-Katihar Express and Katihar-Tatanagar Express, have been cancelled, they said. The incident occurred at around 2:45 a.m. when a Tatanagar–Purulia-bound freight train derailed shortly after passing Chandil station in Adra division. A second freight train approaching from the opposite direction on an adjacent track then collided with the derailed wagons, causing it to derail as well, the officials said.
Ex-Awami League leaders open party office near Kolkata after fleeing Bangladesh
Several former senior and mid-level leaders of Bangladesh’s ruling Awami League, now living in India, have set up a party office in a commercial complex on the outskirts of Kolkata, party members said. The leaders, who were among the country’s most influential political figures until a year ago, began frequenting the busy complex only in recent months, drawing attention from regular visitors unfamiliar with them. The move comes after former Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina left the country on Aug. 5, 2024. In the months since, Awami League members in India had been holding small meetings and party activities in private homes, while larger gatherings were organised in rented restaurants or banquet halls. Party officials said the new office was needed to coordinate activities among members based in India. The complex, located in a densely populated suburban area with hundreds of businesses, sees thousands of visitors daily.
Air India Express marks Raksha Bandhan with in-flight rakhis
Air India Express marked the Hindu festival of Raksha Bandhan on Friday by presenting passengers with limited-edition rakhis during flights across India, the airline said. Cabin crew handed out the traditional decorative threads, symbolising the bond between siblings, to passengers on domestic and international services. The carrier said the gesture aimed to connect travellers with cultural traditions even when separated by distance. The Tata Group-owned airline has marked Raksha Bandhan with in-flight rakhis for several years, calling it part of its focus on “meaningful connections” and celebrating Indian culture. This year, it also ran a social media contest inviting passengers to share their festival moments, with winners receiving flight vouchers. Air India Express, a subsidiary of Air India, operates more than 500 daily flights to 38 domestic and 17 international destinations with a fleet of 116 aircraft, according to the company.
Kapil Sharma’s Canada café attacked twice in a month after inviting Salman Khan to comedy show – industry body seeks Amit Shah’s intervention
Indian comedian Kapil Sharma has been placed under heightened security after his café in Canada came under gunfire for the second time in a month, allegedly by members of the Lawrence Bishnoi gang, police said. In an audio clip circulating online, gangster Goldy Dhillon, identified as a Bishnoi gang member, claimed responsibility for the attack, saying it was carried out because of Sharma’s closeness to Bollywood actor Salman Khan. “In future, anyone working with Salman will face dire consequences. Next time, we will aim straight at the chest,” the message warned. Mumbai Police have stepped up surveillance around Sharma’s residence and are reviewing CCTV footage. The attackers have also reportedly threatened to strike in Mumbai. The All India Cine Workers Association (AICWA) condemned the shootings, calling them a “premeditated attack on the dignity and freedom of India’s film industry” reminiscent of the 1990s, when Bollywood faced extortion threats and violence from underworld syndicates. “This is not just about Kapil’s café. Recent incidents targeting Salman Khan, Baba Siddique, and Saif Ali Khan point to an alarming pattern,” AICWA said in a Facebook post. “Such acts are designed to intimidate stars, erode their creative freedom, and deliberately weaken the backbone of Indian cinema.” The body urged Home Minister Amit Shah to take up the matter with the Canadian Prime Minister and ensure the safety of Indian citizens and celebrities abroad. It warned that the incidents were spreading fear among millions who depend on the film industry for their livelihood.
BJP Slams Rahul Gandhi’s Election Fraud Allegation as “Calculated Deceit”, Accuses Congress of Undermining Democracy
India’s ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Thursday hit back at opposition leader Rahul Gandhi for alleging electoral fraud, calling his remarks a “calculated deceit” and part of a broader Congress conspiracy to undermine democratic institutions. Gandhi, the Leader of Opposition in Parliament, had earlier accused the Election Commission of colluding with the BJP to manipulate voter data in a Karnataka constituency during the 2024 general election, terming it a “criminal fraud”. “There is a huge criminal fraud being perpetrated across the country by the Election Commission and the party in power,” Gandhi told reporters, without naming the BJP directly. Reacting sharply, senior BJP leader and former Union minister Ravi Shankar Prasad condemned the comments as “irresponsible and shameless”, saying Gandhi was attacking a constitutional body out of “frustration and anger” over repeated electoral losses. “You are insulting the people of the country who voted for Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his work, honesty and leadership,” Prasad told reporters at the Parliament complex. “Calling the Election Commission a fraud crosses all limits.” Prasad also accused Gandhi of adopting “double standards” by questioning the poll panel only when the Congress loses elections. Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan echoed the criticism, calling Gandhi “Bayan Bahadur” (a habitual statement-maker) and accusing the Congress of systematically targeting constitutional institutions. “In the agony of losing power, Rahul Gandhi has completely lost his composure,” Pradhan said in a post on social media platform X. “This calculated deceit points to a larger conspiracy against India’s democracy and Constitution.” He added that the Congress party’s “ideological hollowness” and history, including the imposition of the Emergency in the 1970s, reflected its “authoritarian mindset”. Pradhan also questioned Gandhi’s silence when the Election Commission had invited political parties to raise concerns about the State-wise Information Reports (SIR) in Bihar, suggesting the Congress had failed to act at the appropriate time. “People of Bihar and across India are ready to give a fitting reply to such opponents of democracy,” he said. The BJP’s pushback comes amid rising political tensions as the opposition ramps up its scrutiny of electoral processes following the party’s third consecutive win in the general elections. Gandhi and the Congress have accused the BJP of misusing institutions to retain power — a charge the BJP has consistently denied.
Mamata Banerjee targets voter list overhaul, Bengali identity ahead of 2026 polls
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Thursday launched a scathing attack on the Election Commission of India and the central government over the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the electoral roll, warning that the exercise could be a veiled attempt to disenfranchise voters, especially from marginalised communities. Speaking at an event marking World Adivasi Day in Jhargram, Banerjee alleged that the central government was attempting to manipulate the voter list under the guise of bureaucratic formalities. She also pledged to resist what she described as a conspiracy against Bengali identity, indicating that the twin issues of voter disenfranchisement and linguistic pride would shape her campaign in the 2026 state assembly elections. “If someone tells you to fill out a form promising benefits, don’t do it without understanding. Your details could be used to remove your name from the voter list. Then they will send you an NRC notice,” Banerjee warned, referring to the controversial National Register of Citizens. The Chief Minister alleged that the new voter list norms require individuals born before or in 2002 to produce their parents’ birth certificates. “Only 60% had birth certificates back then. How can those born after 2004 be expected to provide their parents’ certificates?” she questioned, calling the demand discriminatory and impractical. Banerjee further alleged that the Election Commission had changed rules arbitrarily, saying, “Just possessing an EPIC card isn’t enough anymore. You need to cross-check your name in the new voter list.” She accused the Centre of targeting state government officials for resisting these changes. “Two of my officers were suspended and sent notices yesterday. On what basis? The elections haven’t even been announced yet. I won’t let anyone be punished unjustly,” she said. Earlier this week, the Election Commission had recommended FIRs against two Electoral Registration Officers (EROs) in West Bengal for alleged lapses in the voter list revision process. The Commission also wrote to West Bengal Chief Secretary Manoj Pant urging disciplinary action. Banerjee also turned her fire on BJP leaders for comments allegedly questioning the legitimacy of the Bengali language. “If Bengali is not a language, then in what language was the national anthem written? What language did Tagore, Swamiji, Raja Rammohan Roy, and Vidyasagar speak?” she asked, adding, “Language is identity. Language is pride.” In a pointed criticism of the BJP, Banerjee said, “These people were born with silver spoons in their mouths. They don’t understand the struggles of the working class.” Banerjee’s remarks mark a sharp escalation in political rhetoric ahead of the 2026 state elections, with the Trinamool Congress positioning itself as the defender of both voter rights and Bengali cultural identity.
Calcutta HC scraps WBJEE merit list over OBC quota issue, directs fresh list based on pre-2010 categories
The Calcutta High Court on Thursday directed the West Bengal Joint Entrance Examinations Board to scrap its merit list and prepare a fresh one based solely on the OBC categories recognised before 2010. The court observed that the merit panel had been prepared by flouting an earlier court order and was therefore invalid. Justice Kaushik Chanda, while hearing the matter, ordered that the new merit list must be drawn up using the list of 66 OBC communities as identified prior to 2010. The board has been given 15 days to implement the directive and a further three weeks to file an affidavit of compliance through an officer of the rank of senior special secretary. The order is also to be communicated to the Chief Secretary of the state. The merit list was originally scheduled to be published on August 7. However, following the High Court’s direction, the result declaration has now been thrown into uncertainty. The court said that reservation for OBC candidates will remain capped at 7 per cent and will be limited to the communities recognised as OBCs before 2010. It ruled that the merit list, if published, must adhere strictly to these criteria. In April 2023, the High Court had set aside all OBC certificates issued in West Bengal under categories introduced after 2010. A total of 42 communities were added in 2010 by the then Left Front government, followed by another 35 in 2012 during the tenure of the Trinamool Congress government. The court had held that these additions were made without following due procedure and hence could not be considered valid. Justice Chanda also expressed concern over the haste with which new OBC certificates were issued in the days following a recent interim stay granted by the Supreme Court on the High Court’s earlier judgment. He questioned how applications, scrutiny, and issuance of such certificates could be completed within a short span, suggesting that the process lacked transparency and due diligence. The court observed that the earlier judgment of the High Court had not been complied with before the Supreme Court’s stay order came into force, thereby amounting to a violation of judicial orders. The High Court’s latest ruling has put thousands of aspirants awaiting admission to engineering and pharmacy courses in limbo, as uncertainty continues over the publication of the WBJEE results. There was no immediate response from the West Bengal education department or the Joint Entrance Board regarding the court’s directions.
Bloodied Body of Unidentified Woman Found in Santiniketan’s Sonajhuri Forest Area
Police recovered the bloodied body of an unidentified woman from the Sonajhuri forest area near Santiniketan in West Bengal’s Birbhum district early Thursday morning, triggering shock and panic in the local community. According to initial police reports, the body was found lying near the edge of the forest with a scarf tied tightly around the neck, suggesting possible strangulation. Local residents first discovered the body and alerted authorities. Police sources and eyewitnesses said the woman had visible injuries, including signs of blunt trauma to her face and eyes. Investigators suspect the woman may have been murdered elsewhere and the body dumped at the spot. Sensing the gravity of the situation, Officer-in-Charge of Santiniketan Police Station, Dolim Mondal, arrived at the scene. The body has been sent for post-mortem examination. Police have launched a formal investigation and are currently reviewing footage from several CCTV cameras installed in the area. Investigators said they are hopeful of making a breakthrough in the case soon. Let me know if you’d like an updated version after police release further details or if you’d like it in a more dramatic narrative style.
India’s Actor Prakash Raj Condemns Mob Attack on YouTubers Reporting from Dharmasthala Amid Mass Burial Probe
Actor and activist Prakash Raj has strongly condemned the mob assault on a group of YouTubers who were reporting from Dharmasthala in Karnataka, where an ongoing Special Investigation Team (SIT) probe is underway into the alleged mass burial case. Four individuals representing three YouTube channels, including a cameraman, were assaulted by a large mob on Wednesday evening near Pangal Cross in Dharmasthala, located in the Dakshina Kannada district. According to police sources, the group was targeted for allegedly defaming Dharmasthala. In a video message posted on social media, Prakash Raj said, “In Dharmasthala, journalists reporting for justice for Soujanya murder were attacked, which is condemnable.” He added, “Because of these goons, Dharmasthala is getting a bad name. What upsets these goons when it is asked why Soujanya died such a tragic death? It increases the doubt why they are doing this and who are behind them.” Tensions gripped Dharmasthala on Wednesday as clashes erupted between two groups amid the SIT’s investigation into the controversial mass burial case. The incident took place while the YouTubers — Ajay Anchan, Abhishek, Vijay, and a cameraman — were interviewing Rajat, a former contestant on Bigg Boss Kannada. Around 50 to 60 individuals allegedly attacked the group near Pangal Cross, severely damaging their camera equipment. All four victims were admitted to Benaka Hospital in Ujire, with one reportedly in critical condition, police confirmed. The assault occurred near the residence of Sowjanya, a teenage girl who was allegedly raped and murdered in 2012. Her case has resurfaced recently amid allegations of a broader cover-up involving mass burials of multiple victims. Following the incident, the situation escalated further as locals and supporters of the YouTubers gathered outside the Dharmasthala police station and Benaka Hospital. Police had to resort to a mild lathi charge to disperse the crowd. Dakshina Kannada Superintendent of Police Arun K confirmed that no grievous injuries had been reported and said written complaints were received from both sides. FIRs have been registered at Dharmasthala Police Station, including charges related to assault, damage to vehicles, and an attack on a Kannada news channel reporter. Cases of unlawful assembly have also been booked at multiple locations. Police said further action would follow after examining available video footage.
