Barak literary body protests against ‘harassment' of Bengalis
2
Silchar: Barak Upatyaka Banga Sahitya O Sanskriti Sammelan (BUBSSS), Barak Valley's apex literary body, on Wednesday held simultaneous demonstrations in Silchar, Sribhumi and Hailakandi to protest against the 'increasing harassment' of Bengalis across different parts of the country.
Joined by members of other socio-cultural organisations and linguistic groups, the demonstrators raised slogans, calling for an end to the 'discrimination' against Bengalis.
BUBSSS general secretary Gautam Prasad Dutta said, "It was the BJP-led govt which had granted Bengali the status of one of the classical languages of the country. Against this backdrop, it is unfortunate to see leaders from the party making divisive remarks."
He alleged that such statements and incidents were creating 'deep resentment' among Bengalis, which might "trigger anti-national sentiment", if not addressed promptly. Dutta claimed that Bengalis across India had played a significant role in BJP's rise to power in 2014.
Dutta criticised BJP IT-cell chief Amit Malviya for allegedly saying that Bengali was "not an integrated language", terming the statement "factually incorrect and deeply hurtful".
by Taboola
by Taboola
Sponsored Links
Sponsored Links
Promoted Links
Promoted Links
You May Like
Use an AI Writing Tool That Actually Understands Your Voice
Grammarly
Install Now
Undo
He urged the central govt to intervene immediately and ensure safety and dignity of Bengalis.
Participants in the demonstrations alleged that in recent months, Bengalis in Delhi, and other states, had been subjected to derogatory remarks, workplace bias and social media trolling, with some even claiming instances of physical intimidation.
"Unity in diversity is India's greatest strength, and undermining any linguistic group is detrimental to that spirit," Dutta said.
Stay updated with the latest local news from your
city
on
Times of India
(TOI). Check upcoming
bank holidays
,
public holidays
, and current
gold rates
and
silver prices
in your area.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
New Indian Express
20 minutes ago
- New Indian Express
EPS denies AIADMK split from NDA, accuses DMK of spreading false narrative
TIRUPATTUR: Taking a dig at the rumours that had been going round the political circles about the AIADMK splitting from the NDA, the leader of opposition and party general secretary, Edappadi K Palaniswami, alleged that the DMK has been trying to popularise this false narrative. Denying the rumours, EPS said, 'We will continue our alliance with the BJP, but our politics will be beyond religion and caste.' He said this while addressing the people of Ambur (in Tirupattur), predominantly a Muslim-populated constituency, on Thursday as part of his 'Makkalai Kappom, Thamizhagathai Meetpom' campaign. EPS said people should not forget that the DMK had also been in alliance with the BJP in the late 1990s. 'Only when we form an alliance with the BJP, it's a problem for them,' he said. Addressing the leather workers of Ambur, he said, 'Ambur is a place known for leather companies. But recently many companies have shut down and as a result, there is a rise in unemployment, especially among woman workers in these leather factories. If the AIADMK comes to power, we will get you back your jobs.' To add to the woes of unemployment is the price rise, EPS said, alleging that the prices of basic groceries like rice, oil, dal, etc. have risen during the DMK rule compared to the prices in the AIADMK regime. He said the AIADMK is a party for the people, whereas the DMK is a party for a particular family. Earlier in the day, after interacting with residents of Yelagiri Hills, EPS announced a slew of promises for the people, if the AIADMK alliance comes to power in the 2026 Assembly elections. He asserted that Yelagiri Hills would be developed into a prime tourist destination; a ring road connecting 14 villages in the hills, that is currently in poor condition, would be relaid; a new Amma mini clinic would be established; and coaching would be provided to students so that they can get through the 7.5 per cent internal reservation in medical admissions and study MBBS and BDS courses. Providing drinking water facilities, building concrete houses for the underprivileged, providing livestock free of cost for the livelihood of residents, offering financial support through co-operative societies, and creating employment opportunities through self-help groups were some of the other announcements the AIADMK general secretary made.
Time of India
23 minutes ago
- Time of India
Alaska Summit: Trump has the tools to persuade Putin on Ukraine; one of them may involve India
Sometimes the best outcome from a high-profile summit is just another summit, and that may well be the case when Donald Trump meets Vladimir Putin at a US military base in Alaska around midday local time. The US President has been lowering expectations this week, in the face of growing alarm he'd agree to terms amounting to Ukraine's capitulation. And yet, a simple get-to-know you isn't exactly consistent with the threat he also made to impose 'very severe consequences' should Moscow fail to show interest in ending a war of choice that it started in 2014. As skeptical as I remain that Trump is ready to impose those costs, it's worth remembering that he can. And if he does, I'll be the first to admit to underestimating him. Success is possible. Trump has the tools to drive Putin toward a settlement, one of which is his rejection of traditional US foreign policy norms when it comes to embracing autocrats. It isn't that Putin swoons in Trump's presence (if anything, that works the other way around). But Russia's leader is fully aware that no successor in the White House will be better disposed toward himself or Moscow's interests. That knowledge alone creates some potential for leverage. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Undo More concretely, Trump could carry through on his repeated threat to impose secondary sanctions on buyers of Russian oil, including China, India and Turkey. As Bloomberg News reported on Thursday, Putin's debt-fueled war economy is increasingly fragile, with senior government and central bank officials issuing public warnings. A plunge in revenue from oil exports could cause genuine pain. Trump could also tighten financial sanctions, cutting the access to dollar-based clearing systems that some Russian banks still enjoy. Although sanctions alone are never likely to force Putin to end the war, they can set conditions for other forms of pressure that do. Live Events Those would have to relate to the war itself, including a clearly signaled upgrade to US military assistance for Ukraine. Since coming to office in January, Trump has twice cut off US arms supplies and once halted intelligence sharing with Kyiv, to devastating effect and Russia's advantage. He relented more recently, offering to let Ukraine and its European allies buy US weapons, but this still amounts to a substantial weakening of battlefield support to Ukrainian forces, because the available funds are limited. Combined with acute Ukrainian manpower shortages and Moscow's intensified long-range drone and missile campaign on cities and other targets far behind the lines, the US withdrawal has made for months of attritional Russian gains. Putin is convinced, as a result, that he is winning on the battlefield. He has little reason to wind down a war he began with far more ambitious goals, just as it shows potential for success. Granted, the cost of each square kilometer gained over the last year makes no rational sense, either in terms of casualties suffered or the opportunity costs inflicted on a Russian economy that , even when adjusted for purchasing power parity , remains less than one tenth the size of Ukraine's allies. But that's to misconstrue Putin's understanding of what will secure his place in Russian history, which is to recover Moscow's status as the center of one of the world's great powers. This is why Putin cleaves so hard to his original war aims and it's something Jimmy Carter's National Security Advisor Zbigniew Brzezinski would instinctively have understood. For, as he famously once wrote: 'without Ukraine, Russia ceases to be an empire, but with Ukraine suborned and then subordinated, Russia automatically becomes an empire.' Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskiy is not the obstacle here. His country badly wants and needs a ceasefire, for the same reasons that Putin is reluctant to grant one without first getting everything he wants. Zelenskiy knows and accepts that any ceasefire must inevitably take shape along the lines of the current battlefield. What he can't do is legitimize Putin's gains by agreeing to recognize occupied territories as part of Russia. Nor can he hand over territory that Russia has yet to take, as Putin is demanding, oragree to Ukraine's 'demilitarization' (for which read giving up the means to defend itself when Russia renews its assault), and 'denazification' (for which read the imposition of a new pro-Russian regime in Kyiv). All of this makes it unrealistic to believe a lasting ceasefire could be agreed upon today. Russian forces have just penetrated thinning Ukrainian lines in the east and are no doubt trying now to find the reserves to turn that tactical success into the kind of breakthrough that changes the course of wars. Ukraine's intelligence services report that Putin is shifting forces along the front to mount a new offensive. The Kremlin has no incentive whatsoever to stop now. Putin's task today will be to ensure he can continue his invasion without triggering any meaningful response from the US. It's up to Trump to decide what his own aims are. But if he really wants to end the bloodshed, he needs to make sure Putin leaves Alaska persuaded that the cost of intransigence would be to trigger a level of financial punishment and US support for Ukraine's defense that would put the victory he craves out of reach.
Time of India
28 minutes ago
- Time of India
Sudarshan Chakra Mission: India to develop powerful weapon system; all you need to know about ‘Rashtriya Suraksha Kavach'
India celebrates 79t Independence Day. NEW DELHI: In order to create a powerful weapon system to thwart any attempt by enemies, India will be launching Mission Sudarshan Chakra, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced on Friday as India celebrated 78 years of Independence. Speaking from the Red Fort, PM Modi said, "In the next ten years, by 2035, I want to expand, strengthen, and modernise this national security shield. Drawing inspiration from Lord Shri Krishna, we have chosen the path of the Sudarshan nation will be launching the Sudarshan Chakra Mission" — ANI (@ANI) The comprehensive security initiative is set to implement multiple layers of protection, combining modern surveillance, cybersecurity measures and physical safeguards, specifically designed for India's current security challenges. Whilst Mission Sudarshan Chakra's precise details remain confidential, it is understood to involve joint efforts between India's leading research organisations, defence bodies and private sector innovators. The initiative supports the government's vision of Aatmanirbhar Bharat , particularly in defence and essential infrastructure sectors. The Prime Minister's focus on domestically developed technology indicates a shift towards reducing foreign system dependence, strengthening national security autonomy. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 11 Foods That Help In Healing Knee Pain Naturally Undo In his address, PM Modi referenced historical security incidents, including the 2008 Mumbai attacks, highlighting the importance of coordinated and forward-thinking security measures. "We cannot afford to be reactive. We must anticipate and prepare," he stated. As the nation marks its 79th independence anniversary, Mission Sudarshan Chakra represents both a symbolic and practical commitment to national security.
