Prime Minister Narendra Modi bowed in solemn reverence, Mamata Banerjee clamoured his birthday be declared a national holiday, but their competing claims over Subhas Chandra Bose s legacy Saturday left an election-bound West Bengal bitterly cleaved and disquieted. The day began with colourful events where children donning the Indian National Army s (INA) uniforms lustily sang its anthem Kadam, Kadam Badhaye Ja to mark the beginning of the year-long 125th birth anniversary celebrations of the legendary freedom fighter. It ended in abject bitterness when West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee refused to deliver her speech at the main Parakram Diwas celebration at the forecourt of the Victoria Memorial after Jai Shri Ram slogans greeted her, claiming she was insulted.
Unity march in support of protesting farmers Participation from different faiths and walks of life marks torchlight rally in Calcutta
Hundreds of people joined a torchlight rally in south Calcutta on Sunday evening in solidarity with the farmers who have been protesting at the gates of the national capital against the new farm laws.
The marchers came from different faiths and walks of life. Members of the Sikh community, many of them senior citizens, walked side by side with women in hijab.
Cries of “
Kisan ekta zindabad (long live farmers’ unity)” and “
Kisan tum aage badho, hum tumhare saath hai (Farmer, march ahead, we are with you)” rang the evening air.