Mamata wishes success for students appearing for class 10 West Bengal board exams
Kolkata (PTI): West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee extended her best wishes to students appearing for the class 10 state board exams that began on Monday.
Over 9.5 lakh students are expected to appear for the Madhyamik examination this year, an official said.
"Best wishes to all the Madhyamik candidates. May everyone have a good and promising future," she said.
The class 10 state board exams will conclude on February 12.
The Kolkata Police have announced special arrangements, including a dedicated helpline number, to ensure that examinees can reach their centres smoothly and safely.
To avoid any inconvenience to students, a helpline (9432610039) has been activated, a police officer said.
The police have imposed a complete ban on the movement of goods vehicles in Kolkata from 6 am to noon to ensure smooth traffic movement during the examination hours - 10.45 am to 2 pm.
Police stations and traffic guards have been put on high alert throughout the examination period, the officer said.
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Guv Gehlot wants hate speech and hate crimes bill shelved, says Minister Parameshwara
Bengaluru (PTI): Karnataka Home Minister G Parameshwara on Monday alleged that Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot has referred the Hate Speech and Hate Crime (Prevention) Bill to the President Droupadi Murmu to dump it in cold storage.
According to the Bill, any expression which is made, published or circulated in words, either spoken or written or by signs or by visible representations or through electronic communication or otherwise, in public view, with an intention to cause injury, disharmony or feelings of enmity or hatred or ill-will against person alive or dead, class or group of persons or community, to meet any prejudicial interest, is hate speech.
The bill seeks at least seven years jail term and a maximum penalty of Rs one lakh.
The bill was passed by both the Houses during the winter session in Belagavi and was sent to Gehlot towards the end of December 2025.
Speaking to reporters here, Parameshwara said the Governor has questioned 28 points in bill and has referred it to the President.
"If the President sends back to us with her observations, then we will do something and send it again (for gubernatorial assent)," he said.
The minister explained that the bill was brought consciously and not just like that.
"We have freedom of speech, but that does not mean that one can say anything. We have to see how it impacts our society. Hence, the bill was introduced," he sought to know.
According to him, there were instances of hate speech, which made the government think of bringing a law.
Targeting the BJP, he said, "If you (BJP) still say that this is not proper, then what are your motives? Should it mean that anyone can abuse anyone? Should we allow any disturbance in society?"
He alleged that the Governor wants this bill is never implemented.
"In my opinion, the Governor has intentionally referred it to the President, so that it does not come into effect. He wants it to be shelved forever," Parameshwara said.
When reporters asked him that the same is happening in Kerala and Tamil Nadu, he said, "Let's see what happens in the coming days. I think things will improve."
