West Bengal: Protesting BJP workers lock up Union minister Subhas Sarkar in party office
Bankura (WB)(PTI): BJP workers locked up Union minister Subhas Sarkar in their party office in West Bengal's Bankura on Tuesday, alleging that he was being "dictatorial" in running the district unit.
Sarkar, the MoS for Education and MP of Bankura, was chairing a meeting around 1 pm when a group of BJP workers shouting slogans marched into the party's district office and locked him up.
One of the protesters, Mohit Sharma, alleged that Sarkar was not giving importance to dedicated party workers and making people close to him members of the district committee.
"Some of us have been show-caused. We are protesting to save the party. This time, the BJP did not get any seat in Bankura Municipality because of his incompetence. BJP won two wards in the previous election. They could not field candidates in many seats in panchayat. It is a shame," he alleged.
Amid the chaos, another group of BJP workers reached the spot, and a scuffle broke out between the two sides.
A large police contingent went to the party office and rescued Sarkar, a police officer said.
Terming the incident unfortunate, BJP state spokesperson Samik Bhattacharya said that action will be taken against the party workers involved in the incident.
"Such incidents are unacceptable in a disciplined party like the BJP. If there are any grievances, there is a proper forum to raise those. We will look into the incident, and action will be taken against those involved," he said.
Bhattacharya said that Sarkar has no role in the district organisation, and the allegations against him stem from "misunderstandings".
Sarkar, however, could not be reached for comment.
Sharing a video clip of the incident on X, the ruling TMC claimed that with each passing day, the state BJP is crumbling as infighting is reaching its peak.
"In Bankura, vehement clashes erupted, & BJP workers locked Union Minister Subhas Sarkar in the party office. While unity within the party is a myth, BJP is a shining example of a weak foundation and misplaced priorities," it added.
With each passing day, @BJP4Bengal is crumbling as infighting is reaching its peak!
— All India Trinamool Congress (@AITCofficial) September 12, 2023
In Bankura, vehement clashes erupted, & BJP workers locked Union Minister Subhas Sarkar in the party office.
While unity within the party is a myth, BJP is truly a shining example of a weak… pic.twitter.com/Tu90BpQSZ7
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
AIITA welcomes Karnataka’s ban on obscene songs in school events
Bhatkal: The Karnataka unit of the All India Ideal Teachers Association (AIITA) has welcomed the Karnataka government’s decision to strictly ban school children from dancing to obscene songs during educational and cultural programmes in government, aided, and private schools across the state.
AIITA Karnataka State President M. R. Manvi congratulated the government for taking what he termed an important step to preserve the sanctity of education.
“Such decisions to safeguard the dignity of school children and uphold the values of education are the need of the hour. This rule should not be limited to government schools alone but must be strictly implemented in all private educational institutions as well,” he said.
He further urged the government to address other concerns within school programmes.
“The government should not only prohibit obscene dances in the name of school anniversaries, but also ensure that plays and dialogues that incite religious hatred are avoided. Schools should be centres of harmony, not platforms for spreading hatred,” he added.
According to a recent circular issued by the Department of School Education and Literacy, obscene dances are adversely affecting the mental health and moral values of students.
In this regard, schools have been advised to use songs that promote nationalism, positive thinking, the greatness of Kannada culture, and value-based traditions instead of inappropriate content during programmes.
The circular also emphasises that students should be dressed in decent attire.
AIITA also backed the department’s warning that disciplinary action would be taken against head teachers if such guidelines are violated. The association has further demanded that district Deputy Directors of Public Instruction strictly monitor the implementation of these rules.
