A Trinamool Congress leader was found dead in a hotel at the Mandarmani sea resort in West Bengal’s East Midnapore district on Saturday morning, sparking tension in the vicinity.

The deceased has been identified as Abul Nasar, 34, a prominent leader from the Amdanga area in North 24 Parganas district.

Police have detained a woman who accompanied him to the hotel for questioning. The circumstances surrounding the leader’s death—whether it was a suicide or a murder—will be clarified after the post-mortem report is completed, according to a police official.

The situation has escalated, as Nasar’s wife, who serves as a deputy panchayat chief for the Trinamool party, has claimed that his death was a murder, prompting the Mandarmani Coastal Police Station to launch an investigation.

On Saturday morning, a hotel staff member found Nasar’s body hanging in his room. At the time, the room was empty, and the woman who had accompanied him was also missing. The hotel management promptly notified local police, who arrived at the scene, recovered the body, and sent it for a post-mortem examination. Subsequently, the woman was apprehended and taken to the local police station for questioning.

The police have filed a case of unnatural death regarding the incident. “At first glance, it appears to be a case of suicide; however, we will only confirm this after the autopsy report is released,” stated a district police official.

Meanwhile, local Trinamool leadership has dismissed any political implications surrounding the death. They noted that Abul Nasar was actively involved in local politics, and his passing represents a significant loss for the party’s local organisation.

The Congress on Saturday hit out at Prime Minister Narendra Modi, referring to him as the “frequent flyer PM” as he traveled to Kuwait while the residents of Manipur await his presence in their violence-affected region.

Modi’s two-day visit to Kuwait, commencing on December 21, 2024, aims to strengthen connections in various sectors, including defense and trade.

Congress general secretary in charge of communications, Jairam Ramesh, took to X to express his sentiments: “Such is their fate, as Modi refuses to find a date. The people of Manipur continue to wait while the Frequent Flyer PM is off to Kuwait.”

The Congress has consistently called on Modi to visit Manipur, arguing that his presence could aid in restoring peace and normalcy to the troubled State. Ethnic violence erupted in Manipur on May 3 of the previous year during a tribal solidarity march in the hill districts, protesting the Meitei community’s demand for Scheduled Tribe status.

Since then, over 220 individuals from both the Meitei and Kuki communities, along with security personnel, have lost their lives in the ongoing conflict.

PM Modi’s trip comes shortly after recent political developments in the region, including the collapse of President Bashar al-Assad’s regime in Syria and ongoing tensions due to the Israeli offensive in Gaza. During his stay, he plans to hold talks with key Kuwaiti officials and meet with the Indian community.

In his departure statement, PM Modi emphasised the importance of his discussions with the Kuwaiti leadership, highlighting them as a chance to establish a roadmap for a future-oriented partnership between India and Kuwait.

He stated, “We deeply value the historical connection with Kuwait that has been nurtured over generations. We are not just strong trade and energy partners but also share interests in peace, security, stability, and prosperity in the West Asia region.”

The Prime Minister expressed enthusiasm for his meetings with the Emir, the Crown Prince, and the Prime Minister of Kuwait. Additionally, he will attend the opening ceremony of the 26th Arabian Gulf Cup in the country. The last Indian Prime Minister to visit Kuwait was Indira Gandhi in 1981.

The much-anticipated Maha Kumbh Mela of 2025 will take place in Prayagraj from January 13 to February 26, drawing millions of devotees to the confluence of the Triveni Sangam, where the Ganges, Yamuna, and the mythical Sarasvati rivers meet. With an expected crowd of 40 to 45 crore pilgrims from across India and around the world, this sacred event promises to be the largest gathering of the Sanatan faith.

A sacred gathering rooted in mythology

The Maha Kumbh Mela is a monumental religious pilgrimage celebrated every 12 years, rotating across four revered locations in India: Haridwar, Ujjain, Nashik, and Prayagraj. This grand festival is steeped in Hindu mythology, symbolizing the quest for salvation through a holy dip in the sacred waters, believed to be imbued with drops of nectar from the cosmic churning of the ocean.

At Prayagraj, the Kumbh Mela holds particular significance as it is centered at the Triveni Sangam, a location where devotees believe their sins are washed away through ritual bathing. This year’s Kumbh Mela will officially begin on January 13, with the Paush Purnima Snan (bath), and conclude on February 26, with Maha Shivratri.

The Akharas: centers of spiritual power

A defining feature of the Kumbh Mela are the Akharas—monastic orders that form a crucial part of the event. In total, 13 recognized Akharas participate, each following distinct spiritual practices rooted in Hindu traditions. These Akharas include:

1. Juna Akhara
2. Niranjani Akhara
3. Mahanirvani Akhara
4. Atal Akhara
5. Ahwan Akhara
6. Nirmohi Akhara
7. Anand Akhara
8. Panchagni Akhara
9. Nagpanthi Gorakhnath Akhara
10. Vaishnav Akhara
11. Udasin Panchayati Bada Akhara
12. Udasin Naya Akhara
13. Nirmal Panchayati Akhara

The Akharas are divided into several categories based on the deities they revere, including Shaiva (followers of Lord Shiva), Vaishnav (devotees of Lord Vishnu), and Udasin (followers of Guru Nanak). The Akharas are led by spiritual authorities such as the Acharya Mahamandaleshwar, the highest-ranking position in an Akhara, and other prominent figures including Mahamandaleshwar and Shrimahant, responsible for administrative duties.

The role of Naga Sadhus

Among the most striking figures at the Kumbh Mela are the Naga Sadhus—ascetics who renounce all worldly possessions, including clothing, in their pursuit of spiritual enlightenment. These ascetics dedicate their lives to self-realization and are often seen leading processions and performing rituals during the Mela.

Key bathing dates: A spiritual journey

The Maha Kumbh Mela includes six major bathing days, each carrying deep spiritual significance. Pilgrims gather on these days to cleanse themselves of sins and seek blessings for a better life:

• January 13, 2025: Paush Purnima
• January 14, 2025: Makar Sankranti (Royal Bath)
• January 29, 2025: Mauni Amavasya (Royal Bath)
• February 3, 2025: Basant Panchami (Royal Bath)
• February 12, 2025: Maghi Purnima
• February 26, 2025: Mahashivratri

Each of these dates marks a unique occasion for spiritual renewal, drawing millions of people to the banks of the Triveni Sangam.

The spiritual significance of Peshwai and Nagar Pravesh

The Kumbh Mela is also marked by the grand processions of the Akharas, known as Peshwai and Nagar Pravesh. The Peshwai sees Akharas move from their permanent ashrams to their temporary camps at the Kumbh Mela site, a display of tradition and power, featuring elephants, camels, horses, and other symbolic elements. The Nagar Pravesh marks the arrival of saints and ascetics in the city, an event that adds to the grandeur and spiritual atmosphere of the festival.

Hatha Yoga: The path of devotion

During the Kumbh Mela, some ascetics practice Hatha Yoga, an intense form of spiritual discipline. This involves extreme physical postures such as standing on one leg for hours or keeping an arm raised for years, as acts of devotion and penance.

Kalpavas: A spiritual commitment

Another unique practice at the Kumbh Mela is Kalpavas, a spiritual observance where devotees spend the sacred months of Paush and Magh on the banks of the Triveni Sangam. Living in temporary shelters, the practitioners renounce worldly pleasures and engage in meditation, prayer, and rituals, seeking to purify their souls and achieve spiritual liberation.

As the Maha Kumbh Mela 2025 approaches, Prayagraj will become a global epicenter for spiritual devotion, drawing people from all walks of life to partake in its rituals and blessings. The event will not only be a celebration of faith but also a profound reminder of the collective power of devotion, self-realization, and spiritual unity.