Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has criticized the Mamata Banerjee-led West Bengal government following recent violent protests in Murshidabad over the Waqf Amendment Act. Referring to the unrest, Adityanath said “Bengal is burning” while its Chief Minister remains “silent”.

Addressing a public meeting in Hardoi, Uttar Pradesh, the BJP leader remarked that “danda” — the Hindi term for a stick — is the only effective solution against rioters. Drawing comparisons, he claimed that prior to 2017, when BJP came to power in Uttar Pradesh, riots were a frequent occurrence in the state.

“Danda is the only treatment for rioters. You can see, Bengal is burning. The Chief Minister is silent. She is calling rioters ‘peace ambassadors’,” he stated during his speech.

Adding further, Adityanath used a Hindi proverb to reinforce his stance: “Laton ke bhoot baaton se kahan manne wale hain,” which loosely translates to “Those who respond only to force don’t understand words.”

The Uttar Pradesh CM accused the West Bengal administration of enabling violence under the guise of secularism. “In the name of secularism, they have given freedom to rioters. The government is silent. Such anarchy should be controlled,” he added.

These remarks come amid growing political tension over the Waqf Amendment Act, with opposition voices criticizing both state and central policies. The violence in Murshidabad has drawn widespread attention, placing the West Bengal government under scrutiny.

In a significant move aimed at asserting Tamil Nadu’s rights within the Indian federal structure, Chief Minister MK Stalin has constituted a high-level committee to examine and propose measures to enhance state autonomy. This step comes amid intensifying disputes between the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK)-led state government and the BJP-led central government, particularly over the administration of education and the role of the Governor.

The committee will be headed by retired Supreme Court Chief Justice Kurien Joseph and includes former civil servants Ashok Shetty and Mu Nagarajan. The primary objective is to review existing laws and suggest how powers once exclusively under state control—but later moved to the concurrent list—can be reclaimed. The aim, as declared by Stalin in the Assembly, is to uphold the rights of all Indian states while ensuring cooperative federalism.

Interim report by 2026, final recommendations by 2028

The panel is expected to deliver an interim report by January 2026 and its final recommendations by 2028. The scope includes recommending frameworks that enhance the functioning of state governments without compromising the unity of the nation.

Standoff over NEET and Governor’s actions

This initiative gains importance in the backdrop of Tamil Nadu’s ongoing resistance to the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET). The DMK has consistently opposed NEET, demanding the right to admit students to medical courses based on Class XII marks alone. The Assembly had twice passed a bill to this effect, only for it to be rejected by President Droupadi Murmu earlier this month.

The tension further escalated as the Supreme Court recently criticized Governor RN Ravi for withholding ten bills passed by the Tamil Nadu Assembly, calling his delays “arbitrary” and “illegal.” These bills, now signed into law, include provisions limiting the Governor’s role in appointing Vice Chancellors to state universities.

Education autonomy and language policy dispute

Tamil Nadu has also demanded that education be removed from the concurrent list and reinstated as a state subject, reversing changes made via the 42nd Constitutional Amendment. The DMK argues that central control over education undermines regional diversity and federal values.

Another flashpoint is the three-language policy under the National Education Policy (NEP), which the DMK views as an attempt to impose Hindi. The state has historically followed a two-language policy, comprising Tamil and English. The DMK has also accused the central government of attempting to “blackmail” the state by threatening to withhold Rs 2,500 crore in education funds—a charge denied by Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.

Political backdrop ahead of elections

These confrontations are unfolding as Tamil Nadu prepares for Assembly elections next year. The BJP, which has renewed its alliance with the main opposition AIADMK, is seeking to expand its presence in the state. Meanwhile, the DMK has voiced concern over the upcoming delimitation exercise, fearing it may reduce southern states’ parliamentary representation in favor of the Hindi-speaking north.

The abrupt cancellation of Muktiparv, a scheduled event focused on the works and legacy of Dr Bhimrao Ambedkar, has triggered sharp criticism and protests from students at the Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER), Pune. The event, planned for April 13 as part of a series of art and literature events this month, was called off following objections reportedly raised by the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP).

The institute issued a statement citing concerns over controversy and law and order, stating that the event with external speakers would not be hosted “at this time.” However, students and organisers accused the administration of yielding to pressure and curbing academic discourse at a premier educational institution.

Event was scheduled to discuss caste, gender and Ambedkarite thought

Muktiparv was set to feature a panel of scholars, including Nazima Parveen, Deepali Salve, and Smita Patil—academicians known for their work on social equality and caste and gender dynamics. The event was designed to highlight Dr Ambedkar’s ideas on justice, social reform, and empowerment.

The cancellation came as a surprise to organisers, who said all necessary permissions had been obtained and earlier events under the same series had been conducted without issue. “We have been scheduling programmes since March. Due permissions were taken, and we successfully held an art exhibition last week,” one student said.

ABVP claims threat to social harmony

The Maharashtra wing of ABVP had publicly opposed the event on social media, labelling the invited speakers as “radicals” and alleged affiliates of the so-called “Tukde Tukde gang.” Their press release claimed that previous editions of Muktiparv included remarks that had hurt sentiments, and this year’s programme could potentially “divide society based on religion.”

Following the Pride March on campus by the Satrangi Club on April 6, tensions escalated. By April 10, ABVP representatives had approached the IISER director and Pune police demanding cancellation of the Muktiparv event.

Deepali Salve, one of the invited speakers, condemned the cancellation, accusing the ABVP of attempting to silence dissent and student voices. “RSS who left no stone unturned in dividing the country on the basis of caste and religion are today accusing those who hold the country together,” she said.

She further added, “Perhaps BJP and RSS have forgotten that the country will be governed by the Constitution, not Manusmriti.”

Students expressed anger at being kept in the dark about the decision and criticised the administration’s lack of communication. “The move is completely baseless, and no concrete reason has been stated. The lack of transparency is deeply concerning,” said one of the organisers.

The IISER student council pointed out that the complaint against the event labelled the speakers as “Dalit activists, journalists, and feminists who organised the ‘Night is Ours’ protest.” Many students and supporters of the event have since raised questions over institutional autonomy and the space for marginalised voices on campus.