Author: Subrata Das
Vaibhav Sooryavanshi stole the show in Mullanpur with a masterclass in aggressive batting, helping Rajasthan Royals secure a 47-run win over SRH in the Eliminator. Backed by Jofra Archer’s three-wicket haul, the Royals safely advanced to Qualifier 2 to face the Gujarat Titans.
West Bengal’s new “detect, delete, deport” policy has sparked a sudden reverse exodus at international checkpoints. Following a state order to establish district-level holding centers and bypass lengthy court trials for illegal immigrants, hundreds of undocumented workers are scrambling to cross back into Bangladesh to evade arrest.
High drama unfolded at Abhishek Banerjee’s Kalighat residence as Kolkata Police retrieved security monitors and hard disks. While the administration maintained that the equipment was recovered as a routine post-security downgrade measure, the TMC condemned the heavy police presence as political vendetta.
Rajasthan Royals booked their ticket to the 2026 IPL playoffs with a 30-run victory over Mumbai Indians. Driven by a sensational late cameo and a lethal opening spell from Jofra Archer, the Royals secured the fourth seed to set up an Eliminator clash against Sunrisers Hyderabad.
The 2026 IPL group stage has wrapped up with a historic logjam at the top of the table. While RCB, Gujarat, and Hyderabad have successfully punched their tickets to the qualifiers, a furious multi-team race is underway to capture the coveted fourth spot before the playoffs officially begin.
In a move that has reignited a fierce political and cultural debate, the West Bengal government has issued an official directive making the singing of the national song, “Vande Mataram,” mandatory during morning assemblies across all state-affiliated madrasas. Issued by the Directorate of Madrasah Education, the order extends to all government-aided, model, and recognized unaided madrasas under the Minority Affairs Department. This follows a broader standardizing mandate implemented by the Suvendu Adhikari-led government across all state-run schools. State Minister Dilip Ghosh strongly defended the decision, asserting that institutions utilizing public funds must adhere to state-mandated practices of national integration. Meanwhile, opposition parties and minority organizations have sharply criticized the mandate, labeling it an infringement on minority rights and warning of widespread legal challenges and street protests.
West Bengal’s new BJP administration has moved swiftly to fortify international boundaries by transferring land to the BSF for a 27-km fencing project. Coupled with a strict new “detect, delete, deport” immigration policy, the shift marks an aggressive crackdown on cross-border infiltration.
In a major post-election legal development, sports promoter Satadru Dutta has filed an official police complaint against former West Bengal Sports Minister and TMC leader Aroop Biswas, accusing him of sabotaging international football icon Lionel Messi’s visit to Kolkata in December 2025. Filed at the Bidhannagar South police station on Monday, May 18, 2026, the FIR also names former DGP Rajeev Kumar and senior bureaucrat Santanu Basu. Dutta alleges that Biswas extorted 22,000 complimentary tickets for black-market sales and forced 10,000 unauthorized political associates onto the Salt Lake Stadium pitch, compromising Messi’s Z-plus security and forcing the star to flee after just 20 minutes. Dutta, who previously spent 38 days in jail as a “scapegoat,” stated that the recent political change in Bengal gave him the courage to act, following a fresh probe ordered by the newly appointed BJP Sports Minister, Nisith Pramanik.
A thrilling finish awaits Indian football as East Bengal sits on top of the ISL table on goal difference. With just one match left against Inter Kashi, a victory could finally crown them league champions.
The latest chapter of Indian football’s fiercest rivalry ended in a dramatic 1-1 tie, leaving the ISL title race completely unresolved. After Edmund Lalrindika put East Bengal ahead late in the game, Jason Cummings struck a 90th-minute equalizer to keep both teams level at the top of the table.