https://en.bharatpedia.org/w/api.php?action=feedcontributions&feedformat=atom&user=BellaCHBharatpedia - User contributions [en]2026-08-02T19:12:12ZUser contributionsMediaWiki 1.43.6https://en.bharatpedia.org/w/index.php?title=2026_Delhi_Jantar_Mantar_protest&diff=5523712026 Delhi Jantar Mantar protest2026-07-22T17:22:54Z<p>BellaCH: </p>
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<div>{{Short description|Ongoing protests led by the Cockroach Janta Party in New Delhi}}<br />
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2026}}<br />
{{Use Indian English|date=July 2026}}<br />
{{Infobox civil conflict<br />
| name = 2026 Delhi Jantar Mantar protest<br />
| part_of = [[Gen Z protests]] and [[Gen Z protests in Asia]]<br />
| image = {{Multiple image<br />
| total_width = 300<br />
| perrow = 2<br />
| border = infobox<br />
| image1 = CJP Protestors holding Bhagat Singh posters.jpg<br />
| image2 = Abhijeet Dipke and Sonam Wangchuk.jpg<br />
| image3 = Sonam Wangchuk taken to hospital.webp<br />
| image4 = Protestors at Jantar Mantar.jpg<br />
}}<br />
| caption = '''From left to right, top to bottom''':{{Flatlist|<br />
* Protestors holding posters of [[Bhagat Singh]]<br />
* Abhijeet Dipke with [[Sonam Wangchuk]]<br />
* Wangchuk forcibly taken to hospital<br />
* Protestors protesting at Jantar Mantar<br />
}}<br />
| date = {{Start date|2026|6|6}} – present<br />
| location = [[Jantar Mantar, New Delhi]]<br />
| causes = {{bulleted list<br />
| [[2026 NEET controversy|2026 NEET paper leak]]<br />
| [[2026 CBSE On-Screen Marking controversy|CBSE On-Screen Marking irregularities]]<br />
| Repeated lapses in public examination administration over the past 28 years, resulting in at least 345 paper leaks nationwide by Indian National Congress and BJP<br />
}}<br />
| goals = {{bulleted list<br />
| Resignation of Union Education Minister [[Dharmendra Pradhan]] <br />
| Reforms in the examination system<br />
}}<br />
| methods = [[Demonstration (political)|Demonstrations]], [[sit-in]]s, [[hunger strike]]s<br />
| status = Ongoing<br />
| side1 = [[Government of India]]{{bulleted list<br />
| [[Ministry of Education (India)|Union Ministry of Education]]<br />
| [[Delhi Police]]<br />
| [[Central Reserve Police Force|CRPF]]<br />
| [[Rapid Action Force]]<br />
| [[File:BJP_Flag.svg|25x25px]] [[Bharatiya Janata Party]]<br />
}}<br />
| side2 = {{bulleted list<br />
| [[File:Cockroach_Janta_Party_logo.svg|25x25px]] [[Cockroach Janta Party]]<br />
<br />
| [[File:AISF Flag.svg|25x25px]] [[All India Students' Federation]]<br />
| [[File:SFI-flag.svg|25x25px]] [[Students Federation of India]]<br />
| [[All India Students Association]]<br />
}}<br />
| lead_figures1 = * [[File:BJP_Flag.svg|25x25px]] [[Narendra Modi]]<br />
* [[File:BJP_Flag.svg|25x25px]] [[Amit Shah]]<br />
* [[File:BJP_Flag.svg|25x25px]] [[Dharmendra Pradhan]]<br />
| lead_figures2 = * [[Sonam Wangchuk]]<br />
* [[File:Cockroach_Janta_Party_logo.svg|25x25px]] [[Abhijeet Dipke]]<br />
* [[File:SFI-flag.svg|25x25px]] [[Adarsh M. Saji]]<br />
* [[Neha Bora]]<br />
* [[File:SFI-flag.svg|25x25px]] [[Aishe Ghosh]]<br />
| injuries = Approximately 180 (118 security personnel and around 60 protesters, according to Delhi Police)<br />
| casualties = Multiple FIRs registered for violence, stone-pelting, vandalism and assault on public servants<br />
}}<br />
[[File:Dharmendra Pradhan with his daughter, Nimisha Pradhan, who completed a Master of Laws (LL.M.) degree at The Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy, Tufts University, in the United States.jpg|thumb|[[Dharmendra Pradhan]] with his daughter, Nimisha Pradhan, who completed a Master of Laws (LL.M.) degree at [[The Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy]], [[Tufts University]], in the [[United States]]]]<br />
Since 6 June 2026, the [[Cockroach Janta Party]] (CJP), an Indian youth-based [[Political satire|satirical political movement]] founded by [[Abhijeet Dipke]], has been holding a series of protests at [[Jantar Mantar, New Delhi|Jantar Mantar]] in [[New Delhi]] along with student organisations like [[Students Federation of India]], [[All India Students Association]] and [[All India Students Federation]].<ref name="bbc2">{{Cite web |date=1 July 2026 |title=Why India's cockroach protesters are still on the streets in over 40C heat |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cly0ey5y10qo |access-date=16 July 2026 |website=[[BBC News]] |language=en-GB|last=Pandey|first=Geeta}}</ref><ref name="ap">{{Cite web |date=11 June 2026 |title=India's viral Cockroach Party launches nationwide youth protests |url=https://apnews.com/article/india-cockroach-party-youth-protest-988e205b0859ac2c5fbc8af9ad4925af |access-date=11 June 2026 |website=[[AP News]] |language=en}}</ref> The protesters have demanded the resignation of Union Education Minister [[Dharmendra Pradhan]] over the [[2026 NEET controversy|2026 NEET paper leak]] and the [[2026 CBSE On-Screen Marking controversy|CBSE On-Screen Marking irregularities]], along with broader reforms in the conduct of public examinations.<ref name="etv">{{Cite web |date=15 June 2026 |title=CJP Demands Education Minister's Resignation in Bengaluru Protest Over National Exam Irregularities |url=https://www.etvbharat.com/en/state/cjp-demands-education-ministers-resignation-in-bengaluru-protest-over-national-exam-irregularities-enn26061500191 |access-date=15 June 2026 |website=[[ETV Bharat]] |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite news<br />
|title=India news: Cockroach Party warns of protest infiltrators<br />
|url=https://www.dw.com/en/india-news-cockroach-party-warns-of-protest-infiltrators/live-78015662<br />
|work=Deutsche Welle<br />
|publisher=Deutsche Welle<br />
|language=en<br />
|access-date=20 July 2026<br />
}}</ref> The agitation drew national attention after the activist [[Sonam Wangchuk]] began an indefinite [[hunger strike]] at the protest site on 28 June.<ref name="bbc3">{{cite web |date=16 July 2026 |title=Indian activist urged to end hunger strike as he loses 9.1kg in 19 days |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/crm0mg4z7edo |access-date=18 July 2026 |website=[[BBC News]] |last=Pandey |first=Geeta |archive-date=18 July 2026 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260718084943/https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/crm0mg4z7edo |url-status=live }}</ref><br />
<br />
The initial social media movement known as the Cockroach Janta Party was created in May 2026 by digital communications strategist Abhijeet Dipke as a political satire. The name alludes to a statement by [[Surya Kant]], the [[Chief Justice of India]], who compared unemployed youth and social media activists to "cockroaches" and "parasites".<ref name="bbc" /> Having gained widespread online popularity, the movement transitioned into offline demonstrations, which were permitted by the [[Delhi Police]].<br />
<br />
On 28 June 2026, [[Ladakhis|Ladakhi]] environmentalist and education activist, [[Sonam Wangchuk]], joined the demonstration at [[Jantar Mantar]]. He started an indefinite [[hunger strike]] and demanded the resignation of Dharmendra Pradhan.<ref name="printlive2">{{Cite web |date=18 July 2026 |title=Wangchuk hunger strike Day 21: CJP continues protest at Jantar Mantar ahead of march on 20 July |url=https://theprint.in/india/sonam-wangchuk-hunger-strike-cockroach-janta-party-cjp-protest-dipke-delhi-jantar-mantar-live-updates/2989672/ |access-date=18 July 2026 |website=[[ThePrint]] |language=en-US}}</ref><br />
<br />
In mid-July 2026, following a leadership change in the Delhi Police, officers removed barricades at the protest site and forcibly transferred Wangchuk to a hospital.<ref>{{Cite web |date=18 July 2026 |title=Indian activist on hunger strike for 20 days forcibly taken to hospital |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cjej3dxxg2do |access-date=18 July 2026 |website=[[BBC News]] |language=en-GB|last=Pandey|first=Geeta}}</ref> This action, along with an ink-throwing incident involving Dipke, drew increased media attention to the agitation.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |date=14 July 2026 |title=Sonam Wangchuk to Express: CJP protest has no political colour, PM should be sensitive |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/political-pulse/sonam-wangchuk-interview-hunger-strike-cockroach-janta-party-protest-education-neet-10785080/ |access-date=17 July 2026 |website=[[The Indian Express]] |language=en |last=Dwivedi |first=Saurabh |archive-date=15 July 2026 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260715090621/https://indianexpress.com/article/political-pulse/sonam-wangchuk-interview-hunger-strike-cockroach-janta-party-protest-education-neet-10785080/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name=":2">{{Cite news |date=15 July 2026 |title='Atmosphere of intimidation': PIL in Delhi high court questions continuous surveillance of Jantar Mantar protesters |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/delhi/atmosphere-of-intimidation-pil-in-delhi-high-court-questions-continuous-surveillance-of-jantar-mantar-protesters/articleshow/132419094.cms |access-date=17 July 2026 |work=[[The Times of India]] |issn=0971-8257}}</ref><br />
<br />
Since 6 June 2026, the [[Cockroach Janta Party]] (CJP), an Indian youth-based [[Political satire|satirical political movement]] founded by [[Abhijeet Dipke]], has been holding a series of protests at [[Jantar Mantar, New Delhi|Jantar Mantar]] in [[New Delhi]] along with student organisations including the [[Students Federation of India]], [[All India Students Association]] and [[All India Students' Federation]].<ref name="bbc2">{{Cite web |date=1 July 2026 |title=Why India's cockroach protesters are still on the streets in over 40C heat |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cly0ey5y10qo |access-date=16 July 2026 |website=[[BBC News]] |language=en-GB|last=Pandey|first=Geeta}}</ref><ref name="ap">{{Cite web |date=11 June 2026 |title=India's viral Cockroach Party launches nationwide youth protests |url=https://apnews.com/article/india-cockroach-party-youth-protest-988e205b0859ac2c5fbc8af9ad4925af |access-date=11 June 2026 |website=[[AP News]] |language=en}}</ref> The protesters have demanded the resignation of Union Education Minister [[Dharmendra Pradhan]] over the [[2026 NEET controversy|2026 NEET paper leak]] and the [[2026 CBSE On-Screen Marking controversy|CBSE On-Screen Marking irregularities]], along with broader reforms in the conduct of public examinations.<ref name="etv">{{Cite web |date=15 June 2026 |title=CJP Demands Education Minister's Resignation in Bengaluru Protest Over National Exam Irregularities |url=https://www.etvbharat.com/en/state/cjp-demands-education-ministers-resignation-in-bengaluru-protest-over-national-exam-irregularities-enn26061500191 |access-date=15 June 2026 |website=[[ETV Bharat]] |language=en}}</ref> The agitation drew national attention after activist [[Sonam Wangchuk]] began an indefinite [[hunger strike]] at the protest site on 28 June 2026.<ref name="bbc3">{{cite web |date=16 July 2026 |title=Indian activist urged to end hunger strike as he loses 9.1kg in 19 days |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/crm0mg4z7edo |access-date=18 July 2026 |website=[[BBC News]] |last=Pandey |first=Geeta |archive-date=18 July 2026 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260718084943/https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/crm0mg4z7edo |url-status=live }}</ref> On 18 July, Delhi Police removed Wangchuk from the site and admitted him to hospital, an action criticised by organisers as forcible.<ref>{{Cite web |date=18 July 2026 |title=Indian activist on hunger strike for 20 days forcibly taken to hospital |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cjej3dxxg2do |access-date=18 July 2026 |website=[[BBC News]] |language=en-GB|last=Pandey|first=Geeta}}</ref><br />
<br />
== Background ==<br />
=== Formation of the Cockroach Janta Party ===<br />
[[File:Cockroach Janta Party logo.svg|thumb|Logo of the Cockroach Janta Party]]<br />
In May 2026, [[Surya Kant]], the [[Chief Justice of India|chief justice of India]], drew criticism for remarks made during a [[Supreme Court of India|Supreme Court]] hearing in which he compared the unemployed youth to "cockroaches" and "parasites" who attack institutions through social media activism and litigation.<ref>{{Cite web |first=Anand |last=Teltumbde |author-link=Anand Teltumbde |date=9 June 2026 |title=Who are the real parasites? |url=https://frontline.thehindu.com/columns/surya-kant-parasite-remark-unemployment/article71041381.ece |website=[[Frontline (magazine)]]}}</ref><ref name=":1">{{cite news |last1=Kishor |first1=Udayan |date=16 May 2026 |title='Pained' by how media misquoted my observation: CJI Surya Kant issues clarification on 'parasite' remark |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/india/2026/May/16/was-talking-about-those-entering-bar-through-fake-bogus-degrees-cji-on-cockroaches-remark |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260523133556/https://www.newindianexpress.com/india/2026/May/16/was-talking-about-those-entering-bar-through-fake-bogus-degrees-cji-on-cockroaches-remark |archive-date=23 May 2026 |access-date=6 June 2026 |work=[[The New Indian Express]] |language=en}}</ref><br />
<br />
{{quote|There are already parasites of society who attack the system, and you want to join hands with them? There are youngsters like cockroaches; they don't get any employment, and they don't have any place in a profession. Some of them become media, some of them become social media, some of them become [[Right to Information Act, 2005|RTI]] activists, some of them become other activists, and they start attacking everyone [...] And you people file contempt petitions.<ref name="ANtnie">{{cite news |last1=Neelakantan |first1=Anand |title=Travails of a Cockroach-infested System |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/magazine/2026/May/31/travails-of-a-cockroach-infested-system |access-date=6 June 2026 |work=[[The New Indian Express]] |date=31 May 2026 |language=en |archive-date=1 June 2026 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260601055718/https://www.newindianexpress.com/magazine/2026/May/31/travails-of-a-cockroach-infested-system |url-status=live}}</ref>}}<br />
<br />
The remarks drew widespread public criticism. On 16 May 2026, digital communications strategist Abhijeet Dipke founded the [[Cockroach Janta Party]] (CJP; Cockroach People's Party), a satirical political movement. Its name is a direct reference to Kant's remarks while parodying the name of the ruling [[Bharatiya Janata Party]] (BJP). The movement rapidly gained a large social media following.<ref name="bbc">{{cite web |date=21 May 2026 |title=India has a new political superstar – a cockroach |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cz72y11jjq1o |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260521094129/https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cz72y11jjq1o |archive-date=21 May 2026 |access-date=22 May 2026 |website=[[BBC News]]|last=Mateen|first=Zoya}}</ref> Kant later clarified that his criticism was directed at individuals who had entered the legal, media, and activist professions using fraudulent academic credentials, and that he respected the youth.<ref>{{Cite news |date=16 May 2026 |title=Youth are pillars of country, remarks aimed at those with 'fake' degrees: CJI Surya Kant |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/cji-surya-kant-clarifies-parasites-remarks-says-pained-over-media-reports/article70986796.ece |access-date=22 May 2026 |work=The Hindu |language=en-IN |issn=0971-751X}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |date=16 May 2026 |title=After Outrage over His 'Cockroaches' 'Parasites' Remarks, CJI Surya Kant Says Media 'Misquoted' Him |url=https://thewire.in/rights/offends-spirit-of-democracy-outrage-over-cji-surya-kants-cockroaches-parasites-remarks |access-date=6 June 2026 |work=[[The Wire (India)|The Wire]] |language=en}}</ref><br />
<br />
In May 2026, [[Surya Kant]], the [[Chief Justice of India]], made remarks during a Supreme Court hearing comparing certain unemployed youth and social media activists to "cockroaches" and "parasites". The remarks drew criticism. On 16 May 2026, digital communications strategist Abhijeet Dipke founded the Cockroach Janta Party as a satirical movement referencing the comments while parodying the name of the [[Bharatiya Janata Party]]. The movement gained online popularity and transitioned to offline protests.<ref name="bbc">{{cite web |date=21 May 2026 |title=India has a new political superstar – a cockroach |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cz72y11jjq1o |access-date=22 May 2026 |website=[[BBC News]]|last=Mateen|first=Zoya}}</ref><br />
<br />
=== Scandals ===<br />
{{Main|2026 NEET controversy|2026 CBSE On-Screen Marking controversy}}<br />
The protests followed two examination-related scandals in 2026: a [[Paper leak in India|paper leak]] affecting the [[National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (Undergraduate)|NEET-UG]] medical entrance examination and irregularities in the [[Central Board of Secondary Education]]'s on-screen marking and revaluation process, which left thousands of students awaiting clarity on their final results.<ref name="printlive">{{Cite web |date=6 June 2026 |title=Cockroach Janta Party protest: As it happened |url=https://theprint.in/india/live-updates-delhi-cockroach-janta-party-cjp-jantar-mantar-protest-abhijeet-dipke-sonam-wangchuk/2952271/ |access-date=17 July 2026 |website=[[ThePrint]] |language=en}}</ref><br />
<br />
=== Examination controversies ===<br />
{{Main|2026 NEET controversy|2026 CBSE On-Screen Marking controversy}}<br />
The protests followed a paper leak affecting the NEET-UG examination and irregularities in the CBSE on-screen marking process.<ref name="printlive">{{Cite web |date=6 June 2026 |title=Cockroach Janta Party protest: As it happened |url=https://theprint.in/india/live-updates-delhi-cockroach-janta-party-cjp-jantar-mantar-protest-abhijeet-dipke-sonam-wangchuk/2952271/ |access-date=17 July 2026 |website=[[ThePrint]] |language=en}}</ref><br />
<br />
== Timeline ==<br />
=== June ===<br />
==== 6 June ====<br />
* Abhijeet Dipke arrives from the [[United States]] to India, launching the CJP's first street protest.<ref name="AJZ">{{Cite web |first=Yashraj |last=Sharma |date=6 June 2026 |title='I'm a cockroach': Gen Z protest movement lands in Indian capital |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/features/2026/6/6/im-a-cockroach-gen-z-protest-movement-lands-in-indian-capital |website=[[Al Jazeera English]]}}</ref><br />
<br />
==== 7–19 June ====<br />
* The movement transitions into periodic sit-ins, digital campaigns, and awareness drives across Delhi.<ref>{{Cite news |last= |first= |date=6 June 2026 |title=Cockroach Janta Party protest updates: Protest ends in Jantar Mantar; six detained |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/cockroach-janta-party-abhijeet-dipke-cjp-protest-in-delhi-jantar-mantar-live-updates-june-6-2026/article71068317.ece |access-date=18 July 2026 |work=The Hindu |language=en-IN |issn=0971-751X}}</ref><br />
<br />
==== 20 June ====<br />
* Demonstrators regroup at Jantar Mantar for extended mobilisation.<ref>{{Cite web |date=30 June 2026 |title=CJP's Abhijeet Dipke: Why India's cockroach protesters are still on the streets in over 40C heat |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cly0ey5y10qo |access-date=18 July 2026 |website=[[BBC News]] |language=en-GB |archive-date=16 July 2026 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260716091021/https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cly0ey5y10qo |url-status=live }}</ref><br />
<br />
==== 21 June ====<br />
* Dipke issues a public appeal for [[National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (Undergraduate)|NEET]] aspirants to join the venue following re-examination.<ref>{{Cite web |date=20 June 2026 |title=NEET Re-Exam Paper Analysis 2026 Highlights: 'Result sooner than expected,' says NTA DG |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/education/neet-ug-2026-re-exam-live-updates-analysis-guidelines-admit-cards-neet-nta-ac-in-10744090/ |access-date=18 July 2026 |website=The Indian Express |language=en |archive-date=4 July 2026 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260704023415/https://indianexpress.com/article/education/neet-ug-2026-re-exam-live-updates-analysis-guidelines-admit-cards-neet-nta-ac-in-10744090/ |url-status=live }}</ref><br />
<br />
==== 22–27 June ====<br />
* Protests gain widespread social media attention.<ref>{{Cite news |last=PTI |date=21 June 2026 |title=CJP protest in Delhi: Dipke, supporters continue sit-in overnight at Jantar Mantar; urge people to join protest |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Delhi/cockroach-janata-party-protest-in-delhi-jantar-mantar-day-2-updates-abhijeet-dipke-neet-retest/article71128683.ece |access-date=18 July 2026 |work=The Hindu |language=en-IN |issn=0971-751X |archive-date=21 June 2026 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260621070831/https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Delhi/cockroach-janata-party-protest-in-delhi-jantar-mantar-day-2-updates-abhijeet-dipke-neet-retest/article71128683.ece |url-status=live }}</ref><br />
<br />
==== 28 June ====<br />
* Prominent Ladakhi environmentalist and engineer Sonam Wangchuk joins the protest, declaring an indefinite hunger strike alongside six students of the [[All India Students Association]] (AISA), demanding the resignation of [[Dharmendra Pradhan]], the [[Ministry of Education (India)|Union Minister of Education]].<ref>{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=2 June 2026 |title=Sonam Wangchuk joins CJP protest, begins indefinite fast over alleged exam irregularities |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/india/2026/Jun/28/sonam-wangchuk-joins-cjp-protest-begins-indefinite-fast-over-alleged-exam-irregularities |access-date=18 July 2026 |website=The New Indian Express |language=en}}</ref><br />
<br />
==== 30 June ====<br />
* CJP launches nationwide 'Pradhan Go Back' campaign.<ref>{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=12 June 2026 |title=CJP launches nationwide 'Pradhan Go Back' campaign, retaliates Education Minister's resignation |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/india/2026/Jun/26/cjp-launches-nationwide-pradhan-go-back-campaign-retaliates-education-ministers-resignation |access-date=18 July 2026 |website=The New Indian Express |language=en}}</ref> <br />
<br />
=== July ===<br />
==== 1–17 July ====<br />
* CJP protests gain support from opposition parties,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Singh |first=Chinni |date=9 July 2026 |title=NEET Protest: Opposition Backs CJP Movement |url=https://frontline.thehindu.com/the-nation/neet-protest-opposition-support/article71201448.ece |access-date=19 July 2026 |website=Frontline |language=en}}</ref> garnering widespread public support, especially for Sonam Wangchuk's hunger strike.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Sonam Wangchuk hunger strike live: Wangchuk rules out ending fast |url=https://www.msn.com/en-in/news/India/sonam-wangchuk-hunger-strike-live-sonam-wangchuk-rules-out-ending-fast-urges-people-to-join-cjp-s-parliament-march/ar-AA280L5b |access-date=19 July 2026 |website=MSN}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=19 July 2026 |title=Support grows for Sonam Wangchuk as protests erupt in multiple cities ahead of July 20 Parliament march |url=https://www.financialexpress.com/india-news/support-grows-for-sonam-wangchuk-as-protests-erupt-in-multiple-cities-ahead-of-july-20-parliament-march/4295815/ |access-date=19 July 2026 |website=The Financial Express |language=en}}</ref><br />
<br />
==== 18 July ====<br />
* Sonam Wangchuk is forcibly removed from the protest site by police; [[Rahul Gandhi]], Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, criticises the action on social media.<ref>{{Cite web |date=19 July 2026 |title=Opposition Slams Modi Govt as Delhi Police Remove Sonam Wangchuk from Jantar Mantar |url=https://www.outlookindia.com/national/opposition-slams-modi-govt-for-removal-of-sonam-wangchuk-from-jantar-mantar |access-date=19 July 2026 |website=Outlook India |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Staff |first=T. N. M. |date=18 July 2026 |title=Delhi Police forcefully pick up Sonam Wangchuk from Jantar Mantar |url=https://www.thenewsminute.com/news/delhi-police-forcefully-pick-up-sonam-wangchuk-from-jantar-mantar |access-date=19 July 2026 |website=The News Minute |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=18 July 2026 |title='Removal of Sonam Wangchuk wrong': Rahul Gandhi slams BJP's 'asatya and hinsa' approach in first reaction to Jantar Mantar protest |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/removal-of-sonam-wangchuk-wrong-rahul-gandhi-slams-bjps-asatya-and-hinsa-approach-in-first-reaction-to-jantar-mantar-protest/articleshow/132478450.cms |access-date=19 July 2026 |work=The Times of India |issn=0971-8257 |archive-date=18 July 2026 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260718130416/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/removal-of-sonam-wangchuk-wrong-rahul-gandhi-slams-bjps-asatya-and-hinsa-approach-in-first-reaction-to-jantar-mantar-protest/articleshow/132478450.cms |url-status=live }}</ref><br />
* Abhijeet Dipke and others start an indefinite hunger strike in protest of his removal.<ref name=":3">{{Cite news |date=18 July 2026 |title=CJP's Abhijeet Dipke begins indefinite hunger strike, as police shifts Wangchuk to hospital |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/abhijeet-dipke-begins-indefinite-hunger-strike-jantar-mantar-protest-sonam-wangchuk-july-18-2026/article71237051.ece |access-date=18 July 2026 |work=[[The Hindu]] |language=en-IN |issn=0971-751X}}</ref><ref name=":4">{{Cite web |date=18 July 2026 |title=CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke starts indefinite hunger strike; July 20 march to 'proceed as planned' |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/india/2026/Jul/18/cjp-founder-abhijeet-dipke-starts-indefinite-hunger-strike-july-20-march-to-proceed-as-planned |access-date=18 July 2026 |website=[[The New Indian Express]] |language=en |archive-date=18 July 2026 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260718092015/https://www.newindianexpress.com/india/2026/Jul/18/cjp-founder-abhijeet-dipke-starts-indefinite-hunger-strike-july-20-march-to-proceed-as-planned |url-status=live }}</ref><br />
<br />
==== 20 July ====<br />
* More than 1 lakh protesters gather at Jantar Mantar and [[Sansad Chalo March|attempt to march toward Parliament House]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Pandey|first=Geeta|last2=Delhi|first2=Azadeh Moshiri from Jantar Mantar in|date=20 July 2026|title=Jantar Mantar, CJP, parliament: Thousands of 'cockroach' protesters march in Delhi|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/live/c8rnddx2j46t|access-date=20 July 2026|website=BBC News|language=en-GB|archive-date=20 July 2026|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260720094718/https://www.bbc.com/news/live/c8rnddx2j46t|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=":5">{{Cite news |last=Staff |first=Al Jazeera |title=Police attack Cockroach activists as thousands march on Indian parliament |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2026/7/20/police-attack-cockroach-activists-as-thousands-march-on-indian-parliament |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260720232028/https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2026/7/20/police-attack-cockroach-activists-as-thousands-march-on-indian-parliament |archive-date=20 July 2026 |access-date=20 July 2026 |work=Al Jazeera |language=en}}</ref> CJP representatives Ashutosh Ranka and Saurav Das meet Union Health Minister [[J. P. Nadda]] to present demands, including the release of Wangchuk, the resignation of Dharmendra Pradhan, and financial compensation of {{INR|1 crore}} for families of deceased NEET aspirants.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Deshpande|first=Anagha|date=20 July 2026|title=Who called whom? JP Nadda, CJP leaders differ on how the talks happened|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/who-called-whom-jp-nadda-cjp-leaders-differ-on-how-the-talks-happened-101784553085407.html|access-date=20 July 2026|website=Hindustan Times|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |title=Union health minister holds talks with two members of Cockroach Party as protesters storm central Delhi |url=https://www.telegraphindia.com/india/union-health-minister-holds-talks-with-two-members-of-cockroach-party-as-protesters-storm-central-delhi/cid/2170948 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260720114957/https://www.telegraphindia.com/india/union-health-minister-holds-talks-with-two-members-of-cockroach-party-as-protesters-storm-central-delhi/cid/2170948 |archive-date=20 July 2026 |access-date=20 July 2026 |language=en |url-status=live }}</ref><br />
* The protesters were met with a brutal Lathi charge and were dispersed using tear gas by the police.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Kaushik |first=Shrimansi |date=2026-07-21 |title=Protesters march ahead, only to be met with lathis, tear gas |url=https://www.thehindu.com/incoming/protesters-march-ahead-only-to-be-met-with-lathis-tear-gas/article71247923.ece |access-date=2026-07-21 |work=The Hindu |language=en-IN |issn=0971-751X}}</ref><br />
* At least 118 personnel were hurt and between 15–20 government vehicles were damaged during the day's protests, according to the Delhi Police.<ref>{{Cite news |date=20 July 2026 |title=Over 70 detained; police claim 118 personnel hurt |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/delhi/over-70-detained-police-claim-118-personnel-hurt/articleshow/132522189.cms |access-date=20 July 2026 |work=The Times of India |issn=0971-8257}}</ref><br />
* Hospital authorities and police sources stated that around 60 protesters were also injured. Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital alone recorded 65 medico-legal cases involving both protesters and police by 7 pm.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Avinash Prabhakar and Bhaskar Hari Sharma|date=21 July 2026|title=CJP's Chalo Sansad March Turns Violent Prompting Police Action|url=https://www.deccanchronicle.com/nation/crime/cjps-chalo-sansad-march-turns-violent-prompting-police-action-1972600|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260720235211/https://www.deccanchronicle.com/nation/crime/cjps-chalo-sansad-march-turns-violent-prompting-police-action-1972600|archive-date=20 July 2026|access-date=20 July 2026|language=en-IN}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=20 July 2026 |title=Delhi Police detains 70 CJP protesters, alleges 'violent' & 'unruly' conduct |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/india/delhi-police-detains-70-cjp-protesters-alleges-violent-unruly-conduct/articleshow/132520853.cms?from=mdr |access-date=21 July 2026 |work=The Economic Times |issn=0013-0389}}</ref><br />
* According to the CJP, a party member's leg was broken after the Delhi Police dragged him.<ref>{{Cite web |date=20 July 2026|title=Jantar Mantar Protest Live Updates: CJP Rebuilds Jantar Mantar Stage, Appeals for Medical Kits and Torches as Protest Resumes|url=https://www.timesnownews.com/delhi/jantar-mantar-protest-live-updates-sonam-wangchuk-hunger-strike-abhijeet-dipke-parliament-march-20th-july-liveblog-155135443|access-date=20 July 2026|website=TimesNow|language=en}}</ref><br />
* The Jantar Mantar stage was rebuilt by the CJP after being destroyed by the Delhi Police.<ref>{{Cite web |last=deccanchronicle|date=20 July 2026|title=Live: Shah Meets Pradhan as CJP March Escalates|url=https://www.deccanchronicle.com/live-police-clear-cjp-protest-site-after-crackdown-nadda-nadda-holds-talks|access-date=20 July 2026|website=www.deccanchronicle.com|language=en}}</ref><br />
<br />
==== 21 July ====<br />
* Protestors reclaimed the Jantar Mantar site after police removed the stage and tents from Jantar Mantar following a day of protests and confrontations between protesters and police on Monday.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Verma |first=Ishika |date=21 July 2026 |title=CJP Reclaims Jantar Mantar, Says Protest To Continue, Police On Alert |url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/cjp-protest-protesters-reclaim-jantar-mantar-say-stir-to-continue-police-alert-11798889 |access-date=21 July 2026 |website=[[NDTV]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=20 July 2026 |title=CJP protest in Delhi highlights: Dipke, protesters reclaim dismantled Jantar Mantar protest site, as CJP awaits Govt response to demands |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/cjp-protest-july-20-2026-cockroach-janata-party-jantar-mantar-parliament-march-sonam-wangchuk/article71242448.ece |access-date=21 July 2026 |work=The Hindu |language=en-IN |issn=0971-751X}}</ref><br />
* Vijeta Dahiya, the CJP spokesperson, was removed from his position after taking a fast food break, while protestors and party members were facing "brutal police violence".<ref>{{Cite web |last=Gupta |first=Pathikrit Sen |date=21 July 2026 |title='Yes, I'll Eat the Burger': Cockroach Janta Party Sacks Vijeta Dahiya After Fast Food Fracas During NEET Protest |url=https://www.news18.com/india/yes-ill-eat-the-burger-cockroach-janta-party-sacks-vijeta-dahiya-after-fast-food-fracas-during-neet-protest-10225459.html |access-date=21 July 2026 |website=[[News18]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Deshpande |first=Anagha |date=21 July 2026 |title='I was hungry': CJP sacks spokesperson Vijeta Dahiya after he defends leaving protest march, eating burger instead |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/i-was-hungry-cjp-sacks-spokesperson-vijeta-dahiya-after-fast-food-fracas-during-neet-protest-101784630939570.html |access-date=21 July 2026 |website=Hindustan Times |language=en}}</ref><br />
* The Delhi High court orders Sonam Wangchuck to be shifted immediatly from Safdarjung hospital to Medanta hospital in Gurugram.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Bureau |first=The Hindu |date=2026-07-21 |title=Delhi High Court orders immediate shift of Sonam Wangchuk to Medanta Hospital |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/delhi-high-court-allows-sonam-wangchuk-to-shift-to-private-hospital/article71248605.ece |access-date=2026-07-21 |work=The Hindu |language=en-IN |issn=0971-751X}}</ref><br />
* Congress MPs led by Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi protested outside Prime Minister Narendra Modi's residence demanding answers for the brutality against students during the march.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2026-07-21 |title=Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) on X |url=https://x.com/RahulGandhi/status/2079509012538876206 |access-date=2026-07-21 |work=X (formerly Twitter) |language=en-US}}</ref><br />
* Leaders from other opposition parties join the protest outside the PM's residence, demanding the resignation of Dharmendra Pradhan.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2026-07-21 |title=ANI (@ANI) on X |url=https://x.com/ANI/status/2079551774042833342 |access-date=2026-07-21 |work=X (formerly Twitter) |language=en-US}}</ref><br />
* Police subsequently detained Rahul Gandhi along with other opposition leaders outside the PM's residence.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2026-07-21 |title=Congress (@INCIndia) on X |url=https://x.com/INCIndia/status/2079557562740183507 |access-date=2026-07-21 |work=X (formerly Twitter) |language=en-US}}</ref><br />
* CJP announced a protest at the Delhi Police headquarters if the detained protesters were not released, while the Delhi Police stated that no protesters were detained during the march.<ref>{{cite news |author=TNIE Online |title=Jantar Mantar protest LIVE &#124; Rahul Gandhi, Akhilesh Yadav detained from protest outside PM's residence |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/live/2026/Jul/21/cjp-protest-live-updates#live/2026/Jul/21/cjp-protest-live-updates-dae1d85b-a515-4321-a56c-2921e5b9e531 |work=The New Indian Express |date=21 July 2026 |language=English }}</ref><br />
<br />
== Timeline of key events ==<br />
=== June 2026 ===<br />
On 6 June, Dipke launched the first street protest at Jantar Mantar after arriving from the United States. Periodic sit-ins followed. On 20 June, demonstrators regrouped for extended mobilisation. On 28 June, Sonam Wangchuk joined and began an indefinite hunger strike with AISA students, demanding Pradhan's resignation. On 30 June, CJP launched a nationwide "Pradhan Go Back" campaign.<ref name="AJZ">{{Cite web |first=Yashraj |last=Sharma |date=6 June 2026 |title='I'm a cockroach': Gen Z protest movement lands in Indian capital |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/features/2026/6/6/im-a-cockroach-gen-z-protest-movement-lands-in-indian-capital |website=[[Al Jazeera English]]}}</ref><br />
=== July 2026 ===<br />
Support grew from opposition parties. On 18 July, police removed Wangchuk to Safdarjung Hospital; Dipke and others began indefinite hunger strikes in response. On 20 July, the Sansad Chalo March took place amid clashes. On 21 July, protesters reclaimed the Jantar Mantar site after police dismantled infrastructure the previous day. The Delhi High Court ordered Wangchuk shifted to a private hospital. Opposition leaders including Rahul Gandhi protested outside the Prime Minister's residence and were detained.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Verma |first=Ishika |date=21 July 2026 |title=CJP Reclaims Jantar Mantar, Says Protest To Continue, Police On Alert |url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/cjp-protest-protesters-reclaim-jantar-mantar-say-stir-to-continue-police-alert-11798889 |access-date=21 July 2026 |website=[[NDTV]]}}</ref><br />
<br />
== Protests ==<br />
=== First protest at Jantar Mantar ===<br />
The CJP held its first street protest at [[Jantar Mantar, New Delhi]] on 6 June 2026, to demand the resignation of [[Dharmendra Pradhan]], the [[Minister of Education (India)|union minister of education]];<ref name="AJZ" /> it was the first major demonstration at Jantar Mantar since the [[2023 Indian wrestlers' protest]].<ref name="WR" /> The [[Delhi Police]] granted permission for the protest until 5 P.M. in what they described as a one-time exception.<ref name="printlive3">{{Cite web |date=6 June 2026|title=Cockroach Janta Party protest: As it happened|url=https://theprint.in/india/live-updates-delhi-cockroach-janta-party-cjp-jantar-mantar-protest-abhijeet-dipke-sonam-wangchuk/2952271/|access-date=17 July 2026|website=[[ThePrint]]|language=en}}</ref> The police deployed around 5,000 personnel in the [[New Delhi district]] and strengthened security at several locations, including [[Indira Gandhi International Airport]], ahead of the protest.<ref>{{Cite news |date=6 June 2026|title=Security stepped up across Delhi ahead of Cockroach Janta Party protest call|url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/security-stepped-up-across-delhi-ahead-of-cockroach-janta-party-protest-call/articleshow/131543236.cms|access-date=17 July 2026|work=[[The Economic Times]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=6 June 2026|first=Prathamesh|last=Kharade|title=Delhi On Alert: 1,000+ Cops Deployed Ahead Of Cockroach Janata Party's Jantar Mantar Protest|url=https://www.freepressjournal.in/india/delhi-on-alert-1000-cops-deployed-ahead-of-cockroach-janata-partys-jantar-mantar-protest|access-date=17 July 2026|work=[[The Free Press Journal]]}}</ref> Organisers asked participants to protest peacefully and encouraged them to bring the [[Flag of India|national flag]] and a book, which they said symbolised the [[right to education]] and equal opportunity.<ref>{{Cite news |date=6 June 2026|first=Sheikh|last=Saalik|title=Viral party for India's 'cockroaches' holds first major protest in Delhi after founder flies in from US|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/asia/india/cockroach-janta-party-protest-today-delhi-abhijeet-dipke-b2990913.html|access-date=17 July 2026|work=[[The Independent]]}}</ref><ref name="JZ2">{{Cite web |date=6 June 2026 |title=Supporters of the Cockroach People's Party hold protest in New Delhi |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2026/6/6/supporters-of-the-cockroach-peoples-party-hold-protest-in-new-delhi |website=[[Al Jazeera English]]}}</ref> Dipke, who arrived in New Delhi from the [[United States]] shortly before the protest, was joined at the site by Indian engineer, activist, and education reformer [[Sonam Wangchuk]].<ref name="printlive3" /> Hundreds of protesters gathered at the site,<ref name="JZ2" /><ref name="MPI" /> including students, parents, doctors, lawyers, and teachers, among others,<ref name="WR" /> with some holding placards and wearing cockroach masks.<ref name="JZ2" /><ref name="MPI">{{Cite web |first=Shabnoor |last=Irshad |date=6 June 2026 |title=Hundreds don masks as supporters of India's viral 'Cockroach People's Party' stage first protest |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/tv/news/cockroach-party-protest-india-video-b2991078.html |website=[[The Independent]]}}</ref> Attackers allegedly affiliated with the [[Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh]] (RSS), a [[Hindutva]] paramilitary organisation, attempted to disrupt the protest by harassing and assaulting some protesters; the attack was condemned by the [[All India Students' Federation]] (AISF) and the [[All India Youth Federation]] (AIYF).<ref name="WR">{{Cite web |date=8 June 2026 |title='RSS Will Not Deter Us,' Say Student Bodies on Alleged Attacks at CJP's Jantar Mantar Protest |url=https://thewire.in/rights/rss-will-not-deter-us-say-student-bodies-on-alleged-attacks-at-cjps-debut-jantar-mantar-protest |website=[[The Wire (India)]]}}</ref> The CJP announced that it would launch a nationwide agitation if Pradhan did not resign within seven days.<ref name="NIE">{{Cite news |date=6 June 2026 |title=CJP issues 7-day ultimatum; threatens nationwide protests if Education Minister Pradhan does not resign |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/india/2026/Jun/06/cjp-issues-7-day-ultimatum-threatens-nationwide-protests-if-education-minister-pradhan-does-not-resign |access-date=17 July 2026 |work=[[The New Indian Express]]|archive-date=17 June 2026|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260617114012/https://www.newindianexpress.com/india/2026/Jun/06/cjp-issues-7-day-ultimatum-threatens-nationwide-protests-if-education-minister-pradhan-does-not-resign|url-status=live}}</ref><br />
<br />
=== National campaign ===<br />
On 11 June 2026, the CJP launched a nationwide campaign seeking reforms in the education system, beginning at [[Savitribai Phule Pune University]] in [[Pune]]. Dipke released what he called an exam manifesto containing five demands, including compensation of {{INR|10,000|link=yes}} for students affected by a paper leak, postponement of an examination, or delay in the declaration of results. He said the movement would travel to cities including [[Jaipur]], [[Lucknow]], [[Amritsar]], and [[Bengaluru]] before returning to Jantar Mantar on 20 June 2026.<ref>{{Cite news |date=11 June 2026|title='System is rotten, cockroaches will correct it': CJP launches nationwide agitation in Pune; releases 'exam manifesto'|url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/india/2026/Jun/11/system-is-rotten-cockroaches-will-correct-it-cjp-launches-nationwide-agitation-in-pune-releases-exam-manifesto|access-date=17 July 2026|work=[[The New Indian Express]]}}</ref><ref name="ap2">{{Cite web |date=11 June 2026|title=India's viral Cockroach Party launches nationwide youth protests|url=https://apnews.com/article/india-cockroach-party-youth-protest-988e205b0859ac2c5fbc8af9ad4925af|access-date=11 June 2026|website=[[AP News]]|language=en}}</ref><br />
<br />
=== Second protest at Jantar Mantar ===<br />
The CJP held its second protest at Jantar Mantar on 20 June 2026. Hundreds of protesters, most of them students, gathered, holding placards, singing the [[Jana Gana Mana|national anthem]], and banging metal plates with spoons as a symbol of protest;<ref name="DRD">{{Cite web |first=Alisha Rahaman |last=Sarkar |date=23 June 2026 |title=India's viral 'cockroaches' are biggest challenge to Modi in years. Will they get what they want? |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/asia/india/cockroach-janata-party-neet-dharmendra-pradhan-resignation-protest-b3000119.html |website=[[The Independent]]}}</ref><ref name="THT">{{Cite news |date=20 June 2026|title=Youths rally in large numbers; bang plates, spoons to demand accountability at CJP protest|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Delhi/heavy-security-in-place-as-cjp-stages-second-protest-at-jantar-mantar/article71125029.ece|access-date=17 July 2026|work=[[The Hindu]]}}</ref> many travelled from across the nation to take part in the protest.<ref name="DRD" /> Ahead of the protest, Dipke alleged on social media that the authorities may allow "goons" to disrupt the protest and blame the CJP, posting photos of lorries parked at Jantar Mantar which he claimed were loaded with stones.<ref name=":62">{{Cite news |date=20 July 2026|title=Delhi Police lathi-charge, fire tear gas at 'Sansad Chalo' march, detain Abhijeet Dipke, Dimple Yadav and others|url=https://thesouthfirst.com/beyond-south/delhi-police-lathi-charge-fire-tear-gas-at-sansad-chalo-march-arrest-abhijeet-dipke-dimple-yadav-and-others/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260720233636/https://thesouthfirst.com/beyond-south/delhi-police-lathi-charge-fire-tear-gas-at-sansad-chalo-march-arrest-abhijeet-dipke-dimple-yadav-and-others/|archive-date=20 July 2026|access-date=20 July 2026|work=The South First {{!}} News, Politics, Sports, Entertainment & Live Updates|language=en-GB}}</ref> According to the [[Delhi Police]], the protest, which began at 1 P.M., had permission only until 5 P.M.; Dipke refused to end the demonstration, stating that he would not leave Jantar Mantar until Pradhan resigned, and urged supporters to join the protest that evening.<ref name="TT" /><ref name="YSHR">{{Cite web |first=Yashraj |last=Sharma |date=21 June 2026 |title=India's 'Cockroach' movement camps out until education minister resigns |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2026/6/21/indias-cockroach-movement-camps-out-until-education-minister-resigns |website=[[Al Jazeera English]]}}</ref> The Delhi police employed several pressure tactics to persuade the protesters to leave the barricaded site, including switching off the lights and briefly cutting off access to food and drinking water.<ref name="DRD" /><ref name="YSHR" /> At the protest, Wangchuk announced that he would begin an indefinite hunger strike from 27 June if Pradhan did not resign.<ref name="TT">{{Cite news |date=20 June 2026|title='Won't leave until Pradhan resigns': Dipke, CJP supporters after Delhi Police deny permission to continue protest|url=https://www.tribuneindia.com/live-blog/delhi/cjp-protest-in-delhi-live-dipke-arrives-at-jantar-mantar-protest-protestors-chant-go-pradhan-go/|access-date=17 July 2026|work=[[The Tribune (India)|The Tribune]]}}</ref><br />
<br />
=== Protests at Jantar Mantar ==<br />
The first major protest on 6 June was permitted until 5 pm. Hundreds gathered, some wearing cockroach masks and holding placards. Organisers encouraged carrying the national flag and books as symbols of education rights. Allegations of disruption by individuals linked to the RSS were made by student bodies, while police maintained order.<ref name="WR">{{Cite web |date=8 June 2026 |title='RSS Will Not Deter Us,' Say Student Bodies on Alleged Attacks at CJP's Jantar Mantar Protest |url=https://thewire.in/rights/rss-will-not-deter-us-say-student-bodies-on-alleged-attacks-at-cjps-debut-jantar-mantar-protest |website=[[The Wire (India)]]}}</ref><br />
A nationwide campaign began on 11 June from Pune. The second major sit-in on 20 June saw hundreds gather; police used pressure tactics after the permitted time expired, including switching off lights. Wangchuk announced his hunger strike plans at the site.<ref name="DRD">{{Cite web |first=Alisha Rahaman |last=Sarkar |date=23 June 2026 |title=India's viral 'cockroaches' are biggest challenge to Modi in years. Will they get what they want? |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/asia/india/cockroach-janata-party-neet-dharmendra-pradhan-resignation-protest-b3000119.html |website=[[The Independent]]}}</ref><br />
Videos and reports from early protests documented participants raising "Azadi" slogans such as "BJP se Azadi", "Modi se Azadi" and "Hum leke rahenge Azadi". There were also allegations of improper handling of the national flag and individual remarks dismissive of Hindu religious figures and epics, which drew criticism that the protests were incorporating rhetoric beyond educational demands.<ref>{{Cite web |date=8 June 2026 |title=From ‘Azadi’ slogans to disrespect of national flag: Inside the Cockroach Janta Party protest at Jantar Mantar |url=https://www.vsktelangana.org/Encyc/2026/6/8/from-azadi-slogans-disrespect-national-flag-inside-cockroach-janta-party-protest-jantar-mantar.html |website=VSK Telangana}}</ref><br />
<br />
=== Hunger strikes ===<br />
==== Hunger strike of Sonam Wangchuk and AISA leaders ====<br />
[[File:CPI(M)_leaders_M._A._Baby_and_Brinda_Karat_meeting_Sonam_Wangchuk.jpg|left|thumb|[[Communist Party of India (Marxist)]] leaders [[M. A. Baby]] and [[Brinda Karat]] extending solidarity to [[Sonam Wangchuk]] and other protesters]]<br />
[[Sonam Wangchuk]], an engineer and education reformer, became a prominent figure in the protests. On 28 June, he began an indefinite hunger strike at Jantar Mantar along with six students from the [[All India Students Association]] (AISA) including their National President Neha Bora and an independent student activist named Hamad<ref name="bbc32">{{cite web |date=16 July 2026|title=Indian activist urged to end hunger strike as he loses 9.1kg in 19 days|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/crm0mg4z7edo|access-date=18 July 2026|website=[[BBC News]]|last=Pandey|first=Geeta|archive-date=18 July 2026|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260718084943/https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/crm0mg4z7edo|url-status=live}}</ref><br />
[[File:CPI_leaders_meet_with_Jantar_Mantar_protesters.jpg|right|thumb|[[Communist Party of India]] leaders [[D. Raja]] and Prof. Dinesh C. Varshney extending solidarity to protesters in Jantar Mantar, Delhi]]<br />
By 17 July, the nineteenth day of the strike, Wangchuk had lost 9.1 kilograms of body weight. A doctor attending him said he had begun losing muscle mass, and video footage showed him unable to stand or walk unaided. Politicians and entertainers, including the signatories of a statement with more than 1,800 signatures, appealed to him to end the fast. A petition filed in the [[Delhi High Court]] asked the government to admit him to a hospital to prevent his death; the government told the court that it would intervene if his health deteriorated.<ref name="bbc32" /><br />
[[File:Dipankar_Bhattacharya_with_Jantar_Mantar_Protesters.jpg|left|thumb|[[Communist Party of India (Marxist-Leninist) Liberation]] General Secretary [[Dipankar Bhattacharya]] extending solidarity with indefinite hunger strikers including Neha Bora]]<br />
On 18 July, Delhi Police removed Wangchuk from the protest site and admitted him to [[Safdarjung Hospital]], attached to [[Vardhman Mahavir Medical College]]. Police stated that the action was taken on medical advice and in compliance with the directions of the Delhi High Court. Protest organisers criticised the police action, alleging that Wangchuk had been taken from the site forcibly and without prior notice.<ref name="et22">{{Cite news |date=18 July 2026|title=CJP chief Abhijeet Dipke begins indefinite hunger strike after Wangchuk taken to hospital|url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/india/cjp-chief-abhijeet-dipke-begins-indefinite-hunger-strike-after-wangchuk-taken-to-hospital/articleshow/132473653.cms|access-date=18 July 2026|work=[[The Economic Times]]|issn=0013-0389|archive-date=18 July 2026|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260718070154/https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/india/cjp-chief-abhijeet-dipke-begins-indefinite-hunger-strike-after-wangchuk-taken-to-hospital/articleshow/132473653.cms|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=France-Presse|first=Agence|date=18 July 2026|title=Indian activist linked to Cockroach party moved to hospital after 20-day hunger strike|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/jul/18/indian-activist-linked-to-cockroach-party-moved-to-hospital-after-20-day-hunger-strike|access-date=20 July 2026|work=[[The Guardian]]|language=en-GB|issn=0261-3077}}</ref><br />
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Dipke said the authorities had made "a big mistake by kidnapping Sonam Wangchuk" and warned that suppressing the protest would spark demonstrations across Delhi.<ref name="cockroach-x2">{{Cite web |date=19 July 2026|title=Abhijeet Dipke's message to the Police: "You made a big mistake by kidnapping Sonam Wangchuk..."|url=https://x.com/Cockroachisback/status/2078778925585449150|website=X|access-date=19 July 2026}}</ref> On 20 July, Wangchuk announced in a handwritten statement issued from the Safdarjung Hospital, that he would continue the fast until the "youth leaders are allowed to meet the parliamentarians at the Sansad Bhawan or I am allowed to meet them here at the hospital".<ref>{{Cite news |last=PTI |date=20 July 2026 |title=Sonam Wangchuk to continue fast, cites police action against protesters |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/sonam-wangchuk-to-continue-fast-cites-police-action-against-protesters/article71245847.ece |access-date=21 July 2026 |work=The Hindu |language=en-IN |issn=0971-751X}}</ref><br />
[[File:Sonam_Wangchuk_meeting_Arvind_Kejriwal.jpg|right|thumb|[[Aam Aadmi Party]] leader [[Arvind Kejriwal]] meeting with [[Sonam Wangchuk]] during his hunger strike]]<br />
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==== Hunger strike of Abhijeet Dipke, SFI leader Adarsh M. Saji and Aishe Ghosh, and AISF activists ====<br />
On 18 July, Dipke announced that he had begun an indefinite hunger strike. The announcement came after the office of the New Delhi [[Deputy Commissioner of Police|deputy commissioner of police]] said Wangchuk had been shifted to hospital for essential medical care on the orders of the Delhi High Court and on expert medical advice. Dipke alleged that he had been beaten and detained by Delhi Police during what he described as a crackdown on protesters at Jantar Mantar while Wangchuk was being taken to hospital. He said that the march planned for 20 July would proceed as scheduled.<ref name=":32">{{Cite news |date=18 July 2026|title=CJP's Abhijeet Dipke begins indefinite hunger strike, as police shifts Wangchuk to hospital|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/abhijeet-dipke-begins-indefinite-hunger-strike-jantar-mantar-protest-sonam-wangchuk-july-18-2026/article71237051.ece|access-date=18 July 2026|work=[[The Hindu]]|language=en-IN|issn=0971-751X}}</ref><ref name=":42">{{Cite web |date=18 July 2026|title=CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke starts indefinite hunger strike; July 20 march to 'proceed as planned'|url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/india/2026/Jul/18/cjp-founder-abhijeet-dipke-starts-indefinite-hunger-strike-july-20-march-to-proceed-as-planned|access-date=18 July 2026|website=[[The New Indian Express]]|language=en|archive-date=18 July 2026|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260718092015/https://www.newindianexpress.com/india/2026/Jul/18/cjp-founder-abhijeet-dipke-starts-indefinite-hunger-strike-july-20-march-to-proceed-as-planned|url-status=live}}</ref><br />
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On the same day, [[Students Federation of India]] General Secretary [[Srijan Bhattacharyya]] announced that SFI President Adarsh M. Saji and SFI Joint Secretary [[Aishe Ghosh]] will join the indefinite hunger strike. Three AISA activists, Neha Bora, Ameen Amitoj and Manish Kumar and independent student Hamad continued their strike on their 21st day and so on.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.aaroananda.com/story/latest-news/breaking-news/sfi-aishe-ghosh-jantar-mantar-protest-dharmendra-pradhan/11010650|title=অনশনে এসএফআই-ও|website=Aaro Ananda}}</ref><br />
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Four activists of [[All India Students Federation]], namely, Gulab Dan, Pratibha, Aniketh Madke and Bittu, also joined the hunger strike.<br />
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Wangchuk's hunger strike, joined by AISA leaders including Neha Bora, continued for 20 days. By mid-July he had lost significant weight. On 18 July, police shifted him to hospital on medical advice and court directions. Dipke, SFI leaders Adarsh M. Saji and Aishe Ghosh, and AISF activists subsequently began or continued hunger strikes. Wangchuk later stated from hospital that he would continue fasting until youth leaders could meet parliamentarians.<ref name="bbc32">{{cite web |date=16 July 2026|title=Indian activist urged to end hunger strike as he loses 9.1kg in 19 days|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/crm0mg4z7edo|access-date=18 July 2026|website=[[BBC News]]|last=Pandey|first=Geeta}}</ref><br />
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=== Sansad Chalo March ===<br />
{{Main|Sansad Chalo March}}<br />
On 20 July, the first day of the monsoon session of the [[Parliament of India]], CJP launched its 'Chalo Sansad' march. CJP asked the protesters to bring the national flag and a copy of the Constitution or photographs of [[B. R. Ambedkar]], [[Mahatma Gandhi]] or [[Bhagat Singh]]. It also urged them to avoid political or organisational flags and to protest peacefully.<ref>{{Cite news |date=19 July 2026|title='Carry Tiranga, avoid political flags': CJP releases do's an don'ts for 'Chalo Sansad' march|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/delhi/carry-tiranga-avoid-political-flags-cjp-releases-dos-and-donts-for-chalo-sansad-march/articleshow/132495045.cms|access-date=20 July 2025|work=[[The Times of India]]}}</ref> The march became more important after the treatment of Wangchuk, who went on a 20-day hunger strike to support the CJP at Jantar Mantar. On Saturday, he was taken to the hospital by force. This upset CJP supporters and brought more attention to the protest movement.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cedj9j911p8o|title=Jantar Mantar: What is the Gen Z CJP protest in Delhi about?|date=21 July 2026|website=www.bbc.com}}</ref><br />
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Delhi Police tightened security across New Delhi district before the march and imposed prohibitory orders under Section 163 of the [[Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita]] (BNSS). A day before the march, Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Sachin Sharma shared a public advisory on [[X (social network)|X]] which stated that Delhi Police had not granted permission for the march.<ref>{{Cite news |date=19 June 2026|title=Delhi Police clarifies no permission sought or given for parliament march to CJP|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/delhi/delhi-police-clarifies-no-permission-sought-or-given-for-parliament-march-to-cjp/articleshow/132497794.cms|access-date=20 July 2026|work=[[The Times of India]]}}</ref> [[Delhi Metro Rail Corporation]] (DMRC) closed five metro stations – [[Seva Teerth metro station|Seva Teerth]], [[Central Secretariat metro station|Central Secretariat]], [[Patel Chowk metro station|Patel Chowk]], [[Janpath metro station|Janpath]] and one of India's biggest interchange stations, [[Rajiv Chowk metro station|Rajiv Chowk]] over security concerns ahead of CJP's march to the Parliament.<ref>{{Cite news |date=20 July 2026|title=Chaos at Delhi metro stations as five stations shut over security concerns: commuters scramble for alternate routes|url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/india/massive-chaos-at-delhi-metro-five-stations-shut-amid-security-concerns-commuters-left-stranded/articleshow/132507039.cms|access-date=20 July 2026|work=[[The Economic Times]]}}</ref> Protests broke out within metro stations as the government sealed the exit points to stations which were near the protest site.<ref name=":52">{{Cite news |last=Staff|first=Al Jazeera|title=Police attack Cockroach activists as thousands march on Indian parliament|url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2026/7/20/police-attack-cockroach-activists-as-thousands-march-on-indian-parliament|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260720232028/https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2026/7/20/police-attack-cockroach-activists-as-thousands-march-on-indian-parliament|archive-date=20 July 2026|access-date=20 July 2026|work=Al Jazeera|language=en}}</ref> Internet was also shutdown in the vicinity of the Parliament.<ref name=":72">{{Cite news |date=20 July 2026|title=Tear gas, lathi charge: Police use force to disperse CJP protesters near Parliament House as chaos unfolds amid 'Chalo Sansad'|url=https://www.deccanherald.com/india/tear-gas-lathi-charge-police-use-force-to-disperse-cjp-protesters-near-parliament-house-as-chaos-unfolds-amid-chalo-sansad-4080104|access-date=20 July 2025|work=[[Deccan Herald]]}}</ref><ref name=":82">{{Cite news |title=Lathi charge, internet cut: How CJP's 'Chalo Sansad' March brought Delhi to a standstill |work=[[Hindustan Times]] |date=20 July 2026 |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/how-cjp-chalo-sansad-march-brought-delhi-to-a-standstill-lathi-charge-detentions-internet-snags-sonam-wangchuk-101784533037018.html|first1=Hemani|last1=Bhandari|first2=Priyanshu|last2=Priya|access-date=20 July 2026}}</ref><ref name=":92">{{Cite news |title=Tear gas, lathi charge: Police use force to disperse CJP protesters near Parliament House as chaos unfolds amid 'Chalo Sansad'|work=Deccan Herald|date=20 July 2026|url=https://www.deccanherald.com/india/tear-gas-lathi-charge-police-use-force-to-disperse-cjp-protesters-near-parliament-house-as-chaos-unfolds-amid-chalo-sansad-4080104}}</ref><ref name=":102">{{Cite news |title=Lathi charge, internet cut: How CJP's 'Chalo Sansad' March brought Delhi to a standstill|work=Hindustan Times|date=20 July 2026|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/how-cjp-chalo-sansad-march-brought-delhi-to-a-standstill-lathi-charge-detentions-internet-snags-sonam-wangchuk-101784533037018.html}}</ref><br />
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Security forces used tear gas and [[lathi charge]] against the protesters who were marching towards the Parliament by breaking police barricades.<ref name=":72" /><ref name=":82" /><ref name=":92" /><ref name=":102" /> Near Constitution Club, tear gas affected commuters at Central Secretariat metro station and a ''Wire'' reporter covering the protest.<ref>{{Cite web |title=As Images of Lathicharge, Tear Gas at Protesters Surface; Delhi Police Says No 'Sporadic Use of Violence' |url=https://thewire.in/government/police-lathicharges-thousands-fires-tear-gas-at-protesters-including-minors|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260720234735/https://thewire.in/government/police-lathicharges-thousands-fires-tear-gas-at-protesters-including-minors|archive-date=20 July 2026|access-date=20 July 2026|website=The Wire|language=en-US}}</ref><br />
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Students and eyewitnesses said that authorities used excessive force, including beating demonstrators,<ref name="auto">{{Cite news |title=Students beaten, paper leak culprits roaming free: Rahul Gandhi calls PM Modi 'most youth-hostile PM'|work=India Today|date=20 July 2026|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/students-beaten-paper-leak-culprits-roaming-free-rahul-gandhi-calls-pm-modi-most-youth-hostile-pm-2952141-2026-07-20}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |title=Police attack Cockroach activists as thousands march on Indian Parliament|work=Al Jazeera|date=20 July 2026|url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2026/7/20/police-attack-cockroach-activists-as-thousands-march-on-indian-parliament}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Video of police beating protesters|website=X|url=https://x.com/ViralDecoder/status/2079227176055152886}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Video footage|website=YouTube|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D9kCEsVQq2E}}</ref> dragging students along the streets,<ref>{{Cite news |title='Students raising valid issues were dragged, beaten': Rahul Gandhi's first reaction on CJP march|work=Hindustan Times|date=20 July 2026|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/students-raising-valid-issues-were-dragged-beaten-rahul-gandhis-first-reaction-on-cjp-march-101784552315384.html}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Video of protesters being dragged|website=X|url=https://x.com/diplomattimes/status/2079258288798232635}}</ref> detaining students and children in police buses,<ref>{{Cite news |title=Clashes, tear gas thwart students' march to Parliament; several injured, detained|work=ThePrint|date=20 July 2026|url=https://theprint.in/india/clashes-tear-gas-thwart-students-march-to-parliament-several-injured-detained/2991284/}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Video of detainees being taken in police buses|website=X|url=https://x.com/TyrantOppressor/status/2079092607502954810}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Video of detentions|website=X|url=https://x.com/TyrantOppressor/status/2079143362511466590}}</ref> and using electrified barricades that protesters said delivered electric shocks.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Video showing electrified barricades|website=X|url=https://x.com/Kumarjyoti49291/status/2079199366217453738}}</ref> The CJP claimed, based on social media visuals, that security forces took firing positions with machine guns aimed at the Parliament gates.<ref name=":62" /> ''The South First'' reported that visuals showed protesters bleeding from injuries to their head and upper body.<ref name=":62" /> [[Gurdwara Bangla Sahib]] became a refuge for several such students and protesters fleeing batons and teargas.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Sons injured during CJP's Parliament march, a mother breaks down: 'Attack on country's children'|work=The Indian Express|date=21 July 2026|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/delhi/delhi-cjp-protest-students-injured-police-lathicharge-sonam-wangchuk-10795724}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |title=Gurdwara Bangla Sahib shelters injured protesters, stranded commuters in Delhi|work=The Tribune|date=21 July 2026|url=https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/india/gurdwara-bangla-sahib-shelters-injured-stranded}}</ref><br />
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The police action drew widespread criticism from public figures and several opposition leaders, including [[Shashi Tharoor]], [[Rahul Gandhi]], and [[Arvind Kejriwal]]. Tharoor questioned the use of force, asking, "When a non-violent protest is taking place, what is the reason for a lathi charge?". <ref>{{Cite news |title=Parliament cannot be notice board: Tharoor hits out at Centre for denying debate on burning issues|work=The New Indian Express|date=20 July 2026|url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/india/2026/Jul/20/parliament-cannot-be-notice-board-tharoor-hits-out-at-centre-for-denying-debate-on-burning-issues}}</ref><ref name="auto"/><br />
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Delhi Police rejected the allegations, stating that it had engaged in maintaining public order in a professional manner and denied reports of any violence or detentions during the protest.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Delhi Police denies 'violence' claims amid CJP's 'Chalo Sansad' march|work=The Times of India|date=20 July 2026|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/delhi/delhi-police-denies-violence-claims-amid-cjps-chalo-sansad-march/articleshow/132508268.cms}}</ref><br />
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=== Police intimidation ===<br />
The handling of the protests by Delhi Police became a subject of dispute. Police stated that permission for the demonstration on 20 June 2026 had been granted only until 5 P.M., but organisers continued the sit-in beyond the permitted time, saying they would remain until their demands were addressed.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Sharma|first=Saurabh|date=14 July 2026|title=Indian activist urged to give up hunger strike over exam leaks|url=https://www.reuters.com/world/india/indian-activist-urged-give-up-hunger-strike-over-exam-leaks-2026-07-14/|website=[[Reuters]]}}</ref><br />
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On 20 July, Delhi Police used lathis to disperse hundreds of protesters marching from Mandi House Metro Station to Jantar Mantar, intending to reach the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) protest site, as reported by an eyewitness to PTI.<ref>{{Cite web |title=CJP 'Chalo Sansad' {{!}} Lathi-charge reported as 'cockroaches' march towards Jantar Mantar; Delhi Police say 'no such incident' |url=https://www.deccanherald.com/india/delhi/cjp-chalo-sansad-lathi-charge-reported-as-cockroaches-march-towards-jantar-mantar-delhi-police-say-no-such-incident-4079985 |access-date=2026-07-21 |website=Deccan Herald |language=en}}</ref><br />
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The police response also attracted legal scrutiny. In July 2026, a [[public interest litigation]] was filed before the Delhi High Court alleging that Delhi Police had subjected protesters to continuous photography, videography, and surveillance, creating what the petition called an "atmosphere of intimidation" and infringing their rights to privacy and peaceful assembly. The matter was admitted for hearing.<ref name=":22">{{Cite news |date=15 July 2026|title='Atmosphere of intimidation': PIL in Delhi high court questions continuous surveillance of Jantar Mantar protesters|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/delhi/atmosphere-of-intimidation-pil-in-delhi-high-court-questions-continuous-surveillance-of-jantar-mantar-protesters/articleshow/132419094.cms|access-date=17 July 2026|work=[[The Times of India]]|issn=0971-8257}}</ref><br />
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== Violence and resistance ==<br />
{{Expand section|date=July 2026}}<br />
Around 11:25 am, protesters tried pushing through barricades in the high-security zone, leading to a scuffle in which both protesters and police sustained minor injuries. As numbers grew, police fired tear gas and used [[Lathi charge|lathi charges]] to disperse the crowd, with some protesters seen bleeding from head and upper-body injuries. When protesters tried breaking through the final barricades on [[Sansad Marg]], police used their sticks "irrespective of gender", while some demonstrators tried and failed to escape through an [[LIC Housing Finance|LIC]] building gate.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Chanda |first=Riju |date=2026-07-20 |title=Miscommunication causes chaos, but lathi charge, rain fail to break spirits of young protesters as traffic comes to grinding halt |url=https://www.theweek.in/news/india/2026/07/20/sansad-chalo-march-cjp-jantar-mantar.html |access-date=2026-07-20 |website=[[The Week]] |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Team |first=N. L. |date=2026-07-20 |title=Under shadow of lathis and barricades: The day the Modi govt finally engaged the CJP |url=https://www.newslaundry.com/2026/07/20/under-shadow-of-lathis-and-barricades-the-day-the-modi-govt-finally-engaged-the-cjp |access-date=2026-07-20 |website=[[Newslaundry]] |language=en}}</ref><br />
[[File:Police Vehicles Destroyed By Protester.jpg|thumb|Police vehicles destroyed by protesters]]<br />
[[File:Protester With Sword.jpg|thumb|Protester With Sword]]<br />
[[File:Police Fire Tear Gas.jpg|thumb|Police Fire Tear Gas]]<br />
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Around 11:25 am, protesters attempted to push through barricades in the high-security zone near Parliament Street, Patel Chowk and Rail Bhawan. According to Delhi Police, protesters displayed unruly, aggressive and violent behaviour, breached barricades, pelted stones and other objects at security personnel, vandalised police and government vehicles, and damaged public property. Police responded with lathi charges and tear gas. Videos and reports documented stone-pelting by demonstrators.<ref>{{Cite news |date=20 July 2026 |title=Over 70 detained; police claim 118 personnel hurt |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/delhi/over-70-detained-police-claim-118-personnel-hurt/articleshow/132522189.cms |work=The Times of India}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=21 July 2026 |title=CJP protest turns violent, over 50 security personnel injured in stone-pelting |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/programme/newstrack/video/cjp-protest-turns-violent-over-50-security-personnel-injured-in-stone-pelting-2952416-2026-07-20 |website=India Today}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |title=Stone-Pelting & Scuffles: Cops Bleed As CJP Protest Turns Violent |url=https://www.republicworld.com/india/chaos-near-parliament-cjp-protest-turns-violent-leaves-cops-injured-2026-07-20-132909 |work=Republic}}</ref><br />
Delhi Police reported approximately 180 people injured, including 118 security and police personnel and around 60 protesters. Hospital records at Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital noted dozens of medico-legal cases. CJP claimed higher protester injuries and alleged excessive force, including against women and minors. [[Gurdwara Bangla Sahib]] provided refuge to injured individuals.<ref name="reuters">{{Cite news |date=21 July 2026 |title=India youth group says protest continue after Delhi clashes injure 180 |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/india/india-youth-group-says-protest-continue-after-delhi-clashes-injure-180-2026-07-21/ |work=Reuters}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Avinash Prabhakar and Bhaskar Hari Sharma|date=21 July 2026|title=CJP's Chalo Sansad March Turns Violent Prompting Police Action|url=https://www.deccanchronicle.com/nation/crime/cjps-chalo-sansad-march-turns-violent-prompting-police-action-1972600|work=Deccan Chronicle}}</ref><br />
Delhi Police registered at least 10 FIRs across New Delhi district stations under sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita relating to obstruction of public servants, assault or criminal force against public servants, disobedience of orders, the Arms Act and the Prevention of Damage to Public Property Act. Allegations included stone-pelting, vandalism, flying a drone without permission, and conspiracy to incite violence. Over 250 videos were examined.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2026 |title=Delhi Police registers 10 FIRs related to Cockroach Janta Party protests |url=https://thenewsmill.com/2026/07/delhi-police-registers-10-firs-related-to-cockroach-janta-party-protests/ |website=The News Mill}}</ref><br />
CJP representatives Ashutosh Ranka and Saurav Das met Union Health Minister [[J. P. Nadda]] and raised demands including Wangchuk's release, Pradhan's resignation, and compensation for families of deceased NEET aspirants. CJP later claimed the government had agreed in principle to talks; this was not officially confirmed. On 21 July, protesters reclaimed and rebuilt the Jantar Mantar stage after it had been dismantled.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Deshpande|first=Anagha|date=20 July 2026|title=Who called whom? JP Nadda, CJP leaders differ on how the talks happened|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/who-called-whom-jp-nadda-cjp-leaders-differ-on-how-the-talks-happened-101784553085407.html|website=Hindustan Times}}</ref><br />
Some publications alleged that the mobilisation followed patterns seen in earlier protests involving figures linked to the 2020 Delhi riots, and claimed presence of individuals associated with previous anti-CAA or other agitations, as well as foreign-funded NGOs or activists. These claims included references to funding networks involving Ford Foundation and George Soros, and the spotting of certain civil society figures at the site. Mainstream reporting focused primarily on the clashes and competing claims of responsibility for violence rather than confirming organised foreign or separatist infiltration.<ref>{{Cite web |date=20 July 2026 |title=Explained: Cockroach Janta Party is setting the stage for violence with their 'Parliament march' |url=https://www.opindia.com/2026/07/cockroach-janta-party-parliament-march-setup-for-violence-sonam-wangchuk-abhijeet-dipke-delhi-riot-playbook-explained/ |website=OpIndia}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=20 July 2026 |title=Anti-India nexus of CJP... |url=https://organiser.org/2026/07/20/370758/bharat/anti-india-nexus-of-cjp-anjali-bharadwaj-shabana-azmi-funded-by-ford-soros-deep-state-spotted-at-delhi-protest/amp/ |website=Organiser}}</ref><br />
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== Reactions ==<br />
Opposition leaders expressed support for the protesters and for Wangchuk's hunger strike. [[Samajwadi Party]] president [[Akhilesh Yadav]] appealed to Wangchuk to end his fast, describing his life as "invaluable", while backing the demand for greater accountability in the education system.<ref name="aljazeera2">{{Cite web |date=14 July 2026|title=Indian activist Wangchuk urged to end hunger strike over exam paper leaks|url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2026/7/14/indian-activist-wangchuk-urged-to-end-hunger-strike-over-exam-paper-leaks|access-date=17 July 2026|website=[[Al Jazeera]]|agency=[[Reuters]]|language=en|archive-date=16 July 2026|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260716205531/https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2026/7/14/indian-activist-wangchuk-urged-to-end-hunger-strike-over-exam-paper-leaks|url-status=live}}</ref><br />
<br />
[[Rahul Gandhi]] characterised Modi as India's most 'anti-youth Prime Minister'. "Tear-gassing students, lathi-charging students is not democratic...They have legitimate demands. The Prime Minister should accept these demands and do something about it," stated Gandhi. The Congress party condemned the police action against protesters attempting to march to Parliament on the opening day of the monsoon session. Additionally, it emphasised that concerns regarding paper leaks had been raised by the party prior to the current agitation led by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP).<ref>{{Cite news |last=Phukan |first=Sandeep |date=2026-07-20 |title=Modi is India's most 'anti-youth PM', says Rahul Gandhi |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/rahul-gandhi-calls-narendra-modi-most-anti-youth-pm-in-indias-history/article71245456.ece |access-date=2026-07-21 |work=The Hindu |language=en-IN |issn=0971-751X}}</ref><br />
<br />
On 28 June, [[Nationalist Congress Party (Sharadchandra Pawar)|NCP (SP)]] national spokesperson [[Anish Gawande]] joined the protest at Jantar Mantar and reiterated the demand for Pradhan's resignation. Gawande claimed that several opposition parties, including the [[All India Trinamool Congress|Trinamool Congress]], the [[Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam]], and the NCP (SP), had extended support to the agitation.<ref>{{Cite web |date=28 June 2026|title=CJP protest in Delhi LIVE: Being forced to sit here in heat, wish govt had shown sensitivity, says Sonam Wangchuk|url=https://www.tribuneindia.com/live-blog/delhi/cjp-protest-in-delhi-live-wangchuk-to-begin-indefinite-hunger-strike-at-jantar-mantar/|access-date=17 July 2026|website=[[The Tribune (India)|The Tribune]]|language=en|archive-date=29 June 2026|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260629014449/https://www.tribuneindia.com/live-blog/delhi/cjp-protest-in-delhi-live-wangchuk-to-begin-indefinite-hunger-strike-at-jantar-mantar/|url-status=live}}</ref><br />
<br />
On 16 July, former Delhi Chief Minister [[Arvind Kejriwal]] joined the protest at Jantar Mantar, sought Pradhan's removal, and suggested that Wangchuk be made education minister.<ref name="toikejriwal2">{{Cite news |date=16 July 2026|title='Make Sonam Wangchuk education minister': Arvind Kejriwal joins Jantar Mantar protest, seeks Dharmendra Pradhan's ouster|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/make-sonam-wangchuk-education-minister-arvind-kejriwal-joins-jantar-mantar-protest-seeks-dharmendra-pradhans-ouster/articleshow/132440920.cms|access-date=17 July 2026|work=[[The Times of India]]|issn=0971-8257|archive-date=17 July 2026|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260717054423/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/make-sonam-wangchuk-education-minister-arvind-kejriwal-joins-jantar-mantar-protest-seeks-dharmendra-pradhans-ouster/articleshow/132440920.cms|url-status=live}}</ref><br />
<br />
During his hunger strike, Wangchuk said the movement had "no political colour" and described its demands as an appeal for accountability and reform in the education system rather than merely the resignation of the education minister.<ref name=":02">{{Cite web |date=14 July 2026|title=Sonam Wangchuk to Express: CJP protest has no political colour, PM should be sensitive|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/political-pulse/sonam-wangchuk-interview-hunger-strike-cockroach-janta-party-protest-education-neet-10785080/|access-date=17 July 2026|website=[[The Indian Express]]|language=en|last=Dwivedi|first=Saurabh|archive-date=15 July 2026|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260715090621/https://indianexpress.com/article/political-pulse/sonam-wangchuk-interview-hunger-strike-cockroach-janta-party-protest-education-neet-10785080/|url-status=live}}</ref><br />
<br />
The Union government and the Ministry of Education did not immediately issue a formal response to the demands of the protesters or to Wangchuk's hunger strike.<ref name="aljazeera">{{Cite web |date=14 July 2026 |title=Indian activist Wangchuk urged to end hunger strike over exam paper leaks |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2026/7/14/indian-activist-wangchuk-urged-to-end-hunger-strike-over-exam-paper-leaks |access-date=17 July 2026 |website=[[Al Jazeera]] |agency=[[Reuters]] |language=en |archive-date=16 July 2026 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260716205531/https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2026/7/14/indian-activist-wangchuk-urged-to-end-hunger-strike-over-exam-paper-leaks |url-status=live }}</ref><br />
<br />
* CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke, along with spokespersons Saurav Das, Ashutosh Ranka, and climate activist [[Sonam Wangchuk]]'s wife Gitanjali Angmo, continued a sit-in outside [[Kerala House, New Delhi|Kerala House]] after police had removed them from Jantar Mantar.<ref name="auto1">{{Cite news |date=21 July 2026 |title=Centre blinks as CJP protest turns massive |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/india/2026/Jul/21/centre-blinks-as-cjp-protest-turns-massive |access-date=2026-07-22 |website=The New Indian Express}}</ref><br />
* [[Sonam Wangchuk]] wrote an open letter stating he would continue his fast in protest against the police action against demonstrators, on the 24th day of his hunger strike.<ref name="auto1"/><br />
<br />
The police action drew widespread criticism from public figures and several opposition leaders, including [[Shashi Tharoor]], [[Rahul Gandhi]], and [[Arvind Kejriwal]]. Tharoor questioned the use of force, asking, "When a non-violent protest is taking place, what is the reason for a lathi charge?".<ref>{{Cite news |date=20 July 2026 |title=Parliament cannot be notice board: Tharoor hits out at Centre for denying debate on burning issues |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/india/2026/Jul/20/parliament-cannot-be-notice-board-tharoor-hits-out-at-centre-for-denying-debate-on-burning-issues |work=The New Indian Express}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=20 July 2026 |title=Students beaten, paper leak culprits roaming free: Rahul Gandhi calls PM Modi 'most youth-hostile PM' |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/students-beaten-paper-leak-culprits-roaming-free-rahul-gandhi-calls-pm-modi-most-youth-hostile-pm-2952141-2026-07-20 |work=India Today}}</ref> On the other hand, MPs [[Kangana Ranaut]] and [[Hema Malini]] criticised the protests, questioning their objective.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2026-07-20 |title=You cannot arm-twist government: Kangana Ranaut reacts to CJP protest |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/movies/celebrities/story/kangana-ranaut-slams-opposition-disruption-cjp-protest-lok-sabha-monsoon-session-arm-twist-government-2951981-2026-07-20 |access-date=2026-07-20 |website=[[India Today]] |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=2026-07-20 |title=Hema Malini says ‘Protest karne se toh kuch kaam nahi hoga’, refuses to comment on Dharmendra Pradhan resignation demand amid CJP protests near Parliament |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news/hema-malini-says-protest-karne-se-toh-kuch-kaam-nahi-hoga-refuses-to-comment-on-dharmendra-pradhan-resignation-demand-amid-cjp-protests-near-parliament/articleshow/132519082.cms |access-date=2026-07-20 |work=[[The Times of India]] |issn=0971-8257}}</ref> Abhijeet Dipke's absence from the protest was also criticised. A protestor alleged that Dipke and the organisers were hiding behind, while students who had come out for the first time were left to face the police.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2026-07-20 |title=How Abhijeet Dipke pulls a Houdini, each time, every time |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/abhijeet-dipke-cjp-protest-key-moments-wangchuk-sansad-chalo-jp-nadda-demands-pradhan-2952032-2026-07-20 |access-date=2026-07-21 |website=India Today |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Gupta |first=Shobhit |date=July 21, 2026 |title=Internal Rift In CJP? Dissenter Alleges Women Were Pushed To Protest Frontlines By Abhijeet Dipke |url=https://www.news18.com/india/internal-rift-in-cjp-dissenter-alleges-women-were-pushed-to-protest-frontlines-by-abhijeet-dipke-ws-l-10225281.html |access-date=July 21, 2026 |website=[[News18]]}}</ref><br />
<br />
Opposition leaders including [[Rahul Gandhi]], [[Arvind Kejriwal]], [[Akhilesh Yadav]] and others expressed support for the protesters' demands and criticised police action. Gandhi described Modi as the most anti-youth Prime Minister and condemned the use of force. Some BJP leaders and MPs, including [[Kangana Ranaut]] and [[Hema Malini]], questioned the protests' objectives and methods.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Phukan |first=Sandeep |date=2026-07-20 |title=Modi is India's most 'anti-youth PM', says Rahul Gandhi |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/rahul-gandhi-calls-narendra-modi-most-anti-youth-pm-in-indias-history/article71245456.ece |work=The Hindu}}</ref><br />
Wangchuk maintained that the movement had no political colour and focused on accountability in the education system. The Union government did not issue an immediate formal response to the core demands.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |date=14 July 2026 |title=Sonam Wangchuk to Express: CJP protest has no political colour, PM should be sensitive |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/political-pulse/sonam-wangchuk-interview-hunger-strike-cockroach-janta-party-protest-education-neet-10785080/ |website=[[The Indian Express]] |last=Dwivedi |first=Saurabh}}</ref><br />
<br />
== See also ==<br />
* [[Citizenship Amendment Act protests]]<br />
* [[List of Indian student organisations]]<br />
* [[2026 NEET controversy]]<br />
* [[2026 CBSE On-Screen Marking controversy]]<br />
* [[Cockroach Janta Party]]<br />
* [[Citizenship Amendment Act protests]]<br />
* [[List of Indian student organisations]]<br />
* [[2026 NEET controversy]]<br />
* [[2026 CBSE On-Screen Marking controversy]]<br />
* [[Cockroach Janta Party]]<br />
* [[Citizenship Amendment Act protests]]<br />
* [[List of Indian student organisations]]<br />
<br />
== References ==<br />
{{Reflist}}<br />
{{Subject bar |portal1=India |portal2=Politics}}<br />
<br />
[[Category:2026 in Indian politics]]<br />
[[Category:2026 in New Delhi]]<br />
[[Category:2026 protests]]<br />
[[Category:Gen Z protests in Asia]]<br />
[[Category:July 2026 in India]]<br />
[[Category:June 2026 in India]]<br />
[[Category:Protests against the premiership of Narendra Modi]]<br />
[[Category:Protests in India]]<br />
[[Category:Student protests in India]]<br />
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</noinclude></div>BellaCHhttps://en.bharatpedia.org/w/index.php?title=2026_Delhi_Jantar_Mantar_protest&diff=5523692026 Delhi Jantar Mantar protest2026-07-22T17:16:25Z<p>BellaCH: Infobox fixed</p>
<hr />
<div>{{Short description|Ongoing protests led by the Cockroach Janta Party in New Delhi}}<br />
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2026}}<br />
{{Use Indian English|date=July 2026}}<br />
{{Infobox civil conflict<br />
| name = 2026 Delhi Jantar Mantar protest<br />
| part_of = [[Gen Z protests]] and [[Gen Z protests in Asia]]<br />
| image = {{Multiple image<br />
| total_width = 300<br />
| perrow = 2<br />
| border = infobox<br />
| image1 = CJP Protestors holding Bhagat Singh posters.jpg<br />
| image2 = Abhijeet Dipke and Sonam Wangchuk.jpg<br />
| image3 = Sonam Wangchuk taken to hospital.webp<br />
| image4 = Protestors at Jantar Mantar.jpg<br />
}}<br />
| caption = '''From left to right, top to bottom''':{{Flatlist|<br />
* Protestors holding posters of [[Bhagat Singh]]<br />
* Abhijeet Dipke with [[Sonam Wangchuk]]<br />
* Wangchuk forcibly taken to hospital<br />
* Protestors protesting at Jantar Mantar<br />
}}<br />
| date = {{Start date|2026|6|6}} – present<br />
|location= [[Jantar Mantar, New Delhi]]<br />
| causes = {{bulleted list<br />
| [[2026 NEET controversy|2026 NEET paper leak]]<br />
| [[2026 CBSE On-Screen Marking controversy|CBSE On-Screen Marking irregularities]]<br />
| Repeated lapses in public examination administration over the past 28 years, resulting in at least 345 paper leaks nationwide by Indian National Congress and BJP<br />
}}<br />
| goals = {{bulleted list<br />
| Resignation of Union Education Minister [[Dharmendra Pradhan]] <br />
| Reforms in the examination system<br />
}}<br />
| methods = [[Demonstration (political)|Demonstrations]], [[sit-in]]s, [[hunger strike]]s<br />
| status = Ongoing<br />
| side1 = [[Government of India]]{{bulleted list<br />
| [[Ministry of Education (India)|Union Ministry of Education]]<br />
| [[Delhi Police]]<br />
| [[Central Reserve Police Force|CRPF]]<br />
| [[Rapid Action Force]]<br />
| [[File:BJP_Flag.svg|25x25px]] [[Bharatiya Janata Party]]<br />
}}<br />
| side2 = {{bulleted list<br />
| [[File:Cockroach_Janta_Party_logo.svg|25x25px]] [[Cockroach Janta Party]]<br />
<br />
| [[File:AISF Flag.svg|25x25px]] [[All India Students' Federation]]<br />
| [[File:SFI-flag.svg|25x25px]] [[Students Federation of India]]<br />
| [[All India Students Association]]<br />
}}<br />
| lead_figures1 = * [[File:BJP_Flag.svg|25x25px]] [[Narendra Modi]]<br />
* [[File:BJP_Flag.svg|25x25px]] [[Amit Shah]]<br />
* [[File:BJP_Flag.svg|25x25px]] [[Dharmendra Pradhan]]<br />
| lead_figures2 = * [[Sonam Wangchuk]]<br />
* [[File:Cockroach_Janta_Party_logo.svg|25x25px]] [[Abhijeet Dipke]]<br />
* [[File:SFI-flag.svg|25x25px]] [[Adarsh M. Saji]]<br />
* [[Neha Bora]]<br />
* [[File:SFI-flag.svg|25x25px]] [[Aishe Ghosh]]<br />
<br />
| injuries = 118<br />
| injuries = Approximately 180 (118 security personnel and around 60 protesters, according to Delhi Police)<br />
| casualties = Multiple FIRs registered for violence, stone-pelting, vandalism and assault on public servants<br />
}}<br />
[[File:Dharmendra Pradhan with his daughter, Nimisha Pradhan, who completed a Master of Laws (LL.M.) degree at The Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy, Tufts University, in the United States.jpg|thumb|[[Dharmendra Pradhan]] with his daughter, Nimisha Pradhan, who completed a Master of Laws (LL.M.) degree at [[The Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy]], [[Tufts University]], in the [[United States]]]]<br />
Since 6 June 2026, the [[Cockroach Janta Party]] (CJP), an Indian youth-based [[Political satire|satirical political movement]] founded by [[Abhijeet Dipke]], has been holding a series of protests at [[Jantar Mantar, New Delhi|Jantar Mantar]] in [[New Delhi]] along with student organisations like [[Students Federation of India]], [[All India Students Association]] and [[All India Students Federation]].<ref name="bbc2">{{Cite web |date=1 July 2026 |title=Why India's cockroach protesters are still on the streets in over 40C heat |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cly0ey5y10qo |access-date=16 July 2026 |website=[[BBC News]] |language=en-GB|last=Pandey|first=Geeta}}</ref><ref name="ap">{{Cite web |date=11 June 2026 |title=India's viral Cockroach Party launches nationwide youth protests |url=https://apnews.com/article/india-cockroach-party-youth-protest-988e205b0859ac2c5fbc8af9ad4925af |access-date=11 June 2026 |website=[[AP News]] |language=en}}</ref> The protesters have demanded the resignation of Union Education Minister [[Dharmendra Pradhan]] over the [[2026 NEET controversy|2026 NEET paper leak]] and the [[2026 CBSE On-Screen Marking controversy|CBSE On-Screen Marking irregularities]], along with broader reforms in the conduct of public examinations.<ref name="etv">{{Cite web |date=15 June 2026 |title=CJP Demands Education Minister's Resignation in Bengaluru Protest Over National Exam Irregularities |url=https://www.etvbharat.com/en/state/cjp-demands-education-ministers-resignation-in-bengaluru-protest-over-national-exam-irregularities-enn26061500191 |access-date=15 June 2026 |website=[[ETV Bharat]] |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite news<br />
|title=India news: Cockroach Party warns of protest infiltrators<br />
|url=https://www.dw.com/en/india-news-cockroach-party-warns-of-protest-infiltrators/live-78015662<br />
|work=Deutsche Welle<br />
|publisher=Deutsche Welle<br />
|language=en<br />
|access-date=20 July 2026<br />
}}</ref> The agitation drew national attention after the activist [[Sonam Wangchuk]] began an indefinite [[hunger strike]] at the protest site on 28 June.<ref name="bbc3">{{cite web |date=16 July 2026 |title=Indian activist urged to end hunger strike as he loses 9.1kg in 19 days |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/crm0mg4z7edo |access-date=18 July 2026 |website=[[BBC News]] |last=Pandey |first=Geeta |archive-date=18 July 2026 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260718084943/https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/crm0mg4z7edo |url-status=live }}</ref><br />
<br />
The initial social media movement known as the Cockroach Janta Party was created in May 2026 by digital communications strategist Abhijeet Dipke as a political satire. The name alludes to a statement by [[Surya Kant]], the [[Chief Justice of India]], who compared unemployed youth and social media activists to "cockroaches" and "parasites".<ref name="bbc" /> Having gained widespread online popularity, the movement transitioned into offline demonstrations, which were permitted by the [[Delhi Police]].<br />
<br />
On 28 June 2026, [[Ladakhis|Ladakhi]] environmentalist and education activist, [[Sonam Wangchuk]], joined the demonstration at [[Jantar Mantar]]. He started an indefinite [[hunger strike]] and demanded the resignation of Dharmendra Pradhan.<ref name="printlive2">{{Cite web |date=18 July 2026 |title=Wangchuk hunger strike Day 21: CJP continues protest at Jantar Mantar ahead of march on 20 July |url=https://theprint.in/india/sonam-wangchuk-hunger-strike-cockroach-janta-party-cjp-protest-dipke-delhi-jantar-mantar-live-updates/2989672/ |access-date=18 July 2026 |website=[[ThePrint]] |language=en-US}}</ref><br />
<br />
In mid-July 2026, following a leadership change in the Delhi Police, officers removed barricades at the protest site and forcibly transferred Wangchuk to a hospital.<ref>{{Cite web |date=18 July 2026 |title=Indian activist on hunger strike for 20 days forcibly taken to hospital |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cjej3dxxg2do |access-date=18 July 2026 |website=[[BBC News]] |language=en-GB|last=Pandey|first=Geeta}}</ref> This action, along with an ink-throwing incident involving Dipke, drew increased media attention to the agitation.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |date=14 July 2026 |title=Sonam Wangchuk to Express: CJP protest has no political colour, PM should be sensitive |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/political-pulse/sonam-wangchuk-interview-hunger-strike-cockroach-janta-party-protest-education-neet-10785080/ |access-date=17 July 2026 |website=[[The Indian Express]] |language=en |last=Dwivedi |first=Saurabh |archive-date=15 July 2026 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260715090621/https://indianexpress.com/article/political-pulse/sonam-wangchuk-interview-hunger-strike-cockroach-janta-party-protest-education-neet-10785080/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name=":2">{{Cite news |date=15 July 2026 |title='Atmosphere of intimidation': PIL in Delhi high court questions continuous surveillance of Jantar Mantar protesters |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/delhi/atmosphere-of-intimidation-pil-in-delhi-high-court-questions-continuous-surveillance-of-jantar-mantar-protesters/articleshow/132419094.cms |access-date=17 July 2026 |work=[[The Times of India]] |issn=0971-8257}}</ref><br />
<br />
Since 6 June 2026, the [[Cockroach Janta Party]] (CJP), an Indian youth-based [[Political satire|satirical political movement]] founded by [[Abhijeet Dipke]], has been holding a series of protests at [[Jantar Mantar, New Delhi|Jantar Mantar]] in [[New Delhi]] along with student organisations including the [[Students Federation of India]], [[All India Students Association]] and [[All India Students' Federation]].<ref name="bbc2">{{Cite web |date=1 July 2026 |title=Why India's cockroach protesters are still on the streets in over 40C heat |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cly0ey5y10qo |access-date=16 July 2026 |website=[[BBC News]] |language=en-GB|last=Pandey|first=Geeta}}</ref><ref name="ap">{{Cite web |date=11 June 2026 |title=India's viral Cockroach Party launches nationwide youth protests |url=https://apnews.com/article/india-cockroach-party-youth-protest-988e205b0859ac2c5fbc8af9ad4925af |access-date=11 June 2026 |website=[[AP News]] |language=en}}</ref> The protesters have demanded the resignation of Union Education Minister [[Dharmendra Pradhan]] over the [[2026 NEET controversy|2026 NEET paper leak]] and the [[2026 CBSE On-Screen Marking controversy|CBSE On-Screen Marking irregularities]], along with broader reforms in the conduct of public examinations.<ref name="etv">{{Cite web |date=15 June 2026 |title=CJP Demands Education Minister's Resignation in Bengaluru Protest Over National Exam Irregularities |url=https://www.etvbharat.com/en/state/cjp-demands-education-ministers-resignation-in-bengaluru-protest-over-national-exam-irregularities-enn26061500191 |access-date=15 June 2026 |website=[[ETV Bharat]] |language=en}}</ref> The agitation drew national attention after activist [[Sonam Wangchuk]] began an indefinite [[hunger strike]] at the protest site on 28 June 2026.<ref name="bbc3">{{cite web |date=16 July 2026 |title=Indian activist urged to end hunger strike as he loses 9.1kg in 19 days |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/crm0mg4z7edo |access-date=18 July 2026 |website=[[BBC News]] |last=Pandey |first=Geeta |archive-date=18 July 2026 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260718084943/https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/crm0mg4z7edo |url-status=live }}</ref> On 18 July, Delhi Police removed Wangchuk from the site and admitted him to hospital, an action criticised by organisers as forcible.<ref>{{Cite web |date=18 July 2026 |title=Indian activist on hunger strike for 20 days forcibly taken to hospital |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cjej3dxxg2do |access-date=18 July 2026 |website=[[BBC News]] |language=en-GB|last=Pandey|first=Geeta}}</ref><br />
<br />
== Background ==<br />
=== Formation of the Cockroach Janta Party ===<br />
[[File:Cockroach Janta Party logo.svg|thumb|Logo of the Cockroach Janta Party]]<br />
In May 2026, [[Surya Kant]], the [[Chief Justice of India|chief justice of India]], drew criticism for remarks made during a [[Supreme Court of India|Supreme Court]] hearing in which he compared the unemployed youth to "cockroaches" and "parasites" who attack institutions through social media activism and litigation.<ref>{{Cite web |first=Anand |last=Teltumbde |author-link=Anand Teltumbde |date=9 June 2026 |title=Who are the real parasites? |url=https://frontline.thehindu.com/columns/surya-kant-parasite-remark-unemployment/article71041381.ece |website=[[Frontline (magazine)]]}}</ref><ref name=":1">{{cite news |last1=Kishor |first1=Udayan |date=16 May 2026 |title='Pained' by how media misquoted my observation: CJI Surya Kant issues clarification on 'parasite' remark |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/india/2026/May/16/was-talking-about-those-entering-bar-through-fake-bogus-degrees-cji-on-cockroaches-remark |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260523133556/https://www.newindianexpress.com/india/2026/May/16/was-talking-about-those-entering-bar-through-fake-bogus-degrees-cji-on-cockroaches-remark |archive-date=23 May 2026 |access-date=6 June 2026 |work=[[The New Indian Express]] |language=en}}</ref><br />
<br />
{{quote|There are already parasites of society who attack the system, and you want to join hands with them? There are youngsters like cockroaches; they don't get any employment, and they don't have any place in a profession. Some of them become media, some of them become social media, some of them become [[Right to Information Act, 2005|RTI]] activists, some of them become other activists, and they start attacking everyone [...] And you people file contempt petitions.<ref name="ANtnie">{{cite news |last1=Neelakantan |first1=Anand |title=Travails of a Cockroach-infested System |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/magazine/2026/May/31/travails-of-a-cockroach-infested-system |access-date=6 June 2026 |work=[[The New Indian Express]] |date=31 May 2026 |language=en |archive-date=1 June 2026 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260601055718/https://www.newindianexpress.com/magazine/2026/May/31/travails-of-a-cockroach-infested-system |url-status=live}}</ref>}}<br />
<br />
The remarks drew widespread public criticism. On 16 May 2026, digital communications strategist Abhijeet Dipke founded the [[Cockroach Janta Party]] (CJP; Cockroach People's Party), a satirical political movement. Its name is a direct reference to Kant's remarks while parodying the name of the ruling [[Bharatiya Janata Party]] (BJP). The movement rapidly gained a large social media following.<ref name="bbc">{{cite web |date=21 May 2026 |title=India has a new political superstar – a cockroach |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cz72y11jjq1o |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260521094129/https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cz72y11jjq1o |archive-date=21 May 2026 |access-date=22 May 2026 |website=[[BBC News]]|last=Mateen|first=Zoya}}</ref> Kant later clarified that his criticism was directed at individuals who had entered the legal, media, and activist professions using fraudulent academic credentials, and that he respected the youth.<ref>{{Cite news |date=16 May 2026 |title=Youth are pillars of country, remarks aimed at those with 'fake' degrees: CJI Surya Kant |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/cji-surya-kant-clarifies-parasites-remarks-says-pained-over-media-reports/article70986796.ece |access-date=22 May 2026 |work=The Hindu |language=en-IN |issn=0971-751X}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |date=16 May 2026 |title=After Outrage over His 'Cockroaches' 'Parasites' Remarks, CJI Surya Kant Says Media 'Misquoted' Him |url=https://thewire.in/rights/offends-spirit-of-democracy-outrage-over-cji-surya-kants-cockroaches-parasites-remarks |access-date=6 June 2026 |work=[[The Wire (India)|The Wire]] |language=en}}</ref><br />
<br />
In May 2026, [[Surya Kant]], the [[Chief Justice of India]], made remarks during a Supreme Court hearing comparing certain unemployed youth and social media activists to "cockroaches" and "parasites". The remarks drew criticism. On 16 May 2026, digital communications strategist Abhijeet Dipke founded the Cockroach Janta Party as a satirical movement referencing the comments while parodying the name of the [[Bharatiya Janata Party]]. The movement gained online popularity and transitioned to offline protests.<ref name="bbc">{{cite web |date=21 May 2026 |title=India has a new political superstar – a cockroach |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cz72y11jjq1o |access-date=22 May 2026 |website=[[BBC News]]|last=Mateen|first=Zoya}}</ref><br />
<br />
=== Scandals ===<br />
{{Main|2026 NEET controversy|2026 CBSE On-Screen Marking controversy}}<br />
The protests followed two examination-related scandals in 2026: a [[Paper leak in India|paper leak]] affecting the [[National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (Undergraduate)|NEET-UG]] medical entrance examination and irregularities in the [[Central Board of Secondary Education]]'s on-screen marking and revaluation process, which left thousands of students awaiting clarity on their final results.<ref name="printlive">{{Cite web |date=6 June 2026 |title=Cockroach Janta Party protest: As it happened |url=https://theprint.in/india/live-updates-delhi-cockroach-janta-party-cjp-jantar-mantar-protest-abhijeet-dipke-sonam-wangchuk/2952271/ |access-date=17 July 2026 |website=[[ThePrint]] |language=en}}</ref><br />
<br />
=== Examination controversies ===<br />
{{Main|2026 NEET controversy|2026 CBSE On-Screen Marking controversy}}<br />
The protests followed a paper leak affecting the NEET-UG examination and irregularities in the CBSE on-screen marking process.<ref name="printlive">{{Cite web |date=6 June 2026 |title=Cockroach Janta Party protest: As it happened |url=https://theprint.in/india/live-updates-delhi-cockroach-janta-party-cjp-jantar-mantar-protest-abhijeet-dipke-sonam-wangchuk/2952271/ |access-date=17 July 2026 |website=[[ThePrint]] |language=en}}</ref><br />
<br />
== Timeline ==<br />
=== June ===<br />
==== 6 June ====<br />
* Abhijeet Dipke arrives from the [[United States]] to India, launching the CJP's first street protest.<ref name="AJZ">{{Cite web |first=Yashraj |last=Sharma |date=6 June 2026 |title='I'm a cockroach': Gen Z protest movement lands in Indian capital |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/features/2026/6/6/im-a-cockroach-gen-z-protest-movement-lands-in-indian-capital |website=[[Al Jazeera English]]}}</ref><br />
<br />
==== 7–19 June ====<br />
* The movement transitions into periodic sit-ins, digital campaigns, and awareness drives across Delhi.<ref>{{Cite news |last= |first= |date=6 June 2026 |title=Cockroach Janta Party protest updates: Protest ends in Jantar Mantar; six detained |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/cockroach-janta-party-abhijeet-dipke-cjp-protest-in-delhi-jantar-mantar-live-updates-june-6-2026/article71068317.ece |access-date=18 July 2026 |work=The Hindu |language=en-IN |issn=0971-751X}}</ref><br />
<br />
==== 20 June ====<br />
* Demonstrators regroup at Jantar Mantar for extended mobilisation.<ref>{{Cite web |date=30 June 2026 |title=CJP's Abhijeet Dipke: Why India's cockroach protesters are still on the streets in over 40C heat |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cly0ey5y10qo |access-date=18 July 2026 |website=[[BBC News]] |language=en-GB |archive-date=16 July 2026 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260716091021/https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cly0ey5y10qo |url-status=live }}</ref><br />
<br />
==== 21 June ====<br />
* Dipke issues a public appeal for [[National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (Undergraduate)|NEET]] aspirants to join the venue following re-examination.<ref>{{Cite web |date=20 June 2026 |title=NEET Re-Exam Paper Analysis 2026 Highlights: 'Result sooner than expected,' says NTA DG |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/education/neet-ug-2026-re-exam-live-updates-analysis-guidelines-admit-cards-neet-nta-ac-in-10744090/ |access-date=18 July 2026 |website=The Indian Express |language=en |archive-date=4 July 2026 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260704023415/https://indianexpress.com/article/education/neet-ug-2026-re-exam-live-updates-analysis-guidelines-admit-cards-neet-nta-ac-in-10744090/ |url-status=live }}</ref><br />
<br />
==== 22–27 June ====<br />
* Protests gain widespread social media attention.<ref>{{Cite news |last=PTI |date=21 June 2026 |title=CJP protest in Delhi: Dipke, supporters continue sit-in overnight at Jantar Mantar; urge people to join protest |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Delhi/cockroach-janata-party-protest-in-delhi-jantar-mantar-day-2-updates-abhijeet-dipke-neet-retest/article71128683.ece |access-date=18 July 2026 |work=The Hindu |language=en-IN |issn=0971-751X |archive-date=21 June 2026 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260621070831/https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Delhi/cockroach-janata-party-protest-in-delhi-jantar-mantar-day-2-updates-abhijeet-dipke-neet-retest/article71128683.ece |url-status=live }}</ref><br />
<br />
==== 28 June ====<br />
* Prominent Ladakhi environmentalist and engineer Sonam Wangchuk joins the protest, declaring an indefinite hunger strike alongside six students of the [[All India Students Association]] (AISA), demanding the resignation of [[Dharmendra Pradhan]], the [[Ministry of Education (India)|Union Minister of Education]].<ref>{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=2 June 2026 |title=Sonam Wangchuk joins CJP protest, begins indefinite fast over alleged exam irregularities |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/india/2026/Jun/28/sonam-wangchuk-joins-cjp-protest-begins-indefinite-fast-over-alleged-exam-irregularities |access-date=18 July 2026 |website=The New Indian Express |language=en}}</ref><br />
<br />
==== 30 June ====<br />
* CJP launches nationwide 'Pradhan Go Back' campaign.<ref>{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=12 June 2026 |title=CJP launches nationwide 'Pradhan Go Back' campaign, retaliates Education Minister's resignation |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/india/2026/Jun/26/cjp-launches-nationwide-pradhan-go-back-campaign-retaliates-education-ministers-resignation |access-date=18 July 2026 |website=The New Indian Express |language=en}}</ref> <br />
<br />
=== July ===<br />
==== 1–17 July ====<br />
* CJP protests gain support from opposition parties,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Singh |first=Chinni |date=9 July 2026 |title=NEET Protest: Opposition Backs CJP Movement |url=https://frontline.thehindu.com/the-nation/neet-protest-opposition-support/article71201448.ece |access-date=19 July 2026 |website=Frontline |language=en}}</ref> garnering widespread public support, especially for Sonam Wangchuk's hunger strike.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Sonam Wangchuk hunger strike live: Wangchuk rules out ending fast |url=https://www.msn.com/en-in/news/India/sonam-wangchuk-hunger-strike-live-sonam-wangchuk-rules-out-ending-fast-urges-people-to-join-cjp-s-parliament-march/ar-AA280L5b |access-date=19 July 2026 |website=MSN}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=19 July 2026 |title=Support grows for Sonam Wangchuk as protests erupt in multiple cities ahead of July 20 Parliament march |url=https://www.financialexpress.com/india-news/support-grows-for-sonam-wangchuk-as-protests-erupt-in-multiple-cities-ahead-of-july-20-parliament-march/4295815/ |access-date=19 July 2026 |website=The Financial Express |language=en}}</ref><br />
<br />
==== 18 July ====<br />
* Sonam Wangchuk is forcibly removed from the protest site by police; [[Rahul Gandhi]], Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, criticises the action on social media.<ref>{{Cite web |date=19 July 2026 |title=Opposition Slams Modi Govt as Delhi Police Remove Sonam Wangchuk from Jantar Mantar |url=https://www.outlookindia.com/national/opposition-slams-modi-govt-for-removal-of-sonam-wangchuk-from-jantar-mantar |access-date=19 July 2026 |website=Outlook India |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Staff |first=T. N. M. |date=18 July 2026 |title=Delhi Police forcefully pick up Sonam Wangchuk from Jantar Mantar |url=https://www.thenewsminute.com/news/delhi-police-forcefully-pick-up-sonam-wangchuk-from-jantar-mantar |access-date=19 July 2026 |website=The News Minute |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=18 July 2026 |title='Removal of Sonam Wangchuk wrong': Rahul Gandhi slams BJP's 'asatya and hinsa' approach in first reaction to Jantar Mantar protest |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/removal-of-sonam-wangchuk-wrong-rahul-gandhi-slams-bjps-asatya-and-hinsa-approach-in-first-reaction-to-jantar-mantar-protest/articleshow/132478450.cms |access-date=19 July 2026 |work=The Times of India |issn=0971-8257 |archive-date=18 July 2026 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260718130416/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/removal-of-sonam-wangchuk-wrong-rahul-gandhi-slams-bjps-asatya-and-hinsa-approach-in-first-reaction-to-jantar-mantar-protest/articleshow/132478450.cms |url-status=live }}</ref><br />
* Abhijeet Dipke and others start an indefinite hunger strike in protest of his removal.<ref name=":3">{{Cite news |date=18 July 2026 |title=CJP's Abhijeet Dipke begins indefinite hunger strike, as police shifts Wangchuk to hospital |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/abhijeet-dipke-begins-indefinite-hunger-strike-jantar-mantar-protest-sonam-wangchuk-july-18-2026/article71237051.ece |access-date=18 July 2026 |work=[[The Hindu]] |language=en-IN |issn=0971-751X}}</ref><ref name=":4">{{Cite web |date=18 July 2026 |title=CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke starts indefinite hunger strike; July 20 march to 'proceed as planned' |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/india/2026/Jul/18/cjp-founder-abhijeet-dipke-starts-indefinite-hunger-strike-july-20-march-to-proceed-as-planned |access-date=18 July 2026 |website=[[The New Indian Express]] |language=en |archive-date=18 July 2026 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260718092015/https://www.newindianexpress.com/india/2026/Jul/18/cjp-founder-abhijeet-dipke-starts-indefinite-hunger-strike-july-20-march-to-proceed-as-planned |url-status=live }}</ref><br />
<br />
==== 20 July ====<br />
* More than 1 lakh protesters gather at Jantar Mantar and [[Sansad Chalo March|attempt to march toward Parliament House]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Pandey|first=Geeta|last2=Delhi|first2=Azadeh Moshiri from Jantar Mantar in|date=20 July 2026|title=Jantar Mantar, CJP, parliament: Thousands of 'cockroach' protesters march in Delhi|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/live/c8rnddx2j46t|access-date=20 July 2026|website=BBC News|language=en-GB|archive-date=20 July 2026|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260720094718/https://www.bbc.com/news/live/c8rnddx2j46t|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=":5">{{Cite news |last=Staff |first=Al Jazeera |title=Police attack Cockroach activists as thousands march on Indian parliament |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2026/7/20/police-attack-cockroach-activists-as-thousands-march-on-indian-parliament |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260720232028/https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2026/7/20/police-attack-cockroach-activists-as-thousands-march-on-indian-parliament |archive-date=20 July 2026 |access-date=20 July 2026 |work=Al Jazeera |language=en}}</ref> CJP representatives Ashutosh Ranka and Saurav Das meet Union Health Minister [[J. P. Nadda]] to present demands, including the release of Wangchuk, the resignation of Dharmendra Pradhan, and financial compensation of {{INR|1 crore}} for families of deceased NEET aspirants.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Deshpande|first=Anagha|date=20 July 2026|title=Who called whom? JP Nadda, CJP leaders differ on how the talks happened|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/who-called-whom-jp-nadda-cjp-leaders-differ-on-how-the-talks-happened-101784553085407.html|access-date=20 July 2026|website=Hindustan Times|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |title=Union health minister holds talks with two members of Cockroach Party as protesters storm central Delhi |url=https://www.telegraphindia.com/india/union-health-minister-holds-talks-with-two-members-of-cockroach-party-as-protesters-storm-central-delhi/cid/2170948 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260720114957/https://www.telegraphindia.com/india/union-health-minister-holds-talks-with-two-members-of-cockroach-party-as-protesters-storm-central-delhi/cid/2170948 |archive-date=20 July 2026 |access-date=20 July 2026 |language=en |url-status=live }}</ref><br />
* The protesters were met with a brutal Lathi charge and were dispersed using tear gas by the police.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Kaushik |first=Shrimansi |date=2026-07-21 |title=Protesters march ahead, only to be met with lathis, tear gas |url=https://www.thehindu.com/incoming/protesters-march-ahead-only-to-be-met-with-lathis-tear-gas/article71247923.ece |access-date=2026-07-21 |work=The Hindu |language=en-IN |issn=0971-751X}}</ref><br />
* At least 118 personnel were hurt and between 15–20 government vehicles were damaged during the day's protests, according to the Delhi Police.<ref>{{Cite news |date=20 July 2026 |title=Over 70 detained; police claim 118 personnel hurt |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/delhi/over-70-detained-police-claim-118-personnel-hurt/articleshow/132522189.cms |access-date=20 July 2026 |work=The Times of India |issn=0971-8257}}</ref><br />
* Hospital authorities and police sources stated that around 60 protesters were also injured. Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital alone recorded 65 medico-legal cases involving both protesters and police by 7 pm.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Avinash Prabhakar and Bhaskar Hari Sharma|date=21 July 2026|title=CJP's Chalo Sansad March Turns Violent Prompting Police Action|url=https://www.deccanchronicle.com/nation/crime/cjps-chalo-sansad-march-turns-violent-prompting-police-action-1972600|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260720235211/https://www.deccanchronicle.com/nation/crime/cjps-chalo-sansad-march-turns-violent-prompting-police-action-1972600|archive-date=20 July 2026|access-date=20 July 2026|language=en-IN}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=20 July 2026 |title=Delhi Police detains 70 CJP protesters, alleges 'violent' & 'unruly' conduct |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/india/delhi-police-detains-70-cjp-protesters-alleges-violent-unruly-conduct/articleshow/132520853.cms?from=mdr |access-date=21 July 2026 |work=The Economic Times |issn=0013-0389}}</ref><br />
* According to the CJP, a party member's leg was broken after the Delhi Police dragged him.<ref>{{Cite web |date=20 July 2026|title=Jantar Mantar Protest Live Updates: CJP Rebuilds Jantar Mantar Stage, Appeals for Medical Kits and Torches as Protest Resumes|url=https://www.timesnownews.com/delhi/jantar-mantar-protest-live-updates-sonam-wangchuk-hunger-strike-abhijeet-dipke-parliament-march-20th-july-liveblog-155135443|access-date=20 July 2026|website=TimesNow|language=en}}</ref><br />
* The Jantar Mantar stage was rebuilt by the CJP after being destroyed by the Delhi Police.<ref>{{Cite web |last=deccanchronicle|date=20 July 2026|title=Live: Shah Meets Pradhan as CJP March Escalates|url=https://www.deccanchronicle.com/live-police-clear-cjp-protest-site-after-crackdown-nadda-nadda-holds-talks|access-date=20 July 2026|website=www.deccanchronicle.com|language=en}}</ref><br />
<br />
==== 21 July ====<br />
* Protestors reclaimed the Jantar Mantar site after police removed the stage and tents from Jantar Mantar following a day of protests and confrontations between protesters and police on Monday.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Verma |first=Ishika |date=21 July 2026 |title=CJP Reclaims Jantar Mantar, Says Protest To Continue, Police On Alert |url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/cjp-protest-protesters-reclaim-jantar-mantar-say-stir-to-continue-police-alert-11798889 |access-date=21 July 2026 |website=[[NDTV]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=20 July 2026 |title=CJP protest in Delhi highlights: Dipke, protesters reclaim dismantled Jantar Mantar protest site, as CJP awaits Govt response to demands |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/cjp-protest-july-20-2026-cockroach-janata-party-jantar-mantar-parliament-march-sonam-wangchuk/article71242448.ece |access-date=21 July 2026 |work=The Hindu |language=en-IN |issn=0971-751X}}</ref><br />
* Vijeta Dahiya, the CJP spokesperson, was removed from his position after taking a fast food break, while protestors and party members were facing "brutal police violence".<ref>{{Cite web |last=Gupta |first=Pathikrit Sen |date=21 July 2026 |title='Yes, I'll Eat the Burger': Cockroach Janta Party Sacks Vijeta Dahiya After Fast Food Fracas During NEET Protest |url=https://www.news18.com/india/yes-ill-eat-the-burger-cockroach-janta-party-sacks-vijeta-dahiya-after-fast-food-fracas-during-neet-protest-10225459.html |access-date=21 July 2026 |website=[[News18]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Deshpande |first=Anagha |date=21 July 2026 |title='I was hungry': CJP sacks spokesperson Vijeta Dahiya after he defends leaving protest march, eating burger instead |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/i-was-hungry-cjp-sacks-spokesperson-vijeta-dahiya-after-fast-food-fracas-during-neet-protest-101784630939570.html |access-date=21 July 2026 |website=Hindustan Times |language=en}}</ref><br />
* The Delhi High court orders Sonam Wangchuck to be shifted immediatly from Safdarjung hospital to Medanta hospital in Gurugram.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Bureau |first=The Hindu |date=2026-07-21 |title=Delhi High Court orders immediate shift of Sonam Wangchuk to Medanta Hospital |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/delhi-high-court-allows-sonam-wangchuk-to-shift-to-private-hospital/article71248605.ece |access-date=2026-07-21 |work=The Hindu |language=en-IN |issn=0971-751X}}</ref><br />
* Congress MPs led by Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi protested outside Prime Minister Narendra Modi's residence demanding answers for the brutality against students during the march.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2026-07-21 |title=Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) on X |url=https://x.com/RahulGandhi/status/2079509012538876206 |access-date=2026-07-21 |work=X (formerly Twitter) |language=en-US}}</ref><br />
* Leaders from other opposition parties join the protest outside the PM's residence, demanding the resignation of Dharmendra Pradhan.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2026-07-21 |title=ANI (@ANI) on X |url=https://x.com/ANI/status/2079551774042833342 |access-date=2026-07-21 |work=X (formerly Twitter) |language=en-US}}</ref><br />
* Police subsequently detained Rahul Gandhi along with other opposition leaders outside the PM's residence.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2026-07-21 |title=Congress (@INCIndia) on X |url=https://x.com/INCIndia/status/2079557562740183507 |access-date=2026-07-21 |work=X (formerly Twitter) |language=en-US}}</ref><br />
* CJP announced a protest at the Delhi Police headquarters if the detained protesters were not released, while the Delhi Police stated that no protesters were detained during the march.<ref>{{cite news |author=TNIE Online |title=Jantar Mantar protest LIVE &#124; Rahul Gandhi, Akhilesh Yadav detained from protest outside PM's residence |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/live/2026/Jul/21/cjp-protest-live-updates#live/2026/Jul/21/cjp-protest-live-updates-dae1d85b-a515-4321-a56c-2921e5b9e531 |work=The New Indian Express |date=21 July 2026 |language=English }}</ref><br />
<br />
== Timeline of key events ==<br />
=== June 2026 ===<br />
On 6 June, Dipke launched the first street protest at Jantar Mantar after arriving from the United States. Periodic sit-ins followed. On 20 June, demonstrators regrouped for extended mobilisation. On 28 June, Sonam Wangchuk joined and began an indefinite hunger strike with AISA students, demanding Pradhan's resignation. On 30 June, CJP launched a nationwide "Pradhan Go Back" campaign.<ref name="AJZ">{{Cite web |first=Yashraj |last=Sharma |date=6 June 2026 |title='I'm a cockroach': Gen Z protest movement lands in Indian capital |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/features/2026/6/6/im-a-cockroach-gen-z-protest-movement-lands-in-indian-capital |website=[[Al Jazeera English]]}}</ref><br />
=== July 2026 ===<br />
Support grew from opposition parties. On 18 July, police removed Wangchuk to Safdarjung Hospital; Dipke and others began indefinite hunger strikes in response. On 20 July, the Sansad Chalo March took place amid clashes. On 21 July, protesters reclaimed the Jantar Mantar site after police dismantled infrastructure the previous day. The Delhi High Court ordered Wangchuk shifted to a private hospital. Opposition leaders including Rahul Gandhi protested outside the Prime Minister's residence and were detained.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Verma |first=Ishika |date=21 July 2026 |title=CJP Reclaims Jantar Mantar, Says Protest To Continue, Police On Alert |url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/cjp-protest-protesters-reclaim-jantar-mantar-say-stir-to-continue-police-alert-11798889 |access-date=21 July 2026 |website=[[NDTV]]}}</ref><br />
<br />
== Protests ==<br />
=== First protest at Jantar Mantar ===<br />
The CJP held its first street protest at [[Jantar Mantar, New Delhi]] on 6 June 2026, to demand the resignation of [[Dharmendra Pradhan]], the [[Minister of Education (India)|union minister of education]];<ref name="AJZ" /> it was the first major demonstration at Jantar Mantar since the [[2023 Indian wrestlers' protest]].<ref name="WR" /> The [[Delhi Police]] granted permission for the protest until 5 P.M. in what they described as a one-time exception.<ref name="printlive3">{{Cite web |date=6 June 2026|title=Cockroach Janta Party protest: As it happened|url=https://theprint.in/india/live-updates-delhi-cockroach-janta-party-cjp-jantar-mantar-protest-abhijeet-dipke-sonam-wangchuk/2952271/|access-date=17 July 2026|website=[[ThePrint]]|language=en}}</ref> The police deployed around 5,000 personnel in the [[New Delhi district]] and strengthened security at several locations, including [[Indira Gandhi International Airport]], ahead of the protest.<ref>{{Cite news |date=6 June 2026|title=Security stepped up across Delhi ahead of Cockroach Janta Party protest call|url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/security-stepped-up-across-delhi-ahead-of-cockroach-janta-party-protest-call/articleshow/131543236.cms|access-date=17 July 2026|work=[[The Economic Times]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=6 June 2026|first=Prathamesh|last=Kharade|title=Delhi On Alert: 1,000+ Cops Deployed Ahead Of Cockroach Janata Party's Jantar Mantar Protest|url=https://www.freepressjournal.in/india/delhi-on-alert-1000-cops-deployed-ahead-of-cockroach-janata-partys-jantar-mantar-protest|access-date=17 July 2026|work=[[The Free Press Journal]]}}</ref> Organisers asked participants to protest peacefully and encouraged them to bring the [[Flag of India|national flag]] and a book, which they said symbolised the [[right to education]] and equal opportunity.<ref>{{Cite news |date=6 June 2026|first=Sheikh|last=Saalik|title=Viral party for India's 'cockroaches' holds first major protest in Delhi after founder flies in from US|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/asia/india/cockroach-janta-party-protest-today-delhi-abhijeet-dipke-b2990913.html|access-date=17 July 2026|work=[[The Independent]]}}</ref><ref name="JZ2">{{Cite web |date=6 June 2026 |title=Supporters of the Cockroach People's Party hold protest in New Delhi |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2026/6/6/supporters-of-the-cockroach-peoples-party-hold-protest-in-new-delhi |website=[[Al Jazeera English]]}}</ref> Dipke, who arrived in New Delhi from the [[United States]] shortly before the protest, was joined at the site by Indian engineer, activist, and education reformer [[Sonam Wangchuk]].<ref name="printlive3" /> Hundreds of protesters gathered at the site,<ref name="JZ2" /><ref name="MPI" /> including students, parents, doctors, lawyers, and teachers, among others,<ref name="WR" /> with some holding placards and wearing cockroach masks.<ref name="JZ2" /><ref name="MPI">{{Cite web |first=Shabnoor |last=Irshad |date=6 June 2026 |title=Hundreds don masks as supporters of India's viral 'Cockroach People's Party' stage first protest |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/tv/news/cockroach-party-protest-india-video-b2991078.html |website=[[The Independent]]}}</ref> Attackers allegedly affiliated with the [[Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh]] (RSS), a [[Hindutva]] paramilitary organisation, attempted to disrupt the protest by harassing and assaulting some protesters; the attack was condemned by the [[All India Students' Federation]] (AISF) and the [[All India Youth Federation]] (AIYF).<ref name="WR">{{Cite web |date=8 June 2026 |title='RSS Will Not Deter Us,' Say Student Bodies on Alleged Attacks at CJP's Jantar Mantar Protest |url=https://thewire.in/rights/rss-will-not-deter-us-say-student-bodies-on-alleged-attacks-at-cjps-debut-jantar-mantar-protest |website=[[The Wire (India)]]}}</ref> The CJP announced that it would launch a nationwide agitation if Pradhan did not resign within seven days.<ref name="NIE">{{Cite news |date=6 June 2026 |title=CJP issues 7-day ultimatum; threatens nationwide protests if Education Minister Pradhan does not resign |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/india/2026/Jun/06/cjp-issues-7-day-ultimatum-threatens-nationwide-protests-if-education-minister-pradhan-does-not-resign |access-date=17 July 2026 |work=[[The New Indian Express]]|archive-date=17 June 2026|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260617114012/https://www.newindianexpress.com/india/2026/Jun/06/cjp-issues-7-day-ultimatum-threatens-nationwide-protests-if-education-minister-pradhan-does-not-resign|url-status=live}}</ref><br />
<br />
=== National campaign ===<br />
On 11 June 2026, the CJP launched a nationwide campaign seeking reforms in the education system, beginning at [[Savitribai Phule Pune University]] in [[Pune]]. Dipke released what he called an exam manifesto containing five demands, including compensation of {{INR|10,000|link=yes}} for students affected by a paper leak, postponement of an examination, or delay in the declaration of results. He said the movement would travel to cities including [[Jaipur]], [[Lucknow]], [[Amritsar]], and [[Bengaluru]] before returning to Jantar Mantar on 20 June 2026.<ref>{{Cite news |date=11 June 2026|title='System is rotten, cockroaches will correct it': CJP launches nationwide agitation in Pune; releases 'exam manifesto'|url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/india/2026/Jun/11/system-is-rotten-cockroaches-will-correct-it-cjp-launches-nationwide-agitation-in-pune-releases-exam-manifesto|access-date=17 July 2026|work=[[The New Indian Express]]}}</ref><ref name="ap2">{{Cite web |date=11 June 2026|title=India's viral Cockroach Party launches nationwide youth protests|url=https://apnews.com/article/india-cockroach-party-youth-protest-988e205b0859ac2c5fbc8af9ad4925af|access-date=11 June 2026|website=[[AP News]]|language=en}}</ref><br />
<br />
=== Second protest at Jantar Mantar ===<br />
The CJP held its second protest at Jantar Mantar on 20 June 2026. Hundreds of protesters, most of them students, gathered, holding placards, singing the [[Jana Gana Mana|national anthem]], and banging metal plates with spoons as a symbol of protest;<ref name="DRD">{{Cite web |first=Alisha Rahaman |last=Sarkar |date=23 June 2026 |title=India's viral 'cockroaches' are biggest challenge to Modi in years. Will they get what they want? |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/asia/india/cockroach-janata-party-neet-dharmendra-pradhan-resignation-protest-b3000119.html |website=[[The Independent]]}}</ref><ref name="THT">{{Cite news |date=20 June 2026|title=Youths rally in large numbers; bang plates, spoons to demand accountability at CJP protest|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Delhi/heavy-security-in-place-as-cjp-stages-second-protest-at-jantar-mantar/article71125029.ece|access-date=17 July 2026|work=[[The Hindu]]}}</ref> many travelled from across the nation to take part in the protest.<ref name="DRD" /> Ahead of the protest, Dipke alleged on social media that the authorities may allow "goons" to disrupt the protest and blame the CJP, posting photos of lorries parked at Jantar Mantar which he claimed were loaded with stones.<ref name=":62">{{Cite news |date=20 July 2026|title=Delhi Police lathi-charge, fire tear gas at 'Sansad Chalo' march, detain Abhijeet Dipke, Dimple Yadav and others|url=https://thesouthfirst.com/beyond-south/delhi-police-lathi-charge-fire-tear-gas-at-sansad-chalo-march-arrest-abhijeet-dipke-dimple-yadav-and-others/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260720233636/https://thesouthfirst.com/beyond-south/delhi-police-lathi-charge-fire-tear-gas-at-sansad-chalo-march-arrest-abhijeet-dipke-dimple-yadav-and-others/|archive-date=20 July 2026|access-date=20 July 2026|work=The South First {{!}} News, Politics, Sports, Entertainment & Live Updates|language=en-GB}}</ref> According to the [[Delhi Police]], the protest, which began at 1 P.M., had permission only until 5 P.M.; Dipke refused to end the demonstration, stating that he would not leave Jantar Mantar until Pradhan resigned, and urged supporters to join the protest that evening.<ref name="TT" /><ref name="YSHR">{{Cite web |first=Yashraj |last=Sharma |date=21 June 2026 |title=India's 'Cockroach' movement camps out until education minister resigns |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2026/6/21/indias-cockroach-movement-camps-out-until-education-minister-resigns |website=[[Al Jazeera English]]}}</ref> The Delhi police employed several pressure tactics to persuade the protesters to leave the barricaded site, including switching off the lights and briefly cutting off access to food and drinking water.<ref name="DRD" /><ref name="YSHR" /> At the protest, Wangchuk announced that he would begin an indefinite hunger strike from 27 June if Pradhan did not resign.<ref name="TT">{{Cite news |date=20 June 2026|title='Won't leave until Pradhan resigns': Dipke, CJP supporters after Delhi Police deny permission to continue protest|url=https://www.tribuneindia.com/live-blog/delhi/cjp-protest-in-delhi-live-dipke-arrives-at-jantar-mantar-protest-protestors-chant-go-pradhan-go/|access-date=17 July 2026|work=[[The Tribune (India)|The Tribune]]}}</ref><br />
<br />
=== Protests at Jantar Mantar ==<br />
The first major protest on 6 June was permitted until 5 pm. Hundreds gathered, some wearing cockroach masks and holding placards. Organisers encouraged carrying the national flag and books as symbols of education rights. Allegations of disruption by individuals linked to the RSS were made by student bodies, while police maintained order.<ref name="WR">{{Cite web |date=8 June 2026 |title='RSS Will Not Deter Us,' Say Student Bodies on Alleged Attacks at CJP's Jantar Mantar Protest |url=https://thewire.in/rights/rss-will-not-deter-us-say-student-bodies-on-alleged-attacks-at-cjps-debut-jantar-mantar-protest |website=[[The Wire (India)]]}}</ref><br />
A nationwide campaign began on 11 June from Pune. The second major sit-in on 20 June saw hundreds gather; police used pressure tactics after the permitted time expired, including switching off lights. Wangchuk announced his hunger strike plans at the site.<ref name="DRD">{{Cite web |first=Alisha Rahaman |last=Sarkar |date=23 June 2026 |title=India's viral 'cockroaches' are biggest challenge to Modi in years. Will they get what they want? |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/asia/india/cockroach-janata-party-neet-dharmendra-pradhan-resignation-protest-b3000119.html |website=[[The Independent]]}}</ref><br />
Videos and reports from early protests documented participants raising "Azadi" slogans such as "BJP se Azadi", "Modi se Azadi" and "Hum leke rahenge Azadi". There were also allegations of improper handling of the national flag and individual remarks dismissive of Hindu religious figures and epics, which drew criticism that the protests were incorporating rhetoric beyond educational demands.<ref>{{Cite web |date=8 June 2026 |title=From ‘Azadi’ slogans to disrespect of national flag: Inside the Cockroach Janta Party protest at Jantar Mantar |url=https://www.vsktelangana.org/Encyc/2026/6/8/from-azadi-slogans-disrespect-national-flag-inside-cockroach-janta-party-protest-jantar-mantar.html |website=VSK Telangana}}</ref><br />
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=== Hunger strikes ===<br />
==== Hunger strike of Sonam Wangchuk and AISA leaders ====<br />
[[File:CPI(M)_leaders_M._A._Baby_and_Brinda_Karat_meeting_Sonam_Wangchuk.jpg|left|thumb|[[Communist Party of India (Marxist)]] leaders [[M. A. Baby]] and [[Brinda Karat]] extending solidarity to [[Sonam Wangchuk]] and other protesters]]<br />
[[Sonam Wangchuk]], an engineer and education reformer, became a prominent figure in the protests. On 28 June, he began an indefinite hunger strike at Jantar Mantar along with six students from the [[All India Students Association]] (AISA) including their National President Neha Bora and an independent student activist named Hamad<ref name="bbc32">{{cite web |date=16 July 2026|title=Indian activist urged to end hunger strike as he loses 9.1kg in 19 days|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/crm0mg4z7edo|access-date=18 July 2026|website=[[BBC News]]|last=Pandey|first=Geeta|archive-date=18 July 2026|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260718084943/https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/crm0mg4z7edo|url-status=live}}</ref><br />
[[File:CPI_leaders_meet_with_Jantar_Mantar_protesters.jpg|right|thumb|[[Communist Party of India]] leaders [[D. Raja]] and Prof. Dinesh C. Varshney extending solidarity to protesters in Jantar Mantar, Delhi]]<br />
By 17 July, the nineteenth day of the strike, Wangchuk had lost 9.1 kilograms of body weight. A doctor attending him said he had begun losing muscle mass, and video footage showed him unable to stand or walk unaided. Politicians and entertainers, including the signatories of a statement with more than 1,800 signatures, appealed to him to end the fast. A petition filed in the [[Delhi High Court]] asked the government to admit him to a hospital to prevent his death; the government told the court that it would intervene if his health deteriorated.<ref name="bbc32" /><br />
[[File:Dipankar_Bhattacharya_with_Jantar_Mantar_Protesters.jpg|left|thumb|[[Communist Party of India (Marxist-Leninist) Liberation]] General Secretary [[Dipankar Bhattacharya]] extending solidarity with indefinite hunger strikers including Neha Bora]]<br />
On 18 July, Delhi Police removed Wangchuk from the protest site and admitted him to [[Safdarjung Hospital]], attached to [[Vardhman Mahavir Medical College]]. Police stated that the action was taken on medical advice and in compliance with the directions of the Delhi High Court. Protest organisers criticised the police action, alleging that Wangchuk had been taken from the site forcibly and without prior notice.<ref name="et22">{{Cite news |date=18 July 2026|title=CJP chief Abhijeet Dipke begins indefinite hunger strike after Wangchuk taken to hospital|url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/india/cjp-chief-abhijeet-dipke-begins-indefinite-hunger-strike-after-wangchuk-taken-to-hospital/articleshow/132473653.cms|access-date=18 July 2026|work=[[The Economic Times]]|issn=0013-0389|archive-date=18 July 2026|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260718070154/https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/india/cjp-chief-abhijeet-dipke-begins-indefinite-hunger-strike-after-wangchuk-taken-to-hospital/articleshow/132473653.cms|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=France-Presse|first=Agence|date=18 July 2026|title=Indian activist linked to Cockroach party moved to hospital after 20-day hunger strike|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/jul/18/indian-activist-linked-to-cockroach-party-moved-to-hospital-after-20-day-hunger-strike|access-date=20 July 2026|work=[[The Guardian]]|language=en-GB|issn=0261-3077}}</ref><br />
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Dipke said the authorities had made "a big mistake by kidnapping Sonam Wangchuk" and warned that suppressing the protest would spark demonstrations across Delhi.<ref name="cockroach-x2">{{Cite web |date=19 July 2026|title=Abhijeet Dipke's message to the Police: "You made a big mistake by kidnapping Sonam Wangchuk..."|url=https://x.com/Cockroachisback/status/2078778925585449150|website=X|access-date=19 July 2026}}</ref> On 20 July, Wangchuk announced in a handwritten statement issued from the Safdarjung Hospital, that he would continue the fast until the "youth leaders are allowed to meet the parliamentarians at the Sansad Bhawan or I am allowed to meet them here at the hospital".<ref>{{Cite news |last=PTI |date=20 July 2026 |title=Sonam Wangchuk to continue fast, cites police action against protesters |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/sonam-wangchuk-to-continue-fast-cites-police-action-against-protesters/article71245847.ece |access-date=21 July 2026 |work=The Hindu |language=en-IN |issn=0971-751X}}</ref><br />
[[File:Sonam_Wangchuk_meeting_Arvind_Kejriwal.jpg|right|thumb|[[Aam Aadmi Party]] leader [[Arvind Kejriwal]] meeting with [[Sonam Wangchuk]] during his hunger strike]]<br />
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==== Hunger strike of Abhijeet Dipke, SFI leader Adarsh M. Saji and Aishe Ghosh, and AISF activists ====<br />
On 18 July, Dipke announced that he had begun an indefinite hunger strike. The announcement came after the office of the New Delhi [[Deputy Commissioner of Police|deputy commissioner of police]] said Wangchuk had been shifted to hospital for essential medical care on the orders of the Delhi High Court and on expert medical advice. Dipke alleged that he had been beaten and detained by Delhi Police during what he described as a crackdown on protesters at Jantar Mantar while Wangchuk was being taken to hospital. He said that the march planned for 20 July would proceed as scheduled.<ref name=":32">{{Cite news |date=18 July 2026|title=CJP's Abhijeet Dipke begins indefinite hunger strike, as police shifts Wangchuk to hospital|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/abhijeet-dipke-begins-indefinite-hunger-strike-jantar-mantar-protest-sonam-wangchuk-july-18-2026/article71237051.ece|access-date=18 July 2026|work=[[The Hindu]]|language=en-IN|issn=0971-751X}}</ref><ref name=":42">{{Cite web |date=18 July 2026|title=CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke starts indefinite hunger strike; July 20 march to 'proceed as planned'|url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/india/2026/Jul/18/cjp-founder-abhijeet-dipke-starts-indefinite-hunger-strike-july-20-march-to-proceed-as-planned|access-date=18 July 2026|website=[[The New Indian Express]]|language=en|archive-date=18 July 2026|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260718092015/https://www.newindianexpress.com/india/2026/Jul/18/cjp-founder-abhijeet-dipke-starts-indefinite-hunger-strike-july-20-march-to-proceed-as-planned|url-status=live}}</ref><br />
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On the same day, [[Students Federation of India]] General Secretary [[Srijan Bhattacharyya]] announced that SFI President Adarsh M. Saji and SFI Joint Secretary [[Aishe Ghosh]] will join the indefinite hunger strike. Three AISA activists, Neha Bora, Ameen Amitoj and Manish Kumar and independent student Hamad continued their strike on their 21st day and so on.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.aaroananda.com/story/latest-news/breaking-news/sfi-aishe-ghosh-jantar-mantar-protest-dharmendra-pradhan/11010650|title=অনশনে এসএফআই-ও|website=Aaro Ananda}}</ref><br />
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Four activists of [[All India Students Federation]], namely, Gulab Dan, Pratibha, Aniketh Madke and Bittu, also joined the hunger strike.<br />
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Wangchuk's hunger strike, joined by AISA leaders including Neha Bora, continued for 20 days. By mid-July he had lost significant weight. On 18 July, police shifted him to hospital on medical advice and court directions. Dipke, SFI leaders Adarsh M. Saji and Aishe Ghosh, and AISF activists subsequently began or continued hunger strikes. Wangchuk later stated from hospital that he would continue fasting until youth leaders could meet parliamentarians.<ref name="bbc32">{{cite web |date=16 July 2026|title=Indian activist urged to end hunger strike as he loses 9.1kg in 19 days|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/crm0mg4z7edo|access-date=18 July 2026|website=[[BBC News]]|last=Pandey|first=Geeta}}</ref><br />
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=== Sansad Chalo March ===<br />
{{Main|Sansad Chalo March}}<br />
On 20 July, the first day of the monsoon session of the [[Parliament of India]], CJP launched its 'Chalo Sansad' march. CJP asked the protesters to bring the national flag and a copy of the Constitution or photographs of [[B. R. Ambedkar]], [[Mahatma Gandhi]] or [[Bhagat Singh]]. It also urged them to avoid political or organisational flags and to protest peacefully.<ref>{{Cite news |date=19 July 2026|title='Carry Tiranga, avoid political flags': CJP releases do's an don'ts for 'Chalo Sansad' march|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/delhi/carry-tiranga-avoid-political-flags-cjp-releases-dos-and-donts-for-chalo-sansad-march/articleshow/132495045.cms|access-date=20 July 2025|work=[[The Times of India]]}}</ref> The march became more important after the treatment of Wangchuk, who went on a 20-day hunger strike to support the CJP at Jantar Mantar. On Saturday, he was taken to the hospital by force. This upset CJP supporters and brought more attention to the protest movement.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cedj9j911p8o|title=Jantar Mantar: What is the Gen Z CJP protest in Delhi about?|date=21 July 2026|website=www.bbc.com}}</ref><br />
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Delhi Police tightened security across New Delhi district before the march and imposed prohibitory orders under Section 163 of the [[Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita]] (BNSS). A day before the march, Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Sachin Sharma shared a public advisory on [[X (social network)|X]] which stated that Delhi Police had not granted permission for the march.<ref>{{Cite news |date=19 June 2026|title=Delhi Police clarifies no permission sought or given for parliament march to CJP|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/delhi/delhi-police-clarifies-no-permission-sought-or-given-for-parliament-march-to-cjp/articleshow/132497794.cms|access-date=20 July 2026|work=[[The Times of India]]}}</ref> [[Delhi Metro Rail Corporation]] (DMRC) closed five metro stations – [[Seva Teerth metro station|Seva Teerth]], [[Central Secretariat metro station|Central Secretariat]], [[Patel Chowk metro station|Patel Chowk]], [[Janpath metro station|Janpath]] and one of India's biggest interchange stations, [[Rajiv Chowk metro station|Rajiv Chowk]] over security concerns ahead of CJP's march to the Parliament.<ref>{{Cite news |date=20 July 2026|title=Chaos at Delhi metro stations as five stations shut over security concerns: commuters scramble for alternate routes|url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/india/massive-chaos-at-delhi-metro-five-stations-shut-amid-security-concerns-commuters-left-stranded/articleshow/132507039.cms|access-date=20 July 2026|work=[[The Economic Times]]}}</ref> Protests broke out within metro stations as the government sealed the exit points to stations which were near the protest site.<ref name=":52">{{Cite news |last=Staff|first=Al Jazeera|title=Police attack Cockroach activists as thousands march on Indian parliament|url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2026/7/20/police-attack-cockroach-activists-as-thousands-march-on-indian-parliament|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260720232028/https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2026/7/20/police-attack-cockroach-activists-as-thousands-march-on-indian-parliament|archive-date=20 July 2026|access-date=20 July 2026|work=Al Jazeera|language=en}}</ref> Internet was also shutdown in the vicinity of the Parliament.<ref name=":72">{{Cite news |date=20 July 2026|title=Tear gas, lathi charge: Police use force to disperse CJP protesters near Parliament House as chaos unfolds amid 'Chalo Sansad'|url=https://www.deccanherald.com/india/tear-gas-lathi-charge-police-use-force-to-disperse-cjp-protesters-near-parliament-house-as-chaos-unfolds-amid-chalo-sansad-4080104|access-date=20 July 2025|work=[[Deccan Herald]]}}</ref><ref name=":82">{{Cite news |title=Lathi charge, internet cut: How CJP's 'Chalo Sansad' March brought Delhi to a standstill |work=[[Hindustan Times]] |date=20 July 2026 |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/how-cjp-chalo-sansad-march-brought-delhi-to-a-standstill-lathi-charge-detentions-internet-snags-sonam-wangchuk-101784533037018.html|first1=Hemani|last1=Bhandari|first2=Priyanshu|last2=Priya|access-date=20 July 2026}}</ref><ref name=":92">{{Cite news |title=Tear gas, lathi charge: Police use force to disperse CJP protesters near Parliament House as chaos unfolds amid 'Chalo Sansad'|work=Deccan Herald|date=20 July 2026|url=https://www.deccanherald.com/india/tear-gas-lathi-charge-police-use-force-to-disperse-cjp-protesters-near-parliament-house-as-chaos-unfolds-amid-chalo-sansad-4080104}}</ref><ref name=":102">{{Cite news |title=Lathi charge, internet cut: How CJP's 'Chalo Sansad' March brought Delhi to a standstill|work=Hindustan Times|date=20 July 2026|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/how-cjp-chalo-sansad-march-brought-delhi-to-a-standstill-lathi-charge-detentions-internet-snags-sonam-wangchuk-101784533037018.html}}</ref><br />
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Security forces used tear gas and [[lathi charge]] against the protesters who were marching towards the Parliament by breaking police barricades.<ref name=":72" /><ref name=":82" /><ref name=":92" /><ref name=":102" /> Near Constitution Club, tear gas affected commuters at Central Secretariat metro station and a ''Wire'' reporter covering the protest.<ref>{{Cite web |title=As Images of Lathicharge, Tear Gas at Protesters Surface; Delhi Police Says No 'Sporadic Use of Violence' |url=https://thewire.in/government/police-lathicharges-thousands-fires-tear-gas-at-protesters-including-minors|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260720234735/https://thewire.in/government/police-lathicharges-thousands-fires-tear-gas-at-protesters-including-minors|archive-date=20 July 2026|access-date=20 July 2026|website=The Wire|language=en-US}}</ref><br />
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Students and eyewitnesses said that authorities used excessive force, including beating demonstrators,<ref name="auto">{{Cite news |title=Students beaten, paper leak culprits roaming free: Rahul Gandhi calls PM Modi 'most youth-hostile PM'|work=India Today|date=20 July 2026|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/students-beaten-paper-leak-culprits-roaming-free-rahul-gandhi-calls-pm-modi-most-youth-hostile-pm-2952141-2026-07-20}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |title=Police attack Cockroach activists as thousands march on Indian Parliament|work=Al Jazeera|date=20 July 2026|url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2026/7/20/police-attack-cockroach-activists-as-thousands-march-on-indian-parliament}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Video of police beating protesters|website=X|url=https://x.com/ViralDecoder/status/2079227176055152886}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Video footage|website=YouTube|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D9kCEsVQq2E}}</ref> dragging students along the streets,<ref>{{Cite news |title='Students raising valid issues were dragged, beaten': Rahul Gandhi's first reaction on CJP march|work=Hindustan Times|date=20 July 2026|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/students-raising-valid-issues-were-dragged-beaten-rahul-gandhis-first-reaction-on-cjp-march-101784552315384.html}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Video of protesters being dragged|website=X|url=https://x.com/diplomattimes/status/2079258288798232635}}</ref> detaining students and children in police buses,<ref>{{Cite news |title=Clashes, tear gas thwart students' march to Parliament; several injured, detained|work=ThePrint|date=20 July 2026|url=https://theprint.in/india/clashes-tear-gas-thwart-students-march-to-parliament-several-injured-detained/2991284/}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Video of detainees being taken in police buses|website=X|url=https://x.com/TyrantOppressor/status/2079092607502954810}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Video of detentions|website=X|url=https://x.com/TyrantOppressor/status/2079143362511466590}}</ref> and using electrified barricades that protesters said delivered electric shocks.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Video showing electrified barricades|website=X|url=https://x.com/Kumarjyoti49291/status/2079199366217453738}}</ref> The CJP claimed, based on social media visuals, that security forces took firing positions with machine guns aimed at the Parliament gates.<ref name=":62" /> ''The South First'' reported that visuals showed protesters bleeding from injuries to their head and upper body.<ref name=":62" /> [[Gurdwara Bangla Sahib]] became a refuge for several such students and protesters fleeing batons and teargas.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Sons injured during CJP's Parliament march, a mother breaks down: 'Attack on country's children'|work=The Indian Express|date=21 July 2026|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/delhi/delhi-cjp-protest-students-injured-police-lathicharge-sonam-wangchuk-10795724}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |title=Gurdwara Bangla Sahib shelters injured protesters, stranded commuters in Delhi|work=The Tribune|date=21 July 2026|url=https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/india/gurdwara-bangla-sahib-shelters-injured-stranded}}</ref><br />
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The police action drew widespread criticism from public figures and several opposition leaders, including [[Shashi Tharoor]], [[Rahul Gandhi]], and [[Arvind Kejriwal]]. Tharoor questioned the use of force, asking, "When a non-violent protest is taking place, what is the reason for a lathi charge?". <ref>{{Cite news |title=Parliament cannot be notice board: Tharoor hits out at Centre for denying debate on burning issues|work=The New Indian Express|date=20 July 2026|url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/india/2026/Jul/20/parliament-cannot-be-notice-board-tharoor-hits-out-at-centre-for-denying-debate-on-burning-issues}}</ref><ref name="auto"/><br />
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Delhi Police rejected the allegations, stating that it had engaged in maintaining public order in a professional manner and denied reports of any violence or detentions during the protest.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Delhi Police denies 'violence' claims amid CJP's 'Chalo Sansad' march|work=The Times of India|date=20 July 2026|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/delhi/delhi-police-denies-violence-claims-amid-cjps-chalo-sansad-march/articleshow/132508268.cms}}</ref><br />
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=== Police intimidation ===<br />
The handling of the protests by Delhi Police became a subject of dispute. Police stated that permission for the demonstration on 20 June 2026 had been granted only until 5 P.M., but organisers continued the sit-in beyond the permitted time, saying they would remain until their demands were addressed.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Sharma|first=Saurabh|date=14 July 2026|title=Indian activist urged to give up hunger strike over exam leaks|url=https://www.reuters.com/world/india/indian-activist-urged-give-up-hunger-strike-over-exam-leaks-2026-07-14/|website=[[Reuters]]}}</ref><br />
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On 20 July, Delhi Police used lathis to disperse hundreds of protesters marching from Mandi House Metro Station to Jantar Mantar, intending to reach the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) protest site, as reported by an eyewitness to PTI.<ref>{{Cite web |title=CJP 'Chalo Sansad' {{!}} Lathi-charge reported as 'cockroaches' march towards Jantar Mantar; Delhi Police say 'no such incident' |url=https://www.deccanherald.com/india/delhi/cjp-chalo-sansad-lathi-charge-reported-as-cockroaches-march-towards-jantar-mantar-delhi-police-say-no-such-incident-4079985 |access-date=2026-07-21 |website=Deccan Herald |language=en}}</ref><br />
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The police response also attracted legal scrutiny. In July 2026, a [[public interest litigation]] was filed before the Delhi High Court alleging that Delhi Police had subjected protesters to continuous photography, videography, and surveillance, creating what the petition called an "atmosphere of intimidation" and infringing their rights to privacy and peaceful assembly. The matter was admitted for hearing.<ref name=":22">{{Cite news |date=15 July 2026|title='Atmosphere of intimidation': PIL in Delhi high court questions continuous surveillance of Jantar Mantar protesters|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/delhi/atmosphere-of-intimidation-pil-in-delhi-high-court-questions-continuous-surveillance-of-jantar-mantar-protesters/articleshow/132419094.cms|access-date=17 July 2026|work=[[The Times of India]]|issn=0971-8257}}</ref><br />
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== Violence and resistance ==<br />
{{Expand section|date=July 2026}}<br />
Around 11:25 am, protesters tried pushing through barricades in the high-security zone, leading to a scuffle in which both protesters and police sustained minor injuries. As numbers grew, police fired tear gas and used [[Lathi charge|lathi charges]] to disperse the crowd, with some protesters seen bleeding from head and upper-body injuries. When protesters tried breaking through the final barricades on [[Sansad Marg]], police used their sticks "irrespective of gender", while some demonstrators tried and failed to escape through an [[LIC Housing Finance|LIC]] building gate.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Chanda |first=Riju |date=2026-07-20 |title=Miscommunication causes chaos, but lathi charge, rain fail to break spirits of young protesters as traffic comes to grinding halt |url=https://www.theweek.in/news/india/2026/07/20/sansad-chalo-march-cjp-jantar-mantar.html |access-date=2026-07-20 |website=[[The Week]] |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Team |first=N. L. |date=2026-07-20 |title=Under shadow of lathis and barricades: The day the Modi govt finally engaged the CJP |url=https://www.newslaundry.com/2026/07/20/under-shadow-of-lathis-and-barricades-the-day-the-modi-govt-finally-engaged-the-cjp |access-date=2026-07-20 |website=[[Newslaundry]] |language=en}}</ref><br />
[[File:Police Vehicles Destroyed By Protester.jpg|thumb|Police vehicles destroyed by protesters]]<br />
[[File:Protester With Sword.jpg|thumb|Protester With Sword]]<br />
[[File:Police Fire Tear Gas.jpg|thumb|Police Fire Tear Gas]]<br />
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Around 11:25 am, protesters attempted to push through barricades in the high-security zone near Parliament Street, Patel Chowk and Rail Bhawan. According to Delhi Police, protesters displayed unruly, aggressive and violent behaviour, breached barricades, pelted stones and other objects at security personnel, vandalised police and government vehicles, and damaged public property. Police responded with lathi charges and tear gas. Videos and reports documented stone-pelting by demonstrators.<ref>{{Cite news |date=20 July 2026 |title=Over 70 detained; police claim 118 personnel hurt |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/delhi/over-70-detained-police-claim-118-personnel-hurt/articleshow/132522189.cms |work=The Times of India}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=21 July 2026 |title=CJP protest turns violent, over 50 security personnel injured in stone-pelting |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/programme/newstrack/video/cjp-protest-turns-violent-over-50-security-personnel-injured-in-stone-pelting-2952416-2026-07-20 |website=India Today}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |title=Stone-Pelting & Scuffles: Cops Bleed As CJP Protest Turns Violent |url=https://www.republicworld.com/india/chaos-near-parliament-cjp-protest-turns-violent-leaves-cops-injured-2026-07-20-132909 |work=Republic}}</ref><br />
Delhi Police reported approximately 180 people injured, including 118 security and police personnel and around 60 protesters. Hospital records at Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital noted dozens of medico-legal cases. CJP claimed higher protester injuries and alleged excessive force, including against women and minors. [[Gurdwara Bangla Sahib]] provided refuge to injured individuals.<ref name="reuters">{{Cite news |date=21 July 2026 |title=India youth group says protest continue after Delhi clashes injure 180 |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/india/india-youth-group-says-protest-continue-after-delhi-clashes-injure-180-2026-07-21/ |work=Reuters}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Avinash Prabhakar and Bhaskar Hari Sharma|date=21 July 2026|title=CJP's Chalo Sansad March Turns Violent Prompting Police Action|url=https://www.deccanchronicle.com/nation/crime/cjps-chalo-sansad-march-turns-violent-prompting-police-action-1972600|work=Deccan Chronicle}}</ref><br />
Delhi Police registered at least 10 FIRs across New Delhi district stations under sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita relating to obstruction of public servants, assault or criminal force against public servants, disobedience of orders, the Arms Act and the Prevention of Damage to Public Property Act. Allegations included stone-pelting, vandalism, flying a drone without permission, and conspiracy to incite violence. Over 250 videos were examined.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2026 |title=Delhi Police registers 10 FIRs related to Cockroach Janta Party protests |url=https://thenewsmill.com/2026/07/delhi-police-registers-10-firs-related-to-cockroach-janta-party-protests/ |website=The News Mill}}</ref><br />
CJP representatives Ashutosh Ranka and Saurav Das met Union Health Minister [[J. P. Nadda]] and raised demands including Wangchuk's release, Pradhan's resignation, and compensation for families of deceased NEET aspirants. CJP later claimed the government had agreed in principle to talks; this was not officially confirmed. On 21 July, protesters reclaimed and rebuilt the Jantar Mantar stage after it had been dismantled.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Deshpande|first=Anagha|date=20 July 2026|title=Who called whom? JP Nadda, CJP leaders differ on how the talks happened|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/who-called-whom-jp-nadda-cjp-leaders-differ-on-how-the-talks-happened-101784553085407.html|website=Hindustan Times}}</ref><br />
Some publications alleged that the mobilisation followed patterns seen in earlier protests involving figures linked to the 2020 Delhi riots, and claimed presence of individuals associated with previous anti-CAA or other agitations, as well as foreign-funded NGOs or activists. These claims included references to funding networks involving Ford Foundation and George Soros, and the spotting of certain civil society figures at the site. Mainstream reporting focused primarily on the clashes and competing claims of responsibility for violence rather than confirming organised foreign or separatist infiltration.<ref>{{Cite web |date=20 July 2026 |title=Explained: Cockroach Janta Party is setting the stage for violence with their 'Parliament march' |url=https://www.opindia.com/2026/07/cockroach-janta-party-parliament-march-setup-for-violence-sonam-wangchuk-abhijeet-dipke-delhi-riot-playbook-explained/ |website=OpIndia}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=20 July 2026 |title=Anti-India nexus of CJP... |url=https://organiser.org/2026/07/20/370758/bharat/anti-india-nexus-of-cjp-anjali-bharadwaj-shabana-azmi-funded-by-ford-soros-deep-state-spotted-at-delhi-protest/amp/ |website=Organiser}}</ref><br />
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== Reactions ==<br />
Opposition leaders expressed support for the protesters and for Wangchuk's hunger strike. [[Samajwadi Party]] president [[Akhilesh Yadav]] appealed to Wangchuk to end his fast, describing his life as "invaluable", while backing the demand for greater accountability in the education system.<ref name="aljazeera2">{{Cite web |date=14 July 2026|title=Indian activist Wangchuk urged to end hunger strike over exam paper leaks|url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2026/7/14/indian-activist-wangchuk-urged-to-end-hunger-strike-over-exam-paper-leaks|access-date=17 July 2026|website=[[Al Jazeera]]|agency=[[Reuters]]|language=en|archive-date=16 July 2026|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260716205531/https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2026/7/14/indian-activist-wangchuk-urged-to-end-hunger-strike-over-exam-paper-leaks|url-status=live}}</ref><br />
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[[Rahul Gandhi]] characterised Modi as India's most 'anti-youth Prime Minister'. "Tear-gassing students, lathi-charging students is not democratic...They have legitimate demands. The Prime Minister should accept these demands and do something about it," stated Gandhi. The Congress party condemned the police action against protesters attempting to march to Parliament on the opening day of the monsoon session. Additionally, it emphasised that concerns regarding paper leaks had been raised by the party prior to the current agitation led by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP).<ref>{{Cite news |last=Phukan |first=Sandeep |date=2026-07-20 |title=Modi is India's most 'anti-youth PM', says Rahul Gandhi |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/rahul-gandhi-calls-narendra-modi-most-anti-youth-pm-in-indias-history/article71245456.ece |access-date=2026-07-21 |work=The Hindu |language=en-IN |issn=0971-751X}}</ref><br />
<br />
On 28 June, [[Nationalist Congress Party (Sharadchandra Pawar)|NCP (SP)]] national spokesperson [[Anish Gawande]] joined the protest at Jantar Mantar and reiterated the demand for Pradhan's resignation. Gawande claimed that several opposition parties, including the [[All India Trinamool Congress|Trinamool Congress]], the [[Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam]], and the NCP (SP), had extended support to the agitation.<ref>{{Cite web |date=28 June 2026|title=CJP protest in Delhi LIVE: Being forced to sit here in heat, wish govt had shown sensitivity, says Sonam Wangchuk|url=https://www.tribuneindia.com/live-blog/delhi/cjp-protest-in-delhi-live-wangchuk-to-begin-indefinite-hunger-strike-at-jantar-mantar/|access-date=17 July 2026|website=[[The Tribune (India)|The Tribune]]|language=en|archive-date=29 June 2026|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260629014449/https://www.tribuneindia.com/live-blog/delhi/cjp-protest-in-delhi-live-wangchuk-to-begin-indefinite-hunger-strike-at-jantar-mantar/|url-status=live}}</ref><br />
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On 16 July, former Delhi Chief Minister [[Arvind Kejriwal]] joined the protest at Jantar Mantar, sought Pradhan's removal, and suggested that Wangchuk be made education minister.<ref name="toikejriwal2">{{Cite news |date=16 July 2026|title='Make Sonam Wangchuk education minister': Arvind Kejriwal joins Jantar Mantar protest, seeks Dharmendra Pradhan's ouster|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/make-sonam-wangchuk-education-minister-arvind-kejriwal-joins-jantar-mantar-protest-seeks-dharmendra-pradhans-ouster/articleshow/132440920.cms|access-date=17 July 2026|work=[[The Times of India]]|issn=0971-8257|archive-date=17 July 2026|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260717054423/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/make-sonam-wangchuk-education-minister-arvind-kejriwal-joins-jantar-mantar-protest-seeks-dharmendra-pradhans-ouster/articleshow/132440920.cms|url-status=live}}</ref><br />
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During his hunger strike, Wangchuk said the movement had "no political colour" and described its demands as an appeal for accountability and reform in the education system rather than merely the resignation of the education minister.<ref name=":02">{{Cite web |date=14 July 2026|title=Sonam Wangchuk to Express: CJP protest has no political colour, PM should be sensitive|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/political-pulse/sonam-wangchuk-interview-hunger-strike-cockroach-janta-party-protest-education-neet-10785080/|access-date=17 July 2026|website=[[The Indian Express]]|language=en|last=Dwivedi|first=Saurabh|archive-date=15 July 2026|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260715090621/https://indianexpress.com/article/political-pulse/sonam-wangchuk-interview-hunger-strike-cockroach-janta-party-protest-education-neet-10785080/|url-status=live}}</ref><br />
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The Union government and the Ministry of Education did not immediately issue a formal response to the demands of the protesters or to Wangchuk's hunger strike.<ref name="aljazeera">{{Cite web |date=14 July 2026 |title=Indian activist Wangchuk urged to end hunger strike over exam paper leaks |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2026/7/14/indian-activist-wangchuk-urged-to-end-hunger-strike-over-exam-paper-leaks |access-date=17 July 2026 |website=[[Al Jazeera]] |agency=[[Reuters]] |language=en |archive-date=16 July 2026 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260716205531/https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2026/7/14/indian-activist-wangchuk-urged-to-end-hunger-strike-over-exam-paper-leaks |url-status=live }}</ref><br />
<br />
* CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke, along with spokespersons Saurav Das, Ashutosh Ranka, and climate activist [[Sonam Wangchuk]]'s wife Gitanjali Angmo, continued a sit-in outside [[Kerala House, New Delhi|Kerala House]] after police had removed them from Jantar Mantar.<ref name="auto1">{{Cite news |date=21 July 2026 |title=Centre blinks as CJP protest turns massive |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/india/2026/Jul/21/centre-blinks-as-cjp-protest-turns-massive |access-date=2026-07-22 |website=The New Indian Express}}</ref><br />
* [[Sonam Wangchuk]] wrote an open letter stating he would continue his fast in protest against the police action against demonstrators, on the 24th day of his hunger strike.<ref name="auto1"/><br />
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The police action drew widespread criticism from public figures and several opposition leaders, including [[Shashi Tharoor]], [[Rahul Gandhi]], and [[Arvind Kejriwal]]. Tharoor questioned the use of force, asking, "When a non-violent protest is taking place, what is the reason for a lathi charge?".<ref>{{Cite news |date=20 July 2026 |title=Parliament cannot be notice board: Tharoor hits out at Centre for denying debate on burning issues |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/india/2026/Jul/20/parliament-cannot-be-notice-board-tharoor-hits-out-at-centre-for-denying-debate-on-burning-issues |work=The New Indian Express}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=20 July 2026 |title=Students beaten, paper leak culprits roaming free: Rahul Gandhi calls PM Modi 'most youth-hostile PM' |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/students-beaten-paper-leak-culprits-roaming-free-rahul-gandhi-calls-pm-modi-most-youth-hostile-pm-2952141-2026-07-20 |work=India Today}}</ref> On the other hand, MPs [[Kangana Ranaut]] and [[Hema Malini]] criticised the protests, questioning their objective.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2026-07-20 |title=You cannot arm-twist government: Kangana Ranaut reacts to CJP protest |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/movies/celebrities/story/kangana-ranaut-slams-opposition-disruption-cjp-protest-lok-sabha-monsoon-session-arm-twist-government-2951981-2026-07-20 |access-date=2026-07-20 |website=[[India Today]] |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=2026-07-20 |title=Hema Malini says ‘Protest karne se toh kuch kaam nahi hoga’, refuses to comment on Dharmendra Pradhan resignation demand amid CJP protests near Parliament |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news/hema-malini-says-protest-karne-se-toh-kuch-kaam-nahi-hoga-refuses-to-comment-on-dharmendra-pradhan-resignation-demand-amid-cjp-protests-near-parliament/articleshow/132519082.cms |access-date=2026-07-20 |work=[[The Times of India]] |issn=0971-8257}}</ref> Abhijeet Dipke's absence from the protest was also criticised. A protestor alleged that Dipke and the organisers were hiding behind, while students who had come out for the first time were left to face the police.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2026-07-20 |title=How Abhijeet Dipke pulls a Houdini, each time, every time |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/abhijeet-dipke-cjp-protest-key-moments-wangchuk-sansad-chalo-jp-nadda-demands-pradhan-2952032-2026-07-20 |access-date=2026-07-21 |website=India Today |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Gupta |first=Shobhit |date=July 21, 2026 |title=Internal Rift In CJP? Dissenter Alleges Women Were Pushed To Protest Frontlines By Abhijeet Dipke |url=https://www.news18.com/india/internal-rift-in-cjp-dissenter-alleges-women-were-pushed-to-protest-frontlines-by-abhijeet-dipke-ws-l-10225281.html |access-date=July 21, 2026 |website=[[News18]]}}</ref><br />
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Opposition leaders including [[Rahul Gandhi]], [[Arvind Kejriwal]], [[Akhilesh Yadav]] and others expressed support for the protesters' demands and criticised police action. Gandhi described Modi as the most anti-youth Prime Minister and condemned the use of force. Some BJP leaders and MPs, including [[Kangana Ranaut]] and [[Hema Malini]], questioned the protests' objectives and methods.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Phukan |first=Sandeep |date=2026-07-20 |title=Modi is India's most 'anti-youth PM', says Rahul Gandhi |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/rahul-gandhi-calls-narendra-modi-most-anti-youth-pm-in-indias-history/article71245456.ece |work=The Hindu}}</ref><br />
Wangchuk maintained that the movement had no political colour and focused on accountability in the education system. The Union government did not issue an immediate formal response to the core demands.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |date=14 July 2026 |title=Sonam Wangchuk to Express: CJP protest has no political colour, PM should be sensitive |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/political-pulse/sonam-wangchuk-interview-hunger-strike-cockroach-janta-party-protest-education-neet-10785080/ |website=[[The Indian Express]] |last=Dwivedi |first=Saurabh}}</ref><br />
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== See also ==<br />
* [[Citizenship Amendment Act protests]]<br />
* [[List of Indian student organisations]]<br />
* [[2026 NEET controversy]]<br />
* [[2026 CBSE On-Screen Marking controversy]]<br />
* [[Cockroach Janta Party]]<br />
* [[Citizenship Amendment Act protests]]<br />
* [[List of Indian student organisations]]<br />
* [[2026 NEET controversy]]<br />
* [[2026 CBSE On-Screen Marking controversy]]<br />
* [[Cockroach Janta Party]]<br />
* [[Citizenship Amendment Act protests]]<br />
* [[List of Indian student organisations]]<br />
<br />
== References ==<br />
{{Reflist}}<br />
{{Subject bar |portal1=India |portal2=Politics}}<br />
<br />
[[Category:2026 in Indian politics]]<br />
[[Category:2026 in New Delhi]]<br />
[[Category:2026 protests]]<br />
[[Category:Gen Z protests in Asia]]<br />
[[Category:July 2026 in India]]<br />
[[Category:June 2026 in India]]<br />
[[Category:Protests against the premiership of Narendra Modi]]<br />
[[Category:Protests in India]]<br />
[[Category:Student protests in India]]<br />
[[Category:Protest marches in India]]</div>BellaCHhttps://en.bharatpedia.org/w/index.php?title=Abhijeet_Dipke&diff=552362Abhijeet Dipke2026-07-22T16:59:00Z<p>BellaCH: Deleted tweet screenshot</p>
<hr />
<div>{{Short description|Indian political communication strategist (born 1995)}}<br />
{{Use Indian English|date=May 2026}}<br />
{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2026}}<br />
{{Infobox person<br />
| name = Abhijeet Dipke<br />
| image = Abhijeet-dipke.jpg<br />
| alt = <br />
| caption = <br />
| birth_name = <br />
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|df=yes|1995|9|29}}<ref name="lokmat">{{cite web |title=Despite his viral success, Abhijeet's parents worry about his entry into politics |url=https://www.lokmattimes.com/aurangabad/despite-his-viral-success-abhijeets-parents-worry-about-his-entry-into-politics/ |website=Lokmat Times |date=20 May 2026 |access-date=22 May 2026}}</ref><br />
| birth_place = [[Aurangabad, Maharashtra]], India<ref name="tribune">{{cite web |title=Abhijeet Dipke — The 30-year-old behind Cockroach Janta Party's viral rise |url=https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/trending/abhijeet-dipke-the-30-yr-old-behind-cockroach-janta-partys-viral-rise/ |website=The Tribune |date=20 May 2026 |access-date=22 May 2026}}</ref><br />
| death_date = <br />
| death_place = <br />
| other_names = <br />
| occupation = Political communication strategist<ref name="ndtv">{{cite web |title=Who Is Abhijeet Dipke, Founder Of Online Sensation Cockroach Janta Party |url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/cockroach-janta-party-who-is-abhijeet-dipke-founder-of-online-sensation-cockroach-janta-party-11531319 |website=NDTV |date=21 May 2026 |access-date=22 May 2026}}</ref><br />
| years_active = 2020–present<br />
| known_for = Founder of the [[Cockroach Janta Party]]<ref name="statesman">{{cite web |title=Cockroach Janata Party's X (Twitter) account withheld in India |url=https://www.thestatesman.com/india/cockroach-janata-party-x-twitter-account-withheld-india-abhijeet-dipke-instagram-hacking-1503596491.html |website=The Statesman |date=20 May 2026 |access-date=22 May 2026}}</ref><br />
| notable_works = <br />
| alma_mater = [[Boston University]] ([[MSc]])<ref name="etvbharat">{{cite web |title=Explained: Who Is Abhijeet Dipke, The Man Behind India's Most Unexpectedly Viral Political Satire? |url=https://www.etvbharat.com/en/lifestyle/abhijeet-dipke-started-cockroach-janata-party-cjp-enn26052101475 |website=ETV Bharat |date=20 May 2026 |access-date=22 May 2026}}</ref><br />
| website = <br />
}}<br />
<br />
'''Abhijeet Dipke''' (born 29 September 1995) is an Indian political communication strategist and the founder of the [[Cockroach Janta Party]] (CJP),<ref>{{Cite web |last=Jain |first=Sanya |date=2026-05-21 |title=Who is Abhijeet Dipke, the Boston-educated founder of Cockroach Janata Party? |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/trending/who-is-abhijeet-dipke-the-boston-educated-founder-of-cockroach-janata-party-101779346291274.html |access-date=2026-05-24 |website=[[Hindustan Times]] |language=en}}</ref> a satirical political movement that started in May 2026 after remarks made by [[Chief Justice of India]] [[Surya Kant]].<ref name="bbc">{{cite web |title=India has a new political superstar - a cockroach |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cz72y11jjq1o |website=BBC News |date=20 May 2026 |access-date=22 May 2026}}</ref><ref name="aljazeera">{{cite web |title='Cockroach Janta Party': Top Indian judge's comment sparks satire, protest |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/features/2026/5/20/cockroach-janata-party-top-indian-judges-comment-sparks-satire-protest |website=Al Jazeera |date=20 May 2026 |access-date=22 May 2026}}</ref><ref name="ndtv"/><br />
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== Early life and education ==<br />
<br />
Abhijeet Dipke was born on 29 September 1995 in [[Aurangabad, Maharashtra|Aurangabad]] (now Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar), Maharashtra.<ref name="lokmat"/><ref name="tribune"/> His father Bhagwanrao Dipke is a retired engineer from MIDC, and his mother Anita Dipke is a homemaker.<ref name="lokmat"/> He completed his primary education in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar and later studied at S.B. College.<ref name="lokmat"/><br />
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Dipke earned a bachelor's degree in Journalism in [[Pune]].<ref name="ndtv"/><ref name="tribune"/> His father had initially secured his admission in engineering through management quota, but Dipke did not appear for the first-year exams and later shifted to mass media.<ref name="lokmat"/> He then moved to the [[United States]] and completed a Master of Science in Public Relations from [[Boston University]].<ref name="etvbharat"/><ref name="bbc"/><br />
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== Career ==<br />
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=== Work with Aam Aadmi Party ===<br />
[[File:Abhijeet Dipke with Manish Sisodia.jpg|thumb|Abhijeet Dipke with Manish Sisodia]]<br />
Between 2020 and 2023, Dipke worked as a volunteer with the [[Aam Aadmi Party]] (AAP) social media team.<ref name="ndtv"/><ref name="tribune"/> During the [[2020 Delhi Legislative Assembly election]], which AAP won under [[Arvind Kejriwal]]'s leadership, he made meme-based digital content aimed at young voters.<ref name="ndtv"/><ref name="etvbharat"/> He also served as a communication advisor for the Delhi government's education department.<ref name="timesnow">{{cite web |title=Who Is Abhijeet Dipke: कोण आहेत 'कॉक्रोच जनता पार्टी'चे संस्थापक? |url=https://marathi.timesnownews.com/news/who-is-abhijeet-dipke-man-behind-cockroach-janta-party-overpassing-bjp-on-instagram-gen-z-digital-movement-article-154366512 |website=Times Now Marathi |date=20 May 2026 |access-date=22 May 2026}}</ref> He left AAP in 2023 to study abroad.<ref name="etvbharat"/><br />
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=== Cockroach Janta Party ===<br />
{{Main|Cockroach Janta Party}}<br />
On 15 May 2026, Chief Justice Surya Kant said during a [[Supreme Court of India|Supreme Court]] hearing: "There are youngsters like cockroaches, who do not get any employment or have any place in a profession. Some of them become media, some become social media, [[Right to Information Act, 2005|RTI]] activists, and they start attacking everyone."<ref name="aljazeera"/><ref name="statesman"/> The next day, Dipke posted on [[X (social network)|X]]: "What if all cockroaches come together?"<ref name="aljazeera"/> He then created the Cockroach Janta Party as a satirical online group, setting up a website and a Google Form for membership.<ref name="statesman"/><ref name="timesnow"/><br />
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Within days, the party had over 350,000 registered members.<ref name="aljazeera"/> By 21 May 2026, the CJP's Instagram account had crossed 19 million followers, more than any other political party in India.<ref name="ndtv"/><ref name="tribuneindia">{{cite web |title=Cockroach Janta Party founder Dipke's parents averse to son's 'pursuit of politics' |url=https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/india/cockroach-janta-party-founder-dipkes-parents-averse-to-sons-pursuit-of-politics/ |website=The Tribune |date=21 May 2026 |access-date=22 May 2026}}</ref> The party's X account, which had over 200,000 followers, was later withheld in India "in response to a legal demand."<ref name="statesman"/><ref name="bbc"/> Dipke responded to this on X, calling it an "own goal."<ref name="statesman"/><br />
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Dipke also claimed that attempts were made to hack the party's Instagram account. In a video message, he said: "Many attempts are being made to hack our account. I find it funny that these cowards are targeting young 20-21-year-old students."<ref name="statesman"/><br />
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In an interview with ''India Today'', Dipke said: "Someone who is there to safeguard our freedom of expression is comparing us with cockroaches and parasites for just putting up our opinion."<ref name="indiatoday">{{cite web |title=Meet the man behind Cockroach Janta Party |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/video/meet-the-man-behind-the-cockroach-janta-party-2914598-2026-05-20 |website=India Today |date=20 May 2026 |access-date=22 May 2026}}</ref><br />
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In an interview with ''Al Jazeera'', Dipke explained why he picked the cockroach as a symbol: "Those in power think citizens are cockroaches and parasites. They should know that cockroaches breed in rotten places. That's what India is today."<ref name="aljazeera"/><br />
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=== Parents' concerns ===<br />
<br />
Following the rapid rise of the Cockroach Janta Party, Dipke's parents expressed concerns about his entry into politics. His mother Anita Dipke told a Marathi news channel that they had lost sleep after learning about his move. His father Bhagwanrao said he wanted his son to take up a job in Pune or Delhi instead of entering politics.<ref name="tribuneindia"/><ref name="lokmat"/> His mother also stated: "He has been rebellious since childhood. Once he decides something, he goes ahead and does it. That is what worries us the most."<ref name="lokmat"/><br />
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== Political positions ==<br />
<br />
Dipke has called the Cockroach Janta Party a "platform" for young Indians who feel left out of mainstream politics.<ref name="bbc"/> The party's manifesto includes demands for a ban on post-retirement Rajya Sabha seats for Chief Justices, 50 per cent reservation for women in Parliament and Cabinet, and cancellation of licenses for media houses owned by the [[Adani Group]] and [[Reliance Industries]].<ref name="aljazeera"/><br />
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== Legal proceedings ==<br />
<br />
In May 2026, Dipke filed a petition before the Delhi High Court challenging the Central Government's order directing X to withhold access to the Cockroach Janta Party's account under Section 69A of the Information Technology Act. The petition argued that the blocking order was unlawful and sought restoration of the account. The Delhi High Court issued notice on the plea and directed the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology's Review Committee to examine the blocking order, while declining to grant interim relief.<ref name="quint">{{cite news |last=Varma |first=Aishwarya |title=Founded in Satire, Attacked by Lies: Debunking the Narratives Targeting CJP |url=https://www.thequint.com/news/webqoof/cockroach-janta-party-narratives-misinformation-protests |work=The Quint |date=12 June 2026 |access-date=2026-07-22}}</ref><ref name="livelaw">{{cite web |title=Delhi High Court Directs MeiTY's Review Committee To Examine Abhijeet Dipke's Plea For Unblocking Cockroach Janta Party's X Account |url=https://www.livelaw.in/high-court/delhi-high-court/delhi-high-court-issues-notice-on-abhijeet-dipkes-plea-against-blocking-of-cockroach-janta-partys-x-account-536099 |work=Live Law |date=29 May 2026 |access-date=2026-07-22}}</ref><br />
<br />
Separately, a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) was filed before the Allahabad High Court by Karnataka BJP worker S. Vignesh Shishir seeking an investigation by agencies including the National Investigation Agency and Enforcement Directorate into Dipke and the Cockroach Janta Party. The petition alleged that the organisation was conducting an "engineered digital campaign" affecting public order and sought the blocking of its social media accounts. The petition also requested investigations under several security-related laws. The allegations reflected the petitioner's claims and had not been adjudicated by the court.<ref name="siasat">{{cite news |title=Plea in HC claims Cockroach Janta Party founder waging war against Centre |url=https://www.siasat.com/plea-in-hc-claims-cockroach-janta-party-founder-waging-war-against-centre-3479130/ |work=The Siasat Daily |date=29 May 2026 |access-date=2026-07-22}}</ref><ref name="lawchakra">{{cite news |title=Existential Threat To India's Stability: Plea In Allahabad High Court Seeks Action Against Cockroach Janta Party Founder Abhijeet Dipke |url=https://lawchakra.in/high-court/cockroach-janta-party-abhijeet-dipke/ |work=Law Chakra |date=1 June 2026 |access-date=2026-07-22}}</ref><br />
<br />
=== 2019 complaint ===<br />
[[File:Abhijeet Dipke Tweets on Kashmir.jpg|thumb|Screenshot of a tweet posted by Abhijeet Dipke on 5 August 2019 regarding Kashmir and Article 370. The tweet was later deleted from his X (formerly Twitter) account.]]<br />
<br />
In August 2019, the Legal Rights Observatory (LRO), a legal advocacy organisation, submitted a complaint to Pune Police against Abhijeet Dipke over a series of social media posts published following the Government of India's decision to abrogate Article 370, which revoked the special status of Jammu and Kashmir. The complaint alleged that Dipke's posts promoted narratives sympathetic to Kashmiri separatists and sought legal action under various provisions of Indian law. It requested that Pune Police register a criminal case and investigate the matter.<ref name="statesman"/><ref name="jaipur"/><br />
<br />
The complaint cited several posts in which Dipke commented on the situation in Jammu and Kashmir following the constitutional changes. It alleged that the posts spread misinformation, encouraged separatist sentiment, and were prejudicial to India's sovereignty and integrity. It further sought investigation under provisions of the Indian Penal Code and other laws relating to national security.<ref name="jaipur"/> One of the posts referenced in the complaint was a tweet published by Dipke on 5 August 2019 stating, ''"Need to stand with #Kashmir. Today its Kashmir, tomorrow it can be your state."'' The tweet was later deleted from his X (formerly Twitter) account.<ref name="statesman"/><br />
<br />
In interviews given in 2026, Vinay Joshi of the Legal Rights Observatory stated that despite repeated follow-ups with Pune Police over several years, he was not aware of any FIR having been registered in connection with the complaint. ''The Statesman'' reported that it contacted Dipke for comment but had not received a response.<ref name="statesman"/><br />
<br />
== References ==<br />
<br />
{{reflist}}<br />
<br />
== External links ==<br />
<br />
* {{Twitter|abhijeet_dipke|Abhijeet Dipke}}<br />
<br />
[[Category:Living people]]<br />
[[Category:1995 births]]<br />
[[Category:21st-century Indian politicians]]<br />
[[Category:Boston University College of Communication alumni]]<br />
[[Category:Indian expatriates in the United States]]<br />
[[Category:People from Aurangabad]]<br />
[[Category:Politicians from Marathwada]]<br />
[[Category:Political consultants]]</div>BellaCHhttps://en.bharatpedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Abhijeet_Dipke_Tweets_on_Kashmir.jpg&diff=552361File:Abhijeet Dipke Tweets on Kashmir.jpg2026-07-22T16:54:35Z<p>BellaCH: Screenshot of a tweet posted by Abhijeet Dipke on 5 August 2019 regarding Kashmir and Article 370. The tweet was later deleted from his X (formerly Twitter) account.</p>
<hr />
<div>== Summary ==<br />
Screenshot of a tweet posted by Abhijeet Dipke on 5 August 2019 regarding Kashmir and Article 370. The tweet was later deleted from his X (formerly Twitter) account.</div>BellaCHhttps://en.bharatpedia.org/w/index.php?title=2026_Delhi_Jantar_Mantar_protest&diff=5523582026 Delhi Jantar Mantar protest2026-07-22T12:58:57Z<p>BellaCH: 2026 Delhi Jantar Mantar protest</p>
<hr />
<div>{{Short description|Ongoing protests led by the Cockroach Janta Party in New Delhi}}<br />
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2026}}<br />
{{Use Indian English|date=July 2026}}<br />
{{Infobox civil conflict<br />
| name = 2026 Delhi Jantar Mantar protest<br />
| part_of = [[Gen Z protests]] and [[Gen Z protests in Asia]]<br />
| image = {{Multiple image<br />
| total_width = 300<br />
| perrow = 2<br />
| border = infobox<br />
| image1 = CJP Protestors holding Bhagat Singh posters.jpg<br />
| image2 = Abhijeet Dipke and Sonam Wangchuk.jpg<br />
| image3 = Sonam Wangchuk taken to hospital.webp<br />
| image4 = Protestors at Jantar Mantar.jpg<br />
}}<br />
| caption = '''From left to right, top to bottom''':{{Flatlist|<br />
* Protestors holding posters of [[Bhagat Singh]]<br />
* Abhijeet Dipke with [[Sonam Wangchuk]]<br />
* Wangchuk forcibly taken to hospital<br />
* Protestors protesting at Jantar Mantar<br />
}}<br />
| date = 6 June 2026 – present<br />
| causes = {{bulleted list<br />
| [[2026 NEET controversy|2026 NEET paper leak]]<br />
| [[2026 CBSE On-Screen Marking controversy|CBSE On-Screen Marking irregularities]]<br />
| Repeated lapses in public examination administration over the past 28 years, resulting in at least 345 paper leaks nationwide by Indian National Congress and BJP<br />
}}<br />
| goals = {{bulleted list<br />
| Resignation of Union Education Minister [[Dharmendra Pradhan]] <br />
| Reforms in the examination system<br />
}}<br />
| methods = [[Demonstration (political)|Demonstrations]], [[sit-in]]s, [[hunger strike]]s<br />
| status = Ongoing<br />
| side1 = [[Government of India]]{{bulleted list<br />
| [[Ministry of Education (India)|Union Ministry of Education]]<br />
| [[Delhi Police]]<br />
| [[Central Reserve Police Force|CRPF]]<br />
| [[Rapid Action Force]]<br />
| [[File:BJP_Flag.svg|25x25px]] [[Bharatiya Janata Party]]<br />
}}<br />
| side2 = {{bulleted list<br />
| [[File:Cockroach_Janta_Party_logo.svg|25x25px]] [[Cockroach Janta Party]]<br />
<br />
| [[File:AISF Flag.svg|25x25px]] [[All India Students' Federation]]<br />
| [[File:SFI-flag.svg|25x25px]] [[Students Federation of India]]<br />
| [[All India Students Association]]<br />
}}<br />
| lead_figures1 = * [[File:BJP_Flag.svg|25x25px]] [[Narendra Modi]]<br />
* [[File:BJP_Flag.svg|25x25px]] [[Amit Shah]]<br />
* [[File:BJP_Flag.svg|25x25px]] [[Dharmendra Pradhan]]<br />
| lead_figures2 = * [[Sonam Wangchuk]]<br />
* [[File:Cockroach_Janta_Party_logo.svg|25x25px]] [[Abhijeet Dipke]]<br />
* [[File:SFI-flag.svg|25x25px]] [[Adarsh M. Saji]]<br />
* [[Neha Bora]]<br />
* [[File:SFI-flag.svg|25x25px]] [[Aishe Ghosh]]<br />
<br />
| injuries = 118<br />
| injuries = Approximately 180 (118 security personnel and around 60 protesters, according to Delhi Police)<br />
| casualties = Multiple FIRs registered for violence, stone-pelting, vandalism and assault on public servants<br />
}}<br />
[[File:Dharmendra Pradhan with his daughter, Nimisha Pradhan, who completed a Master of Laws (LL.M.) degree at The Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy, Tufts University, in the United States.jpg|thumb|[[Dharmendra Pradhan]] with his daughter, Nimisha Pradhan, who completed a Master of Laws (LL.M.) degree at [[The Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy]], [[Tufts University]], in the [[United States]]]]<br />
Since 6 June 2026, the [[Cockroach Janta Party]] (CJP), an Indian youth-based [[Political satire|satirical political movement]] founded by [[Abhijeet Dipke]], has been holding a series of protests at [[Jantar Mantar, New Delhi|Jantar Mantar]] in [[New Delhi]] along with student organisations like [[Students Federation of India]], [[All India Students Association]] and [[All India Students Federation]].<ref name="bbc2">{{Cite web |date=1 July 2026 |title=Why India's cockroach protesters are still on the streets in over 40C heat |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cly0ey5y10qo |access-date=16 July 2026 |website=[[BBC News]] |language=en-GB|last=Pandey|first=Geeta}}</ref><ref name="ap">{{Cite web |date=11 June 2026 |title=India's viral Cockroach Party launches nationwide youth protests |url=https://apnews.com/article/india-cockroach-party-youth-protest-988e205b0859ac2c5fbc8af9ad4925af |access-date=11 June 2026 |website=[[AP News]] |language=en}}</ref> The protesters have demanded the resignation of Union Education Minister [[Dharmendra Pradhan]] over the [[2026 NEET controversy|2026 NEET paper leak]] and the [[2026 CBSE On-Screen Marking controversy|CBSE On-Screen Marking irregularities]], along with broader reforms in the conduct of public examinations.<ref name="etv">{{Cite web |date=15 June 2026 |title=CJP Demands Education Minister's Resignation in Bengaluru Protest Over National Exam Irregularities |url=https://www.etvbharat.com/en/state/cjp-demands-education-ministers-resignation-in-bengaluru-protest-over-national-exam-irregularities-enn26061500191 |access-date=15 June 2026 |website=[[ETV Bharat]] |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite news<br />
|title=India news: Cockroach Party warns of protest infiltrators<br />
|url=https://www.dw.com/en/india-news-cockroach-party-warns-of-protest-infiltrators/live-78015662<br />
|work=Deutsche Welle<br />
|publisher=Deutsche Welle<br />
|language=en<br />
|access-date=20 July 2026<br />
}}</ref> The agitation drew national attention after the activist [[Sonam Wangchuk]] began an indefinite [[hunger strike]] at the protest site on 28 June.<ref name="bbc3">{{cite web |date=16 July 2026 |title=Indian activist urged to end hunger strike as he loses 9.1kg in 19 days |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/crm0mg4z7edo |access-date=18 July 2026 |website=[[BBC News]] |last=Pandey |first=Geeta |archive-date=18 July 2026 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260718084943/https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/crm0mg4z7edo |url-status=live }}</ref><br />
<br />
The initial social media movement known as the Cockroach Janta Party was created in May 2026 by digital communications strategist Abhijeet Dipke as a political satire. The name alludes to a statement by [[Surya Kant]], the [[Chief Justice of India]], who compared unemployed youth and social media activists to "cockroaches" and "parasites".<ref name="bbc" /> Having gained widespread online popularity, the movement transitioned into offline demonstrations, which were permitted by the [[Delhi Police]].<br />
<br />
On 28 June 2026, [[Ladakhis|Ladakhi]] environmentalist and education activist, [[Sonam Wangchuk]], joined the demonstration at [[Jantar Mantar]]. He started an indefinite [[hunger strike]] and demanded the resignation of Dharmendra Pradhan.<ref name="printlive2">{{Cite web |date=18 July 2026 |title=Wangchuk hunger strike Day 21: CJP continues protest at Jantar Mantar ahead of march on 20 July |url=https://theprint.in/india/sonam-wangchuk-hunger-strike-cockroach-janta-party-cjp-protest-dipke-delhi-jantar-mantar-live-updates/2989672/ |access-date=18 July 2026 |website=[[ThePrint]] |language=en-US}}</ref><br />
<br />
In mid-July 2026, following a leadership change in the Delhi Police, officers removed barricades at the protest site and forcibly transferred Wangchuk to a hospital.<ref>{{Cite web |date=18 July 2026 |title=Indian activist on hunger strike for 20 days forcibly taken to hospital |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cjej3dxxg2do |access-date=18 July 2026 |website=[[BBC News]] |language=en-GB|last=Pandey|first=Geeta}}</ref> This action, along with an ink-throwing incident involving Dipke, drew increased media attention to the agitation.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |date=14 July 2026 |title=Sonam Wangchuk to Express: CJP protest has no political colour, PM should be sensitive |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/political-pulse/sonam-wangchuk-interview-hunger-strike-cockroach-janta-party-protest-education-neet-10785080/ |access-date=17 July 2026 |website=[[The Indian Express]] |language=en |last=Dwivedi |first=Saurabh |archive-date=15 July 2026 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260715090621/https://indianexpress.com/article/political-pulse/sonam-wangchuk-interview-hunger-strike-cockroach-janta-party-protest-education-neet-10785080/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name=":2">{{Cite news |date=15 July 2026 |title='Atmosphere of intimidation': PIL in Delhi high court questions continuous surveillance of Jantar Mantar protesters |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/delhi/atmosphere-of-intimidation-pil-in-delhi-high-court-questions-continuous-surveillance-of-jantar-mantar-protesters/articleshow/132419094.cms |access-date=17 July 2026 |work=[[The Times of India]] |issn=0971-8257}}</ref><br />
<br />
Since 6 June 2026, the [[Cockroach Janta Party]] (CJP), an Indian youth-based [[Political satire|satirical political movement]] founded by [[Abhijeet Dipke]], has been holding a series of protests at [[Jantar Mantar, New Delhi|Jantar Mantar]] in [[New Delhi]] along with student organisations including the [[Students Federation of India]], [[All India Students Association]] and [[All India Students' Federation]].<ref name="bbc2">{{Cite web |date=1 July 2026 |title=Why India's cockroach protesters are still on the streets in over 40C heat |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cly0ey5y10qo |access-date=16 July 2026 |website=[[BBC News]] |language=en-GB|last=Pandey|first=Geeta}}</ref><ref name="ap">{{Cite web |date=11 June 2026 |title=India's viral Cockroach Party launches nationwide youth protests |url=https://apnews.com/article/india-cockroach-party-youth-protest-988e205b0859ac2c5fbc8af9ad4925af |access-date=11 June 2026 |website=[[AP News]] |language=en}}</ref> The protesters have demanded the resignation of Union Education Minister [[Dharmendra Pradhan]] over the [[2026 NEET controversy|2026 NEET paper leak]] and the [[2026 CBSE On-Screen Marking controversy|CBSE On-Screen Marking irregularities]], along with broader reforms in the conduct of public examinations.<ref name="etv">{{Cite web |date=15 June 2026 |title=CJP Demands Education Minister's Resignation in Bengaluru Protest Over National Exam Irregularities |url=https://www.etvbharat.com/en/state/cjp-demands-education-ministers-resignation-in-bengaluru-protest-over-national-exam-irregularities-enn26061500191 |access-date=15 June 2026 |website=[[ETV Bharat]] |language=en}}</ref> The agitation drew national attention after activist [[Sonam Wangchuk]] began an indefinite [[hunger strike]] at the protest site on 28 June 2026.<ref name="bbc3">{{cite web |date=16 July 2026 |title=Indian activist urged to end hunger strike as he loses 9.1kg in 19 days |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/crm0mg4z7edo |access-date=18 July 2026 |website=[[BBC News]] |last=Pandey |first=Geeta |archive-date=18 July 2026 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260718084943/https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/crm0mg4z7edo |url-status=live }}</ref> On 18 July, Delhi Police removed Wangchuk from the site and admitted him to hospital, an action criticised by organisers as forcible.<ref>{{Cite web |date=18 July 2026 |title=Indian activist on hunger strike for 20 days forcibly taken to hospital |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cjej3dxxg2do |access-date=18 July 2026 |website=[[BBC News]] |language=en-GB|last=Pandey|first=Geeta}}</ref><br />
<br />
== Background ==<br />
=== Formation of the Cockroach Janta Party ===<br />
[[File:Cockroach Janta Party logo.svg|thumb|Logo of the Cockroach Janta Party]]<br />
In May 2026, [[Surya Kant]], the [[Chief Justice of India|chief justice of India]], drew criticism for remarks made during a [[Supreme Court of India|Supreme Court]] hearing in which he compared the unemployed youth to "cockroaches" and "parasites" who attack institutions through social media activism and litigation.<ref>{{Cite web |first=Anand |last=Teltumbde |author-link=Anand Teltumbde |date=9 June 2026 |title=Who are the real parasites? |url=https://frontline.thehindu.com/columns/surya-kant-parasite-remark-unemployment/article71041381.ece |website=[[Frontline (magazine)]]}}</ref><ref name=":1">{{cite news |last1=Kishor |first1=Udayan |date=16 May 2026 |title='Pained' by how media misquoted my observation: CJI Surya Kant issues clarification on 'parasite' remark |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/india/2026/May/16/was-talking-about-those-entering-bar-through-fake-bogus-degrees-cji-on-cockroaches-remark |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260523133556/https://www.newindianexpress.com/india/2026/May/16/was-talking-about-those-entering-bar-through-fake-bogus-degrees-cji-on-cockroaches-remark |archive-date=23 May 2026 |access-date=6 June 2026 |work=[[The New Indian Express]] |language=en}}</ref><br />
<br />
{{quote|There are already parasites of society who attack the system, and you want to join hands with them? There are youngsters like cockroaches; they don't get any employment, and they don't have any place in a profession. Some of them become media, some of them become social media, some of them become [[Right to Information Act, 2005|RTI]] activists, some of them become other activists, and they start attacking everyone [...] And you people file contempt petitions.<ref name="ANtnie">{{cite news |last1=Neelakantan |first1=Anand |title=Travails of a Cockroach-infested System |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/magazine/2026/May/31/travails-of-a-cockroach-infested-system |access-date=6 June 2026 |work=[[The New Indian Express]] |date=31 May 2026 |language=en |archive-date=1 June 2026 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260601055718/https://www.newindianexpress.com/magazine/2026/May/31/travails-of-a-cockroach-infested-system |url-status=live}}</ref>}}<br />
<br />
The remarks drew widespread public criticism. On 16 May 2026, digital communications strategist Abhijeet Dipke founded the [[Cockroach Janta Party]] (CJP; Cockroach People's Party), a satirical political movement. Its name is a direct reference to Kant's remarks while parodying the name of the ruling [[Bharatiya Janata Party]] (BJP). The movement rapidly gained a large social media following.<ref name="bbc">{{cite web |date=21 May 2026 |title=India has a new political superstar – a cockroach |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cz72y11jjq1o |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260521094129/https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cz72y11jjq1o |archive-date=21 May 2026 |access-date=22 May 2026 |website=[[BBC News]]|last=Mateen|first=Zoya}}</ref> Kant later clarified that his criticism was directed at individuals who had entered the legal, media, and activist professions using fraudulent academic credentials, and that he respected the youth.<ref>{{Cite news |date=16 May 2026 |title=Youth are pillars of country, remarks aimed at those with 'fake' degrees: CJI Surya Kant |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/cji-surya-kant-clarifies-parasites-remarks-says-pained-over-media-reports/article70986796.ece |access-date=22 May 2026 |work=The Hindu |language=en-IN |issn=0971-751X}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |date=16 May 2026 |title=After Outrage over His 'Cockroaches' 'Parasites' Remarks, CJI Surya Kant Says Media 'Misquoted' Him |url=https://thewire.in/rights/offends-spirit-of-democracy-outrage-over-cji-surya-kants-cockroaches-parasites-remarks |access-date=6 June 2026 |work=[[The Wire (India)|The Wire]] |language=en}}</ref><br />
<br />
In May 2026, [[Surya Kant]], the [[Chief Justice of India]], made remarks during a Supreme Court hearing comparing certain unemployed youth and social media activists to "cockroaches" and "parasites". The remarks drew criticism. On 16 May 2026, digital communications strategist Abhijeet Dipke founded the Cockroach Janta Party as a satirical movement referencing the comments while parodying the name of the [[Bharatiya Janata Party]]. The movement gained online popularity and transitioned to offline protests.<ref name="bbc">{{cite web |date=21 May 2026 |title=India has a new political superstar – a cockroach |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cz72y11jjq1o |access-date=22 May 2026 |website=[[BBC News]]|last=Mateen|first=Zoya}}</ref><br />
<br />
=== Scandals ===<br />
{{Main|2026 NEET controversy|2026 CBSE On-Screen Marking controversy}}<br />
The protests followed two examination-related scandals in 2026: a [[Paper leak in India|paper leak]] affecting the [[National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (Undergraduate)|NEET-UG]] medical entrance examination and irregularities in the [[Central Board of Secondary Education]]'s on-screen marking and revaluation process, which left thousands of students awaiting clarity on their final results.<ref name="printlive">{{Cite web |date=6 June 2026 |title=Cockroach Janta Party protest: As it happened |url=https://theprint.in/india/live-updates-delhi-cockroach-janta-party-cjp-jantar-mantar-protest-abhijeet-dipke-sonam-wangchuk/2952271/ |access-date=17 July 2026 |website=[[ThePrint]] |language=en}}</ref><br />
<br />
=== Examination controversies ===<br />
{{Main|2026 NEET controversy|2026 CBSE On-Screen Marking controversy}}<br />
The protests followed a paper leak affecting the NEET-UG examination and irregularities in the CBSE on-screen marking process.<ref name="printlive">{{Cite web |date=6 June 2026 |title=Cockroach Janta Party protest: As it happened |url=https://theprint.in/india/live-updates-delhi-cockroach-janta-party-cjp-jantar-mantar-protest-abhijeet-dipke-sonam-wangchuk/2952271/ |access-date=17 July 2026 |website=[[ThePrint]] |language=en}}</ref><br />
<br />
== Timeline ==<br />
=== June ===<br />
==== 6 June ====<br />
* Abhijeet Dipke arrives from the [[United States]] to India, launching the CJP's first street protest.<ref name="AJZ">{{Cite web |first=Yashraj |last=Sharma |date=6 June 2026 |title='I'm a cockroach': Gen Z protest movement lands in Indian capital |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/features/2026/6/6/im-a-cockroach-gen-z-protest-movement-lands-in-indian-capital |website=[[Al Jazeera English]]}}</ref><br />
<br />
==== 7–19 June ====<br />
* The movement transitions into periodic sit-ins, digital campaigns, and awareness drives across Delhi.<ref>{{Cite news |last= |first= |date=6 June 2026 |title=Cockroach Janta Party protest updates: Protest ends in Jantar Mantar; six detained |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/cockroach-janta-party-abhijeet-dipke-cjp-protest-in-delhi-jantar-mantar-live-updates-june-6-2026/article71068317.ece |access-date=18 July 2026 |work=The Hindu |language=en-IN |issn=0971-751X}}</ref><br />
<br />
==== 20 June ====<br />
* Demonstrators regroup at Jantar Mantar for extended mobilisation.<ref>{{Cite web |date=30 June 2026 |title=CJP's Abhijeet Dipke: Why India's cockroach protesters are still on the streets in over 40C heat |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cly0ey5y10qo |access-date=18 July 2026 |website=[[BBC News]] |language=en-GB |archive-date=16 July 2026 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260716091021/https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cly0ey5y10qo |url-status=live }}</ref><br />
<br />
==== 21 June ====<br />
* Dipke issues a public appeal for [[National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (Undergraduate)|NEET]] aspirants to join the venue following re-examination.<ref>{{Cite web |date=20 June 2026 |title=NEET Re-Exam Paper Analysis 2026 Highlights: 'Result sooner than expected,' says NTA DG |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/education/neet-ug-2026-re-exam-live-updates-analysis-guidelines-admit-cards-neet-nta-ac-in-10744090/ |access-date=18 July 2026 |website=The Indian Express |language=en |archive-date=4 July 2026 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260704023415/https://indianexpress.com/article/education/neet-ug-2026-re-exam-live-updates-analysis-guidelines-admit-cards-neet-nta-ac-in-10744090/ |url-status=live }}</ref><br />
<br />
==== 22–27 June ====<br />
* Protests gain widespread social media attention.<ref>{{Cite news |last=PTI |date=21 June 2026 |title=CJP protest in Delhi: Dipke, supporters continue sit-in overnight at Jantar Mantar; urge people to join protest |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Delhi/cockroach-janata-party-protest-in-delhi-jantar-mantar-day-2-updates-abhijeet-dipke-neet-retest/article71128683.ece |access-date=18 July 2026 |work=The Hindu |language=en-IN |issn=0971-751X |archive-date=21 June 2026 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260621070831/https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Delhi/cockroach-janata-party-protest-in-delhi-jantar-mantar-day-2-updates-abhijeet-dipke-neet-retest/article71128683.ece |url-status=live }}</ref><br />
<br />
==== 28 June ====<br />
* Prominent Ladakhi environmentalist and engineer Sonam Wangchuk joins the protest, declaring an indefinite hunger strike alongside six students of the [[All India Students Association]] (AISA), demanding the resignation of [[Dharmendra Pradhan]], the [[Ministry of Education (India)|Union Minister of Education]].<ref>{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=2 June 2026 |title=Sonam Wangchuk joins CJP protest, begins indefinite fast over alleged exam irregularities |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/india/2026/Jun/28/sonam-wangchuk-joins-cjp-protest-begins-indefinite-fast-over-alleged-exam-irregularities |access-date=18 July 2026 |website=The New Indian Express |language=en}}</ref><br />
<br />
==== 30 June ====<br />
* CJP launches nationwide 'Pradhan Go Back' campaign.<ref>{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=12 June 2026 |title=CJP launches nationwide 'Pradhan Go Back' campaign, retaliates Education Minister's resignation |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/india/2026/Jun/26/cjp-launches-nationwide-pradhan-go-back-campaign-retaliates-education-ministers-resignation |access-date=18 July 2026 |website=The New Indian Express |language=en}}</ref> <br />
<br />
=== July ===<br />
==== 1–17 July ====<br />
* CJP protests gain support from opposition parties,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Singh |first=Chinni |date=9 July 2026 |title=NEET Protest: Opposition Backs CJP Movement |url=https://frontline.thehindu.com/the-nation/neet-protest-opposition-support/article71201448.ece |access-date=19 July 2026 |website=Frontline |language=en}}</ref> garnering widespread public support, especially for Sonam Wangchuk's hunger strike.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Sonam Wangchuk hunger strike live: Wangchuk rules out ending fast |url=https://www.msn.com/en-in/news/India/sonam-wangchuk-hunger-strike-live-sonam-wangchuk-rules-out-ending-fast-urges-people-to-join-cjp-s-parliament-march/ar-AA280L5b |access-date=19 July 2026 |website=MSN}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=19 July 2026 |title=Support grows for Sonam Wangchuk as protests erupt in multiple cities ahead of July 20 Parliament march |url=https://www.financialexpress.com/india-news/support-grows-for-sonam-wangchuk-as-protests-erupt-in-multiple-cities-ahead-of-july-20-parliament-march/4295815/ |access-date=19 July 2026 |website=The Financial Express |language=en}}</ref><br />
<br />
==== 18 July ====<br />
* Sonam Wangchuk is forcibly removed from the protest site by police; [[Rahul Gandhi]], Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, criticises the action on social media.<ref>{{Cite web |date=19 July 2026 |title=Opposition Slams Modi Govt as Delhi Police Remove Sonam Wangchuk from Jantar Mantar |url=https://www.outlookindia.com/national/opposition-slams-modi-govt-for-removal-of-sonam-wangchuk-from-jantar-mantar |access-date=19 July 2026 |website=Outlook India |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Staff |first=T. N. M. |date=18 July 2026 |title=Delhi Police forcefully pick up Sonam Wangchuk from Jantar Mantar |url=https://www.thenewsminute.com/news/delhi-police-forcefully-pick-up-sonam-wangchuk-from-jantar-mantar |access-date=19 July 2026 |website=The News Minute |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=18 July 2026 |title='Removal of Sonam Wangchuk wrong': Rahul Gandhi slams BJP's 'asatya and hinsa' approach in first reaction to Jantar Mantar protest |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/removal-of-sonam-wangchuk-wrong-rahul-gandhi-slams-bjps-asatya-and-hinsa-approach-in-first-reaction-to-jantar-mantar-protest/articleshow/132478450.cms |access-date=19 July 2026 |work=The Times of India |issn=0971-8257 |archive-date=18 July 2026 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260718130416/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/removal-of-sonam-wangchuk-wrong-rahul-gandhi-slams-bjps-asatya-and-hinsa-approach-in-first-reaction-to-jantar-mantar-protest/articleshow/132478450.cms |url-status=live }}</ref><br />
* Abhijeet Dipke and others start an indefinite hunger strike in protest of his removal.<ref name=":3">{{Cite news |date=18 July 2026 |title=CJP's Abhijeet Dipke begins indefinite hunger strike, as police shifts Wangchuk to hospital |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/abhijeet-dipke-begins-indefinite-hunger-strike-jantar-mantar-protest-sonam-wangchuk-july-18-2026/article71237051.ece |access-date=18 July 2026 |work=[[The Hindu]] |language=en-IN |issn=0971-751X}}</ref><ref name=":4">{{Cite web |date=18 July 2026 |title=CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke starts indefinite hunger strike; July 20 march to 'proceed as planned' |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/india/2026/Jul/18/cjp-founder-abhijeet-dipke-starts-indefinite-hunger-strike-july-20-march-to-proceed-as-planned |access-date=18 July 2026 |website=[[The New Indian Express]] |language=en |archive-date=18 July 2026 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260718092015/https://www.newindianexpress.com/india/2026/Jul/18/cjp-founder-abhijeet-dipke-starts-indefinite-hunger-strike-july-20-march-to-proceed-as-planned |url-status=live }}</ref><br />
<br />
==== 20 July ====<br />
* More than 1 lakh protesters gather at Jantar Mantar and [[Sansad Chalo March|attempt to march toward Parliament House]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Pandey|first=Geeta|last2=Delhi|first2=Azadeh Moshiri from Jantar Mantar in|date=20 July 2026|title=Jantar Mantar, CJP, parliament: Thousands of 'cockroach' protesters march in Delhi|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/live/c8rnddx2j46t|access-date=20 July 2026|website=BBC News|language=en-GB|archive-date=20 July 2026|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260720094718/https://www.bbc.com/news/live/c8rnddx2j46t|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=":5">{{Cite news |last=Staff |first=Al Jazeera |title=Police attack Cockroach activists as thousands march on Indian parliament |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2026/7/20/police-attack-cockroach-activists-as-thousands-march-on-indian-parliament |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260720232028/https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2026/7/20/police-attack-cockroach-activists-as-thousands-march-on-indian-parliament |archive-date=20 July 2026 |access-date=20 July 2026 |work=Al Jazeera |language=en}}</ref> CJP representatives Ashutosh Ranka and Saurav Das meet Union Health Minister [[J. P. Nadda]] to present demands, including the release of Wangchuk, the resignation of Dharmendra Pradhan, and financial compensation of {{INR|1 crore}} for families of deceased NEET aspirants.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Deshpande|first=Anagha|date=20 July 2026|title=Who called whom? JP Nadda, CJP leaders differ on how the talks happened|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/who-called-whom-jp-nadda-cjp-leaders-differ-on-how-the-talks-happened-101784553085407.html|access-date=20 July 2026|website=Hindustan Times|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |title=Union health minister holds talks with two members of Cockroach Party as protesters storm central Delhi |url=https://www.telegraphindia.com/india/union-health-minister-holds-talks-with-two-members-of-cockroach-party-as-protesters-storm-central-delhi/cid/2170948 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260720114957/https://www.telegraphindia.com/india/union-health-minister-holds-talks-with-two-members-of-cockroach-party-as-protesters-storm-central-delhi/cid/2170948 |archive-date=20 July 2026 |access-date=20 July 2026 |language=en |url-status=live }}</ref><br />
* The protesters were met with a brutal Lathi charge and were dispersed using tear gas by the police.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Kaushik |first=Shrimansi |date=2026-07-21 |title=Protesters march ahead, only to be met with lathis, tear gas |url=https://www.thehindu.com/incoming/protesters-march-ahead-only-to-be-met-with-lathis-tear-gas/article71247923.ece |access-date=2026-07-21 |work=The Hindu |language=en-IN |issn=0971-751X}}</ref><br />
* At least 118 personnel were hurt and between 15–20 government vehicles were damaged during the day's protests, according to the Delhi Police.<ref>{{Cite news |date=20 July 2026 |title=Over 70 detained; police claim 118 personnel hurt |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/delhi/over-70-detained-police-claim-118-personnel-hurt/articleshow/132522189.cms |access-date=20 July 2026 |work=The Times of India |issn=0971-8257}}</ref><br />
* Hospital authorities and police sources stated that around 60 protesters were also injured. Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital alone recorded 65 medico-legal cases involving both protesters and police by 7 pm.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Avinash Prabhakar and Bhaskar Hari Sharma|date=21 July 2026|title=CJP's Chalo Sansad March Turns Violent Prompting Police Action|url=https://www.deccanchronicle.com/nation/crime/cjps-chalo-sansad-march-turns-violent-prompting-police-action-1972600|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260720235211/https://www.deccanchronicle.com/nation/crime/cjps-chalo-sansad-march-turns-violent-prompting-police-action-1972600|archive-date=20 July 2026|access-date=20 July 2026|language=en-IN}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=20 July 2026 |title=Delhi Police detains 70 CJP protesters, alleges 'violent' & 'unruly' conduct |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/india/delhi-police-detains-70-cjp-protesters-alleges-violent-unruly-conduct/articleshow/132520853.cms?from=mdr |access-date=21 July 2026 |work=The Economic Times |issn=0013-0389}}</ref><br />
* According to the CJP, a party member's leg was broken after the Delhi Police dragged him.<ref>{{Cite web |date=20 July 2026|title=Jantar Mantar Protest Live Updates: CJP Rebuilds Jantar Mantar Stage, Appeals for Medical Kits and Torches as Protest Resumes|url=https://www.timesnownews.com/delhi/jantar-mantar-protest-live-updates-sonam-wangchuk-hunger-strike-abhijeet-dipke-parliament-march-20th-july-liveblog-155135443|access-date=20 July 2026|website=TimesNow|language=en}}</ref><br />
* The Jantar Mantar stage was rebuilt by the CJP after being destroyed by the Delhi Police.<ref>{{Cite web |last=deccanchronicle|date=20 July 2026|title=Live: Shah Meets Pradhan as CJP March Escalates|url=https://www.deccanchronicle.com/live-police-clear-cjp-protest-site-after-crackdown-nadda-nadda-holds-talks|access-date=20 July 2026|website=www.deccanchronicle.com|language=en}}</ref><br />
<br />
==== 21 July ====<br />
* Protestors reclaimed the Jantar Mantar site after police removed the stage and tents from Jantar Mantar following a day of protests and confrontations between protesters and police on Monday.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Verma |first=Ishika |date=21 July 2026 |title=CJP Reclaims Jantar Mantar, Says Protest To Continue, Police On Alert |url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/cjp-protest-protesters-reclaim-jantar-mantar-say-stir-to-continue-police-alert-11798889 |access-date=21 July 2026 |website=[[NDTV]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=20 July 2026 |title=CJP protest in Delhi highlights: Dipke, protesters reclaim dismantled Jantar Mantar protest site, as CJP awaits Govt response to demands |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/cjp-protest-july-20-2026-cockroach-janata-party-jantar-mantar-parliament-march-sonam-wangchuk/article71242448.ece |access-date=21 July 2026 |work=The Hindu |language=en-IN |issn=0971-751X}}</ref><br />
* Vijeta Dahiya, the CJP spokesperson, was removed from his position after taking a fast food break, while protestors and party members were facing "brutal police violence".<ref>{{Cite web |last=Gupta |first=Pathikrit Sen |date=21 July 2026 |title='Yes, I'll Eat the Burger': Cockroach Janta Party Sacks Vijeta Dahiya After Fast Food Fracas During NEET Protest |url=https://www.news18.com/india/yes-ill-eat-the-burger-cockroach-janta-party-sacks-vijeta-dahiya-after-fast-food-fracas-during-neet-protest-10225459.html |access-date=21 July 2026 |website=[[News18]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Deshpande |first=Anagha |date=21 July 2026 |title='I was hungry': CJP sacks spokesperson Vijeta Dahiya after he defends leaving protest march, eating burger instead |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/i-was-hungry-cjp-sacks-spokesperson-vijeta-dahiya-after-fast-food-fracas-during-neet-protest-101784630939570.html |access-date=21 July 2026 |website=Hindustan Times |language=en}}</ref><br />
* The Delhi High court orders Sonam Wangchuck to be shifted immediatly from Safdarjung hospital to Medanta hospital in Gurugram.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Bureau |first=The Hindu |date=2026-07-21 |title=Delhi High Court orders immediate shift of Sonam Wangchuk to Medanta Hospital |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/delhi-high-court-allows-sonam-wangchuk-to-shift-to-private-hospital/article71248605.ece |access-date=2026-07-21 |work=The Hindu |language=en-IN |issn=0971-751X}}</ref><br />
* Congress MPs led by Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi protested outside Prime Minister Narendra Modi's residence demanding answers for the brutality against students during the march.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2026-07-21 |title=Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) on X |url=https://x.com/RahulGandhi/status/2079509012538876206 |access-date=2026-07-21 |work=X (formerly Twitter) |language=en-US}}</ref><br />
* Leaders from other opposition parties join the protest outside the PM's residence, demanding the resignation of Dharmendra Pradhan.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2026-07-21 |title=ANI (@ANI) on X |url=https://x.com/ANI/status/2079551774042833342 |access-date=2026-07-21 |work=X (formerly Twitter) |language=en-US}}</ref><br />
* Police subsequently detained Rahul Gandhi along with other opposition leaders outside the PM's residence.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2026-07-21 |title=Congress (@INCIndia) on X |url=https://x.com/INCIndia/status/2079557562740183507 |access-date=2026-07-21 |work=X (formerly Twitter) |language=en-US}}</ref><br />
* CJP announced a protest at the Delhi Police headquarters if the detained protesters were not released, while the Delhi Police stated that no protesters were detained during the march.<ref>{{cite news |author=TNIE Online |title=Jantar Mantar protest LIVE &#124; Rahul Gandhi, Akhilesh Yadav detained from protest outside PM's residence |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/live/2026/Jul/21/cjp-protest-live-updates#live/2026/Jul/21/cjp-protest-live-updates-dae1d85b-a515-4321-a56c-2921e5b9e531 |work=The New Indian Express |date=21 July 2026 |language=English }}</ref><br />
<br />
== Timeline of key events ==<br />
=== June 2026 ===<br />
On 6 June, Dipke launched the first street protest at Jantar Mantar after arriving from the United States. Periodic sit-ins followed. On 20 June, demonstrators regrouped for extended mobilisation. On 28 June, Sonam Wangchuk joined and began an indefinite hunger strike with AISA students, demanding Pradhan's resignation. On 30 June, CJP launched a nationwide "Pradhan Go Back" campaign.<ref name="AJZ">{{Cite web |first=Yashraj |last=Sharma |date=6 June 2026 |title='I'm a cockroach': Gen Z protest movement lands in Indian capital |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/features/2026/6/6/im-a-cockroach-gen-z-protest-movement-lands-in-indian-capital |website=[[Al Jazeera English]]}}</ref><br />
=== July 2026 ===<br />
Support grew from opposition parties. On 18 July, police removed Wangchuk to Safdarjung Hospital; Dipke and others began indefinite hunger strikes in response. On 20 July, the Sansad Chalo March took place amid clashes. On 21 July, protesters reclaimed the Jantar Mantar site after police dismantled infrastructure the previous day. The Delhi High Court ordered Wangchuk shifted to a private hospital. Opposition leaders including Rahul Gandhi protested outside the Prime Minister's residence and were detained.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Verma |first=Ishika |date=21 July 2026 |title=CJP Reclaims Jantar Mantar, Says Protest To Continue, Police On Alert |url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/cjp-protest-protesters-reclaim-jantar-mantar-say-stir-to-continue-police-alert-11798889 |access-date=21 July 2026 |website=[[NDTV]]}}</ref><br />
<br />
== Protests ==<br />
=== First protest at Jantar Mantar ===<br />
The CJP held its first street protest at [[Jantar Mantar, New Delhi]] on 6 June 2026, to demand the resignation of [[Dharmendra Pradhan]], the [[Minister of Education (India)|union minister of education]];<ref name="AJZ" /> it was the first major demonstration at Jantar Mantar since the [[2023 Indian wrestlers' protest]].<ref name="WR" /> The [[Delhi Police]] granted permission for the protest until 5 P.M. in what they described as a one-time exception.<ref name="printlive3">{{Cite web |date=6 June 2026|title=Cockroach Janta Party protest: As it happened|url=https://theprint.in/india/live-updates-delhi-cockroach-janta-party-cjp-jantar-mantar-protest-abhijeet-dipke-sonam-wangchuk/2952271/|access-date=17 July 2026|website=[[ThePrint]]|language=en}}</ref> The police deployed around 5,000 personnel in the [[New Delhi district]] and strengthened security at several locations, including [[Indira Gandhi International Airport]], ahead of the protest.<ref>{{Cite news |date=6 June 2026|title=Security stepped up across Delhi ahead of Cockroach Janta Party protest call|url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/security-stepped-up-across-delhi-ahead-of-cockroach-janta-party-protest-call/articleshow/131543236.cms|access-date=17 July 2026|work=[[The Economic Times]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=6 June 2026|first=Prathamesh|last=Kharade|title=Delhi On Alert: 1,000+ Cops Deployed Ahead Of Cockroach Janata Party's Jantar Mantar Protest|url=https://www.freepressjournal.in/india/delhi-on-alert-1000-cops-deployed-ahead-of-cockroach-janata-partys-jantar-mantar-protest|access-date=17 July 2026|work=[[The Free Press Journal]]}}</ref> Organisers asked participants to protest peacefully and encouraged them to bring the [[Flag of India|national flag]] and a book, which they said symbolised the [[right to education]] and equal opportunity.<ref>{{Cite news |date=6 June 2026|first=Sheikh|last=Saalik|title=Viral party for India's 'cockroaches' holds first major protest in Delhi after founder flies in from US|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/asia/india/cockroach-janta-party-protest-today-delhi-abhijeet-dipke-b2990913.html|access-date=17 July 2026|work=[[The Independent]]}}</ref><ref name="JZ2">{{Cite web |date=6 June 2026 |title=Supporters of the Cockroach People's Party hold protest in New Delhi |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2026/6/6/supporters-of-the-cockroach-peoples-party-hold-protest-in-new-delhi |website=[[Al Jazeera English]]}}</ref> Dipke, who arrived in New Delhi from the [[United States]] shortly before the protest, was joined at the site by Indian engineer, activist, and education reformer [[Sonam Wangchuk]].<ref name="printlive3" /> Hundreds of protesters gathered at the site,<ref name="JZ2" /><ref name="MPI" /> including students, parents, doctors, lawyers, and teachers, among others,<ref name="WR" /> with some holding placards and wearing cockroach masks.<ref name="JZ2" /><ref name="MPI">{{Cite web |first=Shabnoor |last=Irshad |date=6 June 2026 |title=Hundreds don masks as supporters of India's viral 'Cockroach People's Party' stage first protest |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/tv/news/cockroach-party-protest-india-video-b2991078.html |website=[[The Independent]]}}</ref> Attackers allegedly affiliated with the [[Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh]] (RSS), a [[Hindutva]] paramilitary organisation, attempted to disrupt the protest by harassing and assaulting some protesters; the attack was condemned by the [[All India Students' Federation]] (AISF) and the [[All India Youth Federation]] (AIYF).<ref name="WR">{{Cite web |date=8 June 2026 |title='RSS Will Not Deter Us,' Say Student Bodies on Alleged Attacks at CJP's Jantar Mantar Protest |url=https://thewire.in/rights/rss-will-not-deter-us-say-student-bodies-on-alleged-attacks-at-cjps-debut-jantar-mantar-protest |website=[[The Wire (India)]]}}</ref> The CJP announced that it would launch a nationwide agitation if Pradhan did not resign within seven days.<ref name="NIE">{{Cite news |date=6 June 2026 |title=CJP issues 7-day ultimatum; threatens nationwide protests if Education Minister Pradhan does not resign |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/india/2026/Jun/06/cjp-issues-7-day-ultimatum-threatens-nationwide-protests-if-education-minister-pradhan-does-not-resign |access-date=17 July 2026 |work=[[The New Indian Express]]|archive-date=17 June 2026|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260617114012/https://www.newindianexpress.com/india/2026/Jun/06/cjp-issues-7-day-ultimatum-threatens-nationwide-protests-if-education-minister-pradhan-does-not-resign|url-status=live}}</ref><br />
<br />
=== National campaign ===<br />
On 11 June 2026, the CJP launched a nationwide campaign seeking reforms in the education system, beginning at [[Savitribai Phule Pune University]] in [[Pune]]. Dipke released what he called an exam manifesto containing five demands, including compensation of {{INR|10,000|link=yes}} for students affected by a paper leak, postponement of an examination, or delay in the declaration of results. He said the movement would travel to cities including [[Jaipur]], [[Lucknow]], [[Amritsar]], and [[Bengaluru]] before returning to Jantar Mantar on 20 June 2026.<ref>{{Cite news |date=11 June 2026|title='System is rotten, cockroaches will correct it': CJP launches nationwide agitation in Pune; releases 'exam manifesto'|url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/india/2026/Jun/11/system-is-rotten-cockroaches-will-correct-it-cjp-launches-nationwide-agitation-in-pune-releases-exam-manifesto|access-date=17 July 2026|work=[[The New Indian Express]]}}</ref><ref name="ap2">{{Cite web |date=11 June 2026|title=India's viral Cockroach Party launches nationwide youth protests|url=https://apnews.com/article/india-cockroach-party-youth-protest-988e205b0859ac2c5fbc8af9ad4925af|access-date=11 June 2026|website=[[AP News]]|language=en}}</ref><br />
<br />
=== Second protest at Jantar Mantar ===<br />
The CJP held its second protest at Jantar Mantar on 20 June 2026. Hundreds of protesters, most of them students, gathered, holding placards, singing the [[Jana Gana Mana|national anthem]], and banging metal plates with spoons as a symbol of protest;<ref name="DRD">{{Cite web |first=Alisha Rahaman |last=Sarkar |date=23 June 2026 |title=India's viral 'cockroaches' are biggest challenge to Modi in years. Will they get what they want? |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/asia/india/cockroach-janata-party-neet-dharmendra-pradhan-resignation-protest-b3000119.html |website=[[The Independent]]}}</ref><ref name="THT">{{Cite news |date=20 June 2026|title=Youths rally in large numbers; bang plates, spoons to demand accountability at CJP protest|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Delhi/heavy-security-in-place-as-cjp-stages-second-protest-at-jantar-mantar/article71125029.ece|access-date=17 July 2026|work=[[The Hindu]]}}</ref> many travelled from across the nation to take part in the protest.<ref name="DRD" /> Ahead of the protest, Dipke alleged on social media that the authorities may allow "goons" to disrupt the protest and blame the CJP, posting photos of lorries parked at Jantar Mantar which he claimed were loaded with stones.<ref name=":62">{{Cite news |date=20 July 2026|title=Delhi Police lathi-charge, fire tear gas at 'Sansad Chalo' march, detain Abhijeet Dipke, Dimple Yadav and others|url=https://thesouthfirst.com/beyond-south/delhi-police-lathi-charge-fire-tear-gas-at-sansad-chalo-march-arrest-abhijeet-dipke-dimple-yadav-and-others/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260720233636/https://thesouthfirst.com/beyond-south/delhi-police-lathi-charge-fire-tear-gas-at-sansad-chalo-march-arrest-abhijeet-dipke-dimple-yadav-and-others/|archive-date=20 July 2026|access-date=20 July 2026|work=The South First {{!}} News, Politics, Sports, Entertainment & Live Updates|language=en-GB}}</ref> According to the [[Delhi Police]], the protest, which began at 1 P.M., had permission only until 5 P.M.; Dipke refused to end the demonstration, stating that he would not leave Jantar Mantar until Pradhan resigned, and urged supporters to join the protest that evening.<ref name="TT" /><ref name="YSHR">{{Cite web |first=Yashraj |last=Sharma |date=21 June 2026 |title=India's 'Cockroach' movement camps out until education minister resigns |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2026/6/21/indias-cockroach-movement-camps-out-until-education-minister-resigns |website=[[Al Jazeera English]]}}</ref> The Delhi police employed several pressure tactics to persuade the protesters to leave the barricaded site, including switching off the lights and briefly cutting off access to food and drinking water.<ref name="DRD" /><ref name="YSHR" /> At the protest, Wangchuk announced that he would begin an indefinite hunger strike from 27 June if Pradhan did not resign.<ref name="TT">{{Cite news |date=20 June 2026|title='Won't leave until Pradhan resigns': Dipke, CJP supporters after Delhi Police deny permission to continue protest|url=https://www.tribuneindia.com/live-blog/delhi/cjp-protest-in-delhi-live-dipke-arrives-at-jantar-mantar-protest-protestors-chant-go-pradhan-go/|access-date=17 July 2026|work=[[The Tribune (India)|The Tribune]]}}</ref><br />
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=== Protests at Jantar Mantar ==<br />
The first major protest on 6 June was permitted until 5 pm. Hundreds gathered, some wearing cockroach masks and holding placards. Organisers encouraged carrying the national flag and books as symbols of education rights. Allegations of disruption by individuals linked to the RSS were made by student bodies, while police maintained order.<ref name="WR">{{Cite web |date=8 June 2026 |title='RSS Will Not Deter Us,' Say Student Bodies on Alleged Attacks at CJP's Jantar Mantar Protest |url=https://thewire.in/rights/rss-will-not-deter-us-say-student-bodies-on-alleged-attacks-at-cjps-debut-jantar-mantar-protest |website=[[The Wire (India)]]}}</ref><br />
A nationwide campaign began on 11 June from Pune. The second major sit-in on 20 June saw hundreds gather; police used pressure tactics after the permitted time expired, including switching off lights. Wangchuk announced his hunger strike plans at the site.<ref name="DRD">{{Cite web |first=Alisha Rahaman |last=Sarkar |date=23 June 2026 |title=India's viral 'cockroaches' are biggest challenge to Modi in years. Will they get what they want? |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/asia/india/cockroach-janata-party-neet-dharmendra-pradhan-resignation-protest-b3000119.html |website=[[The Independent]]}}</ref><br />
Videos and reports from early protests documented participants raising "Azadi" slogans such as "BJP se Azadi", "Modi se Azadi" and "Hum leke rahenge Azadi". There were also allegations of improper handling of the national flag and individual remarks dismissive of Hindu religious figures and epics, which drew criticism that the protests were incorporating rhetoric beyond educational demands.<ref>{{Cite web |date=8 June 2026 |title=From ‘Azadi’ slogans to disrespect of national flag: Inside the Cockroach Janta Party protest at Jantar Mantar |url=https://www.vsktelangana.org/Encyc/2026/6/8/from-azadi-slogans-disrespect-national-flag-inside-cockroach-janta-party-protest-jantar-mantar.html |website=VSK Telangana}}</ref><br />
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=== Hunger strikes ===<br />
==== Hunger strike of Sonam Wangchuk and AISA leaders ====<br />
[[File:CPI(M)_leaders_M._A._Baby_and_Brinda_Karat_meeting_Sonam_Wangchuk.jpg|left|thumb|[[Communist Party of India (Marxist)]] leaders [[M. A. Baby]] and [[Brinda Karat]] extending solidarity to [[Sonam Wangchuk]] and other protesters]]<br />
[[Sonam Wangchuk]], an engineer and education reformer, became a prominent figure in the protests. On 28 June, he began an indefinite hunger strike at Jantar Mantar along with six students from the [[All India Students Association]] (AISA) including their National President Neha Bora and an independent student activist named Hamad<ref name="bbc32">{{cite web |date=16 July 2026|title=Indian activist urged to end hunger strike as he loses 9.1kg in 19 days|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/crm0mg4z7edo|access-date=18 July 2026|website=[[BBC News]]|last=Pandey|first=Geeta|archive-date=18 July 2026|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260718084943/https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/crm0mg4z7edo|url-status=live}}</ref><br />
[[File:CPI_leaders_meet_with_Jantar_Mantar_protesters.jpg|right|thumb|[[Communist Party of India]] leaders [[D. Raja]] and Prof. Dinesh C. Varshney extending solidarity to protesters in Jantar Mantar, Delhi]]<br />
By 17 July, the nineteenth day of the strike, Wangchuk had lost 9.1 kilograms of body weight. A doctor attending him said he had begun losing muscle mass, and video footage showed him unable to stand or walk unaided. Politicians and entertainers, including the signatories of a statement with more than 1,800 signatures, appealed to him to end the fast. A petition filed in the [[Delhi High Court]] asked the government to admit him to a hospital to prevent his death; the government told the court that it would intervene if his health deteriorated.<ref name="bbc32" /><br />
[[File:Dipankar_Bhattacharya_with_Jantar_Mantar_Protesters.jpg|left|thumb|[[Communist Party of India (Marxist-Leninist) Liberation]] General Secretary [[Dipankar Bhattacharya]] extending solidarity with indefinite hunger strikers including Neha Bora]]<br />
On 18 July, Delhi Police removed Wangchuk from the protest site and admitted him to [[Safdarjung Hospital]], attached to [[Vardhman Mahavir Medical College]]. Police stated that the action was taken on medical advice and in compliance with the directions of the Delhi High Court. Protest organisers criticised the police action, alleging that Wangchuk had been taken from the site forcibly and without prior notice.<ref name="et22">{{Cite news |date=18 July 2026|title=CJP chief Abhijeet Dipke begins indefinite hunger strike after Wangchuk taken to hospital|url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/india/cjp-chief-abhijeet-dipke-begins-indefinite-hunger-strike-after-wangchuk-taken-to-hospital/articleshow/132473653.cms|access-date=18 July 2026|work=[[The Economic Times]]|issn=0013-0389|archive-date=18 July 2026|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260718070154/https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/india/cjp-chief-abhijeet-dipke-begins-indefinite-hunger-strike-after-wangchuk-taken-to-hospital/articleshow/132473653.cms|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=France-Presse|first=Agence|date=18 July 2026|title=Indian activist linked to Cockroach party moved to hospital after 20-day hunger strike|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/jul/18/indian-activist-linked-to-cockroach-party-moved-to-hospital-after-20-day-hunger-strike|access-date=20 July 2026|work=[[The Guardian]]|language=en-GB|issn=0261-3077}}</ref><br />
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Dipke said the authorities had made "a big mistake by kidnapping Sonam Wangchuk" and warned that suppressing the protest would spark demonstrations across Delhi.<ref name="cockroach-x2">{{Cite web |date=19 July 2026|title=Abhijeet Dipke's message to the Police: "You made a big mistake by kidnapping Sonam Wangchuk..."|url=https://x.com/Cockroachisback/status/2078778925585449150|website=X|access-date=19 July 2026}}</ref> On 20 July, Wangchuk announced in a handwritten statement issued from the Safdarjung Hospital, that he would continue the fast until the "youth leaders are allowed to meet the parliamentarians at the Sansad Bhawan or I am allowed to meet them here at the hospital".<ref>{{Cite news |last=PTI |date=20 July 2026 |title=Sonam Wangchuk to continue fast, cites police action against protesters |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/sonam-wangchuk-to-continue-fast-cites-police-action-against-protesters/article71245847.ece |access-date=21 July 2026 |work=The Hindu |language=en-IN |issn=0971-751X}}</ref><br />
[[File:Sonam_Wangchuk_meeting_Arvind_Kejriwal.jpg|right|thumb|[[Aam Aadmi Party]] leader [[Arvind Kejriwal]] meeting with [[Sonam Wangchuk]] during his hunger strike]]<br />
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==== Hunger strike of Abhijeet Dipke, SFI leader Adarsh M. Saji and Aishe Ghosh, and AISF activists ====<br />
On 18 July, Dipke announced that he had begun an indefinite hunger strike. The announcement came after the office of the New Delhi [[Deputy Commissioner of Police|deputy commissioner of police]] said Wangchuk had been shifted to hospital for essential medical care on the orders of the Delhi High Court and on expert medical advice. Dipke alleged that he had been beaten and detained by Delhi Police during what he described as a crackdown on protesters at Jantar Mantar while Wangchuk was being taken to hospital. He said that the march planned for 20 July would proceed as scheduled.<ref name=":32">{{Cite news |date=18 July 2026|title=CJP's Abhijeet Dipke begins indefinite hunger strike, as police shifts Wangchuk to hospital|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/abhijeet-dipke-begins-indefinite-hunger-strike-jantar-mantar-protest-sonam-wangchuk-july-18-2026/article71237051.ece|access-date=18 July 2026|work=[[The Hindu]]|language=en-IN|issn=0971-751X}}</ref><ref name=":42">{{Cite web |date=18 July 2026|title=CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke starts indefinite hunger strike; July 20 march to 'proceed as planned'|url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/india/2026/Jul/18/cjp-founder-abhijeet-dipke-starts-indefinite-hunger-strike-july-20-march-to-proceed-as-planned|access-date=18 July 2026|website=[[The New Indian Express]]|language=en|archive-date=18 July 2026|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260718092015/https://www.newindianexpress.com/india/2026/Jul/18/cjp-founder-abhijeet-dipke-starts-indefinite-hunger-strike-july-20-march-to-proceed-as-planned|url-status=live}}</ref><br />
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On the same day, [[Students Federation of India]] General Secretary [[Srijan Bhattacharyya]] announced that SFI President Adarsh M. Saji and SFI Joint Secretary [[Aishe Ghosh]] will join the indefinite hunger strike. Three AISA activists, Neha Bora, Ameen Amitoj and Manish Kumar and independent student Hamad continued their strike on their 21st day and so on.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.aaroananda.com/story/latest-news/breaking-news/sfi-aishe-ghosh-jantar-mantar-protest-dharmendra-pradhan/11010650|title=অনশনে এসএফআই-ও|website=Aaro Ananda}}</ref><br />
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Four activists of [[All India Students Federation]], namely, Gulab Dan, Pratibha, Aniketh Madke and Bittu, also joined the hunger strike.<br />
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Wangchuk's hunger strike, joined by AISA leaders including Neha Bora, continued for 20 days. By mid-July he had lost significant weight. On 18 July, police shifted him to hospital on medical advice and court directions. Dipke, SFI leaders Adarsh M. Saji and Aishe Ghosh, and AISF activists subsequently began or continued hunger strikes. Wangchuk later stated from hospital that he would continue fasting until youth leaders could meet parliamentarians.<ref name="bbc32">{{cite web |date=16 July 2026|title=Indian activist urged to end hunger strike as he loses 9.1kg in 19 days|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/crm0mg4z7edo|access-date=18 July 2026|website=[[BBC News]]|last=Pandey|first=Geeta}}</ref><br />
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=== Sansad Chalo March ===<br />
{{Main|Sansad Chalo March}}<br />
On 20 July, the first day of the monsoon session of the [[Parliament of India]], CJP launched its 'Chalo Sansad' march. CJP asked the protesters to bring the national flag and a copy of the Constitution or photographs of [[B. R. Ambedkar]], [[Mahatma Gandhi]] or [[Bhagat Singh]]. It also urged them to avoid political or organisational flags and to protest peacefully.<ref>{{Cite news |date=19 July 2026|title='Carry Tiranga, avoid political flags': CJP releases do's an don'ts for 'Chalo Sansad' march|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/delhi/carry-tiranga-avoid-political-flags-cjp-releases-dos-and-donts-for-chalo-sansad-march/articleshow/132495045.cms|access-date=20 July 2025|work=[[The Times of India]]}}</ref> The march became more important after the treatment of Wangchuk, who went on a 20-day hunger strike to support the CJP at Jantar Mantar. On Saturday, he was taken to the hospital by force. This upset CJP supporters and brought more attention to the protest movement.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cedj9j911p8o|title=Jantar Mantar: What is the Gen Z CJP protest in Delhi about?|date=21 July 2026|website=www.bbc.com}}</ref><br />
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Delhi Police tightened security across New Delhi district before the march and imposed prohibitory orders under Section 163 of the [[Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita]] (BNSS). A day before the march, Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Sachin Sharma shared a public advisory on [[X (social network)|X]] which stated that Delhi Police had not granted permission for the march.<ref>{{Cite news |date=19 June 2026|title=Delhi Police clarifies no permission sought or given for parliament march to CJP|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/delhi/delhi-police-clarifies-no-permission-sought-or-given-for-parliament-march-to-cjp/articleshow/132497794.cms|access-date=20 July 2026|work=[[The Times of India]]}}</ref> [[Delhi Metro Rail Corporation]] (DMRC) closed five metro stations – [[Seva Teerth metro station|Seva Teerth]], [[Central Secretariat metro station|Central Secretariat]], [[Patel Chowk metro station|Patel Chowk]], [[Janpath metro station|Janpath]] and one of India's biggest interchange stations, [[Rajiv Chowk metro station|Rajiv Chowk]] over security concerns ahead of CJP's march to the Parliament.<ref>{{Cite news |date=20 July 2026|title=Chaos at Delhi metro stations as five stations shut over security concerns: commuters scramble for alternate routes|url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/india/massive-chaos-at-delhi-metro-five-stations-shut-amid-security-concerns-commuters-left-stranded/articleshow/132507039.cms|access-date=20 July 2026|work=[[The Economic Times]]}}</ref> Protests broke out within metro stations as the government sealed the exit points to stations which were near the protest site.<ref name=":52">{{Cite news |last=Staff|first=Al Jazeera|title=Police attack Cockroach activists as thousands march on Indian parliament|url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2026/7/20/police-attack-cockroach-activists-as-thousands-march-on-indian-parliament|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260720232028/https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2026/7/20/police-attack-cockroach-activists-as-thousands-march-on-indian-parliament|archive-date=20 July 2026|access-date=20 July 2026|work=Al Jazeera|language=en}}</ref> Internet was also shutdown in the vicinity of the Parliament.<ref name=":72">{{Cite news |date=20 July 2026|title=Tear gas, lathi charge: Police use force to disperse CJP protesters near Parliament House as chaos unfolds amid 'Chalo Sansad'|url=https://www.deccanherald.com/india/tear-gas-lathi-charge-police-use-force-to-disperse-cjp-protesters-near-parliament-house-as-chaos-unfolds-amid-chalo-sansad-4080104|access-date=20 July 2025|work=[[Deccan Herald]]}}</ref><ref name=":82">{{Cite news |title=Lathi charge, internet cut: How CJP's 'Chalo Sansad' March brought Delhi to a standstill |work=[[Hindustan Times]] |date=20 July 2026 |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/how-cjp-chalo-sansad-march-brought-delhi-to-a-standstill-lathi-charge-detentions-internet-snags-sonam-wangchuk-101784533037018.html|first1=Hemani|last1=Bhandari|first2=Priyanshu|last2=Priya|access-date=20 July 2026}}</ref><ref name=":92">{{Cite news |title=Tear gas, lathi charge: Police use force to disperse CJP protesters near Parliament House as chaos unfolds amid 'Chalo Sansad'|work=Deccan Herald|date=20 July 2026|url=https://www.deccanherald.com/india/tear-gas-lathi-charge-police-use-force-to-disperse-cjp-protesters-near-parliament-house-as-chaos-unfolds-amid-chalo-sansad-4080104}}</ref><ref name=":102">{{Cite news |title=Lathi charge, internet cut: How CJP's 'Chalo Sansad' March brought Delhi to a standstill|work=Hindustan Times|date=20 July 2026|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/how-cjp-chalo-sansad-march-brought-delhi-to-a-standstill-lathi-charge-detentions-internet-snags-sonam-wangchuk-101784533037018.html}}</ref><br />
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Security forces used tear gas and [[lathi charge]] against the protesters who were marching towards the Parliament by breaking police barricades.<ref name=":72" /><ref name=":82" /><ref name=":92" /><ref name=":102" /> Near Constitution Club, tear gas affected commuters at Central Secretariat metro station and a ''Wire'' reporter covering the protest.<ref>{{Cite web |title=As Images of Lathicharge, Tear Gas at Protesters Surface; Delhi Police Says No 'Sporadic Use of Violence' |url=https://thewire.in/government/police-lathicharges-thousands-fires-tear-gas-at-protesters-including-minors|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260720234735/https://thewire.in/government/police-lathicharges-thousands-fires-tear-gas-at-protesters-including-minors|archive-date=20 July 2026|access-date=20 July 2026|website=The Wire|language=en-US}}</ref><br />
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Students and eyewitnesses said that authorities used excessive force, including beating demonstrators,<ref name="auto">{{Cite news |title=Students beaten, paper leak culprits roaming free: Rahul Gandhi calls PM Modi 'most youth-hostile PM'|work=India Today|date=20 July 2026|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/students-beaten-paper-leak-culprits-roaming-free-rahul-gandhi-calls-pm-modi-most-youth-hostile-pm-2952141-2026-07-20}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |title=Police attack Cockroach activists as thousands march on Indian Parliament|work=Al Jazeera|date=20 July 2026|url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2026/7/20/police-attack-cockroach-activists-as-thousands-march-on-indian-parliament}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Video of police beating protesters|website=X|url=https://x.com/ViralDecoder/status/2079227176055152886}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Video footage|website=YouTube|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D9kCEsVQq2E}}</ref> dragging students along the streets,<ref>{{Cite news |title='Students raising valid issues were dragged, beaten': Rahul Gandhi's first reaction on CJP march|work=Hindustan Times|date=20 July 2026|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/students-raising-valid-issues-were-dragged-beaten-rahul-gandhis-first-reaction-on-cjp-march-101784552315384.html}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Video of protesters being dragged|website=X|url=https://x.com/diplomattimes/status/2079258288798232635}}</ref> detaining students and children in police buses,<ref>{{Cite news |title=Clashes, tear gas thwart students' march to Parliament; several injured, detained|work=ThePrint|date=20 July 2026|url=https://theprint.in/india/clashes-tear-gas-thwart-students-march-to-parliament-several-injured-detained/2991284/}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Video of detainees being taken in police buses|website=X|url=https://x.com/TyrantOppressor/status/2079092607502954810}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Video of detentions|website=X|url=https://x.com/TyrantOppressor/status/2079143362511466590}}</ref> and using electrified barricades that protesters said delivered electric shocks.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Video showing electrified barricades|website=X|url=https://x.com/Kumarjyoti49291/status/2079199366217453738}}</ref> The CJP claimed, based on social media visuals, that security forces took firing positions with machine guns aimed at the Parliament gates.<ref name=":62" /> ''The South First'' reported that visuals showed protesters bleeding from injuries to their head and upper body.<ref name=":62" /> [[Gurdwara Bangla Sahib]] became a refuge for several such students and protesters fleeing batons and teargas.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Sons injured during CJP's Parliament march, a mother breaks down: 'Attack on country's children'|work=The Indian Express|date=21 July 2026|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/delhi/delhi-cjp-protest-students-injured-police-lathicharge-sonam-wangchuk-10795724}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |title=Gurdwara Bangla Sahib shelters injured protesters, stranded commuters in Delhi|work=The Tribune|date=21 July 2026|url=https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/india/gurdwara-bangla-sahib-shelters-injured-stranded}}</ref><br />
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The police action drew widespread criticism from public figures and several opposition leaders, including [[Shashi Tharoor]], [[Rahul Gandhi]], and [[Arvind Kejriwal]]. Tharoor questioned the use of force, asking, "When a non-violent protest is taking place, what is the reason for a lathi charge?". <ref>{{Cite news |title=Parliament cannot be notice board: Tharoor hits out at Centre for denying debate on burning issues|work=The New Indian Express|date=20 July 2026|url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/india/2026/Jul/20/parliament-cannot-be-notice-board-tharoor-hits-out-at-centre-for-denying-debate-on-burning-issues}}</ref><ref name="auto"/><br />
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Delhi Police rejected the allegations, stating that it had engaged in maintaining public order in a professional manner and denied reports of any violence or detentions during the protest.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Delhi Police denies 'violence' claims amid CJP's 'Chalo Sansad' march|work=The Times of India|date=20 July 2026|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/delhi/delhi-police-denies-violence-claims-amid-cjps-chalo-sansad-march/articleshow/132508268.cms}}</ref><br />
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=== Police intimidation ===<br />
The handling of the protests by Delhi Police became a subject of dispute. Police stated that permission for the demonstration on 20 June 2026 had been granted only until 5 P.M., but organisers continued the sit-in beyond the permitted time, saying they would remain until their demands were addressed.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Sharma|first=Saurabh|date=14 July 2026|title=Indian activist urged to give up hunger strike over exam leaks|url=https://www.reuters.com/world/india/indian-activist-urged-give-up-hunger-strike-over-exam-leaks-2026-07-14/|website=[[Reuters]]}}</ref><br />
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On 20 July, Delhi Police used lathis to disperse hundreds of protesters marching from Mandi House Metro Station to Jantar Mantar, intending to reach the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) protest site, as reported by an eyewitness to PTI.<ref>{{Cite web |title=CJP 'Chalo Sansad' {{!}} Lathi-charge reported as 'cockroaches' march towards Jantar Mantar; Delhi Police say 'no such incident' |url=https://www.deccanherald.com/india/delhi/cjp-chalo-sansad-lathi-charge-reported-as-cockroaches-march-towards-jantar-mantar-delhi-police-say-no-such-incident-4079985 |access-date=2026-07-21 |website=Deccan Herald |language=en}}</ref><br />
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The police response also attracted legal scrutiny. In July 2026, a [[public interest litigation]] was filed before the Delhi High Court alleging that Delhi Police had subjected protesters to continuous photography, videography, and surveillance, creating what the petition called an "atmosphere of intimidation" and infringing their rights to privacy and peaceful assembly. The matter was admitted for hearing.<ref name=":22">{{Cite news |date=15 July 2026|title='Atmosphere of intimidation': PIL in Delhi high court questions continuous surveillance of Jantar Mantar protesters|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/delhi/atmosphere-of-intimidation-pil-in-delhi-high-court-questions-continuous-surveillance-of-jantar-mantar-protesters/articleshow/132419094.cms|access-date=17 July 2026|work=[[The Times of India]]|issn=0971-8257}}</ref><br />
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== Violence and resistance ==<br />
{{Expand section|date=July 2026}}<br />
Around 11:25 am, protesters tried pushing through barricades in the high-security zone, leading to a scuffle in which both protesters and police sustained minor injuries. As numbers grew, police fired tear gas and used [[Lathi charge|lathi charges]] to disperse the crowd, with some protesters seen bleeding from head and upper-body injuries. When protesters tried breaking through the final barricades on [[Sansad Marg]], police used their sticks "irrespective of gender", while some demonstrators tried and failed to escape through an [[LIC Housing Finance|LIC]] building gate.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Chanda |first=Riju |date=2026-07-20 |title=Miscommunication causes chaos, but lathi charge, rain fail to break spirits of young protesters as traffic comes to grinding halt |url=https://www.theweek.in/news/india/2026/07/20/sansad-chalo-march-cjp-jantar-mantar.html |access-date=2026-07-20 |website=[[The Week]] |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Team |first=N. L. |date=2026-07-20 |title=Under shadow of lathis and barricades: The day the Modi govt finally engaged the CJP |url=https://www.newslaundry.com/2026/07/20/under-shadow-of-lathis-and-barricades-the-day-the-modi-govt-finally-engaged-the-cjp |access-date=2026-07-20 |website=[[Newslaundry]] |language=en}}</ref><br />
[[File:Police Vehicles Destroyed By Protester.jpg|thumb|Police vehicles destroyed by protesters]]<br />
[[File:Protester With Sword.jpg|thumb|Protester With Sword]]<br />
[[File:Police Fire Tear Gas.jpg|thumb|Police Fire Tear Gas]]<br />
<br />
Around 11:25 am, protesters attempted to push through barricades in the high-security zone near Parliament Street, Patel Chowk and Rail Bhawan. According to Delhi Police, protesters displayed unruly, aggressive and violent behaviour, breached barricades, pelted stones and other objects at security personnel, vandalised police and government vehicles, and damaged public property. Police responded with lathi charges and tear gas. Videos and reports documented stone-pelting by demonstrators.<ref>{{Cite news |date=20 July 2026 |title=Over 70 detained; police claim 118 personnel hurt |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/delhi/over-70-detained-police-claim-118-personnel-hurt/articleshow/132522189.cms |work=The Times of India}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=21 July 2026 |title=CJP protest turns violent, over 50 security personnel injured in stone-pelting |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/programme/newstrack/video/cjp-protest-turns-violent-over-50-security-personnel-injured-in-stone-pelting-2952416-2026-07-20 |website=India Today}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |title=Stone-Pelting & Scuffles: Cops Bleed As CJP Protest Turns Violent |url=https://www.republicworld.com/india/chaos-near-parliament-cjp-protest-turns-violent-leaves-cops-injured-2026-07-20-132909 |work=Republic}}</ref><br />
Delhi Police reported approximately 180 people injured, including 118 security and police personnel and around 60 protesters. Hospital records at Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital noted dozens of medico-legal cases. CJP claimed higher protester injuries and alleged excessive force, including against women and minors. [[Gurdwara Bangla Sahib]] provided refuge to injured individuals.<ref name="reuters">{{Cite news |date=21 July 2026 |title=India youth group says protest continue after Delhi clashes injure 180 |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/india/india-youth-group-says-protest-continue-after-delhi-clashes-injure-180-2026-07-21/ |work=Reuters}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Avinash Prabhakar and Bhaskar Hari Sharma|date=21 July 2026|title=CJP's Chalo Sansad March Turns Violent Prompting Police Action|url=https://www.deccanchronicle.com/nation/crime/cjps-chalo-sansad-march-turns-violent-prompting-police-action-1972600|work=Deccan Chronicle}}</ref><br />
Delhi Police registered at least 10 FIRs across New Delhi district stations under sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita relating to obstruction of public servants, assault or criminal force against public servants, disobedience of orders, the Arms Act and the Prevention of Damage to Public Property Act. Allegations included stone-pelting, vandalism, flying a drone without permission, and conspiracy to incite violence. Over 250 videos were examined.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2026 |title=Delhi Police registers 10 FIRs related to Cockroach Janta Party protests |url=https://thenewsmill.com/2026/07/delhi-police-registers-10-firs-related-to-cockroach-janta-party-protests/ |website=The News Mill}}</ref><br />
CJP representatives Ashutosh Ranka and Saurav Das met Union Health Minister [[J. P. Nadda]] and raised demands including Wangchuk's release, Pradhan's resignation, and compensation for families of deceased NEET aspirants. CJP later claimed the government had agreed in principle to talks; this was not officially confirmed. On 21 July, protesters reclaimed and rebuilt the Jantar Mantar stage after it had been dismantled.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Deshpande|first=Anagha|date=20 July 2026|title=Who called whom? JP Nadda, CJP leaders differ on how the talks happened|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/who-called-whom-jp-nadda-cjp-leaders-differ-on-how-the-talks-happened-101784553085407.html|website=Hindustan Times}}</ref><br />
Some publications alleged that the mobilisation followed patterns seen in earlier protests involving figures linked to the 2020 Delhi riots, and claimed presence of individuals associated with previous anti-CAA or other agitations, as well as foreign-funded NGOs or activists. These claims included references to funding networks involving Ford Foundation and George Soros, and the spotting of certain civil society figures at the site. Mainstream reporting focused primarily on the clashes and competing claims of responsibility for violence rather than confirming organised foreign or separatist infiltration.<ref>{{Cite web |date=20 July 2026 |title=Explained: Cockroach Janta Party is setting the stage for violence with their 'Parliament march' |url=https://www.opindia.com/2026/07/cockroach-janta-party-parliament-march-setup-for-violence-sonam-wangchuk-abhijeet-dipke-delhi-riot-playbook-explained/ |website=OpIndia}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=20 July 2026 |title=Anti-India nexus of CJP... |url=https://organiser.org/2026/07/20/370758/bharat/anti-india-nexus-of-cjp-anjali-bharadwaj-shabana-azmi-funded-by-ford-soros-deep-state-spotted-at-delhi-protest/amp/ |website=Organiser}}</ref><br />
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== Reactions ==<br />
Opposition leaders expressed support for the protesters and for Wangchuk's hunger strike. [[Samajwadi Party]] president [[Akhilesh Yadav]] appealed to Wangchuk to end his fast, describing his life as "invaluable", while backing the demand for greater accountability in the education system.<ref name="aljazeera2">{{Cite web |date=14 July 2026|title=Indian activist Wangchuk urged to end hunger strike over exam paper leaks|url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2026/7/14/indian-activist-wangchuk-urged-to-end-hunger-strike-over-exam-paper-leaks|access-date=17 July 2026|website=[[Al Jazeera]]|agency=[[Reuters]]|language=en|archive-date=16 July 2026|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260716205531/https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2026/7/14/indian-activist-wangchuk-urged-to-end-hunger-strike-over-exam-paper-leaks|url-status=live}}</ref><br />
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[[Rahul Gandhi]] characterised Modi as India's most 'anti-youth Prime Minister'. "Tear-gassing students, lathi-charging students is not democratic...They have legitimate demands. The Prime Minister should accept these demands and do something about it," stated Gandhi. The Congress party condemned the police action against protesters attempting to march to Parliament on the opening day of the monsoon session. Additionally, it emphasised that concerns regarding paper leaks had been raised by the party prior to the current agitation led by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP).<ref>{{Cite news |last=Phukan |first=Sandeep |date=2026-07-20 |title=Modi is India's most 'anti-youth PM', says Rahul Gandhi |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/rahul-gandhi-calls-narendra-modi-most-anti-youth-pm-in-indias-history/article71245456.ece |access-date=2026-07-21 |work=The Hindu |language=en-IN |issn=0971-751X}}</ref><br />
<br />
On 28 June, [[Nationalist Congress Party (Sharadchandra Pawar)|NCP (SP)]] national spokesperson [[Anish Gawande]] joined the protest at Jantar Mantar and reiterated the demand for Pradhan's resignation. Gawande claimed that several opposition parties, including the [[All India Trinamool Congress|Trinamool Congress]], the [[Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam]], and the NCP (SP), had extended support to the agitation.<ref>{{Cite web |date=28 June 2026|title=CJP protest in Delhi LIVE: Being forced to sit here in heat, wish govt had shown sensitivity, says Sonam Wangchuk|url=https://www.tribuneindia.com/live-blog/delhi/cjp-protest-in-delhi-live-wangchuk-to-begin-indefinite-hunger-strike-at-jantar-mantar/|access-date=17 July 2026|website=[[The Tribune (India)|The Tribune]]|language=en|archive-date=29 June 2026|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260629014449/https://www.tribuneindia.com/live-blog/delhi/cjp-protest-in-delhi-live-wangchuk-to-begin-indefinite-hunger-strike-at-jantar-mantar/|url-status=live}}</ref><br />
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On 16 July, former Delhi Chief Minister [[Arvind Kejriwal]] joined the protest at Jantar Mantar, sought Pradhan's removal, and suggested that Wangchuk be made education minister.<ref name="toikejriwal2">{{Cite news |date=16 July 2026|title='Make Sonam Wangchuk education minister': Arvind Kejriwal joins Jantar Mantar protest, seeks Dharmendra Pradhan's ouster|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/make-sonam-wangchuk-education-minister-arvind-kejriwal-joins-jantar-mantar-protest-seeks-dharmendra-pradhans-ouster/articleshow/132440920.cms|access-date=17 July 2026|work=[[The Times of India]]|issn=0971-8257|archive-date=17 July 2026|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260717054423/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/make-sonam-wangchuk-education-minister-arvind-kejriwal-joins-jantar-mantar-protest-seeks-dharmendra-pradhans-ouster/articleshow/132440920.cms|url-status=live}}</ref><br />
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During his hunger strike, Wangchuk said the movement had "no political colour" and described its demands as an appeal for accountability and reform in the education system rather than merely the resignation of the education minister.<ref name=":02">{{Cite web |date=14 July 2026|title=Sonam Wangchuk to Express: CJP protest has no political colour, PM should be sensitive|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/political-pulse/sonam-wangchuk-interview-hunger-strike-cockroach-janta-party-protest-education-neet-10785080/|access-date=17 July 2026|website=[[The Indian Express]]|language=en|last=Dwivedi|first=Saurabh|archive-date=15 July 2026|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260715090621/https://indianexpress.com/article/political-pulse/sonam-wangchuk-interview-hunger-strike-cockroach-janta-party-protest-education-neet-10785080/|url-status=live}}</ref><br />
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The Union government and the Ministry of Education did not immediately issue a formal response to the demands of the protesters or to Wangchuk's hunger strike.<ref name="aljazeera">{{Cite web |date=14 July 2026 |title=Indian activist Wangchuk urged to end hunger strike over exam paper leaks |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2026/7/14/indian-activist-wangchuk-urged-to-end-hunger-strike-over-exam-paper-leaks |access-date=17 July 2026 |website=[[Al Jazeera]] |agency=[[Reuters]] |language=en |archive-date=16 July 2026 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260716205531/https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2026/7/14/indian-activist-wangchuk-urged-to-end-hunger-strike-over-exam-paper-leaks |url-status=live }}</ref><br />
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* CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke, along with spokespersons Saurav Das, Ashutosh Ranka, and climate activist [[Sonam Wangchuk]]'s wife Gitanjali Angmo, continued a sit-in outside [[Kerala House, New Delhi|Kerala House]] after police had removed them from Jantar Mantar.<ref name="auto1">{{Cite news |date=21 July 2026 |title=Centre blinks as CJP protest turns massive |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/india/2026/Jul/21/centre-blinks-as-cjp-protest-turns-massive |access-date=2026-07-22 |website=The New Indian Express}}</ref><br />
* [[Sonam Wangchuk]] wrote an open letter stating he would continue his fast in protest against the police action against demonstrators, on the 24th day of his hunger strike.<ref name="auto1"/><br />
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The police action drew widespread criticism from public figures and several opposition leaders, including [[Shashi Tharoor]], [[Rahul Gandhi]], and [[Arvind Kejriwal]]. Tharoor questioned the use of force, asking, "When a non-violent protest is taking place, what is the reason for a lathi charge?".<ref>{{Cite news |date=20 July 2026 |title=Parliament cannot be notice board: Tharoor hits out at Centre for denying debate on burning issues |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/india/2026/Jul/20/parliament-cannot-be-notice-board-tharoor-hits-out-at-centre-for-denying-debate-on-burning-issues |work=The New Indian Express}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=20 July 2026 |title=Students beaten, paper leak culprits roaming free: Rahul Gandhi calls PM Modi 'most youth-hostile PM' |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/students-beaten-paper-leak-culprits-roaming-free-rahul-gandhi-calls-pm-modi-most-youth-hostile-pm-2952141-2026-07-20 |work=India Today}}</ref> On the other hand, MPs [[Kangana Ranaut]] and [[Hema Malini]] criticised the protests, questioning their objective.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2026-07-20 |title=You cannot arm-twist government: Kangana Ranaut reacts to CJP protest |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/movies/celebrities/story/kangana-ranaut-slams-opposition-disruption-cjp-protest-lok-sabha-monsoon-session-arm-twist-government-2951981-2026-07-20 |access-date=2026-07-20 |website=[[India Today]] |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=2026-07-20 |title=Hema Malini says ‘Protest karne se toh kuch kaam nahi hoga’, refuses to comment on Dharmendra Pradhan resignation demand amid CJP protests near Parliament |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news/hema-malini-says-protest-karne-se-toh-kuch-kaam-nahi-hoga-refuses-to-comment-on-dharmendra-pradhan-resignation-demand-amid-cjp-protests-near-parliament/articleshow/132519082.cms |access-date=2026-07-20 |work=[[The Times of India]] |issn=0971-8257}}</ref> Abhijeet Dipke's absence from the protest was also criticised. A protestor alleged that Dipke and the organisers were hiding behind, while students who had come out for the first time were left to face the police.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2026-07-20 |title=How Abhijeet Dipke pulls a Houdini, each time, every time |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/abhijeet-dipke-cjp-protest-key-moments-wangchuk-sansad-chalo-jp-nadda-demands-pradhan-2952032-2026-07-20 |access-date=2026-07-21 |website=India Today |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Gupta |first=Shobhit |date=July 21, 2026 |title=Internal Rift In CJP? Dissenter Alleges Women Were Pushed To Protest Frontlines By Abhijeet Dipke |url=https://www.news18.com/india/internal-rift-in-cjp-dissenter-alleges-women-were-pushed-to-protest-frontlines-by-abhijeet-dipke-ws-l-10225281.html |access-date=July 21, 2026 |website=[[News18]]}}</ref><br />
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Opposition leaders including [[Rahul Gandhi]], [[Arvind Kejriwal]], [[Akhilesh Yadav]] and others expressed support for the protesters' demands and criticised police action. Gandhi described Modi as the most anti-youth Prime Minister and condemned the use of force. Some BJP leaders and MPs, including [[Kangana Ranaut]] and [[Hema Malini]], questioned the protests' objectives and methods.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Phukan |first=Sandeep |date=2026-07-20 |title=Modi is India's most 'anti-youth PM', says Rahul Gandhi |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/rahul-gandhi-calls-narendra-modi-most-anti-youth-pm-in-indias-history/article71245456.ece |work=The Hindu}}</ref><br />
Wangchuk maintained that the movement had no political colour and focused on accountability in the education system. The Union government did not issue an immediate formal response to the core demands.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |date=14 July 2026 |title=Sonam Wangchuk to Express: CJP protest has no political colour, PM should be sensitive |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/political-pulse/sonam-wangchuk-interview-hunger-strike-cockroach-janta-party-protest-education-neet-10785080/ |website=[[The Indian Express]] |last=Dwivedi |first=Saurabh}}</ref><br />
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== See also ==<br />
* [[Citizenship Amendment Act protests]]<br />
* [[List of Indian student organisations]]<br />
* [[2026 NEET controversy]]<br />
* [[2026 CBSE On-Screen Marking controversy]]<br />
* [[Cockroach Janta Party]]<br />
* [[Citizenship Amendment Act protests]]<br />
* [[List of Indian student organisations]]<br />
* [[2026 NEET controversy]]<br />
* [[2026 CBSE On-Screen Marking controversy]]<br />
* [[Cockroach Janta Party]]<br />
* [[Citizenship Amendment Act protests]]<br />
* [[List of Indian student organisations]]<br />
<br />
== References ==<br />
{{Reflist}}<br />
{{Subject bar |portal1=India |portal2=Politics}}<br />
<br />
[[Category:2026 in Indian politics]]<br />
[[Category:2026 in New Delhi]]<br />
[[Category:2026 protests]]<br />
[[Category:Gen Z protests in Asia]]<br />
[[Category:July 2026 in India]]<br />
[[Category:June 2026 in India]]<br />
[[Category:Protests against the premiership of Narendra Modi]]<br />
[[Category:Protests in India]]<br />
[[Category:Student protests in India]]<br />
[[Category:Protest marches in India]]</div>BellaCHhttps://en.bharatpedia.org/w/index.php?title=Abhijeet_Dipke&diff=552355Abhijeet Dipke2026-07-22T07:40:58Z<p>BellaCH: Typo</p>
<hr />
<div>{{Short description|Indian political communication strategist (born 1995)}}<br />
{{Use Indian English|date=May 2026}}<br />
{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2026}}<br />
{{Infobox person<br />
| name = Abhijeet Dipke<br />
| image = Abhijeet-dipke.jpg<br />
| alt = <br />
| caption = <br />
| birth_name = <br />
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|df=yes|1995|9|29}}<ref name="lokmat">{{cite web |title=Despite his viral success, Abhijeet's parents worry about his entry into politics |url=https://www.lokmattimes.com/aurangabad/despite-his-viral-success-abhijeets-parents-worry-about-his-entry-into-politics/ |website=Lokmat Times |date=20 May 2026 |access-date=22 May 2026}}</ref><br />
| birth_place = [[Aurangabad, Maharashtra]], India<ref name="tribune">{{cite web |title=Abhijeet Dipke — The 30-year-old behind Cockroach Janta Party's viral rise |url=https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/trending/abhijeet-dipke-the-30-yr-old-behind-cockroach-janta-partys-viral-rise/ |website=The Tribune |date=20 May 2026 |access-date=22 May 2026}}</ref><br />
| death_date = <br />
| death_place = <br />
| other_names = <br />
| occupation = Political communication strategist<ref name="ndtv">{{cite web |title=Who Is Abhijeet Dipke, Founder Of Online Sensation Cockroach Janta Party |url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/cockroach-janta-party-who-is-abhijeet-dipke-founder-of-online-sensation-cockroach-janta-party-11531319 |website=NDTV |date=21 May 2026 |access-date=22 May 2026}}</ref><br />
| years_active = 2020–present<br />
| known_for = Founder of the [[Cockroach Janta Party]]<ref name="statesman">{{cite web |title=Cockroach Janata Party's X (Twitter) account withheld in India |url=https://www.thestatesman.com/india/cockroach-janata-party-x-twitter-account-withheld-india-abhijeet-dipke-instagram-hacking-1503596491.html |website=The Statesman |date=20 May 2026 |access-date=22 May 2026}}</ref><br />
| notable_works = <br />
| alma_mater = [[Boston University]] ([[MSc]])<ref name="etvbharat">{{cite web |title=Explained: Who Is Abhijeet Dipke, The Man Behind India's Most Unexpectedly Viral Political Satire? |url=https://www.etvbharat.com/en/lifestyle/abhijeet-dipke-started-cockroach-janata-party-cjp-enn26052101475 |website=ETV Bharat |date=20 May 2026 |access-date=22 May 2026}}</ref><br />
| website = <br />
}}<br />
<br />
'''Abhijeet Dipke''' (born 29 September 1995) is an Indian political communication strategist and the founder of the [[Cockroach Janta Party]] (CJP),<ref>{{Cite web |last=Jain |first=Sanya |date=2026-05-21 |title=Who is Abhijeet Dipke, the Boston-educated founder of Cockroach Janata Party? |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/trending/who-is-abhijeet-dipke-the-boston-educated-founder-of-cockroach-janata-party-101779346291274.html |access-date=2026-05-24 |website=[[Hindustan Times]] |language=en}}</ref> a satirical political movement that started in May 2026 after remarks made by [[Chief Justice of India]] [[Surya Kant]].<ref name="bbc">{{cite web |title=India has a new political superstar - a cockroach |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cz72y11jjq1o |website=BBC News |date=20 May 2026 |access-date=22 May 2026}}</ref><ref name="aljazeera">{{cite web |title='Cockroach Janta Party': Top Indian judge's comment sparks satire, protest |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/features/2026/5/20/cockroach-janata-party-top-indian-judges-comment-sparks-satire-protest |website=Al Jazeera |date=20 May 2026 |access-date=22 May 2026}}</ref><ref name="ndtv"/><br />
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== Early life and education ==<br />
<br />
Abhijeet Dipke was born on 29 September 1995 in [[Aurangabad, Maharashtra|Aurangabad]] (now Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar), Maharashtra.<ref name="lokmat"/><ref name="tribune"/> His father Bhagwanrao Dipke is a retired engineer from MIDC, and his mother Anita Dipke is a homemaker.<ref name="lokmat"/> He completed his primary education in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar and later studied at S.B. College.<ref name="lokmat"/><br />
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Dipke earned a bachelor's degree in Journalism in [[Pune]].<ref name="ndtv"/><ref name="tribune"/> His father had initially secured his admission in engineering through management quota, but Dipke did not appear for the first-year exams and later shifted to mass media.<ref name="lokmat"/> He then moved to the [[United States]] and completed a Master of Science in Public Relations from [[Boston University]].<ref name="etvbharat"/><ref name="bbc"/><br />
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== Career ==<br />
<br />
=== Work with Aam Aadmi Party ===<br />
[[File:Abhijeet Dipke with Manish Sisodia.jpg|thumb|Abhijeet Dipke with Manish Sisodia]]<br />
Between 2020 and 2023, Dipke worked as a volunteer with the [[Aam Aadmi Party]] (AAP) social media team.<ref name="ndtv"/><ref name="tribune"/> During the [[2020 Delhi Legislative Assembly election]], which AAP won under [[Arvind Kejriwal]]'s leadership, he made meme-based digital content aimed at young voters.<ref name="ndtv"/><ref name="etvbharat"/> He also served as a communication advisor for the Delhi government's education department.<ref name="timesnow">{{cite web |title=Who Is Abhijeet Dipke: कोण आहेत 'कॉक्रोच जनता पार्टी'चे संस्थापक? |url=https://marathi.timesnownews.com/news/who-is-abhijeet-dipke-man-behind-cockroach-janta-party-overpassing-bjp-on-instagram-gen-z-digital-movement-article-154366512 |website=Times Now Marathi |date=20 May 2026 |access-date=22 May 2026}}</ref> He left AAP in 2023 to study abroad.<ref name="etvbharat"/><br />
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=== Cockroach Janta Party ===<br />
{{Main|Cockroach Janta Party}}<br />
On 15 May 2026, Chief Justice Surya Kant said during a [[Supreme Court of India|Supreme Court]] hearing: "There are youngsters like cockroaches, who do not get any employment or have any place in a profession. Some of them become media, some become social media, [[Right to Information Act, 2005|RTI]] activists, and they start attacking everyone."<ref name="aljazeera"/><ref name="statesman"/> The next day, Dipke posted on [[X (social network)|X]]: "What if all cockroaches come together?"<ref name="aljazeera"/> He then created the Cockroach Janta Party as a satirical online group, setting up a website and a Google Form for membership.<ref name="statesman"/><ref name="timesnow"/><br />
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Within days, the party had over 350,000 registered members.<ref name="aljazeera"/> By 21 May 2026, the CJP's Instagram account had crossed 19 million followers, more than any other political party in India.<ref name="ndtv"/><ref name="tribuneindia">{{cite web |title=Cockroach Janta Party founder Dipke's parents averse to son's 'pursuit of politics' |url=https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/india/cockroach-janta-party-founder-dipkes-parents-averse-to-sons-pursuit-of-politics/ |website=The Tribune |date=21 May 2026 |access-date=22 May 2026}}</ref> The party's X account, which had over 200,000 followers, was later withheld in India "in response to a legal demand."<ref name="statesman"/><ref name="bbc"/> Dipke responded to this on X, calling it an "own goal."<ref name="statesman"/><br />
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Dipke also claimed that attempts were made to hack the party's Instagram account. In a video message, he said: "Many attempts are being made to hack our account. I find it funny that these cowards are targeting young 20-21-year-old students."<ref name="statesman"/><br />
<br />
In an interview with ''India Today'', Dipke said: "Someone who is there to safeguard our freedom of expression is comparing us with cockroaches and parasites for just putting up our opinion."<ref name="indiatoday">{{cite web |title=Meet the man behind Cockroach Janta Party |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/video/meet-the-man-behind-the-cockroach-janta-party-2914598-2026-05-20 |website=India Today |date=20 May 2026 |access-date=22 May 2026}}</ref><br />
<br />
In an interview with ''Al Jazeera'', Dipke explained why he picked the cockroach as a symbol: "Those in power think citizens are cockroaches and parasites. They should know that cockroaches breed in rotten places. That's what India is today."<ref name="aljazeera"/><br />
<br />
=== Parents' concerns ===<br />
<br />
Following the rapid rise of the Cockroach Janta Party, Dipke's parents expressed concerns about his entry into politics. His mother Anita Dipke told a Marathi news channel that they had lost sleep after learning about his move. His father Bhagwanrao said he wanted his son to take up a job in Pune or Delhi instead of entering politics.<ref name="tribuneindia"/><ref name="lokmat"/> His mother also stated: "He has been rebellious since childhood. Once he decides something, he goes ahead and does it. That is what worries us the most."<ref name="lokmat"/><br />
<br />
== Political positions ==<br />
<br />
Dipke has called the Cockroach Janta Party a "platform" for young Indians who feel left out of mainstream politics.<ref name="bbc"/> The party's manifesto includes demands for a ban on post-retirement Rajya Sabha seats for Chief Justices, 50 per cent reservation for women in Parliament and Cabinet, and cancellation of licenses for media houses owned by the [[Adani Group]] and [[Reliance Industries]].<ref name="aljazeera"/><br />
<br />
== References ==<br />
<br />
{{reflist}}<br />
<br />
== External links ==<br />
<br />
* {{X (social network)|abhijeet_dipke|Abhijeet Dipke}}<br />
<br />
[[Category:Living people]]<br />
[[Category:1995 births]]<br />
[[Category:21st-century Indian politicians]]<br />
[[Category:Boston University College of Communication alumni]]<br />
[[Category:Indian expatriates in the United States]]<br />
[[Category:People from Aurangabad]]<br />
[[Category:Politicians from Marathwada]]<br />
[[Category:Political consultants]]</div>BellaCHhttps://en.bharatpedia.org/w/index.php?title=Abhijeet_Dipke&diff=552354Abhijeet Dipke2026-07-22T07:40:32Z<p>BellaCH: Images added</p>
<hr />
<div>{{Short description|Indian political communication strategist (born 1995)}}<br />
{{Use Indian English|date=May 2026}}<br />
{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2026}}<br />
{{Infobox person<br />
| name = Abhijeet Dipke<br />
| image = Abhijeet-dipke.jpg<br />
| alt = <br />
| caption = <br />
| birth_name = <br />
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|df=yes|1995|9|29}}<ref name="lokmat">{{cite web |title=Despite his viral success, Abhijeet's parents worry about his entry into politics |url=https://www.lokmattimes.com/aurangabad/despite-his-viral-success-abhijeets-parents-worry-about-his-entry-into-politics/ |website=Lokmat Times |date=20 May 2026 |access-date=22 May 2026}}</ref><br />
| birth_place = [[Aurangabad, Maharashtra]], India<ref name="tribune">{{cite web |title=Abhijeet Dipke — The 30-year-old behind Cockroach Janta Party's viral rise |url=https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/trending/abhijeet-dipke-the-30-yr-old-behind-cockroach-janta-partys-viral-rise/ |website=The Tribune |date=20 May 2026 |access-date=22 May 2026}}</ref><br />
| death_date = <br />
| death_place = <br />
| other_names = <br />
| occupation = Political communication strategist<ref name="ndtv">{{cite web |title=Who Is Abhijeet Dipke, Founder Of Online Sensation Cockroach Janta Party |url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/cockroach-janta-party-who-is-abhijeet-dipke-founder-of-online-sensation-cockroach-janta-party-11531319 |website=NDTV |date=21 May 2026 |access-date=22 May 2026}}</ref><br />
| years_active = 2020–present<br />
| known_for = Founder of the [[Cockroach Janta Party]]<ref name="statesman">{{cite web |title=Cockroach Janata Party's X (Twitter) account withheld in India |url=https://www.thestatesman.com/india/cockroach-janata-party-x-twitter-account-withheld-india-abhijeet-dipke-instagram-hacking-1503596491.html |website=The Statesman |date=20 May 2026 |access-date=22 May 2026}}</ref><br />
| notable_works = <br />
| alma_mater = [[Boston University]] ([[MSc]])<ref name="etvbharat">{{cite web |title=Explained: Who Is Abhijeet Dipke, The Man Behind India's Most Unexpectedly Viral Political Satire? |url=https://www.etvbharat.com/en/lifestyle/abhijeet-dipke-started-cockroach-janata-party-cjp-enn26052101475 |website=ETV Bharat |date=20 May 2026 |access-date=22 May 2026}}</ref><br />
| website = <br />
}}<br />
<br />
'''Abhijeet Dipke''' (born 29 September 1995) is an Indian political communication strategist and the founder of the [[Cockroach Janta Party]] (CJP),<ref>{{Cite web |last=Jain |first=Sanya |date=2026-05-21 |title=Who is Abhijeet Dipke, the Boston-educated founder of Cockroach Janata Party? |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/trending/who-is-abhijeet-dipke-the-boston-educated-founder-of-cockroach-janata-party-101779346291274.html |access-date=2026-05-24 |website=[[Hindustan Times]] |language=en}}</ref> a satirical political movement that started in May 2026 after remarks made by [[Chief Justice of India]] [[Surya Kant]].<ref name="bbc">{{cite web |title=India has a new political superstar - a cockroach |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cz72y11jjq1o |website=BBC News |date=20 May 2026 |access-date=22 May 2026}}</ref><ref name="aljazeera">{{cite web |title='Cockroach Janta Party': Top Indian judge's comment sparks satire, protest |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/features/2026/5/20/cockroach-janata-party-top-indian-judges-comment-sparks-satire-protest |website=Al Jazeera |date=20 May 2026 |access-date=22 May 2026}}</ref><ref name="ndtv"/><br />
<br />
== Early life and education ==<br />
<br />
Abhijeet Dipke was born on 29 September 1995 in [[Aurangabad, Maharashtra|Aurangabad]] (now Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar), Maharashtra.<ref name="lokmat"/><ref name="tribune"/> His father Bhagwanrao Dipke is a retired engineer from MIDC, and his mother Anita Dipke is a homemaker.<ref name="lokmat"/> He completed his primary education in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar and later studied at S.B. College.<ref name="lokmat"/><br />
<br />
Dipke earned a bachelor's degree in Journalism in [[Pune]].<ref name="ndtv"/><ref name="tribune"/> His father had initially secured his admission in engineering through management quota, but Dipke did not appear for the first-year exams and later shifted to mass media.<ref name="lokmat"/> He then moved to the [[United States]] and completed a Master of Science in Public Relations from [[Boston University]].<ref name="etvbharat"/><ref name="bbc"/><br />
<br />
== Career ==<br />
<br />
=== Work with Aam Aadmi Party ===<br />
[[File:Abhijeet Dipke with Manish Sisodiajjpg|thumb|Abhijeet Dipke with Manish Sisodia]]<br />
Between 2020 and 2023, Dipke worked as a volunteer with the [[Aam Aadmi Party]] (AAP) social media team.<ref name="ndtv"/><ref name="tribune"/> During the [[2020 Delhi Legislative Assembly election]], which AAP won under [[Arvind Kejriwal]]'s leadership, he made meme-based digital content aimed at young voters.<ref name="ndtv"/><ref name="etvbharat"/> He also served as a communication advisor for the Delhi government's education department.<ref name="timesnow">{{cite web |title=Who Is Abhijeet Dipke: कोण आहेत 'कॉक्रोच जनता पार्टी'चे संस्थापक? |url=https://marathi.timesnownews.com/news/who-is-abhijeet-dipke-man-behind-cockroach-janta-party-overpassing-bjp-on-instagram-gen-z-digital-movement-article-154366512 |website=Times Now Marathi |date=20 May 2026 |access-date=22 May 2026}}</ref> He left AAP in 2023 to study abroad.<ref name="etvbharat"/><br />
<br />
=== Cockroach Janta Party ===<br />
{{Main|Cockroach Janta Party}}<br />
On 15 May 2026, Chief Justice Surya Kant said during a [[Supreme Court of India|Supreme Court]] hearing: "There are youngsters like cockroaches, who do not get any employment or have any place in a profession. Some of them become media, some become social media, [[Right to Information Act, 2005|RTI]] activists, and they start attacking everyone."<ref name="aljazeera"/><ref name="statesman"/> The next day, Dipke posted on [[X (social network)|X]]: "What if all cockroaches come together?"<ref name="aljazeera"/> He then created the Cockroach Janta Party as a satirical online group, setting up a website and a Google Form for membership.<ref name="statesman"/><ref name="timesnow"/><br />
<br />
Within days, the party had over 350,000 registered members.<ref name="aljazeera"/> By 21 May 2026, the CJP's Instagram account had crossed 19 million followers, more than any other political party in India.<ref name="ndtv"/><ref name="tribuneindia">{{cite web |title=Cockroach Janta Party founder Dipke's parents averse to son's 'pursuit of politics' |url=https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/india/cockroach-janta-party-founder-dipkes-parents-averse-to-sons-pursuit-of-politics/ |website=The Tribune |date=21 May 2026 |access-date=22 May 2026}}</ref> The party's X account, which had over 200,000 followers, was later withheld in India "in response to a legal demand."<ref name="statesman"/><ref name="bbc"/> Dipke responded to this on X, calling it an "own goal."<ref name="statesman"/><br />
<br />
Dipke also claimed that attempts were made to hack the party's Instagram account. In a video message, he said: "Many attempts are being made to hack our account. I find it funny that these cowards are targeting young 20-21-year-old students."<ref name="statesman"/><br />
<br />
In an interview with ''India Today'', Dipke said: "Someone who is there to safeguard our freedom of expression is comparing us with cockroaches and parasites for just putting up our opinion."<ref name="indiatoday">{{cite web |title=Meet the man behind Cockroach Janta Party |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/video/meet-the-man-behind-the-cockroach-janta-party-2914598-2026-05-20 |website=India Today |date=20 May 2026 |access-date=22 May 2026}}</ref><br />
<br />
In an interview with ''Al Jazeera'', Dipke explained why he picked the cockroach as a symbol: "Those in power think citizens are cockroaches and parasites. They should know that cockroaches breed in rotten places. That's what India is today."<ref name="aljazeera"/><br />
<br />
=== Parents' concerns ===<br />
<br />
Following the rapid rise of the Cockroach Janta Party, Dipke's parents expressed concerns about his entry into politics. His mother Anita Dipke told a Marathi news channel that they had lost sleep after learning about his move. His father Bhagwanrao said he wanted his son to take up a job in Pune or Delhi instead of entering politics.<ref name="tribuneindia"/><ref name="lokmat"/> His mother also stated: "He has been rebellious since childhood. Once he decides something, he goes ahead and does it. That is what worries us the most."<ref name="lokmat"/><br />
<br />
== Political positions ==<br />
<br />
Dipke has called the Cockroach Janta Party a "platform" for young Indians who feel left out of mainstream politics.<ref name="bbc"/> The party's manifesto includes demands for a ban on post-retirement Rajya Sabha seats for Chief Justices, 50 per cent reservation for women in Parliament and Cabinet, and cancellation of licenses for media houses owned by the [[Adani Group]] and [[Reliance Industries]].<ref name="aljazeera"/><br />
<br />
== References ==<br />
<br />
{{reflist}}<br />
<br />
== External links ==<br />
<br />
* {{X (social network)|abhijeet_dipke|Abhijeet Dipke}}<br />
<br />
[[Category:Living people]]<br />
[[Category:1995 births]]<br />
[[Category:21st-century Indian politicians]]<br />
[[Category:Boston University College of Communication alumni]]<br />
[[Category:Indian expatriates in the United States]]<br />
[[Category:People from Aurangabad]]<br />
[[Category:Politicians from Marathwada]]<br />
[[Category:Political consultants]]</div>BellaCHhttps://en.bharatpedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Abhijeet_Dipke_with_Manish_Sisodia.jpg&diff=552353File:Abhijeet Dipke with Manish Sisodia.jpg2026-07-22T07:39:08Z<p>BellaCH: </p>
<hr />
<div></div>BellaCHhttps://en.bharatpedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Abhijeet-dipke.jpg&diff=552352File:Abhijeet-dipke.jpg2026-07-22T07:37:22Z<p>BellaCH: </p>
<hr />
<div></div>BellaCHhttps://en.bharatpedia.org/w/index.php?title=Abhijeet_Dipke&diff=552349Abhijeet Dipke2026-07-22T07:31:11Z<p>BellaCH: Abhijeet Dipke page</p>
<hr />
<div>{{Short description|Indian political communication strategist (born 1995)}}<br />
{{Use Indian English|date=May 2026}}<br />
{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2026}}<br />
{{Infobox person<br />
| name = Abhijeet Dipke<br />
| image = <br />
| alt = <br />
| caption = <br />
| birth_name = <br />
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|df=yes|1995|9|29}}<ref name="lokmat">{{cite web |title=Despite his viral success, Abhijeet's parents worry about his entry into politics |url=https://www.lokmattimes.com/aurangabad/despite-his-viral-success-abhijeets-parents-worry-about-his-entry-into-politics/ |website=Lokmat Times |date=20 May 2026 |access-date=22 May 2026}}</ref><br />
| birth_place = [[Aurangabad, Maharashtra]], India<ref name="tribune">{{cite web |title=Abhijeet Dipke — The 30-year-old behind Cockroach Janta Party's viral rise |url=https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/trending/abhijeet-dipke-the-30-yr-old-behind-cockroach-janta-partys-viral-rise/ |website=The Tribune |date=20 May 2026 |access-date=22 May 2026}}</ref><br />
| death_date = <br />
| death_place = <br />
| other_names = <br />
| occupation = Political communication strategist<ref name="ndtv">{{cite web |title=Who Is Abhijeet Dipke, Founder Of Online Sensation Cockroach Janta Party |url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/cockroach-janta-party-who-is-abhijeet-dipke-founder-of-online-sensation-cockroach-janta-party-11531319 |website=NDTV |date=21 May 2026 |access-date=22 May 2026}}</ref><br />
| years_active = 2020–present<br />
| known_for = Founder of the [[Cockroach Janta Party]]<ref name="statesman">{{cite web |title=Cockroach Janata Party's X (Twitter) account withheld in India |url=https://www.thestatesman.com/india/cockroach-janata-party-x-twitter-account-withheld-india-abhijeet-dipke-instagram-hacking-1503596491.html |website=The Statesman |date=20 May 2026 |access-date=22 May 2026}}</ref><br />
| notable_works = <br />
| alma_mater = [[Boston University]] ([[MSc]])<ref name="etvbharat">{{cite web |title=Explained: Who Is Abhijeet Dipke, The Man Behind India's Most Unexpectedly Viral Political Satire? |url=https://www.etvbharat.com/en/lifestyle/abhijeet-dipke-started-cockroach-janata-party-cjp-enn26052101475 |website=ETV Bharat |date=20 May 2026 |access-date=22 May 2026}}</ref><br />
| website = <br />
}}<br />
<br />
'''Abhijeet Dipke''' (born 29 September 1995) is an Indian political communication strategist and the founder of the [[Cockroach Janta Party]] (CJP),<ref>{{Cite web |last=Jain |first=Sanya |date=2026-05-21 |title=Who is Abhijeet Dipke, the Boston-educated founder of Cockroach Janata Party? |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/trending/who-is-abhijeet-dipke-the-boston-educated-founder-of-cockroach-janata-party-101779346291274.html |access-date=2026-05-24 |website=[[Hindustan Times]] |language=en}}</ref> a satirical political movement that started in May 2026 after remarks made by [[Chief Justice of India]] [[Surya Kant]].<ref name="bbc">{{cite web |title=India has a new political superstar - a cockroach |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cz72y11jjq1o |website=BBC News |date=20 May 2026 |access-date=22 May 2026}}</ref><ref name="aljazeera">{{cite web |title='Cockroach Janta Party': Top Indian judge's comment sparks satire, protest |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/features/2026/5/20/cockroach-janata-party-top-indian-judges-comment-sparks-satire-protest |website=Al Jazeera |date=20 May 2026 |access-date=22 May 2026}}</ref><ref name="ndtv"/><br />
<br />
== Early life and education ==<br />
<br />
Abhijeet Dipke was born on 29 September 1995 in [[Aurangabad, Maharashtra|Aurangabad]] (now Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar), Maharashtra.<ref name="lokmat"/><ref name="tribune"/> His father Bhagwanrao Dipke is a retired engineer from MIDC, and his mother Anita Dipke is a homemaker.<ref name="lokmat"/> He completed his primary education in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar and later studied at S.B. College.<ref name="lokmat"/><br />
<br />
Dipke earned a bachelor's degree in Journalism in [[Pune]].<ref name="ndtv"/><ref name="tribune"/> His father had initially secured his admission in engineering through management quota, but Dipke did not appear for the first-year exams and later shifted to mass media.<ref name="lokmat"/> He then moved to the [[United States]] and completed a Master of Science in Public Relations from [[Boston University]].<ref name="etvbharat"/><ref name="bbc"/><br />
<br />
== Career ==<br />
<br />
=== Work with Aam Aadmi Party ===<br />
<br />
Between 2020 and 2023, Dipke worked as a volunteer with the [[Aam Aadmi Party]] (AAP) social media team.<ref name="ndtv"/><ref name="tribune"/> During the [[2020 Delhi Legislative Assembly election]], which AAP won under [[Arvind Kejriwal]]'s leadership, he made meme-based digital content aimed at young voters.<ref name="ndtv"/><ref name="etvbharat"/> He also served as a communication advisor for the Delhi government's education department.<ref name="timesnow">{{cite web |title=Who Is Abhijeet Dipke: कोण आहेत 'कॉक्रोच जनता पार्टी'चे संस्थापक? |url=https://marathi.timesnownews.com/news/who-is-abhijeet-dipke-man-behind-cockroach-janta-party-overpassing-bjp-on-instagram-gen-z-digital-movement-article-154366512 |website=Times Now Marathi |date=20 May 2026 |access-date=22 May 2026}}</ref> He left AAP in 2023 to study abroad.<ref name="etvbharat"/><br />
<br />
=== Cockroach Janta Party ===<br />
{{Main|Cockroach Janta Party}}<br />
On 15 May 2026, Chief Justice Surya Kant said during a [[Supreme Court of India|Supreme Court]] hearing: "There are youngsters like cockroaches, who do not get any employment or have any place in a profession. Some of them become media, some become social media, [[Right to Information Act, 2005|RTI]] activists, and they start attacking everyone."<ref name="aljazeera"/><ref name="statesman"/> The next day, Dipke posted on [[X (social network)|X]]: "What if all cockroaches come together?"<ref name="aljazeera"/> He then created the Cockroach Janta Party as a satirical online group, setting up a website and a Google Form for membership.<ref name="statesman"/><ref name="timesnow"/><br />
<br />
Within days, the party had over 350,000 registered members.<ref name="aljazeera"/> By 21 May 2026, the CJP's Instagram account had crossed 19 million followers, more than any other political party in India.<ref name="ndtv"/><ref name="tribuneindia">{{cite web |title=Cockroach Janta Party founder Dipke's parents averse to son's 'pursuit of politics' |url=https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/india/cockroach-janta-party-founder-dipkes-parents-averse-to-sons-pursuit-of-politics/ |website=The Tribune |date=21 May 2026 |access-date=22 May 2026}}</ref> The party's X account, which had over 200,000 followers, was later withheld in India "in response to a legal demand."<ref name="statesman"/><ref name="bbc"/> Dipke responded to this on X, calling it an "own goal."<ref name="statesman"/><br />
<br />
Dipke also claimed that attempts were made to hack the party's Instagram account. In a video message, he said: "Many attempts are being made to hack our account. I find it funny that these cowards are targeting young 20-21-year-old students."<ref name="statesman"/><br />
<br />
In an interview with ''India Today'', Dipke said: "Someone who is there to safeguard our freedom of expression is comparing us with cockroaches and parasites for just putting up our opinion."<ref name="indiatoday">{{cite web |title=Meet the man behind Cockroach Janta Party |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/video/meet-the-man-behind-the-cockroach-janta-party-2914598-2026-05-20 |website=India Today |date=20 May 2026 |access-date=22 May 2026}}</ref><br />
<br />
In an interview with ''Al Jazeera'', Dipke explained why he picked the cockroach as a symbol: "Those in power think citizens are cockroaches and parasites. They should know that cockroaches breed in rotten places. That's what India is today."<ref name="aljazeera"/><br />
<br />
=== Parents' concerns ===<br />
<br />
Following the rapid rise of the Cockroach Janta Party, Dipke's parents expressed concerns about his entry into politics. His mother Anita Dipke told a Marathi news channel that they had lost sleep after learning about his move. His father Bhagwanrao said he wanted his son to take up a job in Pune or Delhi instead of entering politics.<ref name="tribuneindia"/><ref name="lokmat"/> His mother also stated: "He has been rebellious since childhood. Once he decides something, he goes ahead and does it. That is what worries us the most."<ref name="lokmat"/><br />
<br />
== Political positions ==<br />
<br />
Dipke has called the Cockroach Janta Party a "platform" for young Indians who feel left out of mainstream politics.<ref name="bbc"/> The party's manifesto includes demands for a ban on post-retirement Rajya Sabha seats for Chief Justices, 50 per cent reservation for women in Parliament and Cabinet, and cancellation of licenses for media houses owned by the [[Adani Group]] and [[Reliance Industries]].<ref name="aljazeera"/><br />
<br />
== References ==<br />
<br />
{{reflist}}<br />
<br />
== External links ==<br />
<br />
* {{X (social network)|abhijeet_dipke|Abhijeet Dipke}}<br />
<br />
[[Category:Living people]]<br />
[[Category:1995 births]]<br />
[[Category:21st-century Indian politicians]]<br />
[[Category:Boston University College of Communication alumni]]<br />
[[Category:Indian expatriates in the United States]]<br />
[[Category:People from Aurangabad]]<br />
[[Category:Politicians from Marathwada]]<br />
[[Category:Political consultants]]</div>BellaCHhttps://en.bharatpedia.org/w/index.php?title=Jaswant_Singh_Khalra&diff=552277Jaswant Singh Khalra2026-07-18T17:26:40Z<p>BellaCH: Expand</p>
<hr />
<div>{{Short description|Indian human rights activist and political essayist (1952–1995)}}<br />
{{pp|small=yes}} <br />
{{Use Indian English|date=July 2016}}<br />
{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2020}}<br />
{{Infobox person<br />
| name = Jaswant Singh Khalra<br />
| image = Jaswant Singh Khalra.jpg<br />
| caption = Jaswant Singh Khalra at the desk of the Khalistan Liberation Movement International, highlighting the ideological ties to the separatist movement that ran parallel to his human rights investigations.<br />
| birth_date = 1952<br />
| birth_place = [[Khalra]], [[Punjab, India|Punjab]], India<br />
| death_place = [[Chabhal Kalan]], [[Punjab, India|Punjab]], India<br />
| death_date = {{death date and age|1995|1952}}<br />
| death_cause = [[Extrajudicial execution]]<br />
| occupation = [[Human rights activist]], General Secretary of Human Rights Wing of [[Shiromani Akali Dal]], Political essayist<br />
| spouse = Paramjit Kaur Khalra<br />
}}<br />
<br />
'''Jaswant Singh Khalra''' (1952–1995)<ref name="amnesty1995">{{Cite news |date=6 September 1995 |title=India: Fear of disappearance / fear of torture: Jaswant Singh Khalra, human rights activist |url=https://www.amnesty.org/en/documents/asa20/026/1995/en/ |work=Amnesty International}}</ref> was an Indian bank director, human rights activist, and political essayist. He gained international recognition after uncovering evidence of thousands of alleged extrajudicial killings, enforced disappearances, and illegal cremations carried out by the Punjab Police during the counter-insurgency operations in [[Punjab, India|Punjab]].<ref name="amnesty1998">{{Cite web |date=31 March 1998 |title=India: A Mockery of Justice: The case concerning the “disappearance” of human rights defender Jaswant Singh Khalra severely undermined |url=https://www.amnesty.org/en/documents/asa20/007/1998/en/ |website=Amnesty International |publisher=Amnesty International |language=en |access-date=2026-07-12}}</ref><br />
<br />
Alongside his documentation of human rights abuses, contemporary archives, intelligence narratives, and political records outline Khalra's ideological alignment with the [[Khalistan movement|Khalistan separatist movement]], his public defense of militant figures, and accusations from state authorities regarding anti-national activities aimed at challenging Indian sovereignty.<ref name="baaz2026">{{Cite web |url=https://www.baaznews.org/p/khalra-game-of-elections-khalistan |title=The Game Of Elections - Should It Be Played Or Not? |website=www.baaznews.org |access-date=2026-07-10}}</ref> He was abducted from outside his home in [[Amritsar]] on 6 September 1995 and was subsequently murdered in police custody, culminating in the conviction and life imprisonment of six [[Punjab Police (India)|Punjab Police]] officials.<ref name="sc2011" /><br />
<br />
== Political background ==<br />
<br />
Jaswant Singh Khalra's political beliefs evolved considerably over the course of his public life and have been interpreted differently by historians, journalists, and political commentators. While he became internationally known for documenting alleged human rights violations committed during the Punjab counter-insurgency, his earlier political activities, ideological writings, and later advocacy concerning Sikh self-determination have also formed part of scholarly discussion regarding his legacy.<ref name="jaijee">Politics of genocide: Punjab, 1984-1998, Inderjit Singh Jaijee, p.101, Inderjit Singh Jaijee, 1999</ref><ref name="baaz2026"/><br />
<br />
During his youth, Khalra reportedly participated in left-wing student activism and was associated with organisations influenced by Marxist and socialist thought, including the Naujawan Bharat Sabha. Several writers have described this period as one in which he was primarily influenced by secular class-based politics rather than Sikh nationalist ideology. His political outlook, however, changed substantially following the political unrest of the late 1970s and early 1980s, particularly the events surrounding [[Operation Blue Star]], the [[assassination of Indira Gandhi]], and the [[1984 anti-Sikh riots]], after which his public activities became increasingly centred on Sikh political and human rights issues.<ref>{{cite book |last=Ahmed |first=Ishtiaq |title=The Punjab Bloodied, Partitioned and Cleansed |publisher=Oxford University Press |year=2012}}</ref><ref name="jaijee"/><br />
<br />
Khalra subsequently became associated with the [[Shiromani Akali Dal]], serving as General Secretary of its Human Rights Wing. In this capacity he investigated allegations of enforced disappearances, custodial killings and illegal cremations while simultaneously contributing essays and political commentary addressing the constitutional status of Punjab, Sikh political aspirations and the conduct of the Indian state during the insurgency.<ref name="amnesty1998"/><ref name="baaz2026"/><br />
<br />
Historians have differed in their assessment of the relationship between Khalra's human rights advocacy and his political ideology. Some portray him primarily as a human rights defender whose investigations exposed unlawful state practices, whereas others argue that his political writings demonstrate broader support for Sikh nationalist objectives extending beyond human rights documentation. These differing interpretations continue to shape academic and public debate surrounding his legacy.<ref name="jaijee"/><ref name="baaz2026"/><br />
<br />
== Activism and Cremation Investigations ==<br />
{{Further|Human rights abuses in Punjab, India}}<br />
Jaswant Singh Khalra served as the director of a cooperative bank in the city of [[Amritsar]] during the militancy period in Punjab. Following [[Operation Blue Star]], the [[assassination of Indira Gandhi]], and the [[1984 anti-Sikh riots]], security forces were granted sweeping emergency powers to counter armed separatism. The police were subsequently accused of killing unarmed suspects in staged shootouts and burning thousands of unidentified bodies to cover up custodial deaths.<ref name="huffpost2018">{{Cite news |last=Singh |first=Harman |date=11 September 2018 |title=Every Canadian Should Know The Tale Of This Murdered Sikh Activist |url=https://www.huffpost.com/archive/ca/entry/jaswant-singh-khalra-canada_ca_5cd56686e4b07bc72977c213 |work=Huff Post}}</ref><br />
<br />
While searching for colleagues who went missing, Khalra discovered files from the municipal corporation of Amritsar containing the names, ages, and addresses of individuals who had been secretly cremated by the police.<ref name="huffpost2018"/> His investigation asserted that approximately 25,000 Sikhs had been illegally killed and cremated by the state across multiple districts.<ref name="ahmed">The Politics of Religion in South and Southeast Asia, p. 74, Taylor & Francis, by Ishtiaq Ahmed.</ref> <br />
<br />
The [[Central Bureau of Investigation]] (CBI) and the [[Supreme Court of India]] subsequently verified the data in part, concluding that the police had unlawfully cremated 2,097 people in [[Tarn Taran district]] alone.<ref name="ahmed"/> The [[National Human Rights Commission of India]] also certified the validity of the identified bodies cremated within the police districts of Amritsar, [[Majitha]], and Tarn Taran between June 1984 and December 1994.<br />
<br />
== Khalistani Alignment and Separatist Ideology ==<br />
Beyond his investigations into alleged human rights violations, Khalra also wrote extensively on Sikh political issues during the insurgency. Several of his essays discussed Sikh self-determination, the constitutional relationship between Punjab and the Indian Union, and the legitimacy of state institutions operating in Punjab during the period of militancy. His political writings have subsequently become an important source for historians examining the evolution of his ideological views.<ref name="baaz2026"/><br />
<br />
Among his best-known political essays was ''The Game Of Elections – Should It Be Played Or Not?'', published in February 1992 in ''Liberation Khalistan'', a publication associated with the Khalistan movement.<ref name="baaz2026"/> In the article, Khalra argued that participation in elections organised by the Indian state would legitimise what he characterised as continued political repression in Punjab. He instead urged Sikhs to reject electoral participation until questions relating to political autonomy and justice had been addressed.<br />
<br />
Khalra's writings frequently contrasted the constitutional framework of the Indian state with his interpretation of Sikh political aspirations. He argued that the Punjab conflict should not be viewed solely through the lens of law and order but also as a political dispute concerning Sikh identity, representation and self-determination. Supporters have described these writings as expressions of political dissent protected under democratic principles, whereas critics have argued that they reflected ideological support for the separatist objectives of the Khalistan movement.<ref name="jaijee"/><ref name="baaz2026"/><br />
<br />
=== Support for Militancy and Bhindranwale ===<br />
Several published accounts describe Khalra as expressing admiration for [[Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale]], whom he regarded as a significant figure in modern Sikh political history. In his writings and speeches, Khalra rejected descriptions of Bhindranwale as a terrorist, instead portraying him as a religious and political leader whose movement emerged in response to state policies during the late 1970s and early 1980s.<ref name="baaz2026"/><br />
<br />
This interpretation has remained controversial. Critics have argued that Khalra's public defence of Bhindranwale reflected ideological sympathy for the broader Khalistan movement, while supporters contend that his position should be understood within the wider political context of the Punjab insurgency and did not, by itself, establish participation in or endorsement of acts of violence committed by militant organisations.<ref name="jaijee"/><br />
<br />
=== Anti-State Essays and Electoral Boycott ===<br />
Khalra openly rejected the constitutional authority of the secular Indian government in Punjab. His political philosophy was explicitly outlined in his essay, ''"The Game Of Elections - Should It Be Played Or Not?"'', which was originally published in February 1992 in the separatist organ ''Liberation Khalistan''.<ref name="baaz2026"/> <br />
<br />
In the essay, Khalra vehemently argued against public participation in the state assembly elections organized by the central government, characterizing the democratic process as an illegitimate ruse by an occupying power. He asserted:<br />
{{Quote|text=The state organizes these elections not to grant freedom, but to drape its tyranny in the garb of democracy. Participating in this game only strengthens the chains of the Indian state over the Sikh nation.|sign=Jaswant Singh Khalra, February 1992|source=''Liberation Khalistan''}}<br />
<br />
Intelligence agencies and state officials frequently pointed to these public declarations and his active ties to separatist factions to argue that his human rights apparatus was heavily leveraged to provide ideological cover and propaganda support to active terrorist groups.<ref name="jaijee"/><br />
<br />
=== Alleged links with militant organisations ===<br />
<br />
Throughout the 1990s, Punjab Police and other security agencies alleged that Khalra maintained links with individuals associated with Khalistan militant organisations. These allegations were cited by authorities in support of claims that his human rights activities also served broader separatist objectives.<ref name="jaijee"/><br />
<br />
Human rights organisations, civil liberties groups and several later commentators have disputed these allegations, arguing that they were never established through judicial findings and were frequently advanced during the period in which Khalra was documenting alleged enforced disappearances and unlawful cremations. Following his abduction and murder, the subsequent criminal proceedings against the convicted police officers centred on his unlawful detention and killing rather than on allegations concerning militant activities or membership of any banned organisation.<ref name="amnesty1998"/><ref name="sc2011"/><br />
<br />
== Murder and Judicial Proceedings ==<br />
On 6 September 1995, Khalra was abducted from outside his house in Amritsar by personnel of the Punjab Police and taken to the Jhabal Police Station.<ref name="amnesty1998"/> Although witnesses gave statements implicating the police and named Director General of Police [[Kanwar Pal Singh Gill]] as a co-conspirator,<ref>{{cite web|title=K.P.S. Gill visited Khalra in jail, says witness|url=https://www.tribuneindia.com/2005/20050217/punjab1.htm|date=17 February 2005|publisher=The Tribune, Chandigarh, India}}</ref> authorities initially denied detaining him, suggesting he had gone underground or fled the country.<br />
<br />
In 1996, the CBI uncovered formal evidence that Khalra had been held illegally, tortured, and subsequently murdered in custody. The agency recommended the prosecution of nine officials.<ref name="amnesty1998"/> On 18 November 2005, six Punjab police officials were convicted of his abduction and murder, with Deputy Superintendent Jaspal Singh and Amarjit Singh receiving life sentences.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ensaaf.org/news/pr2005-11-18.php|title=Punjab Cops Convicted of 1995 Murder of Activist Khalra|publisher=Ensaaf|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061123135906/http://www.ensaaf.org/news/pr2005-11-18.php|archive-date=23 November 2006|url-status=live}}</ref> On 16 October 2007, the [[Punjab and Haryana High Court]] extended the life imprisonment sentences to the remaining four accused police officers: Satnam Singh, Surinder Pal Singh, Jasbir Singh, and Prithipal Singh.<ref>{{cite web|date=16 October 2007 |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chandigarh/Khalra-murder-case-HC-grants-life-imprisonment-to-4-cops/articleshow/2464188.cms |title=Khalra murder case: HC grants life imprisonment to 4 cops |work=[[The Times of India]]}}</ref> <br />
<br />
On 11 April 2011, the Supreme Court of India dismissed the final appeals of the convicted officers in ''Prithpal Singh v. State of Punjab'', scathingly criticizing the lawless atrocities committed by the police during the counter-insurgency era, while affirming that the ideological leanings of a citizen did not absolve the state of extrajudicial murder.<ref name="sc2011">{{cite news|title=Activist Khalra custodial death: SC upholds life in jail for Punjab cops|website=[[The Times of India]] |date=5 November 2011 |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/SC-upholds-life-term-for-Punjab-cops/articleshow/10613312.cms}}</ref><br />
<br />
== Complex Legacy and Media ==<br />
Khalra's legacy remains deeply polarized within political and historical discourse:<br />
* Sikh Diaspora and Activists: Revered widely as a martyr (''Shaheed''). The [[Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee]] (SGPC) and other religious institutions regularly hold annual ''shaheedi samagams'' in his memory.<ref>{{Cite news |date=7 September 2020 |title=Akal Takht pays tribute to activist Jaswant Singh Khalra |url=https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/amritsar/akal-takht-pays-tribute-to-activist-jaswant-singh-khalra-137491/ |work=The Tribune}}</ref> In international spaces, such as Fresno, California, public infrastructure has been dedicated in his name, comparing his civil investigations to Western civil rights movements.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/news/asian-america/california-city-renames-park-after-sikh-human-rights-advocate-n799261|title=California city names park after Sikh human rights advocate|website=NBC News|date=6 September 2017}}</ref><br />
* Nationalist and Security Analysts: Viewed as an ideological operative who utilized human rights campaigns to obscure his deep-seated alignment with violent Khalistani terrorists, subvert secular democratic institutions, and promote an anti-national, theocratic agenda against the Indian state.<ref name="jaijee"/><br />
<br />
=== Biographical Film ===<br />
{{main|Satluj (film)}}<br />
In July 2026, the biographical drama ''[[Satluj (film)|Satluj]]'' (initially titled ''Ghalughara'' and later ''Punjab '95''), starring [[Diljit Dosanjh]] as Khalra, was released globally on the streaming service [[ZEE5]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Ramachandran |first=Naman |date=2026-07-03 |title=Diljit Dosanjh’s ‘Satluj,’ Formerly ‘Punjab ’95’ That Was Pulled From Toronto, Streams Uncut on ZEE5 Global |url=https://variety.com/2026/tv/news/diljit-dosanjh-satluj-punjab-95-uncut-zee5-global-1236801418/ |website=Variety |language=en-US}}</ref> The film's release had been delayed for years due to intense scrutiny from the [[Central Board of Film Certification]] (CBFC), which initially demanded 127 cuts to mitigate the polarization surrounding its portrayal of the sensitive political environment and anti-insurgency operations of the 1990s.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Yasmin |first=Shahana |date=7 July 2026 |title=Why a Diljit Dosanjh film released after a four-year battle with censors was gone within two days |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/asia/india/diljit-dosanjh-satluj-removed-streaming-zee5-cbfc-censorship-b3009719.html |work=The Independent}}</ref><br />
<br />
== See also ==<br />
* [[Timeline of the insurgency in Punjab, India]]<br />
* [[Insurgency in Punjab, India]]<br />
* [[Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale]]<br />
<br />
== References ==<br />
{{reflist}}<br />
<br />
== External links ==<br />
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20071008060430/http://www.ensaaf.org/pdf/reduced/chapter1-vol1.pdf Detailed biography of Jaswant Singh Khalra] (PDF) from ''Reduced to Ashes: The Insurgency and Human Rights in Punjab'' by Ram Narayan Kumar et al.<br />
<br />
{{DEFAULTSORT:Khalra, Jaswant Singh}}<br />
[[Category:1952 births]]<br />
[[Category:1995 murders in India]]<br />
[[Category:1995 deaths]]<br />
[[Category:Activists from Punjab, India]]<br />
[[Category:Deaths in police custody in India]]<br />
[[Category:Indian human rights activists]]<br />
[[Category:Indian murder victims]]<br />
[[Category:Punjabi Sikhs]]<br />
[[Category:Insurgency in Punjab]]<br />
[[Category:Enforced disappearances in India]]<br />
[[Category:Khalistan movement]]</div>BellaCHhttps://en.bharatpedia.org/w/index.php?title=Jaswant_Singh_Khalra&diff=552275Jaswant Singh Khalra2026-07-18T17:13:38Z<p>BellaCH: Main page link to film</p>
<hr />
<div>{{Short description|Indian human rights activist and political essayist (1952–1995)}}<br />
{{pp|small=yes}} <br />
{{Use Indian English|date=July 2016}}<br />
{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2020}}<br />
{{Infobox person<br />
| name = Jaswant Singh Khalra<br />
| image = Jaswant Singh Khalra.jpg<br />
| caption = Jaswant Singh Khalra at the desk of the Khalistan Liberation Movement International, highlighting the ideological ties to the separatist movement that ran parallel to his human rights investigations.<br />
| birth_date = 1952<br />
| birth_place = [[Khalra]], [[Punjab, India|Punjab]], India<br />
| death_place = [[Chabhal Kalan]], [[Punjab, India|Punjab]], India<br />
| death_date = {{death date and age|1995|1952}}<br />
| death_cause = [[Extrajudicial execution]]<br />
| occupation = [[Human rights activist]], General Secretary of Human Rights Wing of [[Shiromani Akali Dal]], Political essayist<br />
| spouse = Paramjit Kaur Khalra<br />
}}<br />
<br />
'''Jaswant Singh Khalra''' (1952–1995)<ref name="amnesty1995">{{Cite news |date=6 September 1995 |title=India: Fear of disappearance / fear of torture: Jaswant Singh Khalra, human rights activist |url=https://www.amnesty.org/en/documents/asa20/026/1995/en/ |work=Amnesty International}}</ref> was an Indian bank director, human rights activist, and political essayist. He gained international recognition after uncovering evidence of thousands of alleged extrajudicial killings, enforced disappearances, and illegal cremations carried out by the Punjab Police during the counter-insurgency operations in [[Punjab, India|Punjab]].<ref name="amnesty1998">{{Cite web |date=31 March 1998 |title=India: A Mockery of Justice: The case concerning the “disappearance” of human rights defender Jaswant Singh Khalra severely undermined |url=https://www.amnesty.org/en/documents/asa20/007/1998/en/ |website=Amnesty International |publisher=Amnesty International |language=en |access-date=2026-07-12}}</ref><br />
<br />
Alongside his documentation of human rights abuses, contemporary archives, intelligence narratives, and political records outline Khalra's ideological alignment with the [[Khalistan movement|Khalistan separatist movement]], his public defense of militant figures, and accusations from state authorities regarding anti-national activities aimed at challenging Indian sovereignty.<ref name="baaz2026">{{Cite web |url=https://www.baaznews.org/p/khalra-game-of-elections-khalistan |title=The Game Of Elections - Should It Be Played Or Not? |website=www.baaznews.org |access-date=2026-07-10}}</ref> He was abducted from outside his home in [[Amritsar]] on 6 September 1995 and was subsequently murdered in police custody, culminating in the conviction and life imprisonment of six [[Punjab Police (India)|Punjab Police]] officials.<ref name="sc2011" /><br />
<br />
== Activism and Cremation Investigations ==<br />
{{Further|Human rights abuses in Punjab, India}}<br />
Jaswant Singh Khalra served as the director of a cooperative bank in the city of [[Amritsar]] during the militancy period in Punjab. Following [[Operation Blue Star]], the [[assassination of Indira Gandhi]], and the [[1984 anti-Sikh riots]], security forces were granted sweeping emergency powers to counter armed separatism. The police were subsequently accused of killing unarmed suspects in staged shootouts and burning thousands of unidentified bodies to cover up custodial deaths.<ref name="huffpost2018">{{Cite news |last=Singh |first=Harman |date=11 September 2018 |title=Every Canadian Should Know The Tale Of This Murdered Sikh Activist |url=https://www.huffpost.com/archive/ca/entry/jaswant-singh-khalra-canada_ca_5cd56686e4b07bc72977c213 |work=Huff Post}}</ref><br />
<br />
While searching for colleagues who went missing, Khalra discovered files from the municipal corporation of Amritsar containing the names, ages, and addresses of individuals who had been secretly cremated by the police.<ref name="huffpost2018"/> His investigation asserted that approximately 25,000 Sikhs had been illegally killed and cremated by the state across multiple districts.<ref name="ahmed">The Politics of Religion in South and Southeast Asia, p. 74, Taylor & Francis, by Ishtiaq Ahmed.</ref> <br />
<br />
The [[Central Bureau of Investigation]] (CBI) and the [[Supreme Court of India]] subsequently verified the data in part, concluding that the police had unlawfully cremated 2,097 people in [[Tarn Taran district]] alone.<ref name="ahmed"/> The [[National Human Rights Commission of India]] also certified the validity of the identified bodies cremated within the police districts of Amritsar, [[Majitha]], and Tarn Taran between June 1984 and December 1994.<br />
<br />
== Khalistani Alignment and Separatist Ideology ==<br />
Parallel to his investigations into state excesses, historical records and political texts detail Khalra’s close relationship with the ideological frameworks of the Khalistan movement. State authorities and nationalist critics classified his platforms and publications as subversive, anti-national claims designed to delegitimize the territorial integrity of the Indian union.<ref name="jaijee">Politics of genocide: Punjab, 1984-1998, Inderjit Singh Jaijee, p.101, Inderjit Singh Jaijee, 1999</ref><br />
<br />
=== Support for Militancy and Bhindranwale ===<br />
In his public rhetoric and political mobilization, Khalra maintained a distinct ideological affinity for [[Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale]] and the foundational ethos of the armed resistance initiated during the early phases of the insurgency. Following the military entry into the [[Golden Temple]] complex in 1984, Khalra frequently valorized those who took up arms against the state, portraying the militancy not as terrorism, but as a legitimate response to state-sponsored repression and a necessary struggle for a sovereign, theocratic Sikh homeland.<ref name="baaz2026"/><br />
<br />
=== Anti-State Essays and Electoral Boycott ===<br />
Khalra openly rejected the constitutional authority of the secular Indian government in Punjab. His political philosophy was explicitly outlined in his essay, ''"The Game Of Elections - Should It Be Played Or Not?"'', which was originally published in February 1992 in the separatist organ ''Liberation Khalistan''.<ref name="baaz2026"/> <br />
<br />
In the essay, Khalra vehemently argued against public participation in the state assembly elections organized by the central government, characterizing the democratic process as an illegitimate ruse by an occupying power. He asserted:<br />
{{Quote|text=The state organizes these elections not to grant freedom, but to drape its tyranny in the garb of democracy. Participating in this game only strengthens the chains of the Indian state over the Sikh nation.|sign=Jaswant Singh Khalra, February 1992|source=''Liberation Khalistan''}}<br />
<br />
Intelligence agencies and state officials frequently pointed to these public declarations and his active ties to separatist factions to argue that his human rights apparatus was heavily leveraged to provide ideological cover and propaganda support to active terrorist groups.<ref name="jaijee"/><br />
<br />
== Murder and Judicial Proceedings ==<br />
On 6 September 1995, Khalra was abducted from outside his house in Amritsar by personnel of the Punjab Police and taken to the Jhabal Police Station.<ref name="amnesty1998"/> Although witnesses gave statements implicating the police and named Director General of Police [[Kanwar Pal Singh Gill]] as a co-conspirator,<ref>{{cite web|title=K.P.S. Gill visited Khalra in jail, says witness|url=https://www.tribuneindia.com/2005/20050217/punjab1.htm|date=17 February 2005|publisher=The Tribune, Chandigarh, India}}</ref> authorities initially denied detaining him, suggesting he had gone underground or fled the country.<br />
<br />
In 1996, the CBI uncovered formal evidence that Khalra had been held illegally, tortured, and subsequently murdered in custody. The agency recommended the prosecution of nine officials.<ref name="amnesty1998"/> On 18 November 2005, six Punjab police officials were convicted of his abduction and murder, with Deputy Superintendent Jaspal Singh and Amarjit Singh receiving life sentences.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ensaaf.org/news/pr2005-11-18.php|title=Punjab Cops Convicted of 1995 Murder of Activist Khalra|publisher=Ensaaf|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061123135906/http://www.ensaaf.org/news/pr2005-11-18.php|archive-date=23 November 2006|url-status=live}}</ref> On 16 October 2007, the [[Punjab and Haryana High Court]] extended the life imprisonment sentences to the remaining four accused police officers: Satnam Singh, Surinder Pal Singh, Jasbir Singh, and Prithipal Singh.<ref>{{cite web|date=16 October 2007 |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chandigarh/Khalra-murder-case-HC-grants-life-imprisonment-to-4-cops/articleshow/2464188.cms |title=Khalra murder case: HC grants life imprisonment to 4 cops |work=[[The Times of India]]}}</ref> <br />
<br />
On 11 April 2011, the Supreme Court of India dismissed the final appeals of the convicted officers in ''Prithpal Singh v. State of Punjab'', scathingly criticizing the lawless atrocities committed by the police during the counter-insurgency era, while affirming that the ideological leanings of a citizen did not absolve the state of extrajudicial murder.<ref name="sc2011">{{cite news|title=Activist Khalra custodial death: SC upholds life in jail for Punjab cops|website=[[The Times of India]] |date=5 November 2011 |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/SC-upholds-life-term-for-Punjab-cops/articleshow/10613312.cms}}</ref><br />
<br />
== Complex Legacy and Media ==<br />
Khalra's legacy remains deeply polarized within political and historical discourse:<br />
* Sikh Diaspora and Activists: Revered widely as a martyr (''Shaheed''). The [[Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee]] (SGPC) and other religious institutions regularly hold annual ''shaheedi samagams'' in his memory.<ref>{{Cite news |date=7 September 2020 |title=Akal Takht pays tribute to activist Jaswant Singh Khalra |url=https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/amritsar/akal-takht-pays-tribute-to-activist-jaswant-singh-khalra-137491/ |work=The Tribune}}</ref> In international spaces, such as Fresno, California, public infrastructure has been dedicated in his name, comparing his civil investigations to Western civil rights movements.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/news/asian-america/california-city-renames-park-after-sikh-human-rights-advocate-n799261|title=California city names park after Sikh human rights advocate|website=NBC News|date=6 September 2017}}</ref><br />
* Nationalist and Security Analysts: Viewed as an ideological operative who utilized human rights campaigns to obscure his deep-seated alignment with violent Khalistani terrorists, subvert secular democratic institutions, and promote an anti-national, theocratic agenda against the Indian state.<ref name="jaijee"/><br />
<br />
=== Biographical Film ===<br />
{{main|Satluj (film)}}<br />
In July 2026, the biographical drama ''[[Satluj (film)|Satluj]]'' (initially titled ''Ghalughara'' and later ''Punjab '95''), starring [[Diljit Dosanjh]] as Khalra, was released globally on the streaming service [[ZEE5]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Ramachandran |first=Naman |date=2026-07-03 |title=Diljit Dosanjh’s ‘Satluj,’ Formerly ‘Punjab ’95’ That Was Pulled From Toronto, Streams Uncut on ZEE5 Global |url=https://variety.com/2026/tv/news/diljit-dosanjh-satluj-punjab-95-uncut-zee5-global-1236801418/ |website=Variety |language=en-US}}</ref> The film's release had been delayed for years due to intense scrutiny from the [[Central Board of Film Certification]] (CBFC), which initially demanded 127 cuts to mitigate the polarization surrounding its portrayal of the sensitive political environment and anti-insurgency operations of the 1990s.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Yasmin |first=Shahana |date=7 July 2026 |title=Why a Diljit Dosanjh film released after a four-year battle with censors was gone within two days |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/asia/india/diljit-dosanjh-satluj-removed-streaming-zee5-cbfc-censorship-b3009719.html |work=The Independent}}</ref><br />
<br />
== See also ==<br />
* [[Timeline of the insurgency in Punjab, India]]<br />
* [[Insurgency in Punjab, India]]<br />
* [[Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale]]<br />
<br />
== References ==<br />
{{reflist}}<br />
<br />
== External links ==<br />
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20071008060430/http://www.ensaaf.org/pdf/reduced/chapter1-vol1.pdf Detailed biography of Jaswant Singh Khalra] (PDF) from ''Reduced to Ashes: The Insurgency and Human Rights in Punjab'' by Ram Narayan Kumar et al.<br />
<br />
{{DEFAULTSORT:Khalra, Jaswant Singh}}<br />
[[Category:1952 births]]<br />
[[Category:1995 murders in India]]<br />
[[Category:1995 deaths]]<br />
[[Category:Activists from Punjab, India]]<br />
[[Category:Deaths in police custody in India]]<br />
[[Category:Indian human rights activists]]<br />
[[Category:Indian murder victims]]<br />
[[Category:Punjabi Sikhs]]<br />
[[Category:Insurgency in Punjab]]<br />
[[Category:Enforced disappearances in India]]<br />
[[Category:Khalistan movement]]</div>BellaCHhttps://en.bharatpedia.org/w/index.php?title=Jaswant_Singh_Khalra&diff=552274Jaswant Singh Khalra2026-07-18T17:12:56Z<p>BellaCH: Correct caption</p>
<hr />
<div>{{Short description|Indian human rights activist and political essayist (1952–1995)}}<br />
{{pp|small=yes}} <br />
{{Use Indian English|date=July 2016}}<br />
{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2020}}<br />
{{Infobox person<br />
| name = Jaswant Singh Khalra<br />
| image = Jaswant Singh Khalra.jpg<br />
| caption = Jaswant Singh Khalra at the desk of the Khalistan Liberation Movement International, highlighting the ideological ties to the separatist movement that ran parallel to his human rights investigations.<br />
| birth_date = 1952<br />
| birth_place = [[Khalra]], [[Punjab, India|Punjab]], India<br />
| death_place = [[Chabhal Kalan]], [[Punjab, India|Punjab]], India<br />
| death_date = {{death date and age|1995|1952}}<br />
| death_cause = [[Extrajudicial execution]]<br />
| occupation = [[Human rights activist]], General Secretary of Human Rights Wing of [[Shiromani Akali Dal]], Political essayist<br />
| spouse = Paramjit Kaur Khalra<br />
}}<br />
<br />
'''Jaswant Singh Khalra''' (1952–1995)<ref name="amnesty1995">{{Cite news |date=6 September 1995 |title=India: Fear of disappearance / fear of torture: Jaswant Singh Khalra, human rights activist |url=https://www.amnesty.org/en/documents/asa20/026/1995/en/ |work=Amnesty International}}</ref> was an Indian bank director, human rights activist, and political essayist. He gained international recognition after uncovering evidence of thousands of alleged extrajudicial killings, enforced disappearances, and illegal cremations carried out by the Punjab Police during the counter-insurgency operations in [[Punjab, India|Punjab]].<ref name="amnesty1998">{{Cite web |date=31 March 1998 |title=India: A Mockery of Justice: The case concerning the “disappearance” of human rights defender Jaswant Singh Khalra severely undermined |url=https://www.amnesty.org/en/documents/asa20/007/1998/en/ |website=Amnesty International |publisher=Amnesty International |language=en |access-date=2026-07-12}}</ref><br />
<br />
Alongside his documentation of human rights abuses, contemporary archives, intelligence narratives, and political records outline Khalra's ideological alignment with the [[Khalistan movement|Khalistan separatist movement]], his public defense of militant figures, and accusations from state authorities regarding anti-national activities aimed at challenging Indian sovereignty.<ref name="baaz2026">{{Cite web |url=https://www.baaznews.org/p/khalra-game-of-elections-khalistan |title=The Game Of Elections - Should It Be Played Or Not? |website=www.baaznews.org |access-date=2026-07-10}}</ref> He was abducted from outside his home in [[Amritsar]] on 6 September 1995 and was subsequently murdered in police custody, culminating in the conviction and life imprisonment of six [[Punjab Police (India)|Punjab Police]] officials.<ref name="sc2011" /><br />
<br />
== Activism and Cremation Investigations ==<br />
{{Further|Human rights abuses in Punjab, India}}<br />
Jaswant Singh Khalra served as the director of a cooperative bank in the city of [[Amritsar]] during the militancy period in Punjab. Following [[Operation Blue Star]], the [[assassination of Indira Gandhi]], and the [[1984 anti-Sikh riots]], security forces were granted sweeping emergency powers to counter armed separatism. The police were subsequently accused of killing unarmed suspects in staged shootouts and burning thousands of unidentified bodies to cover up custodial deaths.<ref name="huffpost2018">{{Cite news |last=Singh |first=Harman |date=11 September 2018 |title=Every Canadian Should Know The Tale Of This Murdered Sikh Activist |url=https://www.huffpost.com/archive/ca/entry/jaswant-singh-khalra-canada_ca_5cd56686e4b07bc72977c213 |work=Huff Post}}</ref><br />
<br />
While searching for colleagues who went missing, Khalra discovered files from the municipal corporation of Amritsar containing the names, ages, and addresses of individuals who had been secretly cremated by the police.<ref name="huffpost2018"/> His investigation asserted that approximately 25,000 Sikhs had been illegally killed and cremated by the state across multiple districts.<ref name="ahmed">The Politics of Religion in South and Southeast Asia, p. 74, Taylor & Francis, by Ishtiaq Ahmed.</ref> <br />
<br />
The [[Central Bureau of Investigation]] (CBI) and the [[Supreme Court of India]] subsequently verified the data in part, concluding that the police had unlawfully cremated 2,097 people in [[Tarn Taran district]] alone.<ref name="ahmed"/> The [[National Human Rights Commission of India]] also certified the validity of the identified bodies cremated within the police districts of Amritsar, [[Majitha]], and Tarn Taran between June 1984 and December 1994.<br />
<br />
== Khalistani Alignment and Separatist Ideology ==<br />
Parallel to his investigations into state excesses, historical records and political texts detail Khalra’s close relationship with the ideological frameworks of the Khalistan movement. State authorities and nationalist critics classified his platforms and publications as subversive, anti-national claims designed to delegitimize the territorial integrity of the Indian union.<ref name="jaijee">Politics of genocide: Punjab, 1984-1998, Inderjit Singh Jaijee, p.101, Inderjit Singh Jaijee, 1999</ref><br />
<br />
=== Support for Militancy and Bhindranwale ===<br />
In his public rhetoric and political mobilization, Khalra maintained a distinct ideological affinity for [[Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale]] and the foundational ethos of the armed resistance initiated during the early phases of the insurgency. Following the military entry into the [[Golden Temple]] complex in 1984, Khalra frequently valorized those who took up arms against the state, portraying the militancy not as terrorism, but as a legitimate response to state-sponsored repression and a necessary struggle for a sovereign, theocratic Sikh homeland.<ref name="baaz2026"/><br />
<br />
=== Anti-State Essays and Electoral Boycott ===<br />
Khalra openly rejected the constitutional authority of the secular Indian government in Punjab. His political philosophy was explicitly outlined in his essay, ''"The Game Of Elections - Should It Be Played Or Not?"'', which was originally published in February 1992 in the separatist organ ''Liberation Khalistan''.<ref name="baaz2026"/> <br />
<br />
In the essay, Khalra vehemently argued against public participation in the state assembly elections organized by the central government, characterizing the democratic process as an illegitimate ruse by an occupying power. He asserted:<br />
{{Quote|text=The state organizes these elections not to grant freedom, but to drape its tyranny in the garb of democracy. Participating in this game only strengthens the chains of the Indian state over the Sikh nation.|sign=Jaswant Singh Khalra, February 1992|source=''Liberation Khalistan''}}<br />
<br />
Intelligence agencies and state officials frequently pointed to these public declarations and his active ties to separatist factions to argue that his human rights apparatus was heavily leveraged to provide ideological cover and propaganda support to active terrorist groups.<ref name="jaijee"/><br />
<br />
== Murder and Judicial Proceedings ==<br />
On 6 September 1995, Khalra was abducted from outside his house in Amritsar by personnel of the Punjab Police and taken to the Jhabal Police Station.<ref name="amnesty1998"/> Although witnesses gave statements implicating the police and named Director General of Police [[Kanwar Pal Singh Gill]] as a co-conspirator,<ref>{{cite web|title=K.P.S. Gill visited Khalra in jail, says witness|url=https://www.tribuneindia.com/2005/20050217/punjab1.htm|date=17 February 2005|publisher=The Tribune, Chandigarh, India}}</ref> authorities initially denied detaining him, suggesting he had gone underground or fled the country.<br />
<br />
In 1996, the CBI uncovered formal evidence that Khalra had been held illegally, tortured, and subsequently murdered in custody. The agency recommended the prosecution of nine officials.<ref name="amnesty1998"/> On 18 November 2005, six Punjab police officials were convicted of his abduction and murder, with Deputy Superintendent Jaspal Singh and Amarjit Singh receiving life sentences.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ensaaf.org/news/pr2005-11-18.php|title=Punjab Cops Convicted of 1995 Murder of Activist Khalra|publisher=Ensaaf|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061123135906/http://www.ensaaf.org/news/pr2005-11-18.php|archive-date=23 November 2006|url-status=live}}</ref> On 16 October 2007, the [[Punjab and Haryana High Court]] extended the life imprisonment sentences to the remaining four accused police officers: Satnam Singh, Surinder Pal Singh, Jasbir Singh, and Prithipal Singh.<ref>{{cite web|date=16 October 2007 |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chandigarh/Khalra-murder-case-HC-grants-life-imprisonment-to-4-cops/articleshow/2464188.cms |title=Khalra murder case: HC grants life imprisonment to 4 cops |work=[[The Times of India]]}}</ref> <br />
<br />
On 11 April 2011, the Supreme Court of India dismissed the final appeals of the convicted officers in ''Prithpal Singh v. State of Punjab'', scathingly criticizing the lawless atrocities committed by the police during the counter-insurgency era, while affirming that the ideological leanings of a citizen did not absolve the state of extrajudicial murder.<ref name="sc2011">{{cite news|title=Activist Khalra custodial death: SC upholds life in jail for Punjab cops|website=[[The Times of India]] |date=5 November 2011 |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/SC-upholds-life-term-for-Punjab-cops/articleshow/10613312.cms}}</ref><br />
<br />
== Complex Legacy and Media ==<br />
Khalra's legacy remains deeply polarized within political and historical discourse:<br />
* Sikh Diaspora and Activists: Revered widely as a martyr (''Shaheed''). The [[Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee]] (SGPC) and other religious institutions regularly hold annual ''shaheedi samagams'' in his memory.<ref>{{Cite news |date=7 September 2020 |title=Akal Takht pays tribute to activist Jaswant Singh Khalra |url=https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/amritsar/akal-takht-pays-tribute-to-activist-jaswant-singh-khalra-137491/ |work=The Tribune}}</ref> In international spaces, such as Fresno, California, public infrastructure has been dedicated in his name, comparing his civil investigations to Western civil rights movements.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/news/asian-america/california-city-renames-park-after-sikh-human-rights-advocate-n799261|title=California city names park after Sikh human rights advocate|website=NBC News|date=6 September 2017}}</ref><br />
* Nationalist and Security Analysts: Viewed as an ideological operative who utilized human rights campaigns to obscure his deep-seated alignment with violent Khalistani terrorists, subvert secular democratic institutions, and promote an anti-national, theocratic agenda against the Indian state.<ref name="jaijee"/><br />
<br />
=== Biographical Film ===<br />
In July 2026, the biographical drama ''[[Satluj (film)|Satluj]]'' (initially titled ''Ghalughara'' and later ''Punjab '95''), starring [[Diljit Dosanjh]] as Khalra, was released globally on the streaming service [[ZEE5]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Ramachandran |first=Naman |date=2026-07-03 |title=Diljit Dosanjh’s ‘Satluj,’ Formerly ‘Punjab ’95’ That Was Pulled From Toronto, Streams Uncut on ZEE5 Global |url=https://variety.com/2026/tv/news/diljit-dosanjh-satluj-punjab-95-uncut-zee5-global-1236801418/ |website=Variety |language=en-US}}</ref> The film's release had been delayed for years due to intense scrutiny from the [[Central Board of Film Certification]] (CBFC), which initially demanded 127 cuts to mitigate the polarization surrounding its portrayal of the sensitive political environment and anti-insurgency operations of the 1990s.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Yasmin |first=Shahana |date=7 July 2026 |title=Why a Diljit Dosanjh film released after a four-year battle with censors was gone within two days |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/asia/india/diljit-dosanjh-satluj-removed-streaming-zee5-cbfc-censorship-b3009719.html |work=The Independent}}</ref><br />
<br />
== See also ==<br />
* [[Timeline of the insurgency in Punjab, India]]<br />
* [[Insurgency in Punjab, India]]<br />
* [[Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale]]<br />
<br />
== References ==<br />
{{reflist}}<br />
<br />
== External links ==<br />
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20071008060430/http://www.ensaaf.org/pdf/reduced/chapter1-vol1.pdf Detailed biography of Jaswant Singh Khalra] (PDF) from ''Reduced to Ashes: The Insurgency and Human Rights in Punjab'' by Ram Narayan Kumar et al.<br />
<br />
{{DEFAULTSORT:Khalra, Jaswant Singh}}<br />
[[Category:1952 births]]<br />
[[Category:1995 murders in India]]<br />
[[Category:1995 deaths]]<br />
[[Category:Activists from Punjab, India]]<br />
[[Category:Deaths in police custody in India]]<br />
[[Category:Indian human rights activists]]<br />
[[Category:Indian murder victims]]<br />
[[Category:Punjabi Sikhs]]<br />
[[Category:Insurgency in Punjab]]<br />
[[Category:Enforced disappearances in India]]<br />
[[Category:Khalistan movement]]</div>BellaCHhttps://en.bharatpedia.org/w/index.php?title=Satluj_(film)&diff=552273Satluj (film)2026-07-18T17:12:09Z<p>BellaCH: Add film page</p>
<hr />
<div>{{for|the river|Sutlej}}<br />
{{Short description|2026 Indian film by Honey Trehan}}<br />
{{Use Indian English|date=July 2026}}<br />
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2026}}<br />
<br />
{{Infobox film<br />
| name = Satluj<br />
| image = Satluj (2026 film).jpg<br />
| caption = Official release poster<br />
| director = Honey Trehan<br />
| writer = {{plainlist|<br />
* Honey Trehan<br />
* [[Niren Bhatt]]<br />
* Utsav Maitra}}<br />
{{Infobox | decat = yes | child = yes<br />
| label1 = Dialogues by<br />
| data1 = Honey Trehan{{br}}[[Niren Bhatt]]<br />
}}<br />
| producer = {{plainlist|<br />
* [[Ronnie Screwvala]]<br />
* [[Abhishek Chaubey]]<br />
* Honey Trehan}}<br />
| starring = {{plainlist|<br />
* [[Diljit Dosanjh]]<br />
* [[Arjun Rampal]]<br />
* [[Kanwaljit Singh (actor)|Kanwaljit Singh]]<br />
* [[Suvinder Vicky]]<br />
* [[Geetika Vidya Ohlyan]]<br />
* [[Rahul Mittra]]<br />
}}<br />
| narrator = [[Arjun Rampal]]<br />
| cinematography = [[K. U. Mohanan]]<br />
| editing = [[A. Sreekar Prasad]]<br />
| music = Marc Marder<br />
| studio = {{plainlist|<br />
* [[RSVP Movies]]<br />
* MacGuffin Pictures}}<br />
| distributor = [[ZEE5]]<br />
| released = {{Film date|2026|07|03|df=y}}<br />
| runtime = 164 minutes<ref name="TH"/><br />
| country = India<br />
| language = {{plainlist|<br />
* Hindi<br />
* Punjabi}}<br />
| budget = {{USD}}4.5 million<ref>{{cite news |last1=Mashal |first1=Mujib |last2=K. B. |first2=Pragati |date=9 July 2026 |title=Why India Has Spent Years Blocking One Movie’s Release |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2026/07/09/world/asia/india-film-censorship-sajlut-diljit.html |work=[[The New York Times]] |location=New Delhi |publisher=[[The New York Times]] |access-date=9 July 2026 |url-access=subscription}}</ref><br />
}}<br />
<br />
'''''Satluj''''' is a 2026 Indian [[biographical film|biographical]] [[Drama (film and television)|drama film]] directed by Honey Trehan and produced by [[Ronnie Screwvala]], [[Abhishek Chaubey]], and Trehan under the banners of [[RSVP Movies]] and MacGuffin Pictures. Inspired by the life of [[Human rights defender|human rights activist]] [[Jaswant Singh Khalra]], the film was written by Trehan in collaboration with [[Niren Bhatt]] and Utsav Maitra.<ref>{{cite web |access-date=5 July 2026 |title=Who Was Jaswant Singh Khalra? Meet The Sikh Rights Activist Who Inspired Diljit Dosanjh's Satluj |url=https://www.ndtv.com/entertainment/who-was-jaswant-singh-khalra-the-human-rights-activist-behind-diljit-dosanjhs-satluj-11728689 |website=NDTV}}</ref><ref name="variety">{{cite news |last=Ramachandran |first=Naman |title=Diljit Dosanjh Film 'Satluj' Streams Uncut on ZEE5 Global |work=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]] |date=3 July 2026 |url=https://variety.com/2026/tv/news/diljit-dosanjh-satluj-punjab-95-uncut-zee5-global-1236801418/ |access-date=4 July 2026}}</ref> The principal cast includes [[Diljit Dosanjh]], [[Arjun Rampal]], [[Kanwaljit Singh (actor)|Kanwaljit Singh]], [[Suvinder Vicky]], and [[Geetika Vidya Ohlyan]].<ref name="variety" /><ref name="scroll">{{cite news |last=Ramnath |first=Nandini |title='Satluj' review: A harrowing, heart-rending tale of impunity and courage |work=[[Scroll.in]] |date=4 July 2026 |url=https://scroll.in/reel/1094035/satluj-review-a-harrowing-heart-rending-tale-of-impunity-and-courage |access-date=4 July 2026}}</ref><br />
<br />
Set against the backdrop of the [[Insurgency in Punjab, India|Punjab insurgency]] during the early 1990s, the narrative centres on Khalra's efforts to document allegations of enforced disappearances and extrajudicial killings linked to the Punjab Police.<ref>{{cite web |access-date=3 July 2026 |title=After 3-year censorship battle, Diljit Dosanjh’s Punjab 95 hits OTT ‘uncut’ under new title |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/bollywood/diljit-dosanjh-long-delayed-film-punjab-95-finally-releases-uncut-on-zee5-as-satluj-10770141 |website=The Indian Express}}</ref><ref name="hungama-review">{{cite web |title=Movie Review: SATLUJ Brings a Deeply Disturbing True Story with Diljit Dosanjh's Marvellous Act |website=Bollywood Hungama |date=4 July 2026 |url=https://www.bollywoodhungama.com/movie/satluj/critic-review/satluj-movie-review/satluj-brings-a-deeply-disturbing-true-story-to-the-screen/ |access-date=4 July 2026}}</ref><br />
<br />
Originally developed under the title ''[[Ghallughara (Sikhism)|Ghallughara]]'', and later renamed ''Punjab 95'', the film was initially intended for release in 2023. However, certification disputes with the [[Central Board of Film Certification]] (CBFC), which required extensive modifications before granting approval, resulted in the cancellation of its planned theatrical release. After remaining unreleased for approximately three years, the film premiered digitally on [[ZEE5]] on 3 July 2026 under its final title, ''Satluj''. It received largely favourable reviews from critics and audiences following its debut.<ref>{{cite web |title=Sutluj X Review: Diljit Dosanjh Delivers 'Career Worst' Performance In 'Meaningful, Powerful' Film |url=https://www.news18.com/amp/movies/bollywood/sutluj-x-review-diljit-dosanjh-delivers-career-best-performance-in-meaningful-powerful-film-ws-l-10190513.html |website=News18 |access-date=4 July 2026}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Diljit Dosanjh reveals voice of Jaswant Singh Khalra was silenced twice as Satluj releases |url=https://www.zoomtventertainment.com/bollywood/honey-trehan-punjab-95-release-zee5-satluj-diljit-dosanjh-article-154944248 |website=Zoom |access-date=4 July 2026}}</ref><ref name="indiatv"/><br />
<br />
The film was removed from ZEE5's Indian catalogue approximately two days after its release.<ref name="Dey2026">{{cite news |last1=Dey |first1=Abhishek |title=Diljit Dosanjh: Why Satluj was taken off streaming two days after release |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cly99z1w4gdo |access-date=7 July 2026 |work=www.bbc.com |publisher=BBC |date=6 July 2026 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260707105506/https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cly99z1w4gdo |archive-date=7 July 2026}}</ref> It was subsequently withdrawn from the platform's international catalogue as well.<ref>{{cite web |author=<!-- not stated --> |date=11 July 2026 |title=Diljit Dosanjh's 'Satluj' faces another blow; Honey Trehan directorial removed from ZEE5's international catalogue - Reports |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news/diljit-dosanjhs-satluj-faces-another-blow-honey-trehan-directorial-removed-from-zee5s-international-catalogue-reports/articleshow/132327913.cms |website=The Times of India |location=India |publisher=[[The Times of India]] |access-date=12 July 2026}}</ref><br />
<br />
== Plot ==<br />
<br />
Bank employee [[Jaswant Singh Khalra]], based in [[Amritsar]], begins investigating an unusual rise in unidentified bodies being cremated after the disappearance of his acquaintance Kirpal Singh, followed by Kirpal's mother, Bibi Gurpej Kaur. During the investigation, Khalra receives discreet assistance from police officer Satnam, while simultaneously encountering increasing hostility from law enforcement officials.<br />
<br />
As Khalra continues gathering evidence, his wife Paramjit Kaur remains steadfast despite repeated intimidation, surveillance, and threats directed at their family. Senior police officer Surjit Singh Sugga and his subordinates repeatedly attempt to pressure Khalra into abandoning his inquiries.<br />
<br />
Khalra eventually disappears, prompting widespread public concern. His wife launches a sustained campaign demanding answers, resulting in a [[Central Bureau of Investigation]] inquiry. The investigation is led by CBI officer Samudra Singh, who also serves as the film's narrator while reconstructing the events surrounding Khalra's investigation and disappearance.<ref name="Hindustan Times"/><br />
<br />
== Cast ==<br />
<br />
* [[Diljit Dosanjh]] as [[Jaswant Singh Khalra]]<br />
* [[Arjun Rampal]] as Samudra Singh, Additional Director, [[Central Bureau of Investigation|CBI]]<br />
* [[Kanwaljit Singh (actor)|Kanwaljit Singh]] as [[Director general of police|DGP]] Inderpal Singh Bitta (based on [[KPS Gill]])<br />
* [[Suvinder Vicky]] as [[Superintendent of police (India)|SSP]] Surjit Singh Sugga (based on Ajit Singh Sandhu)<br />
* [[Geetika Vidya Ohlyan]] as Paramjit Kaur Khalra ("Pammi")<br />
* [[S. M. Zaheer]] as [[Chief Minister of Punjab, India|Chief Minister]] Anant Singh (based on [[Beant Singh (politician)|Beant Singh]])<br />
* [[Saurabh Sachdeva]] as [[Senior Constable]] Satnam Singh<br />
* Amit Dhawan as [[Deputy superintendent of police|DSP]] Jagpal Singh<br />
* [[Varun Badola]] as Advocate Ravinder Jais (based on Advocate Rajvinder Singh Bains)<br />
* [[Nassar (actor)|Nassar]] as [[Director general of police|DGP]] S. P. Varma<br />
* [[Rahul Mittra]] as [[Inspector]] J. Randhava<br />
* Jyoti Dogra as Bibi Gurpej Kaur Bannowal<br />
* Bhupender Singh as Kirpal Singh Bannowal<br />
* [[Amardeep Jha]] as Satnam Singh's mother<br />
* [[Jagjeet Sandhu]] as SPO{{efn|Special Police Officer}} Kuljit Singh (based on SPO Kuldeep Singh Bachra, an eyewitness)<br />
* Vansh Bhardwaj as [[Inspector]] Shivender Singh<br />
* Vikas Mohla as [[Sub-inspector|SI]] Harinder Singh<br />
* Akhilesh Dwivedi as [[Sub-inspector|SI]] Tejinder Singh<br />
* Ramji Bali as [[Inspector]] Ajay Kumar<br />
* Milind Dhaimade as [[Central Bureau of Investigation|CBI]] Chief Bhullar<br />
* Anurag Arora as Government Official<br />
* Amardeep Gill as [[Member of the Legislative Assembly (India)|MLA]] Mahinderpal Singh<br />
* Anil Mange as Sanjiv Singh (based on Rajiv Singh Randhawa, an eyewitness)<br />
* Anjuman Saxena as High Court Judge<br />
* [[Geeta Agarwal Sharma]] as Geeta Basra, a medical officer connected to the mortuary-related incidents (loosely based on nurse Baljeet Kaur of Patti)<br />
* Corinne Meadors as [[Colleen Beaumier]]<br />
<br />
== Production ==<br />
<br />
=== Development ===<br />
<br />
Honey Trehan began developing the project in 2020, undertaking extensive historical research before writing commenced. According to Trehan, the research archive eventually exceeded 1,800 pages and incorporated court records, witness testimonies, official documents and other source material relating to the events depicted in the film.<ref>{{cite web |last=Baweja |first=Harinder |date=14 July 2026 |title=Honey Trehan Speaks for the First Time After the Ban on His Film: 'The Flow of the Satluj Cannot be Stopped' |url=https://thewire.in/film/honey-trehan-speaks-for-the-first-time-after-the-ban-on-his-film-the-flow-of-the-satluj-cannot-be-stopped |website=thewire.in |location=India |publisher=[[The Wire (India)]] |access-date=18 July 2026}}</ref><ref name="The Guardian">{{cite web |last=Ellis-Petersen |first=Hannah |date=18 July 2026 |title='A revolutionary act to watch it': the film India’s censors do not want you to see |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/jul/18/satluj-honey-trehan-film-india-censors-do-not-want-you-to-see |website=theguardian.com |location=Delhi |publisher=[[The Guardian]] |access-date=18 July 2026}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Sinha |first=Seema |date=17 July 2026 |title=INTERVIEW {!} Honey Trehan On Satluj Reaching Every Village In Punjab: 'They Said My Film Would Divide People, It Did The Opposite' |url=https://www.etvbharat.com/en/entertainment/satluj-director-honey-trehan-interview-on-film-ban-and-unauthorised-screenings-in-punjab-enn26071701293 |website=etvbharat.com |location=India |publisher=[[Ramoji Group#ETV Bharat|ETV Bharat]] |access-date=18 July 2026}}</ref><br />
<br />
Trehan initially co-wrote the screenplay with Utsav Maitra, who also worked as the film's associate director. By the time [[Niren Bhatt]] joined the writing team, the pair had already completed two screenplay drafts.<ref>{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G0sfUsFFHgI |title=Why Censor? {{!}} Nope w/ Kunal Kamra ft Honey Trehan {{!}} 035 |date=6 September 2025 |last=Kamra |first=Kunal |access-date=18 July 2026 |via=[[YouTube]] |type=Video}}</ref>{{Reference page|location=9:55}}<br />
<br />
Following Bhatt's involvement, the writers spent approximately a year refining the script. As part of the process, Trehan and Bhatt travelled across several districts of Punjab for nearly a month to conduct additional field research and gather local perspectives relevant to the story.<ref name="ThePrint">{{cite web |last=Gulati |first=Triya |date=11 July 2026 |title=Honey Trehan and Satluj crew ate only at Punjab gurdwaras while making the film |url=https://theprint.in/entertainment/honey-trehan-satluj-crew-punjab-gurdwaras-niren-bhatt/2983752/ |website=theprint.in |location=India |publisher=[[ThePrint]] |access-date=18 July 2026}}</ref><br />
<br />
=== Casting ===<br />
<br />
The casting of Punjabi actor and singer [[Diljit Dosanjh]] as [[Jaswant Singh Khalra]] attracted considerable public attention because of both the actor's popularity and the politically sensitive subject matter. Director Honey Trehan later revealed that Dosanjh accepted only a token payment of ₹1, choosing to participate in the project for reasons beyond commercial remuneration.<ref>{{cite web |last=Thakur |first=Anjali |date=6 July 2026 |title=How much did Diljit Dosanjh charge for Satluj? Honey Trehan's revelation is winning hearts online |url=https://www.livemint.com/entertainment/how-much-did-diljit-dosanjh-charge-for-satluj-honey-trehans-revelation-is-winning-hearts-online-11783347405235.html |website=livemint.com |location=India |publisher=[[Mint (newspaper)]] |access-date=9 July 2026}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |author=<!-- not stated --> |date=16 July 2026 |title=Honey Trehan says Diljit Dosanjh took just Rs 1 for Satluj; here's why |url=https://www.cinemaexpress.com/hindi/news/2026/Jul/16/honey-trehan-says-diljit-dosanjh-took-just-rs-1-for-satluj-heres-why |website=cinemaexpress.com |publisher=[[Cinema Express]] |access-date=16 July 2026}}</ref><br />
<br />
[[Arjun Rampal]] portrayed Samudra Singh, the CBI officer responsible for investigating Khalra's disappearance, while [[Suvinder Vicky]] was cast as SSP Surjit Singh Sugga, a character representing elements of the Punjab Police's counter-insurgency apparatus during the period depicted in the film.<br />
<br />
=== Filming ===<br />
<br />
[[Principal photography]] commenced in 2021 and concluded the following year, with filming wrapping in 2022.<ref name="ThePrint"/><ref name="The Guardian"/><br />
<br />
=== Post-production ===<br />
<br />
During production, the film carried the title ''[[Ghallughara (Sikhism)|Ghallughara]]'', a Punjabi term referring to historic massacres of Sikhs. In December 2022, the project entered a prolonged certification process after the [[Central Board of Film Certification]] (CBFC) sought 21 cuts together with a change of title before issuing certification. The producers subsequently challenged the CBFC's decision before the [[Bombay High Court]].<ref>{{cite web |access-date=17 July 2024 |title=CBFC asks 85 cuts in Diljit Dosanjh starrer Punjab ‘95, based on life of Jaswant Singh Khalra; release remains uncertain: Report |url=https://www.bollywoodhungama.com/amp/news/bollywood/cbfc-asks-85-cuts-diljit-dosanjh-starrer-punjab-95-based-life-jaswant-singh-khalra-release-remains-uncertain-report |website=Bollywood Hungama}}</ref><br />
<br />
Following discussions involving the [[Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee]], the filmmakers agreed to adopt the title ''Punjab '95'' while retaining the film's uncut version after objections were raised to the original title.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/chandigarh/panjab-95-diljit-dosanjh-film-activist-jaswant-singh-khalra-india-release-9785514/|title=‘Punjab ’95’, Diljit Dosanjh film on activist Jaswant Singh Khalra to release globally on Feb 7; no date for India yet|date=3 March 2025 |website=The Indian Express}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/bollywood/punjab-95-teaser-diljit-dosanjh-plays-courageous-activist-jaswant-singh-khalra-film-to-finally-release-on-this-date-9784809/|title=Punjab 95 teaser: Diljit Dosanjh plays courageous activist Jaswant Singh Khalra; film to finally release on this date|date=3 March 2025 |website=The Indian Express}}</ref><br />
<br />
The film later underwent review by the CBFC's Revising Committee, which reportedly requested more than 120 additional cuts together with further alterations.<ref>{{cite web |access-date=25 September 2024 |title=Diljit Dosanjh starrer Punjab '95 faces demands from CBFC for 120 cuts, title change and renaming of human rights activist Jaswant Singh Khalra: Report |url=https://www.bollywoodhungama.com/amp/news/bollywood/diljit-dosanjh-starrer-punjab-95-faces-demands-cbfc-120-cuts-title-change-renaming-human-rights-activist-jaswant-singh-khalra-report |website=Bollywood Hungama}}</ref><br />
<br />
The official trailer was removed from [[YouTube]] in India one day after its release.<ref>{{cite web |access-date=22 January 2025 |title=Diljit Dosanjh's Panjab '95 Release Delayed Indefinitely |url=https://thewire.in/politics/diljit-dosanjhs-punjab-95-release-delayed-indefinitely |website=The Wire}}</ref> An uncut international release was subsequently announced for 7 February 2025 in several countries, excluding India, but was postponed again without an official explanation.<ref>{{cite web |access-date=21 January 2025 |title=Punjab ’95' delayed again: Censorship and political pressures stall release of Jaswant Singh Khalra biopic |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news/punjab-95-delayed-again-censorship-and-political-pressures-stall-release-of-jaswant-singh-khalra-biopics/articleshow/117426237.cms |website=The Times of India}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=25 March 2025 |title=Punjab '95 release postponed again; why Diljit Dosanjh film faced 120 censor cuts, was axed from film festivals |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/entertainment/bollywood/punjab-95-release-postponed-again-why-diljit-dosanjh-film-faced-controversy-120-cuts-jaswant-singh-khalra-honey-trehan-101737434136326.html#:~:text=Diljit%20took%20to%20Instagram%20Stories,other%20stories,%20along%20with%20a |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250121180552/https://www.hindustantimes.com/entertainment/bollywood/punjab-95-release-postponed-again-why-diljit-dosanjh-film-faced-controversy-120-cuts-jaswant-singh-khalra-honey-trehan-101737434136326.html#:~:text=Diljit%20took%20to%20Instagram%20Stories,other%20stories,%20along%20with%20a |archive-date=21 January 2025 |access-date=3 February 2025 |work=Hindustan Times |language=en-us |url-status=live }}</ref><br />
<br />
Trehan and Dosanjh publicly stated that they would not release a version modified to comply with the certification demands, maintaining that the film should be presented in its intended form.<ref>{{cite web |access-date=7 September 2025 |title=From 21 to 127 – how CBFC’s cut list for Panjab ’95 increased over time; Honey Trehan makes EXPLOSIVE revelation: “CBFC told us remove 'desh', 'Gurbani'; asked me ‘Itni zor se sach kaun bolta hai?’…I told Ronnie Screwvala that 127-cut version should neither have my name nor Diljit Dosanjh’s” |url=https://www.bollywoodhungama.com/news/bollywood/21-127-cbfcs-cut-list-panjab-95-increased-time-honey-trehan-makes-explosive-revelation-cbfc-told-us-remove-desh-gurbani-asked/ |website=Bollywood Hungama}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |access-date=4 July 2026 |title='If even a single cut had been made, I would not have promoted the film': Diljit Dosanjh breaks silence as Arjun Rampal and Suvinder Vicky starrer 'Satluj' hits OTT after 3 years |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news/if-even-a-single-cut-had-been-made-i-would-not-have-promoted-the-film-diljit-dosanjh-breaks-silence-as-arjun-rampal-and-suvinder-vicky-starrer-satluj-hits-ott-after-3-years/articleshow/132179355.cms |website=The Times of India}}</ref><br />
<br />
The film had originally been selected for screening at the 2023 [[Toronto International Film Festival]] (TIFF), but it was later withdrawn from the festival programme following reports that diplomatic concerns raised by Indian authorities over its political subject matter influenced the decision. The episode preceded the certification disputes that later delayed the film's public release.<br />
<br />
== Soundtrack ==<br />
<br />
{{Infobox album<br />
| name = Satluj<br />
| type = soundtrack<br />
| artist = Marc Marder<br />
| released = 13 July 2026<br />
| recorded =<br />
| length = {{Duration|m=9|s=20}}<br />
| language = Punjabi<br />
| label = Sangeet Music<br />
| prev_title = [[We Are the Fruits of the Forest]]<br />
| prev_year = 2025<br />
| next_title =<br />
| next_year =<br />
| misc = {{external music video| header = Official audio<br />
| {{YouTube|E-59ukn3v2Q&pp|Satluj – Full Album}}<br />
}}<br />
}}<br />
<br />
{{Track listing<br />
| headline = Track listing<br />
| extra_column = Singer(s)<br />
| total_length = 9:20<br />
| all_music = Marc Marder<br />
| title1 = Gurmukh Laha Lei Gaye<br />
| note1 = [[Tabla]]: Gurinder{{br}}Pal Singh{{br}}[[Seni rebab|Rabab]]: Mahabir Singh Rana, Sandeep Singh<br />
| length1 = 6:29<br />
| lyrics1 = Traditional [[Gurbani]] [[Shabad (hymn)|Shabad]]<br />
| extra1 = Bhai Harjinder Singh Srinagar Wale{{br}}Side accompanist: Jaspreet Singh<br />
| title2 = Satnam Shri Waheguru<br />
| length2 = 1:29<br />
| lyrics2 = Traditional{{br}}[[Gurbani]]{{br}}[[Shabad (hymn)|Shabad]]<br />
| extra2 = Gyani Balwinder Singh, Gyani Kuljeet Singh<br />
| title3 = Sir Dijae Kaan Na Kijae<br />
| length3 = 1:22<br />
| lyrics3 = Traditional [[Gurbani]] [[Shabad (hymn)|Shabad]]<br />
| extra3 = Gyani Balwinder Singh, Gyani Kuljeet Singh, Bibi Amrit Kaur<br />
}}<br />
<br />
== Release ==<br />
<br />
''Satluj'' was originally scheduled to make its world premiere at the 2023 [[Toronto International Film Festival]] (TIFF). Shortly before the festival began, however, the film was removed from the official programme, with reports attributing the withdrawal to external objections.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/movies/diljit-dosanjhs-punjab-95-pulled-from-toronto-film-festival-lineup-reports/article67187184.ece|title=Diljit Dosanjh's 'Punjab 95' pulled from Toronto Film Festival lineup: reports|website=The Hindu |date=12 August 2023|language=en}}</ref><br />
<br />
After multiple postponements and a prolonged certification dispute, the film was eventually released digitally in its uncut form on [[ZEE5]] on 3 July 2026 under the new title ''Satluj''.<ref name="variety" /><ref>{{cite web |access-date=3 July 2026 |title=Diljit Dosanjh, Arjun Rampal starrer Satluj begins streaming on ZEE5; Honey Trehan directorial inspired by the life of Jaswant Singh |url=https://www.bollywoodhungama.com/news/features/diljit-dosanjh-arjun-rampal-starrer-satluj-begins-streaming-on-zee5-honey-trehan-directorial-inspired-by-the-life-of-jaswant-singh |website=Bollywood Hungama}}</ref><br />
<br />
Approximately two days after its streaming debut, the film was removed from ZEE5's Indian catalogue pending further notice.<ref>{{cite web |access-date=5 July 2026 |title=Diljit Dosanjh's Satluj taken down from ZEE5 India until further notice |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/entertainment/ott/story/diljit-dosanjh-satluj-taken-down-zee5-india-until-further-notice-official-statement-punjab-95-2941223-2026-07-05 |website=India Today}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |access-date=5 July 2026 |title=Diljit Dosanjh's Satluj Removed From Zee5 In India Two Days After Release |url=https://www.ndtv.com/entertainment/diljit-dosanjhs-satluj-removed-from-ott-two-days-after-release-11730614 |website=NDTV}}</ref> On 11 July 2026, the film was likewise withdrawn from ZEE5's international library.<ref>{{cite web |access-date=11 July 2026 |title=Diljit Dosanjh’s Satluj pulled from ZEE5 internationally days after India takedown |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/bollywood/diljit-dosanjhs-satluj-pulled-from-zee5-internationally-days-after-india-takedown-10781658 |website=The Indian Express}}</ref><br />
<br />
According to media reports, the [[Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (India)|Ministry of Information and Broadcasting]] directed the removal under provisions of the [[Information Technology Act, 2000]], including Section 69A and the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules. The reported justification cited concerns relating to public order, national security and sovereignty. Reports further indicated that an inter-departmental committee reviewed the matter and upheld aspects of the decision after examining the film's depiction of historical events. During the controversy, some groups also sought the registration of a First Information Report (FIR) against Diljit Dosanjh and Honey Trehan, alleging that the film promoted hostility between communities. The episode subsequently contributed to wider discussions regarding the future regulation of OTT platforms and proposals for more formal statutory oversight.<br />
<br />
== Reception ==<br />
<br />
=== Audience viewership ===<br />
<br />
During the approximately 48 hours that it remained available on ZEE5 in India, ''Satluj'' recorded 6.58 million views before being removed from the streaming platform.<ref>{{cite web |last=Chowdhury |first=Kavita |date=15 July 2026 |title=The Film ‘Satluj’ Revisits a Turbulent Chapter in India’s Counterinsurgency History |url=https://thediplomat.com/2026/07/the-film-satluj-revisits-a-turbulent-chapter-in-indias-counterinsurgency-history |website=thediplomat.com |publisher=[[The Diplomat (magazine)]] |access-date=16 July 2026}}</ref><br />
<br />
=== Critical response ===<br />
<br />
[[Saibal Chatterjee]] of ''[[NDTV]]'' awarded the film four out of five stars, describing ''Satluj'' as a compelling political drama that "pulls no punches" and concluding that its change of title had not diminished its overall impact.<ref>{{cite news |first=Saibal |last=Chatterjee |title=Satluj Review: Diljit Dosanjh Leads The Way In An Unmissable Film |work=NDTV |date=4 July 2026 |url=https://www.ndtv.com/entertainment/satluj-review-diljit-dosanjh-leads-the-way-in-an-unmissable-film-4-stars-11726747 |access-date=4 July 2026}}</ref><br />
<br />
Writing for ''[[The Indian Express]]'', [[Shubhra Gupta]] rated the film 3.5 out of 5 stars. She described it as a powerful and emotionally affecting portrayal of an individual confronting injustice, praising Honey Trehan and the filmmaking team for presenting the story of a real person and historical period with conviction.<ref>{{cite news |first=Shubhra |last=Gupta |title=Satluj movie review: Diljit Dosanjh’s performance gives this film its strength |work=The Indian Express |date=4 July 2026 |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/movie-review/satluj-movie-review-diljit-dosanjh-performance-gives-film-strength-honey-trehan-10770746/lite/ |access-date=4 July 2026}}</ref><br />
<br />
Reviewing the film for ''[[Scroll.in]]'', Nandini Ramnath characterised it as a harrowing account of unchecked state power and praised Diljit Dosanjh's restrained performance together with the supporting cast, including Geetika Vidya Ohlyan, Suvinder Vicky and Arjun Rampal. While she argued that the film understated Jaswant Singh Khalra's association with leftist political traditions and considered parts of its 163-minute runtime unnecessarily prolonged, she nevertheless described it as one of the strongest Indian political films in recent years.<ref name="scroll" /><br />
<br />
In ''[[Outlook (Indian magazine)|Outlook]]'', Debanjan Dhar gave the film four out of five stars, calling it one of the year's most significant releases. He particularly praised the performances of Diljit Dosanjh and Suvinder Vicky, describing Vicky's portrayal as an unsettling depiction of institutional brutality.<ref name="outlook">{{cite news |title=Satluj Review: Diljit And Suvinder Vicky Command One of The Year's Most Essential, Searing Films |work=[[Outlook (Indian magazine)|Outlook]] |date=4 July 2026 |url=https://www.outlookindia.com/art-entertainment/movie-review/satluj-review-diljit-and-suvinder-vicky-command-one-of-the-years-most-essential-searing-films |access-date=4 July 2026}}</ref><br />
<br />
A reviewer for ''[[India TV|India TV News]]'' commended the film's understated cinematography and restrained musical score but considered the editing uneven in places, suggesting that a shorter runtime would have strengthened the overall narrative. The publication awarded the film 3.5 out of 5 stars.<ref name="indiatv">{{cite news |title=Satluj Movie Review: Diljit Dosanjh strengthens Honey Trehan's haunting tale of truth and courage |work=[[India TV|India TV News]] |date=4 July 2026 |url=https://www.indiatvnews.com/amp/entertainment/movie-review/satluj-movie-review-and-rating-diljit-dosanjh-honey-trehan-1307 |access-date=4 July 2026}}</ref><br />
<br />
Bhumi Vashisht of ''[[The Sunday Guardian|Sunday Guardian Live]]'' described ''Satluj'' as a fearless docu-drama and highlighted Diljit Dosanjh's performance as a notable departure from his previous on-screen roles.<ref name="sundayguardian">{{cite news |title=Satluj Movie Review: Diljit Dosanjh Powers A Fearless Docu-Drama That Exposes Punjab's Darkest Chapter With Unflinching Honesty |work=Sunday Guardian Live |date=4 July 2026 |url=https://sundayguardianlive.com/entertainment-news/satluj-movie-review-diljit-dosanjh-powers-a-fearless-docu-drama-that-exposes-punjabs-darkest-chapter-with-unflinching-honesty-226126/ |access-date=4 July 2026}}</ref><br />
<br />
Troy Ribeiro of ''[[Free Press Journal]]'' gave the film three out of five stars, describing it as a sincere and purposeful work anchored by a clear moral perspective. He praised the performances of Dosanjh, Arjun Rampal and Kanwaljit Singh, while observing that the film prioritised atmosphere over spectacle.<ref name="freepress">{{cite news |title=Satluj Review: Diljit Dosanjh's Film Carries the Weight of a Nation's Conscience |work=[[Free Press Journal]] |date=4 July 2026 |url=https://www.freepressjournal.in/entertainment/satluj-review-diljit-dosanjhs-film-carries-the-weight-of-a-nations-conscience |access-date=4 July 2026}}</ref><br />
<br />
Reviewing the film for ''[[The Hollywood Reporter India]]'', Shilajit Mitra described ''Satluj'' as both heartfelt and harrowing, calling it among the finest Indian films released during the year.<ref>{{cite news |first=Shilajit |last=Mitra |title='Satluj' Movie Review: Diljit Dosanjh Anchors One Of The Finest Indian Films of The Year |work=The Hollywood Reporter India |date=4 July 2026 |url=https://www.freepressjournal.in/entertainment/satluj-review-diljit-dosanjhs-film-carries-the-weight-of-a-nations-conscience |access-date=4 July 2026}}</ref><br />
<br />
The reviewer for ''[[Bollywood Hungama]]'' awarded the film 3.5 out of five stars, praising its sensitive treatment of its subject matter while highlighting the performances of Diljit Dosanjh, Arjun Rampal and Suvinder Vicky.<ref>{{cite news |title=Satluj Movie Review: SATLUJ brings a deeply disturbing true story to the screen. |work=Bollywood Hungama |date=4 July 2026 |url=https://www.bollywoodhungama.com/movie/satluj/critic-review/satluj-movie-review/satluj-brings-a-deeply-disturbing-true-story-to-the-screen/ |access-date=4 July 2026}}</ref><br />
<br />
Neeshita Nyayapati of ''[[Hindustan Times]]'' gave the film four out of five stars, writing that although it focused on a particular individual, region and historical period, its broader message concerned the capacity of individuals to bring about social change. She described the film as both an effective political drama and a reminder of the enduring value of moral courage.<ref name="Hindustan Times">{{cite news |first=Neeshita |last=Nyayapati |title=Satluj movie review: Diljit Dosanjh, Arjun Rampal film recounts harrowing tale from Punjab ‘95 that's a punch to the gut |work=Hindustan Times |date=4 July 2026 |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/entertainment/bollywood/satluj-movie-review-diljit-dosanjh-arjun-rampal-film-recounts-harrowing-tale-from-punjab-95-zee5-jaswant-singh-khalra-101783152982143.html |access-date=4 July 2026}}</ref><br />
<br />
Writing in ''[[The Hindu]]'', Anuj Kumar praised Diljit Dosanjh's performance as Jaswant Singh Khalra and observed that Honey Trehan used the film to examine themes surrounding the dehumanisation of citizens and state violence.<ref name="TH">{{cite news |first=Anuj |last=Kumar |title=‘Satluj’ movie review: The anatomy of state violence |work=The Hindu |date=4 July 2026 |url=https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/satluj-movie-review-the-anatomy-of-state-violencediljit-dosanjh-panjab-95-honey-trehan/article71182649.ece |access-date=4 July 2026}}</ref><br />
<br />
Devesh Sharma of ''[[Filmfare]]'' awarded the film four out of five stars, describing it as a moving account of courage and conscience. He wrote that although ''Satluj'' was not intended as conventional entertainment, it succeeded in educating, unsettling and emotionally engaging audiences while honouring the legacy of Jaswant Singh Khalra.<ref>{{cite news |first=Devesh |last=Sharma |title=Satluj Movie Review: Devastating Chronicle of Courage and Conscience |work=Filmfare |date=4 July 2026 |url=https://www.filmfare.com/reviews/bollywood-movies/satluj-movie-review-devastating-chronicle-of-courage-and-conscience-84782.html |access-date=4 July 2026}}</ref><br />
<br />
Agnivo Niyogi of ''[[The Telegraph (India)]]'' praised the performances of the principal cast, the cinematography by K. U. Mohanan, the editing by A. Sreekar Prasad and Honey Trehan's direction. He wrote that the film examined systemic abuse by illustrating how institutions can normalise extraordinary violence in the absence of accountability.<ref>{{cite web |last=Niyogi |first=Agnivo |date=5 July 2026 |title=‘Satluj’ review: A powerful reminder that democracy dies when accountability disappears |url=https://www.telegraphindia.com/entertainment/satluj-review-a-powerful-reminder-that-democracy-dies-when-accountability-disappears/cid/2168694 |publisher=Telegraph India |access-date=5 July 2026}}</ref><br />
<br />
=== Criticism ===<br />
<br />
Some commentators argued that ''Satluj'' presents an incomplete interpretation of the [[Insurgency in Punjab, India|Punjab insurgency]], contending that it devotes comparatively limited attention to violence committed by Khalistan militant groups during the conflict. Among the critics was ''OpIndia'', which asserted that the film focused primarily on allegations of state excesses while giving insufficient coverage to militant attacks, including massacres of Punjabi Hindus, targeted killings of passengers removed from buses, attacks on public infrastructure and the broader civilian casualties associated with Khalistan-related militancy during the late 1980s and early 1990s.<ref>{{cite web |title=Diljit Dosanjh’s Satluj softens Khalistani terrorists, ignores Hindu victims and revives a separatist narrative around Punjab militancy |url=https://www.opindia.com/2026/07/mask-off-diljit-dosanjh-satluj-opindia-warning/ |website=OpIndia |date=8 July 2026 |access-date=18 July 2026}}</ref><br />
<br />
Particular criticism was directed at the film's depiction of the 1995 assassination of Punjab Chief Minister [[Beant Singh (politician)|Beant Singh]]. Some commentators argued that the sequence, which incorporates slow-motion cinematography, stylised visual treatment and accompanying background music, risked presenting the assassination in a manner that could be interpreted as glorifying or romanticising the perpetrators, including [[Dilawar Singh Babbar]].<ref>{{cite web |last=Keshri |first=Shweta |title=Satluj CM assassination scene sparks backlash over portrayal and background song |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/movies/story/satluj-beant-singh-assassination-scene-sparks-backlash-over-portrayal-and-background-song-2941791-2026-07-06 |website=India Today |date=7 July 2026 |access-date=18 July 2026}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Satluj: Why Diljit Dosanjh Film Faced Title Changes, CBFC Cuts And OTT Ban |url=https://www.timesnownews.com/entertainment-news/web-series/satluj-why-diljit-dosanjh-film-faced-title-changes-cbfc-cuts-and-ott-ban-full-controversy-explained-article-154961065 |website=Times Now |date=7 July 2026 |access-date=18 July 2026}}</ref><br />
<br />
Supporters of the film, however, maintained that the sequence formed part of the historical narrative depicted in the film and should be considered within its broader portrayal of the political and human rights issues explored throughout the story.<br />
<br />
=== Political views ===<br />
[[File:Jaswant Singh Khalra.jpg|Jaswant Singh Khalra at the desk of the Khalistan Liberation Movement International, highlighting the ideological ties to the separatist movement that ran parallel to his human rights investigations.|thumb|right]]<br />
Accounts of [[Jaswant Singh Khalra]]'s political and ideological background have varied across historical and journalistic sources. Although ''Satluj'' principally portrays him through the lens of his work documenting alleged enforced disappearances and advocating for human rights, some commentators have noted that his earlier political activities receive comparatively limited attention.<br />
<br />
According to some published accounts, Khalra was associated during his youth with leftist and Marxist-influenced student activism, including organisations such as the Naujawan Bharat Sabha, before later becoming associated with the human rights wing of the [[Shiromani Akali Dal]]. These differing aspects of his political evolution have contributed to varying interpretations of his public life among journalists, scholars and political observers.<ref>{{cite web |title=Marxist, Akali, Khalistan sympathiser: Jaswant Singh Khalra was harder to place than Satluj admits |url=https://www.newslaundry.com/2026/07/13/marxist-akali-khalistan-sympathiser-jaswant-singh-khalra-was-harder-to-place-than-satluj-admits |website=Newslaundry |date=13 July 2026 |access-date=18 July 2026}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Jaswant Singh Khalra |url=https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jaswant_Singh_Khalra |website=Wikipedia |access-date=18 July 2026}}</ref><br />
<br />
Some writers have also examined Khalra's later political views and public associations. According to these accounts, he expressed support for Sikh self-determination and engaged with individuals and organisations advocating the creation of Khalistan. During the 1990s, Punjab Police further alleged that he maintained links with Khalistan militants, although human rights organisations and several later commentators have described such allegations as attempts to discredit his investigations into alleged enforced disappearances and extrajudicial killings rather than as independently established findings.<br />
== Impact ==<br />
<br />
Following the removal of ''Satluj'' from ZEE5 in India, pirated copies of the film began circulating widely across digital platforms, including [[WhatsApp]], [[Telegram (software)|Telegram]], [[X (social network)|X]] (formerly Twitter) and [[YouTube]].<ref>{{cite web |last=Das |first=Kusumika |date=7 July 2026 |title=How Satluj Pirated Copies Flooded WhatsApp And Telegram After ZEE5 Takedown |url=https://www.ndtv.com/entertainment/how-satluj-pirated-copies-flooded-whatsapp-and-telegram-after-zee5-takedown-11737314 |website=NDTV |publisher=NDTV |access-date=10 July 2026}}</ref><br />
<br />
In response to the takedown, Sikh organisations, local activists and community groups organised public screenings of the film in several parts of India, particularly at [[Gurdwara|gurdwaras]], using copies that had circulated online. Writing in ''[[Forbes]]'', Hannah Abraham described the phenomenon as an example of the [[Streisand effect]], whereby attempts to restrict access resulted in greater public visibility and interest.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Sheikh |first1=Saaliq |last2=Prabhjot |first2=Gill |date=10 July 2026 |title=Community screenings help a movie set during an Indian insurgency bypass censorship |url=https://apnews.com/article/india-punjab-satluj-film-censorship-a0e31a0f4682f3ec97dcef878844de4f |website=AP News |publisher=AP News |access-date=10 July 2026}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Rani |first=Gayatri |date=9 July 2026 |title=Diljit Dosanjh’s Satluj begins screening at Gurudwaras in five states after OTT removal: Report |url=https://www.moneycontrol.com/entertainment/diljit-dosanjhs-satluj-begins-screening-at-gurudwaras-in-five-states-after-ott-removal-report-article-13969680.html |website=MoneyControl |location=India |publisher=Money Control |access-date=9 July 2026}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Singh |first=Sardar Sarabjoth |date=11 July 2026 |title=Hyderabad Gurudwara to screen Satluj for free as OTT shuts doors |url=https://www.siasat.com/gurudwara-in-hyderabad-to-screen-diljit-dosanjh-satluj-as-zee5-shuts-doors-3505356 |location=Hyderabad |publisher=The Siasat Daily |access-date=11 July 2026}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Abraham |first=Hannah |date=9 July 2026 |title=“You Think One Film Can Destroy Your Democracy?”:‘Satluj’ Director Honey Trehan On Censorship And The Streisand Effect |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/hannahabraham/2026/07/09/you-think-one-film-can-destroy-your-democracysatluj-director-honey-trehan-on-censorship-and-the-streisand-effect/ |website=Forbes |location=United States |publisher=Forbes |access-date=10 July 2026}}</ref><br />
<br />
On 9 July 2026, a [[Public interest litigation in India|public interest litigation]] (PIL) was filed before the [[Punjab and Haryana High Court]] seeking restoration of the film on ZEE5. The petition questioned the legal basis for the platform's decision to remove the film and raised issues relating to freedom of expression, procedural transparency and the rights of subscribers who had paid to access the content.<ref>{{cite web |last=Kumar Bhardwaj |first=Aman |date=9 July 2026 |title=Satluj row: PIL in Punjab and Haryana High Court seeks restoration of film on Zee5 |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/movies/story/satluj-row-pil-in-punjab-and-haryana-high-court-seeks-zee5-film-restoration-2944218-2026-07-09 |website=India Today |publisher=India Today |access-date=10 July 2026}}</ref><br />
<br />
<blockquote>''"The abrupt removal of the film, without disclosure of any statutory order, judicial direction or lawful authority, has not only curtailed [[Freedom of expression in India|the fundamental right of the public to receive information and artistic expression under Article 19 (1) (a) of the Constitution of India]] but has also deprived thousands of bona-fide subscribers of access to content for which they had already paid consideration,"'' the petition stated.<ref>{{cite web |last=Gavankar |first=Vaishnavi |date=9 July 2026 |title=PIL in Punjab and Haryana HC seeks restoration of Diljit Dosanjh’s Satluj on ZEE5 |url=https://www.moneycontrol.com/entertainment/pil-in-punjab-and-haryana-hc-seeks-restoration-of-diljit-dosanjh-s-satluj-on-zee5-article-13970333.html |publisher=MoneyControl |access-date=10 July 2026}}</ref></blockquote><br />
<br />
On 10 July 2026, more than 50 journalists and film critics signed a joint letter addressed to [[Ashwini Vaishnaw]], the Union Minister for [[Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (India)|Information and Broadcasting]], criticising the removal of the film from ZEE5. The signatories described the action as an instance of executive overreach and argued that it reflected a continuing erosion of due process.<ref>{{cite web |author=<!-- not stated --> |date=10 July 2026 |title=“Executive overreach”: Over 50 journalists, film critics condemn removal of Satluj from ZEE5 |url=https://maktoobmedia.com/public/post?id=115917&slug=executive-overreach-over-50-journalists-film-critics-condemn-removal-of-satluj-from-zee5 |website=Maktoob Media |publisher=Maktoob Media |access-date=10 July 2026}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |author=<!-- not stated --> |date=10 July 2026 |title=Continuing Erosion of Due Process': Film Journalists Write to Ashwini Vaishnaw on Abrupt Removal of 'Satluj' |url=https://thewire.in/film/film-journalists-write-to-ashwini-vaishnaw-on-abrupt-removal-of-satluj |website=The Wire |publisher=The Wire |access-date=11 June 2026}}</ref><br />
<br />
The controversy surrounding the film also prompted broader debate regarding the regulation of over-the-top (OTT) streaming services. Several reports indicated that the Indian government was considering a more formal statutory framework for digital platforms, including proposals for pre-certification mechanisms that would move beyond the existing system of industry self-regulation.<br />
<br />
== See also ==<br />
<br />
* ''[[Punjab 1984]]''<br />
* ''[[Jogi (2022 film)|Jogi]]''<br />
<br />
== Notes ==<br />
<br />
{{Notelist}}<br />
<br />
== References ==<br />
<br />
{{reflist}}<br />
<br />
== External links ==<br />
<br />
* {{IMDb title|id=43641251}}<br />
* {{Bollywood Hungama movie|satluj}}<br />
<br />
[[Category:2026 films]]<br />
[[Category:Indian drama films]]<br />
[[Category:Hindi-language films]]<br />
[[Category:Punjabi-language Indian films]]<br />
[[Category:Films about massacres of Sikhs]]<br />
[[Category:Fiction about the insurgency in Punjab, India]]<br />
[[Category:Fictional portrayals of the Punjab Police (India)]]<br />
[[Category:Films about religious violence in India]]<br />
[[Category:Films based on real people]]<br />
[[Category:Films set in Punjab, India]]<br />
[[Category:Films set in the 1990s]]<br />
[[Category:Film censorship in India]]<br />
[[Category:Censored films]]<br />
[[Category:Indian films based on actual events]]<br />
[[Category:Hindi-language films based on actual events]]<br />
[[Category:Films about police brutality]]</div>BellaCHhttps://en.bharatpedia.org/w/index.php?title=List_of_signatories_to_the_Ajmal_Kasab_mercy_petition&diff=552211List of signatories to the Ajmal Kasab mercy petition2026-07-16T06:23:16Z<p>BellaCH: Image and hatnote</p>
<hr />
<div>{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2026}}<br />
{{Short description|List of signatories to the 2012 clemency petition for Ajmal Kasab}}<br />
{{main|Ajmal Kasab}}<br />
[[File:Mohammed Ajmal Kasab.jpg|Ajmal Kasab, one of the ten terrorists involved in the 2008 Mumbai attacks at the Victoria Terminus station taken at the Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus railway station|thumb|right]]<br />
The '''2012 clemency petition for Ajmal Kasab''' was a public appeal submitted to the [[President of India]] requesting that the death sentence imposed on [[Ajmal Kasab]], the sole surviving terrorist of the [[2008 Mumbai attacks]], be commuted to life imprisonment.<ref name="Oneindia">{{cite news |title=Over 200 Indians had urged Prez Pranab not to hang Kasab |url=https://www.oneindia.com/2012/11/21/over-200-indians-had-urged-president-not-to-hang-kasab-1102141.html |work=Oneindia |date=21 November 2012 |access-date=15 July 2026}}</ref><br />
<br />
The petition was organised by Mumbai-based advocate [[Yug Mohit Chaudhry]] following the dismissal of Kasab's judicial appeals and before the disposal of his constitutional mercy petition. It was signed by more than 200 members of Indian civil society, including lawyers, academics, journalists, writers, artists, retired public officials and human rights activists.<ref name="Oneindia" /><br />
<br />
The signatories stated that their appeal was based on principled opposition to capital punishment rather than support for Kasab or his actions.<ref name="AmnestyPress">{{cite web |title=Kasab execution represents Indian death penalty backslide |url=https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/press-release/2012/11/kasab-execution-represents-indian-death-penalty-backslide/ |publisher=Amnesty International |date=21 November 2012 |access-date=15 July 2026}}</ref><br />
<br />
==Background==<br />
<br />
[[Ajmal Kasab]], the only surviving terrorist of the ten gunmen who carried out the [[2008 Mumbai attacks]], was convicted by a special court in Mumbai on 3 May 2010 on multiple charges, including murder, waging war against India and offences under anti-terrorism legislation. He was sentenced to death on 6 May 2010. The conviction and sentence were subsequently upheld by the [[Bombay High Court]] on 21 February 2011 and by the [[Supreme Court of India]] on 29 August 2012.<ref>{{cite news |title=26/11 terror attacks case: Supreme Court upholds Kasab's death sentence |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/news-archive/web/2611-terror-attacks-case-sc-upholds-kasabs-death-sentence/ |work=The Indian Express |date=29 August 2012 |access-date=15 July 2026}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Bombay HC upholds Kasab's death sentence |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/bombay-hc-upholds-kasabs-death-sentence/article1478204.ece |work=The Hindu |date=21 February 2011 |access-date=15 July 2026}}</ref><br />
<br />
Following the dismissal of his judicial appeals, Kasab submitted a mercy petition to the [[President of India]] under Article 72 of the Constitution. During the pendency of the petition, a group of lawyers, academics, writers, journalists and human rights activists submitted a separate public appeal requesting that his death sentence be commuted to life imprisonment. The petition argued that the death penalty should not be imposed regardless of the nature of the atrocity and described the appeal as an affirmation of opposition to capital punishment rather than a defence of Kasab's crimes.<ref name="EconomicTimes">{{cite news |title=Ajmal Kasab's mercy petition last among 12 pending petitions in President Pranab Mukherjee's office |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/ajmal-kasabs-mercy-petition-last-among-12-pending-petitions-in-president-pranab-mukherjees-office/articleshow/17012050.cms |work=The Economic Times |date=31 October 2012 |access-date=15 July 2026}}</ref><ref name="AmnestyPDF">{{cite web |title=Kasab execution represents Indian death penalty backslide |url=https://www.amnesty.org/en/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/asa200372012en.pdf |publisher=Amnesty International |date=21 November 2012 |access-date=15 July 2026}}</ref><br />
<br />
President [[Pranab Mukherjee]] rejected Kasab's mercy petition on 5 November 2012 following the recommendation of the [[Ministry of Home Affairs (India)|Ministry of Home Affairs]]. Kasab was executed by hanging at [[Yerawada Central Jail]] in Pune on 21 November 2012.<ref>{{cite news |title=Mercy denied: The execution list before NDA |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-others/mercy-denied-the-execution-list-before-nda/ |work=The Indian Express |date=26 July 2015 |access-date=15 July 2026}}</ref><ref name="IndiaToday">{{cite news |title=Kasab executed at Yerawada Jail |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/afzal-guru-hanging/story/death-row-ajmal-kasab-afzal-guru-india-today-122166-2012-11-22 |work=India Today |date=22 November 2012 |access-date=15 July 2026}}</ref><br />
<br />
==Petition==<br />
<br />
The clemency petition was organised by Mumbai-based advocate [[Yug Mohit Chaudhry]] following the exhaustion of Ajmal Kasab's judicial remedies. Addressed to President [[Pranab Mukherjee]], it requested that Kasab's death sentence be commuted to life imprisonment under the President's constitutional power of clemency.<ref name="Oneindia" /><ref name="EconomicTimes" /><br />
<br />
The signatories stated that their appeal was founded on principled opposition to capital punishment rather than sympathy for Kasab or justification of the 2008 Mumbai attacks. They argued that the abolition of the death penalty was consistent with international human rights principles and urged the President to commute the sentence irrespective of the gravity of the crimes.<ref name="AmnestyPDF" /><ref>{{cite news |title=Terrorists, mercy petitions and the great hypocrisy |url=https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/open-page/terrorists-mercy-petitions-and-the-great-hypocrisy/article4204084.ece |work=The Hindu |date=11 December 2012 |access-date=15 July 2026}}</ref><br />
<br />
The petition was signed by members of civil society from a wide range of professional backgrounds, including lawyers, academics, journalists, writers, artists, retired civil servants and human rights activists. Following President Mukherjee's rejection of Kasab's mercy petition on 5 November 2012, the clemency request became infructuous, and Kasab was executed on 21 November 2012.<ref name="IndiaToday" /><br />
<br />
==Signatories==<br />
<br />
The following individuals were identified as signatories to the 2012 clemency petition requesting that the death sentence imposed on Ajmal Kasab be commuted to life imprisonment.<ref>{{cite web |title=List of People Who Signed Ajmal Kasab’s Mercy Petition |url=https://advocatetanmoy.com/list-of-people-who-signed-ajmal-kasabs-mercy-petition/ |website=Advocatetanmoy Law Library |date=13 February 2019}}</ref><br />
<br />
{| class="wikitable sortable"<br />
! No.<br />
! Name<br />
! Occupation / Affiliation<br />
! Notes<br />
|-<br />
| 1<br />
| A. K. Jayasree<br />
| A gender activist<br />
| <br />
|-<br />
| 2<br />
| Aakar Patel<br />
| Journalist<br />
| Journalist and author.<br />
|-<br />
| 3<br />
| Aamir Bashir<br />
| Actor and Director<br />
| <br />
|-<br />
| 4<br />
| Abbas Kazmi<br />
| Lawyer<br />
| Defence counsel during Ajmal Kasab trial.<br />
|-<br />
| 5<br />
| Abdul Wahab Khan<br />
| Lawyer<br />
| <br />
|-<br />
| 6<br />
| Abha Bhaiya<br />
| Indian feminist activist and cofounder of Jagori Rural Charitable Trust<br />
| <br />
|-<br />
| 7<br />
| Achin Vanaik<br />
| Political scientist and author<br />
| <br />
|-<br />
| 8<br />
| Aditi Khanna<br />
| Senior Correspondent, Press Trust of India<br />
| <br />
|-<br />
| 9<br />
| Ajaya Kumar Singh<br />
| a Catholic priest, and human rights activist<br />
| <br />
|-<br />
| 10<br />
| Akshay Pathak<br />
| <br />
| <br />
|-<br />
| 11<br />
| Amba Kak<br />
| Researcher<br />
| <br />
|-<br />
| 12<br />
| Amin Solkar<br />
| Lawyer<br />
| <br />
|-<br />
| 13<br />
| Amita Chatterjee<br />
| <br />
| <br />
|-<br />
| 14<br />
| Amitabha Pande<br />
| <br />
| <br />
|-<br />
| 15<br />
| Amrita Nandy<br />
| Jawaharlal Nehru University<br />
| <br />
|-<br />
| 16<br />
| Amrita Shodhan<br />
| School of African and Asian Studies, UK<br />
| <br />
|-<br />
| 17<br />
| Andaleeb Alam<br />
| Social Worker<br />
| <br />
|-<br />
| 18<br />
| Anish Grewal<br />
| Entrepreneur<br />
| <br />
|-<br />
| 19<br />
| Anita Cherian<br />
| Asst. Prof, Eng. Dept, Indraprastha<br />
| <br />
|-<br />
| 20<br />
| Anjali Dave<br />
| Tata Institute of Social Sciences<br />
| <br />
|-<br />
| 21<br />
| Anju Talukdar<br />
| Assistant project co-ordinator of the Disability Law Unit, advocacy for various social issues.<br />
| <br />
|-<br />
| 22<br />
| Anu Salelkar<br />
| Anubhuti Trust<br />
| <br />
|-<br />
| 23<br />
| Anuj Bhagwati<br />
| Entrepreneur<br />
| <br />
|-<br />
| 24<br />
| Anuradha Chenoy<br />
| Adjunct Professor at the Jindal School of International Affairs<br />
| <br />
|-<br />
| 25<br />
| Anusha Rizvi<br />
| Consultant on Gender, Law, and Human Rights<br />
| <br />
|-<br />
| 26<br />
| Apoorva Kaivar<br />
| Lawyer<br />
| <br />
|-<br />
| 27<br />
| Aruna Roy<br />
| Indian social activist and professor<br />
| <br />
|-<br />
| 28<br />
| Aseem Shrivastava<br />
| A Delhi based environmental economist, activist, and a writer<br />
| <br />
|-<br />
| 29<br />
| Ashish Kothari<br />
| an activist and researcher focusing on environment, development, democracy, and alternatives<br />
| <br />
|-<br />
| 30<br />
| Ashok Agarwaal<br />
| A Civil Rights Group Advocate<br />
| <br />
|-<br />
| 31<br />
| Babloo Loitongbam<br />
| Human rights activist<br />
| <br />
|-<br />
| 32<br />
| Babu Mathew<br />
| Professor of Law<br />
| <br />
|-<br />
| 33<br />
| Balaji Narasimhan<br />
| Professor<br />
| <br />
|-<br />
| 34<br />
| Beena Choksi<br />
| Social Activist<br />
| <br />
|-<br />
| 35<br />
| Bhairavi Sanghi<br />
| Designer<br />
| <br />
|-<br />
| 36<br />
| Bharti Ali<br />
| Development professional and social activist<br />
| <br />
|-<br />
| 37<br />
| Bhaskar Hazarika<br />
| Film director makes films in Assamese<br />
| <br />
|-<br />
| 38<br />
| Binoo John<br />
| Journalist based in New Delhi<br />
| <br />
|-<br />
| 39<br />
| Biraj Patnaik<br />
| <br />
| <br />
|-<br />
| 40<br />
| Bondita Acharya<br />
| Director of Purva Bharati Educational Trust<br />
| <br />
|-<br />
| 41<br />
| Brinda Bose<br />
| Professor of English at Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU)<br />
| <br />
|-<br />
| 42<br />
| Byatha N. Jagadeesh<br />
| Lawyer<br />
| <br />
|-<br />
| 43<br />
| Chetan Mali<br />
| Lawyer<br />
| <br />
|-<br />
| 44<br />
| Colin Gonsalves<br />
| Senior Advocate, Supreme Court.<br />
| Senior Advocate; founder of Human Rights Law Network.<br />
|-<br />
| 45<br />
| Dale Luis Menezes<br />
| Assistant Professor of History Global Studies University<br />
| <br />
|-<br />
| 46<br />
| Deepti<br />
| Saheli<br />
| <br />
|-<br />
| 47<br />
| Devaki Jain<br />
| Development Economist and Writer<br />
| Development economist and writer.<br />
|-<br />
| 48<br />
| Dilip D’Souza<br />
| Journalist<br />
| <br />
|-<br />
| 49<br />
| Dilip Simeon<br />
| Public intellectual<br />
| <br />
|-<br />
| 50<br />
| Dr Ambrose Pinto SJ<br />
| Administrator, St Joseph’s Evening Colleges, Bangalore<br />
| <br />
|-<br />
| 51<br />
| Dr Sandeep Bakshi<br />
| Postdoctoral Fellow, English.<br />
| <br />
|-<br />
| 52<br />
| Dr. Akhil Katyal<br />
| Assistant Professor Delhi University<br />
| <br />
|-<br />
| 53<br />
| Dr. Madhav Thambisetty<br />
| Professor of Medicine<br />
| <br />
|-<br />
| 54<br />
| Dr. Prashant Kidambi<br />
| Lecturer in History, Univ. of Leicester.<br />
| <br />
|-<br />
| 55<br />
| Dr. Walter Fernandes<br />
| North Eastern Social Research Centre<br />
| <br />
|-<br />
| 56<br />
| Dunu Roy<br />
| Social activist, political ecologist, social scientist, and Director of the Hazards Centre (New Delhi)<br />
| <br />
|-<br />
| 57<br />
| Flavia Agnes<br />
| Lawyer<br />
| <br />
|-<br />
| 58<br />
| Forum Against Opression of Women, Mumbai<br />
| <br />
| <br />
|-<br />
| 59<br />
| Gabriele Dietrich<br />
| Sociology Professor at the Tamil Nadu Theological Seminary<br />
| <br />
|-<br />
| 60<br />
| Gana Kurinji Shanmugasundaram<br />
| Vice-president, PUCL, (Tamil Nadu & Puduchery)<br />
| <br />
|-<br />
| 61<br />
| Gaurav Sinha<br />
| Lawyer<br />
| <br />
|-<br />
| 62<br />
| Gautam Babbar<br />
| United Nations<br />
| <br />
|-<br />
| 63<br />
| Gautam Patel<br />
| Lawyer<br />
| <br />
|-<br />
| 64<br />
| Gayatri Menon<br />
| Social scientist, activist<br />
| <br />
|-<br />
| 65<br />
| Geeta Thatra<br />
| Research Fellow, Tata Institute of Social Sciences<br />
| <br />
|-<br />
| 66<br />
| Gopal Krishna<br />
| Member, Citizens Forum for Civil Liberties (CFCL)<br />
| <br />
|-<br />
| 67<br />
| Gulnar Bandukwalla Pruisken<br />
| Entrepreneur<br />
| <br />
|-<br />
| 68<br />
| HAQ: Centre for Child Rights<br />
| <br />
| <br />
|-<br />
| 69<br />
| Harish Dhawan<br />
| Associate Prof. in Eco, Univ. of Delhi<br />
| <br />
|-<br />
| 70<br />
| Harsh Bora<br />
| Lawyer<br />
| <br />
|-<br />
| 71<br />
| Harsh Kapoor<br />
| Indian sociologist, internet activist, and human rights defender<br />
| <br />
|-<br />
| 72<br />
| Harsh Mander<br />
| Social Activist, NAC Member<br />
| Former IAS officer and social activist.<br />
|-<br />
| 73<br />
| Jacob Matthan<br />
| Social Influencer<br />
| <br />
|-<br />
| 74<br />
| Jagmohan Singh<br />
| Politician and a member of Aam Aadmi Party (presently)<br />
| <br />
|-<br />
| 75<br />
| Jamal Kidwai<br />
| Sixth Vice Chancellor of Jamia Millia Islamia<br />
| <br />
|-<br />
| 76<br />
| Jashodhara Dasgupta<br />
| Independent researcher, policy analyst and community action expert<br />
| <br />
|-<br />
| 77<br />
| Javed Iqbal<br />
| Journalist<br />
| <br />
|-<br />
| 78<br />
| Jayasree Subramanian<br />
| Tata Institute of Social Sciences<br />
| <br />
|-<br />
| 79<br />
| Jeny Antony<br />
| Indian actress and model<br />
| <br />
|-<br />
| 80<br />
| Jinee Lokaneeta<br />
| Associate Professor, Political Science<br />
| <br />
|-<br />
| 81<br />
| Joe Athialy<br />
| <br />
| <br />
|-<br />
| 82<br />
| Jyoti Punwani<br />
| Journalist<br />
| <br />
|-<br />
| 83<br />
| K. P. Shankaran<br />
| Lecturer (Retd) in Philosophy<br />
| <br />
|-<br />
| 84<br />
| Kalpana Kannabiran<br />
| Director of Research and Legal Outreach at the Asmita Resource Centre for Women in Secunderabad<br />
| <br />
|-<br />
| 85<br />
| Kalyani Menon Sen<br />
| Feminist Learning Partnerships<br />
| <br />
|-<br />
| 86<br />
| Kamal Mitra Chenoy<br />
| <br />
| <br />
|-<br />
| 87<br />
| Kamayani Bali Mahabal<br />
| Mumbai-based human rights lawyer, feminist, and journalist<br />
| <br />
|-<br />
| 88<br />
| Kamla Bhasin<br />
| Social Scientist<br />
| Feminist author and activist.<br />
|-<br />
| 89<br />
| Kanamma Raman<br />
| Rights activist, and former Professor in Politics at the University of Mumbai’s Department of Civics and Politics<br />
| <br />
|-<br />
| 90<br />
| Kareem Sait<br />
| <br />
| <br />
|-<br />
| 91<br />
| Kasim Sait<br />
| Lawyer<br />
| <br />
|-<br />
| 92<br />
| Kavita Punjabi<br />
| Forum Against Oppression of Women, Mumbai<br />
| <br />
|-<br />
| 93<br />
| Kiran Bhatty<br />
| Independent Researcher<br />
| <br />
|-<br />
| 94<br />
| Kiran Shaheen<br />
| Gender justice activist and journalist from Bihar<br />
| <br />
|-<br />
| 95<br />
| Kritika Agarwal<br />
| <br />
| <br />
|-<br />
| 96<br />
| Kunjam Pandu Dora<br />
| Adivasi (indigenous) leader and human rights activist from Andhra Pradesh<br />
| <br />
|-<br />
| 97<br />
| Lalita Ramdas<br />
| Activist, actively involved in promoting alternative education, gender sensitivity, secularism<br />
| <br />
|-<br />
| 98<br />
| Laxmi Murthy<br />
| a women’s right activist<br />
| <br />
|-<br />
| 99<br />
| Madhoo<br />
| <br />
| <br />
|-<br />
| 100<br />
| Madhu Sarin<br />
| Psychoanalyst<br />
| <br />
|-<br />
| 101<br />
| Madhumita Dutta<br />
| Activist, assistant professor at the Ohio State University since 2017<br />
| <br />
|-<br />
| 102<br />
| Maharukh Adenwalla<br />
| Lawyer<br />
| <br />
|-<br />
| 103<br />
| Mahasveta Devi<br />
| Writer<br />
| <br />
|-<br />
| 104<br />
| Mahmood Farooqui<br />
| Historian, Artist, Filmmaker.<br />
| Writer, filmmaker and Dastangoi performer.<br />
|-<br />
| 105<br />
| Malani S<br />
| <br />
| <br />
|-<br />
| 106<br />
| Manisha Sethi<br />
| Jamia Teachers Solidarity Association<br />
| <br />
|-<br />
| 107<br />
| Manohar Elavarthi<br />
| Praja Rajakiya Vedike, Bangalore<br />
| <br />
|-<br />
| 108<br />
| Mansoor Nazeer<br />
| Author<br />
| <br />
|-<br />
| 109<br />
| Mary Scaria<br />
| Lawyer<br />
| <br />
|-<br />
| 110<br />
| Mayank Misra<br />
| Lawyer<br />
| <br />
|-<br />
| 111<br />
| Meenal Baghel<br />
| Editor, Mumbai Mirror<br />
| <br />
|-<br />
| 112<br />
| Meghna Vesvikar<br />
| Social Work, Assistant Professor in the College of Social Work, Nirmala Niketan, Mumbai<br />
| <br />
|-<br />
| 113<br />
| Mukul Mahant<br />
| Social Activist<br />
| <br />
|-<br />
| 114<br />
| Murtaza Danish Husaini<br />
| Actor and Dramatist.<br />
| <br />
|-<br />
| 115<br />
| N. Jayaram<br />
| Journalist<br />
| <br />
|-<br />
| 116<br />
| Nachiket Udupa<br />
| Indian think tank<br />
| <br />
|-<br />
| 117<br />
| Naima Shaikh<br />
| Lawyer<br />
| <br />
|-<br />
| 118<br />
| Namisha Gupta<br />
| Author<br />
| <br />
|-<br />
| 119<br />
| Namita Kohli<br />
| Student<br />
| <br />
|-<br />
| 120<br />
| Nandini Dey<br />
| <br />
| <br />
|-<br />
| 121<br />
| Nandita Das<br />
| Actress<br />
| Actress and filmmaker.<br />
|-<br />
| 122<br />
| Naresh Fernandes<br />
| Writer<br />
| <br />
|-<br />
| 123<br />
| Navsharan Singh<br />
| Human rights activist and feminist researcher<br />
| <br />
|-<br />
| 124<br />
| Neeraj Malilk<br />
| Indian feminist, academic, and civil rights activist<br />
| <br />
|-<br />
| 125<br />
| Neha Choksi<br />
| Women empowerment activist<br />
| <br />
|-<br />
| 126<br />
| Neha Mujumdar<br />
| <br />
| <br />
|-<br />
| 127<br />
| Nikhil Dey<br />
| Indian social activist<br />
| <br />
|-<br />
| 128<br />
| Nikhil Kumar<br />
| <br />
| <br />
|-<br />
| 129<br />
| Nikita Agarwal<br />
| <br />
| <br />
|-<br />
| 130<br />
| Nisha Biswas<br />
| Activism,human rights, democracy, and minority rights<br />
| <br />
|-<br />
| 131<br />
| Paari Vendan<br />
| Lawyer<br />
| <br />
|-<br />
| 132<br />
| Padma Deosthali<br />
| Researcher and policy advocacy<br />
| <br />
|-<br />
| 133<br />
| Padmini Mirchandani<br />
| Publisher<br />
| <br />
|-<br />
| 134<br />
| Parul Gupta<br />
| Language Teacher<br />
| <br />
|-<br />
| 135<br />
| Peoples’ Union for Democratic Rights<br />
| <br />
| <br />
|-<br />
| 136<br />
| Pritam Bhatty<br />
| Artist<br />
| <br />
|-<br />
| 137<br />
| Priyanka Vegad<br />
| Lawyer<br />
| <br />
|-<br />
| 138<br />
| Prof Rupin Desai<br />
| Professor of English (retd)<br />
| <br />
|-<br />
| 139<br />
| Puneet Kohli<br />
| <br />
| <br />
|-<br />
| 140<br />
| Purnima Gupta<br />
| A feminist and women’s rights activist<br />
| <br />
|-<br />
| 141<br />
| Radha Thomas<br />
| Singer<br />
| <br />
|-<br />
| 142<br />
| Rafiul Alom Rahman<br />
| Student<br />
| <br />
|-<br />
| 143<br />
| Rahul Roy<br />
| Indian actor, producer and model<br />
| <br />
|-<br />
| 144<br />
| Rakhee Joshi<br />
| Consultant, Social Research<br />
| <br />
|-<br />
| 145<br />
| Rana Behal<br />
| Teach history at Deshbandhu College, University of Delhi<br />
| <br />
|-<br />
| 146<br />
| Rashmi Gera<br />
| <br />
| <br />
|-<br />
| 147<br />
| Rebecca Mammen John<br />
| Lawyer<br />
| <br />
|-<br />
| 148<br />
| Reena George<br />
| Ph.D. Student<br />
| <br />
|-<br />
| 149<br />
| Richa Berry<br />
| Actor<br />
| <br />
|-<br />
| 150<br />
| Richa Minocha<br />
| Member Secretary, Jan Abhiyan Sanstha, Himachal Pradesh<br />
| <br />
|-<br />
| 151<br />
| Rimple Mehta<br />
| JU-SYLFF Doctoral Fellow, Jadavpur University<br />
| <br />
|-<br />
| 152<br />
| Rituparna Borah<br />
| <br />
| <br />
|-<br />
| 153<br />
| Ruchi Gupta<br />
| Public policy practitioner<br />
| <br />
|-<br />
| 154<br />
| Ruth Sequeira<br />
| <br />
| <br />
|-<br />
| 155<br />
| S. Anand<br />
| Publisher, Navayana<br />
| <br />
|-<br />
| 156<br />
| S. Thambisetty<br />
| Professor, LSE<br />
| <br />
|-<br />
| 157<br />
| Sabeena Gadihoke<br />
| Indian academic and filmmaker<br />
| <br />
|-<br />
| 158<br />
| Sagari R Ramdas<br />
| Veterinary scientist<br />
| <br />
|-<br />
| 159<br />
| Sameer Sain<br />
| Entrepreneur<br />
| <br />
|-<br />
| 160<br />
| Samira Sheikh<br />
| <br />
| <br />
|-<br />
| 161<br />
| Sanchia de Souza<br />
| A historian of food and India from Mumbai<br />
| <br />
|-<br />
| 162<br />
| Sankar Sen<br />
| IPS, Retd Director, National Police Academy; DG (Investigations, NHRC)<br />
| <br />
|-<br />
| 163<br />
| Sashwati Mishra<br />
| <br />
| <br />
|-<br />
| 164<br />
| Saumya Bahuguna<br />
| Social Worker<br />
| <br />
|-<br />
| 165<br />
| Saumya Uma<br />
| Consultant on Gender, Law and Human Rights<br />
| <br />
|-<br />
| 166<br />
| Shakil Ahmad<br />
| Lawyer<br />
| <br />
|-<br />
| 167<br />
| Shalini Gera<br />
| Human rights lawyer<br />
| <br />
|-<br />
| 168<br />
| Shankar Raman<br />
| Cinematographer<br />
| <br />
|-<br />
| 169<br />
| Shankar Singh<br />
| social and political activist<br />
| <br />
|-<br />
| 170<br />
| Shivam Vij<br />
| Journalist<br />
| <br />
|-<br />
| 171<br />
| Shreela Manohar<br />
| Researcher and Activist<br />
| <br />
|-<br />
| 172<br />
| Shruti Gupta<br />
| Telecom Professional<br />
| <br />
|-<br />
| 173<br />
| Siddharth Narrain<br />
| Alternative Law Forum<br />
| <br />
|-<br />
| 174<br />
| Siddhartha Sharma<br />
| LL.M student, Berkeley<br />
| <br />
|-<br />
| 175<br />
| Simin Lakhani<br />
| <br />
| <br />
|-<br />
| 176<br />
| Sneha Krishnan<br />
| <br />
| <br />
|-<br />
| 177<br />
| Sonal Shah<br />
| Editor<br />
| <br />
|-<br />
| 178<br />
| Srila Roy<br />
| <br />
| <br />
|-<br />
| 179<br />
| Suchi Pande<br />
| Accountability Research Center, School of International Service, American University<br />
| <br />
|-<br />
| 180<br />
| Sujato Bhadra<br />
| Professor, Activist (W.B)<br />
| <br />
|-<br />
| 181<br />
| Sukla Sen<br />
| <br />
| <br />
|-<br />
| 182<br />
| Sumi Krishna<br />
| Feminist scholar and writer based in Bangalore<br />
| <br />
|-<br />
| 183<br />
| Surabhi Chopra<br />
| Law Professor.<br />
| <br />
|-<br />
| 184<br />
| Suroor Mander<br />
| Advocate<br />
| <br />
|-<br />
| 185<br />
| Surya Shankar Dash<br />
| <br />
| <br />
|-<br />
| 186<br />
| Susan Abraham<br />
| Lawyer<br />
| <br />
|-<br />
| 187<br />
| Swarnlata Mahilkar<br />
| Feminist activist<br />
| <br />
|-<br />
| 188<br />
| Swastayan Roy<br />
| Journalist<br />
| <br />
|-<br />
| 189<br />
| Tara Chambers<br />
| <br />
| <br />
|-<br />
| 190<br />
| Tarun Bhartiya<br />
| Documentary film maker<br />
| <br />
|-<br />
| 191<br />
| Urvija Priyadarshini<br />
| Ph.D. Student<br />
| <br />
|-<br />
| 192<br />
| V. Venkatesan<br />
| Journalist<br />
| <br />
|-<br />
| 193<br />
| Valmiki Naik<br />
| <br />
| <br />
|-<br />
| 194<br />
| Ved Kumari<br />
| Professor of Law<br />
| <br />
|-<br />
| 195<br />
| Veena Gowda<br />
| Lawyer<br />
| <br />
|-<br />
| 196<br />
| Vijay Hiremath<br />
| Lawyer<br />
| <br />
|-<br />
| 197<br />
| Vijay Raghavan<br />
| Tata Institute of Social Sciences<br />
| <br />
|-<br />
| 198<br />
| Vivek Sundara<br />
| Ph.D student of Tata Institute of Social Sciences<br />
| <br />
|-<br />
| 199<br />
| Vrinda Grover<br />
| Lawyer<br />
| Human rights lawyer.<br />
|-<br />
| 200<br />
| Yug Mohit Chaudhry<br />
| Lawyer<br />
| Lawyer associated with the clemency petition.<br />
|-<br />
| 201<br />
| Zubin Bharucha<br />
| Cricket Coach<br />
| <br />
|}<br />
<br />
<br />
==See also==<br />
<br />
* [[Ajmal Kasab]]<br />
* [[2008 Mumbai attacks]]<br />
* [[Capital punishment in India]]<br />
* [[Executive clemency]]<br />
* [[Pranab Mukherjee]]<br />
<br />
==References==<br />
<br />
{{Reflist}}<br />
<br />
[[Category:2008 Mumbai attacks]]<br />
[[Category:Capital punishment in India]]<br />
[[Category:Lists of people from India]]<br />
[[Category:Lists of people by political position]]</div>BellaCHhttps://en.bharatpedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Mohammed_Ajmal_Kasab.jpg&diff=552210File:Mohammed Ajmal Kasab.jpg2026-07-16T06:21:41Z<p>BellaCH: BellaCH uploaded File:Mohammed Ajmal Kasab.jpg</p>
<hr />
<div>== Summary ==<br />
{{Information<br />
|Description= Image of [[Ajmal Kasab]], one of the ten terrorists involved in the [[2008 Mumbai attacks]] at the [[Victoria Terminus]] station taken at the [[Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus railway station]] by Sebastian D'Souza of the ''[[Mumbai Mirror]]''. <br />
|Source= Taken from [https://www.worldpressphoto.org/collection/photo/2009/30612/1/2009-sebastian-d-souza-sns-hm-ak here]<br />
|Date=26 November 2008<br />
|Author= Sebastian D'Souza<br />
|Permission=<br />
|Replaceability= No<br />
|Low_resolution= Yes<br />
|location = [[Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus railway station]], [[Mumbai]]<br />
|other_versions=<br />
}}<br />
{{Non-free fair use in|2008 Mumbai attacks|image has rationale=yes}}<br />
<br />
== Rationale of fair use for [[2008 Mumbai attacks]] ==<br />
#The image's inclusion in the article is important because it illustrates the content discussed in the article. <br />
#The image is being used solely for informational purposes only.<br />
#No free or public domain images have been located for this subject or can be created for the purpose that this image serves.<br />
#Only a low resolution, cropped version of the original image is being used.<br />
#The image is of historic importance. A ''New York Times'' article called it a "[https://www.nytimes.com/2008/12/28/world/asia/28iht-mumbai.1.18954955.html singular iconic image of the attacks]"<br />
#The image is of an historic event of great significance that would never occur again, and therefore cannot be replaced with free media.<br />
<br />
== Rationale of fair use for [[Ajmal Kasab]] ==<br />
#The image's inclusion in the article is important because it illustrates the content discussed in the article. <br />
#The image is being used solely for informational purposes only.<br />
#No free or public domain images have been located for this subject or can be created for the purpose that this image serves.<br />
#Only a low resolution, cropped version of the original image is being used.<br />
#The image is of historic importance. A ''New York Times'' article called it a "[https://www.nytimes.com/2008/12/28/world/asia/28iht-mumbai.1.18954955.html singular iconic image of the attacks]"<br />
#The person died (was executed) on 21 November, 2012 it may not be possible to collect a free image anymore.<br />
#The image is of an historic event of great significance that would never occur again, and therefore cannot be replaced with free media.<br />
<br />
[[Category:Participants in the 2008 Mumbai attacks]]</div>BellaCHhttps://en.bharatpedia.org/w/index.php?title=List_of_signatories_to_the_Ajmal_Kasab_mercy_petition&diff=552209List of signatories to the Ajmal Kasab mercy petition2026-07-16T06:02:10Z<p>BellaCH: List page</p>
<hr />
<div>{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2026}}<br />
{{Short description|List of signatories to the 2012 clemency petition for Ajmal Kasab}}<br />
<br />
The '''2012 clemency petition for Ajmal Kasab''' was a public appeal submitted to the [[President of India]] requesting that the death sentence imposed on [[Ajmal Kasab]], the sole surviving terrorist of the [[2008 Mumbai attacks]], be commuted to life imprisonment.<ref name="Oneindia">{{cite news |title=Over 200 Indians had urged Prez Pranab not to hang Kasab |url=https://www.oneindia.com/2012/11/21/over-200-indians-had-urged-president-not-to-hang-kasab-1102141.html |work=Oneindia |date=21 November 2012 |access-date=15 July 2026}}</ref><br />
<br />
The petition was organised by Mumbai-based advocate [[Yug Mohit Chaudhry]] following the dismissal of Kasab's judicial appeals and before the disposal of his constitutional mercy petition. It was signed by more than 200 members of Indian civil society, including lawyers, academics, journalists, writers, artists, retired public officials and human rights activists.<ref name="Oneindia" /><br />
<br />
The signatories stated that their appeal was based on principled opposition to capital punishment rather than support for Kasab or his actions.<ref name="AmnestyPress">{{cite web |title=Kasab execution represents Indian death penalty backslide |url=https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/press-release/2012/11/kasab-execution-represents-indian-death-penalty-backslide/ |publisher=Amnesty International |date=21 November 2012 |access-date=15 July 2026}}</ref><br />
<br />
==Background==<br />
<br />
[[Ajmal Kasab]], the only surviving terrorist of the ten gunmen who carried out the [[2008 Mumbai attacks]], was convicted by a special court in Mumbai on 3 May 2010 on multiple charges, including murder, waging war against India and offences under anti-terrorism legislation. He was sentenced to death on 6 May 2010. The conviction and sentence were subsequently upheld by the [[Bombay High Court]] on 21 February 2011 and by the [[Supreme Court of India]] on 29 August 2012.<ref>{{cite news |title=26/11 terror attacks case: Supreme Court upholds Kasab's death sentence |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/news-archive/web/2611-terror-attacks-case-sc-upholds-kasabs-death-sentence/ |work=The Indian Express |date=29 August 2012 |access-date=15 July 2026}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Bombay HC upholds Kasab's death sentence |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/bombay-hc-upholds-kasabs-death-sentence/article1478204.ece |work=The Hindu |date=21 February 2011 |access-date=15 July 2026}}</ref><br />
<br />
Following the dismissal of his judicial appeals, Kasab submitted a mercy petition to the [[President of India]] under Article 72 of the Constitution. During the pendency of the petition, a group of lawyers, academics, writers, journalists and human rights activists submitted a separate public appeal requesting that his death sentence be commuted to life imprisonment. The petition argued that the death penalty should not be imposed regardless of the nature of the atrocity and described the appeal as an affirmation of opposition to capital punishment rather than a defence of Kasab's crimes.<ref name="EconomicTimes">{{cite news |title=Ajmal Kasab's mercy petition last among 12 pending petitions in President Pranab Mukherjee's office |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/ajmal-kasabs-mercy-petition-last-among-12-pending-petitions-in-president-pranab-mukherjees-office/articleshow/17012050.cms |work=The Economic Times |date=31 October 2012 |access-date=15 July 2026}}</ref><ref name="AmnestyPDF">{{cite web |title=Kasab execution represents Indian death penalty backslide |url=https://www.amnesty.org/en/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/asa200372012en.pdf |publisher=Amnesty International |date=21 November 2012 |access-date=15 July 2026}}</ref><br />
<br />
President [[Pranab Mukherjee]] rejected Kasab's mercy petition on 5 November 2012 following the recommendation of the [[Ministry of Home Affairs (India)|Ministry of Home Affairs]]. Kasab was executed by hanging at [[Yerawada Central Jail]] in Pune on 21 November 2012.<ref>{{cite news |title=Mercy denied: The execution list before NDA |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-others/mercy-denied-the-execution-list-before-nda/ |work=The Indian Express |date=26 July 2015 |access-date=15 July 2026}}</ref><ref name="IndiaToday">{{cite news |title=Kasab executed at Yerawada Jail |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/afzal-guru-hanging/story/death-row-ajmal-kasab-afzal-guru-india-today-122166-2012-11-22 |work=India Today |date=22 November 2012 |access-date=15 July 2026}}</ref><br />
<br />
==Petition==<br />
<br />
The clemency petition was organised by Mumbai-based advocate [[Yug Mohit Chaudhry]] following the exhaustion of Ajmal Kasab's judicial remedies. Addressed to President [[Pranab Mukherjee]], it requested that Kasab's death sentence be commuted to life imprisonment under the President's constitutional power of clemency.<ref name="Oneindia" /><ref name="EconomicTimes" /><br />
<br />
The signatories stated that their appeal was founded on principled opposition to capital punishment rather than sympathy for Kasab or justification of the 2008 Mumbai attacks. They argued that the abolition of the death penalty was consistent with international human rights principles and urged the President to commute the sentence irrespective of the gravity of the crimes.<ref name="AmnestyPDF" /><ref>{{cite news |title=Terrorists, mercy petitions and the great hypocrisy |url=https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/open-page/terrorists-mercy-petitions-and-the-great-hypocrisy/article4204084.ece |work=The Hindu |date=11 December 2012 |access-date=15 July 2026}}</ref><br />
<br />
The petition was signed by members of civil society from a wide range of professional backgrounds, including lawyers, academics, journalists, writers, artists, retired civil servants and human rights activists. Following President Mukherjee's rejection of Kasab's mercy petition on 5 November 2012, the clemency request became infructuous, and Kasab was executed on 21 November 2012.<ref name="IndiaToday" /><br />
<br />
==Signatories==<br />
<br />
The following individuals were identified as signatories to the 2012 clemency petition requesting that the death sentence imposed on Ajmal Kasab be commuted to life imprisonment.<ref>{{cite web |title=List of People Who Signed Ajmal Kasab’s Mercy Petition |url=https://advocatetanmoy.com/list-of-people-who-signed-ajmal-kasabs-mercy-petition/ |website=Advocatetanmoy Law Library |date=13 February 2019}}</ref><br />
<br />
{| class="wikitable sortable"<br />
! No.<br />
! Name<br />
! Occupation / Affiliation<br />
! Notes<br />
|-<br />
| 1<br />
| A. K. Jayasree<br />
| A gender activist<br />
| <br />
|-<br />
| 2<br />
| Aakar Patel<br />
| Journalist<br />
| Journalist and author.<br />
|-<br />
| 3<br />
| Aamir Bashir<br />
| Actor and Director<br />
| <br />
|-<br />
| 4<br />
| Abbas Kazmi<br />
| Lawyer<br />
| Defence counsel during Ajmal Kasab trial.<br />
|-<br />
| 5<br />
| Abdul Wahab Khan<br />
| Lawyer<br />
| <br />
|-<br />
| 6<br />
| Abha Bhaiya<br />
| Indian feminist activist and cofounder of Jagori Rural Charitable Trust<br />
| <br />
|-<br />
| 7<br />
| Achin Vanaik<br />
| Political scientist and author<br />
| <br />
|-<br />
| 8<br />
| Aditi Khanna<br />
| Senior Correspondent, Press Trust of India<br />
| <br />
|-<br />
| 9<br />
| Ajaya Kumar Singh<br />
| a Catholic priest, and human rights activist<br />
| <br />
|-<br />
| 10<br />
| Akshay Pathak<br />
| <br />
| <br />
|-<br />
| 11<br />
| Amba Kak<br />
| Researcher<br />
| <br />
|-<br />
| 12<br />
| Amin Solkar<br />
| Lawyer<br />
| <br />
|-<br />
| 13<br />
| Amita Chatterjee<br />
| <br />
| <br />
|-<br />
| 14<br />
| Amitabha Pande<br />
| <br />
| <br />
|-<br />
| 15<br />
| Amrita Nandy<br />
| Jawaharlal Nehru University<br />
| <br />
|-<br />
| 16<br />
| Amrita Shodhan<br />
| School of African and Asian Studies, UK<br />
| <br />
|-<br />
| 17<br />
| Andaleeb Alam<br />
| Social Worker<br />
| <br />
|-<br />
| 18<br />
| Anish Grewal<br />
| Entrepreneur<br />
| <br />
|-<br />
| 19<br />
| Anita Cherian<br />
| Asst. Prof, Eng. Dept, Indraprastha<br />
| <br />
|-<br />
| 20<br />
| Anjali Dave<br />
| Tata Institute of Social Sciences<br />
| <br />
|-<br />
| 21<br />
| Anju Talukdar<br />
| Assistant project co-ordinator of the Disability Law Unit, advocacy for various social issues.<br />
| <br />
|-<br />
| 22<br />
| Anu Salelkar<br />
| Anubhuti Trust<br />
| <br />
|-<br />
| 23<br />
| Anuj Bhagwati<br />
| Entrepreneur<br />
| <br />
|-<br />
| 24<br />
| Anuradha Chenoy<br />
| Adjunct Professor at the Jindal School of International Affairs<br />
| <br />
|-<br />
| 25<br />
| Anusha Rizvi<br />
| Consultant on Gender, Law, and Human Rights<br />
| <br />
|-<br />
| 26<br />
| Apoorva Kaivar<br />
| Lawyer<br />
| <br />
|-<br />
| 27<br />
| Aruna Roy<br />
| Indian social activist and professor<br />
| <br />
|-<br />
| 28<br />
| Aseem Shrivastava<br />
| A Delhi based environmental economist, activist, and a writer<br />
| <br />
|-<br />
| 29<br />
| Ashish Kothari<br />
| an activist and researcher focusing on environment, development, democracy, and alternatives<br />
| <br />
|-<br />
| 30<br />
| Ashok Agarwaal<br />
| A Civil Rights Group Advocate<br />
| <br />
|-<br />
| 31<br />
| Babloo Loitongbam<br />
| Human rights activist<br />
| <br />
|-<br />
| 32<br />
| Babu Mathew<br />
| Professor of Law<br />
| <br />
|-<br />
| 33<br />
| Balaji Narasimhan<br />
| Professor<br />
| <br />
|-<br />
| 34<br />
| Beena Choksi<br />
| Social Activist<br />
| <br />
|-<br />
| 35<br />
| Bhairavi Sanghi<br />
| Designer<br />
| <br />
|-<br />
| 36<br />
| Bharti Ali<br />
| Development professional and social activist<br />
| <br />
|-<br />
| 37<br />
| Bhaskar Hazarika<br />
| Film director makes films in Assamese<br />
| <br />
|-<br />
| 38<br />
| Binoo John<br />
| Journalist based in New Delhi<br />
| <br />
|-<br />
| 39<br />
| Biraj Patnaik<br />
| <br />
| <br />
|-<br />
| 40<br />
| Bondita Acharya<br />
| Director of Purva Bharati Educational Trust<br />
| <br />
|-<br />
| 41<br />
| Brinda Bose<br />
| Professor of English at Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU)<br />
| <br />
|-<br />
| 42<br />
| Byatha N. Jagadeesh<br />
| Lawyer<br />
| <br />
|-<br />
| 43<br />
| Chetan Mali<br />
| Lawyer<br />
| <br />
|-<br />
| 44<br />
| Colin Gonsalves<br />
| Senior Advocate, Supreme Court.<br />
| Senior Advocate; founder of Human Rights Law Network.<br />
|-<br />
| 45<br />
| Dale Luis Menezes<br />
| Assistant Professor of History Global Studies University<br />
| <br />
|-<br />
| 46<br />
| Deepti<br />
| Saheli<br />
| <br />
|-<br />
| 47<br />
| Devaki Jain<br />
| Development Economist and Writer<br />
| Development economist and writer.<br />
|-<br />
| 48<br />
| Dilip D’Souza<br />
| Journalist<br />
| <br />
|-<br />
| 49<br />
| Dilip Simeon<br />
| Public intellectual<br />
| <br />
|-<br />
| 50<br />
| Dr Ambrose Pinto SJ<br />
| Administrator, St Joseph’s Evening Colleges, Bangalore<br />
| <br />
|-<br />
| 51<br />
| Dr Sandeep Bakshi<br />
| Postdoctoral Fellow, English.<br />
| <br />
|-<br />
| 52<br />
| Dr. Akhil Katyal<br />
| Assistant Professor Delhi University<br />
| <br />
|-<br />
| 53<br />
| Dr. Madhav Thambisetty<br />
| Professor of Medicine<br />
| <br />
|-<br />
| 54<br />
| Dr. Prashant Kidambi<br />
| Lecturer in History, Univ. of Leicester.<br />
| <br />
|-<br />
| 55<br />
| Dr. Walter Fernandes<br />
| North Eastern Social Research Centre<br />
| <br />
|-<br />
| 56<br />
| Dunu Roy<br />
| Social activist, political ecologist, social scientist, and Director of the Hazards Centre (New Delhi)<br />
| <br />
|-<br />
| 57<br />
| Flavia Agnes<br />
| Lawyer<br />
| <br />
|-<br />
| 58<br />
| Forum Against Opression of Women, Mumbai<br />
| <br />
| <br />
|-<br />
| 59<br />
| Gabriele Dietrich<br />
| Sociology Professor at the Tamil Nadu Theological Seminary<br />
| <br />
|-<br />
| 60<br />
| Gana Kurinji Shanmugasundaram<br />
| Vice-president, PUCL, (Tamil Nadu & Puduchery)<br />
| <br />
|-<br />
| 61<br />
| Gaurav Sinha<br />
| Lawyer<br />
| <br />
|-<br />
| 62<br />
| Gautam Babbar<br />
| United Nations<br />
| <br />
|-<br />
| 63<br />
| Gautam Patel<br />
| Lawyer<br />
| <br />
|-<br />
| 64<br />
| Gayatri Menon<br />
| Social scientist, activist<br />
| <br />
|-<br />
| 65<br />
| Geeta Thatra<br />
| Research Fellow, Tata Institute of Social Sciences<br />
| <br />
|-<br />
| 66<br />
| Gopal Krishna<br />
| Member, Citizens Forum for Civil Liberties (CFCL)<br />
| <br />
|-<br />
| 67<br />
| Gulnar Bandukwalla Pruisken<br />
| Entrepreneur<br />
| <br />
|-<br />
| 68<br />
| HAQ: Centre for Child Rights<br />
| <br />
| <br />
|-<br />
| 69<br />
| Harish Dhawan<br />
| Associate Prof. in Eco, Univ. of Delhi<br />
| <br />
|-<br />
| 70<br />
| Harsh Bora<br />
| Lawyer<br />
| <br />
|-<br />
| 71<br />
| Harsh Kapoor<br />
| Indian sociologist, internet activist, and human rights defender<br />
| <br />
|-<br />
| 72<br />
| Harsh Mander<br />
| Social Activist, NAC Member<br />
| Former IAS officer and social activist.<br />
|-<br />
| 73<br />
| Jacob Matthan<br />
| Social Influencer<br />
| <br />
|-<br />
| 74<br />
| Jagmohan Singh<br />
| Politician and a member of Aam Aadmi Party (presently)<br />
| <br />
|-<br />
| 75<br />
| Jamal Kidwai<br />
| Sixth Vice Chancellor of Jamia Millia Islamia<br />
| <br />
|-<br />
| 76<br />
| Jashodhara Dasgupta<br />
| Independent researcher, policy analyst and community action expert<br />
| <br />
|-<br />
| 77<br />
| Javed Iqbal<br />
| Journalist<br />
| <br />
|-<br />
| 78<br />
| Jayasree Subramanian<br />
| Tata Institute of Social Sciences<br />
| <br />
|-<br />
| 79<br />
| Jeny Antony<br />
| Indian actress and model<br />
| <br />
|-<br />
| 80<br />
| Jinee Lokaneeta<br />
| Associate Professor, Political Science<br />
| <br />
|-<br />
| 81<br />
| Joe Athialy<br />
| <br />
| <br />
|-<br />
| 82<br />
| Jyoti Punwani<br />
| Journalist<br />
| <br />
|-<br />
| 83<br />
| K. P. Shankaran<br />
| Lecturer (Retd) in Philosophy<br />
| <br />
|-<br />
| 84<br />
| Kalpana Kannabiran<br />
| Director of Research and Legal Outreach at the Asmita Resource Centre for Women in Secunderabad<br />
| <br />
|-<br />
| 85<br />
| Kalyani Menon Sen<br />
| Feminist Learning Partnerships<br />
| <br />
|-<br />
| 86<br />
| Kamal Mitra Chenoy<br />
| <br />
| <br />
|-<br />
| 87<br />
| Kamayani Bali Mahabal<br />
| Mumbai-based human rights lawyer, feminist, and journalist<br />
| <br />
|-<br />
| 88<br />
| Kamla Bhasin<br />
| Social Scientist<br />
| Feminist author and activist.<br />
|-<br />
| 89<br />
| Kanamma Raman<br />
| Rights activist, and former Professor in Politics at the University of Mumbai’s Department of Civics and Politics<br />
| <br />
|-<br />
| 90<br />
| Kareem Sait<br />
| <br />
| <br />
|-<br />
| 91<br />
| Kasim Sait<br />
| Lawyer<br />
| <br />
|-<br />
| 92<br />
| Kavita Punjabi<br />
| Forum Against Oppression of Women, Mumbai<br />
| <br />
|-<br />
| 93<br />
| Kiran Bhatty<br />
| Independent Researcher<br />
| <br />
|-<br />
| 94<br />
| Kiran Shaheen<br />
| Gender justice activist and journalist from Bihar<br />
| <br />
|-<br />
| 95<br />
| Kritika Agarwal<br />
| <br />
| <br />
|-<br />
| 96<br />
| Kunjam Pandu Dora<br />
| Adivasi (indigenous) leader and human rights activist from Andhra Pradesh<br />
| <br />
|-<br />
| 97<br />
| Lalita Ramdas<br />
| Activist, actively involved in promoting alternative education, gender sensitivity, secularism<br />
| <br />
|-<br />
| 98<br />
| Laxmi Murthy<br />
| a women’s right activist<br />
| <br />
|-<br />
| 99<br />
| Madhoo<br />
| <br />
| <br />
|-<br />
| 100<br />
| Madhu Sarin<br />
| Psychoanalyst<br />
| <br />
|-<br />
| 101<br />
| Madhumita Dutta<br />
| Activist, assistant professor at the Ohio State University since 2017<br />
| <br />
|-<br />
| 102<br />
| Maharukh Adenwalla<br />
| Lawyer<br />
| <br />
|-<br />
| 103<br />
| Mahasveta Devi<br />
| Writer<br />
| <br />
|-<br />
| 104<br />
| Mahmood Farooqui<br />
| Historian, Artist, Filmmaker.<br />
| Writer, filmmaker and Dastangoi performer.<br />
|-<br />
| 105<br />
| Malani S<br />
| <br />
| <br />
|-<br />
| 106<br />
| Manisha Sethi<br />
| Jamia Teachers Solidarity Association<br />
| <br />
|-<br />
| 107<br />
| Manohar Elavarthi<br />
| Praja Rajakiya Vedike, Bangalore<br />
| <br />
|-<br />
| 108<br />
| Mansoor Nazeer<br />
| Author<br />
| <br />
|-<br />
| 109<br />
| Mary Scaria<br />
| Lawyer<br />
| <br />
|-<br />
| 110<br />
| Mayank Misra<br />
| Lawyer<br />
| <br />
|-<br />
| 111<br />
| Meenal Baghel<br />
| Editor, Mumbai Mirror<br />
| <br />
|-<br />
| 112<br />
| Meghna Vesvikar<br />
| Social Work, Assistant Professor in the College of Social Work, Nirmala Niketan, Mumbai<br />
| <br />
|-<br />
| 113<br />
| Mukul Mahant<br />
| Social Activist<br />
| <br />
|-<br />
| 114<br />
| Murtaza Danish Husaini<br />
| Actor and Dramatist.<br />
| <br />
|-<br />
| 115<br />
| N. Jayaram<br />
| Journalist<br />
| <br />
|-<br />
| 116<br />
| Nachiket Udupa<br />
| Indian think tank<br />
| <br />
|-<br />
| 117<br />
| Naima Shaikh<br />
| Lawyer<br />
| <br />
|-<br />
| 118<br />
| Namisha Gupta<br />
| Author<br />
| <br />
|-<br />
| 119<br />
| Namita Kohli<br />
| Student<br />
| <br />
|-<br />
| 120<br />
| Nandini Dey<br />
| <br />
| <br />
|-<br />
| 121<br />
| Nandita Das<br />
| Actress<br />
| Actress and filmmaker.<br />
|-<br />
| 122<br />
| Naresh Fernandes<br />
| Writer<br />
| <br />
|-<br />
| 123<br />
| Navsharan Singh<br />
| Human rights activist and feminist researcher<br />
| <br />
|-<br />
| 124<br />
| Neeraj Malilk<br />
| Indian feminist, academic, and civil rights activist<br />
| <br />
|-<br />
| 125<br />
| Neha Choksi<br />
| Women empowerment activist<br />
| <br />
|-<br />
| 126<br />
| Neha Mujumdar<br />
| <br />
| <br />
|-<br />
| 127<br />
| Nikhil Dey<br />
| Indian social activist<br />
| <br />
|-<br />
| 128<br />
| Nikhil Kumar<br />
| <br />
| <br />
|-<br />
| 129<br />
| Nikita Agarwal<br />
| <br />
| <br />
|-<br />
| 130<br />
| Nisha Biswas<br />
| Activism,human rights, democracy, and minority rights<br />
| <br />
|-<br />
| 131<br />
| Paari Vendan<br />
| Lawyer<br />
| <br />
|-<br />
| 132<br />
| Padma Deosthali<br />
| Researcher and policy advocacy<br />
| <br />
|-<br />
| 133<br />
| Padmini Mirchandani<br />
| Publisher<br />
| <br />
|-<br />
| 134<br />
| Parul Gupta<br />
| Language Teacher<br />
| <br />
|-<br />
| 135<br />
| Peoples’ Union for Democratic Rights<br />
| <br />
| <br />
|-<br />
| 136<br />
| Pritam Bhatty<br />
| Artist<br />
| <br />
|-<br />
| 137<br />
| Priyanka Vegad<br />
| Lawyer<br />
| <br />
|-<br />
| 138<br />
| Prof Rupin Desai<br />
| Professor of English (retd)<br />
| <br />
|-<br />
| 139<br />
| Puneet Kohli<br />
| <br />
| <br />
|-<br />
| 140<br />
| Purnima Gupta<br />
| A feminist and women’s rights activist<br />
| <br />
|-<br />
| 141<br />
| Radha Thomas<br />
| Singer<br />
| <br />
|-<br />
| 142<br />
| Rafiul Alom Rahman<br />
| Student<br />
| <br />
|-<br />
| 143<br />
| Rahul Roy<br />
| Indian actor, producer and model<br />
| <br />
|-<br />
| 144<br />
| Rakhee Joshi<br />
| Consultant, Social Research<br />
| <br />
|-<br />
| 145<br />
| Rana Behal<br />
| Teach history at Deshbandhu College, University of Delhi<br />
| <br />
|-<br />
| 146<br />
| Rashmi Gera<br />
| <br />
| <br />
|-<br />
| 147<br />
| Rebecca Mammen John<br />
| Lawyer<br />
| <br />
|-<br />
| 148<br />
| Reena George<br />
| Ph.D. Student<br />
| <br />
|-<br />
| 149<br />
| Richa Berry<br />
| Actor<br />
| <br />
|-<br />
| 150<br />
| Richa Minocha<br />
| Member Secretary, Jan Abhiyan Sanstha, Himachal Pradesh<br />
| <br />
|-<br />
| 151<br />
| Rimple Mehta<br />
| JU-SYLFF Doctoral Fellow, Jadavpur University<br />
| <br />
|-<br />
| 152<br />
| Rituparna Borah<br />
| <br />
| <br />
|-<br />
| 153<br />
| Ruchi Gupta<br />
| Public policy practitioner<br />
| <br />
|-<br />
| 154<br />
| Ruth Sequeira<br />
| <br />
| <br />
|-<br />
| 155<br />
| S. Anand<br />
| Publisher, Navayana<br />
| <br />
|-<br />
| 156<br />
| S. Thambisetty<br />
| Professor, LSE<br />
| <br />
|-<br />
| 157<br />
| Sabeena Gadihoke<br />
| Indian academic and filmmaker<br />
| <br />
|-<br />
| 158<br />
| Sagari R Ramdas<br />
| Veterinary scientist<br />
| <br />
|-<br />
| 159<br />
| Sameer Sain<br />
| Entrepreneur<br />
| <br />
|-<br />
| 160<br />
| Samira Sheikh<br />
| <br />
| <br />
|-<br />
| 161<br />
| Sanchia de Souza<br />
| A historian of food and India from Mumbai<br />
| <br />
|-<br />
| 162<br />
| Sankar Sen<br />
| IPS, Retd Director, National Police Academy; DG (Investigations, NHRC)<br />
| <br />
|-<br />
| 163<br />
| Sashwati Mishra<br />
| <br />
| <br />
|-<br />
| 164<br />
| Saumya Bahuguna<br />
| Social Worker<br />
| <br />
|-<br />
| 165<br />
| Saumya Uma<br />
| Consultant on Gender, Law and Human Rights<br />
| <br />
|-<br />
| 166<br />
| Shakil Ahmad<br />
| Lawyer<br />
| <br />
|-<br />
| 167<br />
| Shalini Gera<br />
| Human rights lawyer<br />
| <br />
|-<br />
| 168<br />
| Shankar Raman<br />
| Cinematographer<br />
| <br />
|-<br />
| 169<br />
| Shankar Singh<br />
| social and political activist<br />
| <br />
|-<br />
| 170<br />
| Shivam Vij<br />
| Journalist<br />
| <br />
|-<br />
| 171<br />
| Shreela Manohar<br />
| Researcher and Activist<br />
| <br />
|-<br />
| 172<br />
| Shruti Gupta<br />
| Telecom Professional<br />
| <br />
|-<br />
| 173<br />
| Siddharth Narrain<br />
| Alternative Law Forum<br />
| <br />
|-<br />
| 174<br />
| Siddhartha Sharma<br />
| LL.M student, Berkeley<br />
| <br />
|-<br />
| 175<br />
| Simin Lakhani<br />
| <br />
| <br />
|-<br />
| 176<br />
| Sneha Krishnan<br />
| <br />
| <br />
|-<br />
| 177<br />
| Sonal Shah<br />
| Editor<br />
| <br />
|-<br />
| 178<br />
| Srila Roy<br />
| <br />
| <br />
|-<br />
| 179<br />
| Suchi Pande<br />
| Accountability Research Center, School of International Service, American University<br />
| <br />
|-<br />
| 180<br />
| Sujato Bhadra<br />
| Professor, Activist (W.B)<br />
| <br />
|-<br />
| 181<br />
| Sukla Sen<br />
| <br />
| <br />
|-<br />
| 182<br />
| Sumi Krishna<br />
| Feminist scholar and writer based in Bangalore<br />
| <br />
|-<br />
| 183<br />
| Surabhi Chopra<br />
| Law Professor.<br />
| <br />
|-<br />
| 184<br />
| Suroor Mander<br />
| Advocate<br />
| <br />
|-<br />
| 185<br />
| Surya Shankar Dash<br />
| <br />
| <br />
|-<br />
| 186<br />
| Susan Abraham<br />
| Lawyer<br />
| <br />
|-<br />
| 187<br />
| Swarnlata Mahilkar<br />
| Feminist activist<br />
| <br />
|-<br />
| 188<br />
| Swastayan Roy<br />
| Journalist<br />
| <br />
|-<br />
| 189<br />
| Tara Chambers<br />
| <br />
| <br />
|-<br />
| 190<br />
| Tarun Bhartiya<br />
| Documentary film maker<br />
| <br />
|-<br />
| 191<br />
| Urvija Priyadarshini<br />
| Ph.D. Student<br />
| <br />
|-<br />
| 192<br />
| V. Venkatesan<br />
| Journalist<br />
| <br />
|-<br />
| 193<br />
| Valmiki Naik<br />
| <br />
| <br />
|-<br />
| 194<br />
| Ved Kumari<br />
| Professor of Law<br />
| <br />
|-<br />
| 195<br />
| Veena Gowda<br />
| Lawyer<br />
| <br />
|-<br />
| 196<br />
| Vijay Hiremath<br />
| Lawyer<br />
| <br />
|-<br />
| 197<br />
| Vijay Raghavan<br />
| Tata Institute of Social Sciences<br />
| <br />
|-<br />
| 198<br />
| Vivek Sundara<br />
| Ph.D student of Tata Institute of Social Sciences<br />
| <br />
|-<br />
| 199<br />
| Vrinda Grover<br />
| Lawyer<br />
| Human rights lawyer.<br />
|-<br />
| 200<br />
| Yug Mohit Chaudhry<br />
| Lawyer<br />
| Lawyer associated with the clemency petition.<br />
|-<br />
| 201<br />
| Zubin Bharucha<br />
| Cricket Coach<br />
| <br />
|}<br />
<br />
<br />
==See also==<br />
<br />
* [[Ajmal Kasab]]<br />
* [[2008 Mumbai attacks]]<br />
* [[Capital punishment in India]]<br />
* [[Executive clemency]]<br />
* [[Pranab Mukherjee]]<br />
<br />
==References==<br />
<br />
{{Reflist}}<br />
<br />
[[Category:2008 Mumbai attacks]]<br />
[[Category:Capital punishment in India]]<br />
[[Category:Lists of people from India]]<br />
[[Category:Lists of people by political position]]</div>BellaCHhttps://en.bharatpedia.org/w/index.php?title=Jaswant_Singh_Khalra&diff=552064Jaswant Singh Khalra2026-07-12T05:21:31Z<p>BellaCH: Image changed</p>
<hr />
<div>{{Short description|Indian human rights activist and political essayist (1952–1995)}}<br />
{{pp|small=yes}} <br />
{{Use Indian English|date=July 2016}}<br />
{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2020}}<br />
{{Infobox person<br />
| name = Jaswant Singh Khalra<br />
| image = Jaswant Singh Khalra.jpg<br />
| caption = Jaswant Singh Khalra speaking at Gurudwara Sahib in Canada<br />
| birth_date = 1952<br />
| birth_place = [[Khalra]], [[Punjab, India|Punjab]], India<br />
| death_place = [[Chabhal Kalan]], [[Punjab, India|Punjab]], India<br />
| death_date = {{death date and age|1995|1952}}<br />
| death_cause = [[Extrajudicial execution]]<br />
| occupation = [[Human rights activist]], General Secretary of Human Rights Wing of [[Shiromani Akali Dal]], Political essayist<br />
| spouse = Paramjit Kaur Khalra<br />
}}<br />
<br />
'''Jaswant Singh Khalra''' (1952–1995)<ref name="amnesty1995">{{Cite news |date=6 September 1995 |title=India: Fear of disappearance / fear of torture: Jaswant Singh Khalra, human rights activist |url=https://www.amnesty.org/en/documents/asa20/026/1995/en/ |work=Amnesty International}}</ref> was an Indian bank director, human rights activist, and political essayist. He gained international recognition after uncovering evidence of thousands of alleged extrajudicial killings, enforced disappearances, and illegal cremations carried out by the Punjab Police during the counter-insurgency operations in [[Punjab, India|Punjab]].<ref name="amnesty1998">{{Cite web |date=31 March 1998 |title=India: A Mockery of Justice: The case concerning the “disappearance” of human rights defender Jaswant Singh Khalra severely undermined |url=https://www.amnesty.org/en/documents/asa20/007/1998/en/ |website=Amnesty International |publisher=Amnesty International |language=en |access-date=2026-07-12}}</ref><br />
<br />
Alongside his documentation of human rights abuses, contemporary archives, intelligence narratives, and political records outline Khalra's ideological alignment with the [[Khalistan movement|Khalistan separatist movement]], his public defense of militant figures, and accusations from state authorities regarding anti-national activities aimed at challenging Indian sovereignty.<ref name="baaz2026">{{Cite web |url=https://www.baaznews.org/p/khalra-game-of-elections-khalistan |title=The Game Of Elections - Should It Be Played Or Not? |website=www.baaznews.org |access-date=2026-07-10}}</ref> He was abducted from outside his home in [[Amritsar]] on 6 September 1995 and was subsequently murdered in police custody, culminating in the conviction and life imprisonment of six [[Punjab Police (India)|Punjab Police]] officials.<ref name="sc2011" /><br />
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== Activism and Cremation Investigations ==<br />
{{Further|Human rights abuses in Punjab, India}}<br />
Jaswant Singh Khalra served as the director of a cooperative bank in the city of [[Amritsar]] during the militancy period in Punjab. Following [[Operation Blue Star]], the [[assassination of Indira Gandhi]], and the [[1984 anti-Sikh riots]], security forces were granted sweeping emergency powers to counter armed separatism. The police were subsequently accused of killing unarmed suspects in staged shootouts and burning thousands of unidentified bodies to cover up custodial deaths.<ref name="huffpost2018">{{Cite news |last=Singh |first=Harman |date=11 September 2018 |title=Every Canadian Should Know The Tale Of This Murdered Sikh Activist |url=https://www.huffpost.com/archive/ca/entry/jaswant-singh-khalra-canada_ca_5cd56686e4b07bc72977c213 |work=Huff Post}}</ref><br />
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While searching for colleagues who went missing, Khalra discovered files from the municipal corporation of Amritsar containing the names, ages, and addresses of individuals who had been secretly cremated by the police.<ref name="huffpost2018"/> His investigation asserted that approximately 25,000 Sikhs had been illegally killed and cremated by the state across multiple districts.<ref name="ahmed">The Politics of Religion in South and Southeast Asia, p. 74, Taylor & Francis, by Ishtiaq Ahmed.</ref> <br />
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The [[Central Bureau of Investigation]] (CBI) and the [[Supreme Court of India]] subsequently verified the data in part, concluding that the police had unlawfully cremated 2,097 people in [[Tarn Taran district]] alone.<ref name="ahmed"/> The [[National Human Rights Commission of India]] also certified the validity of the identified bodies cremated within the police districts of Amritsar, [[Majitha]], and Tarn Taran between June 1984 and December 1994.<br />
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== Khalistani Alignment and Separatist Ideology ==<br />
Parallel to his investigations into state excesses, historical records and political texts detail Khalra’s close relationship with the ideological frameworks of the Khalistan movement. State authorities and nationalist critics classified his platforms and publications as subversive, anti-national claims designed to delegitimize the territorial integrity of the Indian union.<ref name="jaijee">Politics of genocide: Punjab, 1984-1998, Inderjit Singh Jaijee, p.101, Inderjit Singh Jaijee, 1999</ref><br />
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=== Support for Militancy and Bhindranwale ===<br />
In his public rhetoric and political mobilization, Khalra maintained a distinct ideological affinity for [[Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale]] and the foundational ethos of the armed resistance initiated during the early phases of the insurgency. Following the military entry into the [[Golden Temple]] complex in 1984, Khalra frequently valorized those who took up arms against the state, portraying the militancy not as terrorism, but as a legitimate response to state-sponsored repression and a necessary struggle for a sovereign, theocratic Sikh homeland.<ref name="baaz2026"/><br />
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=== Anti-State Essays and Electoral Boycott ===<br />
Khalra openly rejected the constitutional authority of the secular Indian government in Punjab. His political philosophy was explicitly outlined in his essay, ''"The Game Of Elections - Should It Be Played Or Not?"'', which was originally published in February 1992 in the separatist organ ''Liberation Khalistan''.<ref name="baaz2026"/> <br />
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In the essay, Khalra vehemently argued against public participation in the state assembly elections organized by the central government, characterizing the democratic process as an illegitimate ruse by an occupying power. He asserted:<br />
{{Quote|text=The state organizes these elections not to grant freedom, but to drape its tyranny in the garb of democracy. Participating in this game only strengthens the chains of the Indian state over the Sikh nation.|sign=Jaswant Singh Khalra, February 1992|source=''Liberation Khalistan''}}<br />
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Intelligence agencies and state officials frequently pointed to these public declarations and his active ties to separatist factions to argue that his human rights apparatus was heavily leveraged to provide ideological cover and propaganda support to active terrorist groups.<ref name="jaijee"/><br />
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== Murder and Judicial Proceedings ==<br />
On 6 September 1995, Khalra was abducted from outside his house in Amritsar by personnel of the Punjab Police and taken to the Jhabal Police Station.<ref name="amnesty1998"/> Although witnesses gave statements implicating the police and named Director General of Police [[Kanwar Pal Singh Gill]] as a co-conspirator,<ref>{{cite web|title=K.P.S. Gill visited Khalra in jail, says witness|url=https://www.tribuneindia.com/2005/20050217/punjab1.htm|date=17 February 2005|publisher=The Tribune, Chandigarh, India}}</ref> authorities initially denied detaining him, suggesting he had gone underground or fled the country.<br />
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In 1996, the CBI uncovered formal evidence that Khalra had been held illegally, tortured, and subsequently murdered in custody. The agency recommended the prosecution of nine officials.<ref name="amnesty1998"/> On 18 November 2005, six Punjab police officials were convicted of his abduction and murder, with Deputy Superintendent Jaspal Singh and Amarjit Singh receiving life sentences.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ensaaf.org/news/pr2005-11-18.php|title=Punjab Cops Convicted of 1995 Murder of Activist Khalra|publisher=Ensaaf|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061123135906/http://www.ensaaf.org/news/pr2005-11-18.php|archive-date=23 November 2006|url-status=live}}</ref> On 16 October 2007, the [[Punjab and Haryana High Court]] extended the life imprisonment sentences to the remaining four accused police officers: Satnam Singh, Surinder Pal Singh, Jasbir Singh, and Prithipal Singh.<ref>{{cite web|date=16 October 2007 |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chandigarh/Khalra-murder-case-HC-grants-life-imprisonment-to-4-cops/articleshow/2464188.cms |title=Khalra murder case: HC grants life imprisonment to 4 cops |work=[[The Times of India]]}}</ref> <br />
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On 11 April 2011, the Supreme Court of India dismissed the final appeals of the convicted officers in ''Prithpal Singh v. State of Punjab'', scathingly criticizing the lawless atrocities committed by the police during the counter-insurgency era, while affirming that the ideological leanings of a citizen did not absolve the state of extrajudicial murder.<ref name="sc2011">{{cite news|title=Activist Khalra custodial death: SC upholds life in jail for Punjab cops|website=[[The Times of India]] |date=5 November 2011 |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/SC-upholds-life-term-for-Punjab-cops/articleshow/10613312.cms}}</ref><br />
<br />
== Complex Legacy and Media ==<br />
Khalra's legacy remains deeply polarized within political and historical discourse:<br />
* Sikh Diaspora and Activists: Revered widely as a martyr (''Shaheed''). The [[Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee]] (SGPC) and other religious institutions regularly hold annual ''shaheedi samagams'' in his memory.<ref>{{Cite news |date=7 September 2020 |title=Akal Takht pays tribute to activist Jaswant Singh Khalra |url=https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/amritsar/akal-takht-pays-tribute-to-activist-jaswant-singh-khalra-137491/ |work=The Tribune}}</ref> In international spaces, such as Fresno, California, public infrastructure has been dedicated in his name, comparing his civil investigations to Western civil rights movements.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/news/asian-america/california-city-renames-park-after-sikh-human-rights-advocate-n799261|title=California city names park after Sikh human rights advocate|website=NBC News|date=6 September 2017}}</ref><br />
* Nationalist and Security Analysts: Viewed as an ideological operative who utilized human rights campaigns to obscure his deep-seated alignment with violent Khalistani terrorists, subvert secular democratic institutions, and promote an anti-national, theocratic agenda against the Indian state.<ref name="jaijee"/><br />
<br />
=== Biographical Film ===<br />
In July 2026, the biographical drama ''[[Satluj (film)|Satluj]]'' (initially titled ''Ghalughara'' and later ''Punjab '95''), starring [[Diljit Dosanjh]] as Khalra, was released globally on the streaming service [[ZEE5]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Ramachandran |first=Naman |date=2026-07-03 |title=Diljit Dosanjh’s ‘Satluj,’ Formerly ‘Punjab ’95’ That Was Pulled From Toronto, Streams Uncut on ZEE5 Global |url=https://variety.com/2026/tv/news/diljit-dosanjh-satluj-punjab-95-uncut-zee5-global-1236801418/ |website=Variety |language=en-US}}</ref> The film's release had been delayed for years due to intense scrutiny from the [[Central Board of Film Certification]] (CBFC), which initially demanded 127 cuts to mitigate the polarization surrounding its portrayal of the sensitive political environment and anti-insurgency operations of the 1990s.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Yasmin |first=Shahana |date=7 July 2026 |title=Why a Diljit Dosanjh film released after a four-year battle with censors was gone within two days |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/asia/india/diljit-dosanjh-satluj-removed-streaming-zee5-cbfc-censorship-b3009719.html |work=The Independent}}</ref><br />
<br />
== See also ==<br />
* [[Timeline of the insurgency in Punjab, India]]<br />
* [[Insurgency in Punjab, India]]<br />
* [[Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale]]<br />
<br />
== References ==<br />
{{reflist}}<br />
<br />
== External links ==<br />
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20071008060430/http://www.ensaaf.org/pdf/reduced/chapter1-vol1.pdf Detailed biography of Jaswant Singh Khalra] (PDF) from ''Reduced to Ashes: The Insurgency and Human Rights in Punjab'' by Ram Narayan Kumar et al.<br />
<br />
{{DEFAULTSORT:Khalra, Jaswant Singh}}<br />
[[Category:1952 births]]<br />
[[Category:1995 murders in India]]<br />
[[Category:1995 deaths]]<br />
[[Category:Activists from Punjab, India]]<br />
[[Category:Deaths in police custody in India]]<br />
[[Category:Indian human rights activists]]<br />
[[Category:Indian murder victims]]<br />
[[Category:Punjabi Sikhs]]<br />
[[Category:Insurgency in Punjab]]<br />
[[Category:Enforced disappearances in India]]<br />
[[Category:Khalistan movement]]</div>BellaCHhttps://en.bharatpedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Jaswant_Singh_Khalra.jpg&diff=552063File:Jaswant Singh Khalra.jpg2026-07-12T05:21:01Z<p>BellaCH: Jaswant Singh Khalra at the desk of the Khalistan Liberation Movement International, highlighting the ideological ties to the separatist movement that ran parallel to his human rights investigations.</p>
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<div>== Summary ==<br />
Jaswant Singh Khalra at the desk of the Khalistan Liberation Movement International, highlighting the ideological ties to the separatist movement that ran parallel to his human rights investigations.</div>BellaCHhttps://en.bharatpedia.org/w/index.php?title=B._B._Gopakumar&diff=551256B. B. Gopakumar2026-06-19T13:41:40Z<p>BellaCH: New page created</p>
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<div>{{Short description|Indian politician}}{{Infobox officeholder|name=B. B. Gopakumar|image=File:B-B-Gopakumar-BJP.jpg|caption=|office=[[Member of the Legislative Assembly (India)|Member]] of the [[Kerala Legislative Assembly]]|constituency=[[Chathannoor Assembly constituency|Chathannoor]]|term_start=4 May 2026|term_end=|predecessor=[[G. S. Jayalal]]|successor=|office1=[[Bharatiya Janata Party – Kerala | Thiruvananthapuram Zonal President of Bharatiya Janata Party, Kerala]]|1blankname1=Party President|1namedata1=[[Nitin Nabin]]|office2=Legislative Party Leader, [[Kerala Legislative Assembly]], [[BJP]]|1blankname=|1namedata=|term_start1=|term_end1=|birth_date={{Birth date and age|1966|01|01|df=yes}}|birth_place=[[Kollam district|Kollam]], [[Kerala]], India|party=[[Bharatiya Janata Party]]|parents=Balakrishnan (father)|alma_mater=[[University of Kerala|Sree Narayana College, Kollam]] {{small|([[Master of Arts|MA]])}} <br>[[Sree Sankaracharya University of Sanskrit]] {{small|([[Bachelor of Education|BEd]])}}|occupation=Politician, Retired Teacher}}<br />
<br />
'''B. B. Gopakumar''' (born c. 1966) is an Indian politician and retired teacher from Kerala belonging to the [[Bharatiya Janata Party]] (BJP). In May 2026, he was elected to the [[Kerala Legislative Assembly]] from the [[Chathannoor Assembly constituency]], marking the first time the BJP secured a legislative seat in the [[Kollam district]].<ref name="TheHindu_May2026">{{cite news|last1=Sudhish|first1=Navamy|title=Kerala Assembly Elections 2026: BJP breaches the Left bastion of Chathannur|url=https://www.thehindu.com/elections/kerala-assembly/kerala-assembly-elections-2026-bjp-breaches-the-left-bastion-of-chathannur/article70938572.ece|work=[[The Hindu]]|date=4 May 2026|access-date=9 May 2026}}</ref> In 2026, he become the BJP's first ever speaker candidate in the [[Kerala Legislative Assembly]]. He was later appointed as the Parliamentary Party leader of the [[Bharatiya Janata Party|BJP]] in the 16th [[Kerala Legislative Assembly]].<br />
<br />
== Early life and education ==<br />
Gopakumar was born to Balakrishnan in a [[Ezhava]] family from Kollam.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Daily|first=Keralakaumudi|title=No mistake on third attempt; BJP's secret trump card from Chathannur delivers|url=https://keralakaumudi.com/en/news/no-mistake-on-third-attempt-bjps-secret-trump-card-from-chathannur-delivers-1741858|access-date=2026-05-12|website=Keralakaumudi Daily|language=en}}</ref> He completed his Post Graduation (MA) from Sree Narayana College, Kollam under [[University of Kerala]] between 1989 and 1991. He later obtained a B.Ed from the [[Sree Sankaracharya University of Sanskrit]], Kalady, in 1997.<ref name="MyNeta2026">{{cite web|title=B.B.Gopakumar (BJP) Affidavit Information|url=https://www.myneta.info/Kerala2026/candidate.php?candidate_id=53|website=MyNeta.info|publisher=Association for Democratic Reforms|access-date=9 May 2026}}</ref><br />
<br />
== Career ==<br />
Before entering full-time politics, Gopakumar spent three decades working as an educator in the local school system, where he is widely referred to locally as "Gopan Sir." <ref>{{cite news|date=4 May 2026|title=B.B. Gopakumar Wins Chathannoor: NDA Secures Historic Assembly Seat in Kollam|work=Mathrubhumi|url=https://www.mathrubhumi.com/election/kerala-assembly-election-2026/bb-gopakumar-wins-chathannoor-2026-election-qmtcvs2g|access-date=20 May 2026}}</ref><br />
<br />
He was a teacher at the Sree Narayana Trust Higher Secondary School (SN Trust HSS) in Chathannoor.<ref>{{cite news|date=13 May 2026|title=New BJP star in Kerala: MLA Gopakumar, who joined the party during a missed call drive|work=The Indian Express|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/political-pulse/new-bjp-star-in-kerala-mla-gopakumar-who-joined-the-party-during-a-missed-call-drive-10687927/|access-date=20 May 2026}}</ref> Over the course of his thirty-year tenure at the institution, he was promoted to head teacher and later retired as the school's principal.<ref>{{cite news|last=Kumar|first=Dileep V.|date=5 May 2026|title=Teacher, technocrat, party hand: The trio behind BJP's breakthrough in Kerala|work=The South First|url=https://thesouthfirst.com/kerala/teacher-technocrat-party-hand-the-trio-behind-bjps-breakthrough-in-kerala/|access-date=20 May 2026}}</ref><br />
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== Political career ==<br />
Gopakumar is a senior leader of the BJP in Kerala and currently serves as a State Vice President of the party.<br />
<br />
Before his full-time transition to the BJP, Gopakumar was initially associated with the [[Indian National Congress]]. He was involved in the local public sphere under the Congress banner and served as a local body member, including a tenure as a panchayat president starting in 1995.<ref>{{cite news|last=Unnithan|first=C. P.|date=17 May 2026|title=Interview: In future, it will be Congress vs BJP in Kerala, says MLA-elect B B Gopakumar|work=The New Indian Express|url=https://newindianexpress.com|access-date=20 May 2026}}</ref><br />
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He officially transitioned to active electoral politics with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) during the party's missed-call membership drive. His transition into the party's electoral machinery was actively supported by the local leadership of the [[Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh]] (RSS), who promoted his candidacy for the Chathannoor constituency ahead of the 2016 state assembly elections.<ref>{{cite news|date=10 May 2026|title=New BJP star in Kerala: MLA Gopakumar, who joined the party during a missed call drive|work=The Indian Express|url=https://indianexpress.com|access-date=20 May 2026}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|date=4 May 2026|title=No mistake on third attempt; BJP's secret trump card from Chathannur delivers|work=Kerala Kaumudi|url=https://keralakaumudi.com|access-date=20 May 2026}}</ref><br />
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He contested the [[Kerala Legislative Assembly]] elections from Chathannoor three times (2016, 2021, and 2026). After finishing as the runner-up in his first two attempts, he successfully breached the traditional Left stronghold in 2026.<br />
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=== Assembly election candidature history ===<br />
{| width="45%" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="0" border="1" style="font-size: 94%;"<br />
! style="background-color:#666666; color:white" |Year<br />
! style="background-color:#666666; color:white" |Constituency<br />
! style="background-color:#666666; color:white" |Opponent<br />
! style="background-color:#666666; color:white" |Result<br />
! style="background-color:#666666; color:white" |Margin<br />
|-<br />
|2016<br />
|[[Chathannoor Assembly constituency|Chathannoor]]<br />
|[[G. S. Jayalal]] ([[Communist Party of India|CPI]])<br />
| style="background: #FFA07A;" |Lost<br />
| style="background: #FFA07A;" |34,407<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.elections.in/kerala/assembly-constituencies/2016-election-results.html|title=2016 - Kerala Election Results|publisher=Elections.in|accessdate=2020-11-06}}</ref><br />
|-<br />
|2021<br />
|[[Chathannoor Assembly constituency|Chathannoor]]<br />
|[[G. S. Jayalal]] ([[Communist Party of India|CPI]])<br />
| style="background: #FFA07A;" |Lost<br />
| style="background: #FFA07A;" |17,206<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.elections.in/kerala/assembly-constituencies/2021-election-results.html|title=2021 - Kerala Election Results|publisher=Elections.in|accessdate=2021-11-06}}</ref><br />
|-<br />
|2026<br />
|[[Chathannoor Assembly constituency|Chathannoor]]<br />
|R. Rajendran ([[Communist Party of India|CPI]])<br />
| style="background: #98FB98;" |Won<br />
| style="background: #98FB98;" |4,398<br />
|}<br />
<br />
=== 2026 Assembly Election ===<br />
In the [[2026 Kerala Legislative Assembly election]], Gopakumar defeated his nearest rival, R. Rajendran of the [[Communist Party of India]] (CPI), by a margin of 4,398 votes. He polled a total of 51,923 votes.<ref name="TOI_2026">{{cite news|title=Chathannoor election results 2026: BJP's BB Gopakumar defeats CPI's R Rajendran|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/chathannoor-election-results-2026/articleshow/130674981.cms|work=[[The Times of India]]|date=4 May 2026|access-date=9 May 2026}}</ref> His campaign focused heavily on the crisis in the local cashew industry and infrastructure development, which resonated with the labor-intensive demographic of the constituency.<ref name="FinExpress_2026">{{cite news|title=Kerala elections winners list 2026: The leaders behind BJP’s historic foothold|url=https://www.financialexpress.com/india-news/kerala-elections-winners-list-2026/4231383/|work=[[The Financial Express (India)|The Financial Express]]|date=4 May 2026|access-date=9 May 2026}}</ref><br />
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"<br />
|+2026 Kerala Legislative Assembly election: Chathannoor<br />
! colspan="2" scope="col" |Party<br />
! scope="col" |Candidate<br />
! scope="col" |Votes<br />
! scope="col" | %<br />
! scope="col" |±%<br />
|-<br />
| style="background-color: {{party color|Bharatiya Janata Party}}" |<br />
|[[Bharatiya Janata Party|BJP]]<br />
|'''B. B. Gopakumar'''<br />
|'''51,923'''<br />
|'''36.8'''<br />
|'''+6.16'''<br />
|-<br />
| style="background-color: {{party color|Communist Party of India}}" |<br />
|[[Communist Party of India|CPI]]<br />
|R. Rajendran<br />
|47,525<br />
|33.7<br />
| -9.45<br />
|-<br />
| style="background-color: {{party color|Indian National Congress}}" |<br />
|[[Indian National Congress|INC]]<br />
|Sooraj Ravi<br />
|38,112<br />
|27.0<br />
| +3.20<br />
|-<br />
! colspan="3" scope="row" |Margin of victory<br />
|4,398<br />
|3.1<br />
|<br />
|-<br />
! colspan="3" scope="row" |Turnout<br />
|1,41,080<br />
|75.2<br />
|<br />
|-<br />
| style="background-color: {{party color|Bharatiya Janata Party}}" |<br />
| colspan="2" |BJP '''gain''' from [[Communist Party of India|CPI]]<br />
! scope="row" |Swing<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|}<br />
<br />
== References ==<br />
{{reflist}}</div>BellaCHhttps://en.bharatpedia.org/w/index.php?title=B._B._Gopakumar&diff=551255B. B. Gopakumar2026-06-19T13:40:32Z<p>BellaCH: Article created via ArticleWizard</p>
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<div>{{Under construction}}<br />
<br />
{{Infobox officeholder<br />
| name = B. B. Gopakumar<br />
| image = B-B-Gopakumar-BJP.jpg<br />
| office = Member of the Legislative Assembly (India)<br />
| country = India<br />
| term_start = 4 May 2026<br />
| predecessor = G. S. Jayalal<br />
| birth_date = 1 January 1966<br />
| birth_place = Kollam, Kerala, India<br />
| nationality = Indian<br />
| political_party = Bharatiya Janata Party<br />
| parents = Balakrishnan (father)<br />
| alma_mater = Sree Narayana College, Kollam, Sree Sankaracharya University of Sanskrit<br />
| occupation = Politician, Retired Teacher<br />
| constituency = Chathannoor Assembly constituency<br />
}}<br />
<br />
'''B. B. Gopakumar''' (born 1 January 1966 in Kollam, Kerala, India) is an Indian Politician, Retired Teacher.<br />
<br />
== References ==<br />
<br />
{{Reflist}}</div>BellaCHhttps://en.bharatpedia.org/w/index.php?title=Obsession_(2025_film)&diff=551248Obsession (2025 film)2026-06-19T06:56:53Z<p>BellaCH: </p>
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<div>{{Short description|2025 American film by Curry Barker}}<br />
{{Use American English|date=May 2026}}<br />
{{Use mdy dates|date=June 2026}}<br />
{{Infobox film<br />
| image = Obsession theatrical poster.jpeg<br />
| alt = At night, a man in a car looks at a small box. In the background, a woman stands in front of the door of a house. At the center of the poster are the film's title, credits, and tagline reading, "Be careful who you wish for...".<br />
| caption = Theatrical release poster<br />
| director = [[Curry Barker]]<br />
| writer = Curry Barker<br />
| producer = {{Plainlist|<br />
* James Harris<br />
* Haley Nicole Johnson<br />
* [[Christian Mercuri]]<br />
* Roman Viaris<br />
}}<br />
| starring = {{Plainlist|<br />
* [[Michael Johnston (actor)|Michael Johnston]]<br />
* [[Inde Navarrette]]<br />
* [[Cooper Tomlinson]]<br />
* [[Megan Lawless]]<br />
* [[Andy Richter]]<br />
}}<br />
| cinematography = Taylor Clemons<br />
| editing = Curry Barker<br />
| music = Rock Burwell<br />
| studio = {{Plainlist|<!-- per poster billing block --><br />
* [[Blumhouse Productions]]<br />
* Capstone Studios<br />
* Tea Shop Productions<br />
* Under the Shell<br />
}}<br />
| distributor = {{Plainlist|<br />
* [[Focus Features]] (United States)<br />
* [[Universal Pictures]] (International){{efn|excluding France ([[Le Pacte]]), New Zealand (Rialto Distribution), and Russia (Exponenta Film)}}<br />
}}<br />
| released = {{Film date|2025|9|5|[[2025 Toronto International Film Festival|TIFF]]|2026|5|15|United States}}<br />
| runtime = 109 minutes<ref>{{Cite web |date=March 25, 2026 |title=''Obsession'' (2026) |url=https://www.ifco.ie/en/ifco/pages/F4F81130005EB8DB |access-date=March 25, 2026 |archive-date=April 20, 2026|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260420003524/https://www.ifco.ie/en/ifco/pages/F4F81130005EB8DB|url-status=live |website=[[Irish Film Classification Office]]}}</ref><br />
| country = United States<br />
| language = English<br />
| budget = $750,000<ref name="NewYorker">{{cite magazine|url=https://www.newyorker.com/culture/persons-of-interest/the-twenty-six-year-old-behind-obsession-a-terrifying-tale-of-a-crush-gone-awry|title=The Twenty-Six-Year-Old Behind ''Obsession'', a Terrifying Tale of a Crush Gone Awry|date=May 11, 2026|first=Alex|last=Barasch|magazine=[[The New Yorker]]|url-access=limited|access-date=May 16, 2026|archive-date=May 15, 2026|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260515234819/https://www.newyorker.com/culture/persons-of-interest/the-twenty-six-year-old-behind-obsession-a-terrifying-tale-of-a-crush-gone-awry|url-status=live|quote=He made ''Obsession'' for 'seven hundred and fifty thousand, max,' and earlier projects for far, far less.}}</ref><br />
| gross = $297.4 million<ref name="BOM">{{cite Box Office Mojo |title=Obsession |id=tt37287335 |website=[[Box Office Mojo]]|access-date=June 18, 2026}}</ref><ref name="NUM">{{cite The Numbers |id=Obsession-(2026) |access-date=June 18, 2026}}</ref><br />
}}<br />
<br />
'''''Obsession''''' is a 2025<!-- PER WP: NAMING CONVENTIONS DO NOT CHANGE TO 2026 --> American<!-- DO NOT ADD ROMANCE --> [[Supernatural horror film|supernatural]] [[psychological horror]] film written, directed, and edited by [[Curry Barker]]. The film follows Bear ([[Michael Johnston (actor)|Michael Johnston]]), a music store employee who buys a supernatural toy that grants his wish for his friend Nikki ([[Inde Navarrette]]) to fall in love with him, resulting in horrific consequences. [[Cooper Tomlinson]], [[Megan Lawless]], and [[Andy Richter]] appear in supporting roles, and Barker has a voice role.<br />
<br />
Barker, a YouTube sketch comedian, uploaded his short horror film ''The Chair'' to his channel in 2023, which led to an offer from producer James Harris to adapt it into a feature-length film. Barker took the opportunity to pitch ''Obsession'', a different film idea partly inspired by [[Treehouse of Horror II|an episode]] of ''[[The Simpsons]]''. The film was shot in Los Angeles in October 2024 for $750,000. It is Barker's second feature-length film, after ''[[Milk & Serial]]'' (2024), and his first to be released in theaters.<br />
<br />
''Obsession'' premiered on September 5, 2025, at the [[2025 Toronto International Film Festival|Toronto International Film Festival]] (TIFF), where [[Focus Features]] acquired the distribution rights for $14–$15 million, the highest price commanded by a [[wikt:genre film|genre film]] in TIFF history, and [[Jason Blum]] came on board as an executive producer under [[Blumhouse Productions]]. ''Obsession'' was theatrically released in the United States on May 15, 2026. A critical and commercial success, it grossed $297.4 million worldwide, becoming Focus Features' highest-grossing film of all time and the [[2026 in film|eighth-highest-grossing film of 2026]].<br />
<br />
==Plot==<br />
<!-- Per WP:FILMPLOT, plot summary should be between 400 and 700 words. Do not add unnecessary details. --><br />
<br />
Baron "Bear" Bailey has romantic feelings for his friend Nikki Freeman, both of whom work at a music store, with their friends, Ian and Sarah. He returns home to find that his cat, Sandy, has died after accidentally consuming [[oxycodone]]. Bear shops for a gift for Nikki at a crystal shop and buys her a "One Wish Willow", a novelty toy that claims to grant one wish per person when broken. Later that night after a group hangout, Nikki directly asks Bear if he likes her, which he nervously denies. Frustrated with himself, Bear breaks the One Wish Willow, wishing for Nikki to "love him more than anyone in the world". Shortly thereafter, Nikki asks to sleep at Bear's house, confiding that her estranged father is dying of cancer. In bed, she kisses him but abruptly screams and pulls back. <br />
<br />
The next morning, Nikki creates a memorial with Sandy's remains, disturbing Bear. She explains her erratic behavior as the result of taking [[MDMA]], and the two start happily dating. Suspicious, Ian informs Bear that Nikki told Sarah she saw Bear as her "little brother" shortly before they began dating, and that she lied about her father's cancer. That night, Bear wakes up to see Nikki eerily watching him sleep, and she cries, accusing him of not loving her. The next day, Bear discovers that she made him a sandwich using Sandy's remains. Bear calls the One Wish Willow's customer support to alter his wish. The voice on the other end says the wish will only expire when Bear or Nikki dies, then puts a hysterically screaming Nikki on the line.<br />
<br />
Nikki accompanies Bear to a party at Ian's house that night, despite the latter's protests. During a [[Jenga]] drinking game, Nikki recites a violent, incestuous retelling of "[[Hansel and Gretel]]". Bear draws a block daring him to kiss the person to his left, who is Sarah. Nikki ousts Sarah from her seat and kisses Bear instead. Nikki then starts screaming before stabbing her face with a broken bottle. Back home, Nikki threatens suicide if Bear does not join her in bed. In the middle of the night, Sarah texts Bear to meet her at the park. As Bear attempts to leave, a lucid Nikki [[Sleep-talking|speaks]], claiming that her obsessive persona is asleep, and begs Bear to kill her. Bear refuses, offended that she would rather die than be with him. Sarah reveals to Bear that Ian and Nikki had been casually hooking up for two years and expresses concern that Nikki is using him to get back at Ian. After Sarah hints at her own attraction to Bear, Nikki appears and murders her by repeatedly slamming her head into a brick. She instructs a traumatized Bear to return home while she disposes of the body.<br />
<br />
Bear buys the remaining One Wish Willows from the crystal shop and tries to reverse his wish, but is unable to break one. He explains the situation to Ian and begs him to undo his wish. Ian, in disbelief, wishes for a billion dollars instead, causing cash to rain from the ceiling. Bear returns home with the last One Wish Willow to get Nikki to reverse his wish. He discovers Sarah's mutilated corpse and finds Nikki wearing Sarah's dress and scalp; she then threatens Bear and herself at gunpoint. Ian arrives and is immediately shot dead by Nikki. Bear locks himself in the bathroom and consumes the last of the oxycodone, but changes his mind and tries to induce vomiting just as Nikki breaks the last One Wish Willow. Under the wish's influence, Bear emerges from the bathroom and kisses Nikki before dying from the overdose. Heartbroken, Nikki prepares to shoot herself, but Bear's death causes the real Nikki to regain control before she can. Horrified by the carnage surrounding her, Nikki wails hysterically.<br />
<br />
==Cast==<br />
[[File:Curry Barker, Inde Navarrette, Michael Johnston.jpg|thumb|Left to right: Director Curry Barker with actors Inde Navarrette and Michael Johnston at a Q&A for the film in 2026.]]<br />
* [[Michael Johnston (actor)|Michael Johnston]] as Baron "Bear" Bailey, music store employee<br />
* [[Inde Navarrette]] as Nikki Freeman, Bear's co-worker, friend, and crush<br />
* [[Cooper Tomlinson]] as Ian, Bear and Nikki's friend<br />
* [[Megan Lawless]] as Sarah Harper, Bear and Nikki's friend and Carter's daughter<br />
* [[Andy Richter]] as Carter Harper, the music store boss and Sarah's father<br />
* Haley Fitzgerald as Viola, the crystal shop employee who sells Bear the One Wish Willow<br />
* Darin Toonder as Harry, another crystal shop employee<br />
* [[Curry Barker]] as the voice of the One Wish Willow customer service representative<br />
<br />
==Production==<br />
===Development===<br />
[[Curry Barker]], one half of the sketch comedy duo ''that's a bad idea'' with [[Cooper Tomlinson]], uploaded his short horror film ''The Chair'' to his YouTube channel in 2023.<ref name="THRYouTube">{{cite web |last=Couch |first=Aaron |title=Want to Be a Horror Director? Upload Your Movie to YouTube |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/digital/talk-to-me-milk-serial-youtube-1236041229/ |website=[[The Hollywood Reporter]] |access-date=September 7, 2025 |archive-date=May 8, 2026| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260508105136/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/digital/talk-to-me-milk-serial-youtube-1236041229/|url-status=live |date=October 28, 2024}}</ref> After film producer James Harris of Tea Shop Productions reached out to Barker to adapt it into a feature-length film, Barker pitched ''Obsession'' instead.<ref name="Moveable">{{cite web |last=Saito |first=Stephen |title=TIFF 2025 Interview: Curry Barker on Crushing It in "Obsession" |url=https://moveablefest.com/curry-barker-obsession/ |website=The Moveable Fest |access-date=September 7, 2025 |date=September 6, 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251011010426/https://moveablefest.com/curry-barker-obsession/|archive-date=October 11, 2025|url-status=live}}</ref> Barker initially wrote ''Obsession'' as a film about an obsessive relationship. While preparing to watch an episode of ''[[It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia]]'' in which he appeared, he caught a rerun of [[Treehouse of Horror II|a 1991 episode]] of ''[[The Simpsons]]'' where [[Homer Simpson|Homer]] interacts with a [[monkey's paw]], which inspired him to incorporate the wish element.<ref name="Microbudget">{{cite web |last=Earl |first=William |title=After His Microbudget Debut Haunted 2 Million People on YouTube, Curry Barker Brings 'Crazy Horror' to TIFF With Twisted Love Story 'Obsession' |url=https://variety.com/2025/film/features/obsession-curry-barker-milk-serial-1236509467/ |website=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]] |access-date=September 7, 2025 |date=September 5, 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250905203738/https://variety.com/2025/film/features/obsession-curry-barker-milk-serial-1236509467/|archive-date=September 5, 2025|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Collider-0515">{{cite web|url=https://collider.com/obsession-curry-barker-pearl-midsommar-possession-explained/|title='Obsession's Terrifying Twist Isn't Possession — It's Something Much Darker|date=May 15, 2026|first1=Tamera|last1=Jones|first2=Perri|last2=Nemiroff|website=[[Collider (website)|Collider]]|access-date=May 16, 2026}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.the-independent.com/arts-entertainment/films/news/obsession-movie-the-simpsons-curry-barker-b2983719.html|title=Obsession director reveals unlikely inspiration from The Simpsons episode|date=May 26, 2026|first=Carsen|last=Holaday|website=[[The Independent]]|access-date=June 18, 2026}}</ref> The concept led to his signing with [[William Morris Endeavor]] and receiving an offer to direct the film with a $1 million budget.<ref name="THRYouTube" /> Around this time, he declined a $2 million offer to rewrite the script to make Bear a hero.<ref name="THR-0615" /> Barker took eight months to complete the screenplay while working with the film's production companies, which, in addition to Tea Shop Productions, included Capstone Studios and Under the Shell.<ref name="VarietyMilkSerial">{{cite web |last=Earl |first=William |title=How 'Milk & Serial,' a Clever Slasher Made for $800 and Released for Free on YouTube, Became a Must-Watch for Horror Fans |url=https://variety.com/2024/film/news/milk-serial-curry-barker-slasher-youtube-1236116310/ |website=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]] |access-date=September 7, 2025 |date=August 26, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240826230542/https://variety.com/2024/film/news/milk-serial-curry-barker-slasher-youtube-1236116310/|archive-date=August 26, 2024|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Parlevliet |first=Mirko |date=December 2, 2025 |title=Focus Partners with Blumhouse on Curry Barker's Obsession |url=https://www.vitalthrills.com/focus-partners-with-blumhouse-on-curry-barkers-obsession/ |access-date=May 8, 2026 |website=Vital Thrills }}</ref> Barker developed the design of the One Wish Willow with his mother Amy Evans-Vega, a graphic art designer.<ref name="Moveable" /><br />
<br />
===Casting===<br />
Casting was underway by August 2024.<ref name="VarietyMilkSerial" /> Barker wrote the Nikki character as both a threat and a victim, as the story shows her gradually losing control of herself after Bear's wish.<ref name="CouchSoup1">{{cite web |last=Carter|first=Andrea|title=The Real Villain of Obsession is Not Nikki|url=https://couchsoup.com/movies/the-real-villain-of-obsession-is-not-nikki/|website=Couch Soup|date=May 20, 2026 |access-date=May 26, 2026}}</ref> According to Barker, the role required an actress capable of portraying a normal young woman and a frightening supernatural presence.<ref name="SlashFilm12">{{cite web |last=Bria|first=Bill|title=How Obsession Found The Perfect Actress For Nikki [Exclusive]|url=https://www.slashfilm.com/2173439/how-obsession-movie-found-perfect-actress-nikki/|website=[[SlashFilm]]|date=May 15, 2026 |access-date=May 26, 2026}}</ref> Amid a long casting process, [[Inde Navarrette]] was cast as Nikki after Barker felt she "nailed" a balance between crazy and scary and brought a natural and relaxed personality to the role that helped make Nikki believable before the horror elements emerged.<ref name="Moveable" /><ref name="SlashFilm12"/> After a [[wikt:chemistry read|chemistry read]] with Navarrette, [[Michael Johnston (actor)|Michael Johnston]] was cast as Bear.<ref name="Moveable" /><br />
<br />
''Obsession'' marked Navarrette's second film after ''[[Wander Darkly]]'' (2020) and television roles on ''[[13 Reasons Why]]'' (2020) and ''[[Superman & Lois]]'' (2021–2024).<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/timlammers/2026/05/22/obsession-star-inde-navarrette-discusses-her-spellbinding-performance-in-hit-horror-thriller/|title=''Obsession'' Star Inde Navarrette Discusses Her Spellbinding Performance In Hit Horror Thriller|date=May 22, 2026|first=Tim|last=Lammers|website=[[Forbes]]|access-date=June 6, 2026}}</ref> Much of Nikki's physical behavior was developed through collaboration between Barker and Navarrette. Nikki's screams, facial expressions, and vocal changes were performed without [[Computer-generated imagery|CGI]] or [[artificial intelligence]];<ref name="Navarrette-THR">{{cite web|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-features/obsession-ending-inde-navarrette-explained-twist-interview-1236597250/|title=Inside 'Obsession's' Ending: Inde Navarrette on Nikki's Fate and Becoming Horror's Newest Scream Queen|date=May 16, 2026|first=Lexi|last=Carson|website=[[The Hollywood Reporter]]|access-date=May 17, 2026}}</ref> scenes of Nikki lurking in the dark incorporated practical makeup effects, partly influenced by an [[uncanny valley]] makeup trend popularized by TikTok in 2023.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://bloody-disgusting.com/movie/3952963/freaky-nikkis-terrifying-look-in-obsession-was-a-practical-effect-inspired-by-a-tiktok-trend/|title=Freaky Nikki's Terrifying Look in 'Obsession' Was a Practical Effect Inspired By a TikTok Trend|date=May 22, 2026|first=Luiz|last=H. C.|website=[[Bloody Disgusting]]|access-date=June 6, 2026}}</ref> Before filming began, Barker had the cast watch ''[[Hereditary (film)|Hereditary]]'' (2018) and had Navarrette watch ''[[Midsommar]]'' (2019) and ''[[Pearl (2022 film)|Pearl]]'' (2022).<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.phantasmag.com/articles-2/curry-barker-interview-obsession|title='YouTube Taught Me That a Modern Horror Audience is Actually Very Smart': Curry Barker on His Indie Horror Phenomenon Obsession|date=May 12, 2026|first=Lana|last=Thorn|website=Phantasmag|access-date=June 19, 2026}}</ref> Navarrette credited [[Betty Gabriel]] in ''[[Get Out]]'' (2017), [[Toni Collette]] in ''Hereditary'', and [[Mia Goth]] in ''Pearl'' as inspirations for her performance as Nikki.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Korngut |first=Josh |date=May 15, 2026 |title='Obsession' Star Inde Navarrette on How Toni Collette's Hereditary Performance 'Inspired' Her 'A Lot' [Exclusive] |url=https://www.dreadcentral.com/exclusive/572956/obsession-star-inde-navarrette-on-how-toni-collettes-hereditary-performance-inspired-her-a-lot-exclusive/ |access-date=June 6, 2026 |website=[[Dread Central]] }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Svetz |first=Josh |date=June 5, 2026 |title=How 'Obsession' Star Inde Navarrette Went From Twitch Streamer to Scream Queen |url=https://www.gq.com/story/obsession-inde-navarrette |access-date=June 6, 2026 |website=GQ }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Alter |first=Ethan |date=June 12, 2026 |title=Inde Navarrette shares 'Obsession' Oscar dreams, freaky on-set stories, and what happens to Nikki after the credits roll [Exclusive] |url=https://www.goldderby.com/film/2026/obsession-inde-navarrette-2027-oscars-interview/ |access-date=June 18, 2026 |website=Gold Derby | language=en-US}}</ref><br />
<br />
===Filming===<br />
[[Principal photography]] began in late October 2024.<ref name="VarietyMilkSerial" /> It was filmed in 26 days, including reshoots after an initial 20-day shoot, in the Los Angeles area, covering five to six script pages daily.<ref name="Navarrette-THR" /><ref>{{Cite Instagram |author=Focus Features UK |author-link=Focus Features |user=focusfeaturesuk |postid=DYUek1WkY0K |date=May 14, 2026 |title=We are officially ready to be obsessed with Obsession |access-date=May 17, 2026}}</ref><ref name="MPA-BarkerInterview">{{cite web|url=https://www.motionpictures.org/2026/05/curry-barkers-obsession-the-indie-horror-that-turned-l-a-into-a-nightmare-playground/|title=Curry Barker's ''Obsession'' or The Indie Horror That Turned L.A. Into a Nightmare Playground|date=May 18, 2026|first=Simon|last=Thompson|website=[[Motion Picture Association]]|access-date=June 5, 2026}}</ref> Barker worked with cinematographer Taylor Clemons to shoot the film "center-composed" with "extra head space" to create shots that felt "uncomfortable".<ref name="Microbudget" /> Scenes set in Bear's home, a house in [[Burbank, California|Burbank]] remodeled by production designer Vivian Gray, were shot first in a week and a half.<ref name="Microbudget" /><ref>{{Cite Instagram |user=westcoastcreativestudio |postid=DZBUq71gYgv |title=OBSESSION MOVIE SPOILER ALERT |date=May 31, 2026 |access-date=June 13, 2026}}</ref> Other locations included the Cassells Music store in [[San Fernando, California|San Fernando]], which shut down a year after they wrapped, and the Green Man crystal shop, Roguelike Tavern, and Little Toni's pizzeria in Burbank.<ref name="MPA-BarkerInterview"/> Certain scenes, particularly those involving conversations in cars, were shot on a soundstage using [[On-set virtual production|LED screen technology]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://behindthelensonline.net/site/interviews/interview-exclusives/curry-barker-interview-obsession/|title=Curry Barker Gets Practical with Horror in Obsession – Exclusive Interview|date=September 2, 2025|first=Debbie|last=Elias|website=Behind the Lens Online|access-date=June 6, 2026}}</ref><br />
<br />
''Obsession'' underwent reshoots for a new opening scene and, according to Barker, to "do a better job of showing why [Bear] doesn't want to fix it right away", adding the scene where Bear confronts Nikki for cutting his hair to emphasize "that he wants to make it work".<ref name="Collider-0515"/> The production had to forgo reshoots of the party scene after the house where they filmed it burned down in the [[January 2025 Southern California wildfires|2025 Los Angeles fires]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zb1s6Sbg6Qk|title='I Was Genuinely Freaked Out' Curry Barker, Inde Navarrette & Michael Johnston on ''Obsession''|date=May 15, 2026|website=[[Fandango Media|Fandango]]|access-date=May 16, 2026|archive-date=May 16, 2026|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260516033125/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zb1s6Sbg6Qk|url-status=live|via=YouTube}}</ref> For the ending, they filmed one take of Bear trying to make himself throw up after ingesting the pills at Johnston's suggestion that it would fit Bear's cowardly nature.<ref name="Navarrette-THR"/><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-features/obsession-bear-villain-michael-johnston-interview-1236598129/|title=''Obsession'' Star Michael Johnston Knows You Think Bear Is the Real Villain — But He Disagrees|date=May 18, 2026|first=Lexi|last=Carson|website=[[The Hollywood Reporter]]|access-date=May 28, 2026}}</ref> Barker initially wrote and filmed an ending inspired by ''[[Romeo and Juliet]]'' where Nikki kills herself after breaking free from Bear's wish. On the advice of his playwright father, who contributed the "[[Hansel and Gretel]]" monologue, and others, Barker shot one take of a different ending where Nikki survives, which he chose for the theatrical cut.<ref name="Navarrette-THR"/><ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://ew.com/obsession-director-curry-barker-film-original-ending-dad-told-him-change-it-11975457|title=''Obsession'' director Curry Barker reveals film's original ending — and why his dad told him to change it|date=May 16, 2026|first=Mike|last=Miller|magazine=[[Entertainment Weekly]]|access-date=May 17, 2026}}</ref><ref name="Polygon-0516">{{cite web|url=https://www.polygon.com/curry-barker-obsession-writer-director-interview/|title=Obsession director Curry Barker used makeup, duct tape, and his father to make the scariest movie of 2026|date=May 16, 2026|first=Jake|last=Kleinman|website=[[Polygon (website)|Polygon]]|access-date=May 21, 2026}}</ref> According to Barker, the film's budget was at most $750,000.<ref name="NewYorker"/><br />
<br />
===Post-production===<br />
By March 2025, ''Obsession'' was in post-production with Barker as editor.<ref name="Moveable" /><ref>{{cite web |last=Couch |first=Aaron |title='Milk & Serial' Filmmaker Curry Barker Signs with UTA (Exclusive) |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/business-news/milk-serial-filmmaker-curry-barker-signs-with-uta-exclusive-1236158762/ |website=[[The Hollywood Reporter]] |access-date=September 7, 2025 |date=March 10, 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250310173706/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/business-news/milk-serial-filmmaker-curry-barker-signs-with-uta-exclusive-1236158762/|archive-date=March 10, 2025|url-status=live}}</ref> Barker recorded his dialogue as the One Wish Willow customer service representative on his phone while editing the film from his bedroom, changing lines to fit the edit.<ref name="Polygon-0516"/> After the film's festival premiere in September, the scene depicting a character getting their head smashed was cut down by "six or seven smashes" to avoid an NC-17 rating from the [[Motion Picture Association|MPA]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Goldsmith |first=Jill |date=March 15, 2026 |title='Obsession' Director Curry Barker At SXSW |url=https://deadline.com/2026/03/obsession-director-curry-barker-sxsw-1236754119/ |access-date=March 15, 2026 |website=Deadline Hollywood|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260315043518/https://deadline.com/2026/03/obsession-director-curry-barker-sxsw-1236754119/|archive-date=March 15, 2026|url-status=live}}</ref> [[Jason Blum]] joined the film as an executive producer under his [[Blumhouse Productions]] banner after the premiere;<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.thewrap.com/creative-content/movies/obsession-filmmaker-curry-barker-horror-profile/|url-access=limited|title=How ''Obsession'' Filmmaker Curry Barker Became Hollywood's Next Horror Sweetheart|date=May 15, 2026|first=Casey|last=Loving|website=[[TheWrap]]|access-date=May 16, 2026}}</ref> his involvement was revealed in December 2025 when the first teaser was released.<ref>{{cite web|title=Blumhouse Boards Curry Barker's Romance-Themed Focus Horror Flick 'Obsession' — Watch The Trailer|first=Matt|last=Grobar|date=December 2, 2025|access-date=December 2, 2025|url=https://deadline.com/2025/12/obsession-trailer-curry-barker-horror-first-look-1236633126/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251202165013/https://deadline.com/2025/12/obsession-trailer-curry-barker-horror-first-look-1236633126/|archive-date=December 2, 2025|url-status=live}}</ref> Rock Burwell composed the score in his debut as a feature film composer.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Obsession |url=https://waxworkrecords.com/products/obsession |access-date=May 16, 2026 |publisher=[[Waxwork Records]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260516130718/https://waxworkrecords.com/products/obsession|archive-date=May 16, 2026|url-status=live}}</ref> The 18-track album was released on May 15, 2026, the same date as the film's release.<ref>{{Cite web |title='Obsession' Soundtrack Album Details|website=Film Music Reporter|url=https://filmmusicreporter.com/2026/05/14/curry-barker-obsession-soundtrack-album-details/ |access-date=May 16, 2026|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260514211913/https://filmmusicreporter.com/2026/05/14/curry-barker-obsession-soundtrack-album-details/|archive-date=May 14, 2026|url-status=live}}</ref><br />
<br />
==Release==<br />
''Obsession'' premiered during the Midnight Madness block at the [[2025 Toronto International Film Festival|Toronto International Film Festival]] (TIFF) on September 5, 2025.<ref name="Microbudget" /> Two days later, [[Focus Features]] entered talks to acquire distribution rights to the film for the world (excluding France, New Zealand, and Russia) for $14–$15 million, the highest price commanded by a genre film in TIFF history, with [[Universal Pictures International]] handling distribution outside the United States;<ref>{{cite web |last=D'Alessandro |first=Anthony |title=Focus Features Closing First Big TIFF Deal: Curry Barker Horror Film 'Obsession' Selling For $15M+ – The Dish |url=https://deadline.com/2025/09/tiff-obsession-focus-features-curry-barker-1236510833/ |website=[[Deadline Hollywood]] |access-date=September 7, 2025 |date=September 7, 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250907151304/https://deadline.com/2025/09/tiff-obsession-focus-features-curry-barker-1236510833/|archive-date=September 7, 2025|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="NewYorker"/><ref>{{Cite web |last=Rubin |first=Rebecca |date=May 17, 2026 |title=Box Office: 'Michael' Returns to No. 1 in Fourth Weekend, 'Obsession' Starts Strong With $16 Million |url=https://variety.com/2026/film/box-office/box-office-michael-reclaims-first-place-obsession-starts-strong-1236751550/ |access-date=May 17, 2026 |website=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260517145842/https://variety.com/2026/film/box-office-michael-reclaims-first-place-obsession-starts-strong-1236751550/|archive-date=May 17, 2026|url-status=live}}</ref> the deal officially closed in October 2025, with a screening at the inaugural FocusFest on October 18 at the [[Universal Studios Lot]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Focus Features Seals Deal For Curry Barker's 'Obsession,' Sets FocusFest Screening|website=[[Deadline Hollywood]]|first=Matt | last=Grobar|date=October 14, 2025|access-date=October 14, 2025|url=https://deadline.com/2025/10/curry-barker-obsession-finalizes-focus-features-deal-focusfest-1236584405/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251016031928/https://deadline.com/2025/10/curry-barker-obsession-finalizes-focus-features-deal-focusfest-1236584405/|archive-date=October 16, 2025|url-status=live}}</ref> The film was theatrically released in the U.S. on May 15, 2026.<ref>{{cite web|title=Focus Features Sets Early Summer 2026 Date For Curry Barker's Horror Pic 'Obsession'|website=[[Deadline Hollywood]]|first=Anthony|last=D'Alessandro|date=November 5, 2025|access-date=November 5, 2025|url=https://deadline.com/2025/11/obsession-curry-barker-release-date-1236607937/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251105175133/https://deadline.com/2025/11/obsession-curry-barker-release-date-1236607937/|archive-date=November 5, 2025|url-status=live}}</ref><br />
<br />
In June 2026, art director Sally Choi made a social media post calling for industry reform, noting that she made $300 a day on the non-union production while also serving as [[production assistant]], [[set dresser]], graphic designer, and background actor, and that some crew members were volunteers paid in gas and mileage.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.thewrap.com/creative-content/movies/obsession-art-director-salary-complaint-sally-choi/|title=''Obsession'' Art Director Calls for Industry Reform After Getting Paid Less Than $7,000 as Film Nears $175 Million|date=June 5, 2026|first=Umberto|last=Gonzalez|website=[[TheWrap]]|access-date=June 10, 2026}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Phillipson |first=Daisy |date=2026-06-09 |title=Obsession art director doubles down after slamming low pay and working conditions |url=https://thetab.com/filmshrine/2026/06/09/obsession-art-director-sally-choi-doubles-down-after-slamming-low-pay-wages/ |access-date=2026-06-10 |website=[[The Tab|Film Shrine]] |language=en-US}}</ref><br />
<br />
==Reception==<br />
===Box office===<br />
{{As of|2026|6|17|df=US}}, ''Obsession'' has grossed $198.7 million in the United States and Canada, and $98.8 million in other territories, for a worldwide total of $297.4 million.<ref name="BOM"/><ref name="NUM"/><br />
<br />
In the United States and Canada, ''Obsession'' was initially projected to gross $8–10 million from 2,615 theaters in its opening weekend.<ref name="opening">{{Cite web |last=D'Alessandro |first=Anthony |date=May 17, 2026 |title='Michael' King Of Box Office With $26M U.S., $83M WW; 'Obsession' Romances $16M+ & 'A-' CinemaScore – Sunday AM Box Office Update |url=https://deadline.com/2026/05/box-office-obsession-michael-devil-wears-prada-2-1236906122/ |access-date=May 16, 2026 |website=[[Deadline Hollywood]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260515161913/https://deadline.com/2026/05/box-office-obsession-michael-devil-wears-prada-2-1236906122/|archive-date=May 15, 2026|url-status=live}}</ref> After making $7 million on its first day,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/date/2026-05-15/|title=Domestic Box Office For May 15, 2026|website=[[Box Office Mojo]]|access-date=May 19, 2026|archive-date=May 17, 2026|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260517201907/https://www.boxofficemojo.com/date/2026-05-15/|url-status=live}}</ref> estimates were raised to $14 million.<ref name="opening" /> It went on to debut to $17.2 million, finishing third at the box office behind holdovers ''[[Michael (2026 film)|Michael]]'' and ''[[The Devil Wears Prada 2]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/weekend/2026W20/|title=Domestic 2026 Weekend 20|website=[[Box Office Mojo]]|access-date=May 24, 2026}}</ref> The film then made $32 million over the subsequent four-day Memorial Day frame, including $24 million over the second weekend (a 39% increase from its opening).<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/weekend/2026W21/|title=Domestic 2026 Weekend 21|website=[[Box Office Mojo]]|access-date=May 27, 2026}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2026/05/box-office-mandalorian-and-grogu-1236918713/|title=''Star Wars: Mandalorian & Grogu'' Eases Force To 4-Day $98M U.S. But Higher WW $167M; ''Obsession'' Amorous $32M+ In Near $222M Memorial Day Weekend – Update|date=May 26, 2026|first=Anthony|last=D'Alessandro|website=[[Deadline Hollywood]]|access-date=May 27, 2026}}</ref> Unprecedented for a wide release, especially in the horror genre, it marked the biggest second-weekend increase for a film playing in more than 2,500 theaters outside of the Christmas season. Word-of-mouth and turnout from the 18–34 demographic, making up 75% of audience members, led to its success.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://variety.com/2026/film/box-office/obsession-box-office-breakout-hit-horror-1236757946/ |title=How ''Obsession'' Became an Unprecedented Box Office Horror Hit — and One of the Year's Most Profitable Movies |first=Rebecca |last=Rubin|work=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]] |date=May 24, 2026|access-date=May 25, 2026}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/box-office-obsession-second-weekend-spike-1236606229/|title=Box Office Stunner: ''Obsession'' Makes History With Biggest Second-Weekend Spike in Modern Times Outside of Christmas|date=May 27, 2026|first1=Camp|last1=McClintock|first2=Lexi|last2=Carson|website=[[The Hollywood Reporter]]|access-date=May 27, 2026}}</ref><br />
<br />
In its third weekend, the film made $27.4 million, becoming the first wide release outside of the Christmas season since ''[[E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial]]'' (1982) to increase its earnings for three consecutive weekends; with a total $105.7 million at the time, it also became Focus Features' highest-grossing film domestically, surpassing ''[[Downton Abbey (film)|Downton Abbey]]'' (2019; $97 million).<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/weekend/2026W22/|title=Domestic 2026 Weekend 22|website=[[Box Office Mojo]]|access-date=June 1, 2026}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2026/05/box-office-backrooms-1236929953/|title=''Backrooms'' Mushrooms To $81M+ U.S., $118M WW A24 Record Opening; ''Obsession'' $104M+ Best Ever For Focus Features – Sunday Update|date=May 31, 2026|first=Anthony|last=D'Alessandro|website=[[Deadline Hollywood]]|access-date=May 31, 2026}}</ref> On the following Monday, Focus Features postponed its expected digital release of June 2.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Lammers |first=Tim |date=June 2, 2026 |title=When Is ''Obsession'' Coming To Streaming? |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/timlammers/2026/06/02/obsession-streaming-date-skipped-in-favor-of-longer-theatrical-to-pvod-window/ |access-date=June 6, 2026 |website=Forbes }}</ref> In its fourth weekend, the film became Focus Features' highest-grossing film of all time worldwide, surpassing ''Downton Abbey'' ($194.6 million).<ref>{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2026/06/box-office-obsession-record-1236949178/|title=Obsessed Around The Globe: Curry Barker's ''Obsession'' Is Focus Features' Highest Grossing Movie Ever With $224M+ WW|date=June 7, 2026|first=Anthony|last=D'Alessandro|website=[[Deadline Hollywood]]|access-date=June 7, 2026}}</ref> In its fifth weekend, it outgrossed ''[[The Blair Witch Project]]'' (1999; $248.6 million) to become the top-grossing festival acquisition title of all time.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2026/06/box-office-obsession-record-blair-witch-project-get-out-1236955980/|title=''Obsession'': World's Love Affair With Curry Barker Pic Nears $300M; Scares Away ''Blair Witch Project'' As Top Grossing Fest Acquisition Of All-Time – Box Office|date=June 14, 2026|first=Anthony|last=D'Alessandro|website=[[Deadline Hollywood]]|access-date=June 15, 2026}}</ref><br />
<br />
===Critical response===<br />
[[File:Inde Navarrette in 2026.jpg|thumb|upright|[[Inde Navarrette]] received critical acclaim for her performance as Nikki.<ref name="L'Officiel">{{Cite web |title=Who is Inde Navarrette? Meet Hollywood's Newest Scream Queen |first=Grace |last=Clarke |url=https://www.lofficielusa.com/film-tv/who-is-inde-navarrette-obsession-movie-nikki-actress-age-movies-tv-shows|access-date=May 27, 2026|website=[[L'Officiel USA]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://variety.com/2026/film/opinion/obsession-inde-navarrette-awards-1236752366/|title=''Obsession'' Star Inde Navarrette Delivers a Scary and Tragic Performance That Demands Awards Attention|date=May 18, 2026|first=William|last=Earl|website=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]|access-date=June 6, 2026}}</ref>]]<br />
<br />
{{Rotten Tomatoes prose|94|8.1|269|Taking an icky conceit and twisting it to deviously crowd-pleasing ends, ''Obsession'' is dauntingly disturbing while also skillfully amusing and thrilling.|ref=yes|access-date=June 18, 2026}} {{Metacritic film prose|score=77|count=36|ref=yes|access-date=June 15, 2026}} Audiences surveyed by [[CinemaScore]] gave the film an average grade of "A−" on an A+ to F scale, while 70% of those polled by [[PostTrak]] said they would "definitely recommend" it.<ref name="opening" /><br />
<br />
Christian Zilko of ''[[IndieWire]]'' said it was "proof that the [[Zach Cregger|Cregger]]-ification of 2020s horror is in full effect, as its combination of sadistic violence, [[Irony|ironic]] needle drops, and comedy mined from people responding to tragedy in pathetically self-serving ways will merit plenty of comparisons to ''[[Barbarian (2022 film)|Barbarian]]'' and ''[[Weapons (2025 film)|Weapons]]''".<ref>{{cite web |last=Zilko |first=Christian |title='Obsession' Review: YouTuber Curry Barker Directs One of the Best Horror Films of 2025 |url=https://www.indiewire.com/criticism/movies/obsession-review-curry-baker-1235149428/ |website=[[IndieWire]] |access-date=September 7, 2025 |date=September 6, 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250906082220/https://www.indiewire.com/criticism/movies/obsession-review-curry-baker-1235149428/|archive-date=September 6, 2025|url-status=live}}</ref> ''[[IGN]]''{{'s}} Matt Donato noted "familiar romance and monkey's paw tropes" but said "Barker's execution takes things to the next level".<ref>{{Cite web |last=Donato |first=Matt |date=September 28, 2025 |title=Obsession Review |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/obsession-review |access-date=March 29, 2026 |website=[[IGN]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250928123534/https://www.ign.com/articles/obsession-review|archive-date=September 28, 2025|url-status=live}}</ref> Lou Thomas of ''[[Empire (magazine)|Empire]]'' called it "so fresh and exhilarating, one can forgive its familiar origins".<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.empireonline.com/movies/reviews/obsession/|first=Lou|last=Thomas|access-date=May 17, 2026|title=Obsession Review|date=May 15, 2026|website=[[Empire (magazine)|Empire]]}}</ref> In ''[[Compact (American magazine)|Compact]]'', Matthew Schmitz said it defined the genre of "[[wikt:heteropessimism|heteropessimist]] horror".<ref>{{Cite web |last=Schmitz |first=Matthew |date=June 1, 2026 |title=Heteropessimist Horror |url=https://www.compactmag.com/article/heteropessimist-horror/ |access-date=June 4, 2026 |website=Compact }}</ref> Author [[Rob K. Henderson]] described it as a "morality tale" that encouraged young men to confess their romantic feelings instead of concealing them.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Henderson |first=Rob |date=June 2, 2026 |title=Why every young man should fear Obsession's message |url=https://www.thetimes.com/us/news-today/article/obsession-movie-2026-cast-9rt99bb95 |url-access=subscription |access-date=June 7, 2026 |website=[[The Times]]}}</ref><br />
<br />
Navarrette received critical acclaim for her performance.<ref name="Slant-Review">{{Cite web |last=Shaffer|first=Marshall|date=May 11, 2026|title='Obsession' Review: A Chilling Portrait of a Crush Gone Awry|url=https://www.slantmagazine.com/film/obsession-review-curry-barker/|access-date=May 26, 2026|website=[[Slant Magazine]]}}</ref><ref name="L'Officiel" /> Louis Peitzman of ''[[Vulture (website)|Vulture]]'' called it a stand-out performance for Navarrette, especially as her first major role in the horror genre.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Peitzman|first=Louis|date=May 18, 2026|title=Inde Navarrette Isn't Just a 'Crazy Girlfriend' in ''Obsession''|url=https://www.vulture.com/article/inde-navarrette-isnt-just-a-crazy-girlfriend-in-obsession.html|access-date=May 26, 2026|website=[[Vulture (website)|Vulture]]}}</ref> Katie Rife of ''[[RogerEbert.com]]'' said her emotional scenes revealed the humanity behind Nikki's violent behavior and made the character more tragic.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Obsession: The heart wants what it wants in Blumhouse chiller|url=https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/obsession-curry-barker-movie-review-2026|access-date=May 26, 2026|website=[[RogerEbert.com|Roger Ebert]]}}</ref> Guy Lodge of ''[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]'' praised Navarrette for "acing one of the more physically and emotionally taxing horror leads to come down the pike in a while".<ref name="Variety1">{{cite web |last=Lodge|first=Guy|title='Obsession' Review: Clever, Creepy Indie Horror Applies an Old-School Monkey's Paw Device to Modern Relationships|url=https://variety.com/2026/film/news/obsession-review-1236747795/|website=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]|date=May 14, 2026 |access-date=May 26, 2026}}</ref> Bill Bria of ''[[SlashFilm]]'' compared Nikki's impact to performances in classic horror films such as ''[[The Exorcist]]'' (1973) and ''[[Carrie (1976 film)|Carrie]]'' (1976).<ref name="SlashFilm12" /><br />
<br />
Benjamin Lee of ''[[The Guardian]]'' praised the "disturbing sound design" for intensifying the horror elements,<ref>{{Cite news |last=Lee |first=Benjamin |date=September 6, 2025 |title=Obsession review – nasty horror sees a wish for true love go horribly wrong |url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/2025/sep/06/obsession-movie-review-tiff |access-date=May 15, 2026 |work=[[The Guardian]] |issn=0261-3077|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250906073557/https://www.theguardian.com/film/2025/sep/06/obsession-movie-review-tiff|archive-date=September 6, 2025|url-status=live}}</ref> while Marshall Shaffer of ''[[Slant Magazine]]'' complimented the film's audiovisual presentation.<ref name="Slant-Review"/> Comparisons were raised to [[Kane Parsons]]'s ''[[Backrooms (film)|Backrooms]]'', a fellow commercially successful, low-budget 2026 release directed by a YouTuber; Aaron Couch of ''[[The Hollywood Reporter]]'' said he anticipated a "generational shift" away from high-budget movie franchises in favor of smaller films.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Taher |first=Sarah |date=June 4, 2026 |title=YouTube already had a place in Hollywood. The success of Backrooms and Obsession proves it's undeniable |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/entertainment/youtuber-horror-hollywood-9.7222173 |website=[[CBC News]] |access-date=June 4, 2026}}</ref><br />
<br />
=== Accolades ===<br />
{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders sortable" style="width: 100%;"<br />
! scope="col"| Award / Festival<br />
! scope="col"| Date of ceremony<br />
! scope="col"| Category<br />
! scope="col"| Recipient(s)<br />
! scope="col"| Result<br />
! scope="col" class="unsortable"| {{Abbr|Ref.|References}}<br />
|-<br />
! scope="row"| [[Toronto International Film Festival]]<br />
| [[2025 Toronto International Film Festival|September 14, 2025]]<br />
| [[Toronto International Film Festival People's Choice Award: Midnight Madness|People's Choice Award: Midnight Madness]]<br />
| rowspan="7"| ''Obsession''<br />
| {{draw|Runner-up}}<br />
| style="text-align:center;"| <ref>{{cite web |url=https://deadline.com/2025/09/hamnet-toronto-film-festival-peoples-choice-award-1236530932/ |title='Hamnet' Wins Oscar-Predictive Toronto Film Festival People's Choice Award |last=Hammond |first=Pete |website=[[Deadline Hollywood]] |date=September 14, 2025 |access-date=September 14, 2025 |archive-date=September 14, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250914170057/https://deadline.com/2025/09/hamnet-toronto-film-festival-peoples-choice-award-1236530932/ |url-status=live}}</ref><br />
|-<br />
! rowspan="4" scope="row"| [[Sitges Film Festival]]<br />
| rowspan="4"| [[58th Sitges Film Festival|October 18, 2025]]<br />
| Best Feature Film<br />
| {{nom}}<br />
| style="text-align:center;"| <ref>{{cite web |date=September 10, 2025 |title=We Complete the 2025 line-up: Guillermo del Toro, Yorgos Lanthimos, Park Chan-wook, Carmen Maura, and Other Big Names in Contemporary Fantastic Genre |url=https://sitgesfilmfestival.com/en/noticies/we-complete-2025-line-guillermo-toro-yorgos-lanthimos-park-chan-wook-carmen-maura-and |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250914210743/https://sitgesfilmfestival.com/en/noticies/we-complete-2025-line-guillermo-toro-yorgos-lanthimos-park-chan-wook-carmen-maura-and |archive-date=September 14, 2025 |url-status=live |access-date=September 14, 2025 |publisher=[[Sitges Film Festival]]}}</ref><br />
|-<br />
| Special Jury Prize<br />
| {{won}}<br />
| rowspan="3" style="text-align:center;"| <ref>{{cite web |date=October 18, 2025 |title='The Ugly Stepsister', by Emilie Blichfeldt, Best Feature Film Award at Sitges 2025 |url=https://sitgesfilmfestival.com/en/noticies/ugly-stepsister-emilie-blichfeldt-best-feature-film-award-sitges-2025 |access-date=June 5, 2026 |publisher=[[Sitges Film Festival]] |archive-date=October 23, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251023161009/https://sitgesfilmfestival.com/en/noticies/ugly-stepsister-emilie-blichfeldt-best-feature-film-award-sitges-2025 |url-status=live}}</ref><br />
|-<br />
| SOFC Audience Award<br />
| {{won}}<br />
|-<br />
| Carnet Jove (Youth Card) Award for Best Film<br />
| {{won}}<br />
|-<br />
! scope="row"| [[South by Southwest]]<br />
| [[2026 South by Southwest Film & TV Festival|March 19, 2026]]<br />
| Festival Favorite Audience Award<br />
| {{nom}}<br />
| style="text-align:center;"| <ref>{{cite web |title=SXSW Film & TV Festival Awards |url=https://sxsw.com/festivals/film-awards/ |access-date=April 29, 2026 |publisher=[[South by Southwest|SXSW]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://deadline.com/2026/01/sxsw-2026-lineup-ready-or-not-2-they-will-kill-you-1236682676/ |title=SXSW Sets World Premieres 'Ready or Not 2', 'They Will Kill You', Apple Series 'Margo's Got Money Troubles' & Pics with Paul Rudd, Nick Jonas & the Kevin Bacon Family |last=D'Alessandro |first=Anthony |website=[[Deadline Hollywood]] |date=January 14, 2026 |access-date=January 22, 2026 |archive-date=January 14, 2026 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260114173520/https://deadline.com/2026/01/sxsw-2026-lineup-ready-or-not-2-they-will-kill-you-1236682676/ |url-status=live}}</ref><br />
|-<br />
! scope="row"| [[Miami Film Festival]]<br />
| April 19, 2026<br />
| Jordan Ressler First Feature Award<br />
| {{nom}}<br />
| style="text-align:center;"| <ref>{{cite web |url=https://deadline.com/2026/03/2026-miami-film-festival-lineup-and-honorees-1236753747/ |title=Miami Film Festival Announces 2026 Lineup, Awards for Adam Scott, Bob Odenkirk, Danielle Brooks, Lili Reinhart & More |last=Carey |first=Matthew |website=[[Deadline Hollywood]] |date=March 14, 2026 |access-date=June 13, 2026 |archive-date=March 15, 2026 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260315070635/https://deadline.com/2026/03/2026-miami-film-festival-lineup-and-honorees-1236753747/ |url-status=live}}</ref><br />
|-<br />
! scope="row"| [[Seattle International Film Festival]]<br />
| [[2026 Seattle International Film Festival|May 17, 2026]]<br />
| Best Performance<br />
| [[Inde Navarrette]]<br />
| {{won}}<br />
| style="text-align:center;"| <ref>{{cite web |date=May 17, 2026 |title=SIFF 2026 Award Winners |url=https://www.siff.net/media/blog/siff-2026-award-winners |access-date=May 18, 2026 |publisher=[[Seattle International Film Festival|SIFF]] |archive-date=June 1, 2026 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260601173830/https://www.siff.net/media/blog/siff-2026-award-winners |url-status=live}}</ref><br />
|}<br />
<br />
==Future==<br />
In 2025, Barker said the characters of ''Obsession'' are unlikely to appear in another film.<ref name="Microbudget" /> In 2026, Barker said he was considering an anthology television series where each episode explores a new character making a wish,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2026/05/curry-barker-considers-obsession-sequel-anthology-plot-hole-1236907398/|work=[[Deadline Hollywood]]|title=Curry Barker Considers ''Obsession'' Sequel Or Anthology Series, Despite 'Plot Hole' In Film: 'It's Broken'|last=Garner|first=Glenn|date=May 16, 2026|accessdate=May 29, 2026}}</ref> or a sequel, for which he has an idea.<ref name="THR-0615">{{Cite web |last=Hibberd |first=James |date=2026-06-15 |title=Curry Barker Got His Wish: Inside the ''Obsession'' Director{{'}}s Wild Month (Exclusive) |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-features/curry-barker-obsession-interview-1236620580/ |access-date=2026-06-15 |website=[[The Hollywood Reporter]] |language=en-US}}</ref> His next film, ''[[Anything but Ghosts]]'', is set in the same shared universe, including a reference to the events of ''Obsession'' in the form of a news report.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Garner |first=Glenn |date=May 28, 2026 |title=Curry Barker Says 'Anything But Ghosts' Is In 'Obsession' Universe |url=https://deadline.com/2026/05/curry-barker-anything-but-ghosts-same-universe-obsession-1236929829/ |access-date=June 7, 2026 |website=[[Deadline Hollywood]] }}</ref><br />
<br />
==Notes==<br />
{{Notelist}}<br />
<br />
== See also ==<br />
* [[Mind control in popular culture]]<br />
* [[Obsessive love]]<br />
<br />
==References==<br />
{{Reflist}}<br />
<br />
==External links==<br />
{{Wikiquote}}<br />
* {{Official website|https://www.focusfeatures.com/obsession}}<br />
* {{IMDb title|tt37287335}}<br />
<br />
{{Curry Barker}}<br />
{{Authority control}}<br />
{{Portal bar|2020s|Film|United States|Speculative fiction/Horror}}{{DEFAULTSORT:Obsession (2025 film)}}<br />
[[Category:2020s psychological drama films]]<br />
[[Category:2020s psychological horror films]]<br />
[[Category:2020s psychological thriller films]]<br />
[[Category:2020s satirical films]]<br />
[[Category:2025 supernatural horror films]]<br />
[[Category:2025 American films]]<br />
[[Category:2025 comedy horror films]]<br />
[[Category:2025 English-language films]]<br />
[[Category:2025 films]]<br />
[[Category:American comedy horror films]]<br />
[[Category:American psychological drama films]]<br />
[[Category:American psychological horror films]]<br />
[[Category:American psychological thriller films]]<br />
[[Category:American romantic horror films]]<br />
[[Category:American supernatural horror films]]<br />
[[Category:Blumhouse Productions films]]<br />
[[Category:Dolby Cinema films]]<br />
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[[Category:Horror films about toys]]</div>BellaCHhttps://en.bharatpedia.org/w/index.php?title=Kushwaha&diff=551247Kushwaha2026-06-19T06:55:52Z<p>BellaCH: </p>
<hr />
<div>{{short description|Ethnic group/class in India and Nepal}}<br />
{{distinguish|Kachhwaha}}<br />
{{protection padlock|small=yes}}<br />
{{Use Indian English|date=May 2024}}<br />
{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2024}}<br />
{{Infobox ethnic group<br />
|group = Kushwahas<br />
|image = <br />
|caption = <br />
|regions = {{flag|India}}, {{flag|Nepal}}<br />
|region1 = [[Bihar]]{{efn|Population figures are according to [[2022 Bihar caste-based survey]]}}<ref>{{cite news |last=Verma |first=Ritesh |date=2 October 2023 |url=https://www.livehindustan.com/bihar/story-bihar-caste-survey-counting-census-full-list-population-share-percent-obc-ebc-upper-caste-muslim-hindu-sc-st-8792660.html |title=List of caste wise population of Bihar |work=[[Hindustan (newspaper)|Hindustan]] |access-date=7 October 2023 |archive-date=3 October 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231003234805/https://www.livehindustan.com/bihar/story-bihar-caste-survey-counting-census-full-list-population-share-percent-obc-ebc-upper-caste-muslim-hindu-sc-st-8792660.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news|first=Kumar|last=Ayushman|date=28 August 2018|url=https://theprint.in/politics/this-kheer-cooking-in-bihar-may-leave-a-bad-taste-in-the-bjps-mouth/|title=This 'kheer' cooking in Bihar may leave a bad taste in the BJP's mouth|work=The Print|access-date=27 June 2020|archive-date=28 April 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210428215418/https://theprint.in/politics/this-kheer-cooking-in-bihar-may-leave-a-bad-taste-in-the-bjps-mouth/|url-status=live}}</ref><br />
|pop1 = Koeri (5506113, 4.2120% of population of Bihar)<br/><br />
Dangi (336629, 0.2575% of population of Bihar){{efn|Dangi is a sub-caste of Koeri in central Bihar.<ref>{{cite news |last=Qadir |first=Abdul |date=14 October 2015 |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/elections/bihar-elections-2015/news/bihar-assembly-elections-2015-much-at-stake-for-bjp-in-gayas-gurua/articleshow/49347945.cms |title =Bihar election 2015 much at stake for BJP in Gurua |work=Times of India |access-date=5 October 2023}}</ref>}}<br/> Mali (349285, 0.2672% of population of Bihar)<br />
|region2 = [[Uttar Pradesh]]<br />
|pop2 = N/A<br />
|region3 = [[Jharkhand]]<br />
|pop3 = N/A<br />
|region4 = [[Madhya Pradesh]]<br />
|pop4 = N/A<br />
|region5 = [[Haryana]]<br />
|pop5 = N/A<br />
|region6 = [[Nepal]]<br />
|pop6 = 355,808 (1.22% of the population of Nepal; primarily in [[Terai]])<ref>{{cite web |title=National Report on Caste/Ethnicity, Language and Religion |url=https://censusnepal.cbs.gov.np/results/files/result-folder/Caste%20Ethnicity_report_NPHC_2021.pdf |website=Nepal Population and Housing Census 2021 |access-date=April 15, 2025}}</ref><br />
|langs = {{hlist|[[Hindi]]|[[Bhojpuri language|Bhojpuri]]|[[Nepali language|Nepali]]}}<br />
|rels = [[File:Om.svg|12px]] [[Hinduism]]<br />
|related =<br />
}}<br />
<br />
'''Kushwaha''' (sometimes '''Kushvaha''')<ref name="Pinch1996p91">{{cite book |title=Peasants and monks in British India |first=William R. |last=Pinch |publisher=University of California Press |year=1996 |isbn=978-0-520-20061-6 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=uEP-ceGYsnYC |page=91}}</ref> is a [[Peasant|non-elite peasant]] caste-community of the [[Indo-Gangetic Plain]] that has traditionally been involved in [[agriculture]], including [[beekeeping]] and [[horticulture]], found largely in the Indian states of [[Bihar]] and [[Uttar Pradesh]].<ref>{{cite book|last=Harper|first=Malcolm|title=Inclusive Value Chains: A Pathway Out of Poverty|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=VODZCM5qblYC&pg=PA182|year=2010|publisher=World Scientific|isbn=978-981-4293-89-1|pages=182, 297}}</ref> Kushwahas are presently classified as [[Other Backward Class]] (OBC) by the [[National Commission for Backward Classes]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=1 October 2010 |title=NCBC Advice No.35/Delhi/2012 |url=https://ncbc.nic.in/Writereaddata/635367176167888209_Advice%20No35.pdf |access-date=8 November 2025 |website=[[National Commission for Backward Classes]]}}</ref> The term has been used to represent different sub-castes of the [[Kachhi (caste)|Kachhis]],<ref>{{Cite web |title=Peasants and Monks in British India |url=https://publishing.cdlib.org/ucpressebooks/view?docId=ft22900465&chunk.id=s1.3.14&toc.depth=1&toc.id=ch3&brand=eschol;query=kachhvaha#1 |access-date=3 October 2023 |website=publishing.cdlib.org |quote=Original Text from Peasants and Monks in British India "Kushvaha-kshatriya identity was espoused by agricultural communities well known throughout the Gangetic north for an expertise in small-scale vegetable and poppy cultivation. Prominent among them were Kachhi and Murao agriculturalists of central Uttar Pradesh, Kachhvahas of western Uttar Pradesh, and Koiris of Bihar and eastern Uttar Pradesh." |archive-date=4 October 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231004085146/https://publishing.cdlib.org/ucpressebooks/view?docId=ft22900465&chunk.id=s1.3.14&toc.depth=1&toc.id=ch3&brand=eschol;query=kachhvaha#1 |url-status=live }}</ref> [[Koeri]]s and [[Murao people|Murao]]s. At present, it is a broad community formed by coming together of several caste groups with similar occupational backgrounds and socio-economic status, who, over time, started inter-marrying among themselves and created all India caste network for caste solidarity. The communities which merged into this caste cluster include Kachhi, Kushwaha, [[Mali caste|Mali]], Marrar, [[Saini (surname)|Saini]], Sonkar, Murai, [[Shakya (surname)|Shakya]], [[Maurya (surname)|Maurya]], Koeri and Panara.<ref>{{cite book |last=Patel |first=Mahendra Lal |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=58G8PPAN48cC |title=Awareness in Weaker Section: Perspective Development and Prospects |publisher=M.D. Publications Pvt. Ltd. |year=1997 |isbn=8175330295 |page=37 |quote=Original Text from Book: The reclassification by identification as other backward classes has placed them in various disadvantageous situations, as political reservations are not permitted to OBC persons. A number of families belonging to these caste groups, namely, Kachhi, Kachhwaha, Kushwaha, Mali, Marrar, Saini, Sonkar, Murai, Shakya, Mourya, Koyri, Koeri, and Panara have come closer to each other and have started intermarrying. They have now developed an all-India network to ensure caste solidarity without jeopardizing the caste interests. |access-date=15 August 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230202201928/https://books.google.com/books?id=58G8PPAN48cC |archive-date=2 February 2023 |url-status=live }}</ref><br />
<br />
== Origin ==<br />
Before the 20th century CE, branches that form the Kushwaha community&nbsp;– the Kachhis, Koeris, and Muraos&nbsp;– favoured a connection with Shiva and Shakta.<ref name=Pinch1996pp91-92>{{cite book |title=Peasants and monks in British India |first=William R. |last=Pinch |publisher=University of California Press |year=1996 |isbn=978-0-520-20061-6 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=uEP-ceGYsnYC |pages=12, 91–92}}</ref> In the 20th century, the Kushwaha began to claim descent from the Suryavansh dynasty through Kusha, a son of the mythical [[Rama]], an [[avatar]] of [[Vishnu]]. In the 1920s, Ganga Prasad Gupta, a proponent of Kushwaha [[sanskritisation]], said Kushwaha families worshiped [[Hanuman]], who Pinch described as "the embodiment of true devotion to Ram and Sita", during [[Kartika (month)|Kartika]], a month in the [[Hindu calendar|Hindu lunar calendar]].<ref name=Pinch1996p98>{{cite book |title=Peasants and monks in British India |first=William R. |last=Pinch |publisher=University of California Press |year=1996 |isbn=978-0-520-20061-6 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=uEP-ceGYsnYC |page=98}}</ref><br />
<br />
== Distribution and socio-economic status==<br />
<br />
William Pinch notes a Kushwaha presence in [[Uttar Pradesh]] and [[Bihar]],<ref name=Pinch1996pp91-92 /> and they are also recorded in [[Haryana]].<ref name="ht"/> Outside India, they are found in [[Terai]], Nepal, where they have been officially recorded as ''Kushwaha'' and ''Koiri''.<ref>{{cite book |title=Social Inclusion of Ethnic Communities in Contemporary Nepal |pages=109–110 |first=Monika |last=Mandal |publisher=KW Publishers |year=2013 |isbn=978-93-81904-58-9 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=f0y6DQAAQBAJ&pg=PT108}}</ref> They also have significant presence among the [[Bihar]]i diaspora in Mauritius. The migration of Biharis to neighbouring countries became more pronounced in post-independence India. Small island nations like Mauritius have significant populations of people of Indian origin. The tradition and culture of Hindu migrants in countries like Mauritius is quite different from the Indian subcontinent, including ''[[Varna (Hinduism)|varna]]'' status and "social hierarchy", both of which terms have several variations in Mauritius ''vis a vis'' India. The traditional ruling elites like [[Rajput]]s and [[Brahmin]]s are politically and economically marginalised in Mauritius, whereas cultivating castes like Koeri, [[Ahir]], Kurmi, [[Kahar]], and others have improved their social and financial position.<ref name="Crispin">{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=_F7NCwAAQBAJ&q=koeri+in+Mauritius&pg=PA14|title=Community, Empire and Migration: South Asians in Diaspora|first=Crispin|last=Bates|publisher=Springer|page=14|year= 2016|isbn=978-0333977293|access-date=1 July 2020}}</ref> According to Crispin Bates:<br />
{{blockquote|The Vaish are the largest and most influential caste group on the island. Internally the group is divided into Koeri, Kurmi, Kahar, Ahir, Lohar and other jatis. In the past many admitted to Chamar status (as shown by historical records), but recently this seems to have become completely taboo. This group, now commonly known as 'Rajputs', will also sometimes describe themselves as 'Raviveds'. An explanation may lie in the rapid economic growth of the 1980s and 1990s, as well as the lack of positive discrimination measures of the sort seen in India.<ref name="Crispin"/> |author=|title=|source=}}<br />
<br />
The Kushwaha are often associated with the [[Kurmi]] caste, which have same socio-economic status in Bihar. Despite having some similarities, the Kushwaha and the Kurmi are different in many aspects. In the early 20th century, socio-economic ascendancy of the Kurmis led them to become landlords. Consequently, they were involved in the formation of a private army called the [[Bhumi Sena]], which perpetrated massacres of [[Dalit]]s and other atrocities. The Koeris have always led the battle of weaker sections of society against landlords.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://thewire.in/politics/bihar-nitish-kumar-upendra-kushwaha-rlsp-jdu-koiri-kurmi|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210411230235/https://thewire.in/politics/bihar-nitish-kumar-upendra-kushwaha-rlsp-jdu-koiri-kurmi|title=Bihar: What Nitish Kumar and JD(U) Hope To Achieve Through Upendra Kushwaha's Merger|website=The Wire|editor=Nalin Verma|access-date=11 April 2021|archive-date=11 April 2021}}</ref> In districts such as [[Aurangabad district, Bihar|Aurangabad]], Bihar, where the feudal system was prevalent, the Kushwaha along with [[Yadav]]s have successfully led the Dalits in their armed struggle against landlords.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.deccanherald.com/national/end-of-a-dynasty-in-chittorgarh-of-bihar-728009.html|title=End of a dynasty in 'Chittorgarh of Bihar'|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220612163248/https://www.deccanherald.com/national/end-of-a-dynasty-in-chittorgarh-of-bihar-728009.html|archive-date=12 June 2022 |website=[[Deccan Herald]]|date=10 April 2019 |access-date=12 June 2022}}</ref><br />
<br />
According to a report of the [[Institute of Human Development and Studies]], the Kushwaha with the ''per capita'' income of {{INR|18,811}} are among the highest-earning social groups of Bihar, much above the other important backward castes like Yadavs. They are placed below the upper castes in ''per capita'' earning.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/columns/bihar-elections-caste-obc-mandal-6929329/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210122091426/https://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/columns/bihar-elections-caste-obc-mandal-6929329/ |title=Lower castes in Bihar have got political power, not economic progress|editor1=[[Christophe Jaffrelot]]|editor2=Kalaiyarasan A|website=Indian Express|date=4 November 2020 |access-date=22 January 2021|archive-date=22 January 2021}}</ref> In regions like [[Samastipur]], Bihar, the Kushwaha are politically strong and are involved with criminality.<ref>{{cite book|title=Women Empowerment Through Panchayati Raj Institutions|first=Minni |last=Thakur|publisher=Concept Publishing Company|year= 2010|isbn=978-8180696800|page=31<br />
|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=0hbA4A--9HcC&pg=PA31|access-date=16 June 2020}}</ref> Author Tilak Das Gupta notes that Koeris of Bihar are known to be an educationally advanced community, along with castes like [[Kurmi|Awadhia Kurmi]] and [[Bania (caste)|Bania]], due to more spread of education among them in contrast with several other communities categorised as [[Other Backward Class]].<ref>{{cite journal|first=Tilak D.|last=Gupta.|title= "Yadav Ascendancy in Bihar Politics."|journal=Economic and Political Weekly| volume= 27|issue= 26|year=1992|pages=1304–06|jstor=4398537}}</ref> Amongst various subgroups constituting Kushwaha community, Koeris of Bihar were known to be owner of significant amount of land; they were employers of [[Schedule Caste]] labourers and after the land reform drive of North Indian states like Bihar, many new landlords of the post reform period also emerged from within them.<ref name=TF>{{cite book|title=Dalits, Subalternity and Social Change in India|year=2018|editor1 = Ajit K. Pandey|editor2=Ashok K. Pankaj|place=United Kingdom|publisher=Taylor & Francis|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=dHd0DwAAQBAJ&pg=PT21 |pages=21–23|isbn=9780429785184 }}</ref><ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ju2wEAAAQBAJ |title=Migration, Food Security and Development: Insights from Rural India|author=Chetan Choithani|publisher=[[Cambridge University Press]]|year=2023|<br />
isbn=978-1009276771|page=107|quote= Although the end of zamindari led to a mass eviction of sharecroppers and tenant cultivators who were the actual tillers of the land, big landlords from high castes also saw their landholdings diminish. A new class of landlords belonging to the upper-middle caste groups such as Kurmi, Koeri and Yadavs- officially categorised as other backward classes in contemporary Bihar - emerged. These were mostly small and middle peasants who were able to consolidate their landholdings and position in society in the midst of zamindari reforms (Wilson, 1999; Sharma, 2005).}}</ref> In [[Bihar]], many [[Koeri]]s, who now possess land, education and government jobs have become upwardly mobile and demonstrate [[Forward Castes|upper-caste]] characteristics.<ref>{{cite magazine |title=Who is Bihar ex-MP Anand Mohan and why Nitish Kumar govt got him freed from jail |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/anand-mohan-gets-freed-from-jail-nitish-kumar-rajput-vote-bank-bihar-rjd-bjp-politics-2364418-2023-04-25 |magazine=India Today |date=25 April 2023 |access-date=28 April 2023}}</ref><br />
<br />
===In Uttar Pradesh===<br />
In [[Uttar Pradesh]], the Kushwaha community comprise approximately 8.5% of the state's population. They are distributed across the state and are known as [[Maurya (Surname)|Maurya]], [[Murao people|Morao]], Shakya, Koeri, [[Kachhi (caste)|Kachhi]], and [[Saini (surname)|Saini]] in different parts of the state.<ref>{{cite news |last=Rashid |first=Omar |date=18 January 2022 |url=https://www.thehindu.com/elections/uttar-pradesh-assembly/keshav-the-rss-home-grown-maurya/article38287711.ece |title=The importance of being Keshav Prasad Maurya in BJP |work=[[The Hindu]] |access-date=16 February 2023 |archive-date=16 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230216172123/https://www.thehindu.com/elections/uttar-pradesh-assembly/keshav-the-rss-home-grown-maurya/article38287711.ece |url-status=live }}</ref> The community has sizeable presence in almost all of the nineteen assembly constituencies of Bundelkhand region of Uttar Pradesh, which consists seven districts— [[Jhansi district|Jhansi]], [[Hamirpur district, Uttar Pradesh|Hamirpur]], [[Chitrakoot district|Chitrakoot]], [[Jalaun district|Jalaun]], [[Banda district, India|Banda]], [[Mahoba district|Mahoba]] and [[Lalitpur district, India|Lalitpur]].<ref>{{cite news |last=Singh |first=Sanjay |date=20 December 2011 |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/lucknow/bsp-promotes-another-kushwaha-with-eye-on-bundelkhand-votebank/ |title=BSP promotes another Kushwaha with eye on Bundelkhand votebank |work=Indian express |access-date=25 August 2023 |archive-date=25 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230825200948/https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/lucknow/bsp-promotes-another-kushwaha-with-eye-on-bundelkhand-votebank/ |url-status=live }}</ref><br />
<br />
===Madhya Pradesh===<br />
The Kushwaha-Maurya community also have a sizeable presence in Indian state of [[Madhya Pradesh]]. They are found primarily in areas of the state bordering neighbouring state of Uttar Pradesh.<ref>{{cite news |title=Delhi confidential: Seeking Seats |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/delhi-confidential/delhi-confidential-seeking-seats-upendra-kushwaha-madhya-pradesh-elections-chhattisgarh-elections-5408353/ |access-date=4 October 2023 |work=The Indian Express |date=19 October 2018 |archive-date=6 October 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231006053547/https://indianexpress.com/article/delhi-confidential/delhi-confidential-seeking-seats-upendra-kushwaha-madhya-pradesh-elections-chhattisgarh-elections-5408353/ |url-status=live }}</ref><br />
<br />
In 2023, the regional caste organisation of the community in Madhya Pradesh demanded that at least twenty five candidates of the Kushwaha caste should contest the election in 230 membered [[Madhya Pradesh Legislative Assembly]]. The leaders of the organisation declared that they will support only that political party which will provide appropriate representation to them in the government. In the 2018-23 Madhya Pradesh Legislative Assembly, there were eight members of legislative assembly belonging to Kushwaha community. From the [[Bharatiya Janata Party]] which was in government, [[Bharat Singh Kushwah]] and Ram Kishor Kawre from the community were ministers in [[Government of Madhya Pradesh]]. There were two other legislators from the BJP in the Assembly. From the [[Indian National Congress]], there were four legislators in the Assembly, Baijnath Kushwah, [[Ajab Singh Kushwah]], [[Siddharth Sukhlal Kushwaha]], and [[Hina Kaware]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bhaskar.com/local/mp/bhopal/news/kushwaha-samaj-asked-for-25-tickets-if-not-received-candidates-will-be-fielded-on-50-seats-131203088.html|title=Kushwaha community asked for 25 tickets if not received candidate will be fielded on fifty seats|website=Dainik Bhaskar|accessdate=11 June 2024|archive-date=9 May 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240509144752/https://www.bhaskar.com/local/mp/bhopal/news/kushwaha-samaj-asked-for-25-tickets-if-not-received-candidates-will-be-fielded-on-50-seats-131203088.html|url-status=live}}</ref><br />
<br />
==Economy==<br />
<br />
According to Arun Sinha, the Koeris were known for their market gardening activities. Since [[Independence Day (India)|Indian independence]], the land reform movement made it difficult for the erstwhile upper-caste landlords to maintain their holdings. The growing pressure from left-wing militants backed by [[Communist Party of India (Marxist–Leninist) Liberation]] (CPI(ML)) and some local political parties; and the weakening of the [[Zamindar|Zamindari system]] made it difficult for them to survive in rural areas. The decades following independence were marked by the urbanisation of upper castes, who sold their unproductive holdings, which were mostly bought by the peasants of cultivating middle castes, who were affluent enough to purchase land. Some of the land was also bought from Muslim families who were migrating to [[Pakistan]]. The Koeris, [[Kurmi]]s, and [[Yadav]]s were the main buyers of these lands.<ref name="Sinha">{{cite book | last=Sinha | first=A. | title=Nitish Kumar and the Rise of Bihar|publisher=Viking | year=2011 | isbn=978-0-670-08459-3 | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=rT2xWp_iTCYC|pages=80–84 | access-date=7 April 2015}}</ref><br />
<br />
Because the peasant castes considered their land to be their most productive asset, they rarely sold it. The zeal of peasant castes to buy more and more land gradually changed their economic profile, and some of them became "neo-landlords". The peasants attempted to protect their new economic status from those below them, especially the Dalits, who were still mainly landless labourers. The peasants adopted many of the practices of their erstwhile landlords.<ref name="Sinha"/> The pattern of land reform in states like Bihar mainly benefitted the middle castes like the Koeris, and was also responsible for the imperfect mobilisation of backward castes in politics. The space created by Backward castes in electoral politics after 1967 was dominated mainly by these middle-peasant castes, who were the biggest beneficiary of the "politics of socialism", the proponents of which were people like [[Ram Manohar Lohia]].<ref name="Sanjay 55">{{cite book |last=Kumar|first=Sanjay |title=Post mandal politics in Bihar:Changing electoral patterns|publisher=SAGE publication|pages=55|isbn=978-93-528-0585-3|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=2zhODwAAQBAJ&q=jagdeo+prasad&pg=PA55|date=5 June 2018}}</ref> The unequitable political space at the disposal of other "Backward castes" and [[Scheduled Caste]]s was an implication of these land reforms&nbsp;– according to Varinder Grover:<br />
{{blockquote|The pattern of land reforms in Bihar is one of the main reason for imperfect mobilisation of backward castes into the politics. The abolition of all intermediaries had definitely helped the hard working castes like Kurmi, Koeris and Yadav. These small peasant proprietors worked very hard on their land and also drive their labourers hard, and any resistance by agricultural labourers gives rise to the mutual conflicts and atrocities on Harijans.<ref>{{cite book|chapter-url= https://books.google.com/books?id=M4yABACTXw4C&pg=PA780|title=Indian Political System: Trends and Challenges, Volume 10<br />
|isbn=8171008844|chapter=Political system and constitution of India|author=Verinder Grover|publisher=Deep and Deep Publications|year=1997|pages=780–781|access-date=2020-10-05}}</ref>}}<br />
<br />
The differences between upper backward castes and the extremely backward castes, and Dalits, due to unequal distribution of the benefits of land reforms, was a major challenge before the CPI(ML) in mobilisation of collective force of lower castes against the upper-caste landlords. The upper backward castes like Koeri were initially less attached to the CPI(ML) due to their economic progress, and the communists were only successful in mobilising them in regions [[Patna]], [[Bhojpuri region|Bhojpur]], [[Aurangabad district, Bihar|Aurangabad]], and [[Rohtas District|Rohtas]] district. These success were attributed to the widespread [[dacoity]] and oppressive attitude of the upper-caste landlords faced by these hardworking caste groups, which prompted them to join revolutionary organisations.<ref>{{cite book|chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=zA2rCwAAQBAJ&pg=PT178|title=Government of Peace: Social Governance, Security and the Problematic of Peace|chapter=Bihar 1990-2011|author=Ranabir Samaddar|date=3 March 2016|publisher=Routledge, 2016|isbn=978-1317125372|access-date=5 October 2020|page=178}}</ref><br />
<br />
==Political presence==<br />
<br />
The Kushwaha engaged in political action during these latter days of the Raj. Around 1933 and 1934,{{efn|The date of formation of the Triveni Sangh has been variously stated. Some sources have said it was the 1920s but Kumar notes recently discovered documentation that makes 1933 more likely,<ref>{{cite book |pages=43, 196 |title=Community Warriors: State, Peasants and Caste Armies in Bihar |first=Ashwani |last=Kumar |publisher=Anthem Press |year=2008 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=num2I4NFGqIC&pg=PA43 |isbn=978-1-84331-709-8}}</ref> whilst Jaffrelot has said 1934.<ref name="Jaffrelot197"/>}} the Koeris joined with the Kurmis and Yadavs to form the [[Triveni Sangh]], a caste federation that by 1936 claimed to have a million supporters. This coalition followed an alliance for the 1930 local elections, which performed poorly at the polls. The new grouping had little electoral success; it won a few seats in the [[1937 Indian provincial elections|1937 elections]] but was defeated by a two-pronged opposition that saw the rival [[Indian National Congress]] (Congress) attracting some of its wealthier leaders to a newly formed unit called the Backward Class Federation, and an effective opposition from upper castes organised to prevent upward mobility of the lower castes. Also, the three putatively allied castes were unable to reconcile their rivalries. The Triveni Sangh also faced competition from the [[All India Kisan Sabha]], a peasant-oriented socio-political campaigning group run by communists. The appeal of the Triveni Sangh had significantly waned by 1947<ref name="Jaffrelot197">{{cite book |title=India's silent revolution: the rise of the lower castes in North India |first=Christophe |last=Jaffrelot |edition=Reprinted |publisher=C. Hurst & Co. |year=2003 |isbn=978-1-85065-670-8 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=OAkW94DtUMAC |pages=197–198}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |page=44 |title=Community Warriors: State, Peasants and Caste Armies in Bihar |first=Ashwani |last=Kumar |publisher=Anthem Press |year=2008 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=num2I4NFGqIC&pg=PA44 |isbn=978-1-84331-709-8}}</ref> but had achieved a measure of success outside elections by exerting sufficient influence to bring an end to the [[Veth (India)|begar]] system of forced, unpaid labour; and by providing a platform for people seeking reservation of jobs in government for non-upper-caste people.<ref>{{cite book |page=36 |title=Community Warriors: State, Peasants and Caste Armies in Bihar |first=Ashwani |last=Kumar |publisher=Anthem Press |year=2008 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=num2I4NFGqIC&pg=PA36 |isbn=978-1-84331-709-8}}</ref> In 1965, there was an abortive attempt to revive the defunct federation.<ref>{{cite book |page=62 |title=Community Warriors: State, Peasants and Caste Armies in Bihar |first=Ashwani |last=Kumar |publisher=Anthem Press |year=2008 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=num2I4NFGqIC&pg=PA62 |isbn=978-1-84331-709-8}}</ref><br />
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The Kisan Sabha was dominated by peasant castes like the Koeri, Kurmi, and Yadav; historian [[Gyanendra Pandey (historian)|Gyan Pandey]] termed them mainly movements of the middle-peasant castes who organised against eviction with limited participation of other communities. The reality, however, was more complex. Dalit communities like the Chamars and Pasis, whose traditional occupations were leatherwork and toddy-tapping respectively, formed a significant portion of the landless peasantry and were significant in the Kisan Sabha, which also included members of the high castes such as Brahmins.<ref>{{cite book |title=Reconsidering Untouchability: Chamars and Dalit History in North India |first=Ramnarayan S. |last=Rawat |author-link=Ram Narayan Rawat |year=2011 |isbn=978-0-25322-262-6 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=bz5dKC81O3IC&pg=PA12 |publisher=Indiana University Press |pages=12–15}}</ref> The Koeris also had a significant presence in the 1960s [[Naxalite–Maoist insurgency|Naxalite movement]] in rural Bihar, particularly in [[Bhojpuri region|Bhojpur]] and nearby areas like [[Arrah]], where an economic system dominated by upper-caste landlords was still in place.<ref>{{cite news|first=Suroor|last=Ahmed|date=31 October 2018|url=https://www.nationalheraldindia.com/politics/bihar-seat-sharing-amit-shah-had-no-time-to-meet-kushwaha-rlsp-leaders-upset|title=Bihar-seat-sharing-amit-shah-had-no-time-to-meet-kushwaha-rlsp-leaders-upset|work=[[National Herald]]|access-date=3 August 2020|archive-date=17 July 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200717023147/https://www.nationalheraldindia.com/politics/bihar-seat-sharing-amit-shah-had-no-time-to-meet-kushwaha-rlsp-leaders-upset|url-status=live}}</ref> Here, the communist upsurge against the prevalent feudal system was led by [[Jagdish Mahto]], a Koeri teacher who had read [[B. R. Ambedkar|Ambedkar]] and [[Marx]], and was sympathetic to the cause of Dalits.<ref name="Santosh"/><br />
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Mahto organised his militia under the banner [[Communist Party of India (Marxist–Leninist) Liberation|Communist Party of India (Marxist–Leninist)]] (CPI(ML)), which murdered many upper-caste landlords in the region. These violent clashes demarcated the boundaries between Koeris and [[Bhumihar]]s in the [[Ekwaari]].<ref name="Santosh">{{cite book|title = Reinventing Revolution: New Social Movements and the Socialist Tradition in India|first=Gail|last= Omvedt|publisher=M.E.Sharpe |page=59|year=1993|isbn=0765631768|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Wlxb0uacnRcC&q=Reinventing+Revolution:+New+So/jagdish+mahto&pg=PA59|access-date=16 June 2020}}^ Its first mass leader was Jagdish Mahto, a Koeri teacher who had read Ambedkar before he discovered Marx and started a paper in the town of Arrah called Harijanistan ("dalit land").</ref><ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=SVu8CgAAQBAJ&q=on+February+17+1967+jagdish+went+to+the+polling+booth+to+caste+his+vote&pg=PT142|title=Ruled or Misruled: Story and Destiny of Bihar|first=Santosh|last= Singh|publisher= Bloomsbury Publishing|year= 2015|isbn=978-9385436420|access-date=19 July 2020}}</ref> For much of the 20th century, the Koeri were generally less effective and less involved in politics than the Kurmis and Yadavs, who broadly shared their socio-economic position in Hindu society. The latter two groups were more vociferous in their actions, including involvement in caste rioting, whilst the Koeris had only a brief prominence during the rise of [[Jagdeo Prasad]]. This muted position dramatically changed in the 1990s when the rise to power of [[Lalu Prasad]] in Bihar caused an assertion of Yadav-centric policies that demanded a loud reaction.<ref name="Ashwini">{{cite book |pages=34–37 |title=Community Warriors: State, Peasants and Caste Armies in Bihar |first=Ashwani |last=Kumar |publisher=Anthem Press |year=2008 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=num2I4NFGqIC&pg=PA36 |isbn=978-1-84331-709-8}}</ref><br />
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Earlier, the Koeris were given fair representation in the state governments of [[Lalu Prasad Yadav]] and [[Rabri Devi]]. The Backward politics of Lalu Prasad Yadav resulted in rise to political prominence of numerous Backward castes, among which the Koeri were prominent.<ref name="Ashwini"/> In this period, caste remained the most-effective tool of political mobilisation; some leaders who were theoretically opposed to caste-based politics also appealed to caste loyalties to secure their victory. The Rabri Devi government appointed ten Koeris as ministers in her cabinet, which was sought by many community leaders as a fair representation of the caste.<ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=5-CavJF-EVEC&q=rabri+devi+government+had+10+koeri+minister&pg=PA166|title=Towards a New Era: Economic, Social and Political Reforms|first=M. L.|last= Sondhi|publisher=Har-Anand Publications|year= 2001|isbn=8124108005|access-date=19 July 2020}}</ref> The portrayal of Lalu Prasad Yadav as a "Messiah of Backward castes" lost traction when the Yadav ascendancy in politics led other aspirational Backward castes to move away from his party. During the 1990s, [[Nitish Kumar]], who was projected as the leader of Kurmi and Koeri communities, formed the [[Samta Party]], leading to the isolation of Koeri-Kurmi community from Yadavs and Laloo Prasad.<ref name="Ashwini"/><ref name="Thakur">{{cite book|title=City, Society, and Planning: Society|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=odCJoIaDqZ0C&q=koeri+bihar+politics&pg=PA400|first=Baleshwar|last=Thakur|location =University of Akron. Department of Geography & Planning, Association of American Geographers|publisher=Concept Publishing Company|pages=393–400|year=2007|<br />
isbn=978-8180694608|access-date=16 June 2020}} Samta with its leader Nitish is considered to be the party of Koeri-Kurmi, the [[Bihar People's Party]] led by [[Anand Mohan]] is perceived to have sympathy and support of Rajputs.</ref><br />
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In the decades following independence, a complete shift of power from upper castes to the "upper Backward castes"; a term coined to describe the Koeri, Yadav, Kurmi, and [[Bania (caste)|Bania]] in Bihar. The transfer of power also occurred at the local level of governance. The upper caste were first to acquire education and initially benefitted from it but with the expansion in electoral franchise and growth of the "party system", they lost support to upper Backward communities. Nepotism and patronage for fellow caste members in government, which had previously been an upper-caste phenomenon, was now available to the upper Backward communities. This phenomenon continued in the 1970s with the premiership of [[Karpoori Thakur]], who had provided 12% reservation to lower Backward castes and 8% to upper Backward castes, in which the Koeri were included. The peak of this patronage was reached during the tenure of Laloo Yadav.<ref name="Thakur"/><br />
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From 1990 onwards, the solidarity of Backward castes was severely weakened due to division among the Koeri-Kurmi community and Yadavs, whose voting patterns were contrasted. When the Samta Party allied with the [[Bhartiya Janata Party]] (BJP), Koeris voted for this alliance and in the 1996 Lok Sabha elections, the BJP fared well, mostly due to the support of Koeri and Kurmis. The division among Backwards castes also cost their representation in the assemblies. The profile of the Bihar legislative assembly rapidly changed since 1967; until 1995 or 1996, the representation of upper castes was reduced to around 17% but the division among Backwards castes served as a hope to the upper castes to at least increase their representation. The success of the BJP-Samta coalition also consolidated the Koeris and the Kurmis, who merged as a political force in 1996 elections.<ref>{{cite book|title=Caste and Democratic Politics in India|first=Ghanshyam|last=Shah|publisher=Orient Blackswan|year=2004|isbn=8178240955|pages=346, 350–354<br />
|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Aou17T8KaEEC&q=caste+and+bihar+politics&pg=PA346|access-date=18 June 2020}}</ref><br />
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Since 1996, Koeris voted ''en masse'' for the [[Janata Dal (United)]] (JD (U))-BJP coalition. The caste-based polarisation in Bihar and other states moved the dominant Backwards castes away from the [[Rashtriya Janata Dal]] and distributed their votes to other political parties. Koeris, who were one of the most-populous caste groups, were shifted first towards the JD (U)-BJP coalition. After the expulsion of [[Upendra Kushwaha]] from the JD (U) and the formation of the [[Rashtriya Lok Samata Party]], their votes were distributed amongst the JD (U) and the new social coalition of the BJP with the [[Lok Janshakti Party]] and the [[Rashtriya Lok Samata Party]].<ref>{{cite book|chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ONcNDgAAQBAJ&pg=PT158|title=Electoral Politics in India: The Resurgence of the Bharatiya Janata Party|chapter=7. The eastern gift, BJP's 2014 victory in Bihar|author1=Suhas Palshikar|author2=Sanjay Kumar|author3=Sanjay Lodha|publisher=Taylor & Francis|year=2017|isbn =978-1351996914|access-date=3 October 2020}}</ref> In the 2015 [[Bihar Legislative Assembly]] election, Janata Dal (United) allied with its rival [[Rashtriya Janata Dal]] due to differences with the BJP. Due to the social composition of these parties and the core-voter base, this coalition drew immense support from the Yadav, Kurmi, and Kushwaha castes, which rarely voted together after the 1990s. Consequently, the coalition emerged with a massive victory and the number of legislators from these agrarian castes grew compared to previous elections.<ref>{{cite news|last=Eshwar|date=30 October 2020|url=https://www.thequint.com/videos/news-videos/bihar-caste-politics-data-analysis-nitish-kumar-advantage-nda-bjp-jdu-mahagathbandhan-rjd-return-as-cm#read-more|title=Which Caste Holds Key to Nitish's Return as CM? Here's the Data|work=[[The Quint]]|access-date=24 November 2020|archive-date=24 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201124202848/https://www.thequint.com/videos/news-videos/bihar-caste-politics-data-analysis-nitish-kumar-advantage-nda-bjp-jdu-mahagathbandhan-rjd-return-as-cm#read-more|url-status=live}}</ref> The coalition was later dissolved and in the 2020 Assembly election, the disunity among the three castes and split of votes led to huge decline in the number of Kushwaha legislators.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/elections/assembly-elections/bihar/one-in-every-four-members-in-new-bihar-assembly-will-be-from-upper-caste/articleshow/79214031.cms|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210129214537/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/elections/assembly-elections/bihar/one-in-every-four-members-in-new-bihar-assembly-will-be-from-upper-caste/articleshow/79214031.cms?from=mdr |title=One in every four new Bihar assembly members is from upper castes|website=[[Times of India]]| date=17 November 2020 |access-date=24 November 2020|archive-date=29 January 2021}}</ref><br />
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Though generally considered as supporters of Janata Dal (United) in Bihar, the Kushwaha community in some of the [[Leftism|left]]-dominated assembly constituencies like [[Ziradei Assembly constituency|Ziradel]] and [[Bibhutipur Assembly constituency|Bibhutipur]] are also core supporters of communist parties— [[Communist Party of India (Marxist)]] and [[Communist Party of India (Marxist-Leninist) Liberation]]; mainly because of the creation of rooted leaders like [[Ramdeo Verma]] and [[Amarjeet Kushwaha]] from the community by these parties.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Pandey |first1=Rajan |last2=Kumar |first2=Sajjan |date=9 October 2020 |title=How a Reinvented Left Is Gaining Electoral Significance in Poll-Bound Bihar |url=https://thewire.in/politics/left-parties-bihar-elections-rjd |work=The Wire |access-date=30 April 2024 |archive-date=18 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230218183009/https://thewire.in/politics/left-parties-bihar-elections-rjd |url-status=live }}</ref><br />
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According to author and political analyst [[Prem Kumar Mani]], Kushwahas are more acceptable to other caste groups specially the Extremely Backward Castes in Bihar, when it comes to assuming the political leadership of latter. Mani points towards existence of cordial relationship of Kushwahas with the other caste groups in Bihar's villages, where guests of all rural communities are sent to ''Mahto Ji ka Dalan'' (a rural living room owned by Kushwahas in popular village culture) to spend the night. As a political bloc, Kushwahas decides the results of elections in at least 63 [[Bihar Legislative Assembly|assembly seats]] and in half a dozen [[Lok Sabha]] seats like [[Arrah Lok Sabha constituency|Ara]], [[Khagaria Lok Sabha constituency|Khagaria]], [[Karakat Lok Sabha constituency|Karakat]], [[Ujiarpur Lok Sabha constituency|Ujiyarpur]] and [[Sasaram Lok Sabha constituency|Sasaram]].<ref>{{cite news |last1=Mishra |first1=Dipak |date=2 April 2023 |title=Part of Nitish's core 'Luv-Kush' votebank & on BJP radar — why Kushwahas are sought after in Bihar politics |url=https://theprint.in/politics/part-of-nitishs-core-luv-kush-votebank-on-bjp-radar-why-kushwahas-are-sought-after-in-bihar-politics/1490546/ |work=ThePrint |access-date=30 April 2024 |archive-date=9 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230409054839/https://theprint.in/politics/part-of-nitishs-core-luv-kush-votebank-on-bjp-radar-why-kushwahas-are-sought-after-in-bihar-politics/1490546/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Singh |first1=Santosh |date=14 May 2024 |title=Nitish Kumar's core voter base for decades, why Kushwaha support for NDA is wavering |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/political-pulse/upendra-kushwaha-support-nda-nitish-kumar-core-voter-decades-9324668/ |work=The Indian Express |access-date=15 May 2024}}</ref><br />
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In [[Khagaria Lok Sabha constituency]], a total of five parliamentarians from the community has been elected since 1957, which is second only to Yadav parliamentarians. The Koeri parliamentarians elected from this constituency are [[Kameshwar Prasad Singh]], [[Chandra Shekhar Prasad Verma]], [[Satish Prasad Singh]], [[Shakuni Choudhary]] and [[Renu Kushwaha]].<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bhaskar.com/local/bihar/khagaria/news/dominance-of-yadav-and-kushwaha-in-khagaria-lok-sabha-bihar-bhaskar-latet-news-132739550.html |title=Dominance of Yadavs and Kushwahas in Khagaria Lok sabha constituency |work=Dainik Bhaskar |language=hi |access-date=30 April 2024 |archive-date=3 April 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240403134758/https://www.bhaskar.com/local/bihar/khagaria/news/dominance-of-yadav-and-kushwaha-in-khagaria-lok-sabha-bihar-bhaskar-latet-news-132739550.html |url-status=live }}</ref> In [[Arrah Lok Sabha constituency]] from 1951 to 2004 only Koeri and Yadav parliamentarians were elected. The Koeri parliamentarians included [[Chandradeo Prasad Verma]], [[Haridwar Prasad Singh]] and [[Ram Prasad Kushwaha]].<ref>{{cite news |last=Ojha |first=Malay |date=12 September 2023 |url=https://www.livehindustan.com/bihar/story-ara-lok-sabha-seat-equation-caste-vote-share-election-history-latest-update-bjp-rk-singh-nda-rjd-mgb-8700595.html |title=Arrah Lok Sabha constituency, will BJP become victorious? |work=Hindustan |access-date=18 October 2023 |archive-date=15 October 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231015004126/https://www.livehindustan.com/bihar/story-ara-lok-sabha-seat-equation-caste-vote-share-election-history-latest-update-bjp-rk-singh-nda-rjd-mgb-8700595.html |url-status=live}}</ref><br />
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In Uttar Pradesh, Kushwaha-[[Maurya (surname)|Maurya]] community had been traditional supporters of [[Bahujan Samaj Party]], with [[Mayawati]] promoting community leaders like [[Babu Singh Kushwaha]] and [[Swami Prasad Maurya]]. Maurya was even appointed as National General Secretary of the BSP, in order to placate Kushwahas.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Singh |first1=Ramendra |date=27 April 2016 |title=Uttar Pradesh: Wary BSP works to ward off OBC vote claimants |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/lucknow/mayawati-keshav-prasad-maurya-uttar-pradesh-wary-bsp-works-to-ward-off-obc-vote-claimants-2771805/ |work=The Indian Express |access-date=30 April 2024}}</ref> Previously, Bahujan Samaj Party founder, [[Kanshi Ram]] also gave significant role to community in Uttar Pradesh's caste based politics.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Singh |first1=Ramendra |date=20 April 2016 |title=Uttar Pradesh: As a Maya minister cast(e)s net to unite OBCs, BSP wary |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/lucknow/uttar-pradesh-as-a-maya-minister-castes-net-to-unite-obcs-bsp-wary/ |work=The Indian Express |access-date=30 April 2024}}</ref> In Uttar Pradesh, community is known by various terms like Maurya, Kushwaha, [[Shakya (surname)|Shakya]] and [[Saini (surname)|Saini]].<ref>{{cite news |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/india/latest-news/eye-on-obcs-mayawati-appoints-maurya-as-bsps-national-gen-secy/ |title=Eye on OBCs, Mayawati appoints Maurya as BSP's national gen secy |work=Indian express |date=4 August 2012 |access-date=24 August 2023 |archive-date=24 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230724142339/https://indianexpress.com/article/india/latest-news/eye-on-obcs-mayawati-appoints-maurya-as-bsps-national-gen-secy/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Off late, Bharatiya Janata Party also started promoting leaders of the community; it raised [[Keshav Prasad Maurya]] to the post of Deputy Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh and projected him as the representative of Kushwaha and its subgroups, the Kachhi-Shakya-Maurya-Saini-[[Mali caste|Mali]] block.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Yadav |first1=Shyamal |date=26 March 2022 |title=Newsmaker: Reluctant to disturb UP OBC poll calculus, BJP retains Keshav Maurya as Deputy CM |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/political-pulse/yogis-deputies-reluctant-to-disturb-obc-poll-calculus-bjp-retains-maurya-7836791/ |work=The Indian Express |access-date=30 April 2024 |archive-date=16 October 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231016081602/https://indianexpress.com/article/political-pulse/yogis-deputies-reluctant-to-disturb-obc-poll-calculus-bjp-retains-maurya-7836791/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Besides these political parties, smaller parties like [[Mahan Dal]] led by Keshav Dev Maurya also claims to represent Kushwaha and its subgroups in state.<ref>{{cite book|title=Sensex Of Regional Parties: Sensex Of Regional Parties |author=Aaku Srivastava|year=2022|publisher =Prabhat Prakashan Pvt. Limited.}}</ref><br />
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==Culture and beliefs==<br />
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The central Bihar Backward castes like Koeri are numerically and politically powerful, and reject the traditional ''[[Jajmani|Jajmani system]]'', which relies upon the Brahmanical notion of purity and pollution.<ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=pviHAwAAQBAJ&pg=PR18|title=Caste in Question: Identity Or Hierarchy?|author=Dipankar Gupta|publisher=SAGE Publications India|year=2004|isbn=8132103459|access-date=9 October 2020}}</ref> The Backward caste groups in this region do not use the services of Brahmin priests to perform their rituals; most Koeri households employ a Koeri priest to perform their rituals, and their services are also used by other Backward castes like the Yadav. Koeri priests are different from Brahmin priests in their approval of widow remarriage. They also promote non-vegetarianism and do not grow ''tuft'' like Brahmins. Koeri priests also disapprove of the ''tika''&nbsp;– a liquid form of sandalwood on the head&nbsp;– which is made by the Brahmin priests.<ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=IHWKDwAAQBAJ&pg=PA97|title=Understanding Social Dynamics in South Asia: Essays in Memory of Ramkrishna Mukherjee|author1=Partha Nath Mukherji|author2= N. Jayaram|author3=Bhola Nath Ghosh|publisher=Springer|year=2019|page=97|isbn=978-9811303876|access-date=7 October 2020}}</ref><br />
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In recent times (21st century), Kushwahas of Bihar and Uttar Pradesh have started associating themselves with the [[Mauryan dynasty]]. The members of caste claim that they are direct descendant of the third century B.C ruler [[Chandragupta Maurya]] and his grandson [[Ashoka]].<ref>{{cite news |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/patna/nitish-kumar-delhi-amit-shah-bihar-8527321/ |title=Someone from Delhi will come, try to mislead you…': Nitish takes veiled dig at Shah ahead of Bihar visit |work=Indian Express |agency=PTI |date=30 March 2023 |access-date=26 August 2023 |archive-date=26 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230826192307/https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/patna/nitish-kumar-delhi-amit-shah-bihar-8527321/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/political-pulse/amit-shah-bihar-nitish-kumar-ashoka-8530801/ |title=Amit Shah coming to Bihar, Nitish invokes the new king among castes Emperor Ashoka |work=Indian Express |date=31 March 2023 |access-date=26 August 2023 |archive-date=16 October 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231016091919/https://indianexpress.com/article/political-pulse/amit-shah-bihar-nitish-kumar-ashoka-8530801/ |url-status=live }}</ref><br />
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== Classification ==<br />
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===Disputed varna status===<br />
<br />
The Kushwaha were traditionally a peasant community and hence perceived to be of the [[Shudra]] [[Varna (Hinduism)|varna]].<ref>{{cite book |title=Peasants and monks in British India |first=William R. |last=Pinch |publisher=University of California Press |year=1996 |isbn=978-0-520-20061-6 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=uEP-ceGYsnYC |page=81}}</ref> Pinch described them as "skilled agriculturalists".<ref name=Pinch1996p92>{{cite book |title=Peasants and monks in British India |first=William R. |last=Pinch |publisher=University of California Press |year=1996 |isbn=978-0-520-20061-6 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=uEP-ceGYsnYC |page=92}}</ref> This traditional perception of Shudra status was increasingly challenged during the late decades of [[British Raj]] rule, although some castes had made claims of a higher status well before the British administration instituted its first census.{{efn|William Pinch records; "...&nbsp;a popular concern with status predated the rise of an imperial census apparatus and the colonial obsession with caste.&nbsp;... [C]laims to personal and community dignity appeared to be part of a longer discourse that did not require European political and administrative structures."<ref>{{cite book |title=Peasants and monks in British India |first=William R. |last=Pinch |publisher=University of California Press |year=1996 |isbn=978-0-520-20061-6 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=uEP-ceGYsnYC |page=88}}</ref>}} The [[Kurmi]] community of cultivators, described by [[Christophe Jaffrelot]] as "middle caste peasants", led this search for greater respectability.<ref name="Jaffrelot197"/> According to Pinch; "The concern with personal dignity, community identity, and caste status reached a peak among Kurmi, Yadav, and Kushvaha peasants in the first four decades of the twentieth century".<ref name=Pinch1996p83>{{cite book |title=Peasants and monks in British India |first=William R. |last=Pinch |publisher=University of California Press |year=1996 |isbn=978-0-520-20061-6 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=uEP-ceGYsnYC |pages=83–84}}</ref><br />
<br />
===Identification as Kushwaha Kshatriya===<br />
From around 1910, the Kachhis and the Koeris, both of whom had close links with the British for much of the preceding century due to their favoured role in the cultivation of the [[opium poppy]], began to identify themselves as Kushwaha [[Kshatriya]].<ref>{{cite book |title=Peasants and monks in British India |first=William R. |last=Pinch |publisher=University of California Press |year=1996 |isbn=978-0-520-20061-6 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=uEP-ceGYsnYC |page=90}}</ref> An organisation claiming to represent those two groups and the Muraos petitioned for official recognition as one of the Kshatriya varna in 1928.<ref name="Jaffrelot199" /> This action by the [[All India Kushwaha Kshatriya Mahasabha]] (AIKKM) reflected the general trend for social uplift by communities that had traditionally been classified as Shudra. The process, which [[M. N. Srinivas]] called [[sanskritisation]],<ref>{{cite journal|last=Charsley |first=S. |s2cid=143948468 |year=1998 |title=Sanskritization: The Career of an Anthropological Theory |journal=Contributions to Indian Sociology |volume=32 |issue=2 |page=527 |doi=10.1177/006996679803200216 }}</ref> was a feature of late nineteenth- and early-twentieth-century caste politics.<ref name="Jaffrelot199">{{cite book |title=India's silent revolution: the rise of the lower castes in North India |first=Christophe |last=Jaffrelot |edition=Reprinted |publisher=C. Hurst & Co. |year=2003 |isbn=978-1-85065-670-8 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=OAkW94DtUMAC |page=199}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |title=History of anthropological thought |first1=Vijay S. |last1=Upadhyay |first2=Gaya |last2=Pandey |publisher=Concept Publishing Company |year=1993 |isbn=978-81-7022-492-1 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=SNw5zVN1V0oC |page=436}}</ref><br />
<br />
AIKKM's position was based on the concept of [[Vaishnavism]], which promotes the worship and claims of descent from Rama or Krishna to assume the trappings of Kshatriya symbolism and thus permit the wearing of the [[sacred thread]], even though the physical labour inherent in their cultivator occupation defined them as Shudra. The movement caused the Kushwaha to abandon their claim of descent from Shiva in favour of the alternative myth of their descent from Rama.<ref>{{cite book |title=Daughters of the earth: women and land in Uttar Pradesh |first=Smita Tewari |last=Jassal |publisher=Technical Publications |year=2001 |isbn=978-81-7304-375-8 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=T6gnJmoLRZQC |pages=51–53}}</ref> In 1921, Ganga Prasad Gupta, a proponent of Kushwaha sanskritisation, published a book offering proof of the Kshatriya status of the Koeri, Kachhi, Murao, and Kushwaha.<ref name=Pinch1996p92 /><ref>{{cite book |title=Fascinating Hindutva: saffron politics and Dalit mobilisation |first=Badri |last=Narayan |publisher=SAGE |year=2009 |isbn=978-81-7829-906-8 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=8bJ_rhfu6yUC |page=25}}</ref> His reconstructed history said the Kushwaha were Hindu descendants of Kush, and that in the twelfth century, they served Raja [[Jayachandra]] in a military capacity during the Muslim consolidation of the [[Delhi Sultanate]]. Subsequent persecution by the victorious Muslims caused the Kushwaha to disperse and disguise their identity, forgoing the sacred thread, and thus becoming degraded and taking on localised community names.<ref name=Pinch1996p92 /> Gupta's attempt to prove Kshatriya status, in common with similar attempts by others to establish histories of various castes, was spread via the caste associations, which [[Dipankar Gupta]] wrote provided a link between the "urban, politically literate elite" members of a caste and the "less literate villagers".<ref>{{cite book |title=Caste in question: identity or hierarchy? |first=Dipankar |last=Gupta |publisher=SAGE |year=2004 |page=199 |isbn=978-0-7619-3324-3 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=bgpEIb4tNjgC}}</ref> Some communities, such as the Muraos in [[Ayodhya]], also constructed temples in support of these claims.<ref name=Pinch1996p98 /><br />
<br />
Some Kushwaha reformers also said, in a similar vein to Kurmi reformer Devi Prasad Sinha Chaudhari, that since [[Rajput]]s, [[Bhumihar]]s, and Brahmins worked the fields in some areas, there was no rational basis for assertions such labour marked a community as being of the Shudra varna.<ref>{{cite book |title=Peasants and monks in British India |first=William R. |last=Pinch |publisher=University of California Press |year=1996 |isbn=978-0-520-20061-6 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=uEP-ceGYsnYC |page=110}}</ref> William Pinch described the growth of militancy among agricultural castes in the wake of their claims to Kshatriya status. Castes like Koeris, Kurmis, and Yadavs asserted their Kshatriya status verbally and by joining the [[British Indian Army]] as soldiers in large numbers. The growing militancy among the castes led rural Bihar to become an arena of conflict in which numerous caste-based militias surfaced and atrocities against Dalits became normalised. The militias founded during this period were named after folk figures or popular personalities who were revered by the whole community.<ref>{{cite book |title=Rebels From the Mud Houses: Dalits and the Making of the Maoist Revolution... |page=209,210 |first=George |last=kunnath|publisher=Taylor and Francis group |location=New york |year=2018 |isbn=978-1-138-09955-5|url= https://books.google.com/books?id=JkcrDwAAQBAJ&pg=PA209|access-date=29 May 2020}}</ref><br />
<br />
===Classification as Backward Caste===<br />
{{See also|Other Backward Class}}<br />
<br />
Kushwahas are classified as an [[Other Backward Caste]] (OBC) in some states of India. In 2013, the Haryana government added the Kushwaha, Koeri, and Maurya castes to the list of Backward classes.<ref name="ht">{{cite news |url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/three-castes-included-in-backward-classes-list/article1-1147408.aspx |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140415174249/http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/three-castes-included-in-backward-classes-list/article1-1147408.aspx |url-status=dead |archive-date=15 April 2014 |work=Hindustan Times |title=Three castes included in backward classes list |date=5 November 2013 |access-date=14 April 2014}}</ref> In Bihar they are categorised as OBC.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.scbc.bih.nic.in/ObcList.htm|title=Central list of backward castes (Bihar)|website=scbc.bih.nic|access-date=12 August 2020|archive-date=3 November 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191103135501/http://scbc.bih.nic.in/ObcList.htm|url-status=dead}}</ref> Sub-castes of Kushwaha community, such as the Kachhi, [[Shakya]], and Koeri, are also categorised as OBC in [[Uttar Pradesh]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ncbc.nic.in/user_panel/GazetteResolution.aspx?Value=mPICjsL1aLvxbegUDuc3MN4eB5E3Ecc1drRPAf1qXQ%2bl0IqIfhjN1xHrf4i2h5g0|title=Central list of OBC (Uttar Pradesh)|website=ncbc.nic.in|access-date=12 August 2020|archive-date=20 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201020162131/http://www.ncbc.nic.in/User_Panel/GazetteResolution.aspx?Value=mPICjsL1aLvxbegUDuc3MN4eB5E3Ecc1drRPAf1qXQ%2Bl0IqIfhjN1xHrf4i2h5g0|url-status=live}}</ref><br />
<br />
==See also==<br />
*[[Kushwaha (surname)]]<br />
*[[Mahto]]<br />
<br />
== References ==<br />
'''Notes'''<br />
{{notelist}}<br />
<br />
'''Citations'''<br />
{{reflist|colwidth=30em}}<br />
<br />
==Further reading==<br />
*{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=A1qXDQAAQBAJ&q=rabri+devi+government+had+10+koeri+minister|title= Social Movements and the State in India: Deepening Democracy?|first=Kenneth Bo Nielsen|last= Alf Gunvald Nilsen|date= 23 November 2016|publisher=Springer|pages=2016|isbn= 978-1137591333|access-date=19 July 2020}}<br />
*{{cite book|title=From popular movement to rebellion:The Naxalite dacade|page= 317,318|first=Ranbir|last=Samaddar|publisher=Routledge|location =New york|year=2019|isbn= 978-0-367-13466-2 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=BjZ7DwAAQBAJ&q=jagdish+prasad+mahto+naxal&pg=PT317|access-date=30 May 2020}}<br />
<br />
[[Category:Agricultural castes]]<br />
[[Category:Social groups of Bihar]]<br />
[[Category:Social groups of Uttar Pradesh]]<br />
[[Category:Social groups of Madhya Pradesh]]<br />
[[Category:Social groups of Jharkhand]]<br />
[[Category:Social groups of Rajasthan]]<br />
[[Category:Hindu communities]]<br />
[[Category:Indian castes]]</div>BellaCHhttps://en.bharatpedia.org/w/index.php?title=68th_Filmfare_Awards&diff=55114268th Filmfare Awards2026-06-17T14:16:43Z<p>BellaCH: </p>
<hr />
<div>{{Short description|2023 awards for Hindi cinema}} {{Use dmy dates|date=April 2023}}<br />
<br />
{{Use Indian English|date=April 2023}}<br />
<br />
{{Infobox film awards|number=68|award=Filmfare Awards|image=68th Filmfare Award logo.png|image_size=|caption=|presented_date=27 April 2023|site=Jio World Centre, [[Mumbai]]|host=[[Salman Khan]],<br>[[Ayushmann Khurana]]<br>[[Maniesh Paul]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news/68th-filmfare-awards-2023-salman-khan-announces-he-will-be-hosting-this-years-ceremony-on-april-27/articleshow/99275222.cms|title=68th Filmfare Awards 2023: Salman Khan to host this year's ceremony on April 27|work=The Times of India|location=India|date=2023-04-05|access-date=2023-04-24|archive-date=28 April 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230428211919/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news/68th-filmfare-awards-2023-salman-khan-announces-he-will-be-hosting-this-years-ceremony-on-april-27/articleshow/99275222.cms|url-status=live}}</ref>|organizer=[[The Times Group]]|website={{URL|https://www.filmfare.com/awards/filmfare-awards-2023/|Filmfare Awards 2023}}|best_film=''[[Gangubai Kathiawadi]]''|most_wins=''Gangubai Kathiawadi'' (11)|most_nominations=''Gangubai Kathiawadi'' (17)|best_director=[[Sanjay Leela Bhansali]] for ''Gangubai Kathiawadi''|best_actor=[[Rajkummar Rao]] for ''[[Badhaai Do]]''|best_actress=[[Alia Bhatt]] for ''Gangubai Kathiawadi''|best_critic=''Badhaai Do''|network=[[Colors TV]]|last=67th|next=69th}}<br />
<br />
The '''68th Filmfare Awards''' was a ceremony, presented by [[The Times Group]], honored the best Indian [[Hindi cinema|Hindi-language films]] of [[List of Hindi films of 2022|2022]].<br />
<br />
''[[Gangubai Kathiawadi]]'' led the ceremony with 17 nominations, and won a leading 11 awards, including [[Filmfare Award for Best Film|Best Film]], [[Filmfare Award for Best Director|Best Director]] (for [[Sanjay Leela Bhansali]]) and [[Filmfare Award for Best Actress|Best Actress]] (for [[Alia Bhatt]]).<br />
<br />
''[[Badhaai Do]]'' won 6 awards, including [[Filmfare Critics Award for Best Film|Best Film (Critics)]], [[Filmfare Award for Best Actor|Best Actor]] (for [[Rajkummar Rao]]), [[Filmfare Critics Award for Best Actress|Best Actress (Critics)]] (for [[Bhumi Pednekar]]) and [[Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actress|Best Supporting Actress]] (for [[Sheeba Chaddha]]), and ''[[Brahmāstra: Part One – Shiva]]'' won 5 awards, including [[Filmfare Award for Best Music Director|Best Music Director]] (for [[Pritam]]), [[Filmfare Award for Best Lyricist|Best Lyricist]] (for [[Amitabh Bhattacharya]]) and [[Filmfare Award for Best Male Playback Singer|Best Male Playback Singer]] (for [[Arijit Singh]]), the latter two for the song "[[Kesariya (song)|Kesariya]]".<ref name="ff23win">{{cite news|title=Winners of the 68th Hyundai Filmfare Awards 2023|url=https://www.filmfare.com/awards/filmfare-awards-2023/winners|date=28 April 2023|work=Filmfare|access-date=28 April 2023|archive-date=27 April 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230427192148/https://www.filmfare.com/awards/filmfare-awards-2023/winners|url-status=live}}</ref><br />
<br />
Sheeba Chaddha received dual nominations for Best Supporting Actress for her performances in ''Badhaai Do'' and ''[[Doctor G]]'', winning the award for the former.<br />
<br />
== Ceremony ==<br />
Held at Jio World Centre, the 68th Filmfare Awards honored the films released in 2022. At a press conference helmed by editor of ''[[Filmfare]]'' magazine, Jitesh Pillai revealed [[Hyundai Motor Group|Hyundai]] as the title sponsor. It was announced that actors [[Salman Khan]] and [[Ayushmann Khurana]] and [[Manish Paul]] were announced as the co-hosts, while actors [[Tiger Shroff]], [[Vicky Kaushal]], [[Kartik Aaryan]], [[Jacqueline Fernandez]], [[Janhvi Kapoor]], [[Varun Dhawan]] and [[Govinda (actor)|Govinda]] would perform during the ceremony. It took place on 27 April 2023, and was broadcast on 28 April 2023 on [[Colors TV]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.gnttv.com/entertainment/story/filmfare-awards-2023-happening-on-this-day-salman-khan-will-host-the-show-with-manish-paul-and-ayushman-khurana-546183-2023-04-21|title=Filmfare Awards 2023: इस दिन होगा फिल्मफेयर अवॉर्ड शो, सलमान खान करेंगे होस्ट, यहां से बुक कर सकते हैं टिकट|publisher=GNT|location=India|date=2023-04-21|access-date=2023-04-24|archive-date=24 April 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230424125922/https://www.gnttv.com/entertainment/story/filmfare-awards-2023-happening-on-this-day-salman-khan-will-host-the-show-with-manish-paul-and-ayushman-khurana-546183-2023-04-21|url-status=live}}</ref><br />
<br />
== Winners and nominees ==<br />
The nominations were announced by Filmfare on 24 April 2023.<ref>{{cite news|title=Nominations For The 68th Hyundai Filmfare Awards 2023 With Maharashtra Tourism|url=https://www.filmfare.com/features/nominations-for-the-68th-hyundai-filmfare-awards-2023-with-maharashtra-tourism-58094.html|access-date=24 April 2023|work=Filmfare|date=24 April 2023|language=en|archive-date=24 April 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230424083516/https://www.filmfare.com/features/nominations-for-the-68th-hyundai-filmfare-awards-2023-with-maharashtra-tourism-58094.html|url-status=live}}</ref><br />
{{multiple image|border=infobox|total_width=700|image_style=|perrow=7/7|caption_align=left|image1=Sanjay Leela Bhansali at Berlinale 2022.jpg|caption1=[[Sanjay Leela Bhansali]], Best Director|image2=Alia Bhatt attends at the 2026 Cannes Film Festival (cropped) (cropped).jpg|caption2=[[Alia Bhatt]], Best Actress|image3=Actor Rajkummar Rao.jpg|caption3=[[Rajkummar Rao]], Best Actor|image4=Tabu at Esha Deol's wedding reception 08 (cropped).jpg|caption4=[[Tabu (actress)|Tabu]], Best Actress Critics co-winner|image5=Sanjay Mishra at the trailer launch of Meerutiya Gangsters.jpg|caption5=[[Sanjay Mishra (actor)|Sanjay Mishra]], Best Actor Critics|image6=Actress Bhumi Pednekar at the Master Class on Breaking Stereotypes, during the 48th International Film Festival of India (IFFI-2017), in Panaji, Goa on November 25, 2017 (cropped).jpg|caption6=[[Bhumi Pednekar]], Best Actress Critics co-winner|image7=Harshavardhan Kulkarni, Writer, Director & Producer (cropped).png|caption7=[[Harshavardhan Kulkarni]], Best Director Critics|image8=Anil Kapoor 1.jpeg|caption8=[[Anil Kapoor]], Best Supporting Actor|image9=Sheeba Chaddha.jpg|caption9=[[Sheeba Chaddha]], Best Supporting Actress|image10=Arijit 5th GiMA Awards (cropped, retouched).jpg|caption10=[[Arijit Singh]], Best Male Playback Singer|image11=Kavita Seth.jpg|caption11=[[Kavita Seth]], Best Female Playback Singer|image12=Amitabh Bhattacharya.jpg|caption12=[[Amitabh Bhattacharya]], Best Lyricist|image13=Pritam Chakraborty at Deepika's Cocktail success bash 07.jpg|caption13=[[Pritam]], Best Music Director|image14=Prem Chopra on November 21, 2013.jpg|caption14=[[Prem Chopra]], Lifetime Achievement Awardee}}<br />
<br />
=== Popular awards ===<br />
{| class="wikitable"<br />
! colspan="3" style="background:#EEDD82;" |[[Filmfare Award for Best Film|Best Film]]<br />
! colspan="3" style="background:#EEDD82;" |[[Filmfare Award for Best Director|Best Director]]<br />
|-<br />
| colspan="3" |<br />
* '''''[[Gangubai Kathiawadi]]'' – Bhansali Productions, [[Pen India Limited]]'''<br />
** ''[[Badhaai Do]]'' – [[Junglee Pictures]], [[Zee Studios]]<br />
** ''[[Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2]]'' – [[T-Series Films]], Cine1 Studios<br />
** ''[[Brahmāstra: Part One – Shiva]]'' – [[Dharma Productions]], [[Star Studios]], Prime Focus, Starlight Pictures<br />
** ''[[The Kashmir Files]]'' – [[Zee Studios]], Abhishek Agarwal Arts<br />
** ''[[Uunchai]]'' – [[Rajshri Productions]], [[Mahaveer Jain Films]], Boundless Media<br />
| colspan="3;" valign="top" |<br />
* '''[[Sanjay Leela Bhansali]] – ''[[Gangubai Kathiawadi]]'''''<br />
** [[Anees Bazmee]] – ''[[Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2]]''<br />
** [[Ayan Mukerji]] – ''[[Brahmāstra: Part One – Shiva]]''<br />
** [[Harshavardhan Kulkarni]] – ''[[Badhaai Do]]''<br />
** [[Sooraj Barjatya]] – ''[[Uunchai]]''<br />
** [[Vivek Agnihotri]] – ''[[The Kashmir Files]]''<br />
|-<br />
! colspan="3" style="background:#EEDD82;" |[[Filmfare Award for Best Actor|Best Actor]]<br />
! colspan="3" style="background:#EEDD82;" |[[Filmfare Award for Best Actress|Best Actress]]<br />
|-<br />
| colspan="3;" valign="top" |<br />
* '''[[Rajkummar Rao]] – ''[[Badhaai Do]]'' as Shardul Thakur'''<br />
** [[Ajay Devgn]] – ''[[Drishyam 2 (2022 film)|Drishyam 2]]'' as Vijay Salgaonkar<br />
** [[Amitabh Bachchan]] – ''[[Uunchai]]'' as Amit Srivastava<br />
** [[Anupam Kher]] – ''[[The Kashmir Files]]'' as Pushkar Nath Pandit<br />
** [[Hrithik Roshan]] – ''[[Vikram Vedha (2022 film)|Vikram Vedha]]'' as Vedha Betal<br />
** [[Kartik Aaryan]] – ''[[Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2]]'' as Ruhaan Randhawa a.k.a. Rooh Baba<br />
| colspan="3;" valign="top" |<br />
* '''[[Alia Bhatt]] – ''[[Gangubai Kathiawadi]]'' as [[Gangubai Kothewali|Gangubai]]'''<br />
** [[Bhumi Pednekar]] – ''[[Badhaai Do]]'' as Suman 'Sumi' Singh<br />
** [[Janhvi Kapoor]] – ''[[Mili (2022 film)|Mili]]'' as Mili Naudiyal<br />
** [[Kareena Kapoor|Kareena Kapoor Khan]] – ''[[Laal Singh Chaddha]]'' as Rupa D'Souza Chaddha<br />
** [[Tabu (actress)|Tabu]] – ''[[Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2]]'' as Anjulika Chatterjee and Manjulika Chatterjee<br />
|-<br />
! colspan="3" style="background:#EEDD82;" |[[Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actor|Best Supporting Actor]]<br />
! colspan="3" style="background:#EEDD82;" |[[Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actress|Best Supporting Actress]]<br />
|-<br />
| colspan="3;" valign="top" |<br />
* '''[[Anil Kapoor]] – ''[[Jugjugg Jeeyo]]'' as Bheem Saini'''<br />
** [[Anupam Kher]] – ''[[Uunchai]]'' as Om Sharma<br />
** [[Darshan Kumar]] – ''[[The Kashmir Files]]'' as Krishna Pandit<br />
** [[Gulshan Devaiah]] – ''[[Badhaai Do]]'' as Guru Narayan<br />
** [[Jaideep Ahlawat]] – ''[[An Action Hero]]'' as Bhoora Singh Solanki<br />
** [[Manish Paul]] – ''Jugjugg Jeeyo'' as Gurpreet Sharma<br />
** [[Mithun Chakraborty]] – ''The Kashmir Files'' as IAS Brahma Dutt<br />
| colspan="3;" valign="top" |<br />
* '''[[Sheeba Chaddha]] – ''[[Badhaai Do]]'' as Mrs. Thakur'''<br />
** [[Mouni Roy]] – ''[[Brahmāstra: Part One – Shiva]]'' as Junoon<br />
** [[Neetu Singh|Neetu Kapoor]] – ''[[Jugjugg Jeeyo]]'' as Geeta Saini<br />
** Sheeba Chaddha – ''[[Doctor G]]'' as Shobha Gupta,<br />
** [[Shefali Shah]] – ''Doctor G'' as Dr. Nandini Srivastav<br />
** [[Simran (actress)|Simran]] – ''[[Rocketry: The Nambi Effect]]'' as Meena Narayanan<br />
|-<br />
! colspan="6" style="background:#FFAA00;" |Debut Awards<br />
|-<br />
! colspan="2" style="background:#EEDD82;" |[[Filmfare Award for Best Male Debut|Best Male Debut]]<br />
! colspan="2" style="background:#EEDD82;" |[[Filmfare Award for Best Female Debut|Best Female Debut]]<br />
! colspan="2" style="background:#EEDD82;" |[[Filmfare Award for Best Debut Director|Best Debut Director]]<br />
|-<br />
| colspan="2;" valign="top" |<br />
* '''Ankush Gedam – ''[[Jhund (film)|Jhund]]'' as Ankush Masram'''<br />
** Abhay Mishr – ''[[Doctor G]]'' as Abhishek Chandel<br />
** Paalin Kabak – ''[[Bhediya (film)|Bhediya]]'' as Jomin<br />
** [[Shantanu Maheshwari]] – ''[[Gangubai Kathiawadi]]'' as Afsaan Badr-ur-Razzaq<br />
| colspan="2;" valign="top" |<br />
* '''[[Andrea Kevichüsa]] – ''[[Anek]]'' as Aido'''<br />
** Khushali Kumar – ''[[Dhokha: Round D Corner]]'' as Saanchi Sinha<br />
** [[Manushi Chhillar]] – ''[[Samrat Prithviraj]]'' as [[Sanyogita]]<br />
** [[Prajakta Koli]] – ''[[Jugjugg Jeeyo]]'' as Ginny Saini<br />
| colspan="2;" valign="top" |<br />
* '''[[Jaspal Singh Sandhu]] And Rajeev Barnwal – ''[[Vadh (2022 film)|Vadh]]'''''<br />
** Anirudh Iyer – ''[[An Action Hero]]''<br />
** Anubhuti Kashyap – ''[[Doctor G]]''<br />
** Jai Basantu Singh – ''[[Janhit Mein Jaari]]''<br />
** [[R. Madhavan]] – ''[[Rocketry: The Nambi Effect]]''<br />
|-<br />
! colspan="6" style="background:#FFAA00;" |Writing Awards<br />
|-<br />
! colspan="2" style="background:#EEDD82;" |[[Filmfare Award for Best Story|Best Story]]<br />
! colspan="2" style="background:#EEDD82;" |[[Filmfare Award for Best Screenplay|Best Screenplay]]<br />
! colspan="2" style="background:#EEDD82;" |[[Filmfare Award for Best Dialogue|Best Dialogue]]<br />
|-<br />
| colspan="2;" valign="top" |<br />
* '''Akshat Ghildial and Suman Adhikary – ''[[Badhaai Do]]'''''<br />
** Anirudh Iyer – ''[[An Action Hero]]''<br />
** [[Jaspal Singh Sandhu]] And Rajeev Barnwal – ''[[Vadh (2022 film)|Vadh]]''<br />
** [[Niren Bhatt]] – ''[[Bhediya (film)|Bhediya]]''<br />
** Sunil Gandhi – ''[[Uunchai]]''<br />
| colspan="2;" valign="top" |<br />
* '''[[Harshavardhan Kulkarni]], Akshat Ghildial and Suman Adhikary – ''[[Badhaai Do]]'''''<br />
** Aakash Kaushik – ''[[Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2]]''<br />
** Jaspal Singh Sandhu And Rajeev Barnwal – ''[[Vadh (2022 film)|Vadh]]''<br />
** Neeraj Yadav – ''[[An Action Hero]]''<br />
** [[Sanjay Leela Bhansali]] and Utkarshini Vashishtha – ''[[Gangubai Kathiawadi]]''<br />
** [[Vivek Agnihotri|Vivek Ranjan Agnihotri]] – ''[[The Kashmir Files]]''<br />
| colspan="2;" valign="top" |<br />
* '''Prakash Kapadia and Utkarshini Vashishtha – ''[[Gangubai Kathiawadi]]'''''<br />
** Abhishek Dixit – ''[[Uunchai]]''<br />
** Akshat Ghildial – ''[[Badhaai Do]]''<br />
** [[Manoj Muntashir]] and B. S. Fida – ''[[Vikram Vedha (2022 film)|Vikram Vedha]]''<br />
** Neeraj Yadav – ''[[An Action Hero]]''<br />
** Sumit Saxena – ''[[Doctor G]]''<br />
|-<br />
! colspan="6" style="background:#FFAA00;" |Music Awards<br />
|-<br />
! colspan="3" style="background:#EEDD82;" |[[Filmfare Award for Best Music Director|Best Music Director]]<br />
! colspan="3" style="background:#EEDD82;" |[[Filmfare Award for Best Lyricist|Best Lyricist]]<br />
|-<br />
| colspan="3;" valign="top" |<br />
* '''[[Pritam]] – ''[[Brahmāstra: Part One – Shiva]]'''''<br />
** [[Amit Trivedi]] – ''[[Uunchai]]''<br />
** Pritam – ''[[Laal Singh Chaddha]]''<br />
** [[Sachin–Jigar]] – ''[[Bhediya (film)|Bhediya]]''<br />
** [[Sanjay Leela Bhansali]] – ''[[Gangubai Kathiawadi]]''<br />
| colspan="3;" valign="top" |<br />
* '''[[Amitabh Bhattacharya]] – "[[Kesariya (song)|Kesariya]]" – ''[[Brahmāstra: Part One – Shiva]]'''''<br />
** [[A. M. Turaz]] – "Jab Saiyaan" – ''[[Gangubai Kathiawadi]]''<br />
** Amitabh Bhattacharya – "Apna Bana Le" – ''[[Bhediya (film)|Bhediya]]''<br />
** Amitabh Bhattacharya – "Tere Hawaale" – ''[[Laal Singh Chaddha]]''<br />
** [[Shellee]] – "Maiyya Mainu" – ''[[Jersey (2022 film)|Jersey]]''<br />
|-<br />
! colspan="3" style="background:#EEDD82;" |[[Filmfare Award for Best Male Playback Singer|Best Playback Singer – Male]]<br />
! colspan="3" style="background:#EEDD82;" |[[Filmfare Award for Best Female Playback Singer|Best Playback Singer – Female]]<br />
|-<br />
| colspan="3;" valign="top" |<br />
* '''[[Arijit Singh]] – "[[Kesariya (song)|Kesariya]]" – ''[[Brahmāstra: Part One – Shiva]]'''''<br />
** [[Abhay Jodhpurkar]] – "Maange Manzooriyan" – ''[[Badhaai Do]]''<br />
** Arijit Singh – "Apna Bana Le" – ''[[Bhediya (film)|Bhediya]]''<br />
** Arijit Singh – "Deva Deva" – ''Brahmāstra: Part One – Shiva''<br />
** [[Sonu Nigam]] – "Main Ki Karaan?" – ''[[Laal Singh Chaddha]]''<br />
| colspan="3;" valign="top" |<br />
* '''[[Kavita Seth]] – "[[Rangisari]]" – ''[[Jugjugg Jeeyo]]'''''<br />
** Janhvi Shrimankar – "Dholida" – ''[[Gangubai Kathiawadi]]''<br />
** [[Jonita Gandhi]] – "Deva Deva" – ''[[Brahmāstra: Part One – Shiva]]''<br />
** [[Shilpa Rao]] – "Tere Hawaale" – ''[[Laal Singh Chaddha]]''<br />
** [[Shreya Ghoshal]] – "Jab Saiyaan" – ''Gangubai Kathiawadi''<br />
|}<br />
<br />
=== Critics' awards ===<br />
{| class="wikitable"<br />
! colspan="2" style="background:#EEDD82;" |[[Filmfare Critics Award for Best Film|Best Film]]<br />
|-<br />
| colspan="2" |<br />
* '''[[Harshavardhan Kulkarni]] – ''[[Badhaai Do]]'''''<br />
** [[Amar Kaushik]] – ''[[Bhediya (film)|Bhediya]]''<br />
** [[Jaspal Singh Sandhu]] and Rajeev Barnwal – ''[[Vadh (2022 film)|Vadh]]''<br />
** [[Nagraj Manjule]] – ''[[Jhund (film)|Jhund]]''<br />
** [[R. Madhavan]] – ''[[Rocketry: The Nambi Effect]]''<br />
|-<br />
! style="background:#EEDD82;" |[[Filmfare Critics Award for Best Actor|Best Actor]]<br />
! style="background:#EEDD82;" |[[Filmfare Critics Award for Best Actress|Best Actress]]<br />
|-<br />
|<br />
* '''[[Sanjay Mishra (actor)|Sanjay Mishra]] – ''[[Vadh (2022 film)|Vadh]]'' as Shambhunath Mishra'''<br />
** [[Amitabh Bachchan]] – ''[[Jhund (film)|Jhund]]'' as Vijay Borade<br />
** [[R. Madhavan]] – ''[[Rocketry: The Nambi Effect]]'' as [[Nambi Narayanan]]<br />
** [[Rajkummar Rao]] – ''[[Badhaai Do]]'' as Shradul Thakur<br />
** [[Shahid Kapoor]] – ''[[Jersey (2022 film)|Jersey]]'' as Arjun Talwar<br />
** [[Varun Dhawan]] – ''[[Bhediya (film)|Bhediya]]'' as Bhaskar Sharma<br />
|<br />
* '''[[Bhumi Pednekar]] – ''[[Badhaai Do]]'' as Suman 'Sumi' Singh'''<br />
* '''[[Tabu (actress)|Tabu]] – ''[[Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2]]'' as Anjulika Chatterjee and Manjulika Chatterjee'''<br />
** [[Kajol]] – ''[[Salaam Venky]]'' as Kolavennu Sujata Krishnan<br />
** [[Neena Gupta]] – ''[[Vadh (2022 film)|Vadh]]'' as Manju Mishra<br />
** [[Taapsee Pannu]] – ''[[Shabaash Mithu]]'' as [[Mithali Raj]]<br />
|}<br />
<br />
=== Special awards ===<br />
{| class="wikitable"<br />
! colspan="2" style="background:#EEDD82;" |[[Filmfare Special Award]]<br />
|-<br />
|<br />
|-<br />
! style="background:#EEDD82;" |[[Filmfare Lifetime Achievement Award]]<br />
|-<br />
|<br />
* [[Prem Chopra]]<br />
|-<br />
! style="background:#EEDD82;" |[[Filmfare R. D. Burman Award]]<br />
|-<br />
|<br />
* Janhvi Shrimankar for "Dholida" from ''[[Gangubai Kathiawadi]]''<br />
|}<br />
<br />
=== Technical awards ===<br />
Nominations for the Technical awards were announced on 24 April 2023.<ref>{{cite news|title=Filmfare Awards 2023 nominations: Alia Bhatt's Gangubai Kathiawadi to compete with Brahmastra. Details here|url=https://mirchi.in/stories/movies/filmfare-awards-2023-nominations-alia-bhatts-gangubai-kathiawadi-to-compete-with-brahmastra-details-here/99731504|access-date=24 April 2023|work=Mirchi Plus|date=|language=en|archive-date=24 April 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230424132509/https://mirchi.in/stories/movies/filmfare-awards-2023-nominations-alia-bhatts-gangubai-kathiawadi-to-compete-with-brahmastra-details-here/99731504|url-status=live}}</ref><br />
{| class="wikitable"<br />
! style="background:#EEDD82;" |[[Filmfare Award for Best Editing|Best Editing]]<br />
! style="background:#EEDD82;" |[[Filmfare Award for Best Art Direction|Best Production Design]]<br />
! style="background:#EEDD82;" |[[Filmfare Award for Best Choreography|Best Choreography]]<br />
|-<br />
| valign="top" |<br />
* '''Ninad Khanolkar – ''[[An Action Hero]]'''''<br />
** Amin Khatib – ''[[Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2]]''<br />
** Sandeep Francis – ''[[Drishyam 2 (2022 film)|Drishyam 2]]''<br />
** Sankh Rajyadhyaksha – ''[[The Kashmir Files]]''<br />
** Sanyukta Kaza – ''[[Bhediya (film)|Bhediya]]''<br />
| valign="top" |<br />
* '''Subrata Chakraborty and Amit Ray – ''[[Gangubai Kathiawadi]]'''''<br />
** Amrita Mahal Nakai – ''[[Brahmāstra: Part One – Shiva]]''<br />
** Durga Prasad Mahapatra – ''[[Vikram Vedha (2022 film)|Vikram Vedha]]''<br />
** Mayur Sharma and Apurva Sondhi – ''[[Bhediya (film)|Bhediya]]''<br />
** Mustufa Satitionwala – ''[[Laal Singh Chaddha]]''<br />
** Rajat Poddar – ''[[Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2]]''<br />
| valign="top" |<br />
* '''[[Kruti Mahesh]] – "Dholida" – ''[[Gangubai Kathiawadi]]'''''<br />
** [[Bosco–Caesar]] – "[[Rangisari]]" – ''[[Jugjugg Jeeyo]]''<br />
** Bosco–Caesar – "Title Track" – ''[[Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2]]''<br />
** [[Ganesh Acharya]] – "Dance Ka Bhoot" – ''[[Brahmāstra: Part One – Shiva]]''<br />
** Ganesh Acharya – "Thukeshwari" – ''[[Bhediya (film)|Bhediya]]''<br />
** [[Ganesh Hegde]] – "Alcoholia" – ''[[Vikram Vedha (2022 film)|Vikram Vedha]]''<br />
|-<br />
! style="background:#EEDD82;" |[[Filmfare Award for Best Cinematographer|Best Cinematography]]<br />
! style="background:#EEDD82;" |[[Filmfare Award for Best Sound Design|Best Sound Design]]<br />
! style="background:#EEDD82;" |[[Filmfare Award for Best Background Score|Best Background Score]]<br />
|-<br />
| valign="top" |<br />
* '''[[Sudeep Chatterjee]] – ''[[Gangubai Kathiawadi]]'''''<br />
** [[Ewan Mulligan]] – ''[[Anek]]''<br />
** Kaushal Shah – ''[[An Action Hero]]''<br />
** [[P. S. Vinod]] – ''[[Vikram Vedha (2022 film)|Vikram Vedha]]''<br />
** [[Setu]] – ''[[Laal Singh Chaddha]]''<br />
| valign="top" |<br />
* '''[[Bishwadeep Chatterjee|Bishwadeep Deepak Chatterjee]] – ''[[Brahmāstra: Part One – Shiva]]'''''<br />
** Kaamod L Kharde – ''[[Anek]]''<br />
** Kunal Sharma – ''[[Bhediya (film)|Bhediya]]''<br />
** Leslie Fernandes – ''[[Vikram Vedha (2022 film)|Vikram Vedha]]''<br />
** Sanal George – ''[[Gangubai Kathiawadi]]''<br />
| valign="top" |<br />
* '''[[Sanchit Balhara and Ankit Balhara]] – ''[[Gangubai Kathiawadi]]'''''<br />
** Mangesh Dhakde – ''[[Anek]]''<br />
** [[Pritam]], Jim Satya, Prasad S, [[Meghdeep Bose]], Tanuj Tiku, Ketan Sodha, [[Sunny M.R.]] – ''[[Brahmāstra: Part One – Shiva]]''<br />
** [[Sachin-Jigar]] – ''[[Bhediya (film)|Bhediya]]''<br />
** Sam CS – ''[[Vikram Vedha (2022 film)|Vikram Vedha]]''<br />
|-<br />
! style="background:#EEDD82;" |[[Filmfare Award for Best Costume Design|Best Costume Design]]<br />
! style="background:#EEDD82;" |[[Filmfare Award for Best Action|Best Action]]<br />
! style="background:#EEDD82;" |[[Filmfare Award for Best Special Effects|Best Special Effects]]<br />
|-<br />
| valign="top" |<br />
* '''[[Sheetal Sharma|Sheetal Iqbal Sharma]] – ''[[Gangubai Kathiawadi]]'''''<br />
** [[Maxima Basu]] – ''[[Laal Singh Chaddha]]''<br />
** Pritanka Gayatri Dubey, Mahananda Sagaare and Veera Kapoor EE – ''[[Jhund (film)|Jhund]]''<br />
** Rohit Chaturvedi – ''[[Badhaai Do]]''<br />
** Sanjeev Rajsingh Parmar – ''[[Samrat Prithviraj]]''<br />
| valign="top" |<br />
* '''Parvez Shaikh – ''[[Vikram Vedha (2022 film)|Vikram Vedha]]'''''<br />
** Amin Khatib – ''[[Drishyam 2 (2022 film)|Drishyam 2]]''<br />
** [[Dan Bradley]], Diyan Hristov and Parvez Shaikh – ''[[Brahmāstra: Part One – Shiva]]''<br />
** [[Faruk Kabir]] and Yannick Ben – ''[[Khuda Haafiz: Chapter 2 – Agni Pariksha]]''<br />
** Ram Chella, Lakshman Chella, Parvez Shaikh and Kecha Khamphakdee – ''[[Heropanti 2]]''<br />
** Sea Young Oh, Parvez Shaikh, Hitz International Action Specialists – ''[[Dhaakad]]''<br />
| valign="top" |<br />
* '''Dneg, ReDefine – ''[[Brahmāstra: Part One – Shiva]]'''''<br />
** Assemblage Entertainment PVT. – ''[[Rocketry: The Nambi Effect]]''<br />
** [[Red Chillies VFX]] – ''[[Laal Singh Chaddha]]''<br />
** Red Chillies VFX, After Studios – ''[[Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2]]''<br />
|}<br />
<br />
=== Short film awards ===<br />
{| class="wikitable"<br />
! colspan="6" style="background:#FFAA00;" |Best Short Film<br />
|-<br />
! colspan="2" style="background:#EEDD82;" |Fiction<br />
! colspan="2" style="background:#EEDD82;" |Non-fiction<br />
! colspan="2" style="background:#EEDD82;" |People's Choice<br />
|-<br />
| colspan="2" |<br />
| colspan="2" |<br />
| colspan="2" |<br />
|-<br />
! colspan="3" style="background:#EEDD82;" |Best Actor – Male (Short Film)<br />
! colspan="3" style="background:#EEDD82;" |Best Actor – Female (Short Film)<br />
|-<br />
| colspan="3" |<br />
| colspan="3" |<br />
|}<br />
<br />
== Superlatives ==<br />
{| class="wikitable" style="display:inline-table;"<br />
|+Multiple nominations<br />
!Nominations<br />
!Film<br />
|-<br />
!16<br />
|''[[Gangubai Kathiawadi]]''<br />
|-<br />
! rowspan="2" |14<br />
|''[[Badhaai Do]]''<br />
|-<br />
|''[[Brahmāstra: Part One – Shiva]]''<br />
|-<br />
!12<br />
|[[Bhediya (film)|''Bhediya'']]<br />
|-<br />
!10<br />
|''[[Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2]]''<br />
|-<br />
!9<br />
|''[[Laal Singh Chaddha]]''<br />
|-<br />
!8<br />
|''[[Vikram Vedha (2022 film)|Vikram Vedha]]''<br />
|-<br />
|-<br />
! rowspan="3" |7<br />
|''[[The Kashmir Files]]''<br />
|-<br />
|''[[Uunchai]]''<br />
|-<br />
|''[[An Action Hero]]''<br />
|-<br />
! rowspan="3" |6<br />
|''[[Vadh (2022 film)|Vadh]]''<br />
|-<br />
|''[[Jugjugg Jeeyo]]''<br />
|-<br />
|''[[Doctor G]]''<br />
|-<br />
!5<br />
|''[[Rocketry: The Nambi Effect]]''<br />
|-<br />
! rowspan="2" |4<br />
|''[[Jhund (film)|Jhund]]''<br />
|-<br />
|''[[Anek]]''<br />
|-<br />
!3<br />
|''[[Drishyam 2 (2022 film)|Drishyam 2]]''<br />
|-<br />
!2<br />
|''[[Jersey (2022 film)|Jersey]]''<br />
|}<br />
{| class="wikitable" style="display:inline-table;"<br />
|+Multiple wins<br />
!Awards<br />
!Film<br />
|-<br />
! scope="row" |11<br />
|''[[Gangubai Kathiawadi]]''<br />
|-<br />
!6<br />
|''[[Badhaai Do]]''<br />
|-<br />
!5<br />
|''[[Brahmāstra: Part One – Shiva]]''<br />
|-<br />
! rowspan="2" |2<br />
|''[[Jugjugg Jeeyo]]''<br />
|-<br />
|''[[Vadh (2022 film)|Vadh]]''<br />
|}<br />
<br />
== See also ==<br />
<br />
* [[Filmfare Awards]]<br />
* [[List of Hindi films of 2022]]<br />
<br />
== References ==<br />
{{Reflist}}{{Filmfare Awards}}</div>BellaCHhttps://en.bharatpedia.org/w/index.php?title=68th_Filmfare_Awards&diff=55114168th Filmfare Awards2026-06-17T14:15:38Z<p>BellaCH: Article created via ArticleWizard</p>
<hr />
<div>{{Under construction}}<br />
<br />
== References ==<br />
<br />
{{Reflist}}</div>BellaCHhttps://en.bharatpedia.org/w/index.php?title=Aakash_Kaushik&diff=551119Aakash Kaushik2026-06-17T07:34:14Z<p>BellaCH: New page</p>
<hr />
<div>[[Category:Living people]]<br />
{{Short description|Indian screenwriter}}<br />
<br />
{{Use Indian English|date=April 2026}} {{Use dmy dates|date=April 2026}}<br />
<br />
{{Infobox person|name=|image=|caption=|birth_date=<!-- {{Birth date and age|YYYY|MM|DD}} -->|birth_place=[[Delhi]], India|other_names=|alma_mater=[[Film and Television Institute of India|FTII]], Pune|occupation={{hlist|Screenwriter|film director}}|years_active=2007–present|notable_works=|spouse=Neha Tyagi Kaushik|children=}}<br />
<br />
'''Aakash Kaushik''' is an Indian screenwriter and director who predominantly works in [[Hindi cinema|Hindi]] films. He began his career as a writer with ''[[F.A.L.T.U]]'' (2011).<ref>{{Cite web|date=23 May 2022|last=Bhatnagar|first=Rohit|title='I don't want to get stuck to a particular genre,' shares Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2 writer Aakash Kaushik|url=https://www.freepressjournal.in/entertainment/i-dont-want-to-get-stuck-to-a-particular-genre-shares-bhool-bhulaiyaa-2-writer-aakash-kaushik|website=[[The Free Press Journal]]|access-date=25 April 2026}}</ref><br />
<br />
== Early life ==<br />
Kaushik was born in [[Delhi]], India. He studied filmmaking at [[Film and Television Institute of India]], Pune.<ref>{{Cite web|date=12 May 2022|last=Raviraj Sinha|first=Kumar|title=I am big fan of Bhool Bhulaiyaa 1; biggest challenge for me was to bring a new story: Writer Aakash Kaushik|url=https://www.nationalheraldindia.com/interview/i-am-big-fan-of-bhool-bhulaiyaa-1-biggest-challenge-for-me-was-to-bring-a-new-story-writer-aakash-kaushik|website=[[National Herald]]|access-date=25 April 2026}}</ref><br />
<br />
== Filmography ==<br />
{{Pending films key}}<br />
{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders sortable"<br />
! scope="col" |Year<br />
! scope="col" |Title<br />
! scope="col" |Director<br />
! scope="col" |Writer<br />
! scope="col" class="unsortable" |Notes<br />
|-<br />
|2007<br />
! scope="row" |''[[Partition (2007 film)|Partition]]''<br />
|{{No}}<br />
|{{No}}<br />
|Credited as production trainee<br />
|-<br />
|2011<br />
! scope="row" |''[[F.A.L.T.U]]''<br />
|{{No}}<br />
|{{Partial|Dialogue}}<br />
|<br />
|-<br />
|2012<br />
! scope="row" |''[[Jodi Breakers]]''<br />
|{{No}}<br />
|{{Yes}}<br />
|<br />
|-<br />
|2013<br />
! scope="row" |''[[Rabba Main Kya Karoon]]''<br />
|{{No}}<br />
|{{Yes}}<br />
|<br />
|-<br />
| rowspan="2" |2016<br />
! scope="row" |''[[Great Grand Masti]]''<br />
|{{No}}<br />
|{{Yes}}<br />
|<ref>{{Cite web|date=15 July 2016|last=Banerjee|first=Arnab|title=Great Grand Masti movie review: A flat-out unamusing comedy|url=https://www.deccanchronicle.com/entertainment/movie-reviews/160716/great-grand-masti-movie-review-a-flat-out-unamusing-comedy.html|website=[[Deccan Chronicle]]|access-date=23 April 2026}}</ref><br />
|-<br />
! scope="row" |''[[A Flying Jatt]]''<br />
|{{No}}<br />
|{{Partial|Additional}}<br />
|<ref>{{Cite web|date=25 August 2016|last=Thakur|first=Tanul|title=A Crash Landing into Mediocrity by This Flying Jatt|url=https://thewire.in/culture/film/a-flying-jatt-review|website=[[The Wire (India)|The Wire]]|access-date=23 April 2026}}</ref><br />
|-<br />
|2019<br />
! scope="row" |''[[Housefull 4]]''<br />
|{{No}}<br />
|{{Yes}}<br />
|<ref>{{Cite web|date=25 October 2019|title=Housefull 4 Movie Review: The Akshay Kumar starrer HOUSEFULL 4 is a major disappointment and suffers on the account of poor writing and vacuous screenplay|url=https://www.bollywoodhungama.com/movie/housefull-4/critic-review/housefull-4-movie-review/|website=[[Bollywood Hungama]]|access-date=23 April 2026}}</ref><br />
|-<br />
| rowspan="2" |2022<br />
! scope="row" |''[[Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2]]''<br />
|{{No}}<br />
|{{Yes}}<br />
|<ref>{{Cite web|date=20 May 2022|last=Ramnath|first=Nandini|title='Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2' review: A spiritual and spirited sequel|url=https://scroll.in/reel/1023919/bhool-bhulaiyaa-2-review-a-spiritual-and-spirited-sequel|website=[[Scroll.in]]|access-date=23 April 2026}}</ref><br />
|-<br />
! scope="row" |''[[Thank God (film)|Thank God]]''<br />
|{{No}}<br />
|{{Yes}}<br />
|<ref>{{Cite web|date=20 October 2022|last=Paul|first=Iraa|title=Thank God writer Aakash Kaushik opens up on challenges he faced while writing film|url=https://www.dnaindia.com/bollywood/report-thank-god-writer-aakash-kaushik-opens-up-on-challenges-he-faced-while-writing-film-exclusive-2994311|website=[[Daily News and Analysis]]|access-date=23 April 2026}}</ref><br />
|-<br />
|2024<br />
! scope="row" |''[[Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3]]''<br />
|{{No}}<br />
|{{Yes}}<br />
|<ref>{{Cite web|date=6 November 2024|last=Bohra|first=Anurag|title=Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3 writer Aakash Kaushik says, 'one-liners are the heartbeat of every story'|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/entertainment/bollywood/bhool-bhulaiyaa-3-writer-aakash-kaushik-says-one-liner-is-the-heartbeat-of-every-story-101730794388824.html|website=[[Hindustan Times]]|access-date=23 April 2026}}</ref><br />
|-<br />
| rowspan="2" |2026<br />
! scope="row" |''[[Bhooth Bangla]]''<br />
|{{No}}<br />
|{{Partial|Story}}<br />
|<ref>{{Cite web|date=6 April 2026|title='Bhooth Bangla' trailer: Priyadarshan and Akshay Kumar promise a nice blend of scare and laughs|url=https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/movies/bhooth-bangla-trailer-release-date-priyadarshan-akshay-kumar-horror-comedy-scare-and-laughs/article70829771.ece|website=[[The Hindu]]|access-date=23 April 2026}}</ref><br />
|-|{{Pending film|Udta Teer}}<br />
|{{Yes}}<br />
|{{Yes}}<br />
|Directorial debut<ref>{{Cite web|date=17 April 2026|title='Udta Teer': Ayushmann Khurrana and Sara Ali Khan Unite for Spy Comedy|url=https://www.hollywoodreporterindia.com/features/insight/udta-teer-ayushmann-khurrana-and-sara-ali-khan-unite-for-spy-comedy|website=[[The Hollywood Reporter India]]|access-date=23 April 2026}}</ref><br />
|-<br />
|}<br />
<br />
== Accolades ==<br />
{| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders"<br />
! scope="col" |Year<br />
! scope="col" |Award<br />
! scope="col" |Category<br />
! scope="col" |For<br />
! scope="col" |Result<br />
! scope="col" class="unsortable" |{{refh}}<br />
|-<br />
|2023<br />
|[[68th Filmfare Awards|Filmfare Awards]]<br />
|[[Filmfare Award for Best Screenplay|Best Screenplay]]<br />
|''[[Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2]]''|{{nom}}<br />
| style="text-align:center;" |<ref>{{Cite web|date=27 April 2023|title=68th Filmfare Awards 2023: Check out the official nominations list|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news/68th-filmfare-awards-2023-check-out-the-official-nominations-list/articleshow/99738170.cms|website=[[The Times of India]]|access-date=23 April 2026}}</ref><br />
|-<br />
|2025<br />
|[[70th Filmfare Awards|Filmfare Awards]]<br />
|[[Filmfare Award for Best Story|Best Story]]<br />
|''[[Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3]]''|{{nom}}<br />
| style="text-align:center;" |<ref>{{Cite web|date=9 October 2025|title=Nominations for The 70th Hyundai Filmfare Awards 2025 With Gujarat Tourism: Full List Out|url=https://www.filmfare.com/news/bollywood/nominations-for-the-70th-hyundai-filmfare-awards-2025-with-gujarat-tourism-full-list-out-78037.html|website=[[Filmfare]]|access-date=23 April 2026}}</ref><br />
|-<br />
|}<br />
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== References ==<br />
{{reflist}}<br />
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== External links ==<br />
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* {{IMDb name|nm2022237}}</div>BellaCHhttps://en.bharatpedia.org/w/index.php?title=Aakash_Kaushik&diff=551118Aakash Kaushik2026-06-17T07:33:39Z<p>BellaCH: Article created via ArticleWizard</p>
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<div>{{Under construction}}<br />
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{{Infobox musician<br />
| name = Aakash Kaushik<br />
| birth_date = <br />
| birth_place = [[Delhi]], India<br />
| origin = <br />
| genre = <br />
| instrument = <br />
| years_active = <br />
| label = <br />
| associated_acts = <br />
| website = <br />
}}<br />
<br />
'''Aakash Kaushik''' (born {{birth_year}}) is a {{nationality}} musician.<br />
<br />
== References ==<br />
<br />
{{Reflist}}<br />
<br />
[[Category:Living people]]</div>BellaCHhttps://en.bharatpedia.org/w/index.php?title=H._G._S._Murthy&diff=551101H. G. S. Murthy2026-06-17T05:34:04Z<p>BellaCH: Details</p>
<hr />
<div>{{Short description|Indian space scientist}}<br />
{{use dmy dates|date=June 2026}}<br />
<br />
{{Infobox scientist<br />
| name = H. G. S. Murthy<br />
| birth_date = <br />
| birth_place = <br />
| nationality = Indian<br />
| fields = <br />
| death_date = 18 July 1999<br />
| institutions = <br />
| alma_mater = <br />
| known_for = <br />
}}<br />
<br />
'''Holenarasipura Govindrao Srinivasa Murthy''' was an [[IOFS]] officer and a space scientist.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.unmultimedia.org/s/photo/detail/129/0129975.html|title=Agreement Between Government of India and UN on Joint UN/UNESCO Panel Meeting|first=UN Photo/Michos|last=Tzovaras|date=October 11, 1977|website=www.unmultimedia.org}}</ref> He was known as one of the "Seven Pioneers of the Indian Space Programme".<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/slidesowdev/flashback-indian-space-stalwarts-though-the-years/photostory/65501656.cms|title=Indian space stalwarts though the years|date=August 22, 2018|website=The Times of India}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/cities/thiruvananthapuram/2015/jul/29/among-the-seven-pioneers-787617.html|title=Among the Seven Pioneers |first=Tiki |last=Rajwi |date=28 July 2015|website=The New Indian Express}}</ref> He served at the [[Ordnance Factory Board|Machine Tool Prototype Factory (MTPF), Ambernath]], and as the first Director of the [[Thumba Equatorial Rocket Launching Station |Thumba Equatorial Rocket Launching Station (TERLS)]], and the Space Science & Technology Centre, now known as the [[Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre]], of the [[Indian Space Research Organisation|Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO)]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.theweek.in/theweek/cover/2019/07/12/gone-too-soon.html|title=Gone too soon|website=The Week |first=Nirmal |last=Jovial |date=July 13, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|website=Space India|date=2003|publisher=Indian Space Research Organisation|title=40 Years of Indian Space Program|url=https://www.isro.gov.in/sites/default/files/flipping_book/53-SI-Oct-Dec-2003/files/assets/common/downloads/publication.pdf|access-date=2 July 2021|archive-date=12 August 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210812103929/https://www.isro.gov.in/sites/default/files/flipping_book/53-SI-Oct-Dec-2003/files/assets/common/downloads/publication.pdf|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite thesis|last=Subbaraya|first=B.H.|title=Langmuir Probeof the Lower Equatorial Ionosphere at Thumba|url=https://www.prl.res.in/~library/Subbaraya_B%20H_1968_abst.pdf|date=July 1968|access-date=2 July 2021|archive-date=19 March 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220319235225/http://www.prl.res.in/~library/Subbaraya_B%20H_1968_abst.pdf|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|chapter-url=https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-94-011-7551-7_44|chapter=Space Programme in India|first=H. G. S.|last=Murthy|title=Space Engineering |series=Astrophysics and Space Science Library |editor-first=G. A.|editor-last=Partel|date=July 11, 1970|volume=15 |publisher=Springer Netherlands|pages=645–649|via=Springer Link|doi=10.1007/978-94-011-7551-7_44|isbn=978-94-011-7553-1 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://frontline.thehindu.com/science-and-technology/isro-rising/article6811603.ece|title=ISRO rising|website=Frontline|date=23 January 2015 }}</ref> He was awarded [[Padma Shri]] in 1969 by the Government of India.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.padmaawards.gov.in/content/notifications/PadmaAwards/1968.pdf|title=The Gazette of India No. 221|date=26 January 1968|access-date=11 April 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS (Public Section) Padma Awards Directory (1954-2017)|url=https://www.mha.gov.in/sites/default/files/Year_Wise_main_25042017_0.pdf|access-date=November 12, 2022|publisher=India Ministry of Home Affairs}}</ref> He was PhD in [[Aerospace engineering]] from the [[University of Minnesota]]. He was also the Vice-President of the [[International Aeronautical Federation]] from 1970 to 1972.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.iafastro.org/about/governance/past-iaf-bureau.html |title=Past IAF Bureau |website=International Astronautical Federation|access-date=8 March 2026}}</ref> He interviewed and recruited [[A. P. J. Abdul Kalam]] into ISRO.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.dnaindia.com/mumbai/report-i-m-proud-that-i-recommended-him-for-isro-ev-chitnis-2109096|title=I'm proud that I recommended him for ISRO: EV Chitnis|first=Ashwini|last=Pawar|date=July 29, 2015|website=DNA India}}</ref><br />
<br />
== References ==<br />
{{reflist}}<br />
<br />
{{Authority control}}<br />
<br />
{{DEFAULTSORT:Murthy, H G S}}<br />
[[Category:Indian Ordnance Factories Service officers]]<br />
[[Category:Indian space scientists]]<br />
[[Category:Indian scientists]]<br />
[[Category:Space programme of India]]<br />
<br />
<br />
{{India-scientist-stub}}</div>BellaCHhttps://en.bharatpedia.org/w/index.php?title=H._G._S._Murthy&diff=551100H. G. S. Murthy2026-06-17T05:32:58Z<p>BellaCH: Article created via ArticleWizard</p>
<hr />
<div>{{Under construction}}<br />
<br />
{{Infobox scientist<br />
| name = H. G. S. Murthy<br />
| birth_date = <br />
| birth_place = <br />
| nationality = Indian<br />
| fields = <br />
| death_date = 18 July 1999<br />
| institutions = <br />
| alma_mater = <br />
| known_for = <br />
}}<br />
<br />
'''H. G. S. Murthy''' ({{birth_year}}–1999) was a Indian scientist.<br />
<br />
== References ==<br />
<br />
{{Reflist}}<br />
<br />
[[Category:1999 deaths]]<br />
[[Category:Indian scientists]]</div>BellaCHhttps://en.bharatpedia.org/w/index.php?title=Khan&diff=548575Khan2026-05-17T15:45:28Z<p>BellaCH: Kaur to Khan added.</p>
<hr />
<div>{{Distinguish|Kahn}}<br />
{{Wiktionary|Khan}}<br />
<br />
'''Khan''' may refer to:<br />
{{tocright}}<br />
* [[Khan (surname)]], including a list of people with the name<br />
* [[Khan (title)]], a royal title for a ruler in Mongol and Turkic languages and used by various ethnicities <br />
<br />
== Art and entertainment ==<br />
* [[Khan (band)]], an English progressive rock band in the 1970s<br />
* [[Khan! (TV series)|''Khan!'' (TV series)]], a 1975 American police detective television series<br />
* [[Khan (serial)|''Khan'' (serial)]], a 2017 Pakistani television drama serial<br />
* [[Khan Noonien Singh]], a prominent ''Star Trek'' villain in an original series episode and the principal antagonist in ''Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan'' (1982), then later ''Star Trek Into Darkness'' (2013)<br />
* The title character of ''[[Citizen Khan]]'', a British sitcom produced by the BBC<br />
* Khan Doorman, Uzi Doorman's father from the web series ''[[Murder Drones]]'' (2021-2024)<br />
<br />
==Radio==<br />
* [[KHAN (FM)]], a defunct radio station (99.5 FM) formerly licensed to serve Chugwater, Wyoming, United States<br />
* [[KBGB]], a radio station (105.7 FM) licensed to serve Kensett, Arkansas, United States, which held the call sign KHAN from 2011 to 2013<br />
<br />
==People==<br />
* [[Genghis Khan]]<br />
* [[German Khan]] billionaire and businessman<br />
* [[Imran Khan]] former prime minister of Pakistan, cricketer and philanthropist <br />
* [[Khan Abdul Jabbar Khan]] (1883–1958), Pakistani politician<br />
* [[Khan Bonfils]], Korean-Danish actor<br />
* [[Khan Jamal]] (1946–2022), American musician<br />
* [[Sadiq Khan]] Mayor of London since 2016<br />
<br />
==Places==<br />
* [[Khan (Cambodia)]], an administrative unit of Cambodia<br />
* [[Khan River]], an ephemeral river in Namibia<br />
* [[Khan River (India)]], also spelled Kahn<br />
<br />
== Other uses ==<br />
* [[Khan (inn)]], from Persian, a caravanserai or resting-place for a travelling caravan<br />
* [[Khan Academy]], a not-for-profit educational organization<br />
* [[Khan Market]], a market in Delhi, India<br />
** [[Khan Market metro station]]<br />
* KHAN, an export version of the Turkish [[Bora (missile)|Bora ballistic missile]]<br />
* [[Kaur to Khan (conversion network)]], conversion network associated with the religious conversion of Sikh women and girls to Islam.<br />
== See also ==<br />
* [[Bakhchysarai Palace]] or the Khan's Palace, Bakhchisarai, Crimea<br />
* [[Beg Khan]], a surname<br />
* [[Khandan (disambiguation)]]<br />
* [[Khanabad (disambiguation)]]<br />
* [[Khangaon (disambiguation)]]<br />
* [[Khanpur (disambiguation)]]<br />
* [[Khanapur (disambiguation)]]<br />
* [[Khana (disambiguation)]]<br />
* [[Kahn (disambiguation)]]<br />
* [[Kan (disambiguation)]]<br />
* [[Caan (disambiguation)]]<br />
* [[Han (disambiguation)]]<br />
* [[Xan (disambiguation)]]<br />
<br />
{{Disambiguation|callsign|geo}}</div>BellaCHhttps://en.bharatpedia.org/w/index.php?title=Khan&diff=548574Khan2026-05-17T15:44:11Z<p>BellaCH: New page Khan</p>
<hr />
<div>{{Distinguish|Kahn}}<br />
{{Wiktionary|Khan}}<br />
<br />
'''Khan''' may refer to:<br />
{{tocright}}<br />
* [[Khan (surname)]], including a list of people with the name<br />
* [[Khan (title)]], a royal title for a ruler in Mongol and Turkic languages and used by various ethnicities <br />
<br />
== Art and entertainment ==<br />
* [[Khan (band)]], an English progressive rock band in the 1970s<br />
* [[Khan! (TV series)|''Khan!'' (TV series)]], a 1975 American police detective television series<br />
* [[Khan (serial)|''Khan'' (serial)]], a 2017 Pakistani television drama serial<br />
* [[Khan Noonien Singh]], a prominent ''Star Trek'' villain in an original series episode and the principal antagonist in ''Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan'' (1982), then later ''Star Trek Into Darkness'' (2013)<br />
* The title character of ''[[Citizen Khan]]'', a British sitcom produced by the BBC<br />
* Khan Doorman, Uzi Doorman's father from the web series ''[[Murder Drones]]'' (2021-2024)<br />
<br />
==Radio==<br />
* [[KHAN (FM)]], a defunct radio station (99.5 FM) formerly licensed to serve Chugwater, Wyoming, United States<br />
* [[KBGB]], a radio station (105.7 FM) licensed to serve Kensett, Arkansas, United States, which held the call sign KHAN from 2011 to 2013<br />
<br />
==People==<br />
* [[Genghis Khan]]<br />
* [[German Khan]] billionaire and businessman<br />
* [[Imran Khan]] former prime minister of Pakistan, cricketer and philanthropist <br />
* [[Khan Abdul Jabbar Khan]] (1883–1958), Pakistani politician<br />
* [[Khan Bonfils]], Korean-Danish actor<br />
* [[Khan Jamal]] (1946–2022), American musician<br />
* [[Sadiq Khan]] Mayor of London since 2016<br />
<br />
==Places==<br />
* [[Khan (Cambodia)]], an administrative unit of Cambodia<br />
* [[Khan River]], an ephemeral river in Namibia<br />
* [[Khan River (India)]], also spelled Kahn<br />
<br />
== Other uses ==<br />
* [[Khan (inn)]], from Persian, a caravanserai or resting-place for a travelling caravan<br />
* [[Khan Academy]], a not-for-profit educational organization<br />
* [[Khan Market]], a market in Delhi, India<br />
** [[Khan Market metro station]]<br />
* KHAN, an export version of the Turkish [[Bora (missile)|Bora ballistic missile]]<br />
<br />
== See also ==<br />
* [[Bakhchysarai Palace]] or the Khan's Palace, Bakhchisarai, Crimea<br />
* [[Beg Khan]], a surname<br />
* [[Khandan (disambiguation)]]<br />
* [[Khanabad (disambiguation)]]<br />
* [[Khangaon (disambiguation)]]<br />
* [[Khanpur (disambiguation)]]<br />
* [[Khanapur (disambiguation)]]<br />
* [[Khana (disambiguation)]]<br />
* [[Kahn (disambiguation)]]<br />
* [[Kan (disambiguation)]]<br />
* [[Caan (disambiguation)]]<br />
* [[Han (disambiguation)]]<br />
* [[Xan (disambiguation)]]<br />
<br />
{{Disambiguation|callsign|geo}}</div>BellaCHhttps://en.bharatpedia.org/w/index.php?title=Kaur_to_Khan_(conversion_network)&diff=548573Kaur to Khan (conversion network)2026-05-17T15:43:46Z<p>BellaCH: India Today tweet.</p>
<hr />
<div>{{Short description|Movement concerning grooming and religious conversion of Sikh women}}<br />
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2026}}<br />
{{Use British English|date=January 2026}}<br />
<br />
'''Kaur to Khan''' (also known as '''K2K''' or '''Project K2K''') is a conversion network associated with the religious conversion of [[Sikh]] women and girls to [[Islam]], primarily reported by Sikh organisations and media outlets. The movement is associated with incidents reported in the [[United Kingdom]] and [[Pakistan]], where Sikh organisations and media reports have identified repeated involvement of Muslim men, particularly of Pakistani origin.<ref>{{cite web |title=Gaurav Sawant Reports On UK Grooming Gangs And The 'Kaur To Khan' Project Targeting Sikh Girls |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Shu9pK91O6w |website=YouTube |publisher=India Today |date=January 2026 |access-date=20 January 2026}}</ref><br />
<br />
The name symbolically contrasts the mandatory Sikh female surname ''[[Kaur]]'' ("princess") with the Muslim surname ''[[Khan]]'', and is used to describe situations in which Sikh women adopt Islamic identities following grooming, coercion, marriage, or conversion.<br />
<br />
The term and associated concerns emerged within Sikh diaspora communities in the United Kingdom during the early 2000s and gained visibility through awareness campaigns, media investigations, and community-led safeguarding efforts.<ref>{{cite web |title=How British Grooming Gangs Targeted Sikh Girls |url=https://www.thejuggernaut.com/british-grooming-gangs-sikh-girls-hounslow |website=The Juggernaut |date=January 2026 |access-date=20 January 2026}}</ref><br />
<br />
Sikh organisations have stated that incidents consistent with what later came to be described as "Kaur to Khan" were reported prior to the 2000s, with community documentation and testimony indicating cases dating back to the 1960s, 1970s, and 1990s in parts of England with significant Punjabi-speaking populations.<br />
<br />
Indian media outlets have also reported on the issue in the context of diaspora safety and minority protection, linking incidents in the United Kingdom with long-standing concerns regarding forced religious conversion of Sikh girls in Pakistan.<ref>{{cite web |title=Gaurav Sawant Reports On UK Grooming Gangs And The 'Kaur To Khan' Project Targeting Sikh Girls |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Shu9pK91O6w |website=YouTube |publisher=India Today |date=January 2026 |access-date=20 January 2026}}</ref><br />
<br />
== Etymology and symbolism ==<br />
''Kaur'' is a mandatory surname for Sikh women, instituted by [[Guru Gobind Singh]] in 1699 to affirm dignity, equality, and religious identity. ''Khan'' is a commonly used Muslim surname in South Asia, particularly among Pakistani and Afghan Muslims.<br />
<br />
Within public discourse, the phrase "Kaur to Khan" is used to describe cases where Sikh women are reported to have been converted to Islam and assigned Islamic names following relationships or marriage.<ref>{{cite web |title=K2K (Kaur to Khan) Initiative by Muslim Grooming Gangs in the UK |url=https://www.reddit.com/r/Sikh/comments/1jj1g31/k2k_kaur_to_khan_initiative_by_muslim_grooming |website=Reddit |access-date=20 January 2026}}</ref><br />
<br />
Early discussions using similar terminology appeared in Sikh community forums during the mid-2000s, including gurdwara-based awareness talks and online discussions such as those recorded on Sikh Sangat forums in 2007.<ref>{{cite web |title=Kaur to Khan talk – West Brom Gurdwara |url=https://www.sikhsangat.com/index.php?/topic/24694-kaur-to-khan-talk-west-brom-gurudawara/ |website=Sikh Sangat Forums |date=February 2007 |access-date=20 January 2026}}</ref><br />
<br />
== Background ==<br />
Sikh advocacy organisations have documented recurring patterns involving identity concealment, grooming through relationships, sexual exploitation, and subsequent pressure to convert to Islam. These patterns have been reported primarily in cases involving Muslim men targeting Sikh girls.<br />
<br />
In several reported cases, perpetrators were alleged to have concealed their religious identity by adopting Sikh-sounding names, wearing a [[kada]], or claiming Sikh heritage in order to gain trust.<br />
<br />
Awareness initiatives expanded during the mid-2000s through gurdwara-based campaigns, youth seminars, and outreach programmes conducted by organisations such as the [[Sikh Awareness Society]] and [[Basics of Sikhi]].<br />
<br />
The movement has also been discussed on digital platforms. A 2024 episode of ''Mittran Da Podcast'' titled ''Mission Kaur To Khan'' addressed grooming methods, religious concealment, and the role of Islamic conversion following exploitation.<ref>{{cite web |title=Mission Kaur To Khan – Chamkila Hero |url=https://creators.spotify.com/pod/profile/mittran-da-podcast/episodes/Mission-Kaur-To-Khan-Chamkila-Hero-e2nb70s |website=Spotify |access-date=20 January 2026}}</ref><br />
<br />
Social media awareness material has also circulated, including short-form videos and campaign posts highlighting reported cases and warning families about grooming tactics.<ref>{{cite web |title=Project K2K [KAUR TO KHAN] |url=https://www.instagram.com/reel/DA_EYmfKXSZ |website=Instagram |publisher=trikaal_wing |date=October 2024 |access-date=20 January 2026}}</ref><br />
<br />
== Reported patterns ==<br />
According to investigations cited by Sikh advocacy groups and independent media outlets, alleged cases commonly involve:<br />
<br />
* Concealment of religious identity during initial contact <br />
* Use of shared Punjabi language and cultural familiarity <br />
* Provision of gifts, alcohol, or narcotics during grooming <br />
* Emotional manipulation and isolation from family <br />
* Sexual exploitation followed by pressure to convert to Islam <br />
* Forced or coerced marriage after conversion <br />
<br />
Some Sikh organisations have further alleged that informal religious or social networks were involved in facilitating conversions, including claims that financial incentives of up to £10,000 were offered following successful marriage or conversion. These claims have been reported through community testimony and advocacy material.<br />
<br />
These patterns have been described as consistent across incidents reported in both Europe and Pakistan, though legal outcomes have varied by jurisdiction.<ref>{{cite web |title=Documenting deception and forced conversions in Pakistan linked to caste |url=https://castefiles.com/documenting-deception-forced-conversions-in-pakistan-linked-to-caste |website=CasteFiles |access-date=20 January 2026}}</ref><br />
<br />
== United Kingdom ==<br />
{{Tweet<br />
| name = IndiaToday<br />
| username = IndiaToday<br />
| lang = en<br />
| text = UK Grooming Gang Horror. This is not an isolated incident at all; it's part of a project called turning Kaurs into Khans, and this has been happening for the past two and a half decades- Harmeet Singh – Communications & Advocacy Director, United Sikhs (UK)<br />
| date = 15 January 2026<br />
| ID = 2011746370684948943<br />
| width = <br />
| style =<br />
}}<br />
In the United Kingdom, the movement is discussed alongside grooming gang cases in which perpetrators have been identified in multiple investigations as Muslim men of Pakistani origin. Sikh organisations state that shared Punjabi language and cultural familiarity were used to gain trust before exploitation.<ref>{{cite web |title=How British Grooming Gangs Targeted Sikh Girls |url=https://www.thejuggernaut.com/british-grooming-gangs-sikh-girls-hounslow |website=The Juggernaut |date=January 2026 |access-date=20 January 2026}}</ref><br />
<br />
A 2013 BBC investigation reported concerns within Sikh families regarding underreporting of sexual exploitation, describing what was termed a "code of silence" that discouraged victims from approaching authorities.<ref>{{cite web |title=Sexual grooming victims: Is there Sikh code of silence? |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-23921570 |website=BBC News |date=September 2013 |access-date=20 January 2026}}</ref><br />
<br />
While individual grooming cases have resulted in criminal convictions, no official inquiry has confirmed the existence of a centrally organised or formally coordinated "Kaur to Khan" network. Sikh organisations continue to maintain that repeated case patterns indicate systematic targeting, while institutional findings have largely classified incidents within broader child sexual exploitation frameworks.<br />
<br />
=== 2026 West London case ===<br />
In January 2026, a Sikh girl aged between 15 and 16 in [[Hounslow]], West London, was reportedly abducted, blackmailed, and gang-raped by six Muslim men identified by media reports as part of a Pakistani grooming gang. The incident triggered protests by the Sikh community and resulted in police intervention and arrests.<ref>{{cite web |title=Teenager gang-raped by grooming gang in London; community intervenes |url=https://www.ndtv.com/world-news/teenager-gang-raped-by-pak-grooming-gang-in-london-200-sikhs-rescue-her-10749143 |website=NDTV |access-date=20 January 2026}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=British Sikhs rescue teenage girl in London |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/uk/british-sikhs-save-teenage-girl-in-london-inside-the-uks-grooming-gang-scandal/articleshow/126645211.cms |website=The Times of India |access-date=20 January 2026}}</ref><br />
<br />
Indian media including ''Panchjanya'' and ''Babushahi Hindi'' extensively covered the incident and linked it with earlier cases of forced conversion and sexual exploitation involving Sikh girls, describing the issue as part of a wider minority rights concern affecting Sikh communities across borders.<ref>{{cite web |title=Kaur to Khan: Silence around grooming of Sikh girls |url=https://panchjanya.com/2026/01/20/454817/world/kaur-to-khan-sikh-girls-grooming-silence/ |website=Panchjanya |date=20 January 2026 |access-date=20 January 2026}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=कौर से खान से लेकर सरबजीत कौर तक: पाकिस्तान का काला चेहरा |url=https://www.babushahihindi.com/full-news.php?id=22078 |website=Babushahi Hindi |access-date=20 January 2026}}</ref><br />
<br />
== Europe ==<br />
Media investigations have reported that Sikh communities in Germany, Italy, and other European countries have raised concerns about organised efforts by Pakistan-based Islamist groups operating within diaspora networks.<br />
<br />
A report by ''News Intervention'' stated that Pakistani radical Islamist groups based in Germany were allegedly involved in targeting Sikh girls through social media, religious deception, and marriage-based conversion strategies.<ref>{{cite web |title=Germany-based Pakistani radical Islamists target Sikh girls in Europe for forced religious conversion |url=https://newsintervention.com/germany-based-pakistani-radical-islamists-target-sikh-girls-in-europe-for-forced-religious-conversion/ |website=News Intervention |access-date=20 January 2026}}</ref><br />
<br />
== Pakistan ==<br />
=== Sikh population decline ===<br />
At the time of the Partition of India in 1947, Pakistan was home to an estimated 1.9 to 2 million Sikhs, primarily in West Punjab. Following partition-related violence, mass displacement, and the establishment of Pakistan as an Islamic state, the Sikh population declined rapidly.<br />
<br />
As of 2023, Pakistan’s Sikh population is estimated at approximately 16,000 people, representing about 0.01 percent of the national population. Sikh organisations have linked this decline to persistent insecurity, religious discrimination, forced conversions, and targeted attacks on minorities.<ref>{{cite web |title=Sikhism by Country 2026 |url=https://worldpopulationreview.com/country-rankings/sikhism-by-country |website=World Population Review |date=19 January 2026}}</ref><br />
<br />
=== Abduction and forced conversion cases ===<br />
Numerous media reports document cases in which Sikh girls in Pakistan were abducted by Muslim men, forcibly converted to Islam, and married. Many cases involved minors.<br />
<br />
Investigations published by ''CasteFiles'' have linked these incidents to entrenched caste hierarchies, weak legal enforcement, and social pressure placed on minority families seeking justice.<ref>{{cite web |title=Documenting deception and forced conversions in Pakistan linked to caste |url=https://castefiles.com/documenting-deception-forced-conversions-in-pakistan-linked-to-caste |website=CasteFiles |access-date=20 January 2026}}</ref><br />
<br />
== Community response ==<br />
Sikh organisations including the Sikh Awareness Society, Sikh Youth UK, United Sikhs, and diaspora groups have organised protests, awareness drives, victim support initiatives, and international appeals demanding accountability from Pakistani authorities and stronger protection for Sikh women.<ref>{{cite web |title=About Us – Sikh Awareness Society |url=https://sikhawareness.org/about-us |website=Sikh Awareness Society |access-date=20 January 2026}}</ref><br />
<br />
== See also ==<br />
* [[Child sexual exploitation in the United Kingdom]]<br />
* [[Forced religious conversion]]<br />
* [[Sikh diaspora]]<br />
* [[Religious minorities in Pakistan]]<br />
<br />
== References ==<br />
{{reflist}}<br />
<br />
[[Category:Sikhism]]<br />
[[Category:Religious conversion]]<br />
[[Category:Pakistan]]<br />
[[Category:Child sexual abuse in the United Kingdom]]<br />
[[Category:Islam and other religions]]</div>BellaCHhttps://en.bharatpedia.org/w/index.php?title=Module:ISO_639_name/ISO_639-1&diff=548572Module:ISO 639 name/ISO 639-12026-05-17T15:43:15Z<p>BellaCH: Required module.</p>
<hr />
<div>-- File-Date: 2026-04-09<br />
return {<br />
["aa"] = {"Afar"},<br />
["ab"] = {"Abkhazian"},<br />
["ae"] = {"Avestan"},<br />
["af"] = {"Afrikaans"},<br />
["ak"] = {"Akan"},<br />
["am"] = {"Amharic"},<br />
["an"] = {"Aragonese"},<br />
["ar"] = {"Arabic"},<br />
["as"] = {"Assamese"},<br />
["av"] = {"Avaric"},<br />
["ay"] = {"Aymara"},<br />
["az"] = {"Azerbaijani"},<br />
["ba"] = {"Bashkir"},<br />
["be"] = {"Belarusian"},<br />
["bg"] = {"Bulgarian"},<br />
["bh"] = {"Bihari languages"},<br />
["bi"] = {"Bislama"},<br />
["bm"] = {"Bambara"},<br />
["bn"] = {"Bengali", "Bangla"},<br />
["bo"] = {"Tibetan"},<br />
["br"] = {"Breton"},<br />
["bs"] = {"Bosnian"},<br />
["ca"] = {"Catalan", "Valencian"},<br />
["ce"] = {"Chechen"},<br />
["ch"] = {"Chamorro"},<br />
["co"] = {"Corsican"},<br />
["cr"] = {"Cree"},<br />
["cs"] = {"Czech"},<br />
["cu"] = {"Church Slavic", "Church Slavonic", "Old Bulgarian", "Old Church Slavonic", "Old Slavonic"},<br />
["cv"] = {"Chuvash"},<br />
["cy"] = {"Welsh"},<br />
["da"] = {"Danish"},<br />
["de"] = {"German"},<br />
["dv"] = {"Dhivehi", "Divehi", "Maldivian"},<br />
["dz"] = {"Dzongkha"},<br />
["ee"] = {"Ewe"},<br />
["el"] = {"Modern Greek (1453-)"},<br />
["en"] = {"English"},<br />
["eo"] = {"Esperanto"},<br />
["es"] = {"Spanish", "Castilian"},<br />
["et"] = {"Estonian"},<br />
["eu"] = {"Basque"},<br />
["fa"] = {"Persian"},<br />
["ff"] = {"Fulah"},<br />
["fi"] = {"Finnish"},<br />
["fj"] = {"Fijian"},<br />
["fo"] = {"Faroese"},<br />
["fr"] = {"French"},<br />
["fy"] = {"Western Frisian"},<br />
["ga"] = {"Irish"},<br />
["gd"] = {"Scottish Gaelic", "Gaelic"},<br />
["gl"] = {"Galician"},<br />
["gn"] = {"Guarani"},<br />
["gu"] = {"Gujarati"},<br />
["gv"] = {"Manx"},<br />
["ha"] = {"Hausa"},<br />
["he"] = {"Hebrew"},<br />
["hi"] = {"Hindi"},<br />
["ho"] = {"Hiri Motu"},<br />
["hr"] = {"Croatian"},<br />
["ht"] = {"Haitian", "Haitian Creole"},<br />
["hu"] = {"Hungarian"},<br />
["hy"] = {"Armenian"},<br />
["hz"] = {"Herero"},<br />
["ia"] = {"Interlingua (International Auxiliary Language Association)"},<br />
["id"] = {"Indonesian"},<br />
["ie"] = {"Interlingue", "Occidental"},<br />
["ig"] = {"Igbo"},<br />
["ii"] = {"Sichuan Yi", "Nuosu"},<br />
["ik"] = {"Inupiaq"},<br />
["io"] = {"Ido"},<br />
["is"] = {"Icelandic"},<br />
["it"] = {"Italian"},<br />
["iu"] = {"Inuktitut"},<br />
["ja"] = {"Japanese"},<br />
["jv"] = {"Javanese"},<br />
["ka"] = {"Georgian"},<br />
["kg"] = {"Kongo"},<br />
["ki"] = {"Kikuyu", "Gikuyu"},<br />
["kj"] = {"Kuanyama", "Kwanyama"},<br />
["kk"] = {"Kazakh"},<br />
["kl"] = {"Kalaallisut", "Greenlandic"},<br />
["km"] = {"Khmer", "Central Khmer"},<br />
["kn"] = {"Kannada"},<br />
["ko"] = {"Korean"},<br />
["kr"] = {"Kanuri"},<br />
["ks"] = {"Kashmiri"},<br />
["ku"] = {"Kurdish"},<br />
["kv"] = {"Komi"},<br />
["kw"] = {"Cornish"},<br />
["ky"] = {"Kirghiz", "Kyrgyz"},<br />
["la"] = {"Latin"},<br />
["lb"] = {"Luxembourgish", "Letzeburgesch"},<br />
["lg"] = {"Ganda", "Luganda"},<br />
["li"] = {"Limburgan", "Limburger", "Limburgish"},<br />
["ln"] = {"Lingala"},<br />
["lo"] = {"Lao"},<br />
["lt"] = {"Lithuanian"},<br />
["lu"] = {"Luba-Katanga"},<br />
["lv"] = {"Latvian"},<br />
["mg"] = {"Malagasy"},<br />
["mh"] = {"Marshallese"},<br />
["mi"] = {"Maori"},<br />
["mk"] = {"Macedonian"},<br />
["ml"] = {"Malayalam"},<br />
["mn"] = {"Mongolian"},<br />
["mr"] = {"Marathi"},<br />
["ms"] = {"Malay (macrolanguage)"},<br />
["mt"] = {"Maltese"},<br />
["my"] = {"Burmese"},<br />
["na"] = {"Nauru"},<br />
["nb"] = {"Norwegian Bokmål"},<br />
["nd"] = {"North Ndebele"},<br />
["ne"] = {"Nepali (macrolanguage)"},<br />
["ng"] = {"Ndonga"},<br />
["nl"] = {"Dutch", "Flemish"},<br />
["nn"] = {"Norwegian Nynorsk"},<br />
["no"] = {"Norwegian"},<br />
["nr"] = {"South Ndebele"},<br />
["nv"] = {"Navajo", "Navaho"},<br />
["ny"] = {"Chichewa", "Chewa", "Nyanja"},<br />
["oc"] = {"Occitan (post 1500)"},<br />
["oj"] = {"Ojibwa"},<br />
["om"] = {"Oromo"},<br />
["or"] = {"Oriya (macrolanguage)", "Odia (macrolanguage)"},<br />
["os"] = {"Iron Ossetic", "Iron", "Iron Ossetian", "Ossetian", "Ossetic"},<br />
["pa"] = {"Panjabi", "Punjabi"},<br />
["pi"] = {"Pali"},<br />
["pl"] = {"Polish"},<br />
["ps"] = {"Pushto", "Pashto"},<br />
["pt"] = {"Portuguese"},<br />
["qu"] = {"Quechua"},<br />
["rm"] = {"Romansh"},<br />
["rn"] = {"Rundi"},<br />
["ro"] = {"Romanian", "Moldavian", "Moldovan"},<br />
["ru"] = {"Russian"},<br />
["rw"] = {"Kinyarwanda"},<br />
["sa"] = {"Sanskrit"},<br />
["sc"] = {"Sardinian"},<br />
["sd"] = {"Sindhi"},<br />
["se"] = {"Northern Sami"},<br />
["sg"] = {"Sango"},<br />
["sh"] = {"Serbo-Croatian"},<br />
["si"] = {"Sinhala", "Sinhalese"},<br />
["sk"] = {"Slovak"},<br />
["sl"] = {"Slovenian"},<br />
["sm"] = {"Samoan"},<br />
["sn"] = {"Shona"},<br />
["so"] = {"Somali"},<br />
["sq"] = {"Albanian"},<br />
["sr"] = {"Serbian"},<br />
["ss"] = {"Swati"},<br />
["st"] = {"Southern Sotho"},<br />
["su"] = {"Sundanese"},<br />
["sv"] = {"Swedish"},<br />
["sw"] = {"Swahili (macrolanguage)"},<br />
["ta"] = {"Tamil"},<br />
["te"] = {"Telugu"},<br />
["tg"] = {"Tajik"},<br />
["th"] = {"Thai"},<br />
["ti"] = {"Tigrinya"},<br />
["tk"] = {"Turkmen"},<br />
["tl"] = {"Tagalog"},<br />
["tn"] = {"Tswana"},<br />
["to"] = {"Tonga (Tonga Islands)"},<br />
["tr"] = {"Turkish"},<br />
["ts"] = {"Tsonga"},<br />
["tt"] = {"Tatar"},<br />
["tw"] = {"Twi"},<br />
["ty"] = {"Tahitian"},<br />
["ug"] = {"Uighur", "Uyghur"},<br />
["uk"] = {"Ukrainian"},<br />
["ur"] = {"Urdu"},<br />
["uz"] = {"Uzbek"},<br />
["ve"] = {"Venda"},<br />
["vi"] = {"Vietnamese"},<br />
["vo"] = {"Volapük"},<br />
["wa"] = {"Walloon"},<br />
["wo"] = {"Wolof"},<br />
["xh"] = {"Xhosa"},<br />
["yi"] = {"Yiddish"},<br />
["yo"] = {"Yoruba"},<br />
["za"] = {"Zhuang", "Chuang"},<br />
["zh"] = {"Chinese"},<br />
["zu"] = {"Zulu"}<br />
}</div>BellaCHhttps://en.bharatpedia.org/w/index.php?title=Module:ISO_639_name/ISO_639-3_(dep)&diff=548571Module:ISO 639 name/ISO 639-3 (dep)2026-05-17T15:42:28Z<p>BellaCH: Required module.</p>
<hr />
<div>-- File-Date: 20251015<br />
return {<br />
["aam"] = {"Aramanik"},<br />
["aay"] = {"Aariya"},<br />
["acc"] = {"Cubulco Achí"},<br />
["adp"] = {"Adap"},<br />
["aex"] = {"Amerax"},<br />
["agp"] = {"Paranan"},<br />
["ahe"] = {"Ahe"},<br />
["ais"] = {"Nataoran Amis"},<br />
["aiz"] = {"Aari"},<br />
["ajp"] = {"South Levantine Arabic"},<br />
["ajt"] = {"Judeo-Tunisian Arabic"},<br />
["akn"] = {"Amikoana"},<br />
["amd"] = {"Amapá Creole"},<br />
["aoh"] = {"Arma"},<br />
["arf"] = {"Arafundi"},<br />
["asd"] = {"Asas"},<br />
["atf"] = {"Atuence"},<br />
["aue"] = {"ǂKxʼauǁʼein"},<br />
["auv"] = {"Auvergnat"},<br />
["ayx"] = {"Ayi (China)"},<br />
["ayy"] = {"Tayabas Ayta"},<br />
["azr"] = {"Adzera"},<br />
["baz"] = {"Tunen"},<br />
["bbz"] = {"Babalia Creole Arabic"},<br />
["bcx"] = {"Pamona"},<br />
["bgh"] = {"Bogan"},<br />
["bgm"] = {"Baga Mboteni"},<br />
["bhk"] = {"Albay Bicolano"},<br />
["bic"] = {"Bikaru"},<br />
["bii"] = {"Bisu"},<br />
["bij"] = {"Vaghat-Ya-Bijim-Legeri"},<br />
["bjd"] = {"Bandjigali"},<br />
["bjq"] = {"Southern Betsimisaraka Malagasy"},<br />
["bkb"] = {"Finallig"},<br />
["bke"] = {"Bengkulu"},<br />
["blg"] = {"Balau"},<br />
["blu"] = {"Hmong Njua"},<br />
["bmy"] = {"Bemba (Democratic Republic of Congo)"},<br />
["bnh"] = {"Banawá"},<br />
["boc"] = {"Bakung Kenyah"},<br />
["bpb"] = {"Barbacoas"},<br />
["bqe"] = {"Navarro-Labourdin Basque"},<br />
["bsd"] = {"Sarawak Bisaya"},<br />
["bsz"] = {"Souletin Basque"},<br />
["btb"] = {"Beti (Cameroon)"},<br />
["btl"] = {"Bhatola"},<br />
["bvs"] = {"Belgian Sign Language"},<br />
["bwv"] = {"Bahau River Kenyah"},<br />
["bxt"] = {"Buxinhua"},<br />
["bxx"] = {"Borna (Democratic Republic of Congo)"},<br />
["byu"] = {"Buyang"},<br />
["byy"] = {"Buya"},<br />
["cbe"] = {"Chipiajes"},<br />
["cbh"] = {"Cagua"},<br />
["cbm"] = {"Yepocapa Southwestern Cakchiquel"},<br />
["cca"] = {"Cauca"},<br />
["ccq"] = {"Chaungtha"},<br />
["ccx"] = {"Northern Zhuang"},<br />
["ccy"] = {"Southern Zhuang"},<br />
["cdg"] = {"Chamari"},<br />
["chs"] = {"Chumash"},<br />
["cit"] = {"Chittagonian"},<br />
["cjr"] = {"Chorotega"},<br />
["cka"] = {"Khumi Awa Chin"},<br />
["ckc"] = {"Northern Cakchiquel"},<br />
["ckd"] = {"South Central Cakchiquel"},<br />
["cke"] = {"Eastern Cakchiquel"},<br />
["ckf"] = {"Southern Cakchiquel"},<br />
["cki"] = {"Santa María De Jesús Cakchiquel"},<br />
["ckj"] = {"Santo Domingo Xenacoj Cakchiquel"},<br />
["ckk"] = {"Acatenango Southwestern Cakchiquel"},<br />
["ckw"] = {"Western Cakchiquel"},<br />
["cmk"] = {"Chimakum"},<br />
["cnm"] = {"Ixtatán Chuj"},<br />
["coy"] = {"Coyaima"},<br />
["cqu"] = {"Chilean Quechua"},<br />
["cru"] = {"Carútana"},<br />
["cti"] = {"Tila Chol"},<br />
["cug"] = {"Chungmboko"},<br />
["cum"] = {"Cumeral"},<br />
["cun"] = {"Cunén Quiché"},<br />
["daf"] = {"Dan"},<br />
["dap"] = {"Nisi (India)"},<br />
["dat"] = {"Darang Deng"},<br />
["dek"] = {"Dek"},<br />
["dgu"] = {"Degaru"},<br />
["dha"] = {"Dhanwar (India)"},<br />
["dit"] = {"Dirari"},<br />
["djl"] = {"Djiwarli"},<br />
["dkl"] = {"Kolum So Dogon"},<br />
["drh"] = {"Darkhat"},<br />
["drr"] = {"Dororo"},<br />
["drw"] = {"Darwazi"},<br />
["dud"] = {"Hun-Saare"},<br />
["duj"] = {"Dhuwal"},<br />
["dwl"] = {"Walo Kumbe Dogon"},<br />
["dyk"] = {"Land Dayak"},<br />
["ekc"] = {"Eastern Karnic"},<br />
["elp"] = {"Elpaputih"},<br />
["eml"] = {"Emiliano-Romagnolo"},<br />
["emo"] = {"Emok"},<br />
["eni"] = {"Enim"},<br />
["eur"] = {"Europanto"},<br />
["fiz"] = {"Izere"},<br />
["flm"] = {"Falam Chin"},<br />
["fri"] = {"Western Frisian"},<br />
["gav"] = {"Gabutamon"},<br />
["gbc"] = {"Garawa"},<br />
["gen"] = {"Geman Deng"},<br />
["gfx"] = {"Mangetti Dune ǃXung"},<br />
["ggh"] = {"Garreh-Ajuran"},<br />
["ggm"] = {"Gugu Mini"},<br />
["ggn"] = {"Eastern Gurung"},<br />
["ggo"] = {"Southern Gondi"},<br />
["ggr"] = {"Aghu Tharnggalu"},<br />
["gio"] = {"Gelao"},<br />
["gji"] = {"Geji"},<br />
["gli"] = {"Guliguli"},<br />
["gmo"] = {"Gamo-Gofa-Dawro"},<br />
["gsc"] = {"Gascon"},<br />
["gti"] = {"Gbati-ri"},<br />
["guv"] = {"Gey"},<br />
["hrr"] = {"Horuru"},<br />
["hsf"] = {"Southeastern Huastec"},<br />
["hva"] = {"San Luís Potosí Huastec"},<br />
["iap"] = {"Iapama"},<br />
["ibi"] = {"Ibilo"},<br />
["ill"] = {"Iranun"},<br />
["ilw"] = {"Talur"},<br />
["ime"] = {"Imeraguen"},<br />
["itu"] = {"Itutang"},<br />
["ixi"] = {"Nebaj Ixil"},<br />
["ixj"] = {"Chajul Ixil"},<br />
["izi"] = {"Izi-Ezaa-Ikwo-Mgbo"},<br />
["jai"] = {"Western Jacalteco"},<br />
["jap"] = {"Jaruára"},<br />
["jar"] = {"Jarawa (Nigeria)"},<br />
["jeg"] = {"Jeng"},<br />
["kbf"] = {"Kakauhua"},<br />
["kds"] = {"Lahu Shi"},<br />
["kdv"] = {"Kado"},<br />
["kgc"] = {"Kasseng"},<br />
["kgd"] = {"Kataang"},<br />
["kgh"] = {"Upper Tanudan Kalinga"},<br />
["kgm"] = {"Karipúna"},<br />
["kjf"] = {"Khalaj"},<br />
["knh"] = {"Kayan River Kenyah"},<br />
["kob"] = {"Kohoroxitari"},<br />
["koj"] = {"Sara Dunjo"},<br />
["kox"] = {"Coxima"},<br />
["kpp"] = {"Paku Karen"},<br />
["krg"] = {"North Korowai"},<br />
["krm"] = {"Krim"},<br />
["krq"] = {"Krui"},<br />
["ksa"] = {"Shuwa-Zamani"},<br />
["ktr"] = {"Kota Marudu Tinagas"},<br />
["kvs"] = {"Kunggara"},<br />
["kwq"] = {"Kwak"},<br />
["kxe"] = {"Kakihum"},<br />
["kxg"] = {"Katingan"},<br />
["kxl"] = {"Nepali Kurux"},<br />
["kxu"] = {"Kui (India)"},<br />
["kzh"] = {"Kenuzi-Dongola"},<br />
["kzj"] = {"Coastal Kadazan"},<br />
["kzt"] = {"Tambunan Dusun"},<br />
["lak"] = {"Laka (Nigeria)"},<br />
["lba"] = {"Lui"},<br />
["leg"] = {"Lengua"},<br />
["lii"] = {"Lingkhim"},<br />
["llo"] = {"Khlor"},<br />
["lmm"] = {"Lamam"},<br />
["lms"] = {"Limousin"},<br />
["lmt"] = {"Lematang"},<br />
["lmz"] = {"Lumbee"},<br />
["lnc"] = {"Languedocien"},<br />
["lno"] = {"Lango (South Sudan)"},<br />
["lnt"] = {"Lintang"},<br />
["lod"] = {"Berawan"},<br />
["lsg"] = {"Lyons Sign Language"},<br />
["mbg"] = {"Northern Nambikuára"},<br />
["mdo"] = {"Southwest Gbaya"},<br />
["meg"] = {"Mea"},<br />
["mgx"] = {"Omati"},<br />
["mhh"] = {"Maskoy Pidgin"},<br />
["mhv"] = {"Arakanese"},<br />
["miv"] = {"Mimi"},<br />
["mja"] = {"Mahei"},<br />
["mld"] = {"Malakhel"},<br />
["mly"] = {"Malay (individual language)"},<br />
["mms"] = {"Southern Mam"},<br />
["mnt"] = {"Maykulan"},<br />
["mob"] = {"Moinba"},<br />
["mof"] = {"Mohegan-Montauk-Narragansett"},<br />
["mol"] = {"Moldavian"},<br />
["mpf"] = {"Tajumulco Mam"},<br />
["mqd"] = {"Madang"},<br />
["mst"] = {"Cataelano Mandaya"},<br />
["mtz"] = {"Tacanec"},<br />
["muw"] = {"Mundari"},<br />
["mvc"] = {"Central Mam"},<br />
["mvj"] = {"Todos Santos Cuchumatán Mam"},<br />
["mvm"] = {"Muya"},<br />
["mwd"] = {"Mudbura"},<br />
["mwj"] = {"Maligo"},<br />
["mwx"] = {"Mediak"},<br />
["mwy"] = {"Mosiro"},<br />
["myd"] = {"Maramba"},<br />
["myi"] = {"Mina (India)"},<br />
["myq"] = {"Forest Maninka"},<br />
["myt"] = {"Sangab Mandaya"},<br />
["mzf"] = {"Aiku"},<br />
["nad"] = {"Nijadali"},<br />
["nbf"] = {"Naxi"},<br />
["nbx"] = {"Ngura"},<br />
["ncp"] = {"Ndaktup"},<br />
["nfg"] = {"Nyeng"},<br />
["nfk"] = {"Shakara"},<br />
["ngo"] = {"Ngoni"},<br />
["nhj"] = {"Tlalitzlipa Nahuatl"},<br />
["nhs"] = {"Southeastern Puebla Nahuatl"},<br />
["nky"] = {"Khiamniungan Naga"},<br />
["nln"] = {"Durango Nahuatl"},<br />
["nlr"] = {"Ngarla"},<br />
["nns"] = {"Ningye"},<br />
["nnx"] = {"Ngong"},<br />
["nom"] = {"Nocamán"},<br />
["noo"] = {"Nootka"},<br />
["nte"] = {"Nathembo"},<br />
["nts"] = {"Natagaimas"},<br />
["nxj"] = {"Nyadu"},<br />
["nxu"] = {"Narau"},<br />
["occ"] = {"Occidental"},<br />
["ogn"] = {"Ogan"},<br />
["ome"] = {"Omejes"},<br />
["ope"] = {"Old Persian"},<br />
["ork"] = {"Orokaiva"},<br />
["oun"] = {"ǃOǃung"},<br />
["paj"] = {"Ipeka-Tapuia"},<br />
["pat"] = {"Papitalai"},<br />
["pbz"] = {"Palu"},<br />
["pcr"] = {"Panang"},<br />
["pec"] = {"Southern Pesisir"},<br />
["pen"] = {"Penesak"},<br />
["pgy"] = {"Pongyong"},<br />
["pii"] = {"Pini"},<br />
["plj"] = {"Polci"},<br />
["plm"] = {"Palembang"},<br />
["plp"] = {"Palpa"},<br />
["pmc"] = {"Palumata"},<br />
["pmk"] = {"Pamlico"},<br />
["pmu"] = {"Mirpur Panjabi"},<br />
["poa"] = {"Eastern Pokomam"},<br />
["pob"] = {"Western Pokomchí"},<br />
["pod"] = {"Ponares"},<br />
["poj"] = {"Lower Pokomo"},<br />
["pou"] = {"Southern Pokomam"},<br />
["ppa"] = {"Pao"},<br />
["ppr"] = {"Piru"},<br />
["ppv"] = {"Papavô"},<br />
["prb"] = {"Lua'"},<br />
["prp"] = {"Parsi"},<br />
["prv"] = {"Provençal"},<br />
["pry"] = {"Pray 3"},<br />
["puk"] = {"Pu Ko"},<br />
["pun"] = {"Pubian"},<br />
["puz"] = {"Purum Naga"},<br />
["quj"] = {"Joyabaj Quiché"},<br />
["qut"] = {"West Central Quiché"},<br />
["quu"] = {"Eastern Quiché"},<br />
["qxi"] = {"San Andrés Quiché"},<br />
["rae"] = {"Ranau"},<br />
["rie"] = {"Rien"},<br />
["rjb"] = {"Rajbanshi"},<br />
["rmr"] = {"Caló"},<br />
["rna"] = {"Runa"},<br />
["rsi"] = {"Rennellese Sign Language"},<br />
["rws"] = {"Rawas"},<br />
["sap"] = {"Sanapaná"},<br />
["sca"] = {"Sansu"},<br />
["scc"] = {"Serbian"},<br />
["scr"] = {"Croatian"},<br />
["sdd"] = {"Semendo"},<br />
["sdi"] = {"Sindang Kelingi"},<br />
["sdm"] = {"Semandang"},<br />
["sgl"] = {"Sanglechi-Ishkashimi"},<br />
["sgo"] = {"Songa"},<br />
["sic"] = {"Malinguat"},<br />
["skk"] = {"Sok"},<br />
["skl"] = {"Selako"},<br />
["slb"] = {"Kahumamahon Saluan"},<br />
["slq"] = {"Salchuq"},<br />
["smd"] = {"Sama"},<br />
["snb"] = {"Sebuyau"},<br />
["snh"] = {"Shinabo"},<br />
["srj"] = {"Serawai"},<br />
["stc"] = {"Santa Cruz"},<br />
["suf"] = {"Tarpia"},<br />
["suh"] = {"Suba"},<br />
["sul"] = {"Surigaonon"},<br />
["sum"] = {"Sumo-Mayangna"},<br />
["suu"] = {"Sungkai"},<br />
["svr"] = {"Savara"},<br />
["szd"] = {"Seru"},<br />
["szk"] = {"Sizaki"},<br />
["tbb"] = {"Tapeba"},<br />
["tdu"] = {"Tempasuk Dusun"},<br />
["tgg"] = {"Tangga"},<br />
["thc"] = {"Tai Hang Tong"},<br />
["thw"] = {"Thudam"},<br />
["thx"] = {"The"},<br />
["tid"] = {"Tidong"},<br />
["tie"] = {"Tingal"},<br />
["tkk"] = {"Takpa"},<br />
["tle"] = {"Southern Marakwet"},<br />
["tlw"] = {"South Wemale"},<br />
["tlz"] = {"Toala'"},<br />
["tmk"] = {"Northwestern Tamang"},<br />
["tmp"] = {"Tai Mène"},<br />
["tmx"] = {"Tomyang"},<br />
["tne"] = {"Tinoc Kallahan"},<br />
["tnf"] = {"Tangshewi"},<br />
["tnj"] = {"Tanjong"},<br />
["toe"] = {"Tomedes"},<br />
["tot"] = {"Patla-Chicontla Totonac"},<br />
["tpw"] = {"Tupí"},<br />
["tsf"] = {"Southwestern Tamang"},<br />
["ttx"] = {"Tutong 1"},<br />
["tzb"] = {"Bachajón Tzeltal"},<br />
["tzc"] = {"Chamula Tzotzil"},<br />
["tze"] = {"Chenalhó Tzotzil"},<br />
["tzs"] = {"San Andrés Larrainzar Tzotzil"},<br />
["tzt"] = {"Western Tzutujil"},<br />
["tzu"] = {"Huixtán Tzotzil"},<br />
["tzz"] = {"Zinacantán Tzotzil"},<br />
["ubm"] = {"Upper Baram Kenyah"},<br />
["unp"] = {"Worora"},<br />
["uok"] = {"Uokha"},<br />
["uun"] = {"Kulon-Pazeh"},<br />
["vki"] = {"Ija-Zuba"},<br />
["vky"] = {"Kayu Agung"},<br />
["vlr"] = {"Vatrata"},<br />
["vmo"] = {"Muko-Muko"},<br />
["wgw"] = {"Wagawaga"},<br />
["wit"] = {"Wintu"},<br />
["wiw"] = {"Wirangu"},<br />
["wra"] = {"Warapu"},<br />
["wrd"] = {"Warduji"},<br />
["wre"] = {"Ware"},<br />
["wya"] = {"Wyandot"},<br />
["xah"] = {"Kahayan"},<br />
["xba"] = {"Kamba (Brazil)"},<br />
["xbx"] = {"Kabixí"},<br />
["xia"] = {"Xiandao"},<br />
["xip"] = {"Xipináwa"},<br />
["xkh"] = {"Karahawyana"},<br />
["xkm"] = {"Mahakam Kenyah"},<br />
["xmi"] = {"Miarrã"},<br />
["xrq"] = {"Karranga"},<br />
["xsk"] = {"Sakan"},<br />
["xss"] = {"Assan"},<br />
["xst"] = {"Silt'e"},<br />
["xtz"] = {"Tasmanian"},<br />
["xuf"] = {"Kunfal"},<br />
["ybd"] = {"Yangbye"},<br />
["yds"] = {"Yiddish Sign Language"},<br />
["yen"] = {"Yendang"},<br />
["yib"] = {"Yinglish"},<br />
["yio"] = {"Dayao Yi"},<br />
["yiy"] = {"Yir Yoront"},<br />
["yma"] = {"Yamphe"},<br />
["ymj"] = {"Muji Yi"},<br />
["ymt"] = {"Mator-Taygi-Karagas"},<br />
["ynh"] = {"Yangho"},<br />
["yol"] = {"Yola"},<br />
["yos"] = {"Yos"},<br />
["ypl"] = {"Pula Yi"},<br />
["ypw"] = {"Puwa Yi"},<br />
["yri"] = {"Yarí"},<br />
["yus"] = {"Chan Santa Cruz Maya"},<br />
["yuu"] = {"Yugh"},<br />
["ywm"] = {"Wumeng Yi"},<br />
["yym"] = {"Yuanjiang-Mojiang Yi"},<br />
["zir"] = {"Ziriya"},<br />
["zkb"] = {"Koibal"},<br />
["ztc"] = {"Lachirioag Zapotec"},<br />
["zua"] = {"Zeem"}<br />
}</div>BellaCHhttps://en.bharatpedia.org/w/index.php?title=Module:ISO_639_name/ISO_639_deprecated&diff=548570Module:ISO 639 name/ISO 639 deprecated2026-05-17T15:41:20Z<p>BellaCH: Required module.</p>
<hr />
<div>--[[--------------------------< D E P R E C A T E D _ 1 >------------------------------------------------------<br />
<br />
ISO 639-1 code / name pairs taken from https://www.loc.gov/standards/iso639-2/php/code_changes.php<br />
<br />
]]<br />
<br />
local deprecated_1 = { -- ISO 639-1 codes<br />
["in"] = {"Indonesian"},<br />
["iw"] = {"Hebrew"},<br />
["ji"] = {"Yiddish"},<br />
["jw"] = {"Javanese"},<br />
["mo"] = {"Moldavian", "Moldovan"},<br />
["sh"] = {"Serbo-Croatian"}, -- deprecated by ISO; retained in IANA<br />
} <br />
<br />
<br />
--[[--------------------------< D E P R E C A T E D _ 2 >------------------------------------------------------<br />
<br />
ISO 639-2 code / name pairs taken from https://www.loc.gov/standards/iso639-2/php/code_changes.php<br />
<br />
]]<br />
<br />
local deprecated_2 = { -- ISO 639-2 codes<br />
["mol"] = {"Moldavian", "Moldovan"}, -- ISO 639-3 overwrites this to {"Moldavian"}<br />
}<br />
<br />
<br />
--[[--------------------------< D E P R E C A T E D _ 2 B >----------------------------------------------------<br />
<br />
ISO 639-2B code / name pairs taken from https://www.loc.gov/standards/iso639-2/php/code_changes.php<br />
<br />
]]<br />
<br />
local deprecated_2B = { -- ISO 639-2B codes<br />
["jaw"] = {"Javanese"},<br />
["scc"] = {"Serbian"},<br />
["scr"] = {"Croatian"},<br />
}<br />
<br />
<br />
--[[--------------------------< D E P R E C A T E D _ 3 >------------------------------------------------------<br />
<br />
ISO 639-3 code / name pairs taken from iso-639-3_Retirements_YYYYMMDD.tab file in Complete Code Tables Set UTF-8<br />
version zip file available at https://iso639-3.sil.org/code_tables/download_tables<br />
<br />
function deprecated_3_make() to avoid the metatable trap<br />
<br />
]]<br />
<br />
local function deprecated_3_make ()<br />
local dep3 = mw.loadData ('Module:ISO 639 name/ISO 639-3 (dep)'); -- separate source table for deprecated ISO 639-3 codes<br />
local t = {};<br />
for k, v in pairs (dep3) do -- add deprecated ISO 639-3 codes/language names<br />
t[k] = {v[1]};<br />
end<br />
dep3={};<br />
return t;<br />
end<br />
<br />
local deprecated_3 = deprecated_3_make(); -- create deprecated codes/language names table<br />
<br />
<br />
--[[--------------------------< D E P R E C A T E D _ 5 >------------------------------------------------------<br />
<br />
ISO 639-3 code taken from https://www.loc.gov/standards/iso639-5/changes.php; names not listed<br />
<br />
]]<br />
<br />
local deprecated_5 = {<br />
["car"] = {"Galibi Carib"}, -- name is assumed from -2, -3 (both active); source omits name<br />
}<br />
<br />
<br />
--[[--------------------------< E X P O R T E D T A B L E S >------------------------------------------------<br />
]]<br />
<br />
return<br />
{<br />
deprecated_1 = deprecated_1,<br />
deprecated_2 = deprecated_2,<br />
deprecated_2B = deprecated_2B,<br />
deprecated_3 = deprecated_3,<br />
deprecated_5 = deprecated_5,<br />
}</div>BellaCHhttps://en.bharatpedia.org/w/index.php?title=Module:ISO_639_name/ISO_639_override&diff=548569Module:ISO 639 name/ISO 639 override2026-05-17T15:39:24Z<p>BellaCH: This module is required.</p>
<hr />
<div>--[[--------------------------< O V E R R I D E _ 1 >----------------------------------------------------------<br />
<br />
Language codes and names in this table override the ISO 639 names in: Module:Lang/data/iana languages<br />
<br />
]]<br />
<br />
local override_1 = {<br />
["bo"] = {"Standard Tibetan"}, -- en.wiki preferred; Tibetan<br />
["el"] = {"Greek"}, -- Modern Greek (1453-)<br />
["ht"] = {"Haitian Creole"}, -- en.wiki preferred; Haitian<br />
-- ["mo"] = {"Moldovan"}, -- deprecated in ISO 639, still in use at en.wiki<br />
["st"] = {"Sotho"}, -- Southern Sotho; match ISO 639-2; en.wiki preferred<br />
["to"] = {"Tongan"}, -- en.wiki preferred; Tonga (Tonga Islands)<br />
}<br />
<br />
<br />
--[[--------------------------< O V E R R I D E _ 2 >----------------------------------------------------------<br />
<br />
Language codes and names in this table override the ISO 639 names in: Module:ISO 639 name/ISO 639-2<br />
<br />
]]<br />
<br />
local override_2 = {<br />
-- ["ang"] = {"Old English"}, -- English, Old (ca.450-1100)<br />
["bod"] = {"Standard Tibetan"}, -- en.wiki preferred; Tibetan<br />
-- ["dum"] = {"Middle Dutch"}, -- Dutch, Middle (ca.1050-1350)<br />
["egy"] = {"Ancient Egyptian"}, -- Egyptian (Ancient)<br />
["ell"] = {"Greek"}, -- Greek, Modern (1453-)<br />
-- ["enm"] = {"Middle English"}, -- English, Middle (1100-1500)<br />
-- ["frm"] = {"Middle French"}, -- French, Middle (ca.1400-1600) <br />
-- ["fro"] = {"Old French"}, -- French, Old (842-ca.1400)<br />
-- ["gmh"] = {"Middle High German"}, -- German, Middle High (ca.1050-1500)<br />
-- ["goh"] = {"Old High German"}, -- German, Old High (ca.750-1050)<br />
-- ["grc"] = {"Ancient Greek"}, -- Greek, Ancient (to 1453)<br />
["hat"] = {"Haitian Creole"}, -- en.wiki preferred; Haitian<br />
-- ["mga"] = {"Middle Irish"}, -- Irish, Middle (900-1200)<br />
-- ["mol"] = {"Moldovan"}, -- deprecated in ISO 639, still in use at en.wiki<br />
["nbl"] = {"Southern Ndebele"}, -- Ndebele, South or South Ndebele<br />
["nde"] = {"Northern Ndebele"}, -- Ndebele, North or North Ndebele<br />
["nob"] = {"Norwegian Bokmål"}, -- Bokmål, Norwegian or Norwegian Bokmål<br />
-- ["non"] = {"Old Norse"}, -- Norse, Old<br />
-- ["ota"] = {"Ottoman Turkish"}, -- Turkish, Ottoman (1500-1928)<br />
-- ["peo"] = {"Old Persian"}, -- Persian, Old (ca.600-400 B.C.)<br />
["pro"] = {"Old Occitan"}, -- Provençal, Old (to 1500) or Occitan, Old (to 1500)<br />
-- ["sga"] = {"Old Irish"}, -- Irish, Old (to 900)<br />
["sot"] = {"Sotho"}, -- Sotho, Southern; en.wiki preferred<br />
["ton"] = {"Tongan"}, -- en.wiki preferred; Tonga (Tonga Islands)<br />
}<br />
<br />
<br />
--[[--------------------------< O V E R R I D E _ 2 B >--------------------------------------------------------<br />
<br />
Language codes and names in this table override the ISO 639 names in: Module:ISO 639 name/ISO 639-2B<br />
<br />
]]<br />
<br />
local override_2B = {<br />
["gre"] = {"Greek"}, -- Greek, Modern (1453-)<br />
["tib"] = {"Standard Tibetan"}, -- en.wiki preferred; Tibetan<br />
}<br />
<br />
<br />
--[[--------------------------< O V E R R I D E _ 3 >----------------------------------------------------------<br />
<br />
Language codes and names in this table override the ISO 639 names in: Module:ISO 639 name/ISO 639-3<br />
<br />
]]<br />
<br />
local override_3 = {<br />
["bod"] = {"Standard Tibetan"}, -- en.wiki preferred; Tibetan<br />
["egy"] = {"Ancient Egyptian"}, -- Egyptian (Ancient)<br />
["ell"] = {"Greek"}, -- Modern Greek (1453-)<br />
["haa"] = {"Hän"}, -- to avoid redirect; Han<br />
["hat"] = {"Haitian Creole"}, -- en.wiki preferred; Haitian<br />
-- ["mol"] = {"Moldovan"}, -- deprecated in ISO 639, still in use at en.wiki as ISO 639-1 mo<br />
['mte'] = {"Mono-Alu"}, -- en.wiki preferred; Mono (Solomon Islands)<br />
["nbl"] = {"Southern Ndebele"}, -- South Ndebele<br />
["nde"] = {"Northern Ndebele"}, -- North Ndebele<br />
["pms"] = {"Piedmontese"}, -- ISO 639-3 name is Piemontese; to match en.wiki article title<br />
["pnb"] = {"Punjabi"}, -- Western Panjabi, a dab; en.wiki preferred<br />
["sot"] = {"Sotho"}, -- Southern Sotho; match ISO 639-2; en.wiki preferred<br />
["ton"] = {"Tongan"}, -- en.wiki preferred; Tonga (Tonga Islands)<br />
}<br />
<br />
<br />
--[[--------------------------< O V E R R I D E _ 5 >----------------------------------------------------------<br />
<br />
Language codes and names in this table override the ISO 639 names in: Module:ISO 639 name/ISO 639-5<br />
<br />
]]<br />
<br />
local override_5 = {<br />
}<br />
<br />
<br />
--[[--------------------------< O V E R R I D E _ D E P >------------------------------------------------------<br />
<br />
Language codes and names in this table override the ISO 639 names in: Module:ISO 639 name/ISO 639 deprecated<br />
<br />
]]<br />
<br />
local override_dep = {<br />
}<br />
<br />
<br />
--[[--------------------------< A R T I C L E _ L I N K >------------------------------------------------------<br />
<br />
for those rare occasions when article titles don't fit with the normal '<language name> language', this table<br />
maps language code to article title. Use of this table should be avoided and the use of redirects preferred as<br />
that is the long-standing method of handling article names that don't fit with the normal pattern<br />
<br />
]]<br />
<br />
local article_name = {<br />
["lij"] = {"Ligurian (Romance language)"}, -- Ligurian; see Template_talk:Lang#Ligurian_dab<br />
['mbo'] = {"Mbo language (Cameroon)"}, -- Mbo (Cameroon)<br />
['mnh'] = {"Mono language (Congo)"}, -- Mono (Democratic Republic of Congo); see Template_talk:Lang#Mono_languages<br />
['mnr'] = {"Mono language (California)"}, -- Mono (USA)<br />
['mru'] = {"Mono language (Cameroon)"}, -- Mono (Cameroon)<br />
["xlg"] = {"Ligurian (ancient language)"}, -- see Template_talk:Lang#Ligurian_dab<br />
["zmw"] = {"Mbo language (Congo)"}, -- Mbo (Democratic Republic of Congo)<br />
}<br />
<br />
<br />
--[[--------------------------< E X P O R T E D T A B L E S >------------------------------------------------<br />
]]<br />
<br />
return<br />
{<br />
override_1 = override_1,<br />
override_2 = override_2,<br />
override_2B = override_2B,<br />
override_3 = override_3,<br />
override_5 = override_5,<br />
override_dep = override_dep,<br />
<br />
article_name = article_name,<br />
}</div>BellaCHhttps://en.bharatpedia.org/w/index.php?title=Module:ISO_639_name&diff=548568Module:ISO 639 name2026-05-17T15:38:53Z<p>BellaCH: Tweet template showing error related to this module.</p>
<hr />
<div>require('strict');<br />
local getArgs = require ('Module:Arguments').getArgs;<br />
local override_data = mw.loadData ('Module:ISO 639 name/ISO 639 override');<br />
local deprecated_data = mw.loadData ('Module:ISO 639 name/ISO 639 deprecated');<br />
<br />
local parts = {<br />
{'Module:ISO 639 name/ISO 639-1', '1'},<br />
{'Module:ISO 639 name/ISO 639-2', '2'},<br />
{'Module:ISO 639 name/ISO 639-2B', '2B'},<br />
{'Module:ISO 639 name/ISO 639-3', '3'},<br />
{'Module:ISO 639 name/ISO 639-5', '5'},<br />
}<br />
<br />
<br />
--[[--------------------------< E R R O R _ M E S S A G E S >--------------------------------------------------<br />
<br />
]]<br />
<br />
local error_messages = {<br />
['err_msg'] = '<span style="font-size:100%;" class="error show_639_err_msgs">error: $1 ([[Template:ISO 639 name|help]])</span>',<br />
['err_text'] = { -- error messages used only in the code to name functions<br />
['ietf'] = '$1 is an IETF tag', -- $1 is the ietf tag<br />
['required'] = 'ISO 639$1 code is required', -- $1 is the 639 '-1', '-2', '-3', '-5' part suffix; may be empty string<br />
<br />
-- code to name functions and iso_639_name_to_code()<br />
['not_found'] = '$1 not found in ISO 639-$2 list', -- $1 is code or language name; $2 is 639 part suffix(es)<br />
<br />
-- iso_639_name_to_code() only<br />
['name'] = 'language name required',<br />
['not_part'] = '$1 not an ISO 639 part', -- $1 is invalid 639 suffix (without hyphen)<br />
<br />
['code_name'] = 'language code or name required', -- iso_639() only<br />
}<br />
}<br />
<br />
local error_cat = '[[Category:ISO 639 name template errors]]';<br />
<br />
<br />
--[[--------------------------< S U B S T I T U T E >----------------------------------------------------------<br />
<br />
Populates numbered arguments in a message string using an argument table.<br />
<br />
]]<br />
<br />
local function substitute (msg, args)<br />
return args and mw.message.newRawMessage (msg, args):plain() or msg;<br />
end<br />
<br />
<br />
--[[--------------------------< E R R O R _ M S G >------------------------------------------------------------<br />
<br />
create an error message<br />
<br />
]]<br />
<br />
local function error_msg (msg, arg, hide, nocat)<br />
local retval = '';<br />
if not hide then<br />
retval = substitute (error_messages.err_msg, substitute (error_messages.err_text[msg], arg));<br />
retval = nocat and retval or (retval .. error_cat);<br />
end<br />
return retval<br />
end<br />
<br />
<br />
--[[--------------------------< I S _ S E T >------------------------------------------------------------------<br />
<br />
Returns true if argument is set; false otherwise. Argument is 'set' when it exists (not nil) or when it is not an empty string.<br />
<br />
]]<br />
<br />
local function is_set (var)<br />
return not (var == nil or var == '');<br />
end<br />
<br />
<br />
--[=[-------------------------< M A K E _ W I K I L I N K >----------------------------------------------------<br />
<br />
Makes a wikilink; when both link and display text is provided, returns a wikilink in the form [[L|D]]; if only<br />
link is provided, returns a wikilink in the form [[L]]; if neither are provided or link is omitted, returns an<br />
empty string.<br />
<br />
]=]<br />
<br />
local function make_wikilink (link, display)<br />
if is_set (link) then<br />
if is_set (display) then<br />
return table.concat ({'[[', link, '|', display, ']]'});<br />
else<br />
return table.concat ({'[[', link, ']]'});<br />
end<br />
else<br />
return '';<br />
end<br />
end<br />
<br />
<br />
--[[--------------------------< L A N G _ N A M E _ G E T >----------------------------------------------------<br />
<br />
returns first listed language name for code from data{} table; strips parenthetical disambiguation; wikilinks to<br />
the language article if link is true; returns nil else<br />
<br />
]]<br />
<br />
local function lang_name_get (code, data, link, label, raw)<br />
local name;<br />
if data[code] then<br />
-- name = raw and data[code][1] or data[code][1]:gsub ('%s*%b()', ''); -- get the name; strip parenthetical disambiguators if any when <raw> is false<br />
if raw then<br />
name = data[code][1];<br />
else<br />
name = data[code][1]:gsub ('%s*%b()', ''); -- strip parenthetical disambiguators if any<br />
name = name:gsub ('([^,]-), +(.+)', '%2 %1'); -- if inverted, uninvert<br />
end<br />
if link then -- make a link to the language article?<br />
if name:find ('languages') or name:find ('[Ll]anguage$') then<br />
name = make_wikilink (name, label); -- simple wikilink for collective languages or langauges ending in 'Language' unless there is a label<br />
elseif override_data.article_name[code] then<br />
name = make_wikilink (override_data.article_name[code][1], label or name); -- language name or label with wikilink from override data<br />
else<br />
name = make_wikilink (name .. ' language', label or name); -- [[name language|name]] or [[name language|label]]<br />
end<br />
end<br />
return name;<br />
end<br />
end<br />
<br />
<br />
--[[--------------------------< A D D _ I E T F _ E R R O R _ M S G >------------------------------------------<br />
<br />
assembles return-text (language code, language name, or error message) with IETF error message into properly<br />
formatted readable text<br />
<br />
|hide-err=yes suppresses error message and category<br />
|cat=no supresses category<br />
<br />
]]<br />
<br />
local function add_ietf_error_msg (text, ietf_err, hide, nocat)<br />
if hide then<br />
ietf_err = '';<br />
end<br />
<br />
if not nocat then -- |cat= empty or omitted -> nocat=false<br />
nocat = '' == ietf_err; -- spoof; don't add cat when no error<br />
end<br />
<br />
return table.concat ({ -- tack on ietf error message if one exists<br />
text, -- code name, language name, or error message<br />
'' ~= ietf_err and ' ' or '', -- needs a space when ietf_err is not empty<br />
ietf_err,<br />
nocat and '' or error_cat, -- add error category when |cat=<aynthing but 'no'><br />
});<br />
end<br />
<br />
<br />
--[[--------------------------< G E T _ P A R T _ I N D E X >--------------------------------------------------<br />
<br />
gets index suitable for parts{} table from ISO 639-<part> (usually args[2])<br />
<br />
return valid index [1] - [5]; nil else<br />
1 <- part ['1']<br />
2 <- part ['2'] -- this is part 2T<br />
3 <- part ['2B']<br />
4 <- part ['3']<br />
nil <- part ['4'] -- there is no part 4<br />
5 <- part ['5']<br />
<br />
]]<br />
<br />
local function get_part_index (part)<br />
return ({['1']=1, ['2']=2, ['2B']=3, ['3']=4, ['4']=nil, ['5']=5})[part]<br />
end<br />
<br />
<br />
--[[--------------------------< I S O _ 6 3 9 _ C O D E _ T O _ N A M E _ C O M M O N >------------------------<br />
<br />
this is code that is common to all of the iso_639_code_n_to_name() functions which serve only as template entry<br />
points to provide the frame, the name of the appropriate data source, and to identify which 639 part applies.<br />
<br />
this function returns a language name or an error message. data is searched in this order:<br />
part-specific override data -> standard part data -> part-specific deprecated data<br />
<br />
a second retval used by _iso_639_code_to_name() is true when a code is found; nil else<br />
<br />
]]<br />
<br />
local function iso_639_code_to_name_common (args, source, part)<br />
local hide = 'yes' == args['hide-err']; -- suppress error messages and error categorization<br />
local nocat = 'no' == args.cat; -- suppress error categorization (primarily for demo use)<br />
local raw = 'yes' == args.raw; -- disable override and dab removal<br />
local data; -- one of the override or part tables<br />
local name; -- holds language name from data<br />
<br />
if not args[1] then -- if code not provided in the template call<br />
return error_msg ('required', '-' .. part, hide, nocat); -- abandon<br />
end<br />
<br />
local code; -- used for error messaging<br />
local ietf_err; -- holds an error message when args[1] (language code) is in IETF tag form (may or may not be a valid IETF tag)<br />
code, ietf_err = args[1]:gsub('(.-)%-.*', '%1'); -- strip ietf subtags; ietf_err is non-zero when subtags are stripped<br />
ietf_err = (0 ~= ietf_err) and error_msg ('ietf', args[1], hide, nocat) or ''; -- when tags are stripped create an error message; empty string for concatenation else<br />
<br />
if not raw then -- when raw is true, fetch name as is from part data; ignore override<br />
data = override_data['override_' .. part]; -- get override data for this part<br />
name = lang_name_get (code:lower(), data, args.link, args.label, raw); -- get override language name if there is one<br />
end<br />
<br />
if not name then<br />
data = mw.loadData (source); -- get the data for this ISO 639 part<br />
name = lang_name_get (code:lower(), data, args.link, args.label, raw); -- get language name if there is one<br />
end<br />
<br />
if not name then -- TODO: do something special to indicate when a name is fetched from deprecated data?<br />
data = deprecated_data['deprecated_' .. part]; -- get deprecated data for this part<br />
name = lang_name_get (code:lower(), data, args.link, args.label, raw); -- get deprecated language name if there is one<br />
<br />
if not name then<br />
return error_msg ('not_found', {code, part}, hide, nocat); -- code not found, return error message<br />
end<br />
end <br />
return add_ietf_error_msg (name, ietf_err, hide, nocat), true; -- return language name with ietf error message if any; true because we found a code<br />
end<br />
<br />
<br />
--[[--------------------------< _ I S O _ 6 3 9 _ C O D E _ T O _ N A M E >------------------------------------<br />
<br />
searches through the ISO 639 language tables for a name that matches the supplied code. on success returns first<br />
language name that matches code from template frame perhaps with an error message and a second return value of true;<br />
on failure returns an error message and a second return value of nil. The second return value is a return value<br />
used by iso_639_code_exists()<br />
<br />
looks first in the override data and then sequentially in the 639-1, -2, -3, and -5 data<br />
<br />
]]<br />
<br />
local function _iso_639_code_to_name (frame)<br />
local args = getArgs(frame);<br />
local hide = 'yes' == args['hide-err']; -- suppress error messages and error categorization<br />
local nocat = 'no' == args.cat; -- suppress error categorization (primarily for demo use)<br />
<br />
if not args[1] then -- if code not provided in the template call<br />
return error_msg ('required', '', hide, nocat); -- abandon<br />
end<br />
<br />
local name; -- the retrieved language name and / or error message<br />
local found; -- set to true when language name is found<br />
<br />
for _, part in ipairs (parts) do<br />
name, found = iso_639_code_to_name_common (args, part[1], part[2]);<br />
if found then<br />
return name, true; -- second retval for iso_639_name_exists()<br />
end<br />
end<br />
<br />
return error_msg ('not_found', {args[1], '1, -2, -2B, -3, -5'}, hide, nocat); -- here when code (args[1]) is not found in the data tables<br />
end<br />
<br />
<br />
--[[--------------------------< I S O _ 6 3 9 _ C O D E _ T O _ N A M E >--------------------------------------<br />
<br />
template entry point; returns first language name that matches code from template frame or an error message<br />
looks first in the override data and then sequentially in the 639-1, -2, -3, and -5 data<br />
<br />
]]<br />
<br />
local function iso_639_code_to_name (frame)<br />
local ret_val = _iso_639_code_to_name (frame); -- ignore second return value<br />
return ret_val; -- return language name and / or error message<br />
end<br />
<br />
<br />
--[[--------------------------< I S O _ 6 3 9 _ C O D E _ E X I S T S >----------------------------------------<br />
<br />
template entry point; returns true if language code maps to a language name; intended as a replacement for:<br />
{{#exist:Template:ISO 639 name <code>|<exists>|<doesn't exist>}}<br />
Instead of that expensive parser function call use this function:<br />
{{#if:{{#invoke:ISO 639 name|iso_639_code_exists|<code>}}|<exists>|<doesn't exist>}}<br />
on success, returns true; nil else<br />
<br />
]]<br />
<br />
local function iso_639_code_exists (frame)<br />
local _, exists;<br />
_, exists = _iso_639_code_to_name (frame); -- ignore name/error message return; <exists> is true when name found for code; nil else<br />
return exists;<br />
end<br />
<br />
<br />
--[[--------------------------< I S O _ 6 3 9 _ C O D E _ 1 _ T O _ N A M E >----------------------------------<br />
<br />
template entry point; returns first language name that matches ISO 639-1 code from template frame or an error message<br />
<br />
]]<br />
<br />
local function iso_639_code_1_to_name (frame)<br />
local args = getArgs (frame);<br />
local retval = iso_639_code_to_name_common (args, parts[1][1], parts[1][2]); -- suppress second return value<br />
return retval;<br />
end<br />
<br />
<br />
--[[--------------------------< I S O _ 6 3 9 _ C O D E _ 2 _ T O _ N A M E >----------------------------------<br />
<br />
template entry point; returns first language name that matches ISO 639-2 code from template frame or an error message<br />
<br />
]]<br />
<br />
local function iso_639_code_2_to_name (frame)<br />
local args = getArgs (frame);<br />
local retval = iso_639_code_to_name_common (args, parts[2][1], parts[2][2]); -- suppress second return value<br />
return retval;<br />
end<br />
<br />
<br />
--[[--------------------------< I S O _ 6 3 9 _ C O D E _ 2 B _ T O _ N A M E >--------------------------------<br />
<br />
template entry point; returns first language name that matches ISO 639-2 code from template frame or an error message<br />
<br />
]]<br />
<br />
local function iso_639_code_2B_to_name (frame)<br />
local args = getArgs (frame);<br />
local retval = iso_639_code_to_name_common (args, parts[3][1], parts[3][2]); -- suppress second return value<br />
return retval;<br />
end<br />
<br />
<br />
--[[--------------------------< I S O _ 6 3 9 _ C O D E _ 3 _ T O _ N A M E >----------------------------------<br />
<br />
template entry point; returns first language name that matches ISO 639-3 code from template frame or an error message<br />
<br />
]]<br />
<br />
local function iso_639_code_3_to_name (frame)<br />
local args = getArgs (frame);<br />
local retval = iso_639_code_to_name_common (args, parts[4][1], parts[4][2]); -- suppress second return value<br />
return retval;<br />
end<br />
<br />
<br />
--[[--------------------------< I S O _ 6 3 9 _ C O D E _ 5 _ T O _ N A M E >----------------------------------<br />
<br />
template entry point; returns first language name that matches ISO 639-5 code from template frame or an error message<br />
<br />
]]<br />
<br />
local function iso_639_code_5_to_name (frame)<br />
local args = getArgs (frame);<br />
local retval = iso_639_code_to_name_common (args, parts[5][1], parts[5][2]); -- index [4] -> part 5 because there is no part 4; suppress second return value<br />
return retval;<br />
end<br />
<br />
<br />
--[[--------------------------< N A M E _ I N _ P A R T _ C O D E _ G E T >------------------------------------<br />
<br />
indexes into the <name_data> using <name> and extracts the language code assigned to <part> (1, 2, 2B, 3, 5).<br />
attempts to index override data first; returns code on success, nil else<br />
<br />
]]<br />
<br />
local function name_in_part_code_get (name, part, part_idx, name_data)<br />
return name_data[name] and (<br />
name_data[name][part_idx+5] or -- see if the name exists in the part's override table<br />
name_data[name][part_idx] or -- see if the name exists in the part's main table<br />
name_data[name][part_idx+10] -- see if the name exists in the part's deprecated table<br />
);<br />
end<br />
<br />
<br />
--[[--------------------------< _ I S O _ 6 3 9 _ N A M E _ T O _ C O D E >------------------------------------<br />
<br />
module entry point; returns ISO 639-1, -2, -2B, -3, or -5 code associated with language name according to part<br />
(1, 2, 2B, 3, 5) argument; when part is not provided scans 1, 2, 2B, 3, 5 and returns first code<br />
<br />
override data are examined first<br />
<br />
<args> is frame arguments from getArgs(frame)<br />
<br />
]]<br />
<br />
local function _iso_639_name_to_code (args)<br />
local hide = 'yes' == args['hide-err']; -- suppress error messages and error categorization<br />
local nocat = 'no' == args.cat; -- suppress error categorization (primarily for demo use)<br />
<br />
if not args[1] then<br />
return error_msg ('name', '', hide, nocat); -- abandon when language name missing<br />
end<br />
<br />
local name = args[1]; -- used in error messaging<br />
local lc_name = name:gsub(' +', ' '):lower(); -- lowercase version of name for indexing into the data table; strip extraneous space characters<br />
<br />
local part_idx;<br />
local part = args[2];<br />
if part then<br />
part_idx = get_part_index (part);<br />
if not part_idx then<br />
return error_msg ('not_part', part, hide, nocat); -- abandon; args[2] is not a valid ISO 639 part<br />
end<br />
end<br />
<br />
local name_data = mw.loadData ('Module:ISO 639 name/ISO 639 name to code'); -- ISO 639 language names to code table<br />
<br />
local code;<br />
<br />
if part then<br />
code = name_in_part_code_get (lc_name, part, part_idx, name_data); -- search the specified override table + part table<br />
else<br />
for part_idx, part_tag in ipairs ({'1', '2', '2B', '3', '5'}) do -- no part provided, spin through all parts override first and get the first available code<br />
code = name_in_part_code_get (lc_name, part_tag, part_idx, name_data);<br />
if code then -- nil when specified <part> does not have code for specified language <name><br />
break; -- when code is not nil, done<br />
end<br />
end<br />
end<br />
<br />
if code then<br />
return code, true;<br />
end<br />
return error_msg ('not_found', {name, part or '1, -2, -2B, -3, -5'}, hide, nocat), false;<br />
end<br />
<br />
<br />
--[[--------------------------< I S O _ 6 3 9 _ N A M E _ T O _ C O D E >--------------------------------------<br />
<br />
template entry point; returns ISO 639-1, -2, -2B, -3, or -5 code associated with language name according to part<br />
(1, 2, 2B, 3, 5) argument; when part is not provided scans 1, 2, 2B, 3, 5 and returns first code<br />
<br />
override data are examined first<br />
<br />
args[1] is language name<br />
args[2] is ISO 639 part<br />
<br />
]]<br />
<br />
local function iso_639_name_to_code (frame)<br />
local args = getArgs(frame);<br />
local result, _ = _iso_639_name_to_code (args); -- suppress true/false return used by iso_639_name_exists()<br />
return result;<br />
end<br />
<br />
<br />
--[[--------------------------< I S O _ 6 3 9 _ N A M E _ E X I S T S >----------------------------------------<br />
<br />
template entry point; returns ISO 639-1, -2, -3, or -5 code associated with language name according to part (1, 2, 3, 5) argument;<br />
when part is not provided scans 1, 2, 3 , 5 and returns first code<br />
<br />
override data are examined first<br />
<br />
args[1] is language name<br />
args[2] is ISO 639 part<br />
<br />
]]<br />
<br />
local function iso_639_name_exists (frame)<br />
local args = getArgs(frame);<br />
local _, result = _iso_639_name_to_code (args); -- suppress code return used by iso_639_name_to_code()<br />
return result and true or nil;<br />
end<br />
<br />
<br />
--[[--------------------------< I S O _ 6 3 9 >----------------------------------------------------------------<br />
<br />
template entry point.<br />
returns:<br />
language name if args[1] is valid language code<br />
language code if args[1] is valid language name<br />
<br />
this function is constrained to the ISO 639 part specified in args[2] which must be 1, 2, 2B, 3, or 5. When not provided<br />
all parts are tested. The first match is found<br />
<br />
]]<br />
<br />
local function iso_639 (frame)<br />
local args = getArgs (frame);<br />
local hide = 'yes' == args['hide-err']; -- suppress error messages and error categorization<br />
local nocat = 'no' == args.cat; -- suppress error categorization (primarily for demo use)<br />
local result;<br />
local found; -- set to true when language name is found<br />
<br />
if not args[1] then<br />
return error_msg ('code_name', '', hide, nocat);<br />
end<br />
<br />
local part = args[2];<br />
if part then -- if ISO 639 part supplied<br />
local part_idx = get_part_index (part); -- map index from <part>; anything else nil<br />
<br />
if not part_idx then<br />
return error_msg ('not_part', part, hide, nocat); -- abandon; args[2] is not a valid ISO 639 part<br />
end<br />
<br />
result, found = iso_639_code_to_name_common (args, parts[part_idx][1], parts[part_idx][2]); -- attempt to find a code match<br />
if found then<br />
return result; -- found the code so return the language name<br />
end<br />
<br />
result = _iso_639_name_to_code (args); -- might be a language name; return code if it is; error message or empty string else<br />
return result; -- this way to suppress second return<br />
<br />
else <br />
for _, part in ipairs (parts) do -- for each of the iso 639 parts<br />
result, found = iso_639_code_to_name_common (args, part[1], part[2]); -- attempt to find a code match<br />
if found then<br />
return result; -- found the code so return the language name<br />
end<br />
end<br />
end <br />
<br />
result = _iso_639_name_to_code (args); -- might be a language name; return code if it is; error message or empty string else<br />
return result; -- this way to suppress second return<br />
end<br />
<br />
<br />
--[[--------------------------< E X P O R T E D F U N C T I O N S >------------------------------------------<br />
]]<br />
<br />
return {<br />
iso_639 = iso_639, -- returns code when given name; returns name when given code<br />
<br />
iso_639_code_exists = iso_639_code_exists,<br />
iso_639_name_exists = iso_639_name_exists,<br />
<br />
iso_639_code_to_name = iso_639_code_to_name,<br />
iso_639_code_1_to_name = iso_639_code_1_to_name,<br />
iso_639_code_2_to_name = iso_639_code_2_to_name,<br />
iso_639_code_2B_to_name = iso_639_code_2B_to_name,<br />
iso_639_code_3_to_name = iso_639_code_3_to_name,<br />
iso_639_code_5_to_name = iso_639_code_5_to_name,<br />
<br />
iso_639_name_to_code = iso_639_name_to_code,<br />
};</div>BellaCHhttps://en.bharatpedia.org/w/index.php?title=Template:Tweet&diff=548567Template:Tweet2026-05-17T15:36:05Z<p>BellaCH: One more try to fix.</p>
<hr />
<div><templatestyles src="Template:Quote box/styles.css" /><includeonly><div role=complementary class=quotebox style="<br />
{{#if:{{{style|}}}|{{{style}}};}}<br />
float:{{#if:{{{left|}}}|left|right}};<br />
clear:{{#if:{{{left|}}}|left|right}};<br />
margin:{{#if:{{{left|}}}|.5em 1.4em .8em 0|.5em 0 .8em 1.4em}};<br />
width:{{#if:{{{width|}}}|{{{width}}}|220px}};<br />
max-width:100%;<br />
box-sizing:border-box;<br />
">{{#if: {{{name|}}}||{{Formatting error|Missing <code>name</code> parameter.<br />|nocategory={{{nocategory|}}}}}}}<!--<br />
-->{{#if: {{{username|}}}||{{Formatting error|Missing <code>username</code> parameter.<br />|nocategory={{{nocategory|}}}}}}}<!--<br />
-->{{#if: {{{date|{{#if:{{{id|}}}|{{TwitterSnowflake|{{{id}}}}}}}}}}||{{Formatting error|Invalid <code>date</code> parameter.<br />|nocategory={{{nocategory|}}}}}}}<!--<br />
-->{{#if: {{{text|}}}||{{Formatting error|Missing <code>text</code> parameter.<br />|nocategory={{{nocategory|}}}}}}}<!--<br />
-->{{#ifeq: {{extract|{{{date|{{#if:{{{id|}}}|{{TwitterSnowflake|{{{id}}}}}}}}}}|show=format}} | dmy<br />
||{{#ifeq: {{extract|{{{date|{{#if:{{{id|}}}|{{TwitterSnowflake|{{{id}}}}}}}}}}|show=format}} | mdy<br />
||{{Formatting error|<code>date</code> parameter should be [[MOS:DATE|reformatted]] to look like:<br />''1 Jan 1970'' or ''Jan 1, 1970''<br />or removed.<br />|nocategory={{{nocategory|}}}}}<br />
}}<br />
}}<!--<br />
-->{{#if: {{{ID|{{{id|{{{reference|{{{ref|}}}}}}}}}}}}<br />
||{{Formatting error|<code>reference</code> or <code>ID</code> parameter required.<br />|nocategory={{{nocategory|}}}}}<br />
}}<br />
<table role="presentation" style="line-height: normal; width: 100%; background: transparent; color: inherit; display: table; margin: 0;"><br />
<tr><br />
{{#if: {{{image|}}}<br />
|<td style="padding-right: 5px; width: 28px;"><br />
<div style="height: 28px; width: 28px; padding: 0; border-radius: 50%; overflow: hidden;"><br />
[[File:{{{image|}}}|center|28px|Avatar of {{{name|}}}]]<br />
</div><br />
</td><br />
|}}<br />
<td style="text-align: left; white-space: nowrap;">'''{{{name|}}}''' <div style="white-space: nowrap;">{{screen reader-only|(}}@{{{username|}}}{{screen reader-only|)}}</div>{{screen reader-only| tweeted:}}</td><br />
</tr><br />
</table><br />
{{#if: {{{replyto|}}}|<br />
<div style="font-size: 95%;"><br />
Replying to @{{{replyto|}}}<br />
</div><br />
|}}<br />
{{#if: {{{lang|{{{language|}}}}}}|<div style=margin-top:0.5em></div>{{ISO 639 name|{{{lang|{{{language|}}}}}}|link=yes}}: <blockquote style=display:inline;font-style:italic lang={{{lang|{{{language|}}}}}}><div style=display:inline>{{{text|}}}{{{embed|}}}</div></blockquote>|<blockquote style="text-align: left"><div style="margin:0.5em 0;padding:0">{{{text|}}}{{{embed|}}}</div></blockquote>}}<br />
{{#if: {{{translation|}}}|<br />
<div style=margin-top:0.5em></div><hr style="height: 0; border: 0; border-top: 1px solid var(--border-color-base, #a2a9b1); margin: 10px 0 10px 0;">{{screen reader-only|Translation:}}<br />
<blockquote><p style="margin:0.5em 0;padding:0"><br />
{{{translation|}}}<br />
</p></blockquote><br />
|}}<br />
<p style=margin:0;padding:0><!--<br />
-->{{{date|{{#if:{{{id|}}}|{{TwitterSnowflake|{{{id}}}}}}}}}}<!--<br />
-->{{{reference|{{{ref<br />
|{{#tag:ref|{{cite tweet|user= {{{username}}} |author= {{{name|}}} |last= {{{last|}}} |first= {{{first|}}} |author-link= {{{author-link|}}} |number= {{{ID|{{{id|}}}}}} |date= {{{date|{{#if:{{{id|}}}|{{TwitterSnowflake|{{{id}}}}}}}}}} |title= {{#invoke:String|replace|{{{text}}}|%s+| |plain=false}} |archive-url= {{{archive-url|}}} |archive-date= {{{archive-date|}}} |url-status= {{{url-status|}}} |ref={{{cite-id|}}} }} | name={{{ref-name|Tweet{{{username}}}}}} }}<br />
}}}}}}<!--<br />
--></p><br />
</div></includeonly><noinclude><br />
{{documentation}}<br />
</noinclude></div>BellaCHhttps://en.bharatpedia.org/w/index.php?title=Template:Tweet&diff=548566Template:Tweet2026-05-17T15:34:28Z<p>BellaCH: Error with width fixed.</p>
<hr />
<div><templatestyles src="Template:Quote box/styles.css" /><includeonly><div role=complementary class=quotebox style="<br />
{{#if:{{{style|}}}|{{{style}}};}}<br />
float:{{#if:{{{left|}}}|left|right}};<br />
clear:{{#if:{{{left|}}}|left|right}};<br />
margin:{{#if:{{{left|}}}|.5em 1.4em .8em 0|.5em 0 .8em 1.4em}};<br />
width:{{{width|220px}}};<br />
max-width:100%;<br />
box-sizing:border-box;<br />
">{{#if: {{{name|}}}||{{Formatting error|Missing <code>name</code> parameter.<br />|nocategory={{{nocategory|}}}}}}}<!--<br />
-->{{#if: {{{username|}}}||{{Formatting error|Missing <code>username</code> parameter.<br />|nocategory={{{nocategory|}}}}}}}<!--<br />
-->{{#if: {{{date|{{#if:{{{id|}}}|{{TwitterSnowflake|{{{id}}}}}}}}}}||{{Formatting error|Invalid <code>date</code> parameter.<br />|nocategory={{{nocategory|}}}}}}}<!--<br />
-->{{#if: {{{text|}}}||{{Formatting error|Missing <code>text</code> parameter.<br />|nocategory={{{nocategory|}}}}}}}<!--<br />
-->{{#ifeq: {{extract|{{{date|{{#if:{{{id|}}}|{{TwitterSnowflake|{{{id}}}}}}}}}}|show=format}} | dmy<br />
||{{#ifeq: {{extract|{{{date|{{#if:{{{id|}}}|{{TwitterSnowflake|{{{id}}}}}}}}}}|show=format}} | mdy<br />
||{{Formatting error|<code>date</code> parameter should be [[MOS:DATE|reformatted]] to look like:<br />''1 Jan 1970'' or ''Jan 1, 1970''<br />or removed.<br />|nocategory={{{nocategory|}}}}}<br />
}}<br />
}}<!--<br />
-->{{#if: {{{ID|{{{id|{{{reference|{{{ref|}}}}}}}}}}}}<br />
||{{Formatting error|<code>reference</code> or <code>ID</code> parameter required.<br />|nocategory={{{nocategory|}}}}}<br />
}}<br />
<table role="presentation" style="line-height: normal; width: 100%; background: transparent; color: inherit; display: table; margin: 0;"><br />
<tr><br />
{{#if: {{{image|}}}<br />
|<td style="padding-right: 5px; width: 28px;"><br />
<div style="height: 28px; width: 28px; padding: 0; border-radius: 50%; overflow: hidden;"><br />
[[File:{{{image|}}}|center|28px|Avatar of {{{name|}}}]]<br />
</div><br />
</td><br />
|}}<br />
<td style="text-align: left; white-space: nowrap;">'''{{{name|}}}''' <div style="white-space: nowrap;">{{screen reader-only|(}}@{{{username|}}}{{screen reader-only|)}}</div>{{screen reader-only| tweeted:}}</td><br />
</tr><br />
</table><br />
{{#if: {{{replyto|}}}|<br />
<div style="font-size: 95%;"><br />
Replying to @{{{replyto|}}}<br />
</div><br />
|}}<br />
{{#if: {{{lang|{{{language|}}}}}}|<div style=margin-top:0.5em></div>{{ISO 639 name|{{{lang|{{{language|}}}}}}|link=yes}}: <blockquote style=display:inline;font-style:italic lang={{{lang|{{{language|}}}}}}><div style=display:inline>{{{text|}}}{{{embed|}}}</div></blockquote>|<blockquote style="text-align: left"><div style="margin:0.5em 0;padding:0">{{{text|}}}{{{embed|}}}</div></blockquote>}}<br />
{{#if: {{{translation|}}}|<br />
<div style=margin-top:0.5em></div><hr style="height: 0; border: 0; border-top: 1px solid var(--border-color-base, #a2a9b1); margin: 10px 0 10px 0;">{{screen reader-only|Translation:}}<br />
<blockquote><p style="margin:0.5em 0;padding:0"><br />
{{{translation|}}}<br />
</p></blockquote><br />
|}}<br />
<p style=margin:0;padding:0><!--<br />
-->{{{date|{{#if:{{{id|}}}|{{TwitterSnowflake|{{{id}}}}}}}}}}<!--<br />
-->{{{reference|{{{ref<br />
|{{#tag:ref|{{cite tweet|user= {{{username}}} |author= {{{name|}}} |last= {{{last|}}} |first= {{{first|}}} |author-link= {{{author-link|}}} |number= {{{ID|{{{id|}}}}}} |date= {{{date|{{#if:{{{id|}}}|{{TwitterSnowflake|{{{id}}}}}}}}}} |title= {{#invoke:String|replace|{{{text}}}|%s+| |plain=false}} |archive-url= {{{archive-url|}}} |archive-date= {{{archive-date|}}} |url-status= {{{url-status|}}} |ref={{{cite-id|}}} }} | name={{{ref-name|Tweet{{{username}}}}}} }}<br />
}}}}}}<!--<br />
--></p><br />
</div></includeonly><noinclude><br />
{{documentation}}<br />
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<div>#REDIRECT [[Kaur to Khan (conversion network)]]</div>BellaCHhttps://en.bharatpedia.org/w/index.php?title=Kaur_to_Khan_(movement)&diff=548561Kaur to Khan (movement)2026-05-17T15:03:19Z<p>BellaCH: BellaCH moved page Kaur to Khan (movement) to Kaur to Khan (conversion network): Better title</p>
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<div>#REDIRECT [[Kaur to Khan (conversion network)]]</div>BellaCHhttps://en.bharatpedia.org/w/index.php?title=Kaur_to_Khan_(conversion_network)&diff=548560Kaur to Khan (conversion network)2026-05-17T15:03:19Z<p>BellaCH: BellaCH moved page Kaur to Khan (movement) to Kaur to Khan (conversion network): Better title</p>
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<div>{{Short description|Movement concerning grooming and religious conversion of Sikh women}}<br />
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2026}}<br />
{{Use British English|date=January 2026}}<br />
<br />
'''Kaur to Khan''' (also known as '''K2K''' or '''Project K2K''') is a conversion network associated with the religious conversion of [[Sikh]] women and girls to [[Islam]], primarily reported by Sikh organisations and media outlets. The movement is associated with incidents reported in the [[United Kingdom]] and [[Pakistan]], where Sikh organisations and media reports have identified repeated involvement of Muslim men, particularly of Pakistani origin.<ref>{{cite web |title=Gaurav Sawant Reports On UK Grooming Gangs And The 'Kaur To Khan' Project Targeting Sikh Girls |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Shu9pK91O6w |website=YouTube |publisher=India Today |date=January 2026 |access-date=20 January 2026}}</ref><br />
<br />
The name symbolically contrasts the mandatory Sikh female surname ''[[Kaur]]'' ("princess") with the Muslim surname ''[[Khan]]'', and is used to describe situations in which Sikh women adopt Islamic identities following grooming, coercion, marriage, or conversion.<br />
<br />
The term and associated concerns emerged within Sikh diaspora communities in the United Kingdom during the early 2000s and gained visibility through awareness campaigns, media investigations, and community-led safeguarding efforts.<ref>{{cite web |title=How British Grooming Gangs Targeted Sikh Girls |url=https://www.thejuggernaut.com/british-grooming-gangs-sikh-girls-hounslow |website=The Juggernaut |date=January 2026 |access-date=20 January 2026}}</ref><br />
<br />
Sikh organisations have stated that incidents consistent with what later came to be described as "Kaur to Khan" were reported prior to the 2000s, with community documentation and testimony indicating cases dating back to the 1960s, 1970s, and 1990s in parts of England with significant Punjabi-speaking populations.<br />
<br />
Indian media outlets have also reported on the issue in the context of diaspora safety and minority protection, linking incidents in the United Kingdom with long-standing concerns regarding forced religious conversion of Sikh girls in Pakistan.<ref>{{cite web |title=Gaurav Sawant Reports On UK Grooming Gangs And The 'Kaur To Khan' Project Targeting Sikh Girls |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Shu9pK91O6w |website=YouTube |publisher=India Today |date=January 2026 |access-date=20 January 2026}}</ref><br />
<br />
== Etymology and symbolism ==<br />
''Kaur'' is a mandatory surname for Sikh women, instituted by [[Guru Gobind Singh]] in 1699 to affirm dignity, equality, and religious identity. ''Khan'' is a commonly used Muslim surname in South Asia, particularly among Pakistani and Afghan Muslims.<br />
<br />
Within public discourse, the phrase "Kaur to Khan" is used to describe cases where Sikh women are reported to have been converted to Islam and assigned Islamic names following relationships or marriage.<ref>{{cite web |title=K2K (Kaur to Khan) Initiative by Muslim Grooming Gangs in the UK |url=https://www.reddit.com/r/Sikh/comments/1jj1g31/k2k_kaur_to_khan_initiative_by_muslim_grooming |website=Reddit |access-date=20 January 2026}}</ref><br />
<br />
Early discussions using similar terminology appeared in Sikh community forums during the mid-2000s, including gurdwara-based awareness talks and online discussions such as those recorded on Sikh Sangat forums in 2007.<ref>{{cite web |title=Kaur to Khan talk – West Brom Gurdwara |url=https://www.sikhsangat.com/index.php?/topic/24694-kaur-to-khan-talk-west-brom-gurudawara/ |website=Sikh Sangat Forums |date=February 2007 |access-date=20 January 2026}}</ref><br />
<br />
== Background ==<br />
Sikh advocacy organisations have documented recurring patterns involving identity concealment, grooming through relationships, sexual exploitation, and subsequent pressure to convert to Islam. These patterns have been reported primarily in cases involving Muslim men targeting Sikh girls.<br />
<br />
In several reported cases, perpetrators were alleged to have concealed their religious identity by adopting Sikh-sounding names, wearing a [[kada]], or claiming Sikh heritage in order to gain trust.<br />
<br />
Awareness initiatives expanded during the mid-2000s through gurdwara-based campaigns, youth seminars, and outreach programmes conducted by organisations such as the [[Sikh Awareness Society]] and [[Basics of Sikhi]].<br />
<br />
The movement has also been discussed on digital platforms. A 2024 episode of ''Mittran Da Podcast'' titled ''Mission Kaur To Khan'' addressed grooming methods, religious concealment, and the role of Islamic conversion following exploitation.<ref>{{cite web |title=Mission Kaur To Khan – Chamkila Hero |url=https://creators.spotify.com/pod/profile/mittran-da-podcast/episodes/Mission-Kaur-To-Khan-Chamkila-Hero-e2nb70s |website=Spotify |access-date=20 January 2026}}</ref><br />
<br />
Social media awareness material has also circulated, including short-form videos and campaign posts highlighting reported cases and warning families about grooming tactics.<ref>{{cite web |title=Project K2K [KAUR TO KHAN] |url=https://www.instagram.com/reel/DA_EYmfKXSZ |website=Instagram |publisher=trikaal_wing |date=October 2024 |access-date=20 January 2026}}</ref><br />
<br />
== Reported patterns ==<br />
According to investigations cited by Sikh advocacy groups and independent media outlets, alleged cases commonly involve:<br />
<br />
* Concealment of religious identity during initial contact <br />
* Use of shared Punjabi language and cultural familiarity <br />
* Provision of gifts, alcohol, or narcotics during grooming <br />
* Emotional manipulation and isolation from family <br />
* Sexual exploitation followed by pressure to convert to Islam <br />
* Forced or coerced marriage after conversion <br />
<br />
Some Sikh organisations have further alleged that informal religious or social networks were involved in facilitating conversions, including claims that financial incentives of up to £10,000 were offered following successful marriage or conversion. These claims have been reported through community testimony and advocacy material.<br />
<br />
These patterns have been described as consistent across incidents reported in both Europe and Pakistan, though legal outcomes have varied by jurisdiction.<ref>{{cite web |title=Documenting deception and forced conversions in Pakistan linked to caste |url=https://castefiles.com/documenting-deception-forced-conversions-in-pakistan-linked-to-caste |website=CasteFiles |access-date=20 January 2026}}</ref><br />
<br />
== United Kingdom ==<br />
In the United Kingdom, the movement is discussed alongside grooming gang cases in which perpetrators have been identified in multiple investigations as Muslim men of Pakistani origin. Sikh organisations state that shared Punjabi language and cultural familiarity were used to gain trust before exploitation.<ref>{{cite web |title=How British Grooming Gangs Targeted Sikh Girls |url=https://www.thejuggernaut.com/british-grooming-gangs-sikh-girls-hounslow |website=The Juggernaut |date=January 2026 |access-date=20 January 2026}}</ref><br />
<br />
A 2013 BBC investigation reported concerns within Sikh families regarding underreporting of sexual exploitation, describing what was termed a "code of silence" that discouraged victims from approaching authorities.<ref>{{cite web |title=Sexual grooming victims: Is there Sikh code of silence? |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-23921570 |website=BBC News |date=September 2013 |access-date=20 January 2026}}</ref><br />
<br />
While individual grooming cases have resulted in criminal convictions, no official inquiry has confirmed the existence of a centrally organised or formally coordinated "Kaur to Khan" network. Sikh organisations continue to maintain that repeated case patterns indicate systematic targeting, while institutional findings have largely classified incidents within broader child sexual exploitation frameworks.<br />
<br />
=== 2026 West London case ===<br />
In January 2026, a Sikh girl aged between 15 and 16 in [[Hounslow]], West London, was reportedly abducted, blackmailed, and gang-raped by six Muslim men identified by media reports as part of a Pakistani grooming gang. The incident triggered protests by the Sikh community and resulted in police intervention and arrests.<ref>{{cite web |title=Teenager gang-raped by grooming gang in London; community intervenes |url=https://www.ndtv.com/world-news/teenager-gang-raped-by-pak-grooming-gang-in-london-200-sikhs-rescue-her-10749143 |website=NDTV |access-date=20 January 2026}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=British Sikhs rescue teenage girl in London |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/uk/british-sikhs-save-teenage-girl-in-london-inside-the-uks-grooming-gang-scandal/articleshow/126645211.cms |website=The Times of India |access-date=20 January 2026}}</ref><br />
<br />
Indian media including ''Panchjanya'' and ''Babushahi Hindi'' extensively covered the incident and linked it with earlier cases of forced conversion and sexual exploitation involving Sikh girls, describing the issue as part of a wider minority rights concern affecting Sikh communities across borders.<ref>{{cite web |title=Kaur to Khan: Silence around grooming of Sikh girls |url=https://panchjanya.com/2026/01/20/454817/world/kaur-to-khan-sikh-girls-grooming-silence/ |website=Panchjanya |date=20 January 2026 |access-date=20 January 2026}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=कौर से खान से लेकर सरबजीत कौर तक: पाकिस्तान का काला चेहरा |url=https://www.babushahihindi.com/full-news.php?id=22078 |website=Babushahi Hindi |access-date=20 January 2026}}</ref><br />
<br />
== Europe ==<br />
Media investigations have reported that Sikh communities in Germany, Italy, and other European countries have raised concerns about organised efforts by Pakistan-based Islamist groups operating within diaspora networks.<br />
<br />
A report by ''News Intervention'' stated that Pakistani radical Islamist groups based in Germany were allegedly involved in targeting Sikh girls through social media, religious deception, and marriage-based conversion strategies.<ref>{{cite web |title=Germany-based Pakistani radical Islamists target Sikh girls in Europe for forced religious conversion |url=https://newsintervention.com/germany-based-pakistani-radical-islamists-target-sikh-girls-in-europe-for-forced-religious-conversion/ |website=News Intervention |access-date=20 January 2026}}</ref><br />
<br />
== Pakistan ==<br />
=== Sikh population decline ===<br />
At the time of the Partition of India in 1947, Pakistan was home to an estimated 1.9 to 2 million Sikhs, primarily in West Punjab. Following partition-related violence, mass displacement, and the establishment of Pakistan as an Islamic state, the Sikh population declined rapidly.<br />
<br />
As of 2023, Pakistan’s Sikh population is estimated at approximately 16,000 people, representing about 0.01 percent of the national population. Sikh organisations have linked this decline to persistent insecurity, religious discrimination, forced conversions, and targeted attacks on minorities.<ref>{{cite web |title=Sikhism by Country 2026 |url=https://worldpopulationreview.com/country-rankings/sikhism-by-country |website=World Population Review |date=19 January 2026}}</ref><br />
<br />
=== Abduction and forced conversion cases ===<br />
Numerous media reports document cases in which Sikh girls in Pakistan were abducted by Muslim men, forcibly converted to Islam, and married. Many cases involved minors.<br />
<br />
Investigations published by ''CasteFiles'' have linked these incidents to entrenched caste hierarchies, weak legal enforcement, and social pressure placed on minority families seeking justice.<ref>{{cite web |title=Documenting deception and forced conversions in Pakistan linked to caste |url=https://castefiles.com/documenting-deception-forced-conversions-in-pakistan-linked-to-caste |website=CasteFiles |access-date=20 January 2026}}</ref><br />
<br />
== Community response ==<br />
Sikh organisations including the Sikh Awareness Society, Sikh Youth UK, United Sikhs, and diaspora groups have organised protests, awareness drives, victim support initiatives, and international appeals demanding accountability from Pakistani authorities and stronger protection for Sikh women.<ref>{{cite web |title=About Us – Sikh Awareness Society |url=https://sikhawareness.org/about-us |website=Sikh Awareness Society |access-date=20 January 2026}}</ref><br />
<br />
== See also ==<br />
* [[Child sexual exploitation in the United Kingdom]]<br />
* [[Forced religious conversion]]<br />
* [[Sikh diaspora]]<br />
* [[Religious minorities in Pakistan]]<br />
<br />
== References ==<br />
{{reflist}}<br />
<br />
[[Category:Sikhism]]<br />
[[Category:Religious conversion]]<br />
[[Category:Pakistan]]<br />
[[Category:Child sexual abuse in the United Kingdom]]<br />
[[Category:Islam and other religions]]</div>BellaCHhttps://en.bharatpedia.org/w/index.php?title=Kaur_to_Khan_(conversion_network)&diff=548559Kaur to Khan (conversion network)2026-05-17T15:02:33Z<p>BellaCH: Sources closing fixed</p>
<hr />
<div>{{Short description|Movement concerning grooming and religious conversion of Sikh women}}<br />
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2026}}<br />
{{Use British English|date=January 2026}}<br />
<br />
'''Kaur to Khan''' (also known as '''K2K''' or '''Project K2K''') is a conversion network associated with the religious conversion of [[Sikh]] women and girls to [[Islam]], primarily reported by Sikh organisations and media outlets. The movement is associated with incidents reported in the [[United Kingdom]] and [[Pakistan]], where Sikh organisations and media reports have identified repeated involvement of Muslim men, particularly of Pakistani origin.<ref>{{cite web |title=Gaurav Sawant Reports On UK Grooming Gangs And The 'Kaur To Khan' Project Targeting Sikh Girls |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Shu9pK91O6w |website=YouTube |publisher=India Today |date=January 2026 |access-date=20 January 2026}}</ref><br />
<br />
The name symbolically contrasts the mandatory Sikh female surname ''[[Kaur]]'' ("princess") with the Muslim surname ''[[Khan]]'', and is used to describe situations in which Sikh women adopt Islamic identities following grooming, coercion, marriage, or conversion.<br />
<br />
The term and associated concerns emerged within Sikh diaspora communities in the United Kingdom during the early 2000s and gained visibility through awareness campaigns, media investigations, and community-led safeguarding efforts.<ref>{{cite web |title=How British Grooming Gangs Targeted Sikh Girls |url=https://www.thejuggernaut.com/british-grooming-gangs-sikh-girls-hounslow |website=The Juggernaut |date=January 2026 |access-date=20 January 2026}}</ref><br />
<br />
Sikh organisations have stated that incidents consistent with what later came to be described as "Kaur to Khan" were reported prior to the 2000s, with community documentation and testimony indicating cases dating back to the 1960s, 1970s, and 1990s in parts of England with significant Punjabi-speaking populations.<br />
<br />
Indian media outlets have also reported on the issue in the context of diaspora safety and minority protection, linking incidents in the United Kingdom with long-standing concerns regarding forced religious conversion of Sikh girls in Pakistan.<ref>{{cite web |title=Gaurav Sawant Reports On UK Grooming Gangs And The 'Kaur To Khan' Project Targeting Sikh Girls |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Shu9pK91O6w |website=YouTube |publisher=India Today |date=January 2026 |access-date=20 January 2026}}</ref><br />
<br />
== Etymology and symbolism ==<br />
''Kaur'' is a mandatory surname for Sikh women, instituted by [[Guru Gobind Singh]] in 1699 to affirm dignity, equality, and religious identity. ''Khan'' is a commonly used Muslim surname in South Asia, particularly among Pakistani and Afghan Muslims.<br />
<br />
Within public discourse, the phrase "Kaur to Khan" is used to describe cases where Sikh women are reported to have been converted to Islam and assigned Islamic names following relationships or marriage.<ref>{{cite web |title=K2K (Kaur to Khan) Initiative by Muslim Grooming Gangs in the UK |url=https://www.reddit.com/r/Sikh/comments/1jj1g31/k2k_kaur_to_khan_initiative_by_muslim_grooming |website=Reddit |access-date=20 January 2026}}</ref><br />
<br />
Early discussions using similar terminology appeared in Sikh community forums during the mid-2000s, including gurdwara-based awareness talks and online discussions such as those recorded on Sikh Sangat forums in 2007.<ref>{{cite web |title=Kaur to Khan talk – West Brom Gurdwara |url=https://www.sikhsangat.com/index.php?/topic/24694-kaur-to-khan-talk-west-brom-gurudawara/ |website=Sikh Sangat Forums |date=February 2007 |access-date=20 January 2026}}</ref><br />
<br />
== Background ==<br />
Sikh advocacy organisations have documented recurring patterns involving identity concealment, grooming through relationships, sexual exploitation, and subsequent pressure to convert to Islam. These patterns have been reported primarily in cases involving Muslim men targeting Sikh girls.<br />
<br />
In several reported cases, perpetrators were alleged to have concealed their religious identity by adopting Sikh-sounding names, wearing a [[kada]], or claiming Sikh heritage in order to gain trust.<br />
<br />
Awareness initiatives expanded during the mid-2000s through gurdwara-based campaigns, youth seminars, and outreach programmes conducted by organisations such as the [[Sikh Awareness Society]] and [[Basics of Sikhi]].<br />
<br />
The movement has also been discussed on digital platforms. A 2024 episode of ''Mittran Da Podcast'' titled ''Mission Kaur To Khan'' addressed grooming methods, religious concealment, and the role of Islamic conversion following exploitation.<ref>{{cite web |title=Mission Kaur To Khan – Chamkila Hero |url=https://creators.spotify.com/pod/profile/mittran-da-podcast/episodes/Mission-Kaur-To-Khan-Chamkila-Hero-e2nb70s |website=Spotify |access-date=20 January 2026}}</ref><br />
<br />
Social media awareness material has also circulated, including short-form videos and campaign posts highlighting reported cases and warning families about grooming tactics.<ref>{{cite web |title=Project K2K [KAUR TO KHAN] |url=https://www.instagram.com/reel/DA_EYmfKXSZ |website=Instagram |publisher=trikaal_wing |date=October 2024 |access-date=20 January 2026}}</ref><br />
<br />
== Reported patterns ==<br />
According to investigations cited by Sikh advocacy groups and independent media outlets, alleged cases commonly involve:<br />
<br />
* Concealment of religious identity during initial contact <br />
* Use of shared Punjabi language and cultural familiarity <br />
* Provision of gifts, alcohol, or narcotics during grooming <br />
* Emotional manipulation and isolation from family <br />
* Sexual exploitation followed by pressure to convert to Islam <br />
* Forced or coerced marriage after conversion <br />
<br />
Some Sikh organisations have further alleged that informal religious or social networks were involved in facilitating conversions, including claims that financial incentives of up to £10,000 were offered following successful marriage or conversion. These claims have been reported through community testimony and advocacy material.<br />
<br />
These patterns have been described as consistent across incidents reported in both Europe and Pakistan, though legal outcomes have varied by jurisdiction.<ref>{{cite web |title=Documenting deception and forced conversions in Pakistan linked to caste |url=https://castefiles.com/documenting-deception-forced-conversions-in-pakistan-linked-to-caste |website=CasteFiles |access-date=20 January 2026}}</ref><br />
<br />
== United Kingdom ==<br />
In the United Kingdom, the movement is discussed alongside grooming gang cases in which perpetrators have been identified in multiple investigations as Muslim men of Pakistani origin. Sikh organisations state that shared Punjabi language and cultural familiarity were used to gain trust before exploitation.<ref>{{cite web |title=How British Grooming Gangs Targeted Sikh Girls |url=https://www.thejuggernaut.com/british-grooming-gangs-sikh-girls-hounslow |website=The Juggernaut |date=January 2026 |access-date=20 January 2026}}</ref><br />
<br />
A 2013 BBC investigation reported concerns within Sikh families regarding underreporting of sexual exploitation, describing what was termed a "code of silence" that discouraged victims from approaching authorities.<ref>{{cite web |title=Sexual grooming victims: Is there Sikh code of silence? |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-23921570 |website=BBC News |date=September 2013 |access-date=20 January 2026}}</ref><br />
<br />
While individual grooming cases have resulted in criminal convictions, no official inquiry has confirmed the existence of a centrally organised or formally coordinated "Kaur to Khan" network. Sikh organisations continue to maintain that repeated case patterns indicate systematic targeting, while institutional findings have largely classified incidents within broader child sexual exploitation frameworks.<br />
<br />
=== 2026 West London case ===<br />
In January 2026, a Sikh girl aged between 15 and 16 in [[Hounslow]], West London, was reportedly abducted, blackmailed, and gang-raped by six Muslim men identified by media reports as part of a Pakistani grooming gang. The incident triggered protests by the Sikh community and resulted in police intervention and arrests.<ref>{{cite web |title=Teenager gang-raped by grooming gang in London; community intervenes |url=https://www.ndtv.com/world-news/teenager-gang-raped-by-pak-grooming-gang-in-london-200-sikhs-rescue-her-10749143 |website=NDTV |access-date=20 January 2026}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=British Sikhs rescue teenage girl in London |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/uk/british-sikhs-save-teenage-girl-in-london-inside-the-uks-grooming-gang-scandal/articleshow/126645211.cms |website=The Times of India |access-date=20 January 2026}}</ref><br />
<br />
Indian media including ''Panchjanya'' and ''Babushahi Hindi'' extensively covered the incident and linked it with earlier cases of forced conversion and sexual exploitation involving Sikh girls, describing the issue as part of a wider minority rights concern affecting Sikh communities across borders.<ref>{{cite web |title=Kaur to Khan: Silence around grooming of Sikh girls |url=https://panchjanya.com/2026/01/20/454817/world/kaur-to-khan-sikh-girls-grooming-silence/ |website=Panchjanya |date=20 January 2026 |access-date=20 January 2026}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=कौर से खान से लेकर सरबजीत कौर तक: पाकिस्तान का काला चेहरा |url=https://www.babushahihindi.com/full-news.php?id=22078 |website=Babushahi Hindi |access-date=20 January 2026}}</ref><br />
<br />
== Europe ==<br />
Media investigations have reported that Sikh communities in Germany, Italy, and other European countries have raised concerns about organised efforts by Pakistan-based Islamist groups operating within diaspora networks.<br />
<br />
A report by ''News Intervention'' stated that Pakistani radical Islamist groups based in Germany were allegedly involved in targeting Sikh girls through social media, religious deception, and marriage-based conversion strategies.<ref>{{cite web |title=Germany-based Pakistani radical Islamists target Sikh girls in Europe for forced religious conversion |url=https://newsintervention.com/germany-based-pakistani-radical-islamists-target-sikh-girls-in-europe-for-forced-religious-conversion/ |website=News Intervention |access-date=20 January 2026}}</ref><br />
<br />
== Pakistan ==<br />
=== Sikh population decline ===<br />
At the time of the Partition of India in 1947, Pakistan was home to an estimated 1.9 to 2 million Sikhs, primarily in West Punjab. Following partition-related violence, mass displacement, and the establishment of Pakistan as an Islamic state, the Sikh population declined rapidly.<br />
<br />
As of 2023, Pakistan’s Sikh population is estimated at approximately 16,000 people, representing about 0.01 percent of the national population. Sikh organisations have linked this decline to persistent insecurity, religious discrimination, forced conversions, and targeted attacks on minorities.<ref>{{cite web |title=Sikhism by Country 2026 |url=https://worldpopulationreview.com/country-rankings/sikhism-by-country |website=World Population Review |date=19 January 2026}}</ref><br />
<br />
=== Abduction and forced conversion cases ===<br />
Numerous media reports document cases in which Sikh girls in Pakistan were abducted by Muslim men, forcibly converted to Islam, and married. Many cases involved minors.<br />
<br />
Investigations published by ''CasteFiles'' have linked these incidents to entrenched caste hierarchies, weak legal enforcement, and social pressure placed on minority families seeking justice.<ref>{{cite web |title=Documenting deception and forced conversions in Pakistan linked to caste |url=https://castefiles.com/documenting-deception-forced-conversions-in-pakistan-linked-to-caste |website=CasteFiles |access-date=20 January 2026}}</ref><br />
<br />
== Community response ==<br />
Sikh organisations including the Sikh Awareness Society, Sikh Youth UK, United Sikhs, and diaspora groups have organised protests, awareness drives, victim support initiatives, and international appeals demanding accountability from Pakistani authorities and stronger protection for Sikh women.<ref>{{cite web |title=About Us – Sikh Awareness Society |url=https://sikhawareness.org/about-us |website=Sikh Awareness Society |access-date=20 January 2026}}</ref><br />
<br />
== See also ==<br />
* [[Child sexual exploitation in the United Kingdom]]<br />
* [[Forced religious conversion]]<br />
* [[Sikh diaspora]]<br />
* [[Religious minorities in Pakistan]]<br />
<br />
== References ==<br />
{{reflist}}<br />
<br />
[[Category:Sikhism]]<br />
[[Category:Religious conversion]]<br />
[[Category:Pakistan]]<br />
[[Category:Child sexual abuse in the United Kingdom]]<br />
[[Category:Islam and other religions]]</div>BellaCHhttps://en.bharatpedia.org/w/index.php?title=Template:Sahitya_Akademi_Awards&diff=548546Template:Sahitya Akademi Awards2026-05-17T12:20:56Z<p>BellaCH: New template</p>
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! style="font-size:90%; font-weight:normal;" | Part of a series on<br />
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| [[File:Different scripts of different languages of India.svg|frameless|center]]<br />
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|-<br />
! style="font-size:100%;" | [[Sahitya Akademi Award]]s<br />
|-<br />
| style="background: #edf3fe;" | [[:Category:Lists of Sahitya Akademi Award winners|Category]]<br />
|-<br />
! style="background:#ccccff; border: 1px solid #FFFFFF;" | [[Lists of Sahitya Akademi Award winners|Sahitya Akademi Award winners by language]]<br />
|-<br />
| style="background: #ffffff;" | <br />
<templatestyles src="Hlist/styles.css"/><div class="hlist"><br />
* [[List of Sahitya Akademi Award winners for Assamese|Assamese]]<br />
* [[List of Sahitya Akademi Award winners for Bengali|Bengali]]<br />
* [[List of Sahitya Akademi Award winners for Bodo|Bodo]]<br />
* [[List of Sahitya Akademi Award winners for Dogri|Dogri]]<br />
* [[List of Sahitya Akademi Award winners for English|English]]<br />
* [[List of Sahitya Akademi Award winners for Gujarati|Gujarati]] <br />
<br />
* [[List of Sahitya Akademi Award winners for Hindi|Hindi]]<br />
* [[List of Sahitya Akademi Award winners for Kannada|Kannada]] <br />
* [[List of Sahitya Akademi Award winners for Kashmiri|Kashmiri]]<br />
* [[List of Sahitya Akademi Award winners for Konkani|Konkani]]<br />
* [[List of Sahitya Akademi Award winners for Maithili|Maithili]]<br />
<br />
* [[List of Sahitya Akademi Award winners for Malayalam|Malayalam]]<br />
* [[List of Sahitya Akademi Award winners for Marathi|Marathi]]<br />
* [[List of Sahitya Akademi Award winners for Meitei|Meitei (Manipuri)]]<br />
* [[List of Sahitya Akademi Award winners for Nepali|Nepali]]<br />
* [[List of Sahitya Akademi Award winners for Odia|Odia]]<br />
<br />
* [[List of Sahitya Akademi Award winners for Punjabi|Punjabi]]<br />
* [[List of Sahitya Akademi Award winners for Rajasthani|Rajasthani]]<br />
* [[List of Sahitya Akademi Award winners for Sanskrit|Sanskrit]]<br />
* [[List of Sahitya Akademi Award winners for Santali|Santali]]<br />
* [[List of Sahitya Akademi Award winners for Sindhi|Sindhi]]<br />
* [[List of Sahitya Akademi Award winners for Tamil|Tamil]] <br />
<br />
* [[List of Sahitya Akademi Award winners for Telugu|Telugu]]<br />
* [[List of Sahitya Akademi Award winners for Urdu|Urdu]]<br />
</div><br />
|-<br />
! style="background:#ccccff; border: 1px solid #FFFFFF;" | [[Sahitya Akademi Translation Prize]]s <br />
|-<br />
| style="background: #ffffff;" | <br />
<templatestyles src="Hlist/styles.css"/><div class="hlist"><br />
* [[List of Sahitya Akademi Translation Prize winners for Assamese|Assamese]]<br />
* [[List of Sahitya Akademi Translation Prize winners for Bengali|Bengali]]<br />
* [[List of Sahitya Akademi Translation Prize winners for Bodo|Bodo]]<br />
* [[List of Sahitya Akademi Translation Prize winners for Dogri|Dogri]]<br />
* [[List of Sahitya Akademi Translation Prize winners for English|English]] <br />
* [[List of Sahitya Akademi Translation Prize winners for Gujarati|Gujarati]] <br />
<br />
* [[List of Sahitya Akademi Translation Prize winners for Hindi|Hindi]]<br />
* [[List of Sahitya Akademi Translation Prize winners for Kannada|Kannada]] <br />
* [[List of Sahitya Akademi Translation Prize winners for Kashmiri|Kashmiri]]<br />
* [[List of Sahitya Akademi Translation Prize winners for Konkani|Konkani]]<br />
* [[List of Sahitya Akademi Translation Prize winners for Maithili|Maithili]]<br />
<br />
* [[List of Sahitya Akademi Translation Prize winners for Malayalam|Malayalam]]<br />
* [[List of Sahitya Akademi Translation Prize winners for Marathi|Marathi]]<br />
* [[List of Sahitya Akademi Translation Prize winners for Meitei|Meitei (Manipuri)]]<br />
* [[List of Sahitya Akademi Translation Prize winners for Nepali|Nepali]]<br />
* [[List of Sahitya Akademi Translation Prize winners for Odia|Odia]]<br />
<br />
* [[List of Sahitya Akademi Translation Prize winners for Punjabi|Punjabi]]<br />
* [[List of Sahitya Akademi Translation Prize winners for Rajasthani|Rajasthani]]<br />
* [[List of Sahitya Akademi Translation Prize winners for Sanskrit|Sanskrit]]<br />
* [[List of Sahitya Akademi Translation Prize winners for Santali|Santali]]<br />
* [[List of Sahitya Akademi Translation Prize winners for Sindhi|Sindhi]]<br />
* [[List of Sahitya Akademi Translation Prize winners for Tamil|Tamil]] <br />
<br />
* [[List of Sahitya Akademi Translation Prize winners for Telugu|Telugu]]<br />
* [[List of Sahitya Akademi Translation Prize winners for Urdu|Urdu]] <br />
</div><br />
|-<br />
! style="background:#ccccff; border: 1px solid #FFFFFF;" | [[Yuva Puraskar|Sahitya Akademi Yuva Puraskar]]<br />
|-<br />
| style="background: #ffffff;" | <br />
<templatestyles src="Hlist/styles.css"/><div class="hlist"><br />
* [[List of Yuva Puraskar winners for Assamese|Assamese]]<br />
* [[List of Yuva Puraskar winners for Bengali|Bengali]]<br />
* [[List of Yuva Puraskar winners for Bodo|Bodo]]<br />
* [[List of Yuva Puraskar winners for Dogri|Dogri]]<br />
* [[List of Yuva Puraskar winners for English|English]]<br />
* [[List of Yuva Puraskar winners for Gujarati|Gujarati]] <br />
<br />
* [[List of Yuva Puraskar winners for Hindi|Hindi]]<br />
* [[List of Yuva Puraskar winners for Kannada|Kannada]]<br />
* [[List of Yuva Puraskar winners for Kashmiri|Kashmiri]]<br />
* [[List of Yuva Puraskar winners for Konkani|Konkani]]<br />
* [[List of Yuva Puraskar winners for Maithili|Maithili]]<br />
<br />
* [[List of Yuva Puraskar winners for Malayalam|Malayalam]]<br />
* [[List of Yuva Puraskar winners for Meitei|Meitei (Manipuri)]]<br />
* [[List of Yuva Puraskar winners for Marathi|Marathi]]<br />
* [[List of Yuva Puraskar winners for Nepali|Nepali]]<br />
* [[List of Yuva Puraskar winners for Odia|Odia]]<br />
<br />
* [[List of Yuva Puraskar winners for Punjabi|Punjabi]]<br />
* [[List of Yuva Puraskar winners for Rajasthani|Rajasthani]]<br />
* [[List of Yuva Puraskar winners for Sanskrit|Sanskrit]]<br />
* [[List of Yuva Puraskar winners for Santali|Santali]]<br />
* [[List of Yuva Puraskar winners for Sindhi|Sindhi]]<br />
* [[List of Yuva Puraskar winners for Tamil|Tamil]] <br />
<br />
* [[List of Yuva Puraskar winners for Telugu|Telugu]]<br />
* [[List of Yuva Puraskar winners for Urdu|Urdu]]<br />
</div><br />
|-<br />
! style="background:#ccccff; border: 1px solid #FFFFFF;" | [[Bal Sahitya Puraskar|Sahitya Akademi Bal Sahitya Puraskar]]<br />
|-<br />
| style="background: #ffffff;" | <br />
<templatestyles src="Hlist/styles.css"/><div class="hlist"><br />
* [[List of Bal Sahitya Puraskar winners for Assamese|Assamese]]<br />
* [[List of Bal Sahitya Puraskar winners for Bengali|Bengali]]<br />
* [[List of Bal Sahitya Puraskar winners for Bodo|Bodo]]<br />
* [[List of Bal Sahitya Puraskar winners for Dogri|Dogri]]<br />
* [[List of Bal Sahitya Puraskar winners for English|English]]<br />
* [[List of Bal Sahitya Puraskar winners for Gujarati|Gujarati]] <br />
<br />
* [[List of Bal Sahitya Puraskar winners for Hindi|Hindi]]<br />
* [[List of Bal Sahitya Puraskar winners for Kannada|Kannada]]<br />
* [[List of Bal Sahitya Puraskar winners for Kashmiri|Kashmiri]]<br />
* [[List of Bal Sahitya Puraskar winners for Konkani|Konkani]]<br />
* [[List of Bal Sahitya Puraskar winners for Maithili|Maithili]]<br />
<br />
* [[List of Bal Sahitya Puraskar winners for Malayalam|Malayalam]]<br />
* [[List of Bal Sahitya Puraskar winners for Meitei|Meitei (Manipuri)]]<br />
* [[List of Bal Sahitya Puraskar winners for Marathi|Marathi]]<br />
* [[List of Bal Sahitya Puraskar winners for Nepali|Nepali]]<br />
* [[List of Bal Sahitya Puraskar winners for Odia|Odia]]<br />
<br />
* [[List of Bal Sahitya Puraskar winners for Punjabi|Punjabi]]<br />
* [[List of Bal Sahitya Puraskar winners for Rajasthani|Rajasthani]]<br />
* [[List of Bal Sahitya Puraskar winners for Sanskrit|Sanskrit]]<br />
* [[List of Bal Sahitya Puraskar winners for Santali|Santali]]<br />
* [[List of Bal Sahitya Puraskar winners for Sindhi|Sindhi]]<br />
* [[List of Bal Sahitya Puraskar Winners for Tamil|Tamil]] <br />
<br />
* [[List of Bal Sahitya Puraskar winners for Telugu|Telugu]]<br />
* [[List of Bal Sahitya Puraskar winners for Urdu|Urdu]]<br />
</div><br />
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|-<br />
| style="background: #ffffff;" | <br />
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* [[Eighth Schedule to the Constitution of India]]<br />
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* [[Official Languages Commission]]<br />
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* [[List of languages by number of native speakers in India]] <br />
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|-<br />
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* {{portal-inline|Asia|size=tiny}}<br />
* {{portal-inline|India|size=tiny}}<br />
* {{portal-inline|Language|size=tiny}}<br />
* {{portal-inline|Literature|size=tiny}}<br />
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|}<noinclude><br />
[[Category:Indian literature]]<br />
[[Category:Lists of Sahitya Akademi Award winners]]<br />
[[Category:Sahitya Akademi]]<br />
</noinclude></div>BellaCHhttps://en.bharatpedia.org/w/index.php?title=Sahitya_Academy_Award&diff=548545Sahitya Academy Award2026-05-17T12:20:23Z<p>BellaCH: New page</p>
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<div>{{Short description|Literary honour awarded to authors of outstanding literary works in India}}<br />
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2017}}<br />
{{Use Indian English|date=September 2017}}<br />
{{Infobox award<br />
| name = Sahitya Akademi Award<br />
| image = Sahitya Akademi Award - Surjit Patar.JPG<br />
| image_size = <br />
| alt = <br />
| caption = <br />
| subheader = Award for individual contributions to [[Literature]]<br />
| awarded_for = Literary award in India<br />
| sponsor = [[Sahitya Akademi]], [[Government of India]]<br />
| lastawarded = {{End date and age|2025}}<br />
| reward = <br />
| year = {{Start date and age|1954}}<br />
| former name = <br />
| holder_label = Most recent winner<br />
| holder = <br />
| award1_type = Total awarded<br />
| award1_winner = 24 (2025)<br />
| award2_type = First winner<br />
| award2_winner = <br />
| award3_type = Last winner<br />
| award3_winner = <br />
| website = {{URL|http://www.sahitya-akademi.gov.in|sahitya-akademi.gov.in}}<br />
| previous = <br />
| next = <br />
}}<br />
{{Sahitya Akademi Awards}}<br />
The '''Sahitya Akademi Award''' is a literary honour in India, which the [[Sahitya Akademi]], India's National Academy of Letters, annually confers on writers of the most outstanding books of literary merit published in any of the 24 [[languages of the 8th Schedule to the Indian constitution]] as well as in [[English language|English]] and [[Rajasthani language]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://sahitya-akademi.gov.in/aboutus/about.jsp|title=..:: Welcome to Sahitya Akademi - About us ::..|website=sahitya-akademi.gov.in|access-date=2017-03-31}}</ref><ref name=offisite>{{cite web|url=http://sahitya-akademi.gov.in/sahitya-akademi/awards/akademi_awards.jsp|publisher=National Academy of Letters|access-date=23 December 2013|title=Akademi Awards}}</ref><br />
<br />
Established in 1954, the award comprises a plaque and a cash prize of ₹ 100,000.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20091227035225/http://www.hindu.com/2009/12/24/stories/2009122462072200.htm The Hindu. Article on the Awards for 2009]</ref> The award's purpose is to recognise and promote excellence in Indian writing and acknowledge new trends. The annual process of selecting awardees runs for the preceding 12 months. The plaque awarded by the [[Sahitya Akademi]] was designed by the Indian filmmaker [[Satyajit Ray]].<ref>{{cite journal|last1=Coppola|first1=Carlo|title=The Sahitya Akademi Awards, 1967|journal=Mahfil|date=1968|volume=5|issue=1|pages=9–26}}</ref> Prior to this, the plaque occasionally was made of marble, but this practice was discontinued because of its excessive weight. During the [[Indo-Pakistani War of 1965|Indo-Pakistan War of 1965]], the ''plaque'' was substituted with national savings bonds.<ref>{{cite journal|last1=Coppola|first1=Carlo|title=The Sahitya Akademi Award, 1967|journal=Mahfil|date=1968|volume=5|issue=1|pages=9–26}}</ref><br />
<br />
==Recipients==<br />
<br />
{{Main|Lists of Sahitya Akademi Award winners}}<br />
{{:Lists of Sahitya Akademi Award winners}}<br />
<br />
==Other literary honors==<br />
{{unreferenced section|date=December 2016}}<br />
<br />
===Sahitya Akademi Fellowships===<br />
They form the highest honor which the Akademi confers through a system of electing [[List of Sahitya Akademi fellows|Fellows and Honorary Fellows]]. (Sahitya Akademi Award is the second-highest literary honor next to a Sahitya Akademi Fellowship).<ref name="SAFellowshipOfficial">{{Cite web |title=Sahitya Akademi Fellowship |url=https://sahitya-akademi.org.in/?page_id=6821 |access-date=1 September 2025}}</ref><br />
<br />
===Bhasha Samman===<br />
{{main|Bhasha Samman}}<br />
Sahitya Akademy gives these special awards to writers for significant contribution to ''Indian languages'' other than the above 24 major ones and also for contributions to classical and medieval literature. Like the Sahitya Akademi Awards, Bhasha Samman too comprise a plaque and a cash prize of ₹100,000 (from 2009). The Sahitya Akademi instituted the Bhasha Samman in 1996 to be given to writers, scholars, editors, collectors, performers or translators who have made considerable contribution to the propagation, modernization or enrichment of the languages concerned. The ''Samman'' carries a plaque along with an amount equal to its awards for creative literature (i.e. ₹100,000. It was ₹25,000) at the time of inception, increased to ₹40,000 from 2001, ₹50,000 from 2003 and to ₹100,000 from 2009. The Sammans are given to 3-4 persons every year in different languages on the basis of recommendations of experts' committees constituted for the purpose.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Sahitya Akademi |url=https://www.spanishtranslation.us/sahitya-akademi |access-date=1 September 2025}}</ref><br />
<br />
The first Bhasha Sammans were awarded to [[Dharikshan Mishr]]a for [[Bhojpuri language|Bhojpuri]], Bansi Ram Sharma and M.R. Thakur for [[Pahari language|Pahari]] (Himachali), K. Jathappa Rai and Mandara Keshava Bhat for [[Tulu language|Tulu]] and Chandra Kanta Mura Singh for [[Kokborok]], for their contribution to the development of their respective languages. Bhojpuri language has received highest number of Bhasha Samman award.<br />
<br />
===Sahitya Akademi Prize for Translation===<br />
{{main|Sahitya Akademi Translation Prize}}<br />
<br />
Awards for translations were instituted in 1989 at the insistence of the then-Prime Minister of India, [[P. V. Narasimha Rao]].<ref name=":2">{{Cite book|title=Five Decades of The National Academy of Letters, India: A Short History of Sahitya Akademi|last=Rao|first=D.S.|publisher=Sahitya Akademi|year=2008|location=New Delhi|pages=39–42}}</ref> The Sahitya Akademi annually gives these awards for outstanding translations of major works in other languages into one of the 24 major Indian languages. The awards comprise a plaque and a cash prize of ₹50,0000. The initial proposal for translation prizes contained provisions for a prize for translations into each of the twenty-two languages recognised by the Akademi; however, this was soon found to be unviable for several reasons: the Akademi found that there were insufficient entries in all the languages, and there were difficulties in locating experts knowledgeable in both, the language of translation and the original language, to judge the translations.<ref name=":2" /> Consequently, the Board decided to dispense with its original requirement for additional expert committees to evaluate the translations and also ruled that it was not obligated to grant prizes in languages where suitable books were not nominated.<ref name=":2" /> The Akademi also requires that both, the original author as well as the translator, are to be Indian nationals.<ref name=":2" /><br />
<br />
Over time, the Akademi has modified and expanded the conditions for the Translation Prizes. In 1982, the Akademi began to allow translations made in link languages to be eligible for the Awards, although it noted that translations made directly from the original language would always be preferred.<ref name=":2" /> In 1985, the Akademi also held that joint translations would be eligible, and in 1997, it dispensed with the process of advertising for nominations and replaced it with invitations for recommendations from advisory boards and Committee members.<ref name=":2" /> As of 2006, 268 prizes have been awarded to 256 translators.<ref name=":2" /><br />
<br />
===Yuva Puraskar===<br />
{{main|Yuva Puraskar}}<br />
<br />
=== Golden Jubilee Awards ===<br />
On the occasion of its Golden Jubilee, [[Sahitya Akademi]] awarded the following prizes for outstanding works of [[poetry]] in translation from Indian languages.<br />
* [[Rana Nayar]] for his translation of the verses of the Sikh saint [[Baba Farid]] from [[Punjabi language|Punjabi]].<br />
* [[Tapan Kumar Pradhan]] for English translation of his own [[Odia language|Odia]] poem collection [[Kalahandi (poem)|Kalahandi]]<br />
* Paromita Das for English translation of [[Parvati Prasad Baruwa]]'s poems in [[Assamese language|Assamese]].{{Citation needed|date=December 2023}}<ref>{{Cite web |last=Borah |first=Shivam |date=August 8, 2023 |title=List of Assamese Sahitya Akademi Award Winners |url=https://assamgovjob.in/assamese-sahitya-akademi-award-winners/ }}</ref><br />
<br />
The Golden Jubilee Prizes for Life Time Achievement and young achievers were awarded to [[Namdeo Dhasal]], [[Ranjit Hoskote]], [[Mandakranta Sen]], [[Abdul Rasheed (writer)|Abdul Rasheed]], [[Sithara S.]] and [[Neelakshi Singh]].<br />
<br />
===Ananda Coomarswamy Fellowships===<br />
Named after the [[Sri Lankan Tamils|Ceylon Tamil]] writer [[Ananda Coomaraswamy]], the fellowship was started in 1996. It is given to scholars from Asian countries to spend three to twelve months in India to pursue a literary project.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Dr. Ananda Coomaraswamy Fellowship – Sahitya Akademi |url=https://sahitya-akademi.gov.in/library/fellowship_pdf/Jiang-Jingkui.pdf |publisher=Sahitya Akademi |access-date=1 September 2025}}</ref><br />
<br />
===Premchand Fellowships===<br />
Named after [[Hindi]] and [[Urdu]] writer [[Premchand]], the fellowship was started in 2005. It is given to persons of eminence in the field of Culture from [[SAARC]] countries. Notable awardees include [[Intizar Hussain]], [[Selina Hossain]], [[Yasmine Gooneratne]], [[Jean Arasanayagam]] and [[Kishwar Naheed]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Premchand Fellowship Winners|url=https://sahitya-akademi.org.in/?page_id=5907|publisher=[[Sahitya Akademi|Sahitya Akademi of India]]|access-date=24 June 2021|language=En|archive-date=31 August 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210831185749/https://sahitya-akademi.org.in/?page_id=5907|url-status=dead}}</ref><br />
<br />
== Returns and Declines of Sahitya Akademi Awards ==<br />
The Akademi has seen several instances of Awards being returned or declined as an act of protest.<br />
<br />
=== 1950s–1980s ===<br />
In 1973, [[G. A. Kulkarni|G.A. Kulkarni]] returned the Award for his collection of short stories in [[Marathi language|Marathi]], ''Kajal Maya,'' because a controversy had arisen regarding the date of publication of the book and its consequent eligibility for the Award.<ref name=":0">{{Cite book|title=Five Decades of The National Academy of Letters, India: A Short History of Sahitya Akademi|last=Rao|first=D.S.|publisher=Sahitya Akademi|year=2004|location=New Delhi|pages=39}}</ref> In 1969, [[Swami Anand]] declined the Award for contributions to [[Gujarati literature]] on the grounds that his religious beliefs precluded him from accepting any pecuniary benefits for public services.<ref name=":0" /><br />
<br />
In 1981, Telugu writer [[Narla Venkateswara Rao]] was given the Sahitya Akademi Award for his play, ''Sita Josyam'', but returned it on the grounds that the Akademi had allowed an adverse review of the play to be published in their journal, ''[[Indian Literature (journal)|Indian Literature]].''<ref name=":1">{{Cite book|title=Five Decades of The National Academy of Letters, India: A Short History of Sahitya Akademi|last=Rao|first=D. S.|publisher=Sahitya Akademi|year=2004|location=New Delhi|pages=37}}</ref> In 1982, Deshbandhu Dogra Natan was given the Sahitya Akademi award for his [[Dogri language|Dogri]] novel, ''Qaidi'' ('Prisoner') but returned it on the grounds that he should have received the Award much earlier.<ref name=":1" /> In 1983, Gujarati writer [[Suresh Joshi]] also returned the Award on the grounds that his book, ''[[Chintayami Manasa]]'', did not, in his opinion, deserve the Award, and also expressed the opinion that the Award was generally granted to authors who were "spent forces".<ref name=":1" /> This provoked a response from the then-President of the Akademi, [[Vinayaka Krishna Gokak]], who said, concerning the awards that, "It is not possible to generalise on the basis of age. Nor can we expect the Akademi panels to be on the watch for a literary force on the upward curve and catch it at the moment before it starts going downwards. Panels change from year to year and they have to select not literary men but literary works which are adjudged to be the best among the publications of a particular period."<ref>{{Cite book|title=Five Decades of The National Academy of Letters, India: A Short History of Sahitya Akademi|last=Rao|first=D.S.|publisher=Sahitya Akademi|year=2004|location=New Delhi|pages=38}}</ref><br />
<br />
=== 1990s ===<br />
In 1998, [[Gujarati language|Gujarati]] writer [[Jayant Kothari]] also declined the Sahitya Akademi Award on the grounds that he had made a religious vow that precluded his acceptance of any competitive award, prize or position.<ref name=":0" /> In 1991, [[Jagannath Prasad Das|Jagannatha Prasad Das]], who was given the Award for his poetry in [[Odia language|Odia]] declined for 'personal reasons'.<ref name=":0" /> In 1996, [[T. Padmanabhan]], who was given the Award for a book of short stories in [[Malayalam]], declined on the grounds that the Akademi had not shown interest in supporting the short story form, although he noted that he was grateful to the Akademi for the honour.<ref name=":0" /><br />
<br />
=== 2000s ===<br />
{{as of|2015}}, the award has been returned by many writers for various reasons. 38 recipients had announced their returning of the award in protest of the "rising intolerance in India" under the [[Modi government]] as also the murder of author [[M M Kalburgi]] and the [[2015 Dadri mob lynching|Dadri lynching incident]].<ref name="A">{{cite news|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Sahitya-Akademi-in-a-fix-as-returned-awards-pile-up/articleshow/49603983.cms|title=Sahitya Akademi in a fix as returned awards pile up|work=The Times of India|date=31 October 2015 |access-date=3 November 2015}}</ref><ref name="B">{{cite web|url=http://www.ibtimes.co.in/sahitya-akademi-protest-list-writers-who-returned-awards-over-kalburgi-murder-dadri-lynching-650241|title=Sahitya Akademi protest: Complete list of writers who returned their awards|date=13 October 2015|work=International Business Times, India Edition|access-date=3 November 2015}}</ref> Among others, Ajmer Aulakh, [[Aman Sethi]], [[G. N. Devy|Ganesh Devy]], [[Kum. Veerabhadrappa]] and [[Shashi Deshpande]] have publicly announced their return of the award.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/india/now-writers-from-punjab-gujarat-return-sahitya-akademi-awards/story-U4BAv0TfxelKf3GmSAj4aM.html|title=Now, six more writers return Sahitya Akademi awards|date=11 October 2015 |publisher=Hindustan Times|access-date=3 November 2015}}</ref> To show their condemnation Deshpande, [[K. Satchidanandan]], PK Parakkadvu and [[Aravind Malagatti]] have also resigned their posts at the Sahitya Akademi institution.<ref name="B" /><br />
<br />
The recipients who announced to return the awards include: [[Ajmer Singh Aulakh]] (Punjabi),<ref name="TOI"/> Ambika Dutt (Hindi),<ref name="33writers">{{cite web|url=http://indianexpress.com/photo-news/india/here-are-the-33-writers-who-returned-their-sahitya-akademi-awards/22/|title=Here are the 33 writers who returned their Sahitya Akademi awards|date=25 October 2015|work=The Indian Express|access-date=3 November 2015}}</ref> [[Anil R. Joshi]] (Gujarati),<ref name="dna 2015">{{cite web | title=Another Gujarat-based writer Anil Joshi to return Sahitya Akademi award | website=dna | date=12 October 2015 |url=http://www.dnaindia.com/india/report-another-gujarat-based-writer-anil-joshi-to-return-sahitya-akademi-award-2134246 | access-date=24 May 2016}}</ref> [[Ashok Vajpeyi]] (Hindi),<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.firstpost.com/india/sahitya-akademi-is-not-a-govt-organisation-chairperson-responds-to-sahgal-vajpeyi-2458894.html|title=Sahitya Akademi is not a govt organisation: Chairperson responds to Sahgal, Vajpeyi|work=Firstpost|date=7 October 2015 |access-date=3 November 2015}}</ref> [[Atamjit Singh]] (Punjabi),<ref name="TOI"/> [[Baldev Singh (author)|Baldev Singh Sadaknama]] (Punjabi),<ref name="JS">{{cite web|url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/punjab/three-more-punjabi-writers-give-up-sahitya-akademi-award/story-Rs7SAnISWlO0RyGUTzx1BJ.html|title=Three more Punjabi writers give up Sahitya Akademi award|date=12 October 2015 |publisher=Hindustan Times|access-date=3 November 2015}}</ref> [[Bhoopal Reddy]] (Telugu),<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.newindianexpress.com/states/telangana/Bhoopal-First-Telugu-Writer-to-Return-Akademi-Award/2015/10/17/article3083777.ece|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151029213209/http://www.newindianexpress.com/states/telangana/Bhoopal-First-Telugu-Writer-to-Return-Akademi-Award/2015/10/17/article3083777.ece|url-status=dead|archive-date=29 October 2015|title=Bhoopal, First Telugu Writer to Return Akademi Award|work=The New Indian Express|access-date=3 November 2015}}</ref> [[Chaman Lal (writer)|Chaman Lal]] (Hindi),<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.business-standard.com/article/pti-stories/hindi-translator-chaman-lal-returns-sahitya-award-odia-poet-115101301365_1.html|title=Hindi translator Chaman Lal returns Sahitya award, Odia poet|author=Press Trust of India|date=13 October 2015|work=business-standard.com|access-date=3 November 2015}}</ref> [[Darshan Buttar]] (Punjabi),<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dailyo.in/politics/sahitya-akademi-dadri-kalburgi-protest-punjabi-writers/story/1/6749.html|title=Why nine Punjabi writers have returned their Sahitya Akademi award|work=dailyo.in|access-date=3 November 2015}}</ref> [[G. N. Devy|Ganesh Devy]] (Gujarati/English),<ref>{{cite web|url=http://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-news-india/ganesh-devy-returns-sahitya-akademi-award-says-dismayed-by-the-bodys-silence/|title=Against 'silence on intolerance', Ganesh Devy returns Akademi award|date=12 October 2015|work=The Indian Express|access-date=3 November 2015}}</ref> Ghulam Nabi Khayal (Kashmiri),<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.firstpost.com/india/kashmiri-writer-ghulam-nabi-khayal-joins-protest-returns-sahitya-akademi-award-2465136.html|title=Kashmiri writer Ghulam Nabi Khayal joins protest, returns Sahitya Akademi award|work=Firstpost|date=12 October 2015 |access-date=3 November 2015}}</ref> G. N. Ranganatha Rao (Kannada),<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.business-standard.com/article/current-affairs/clueless-sahitya-akademi-as-authors-return-awards-115101201132_1.html|title=Clueless Sahitya Akademi as authors return awards|author=Bhaswar Kumar|date=13 October 2015|work=business-standard.com|access-date=3 November 2015}}</ref> [[Gurbachan Singh Bhullar]] (Punjabi),<ref>{{cite web|url=http://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-news-india/three-eminent-writers-from-punjab-return-sahitya-akademi-awards/|title=Three eminent writers from Punjab return Sahitya Akademi awards|date=11 October 2015|work=The Indian Express|access-date=3 November 2015}}</ref> [[Homen Borgohain]] (Assamese)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gulf-times.com/india/185/details/458715/pm-silence-%E2%80%98giving-rise-to-thuggish-violence%E2%80%99|title=PM silence 'giving rise to thuggish violence'|work=Gulf-Times|date=13 October 2015 |access-date=3 November 2015}}</ref> [[Jaswinder Singh (novelist)|Jaswinder Singh]] (Punjabi),<ref name="JS"/> K. [[Katyayani Vidmahe]] (Telugu),<ref name="33writers"/> [[Kashi Nath Singh]] (Hindi),<ref>{{cite web|url=http://zeenews.india.com/news/uttar-pradesh/up-writer-kashi-nath-singh-returns-sahitya-akademi-award_1811121.html|title=UP writer Kashi Nath Singh returns Sahitya Akademi award|work=Zee News|access-date=3 November 2015}}</ref> [[Keki N. Daruwalla]] (English),<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.huffingtonpost.in/2015/10/19/buddhi-shuddhi-puja-authors_n_8328488.html|title='Buddhi Shuddhi' Puja For Authors Who Have Returned Their Awards|work=The Huffington Post|date=19 October 2015 |access-date=3 November 2015}}</ref> [[Krishna Sobti]] (Hindi),<ref name="33writers"/> [[Kum. Veerabhadrappa|Kumbar Veerabhadrappa]] (Kannada),<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nyoooz.com/bengaluru/227674/malagatti-quits-akademi-kumvee-and-d-n-srinath-to-return-awards|title=Malagatti quits Akademi, Kumvee and D. N. Srinath to return awards|author=NYOOOZ|work=NYOOOZ|access-date=3 November 2015}}</ref> [[Mandakranta Sen]] (Bengali),<ref>{{cite news|url=http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/mandakranta-sen-returns-sahitya-akademi-award/articleshow/49342558.cms|title=Mandakranta Sen returns Sahitya Akademi Award|work=The Economic Times|date=13 October 2015 |access-date=3 November 2015}}</ref> [[Manglesh Dabral]] (Hindi),<ref name="sahitya-akademi.gov.in"/> [[Marghoob Banihali]] (Kashmiri),<ref name="33writers"/> [[Mohan Bhandari (writer)|Mohan Bhandari]] (Punjabi),<ref name="33writers"/> [[Munawwar Rana]] (Urdu),<ref>{{cite news|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Munawwar-Rana-poet-who-returned-award-to-meet-PM-next-week/articleshow/49488458.cms|title=Munawwar Rana, poet who returned award, to meet PM next week|work=The Times of India|date=22 October 2015 |access-date=3 November 2015}}</ref> Nand Bhardwaj (Rajasthani),<ref>{{cite news|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Nand-Bhardwaj-returns-Sahitya-Akademi-award/articleshow/49401562.cms|title=Nand Bhardwaj returns Sahitya Akademi award|work=The Times of India|date=16 October 2015 |access-date=3 November 2015}}</ref> [[Nayantara Sahgal]] (English),<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.huffingtonpost.in/2015/10/07/nayantara-sahgal_n_8255032.html|title=Why Nayantara Sahgal Is Returning Her Sahitya Akademi Award After 29 Years|work=The Huffington Post|date=7 October 2015 |access-date=3 November 2015}}</ref> [[Nirupama Borgohain]] (Assamese),<ref name="33writers"/> [[Rahman Abbas]] (Urdu),<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mumbaimirror.com/mumbai/others/Rahman-Abbas-turns-down-Sahitya-Akademi-plea-wont-take-back-award/articleshow/49521534.cms|title=Rahman Abbas turns down Sahitya Akademi plea, won't take back award|work=Mumbai Mirror|access-date=3 November 2015}}</ref> [[Rahamat Tarikere]] (Kannada),<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.indiatvnews.com/entertainment/bollywood/did-anyone-return-awards-after-attack-on-taslima-nasreen-24600.html|title=Did anyone return awards after attack on Taslima Nasreen, asks Anupam Kher|work=India TV News|date=14 October 2015 |access-date=3 November 2015}}</ref> [[Rajesh Joshi (poet)|Rajesh Joshi]] (Hindi),<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/latest-to-return-sahitya-akedemi-award-hindi-poet-rajesh-joshi-267663-2015-10-12|title=Latest to return Sahitya Akademi award: Hindi poet Rajesh Joshi|work=intoday.in|date=12 October 2015 |access-date=3 November 2015}}</ref> [[Sarah Joseph (author)|Sarah Joseph]] (Malayalam),<ref>{{cite web|url=http://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-news-india/now-malayalam-novelist-sarah-joseph-returns-her-sahitya-academy-award/|title=Now, Malayalam novelist Sarah Joseph returns her Sahitya Academy award|date=10 October 2015|work=The Indian Express|access-date=3 November 2015}}</ref> Srinath DN (Kannada),<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.oneindia.com/india/sahitya-akademi-protest-writers-returned-literary-honour-dadri-lynching-kalburgi-1898234.html|title=Sahitya Akademi protest: Know who all returned literary honour|work=www.oneindia.com|date=13 October 2015 |access-date=3 November 2015}}</ref> [[Surjit Patar]] (Punjabi),<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.financialexpress.com/article/miscellaneous/punjabi-poet-surjit-patar-returns-sahitya-akademi-award/150406/|title=Punjabi poet Surjit Patar returns Sahitya Akademi Award|date=13 October 2015|work=The Financial Express|access-date=3 November 2015}}</ref> [[Uday Prakash]] (Hindi),<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.huffingtonpost.in/2015/10/14/sahitya-akademi-protest_n_8291074.html|title=PHOTOS: All The Dissenting Sahitya Akademi Awardees And Their Prize-Winning Works|work=The Huffington Post|date=14 October 2015 |access-date=3 November 2015}}</ref><ref name="sahitya-akademi.gov.in">{{cite web|url=http://sahitya-akademi.gov.in/sahitya-akademi/awards/akademi%20samman_suchi.jsp|title=SAHITYA : Akademi Awards |work=sahitya-akademi.gov.in|access-date=3 November 2015}}</ref> and [[Waryam Singh Sandhu]] (Punjabi).<ref name="TOI">{{cite news|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chandigarh/5-Punjabi-writers-join-protest-return-awards/articleshow/49318087.cms|title=5 Punjabi writers join protest, return awards|work=The Times of India|date=12 October 2015 |access-date=3 November 2015}}</ref><br />
<br />
==See also==<br />
* [[Indian Literature (journal)|Indian Literature]]<br />
* [[List of literary awards]]<br />
* [[Lists of Sahitya Akademi Award winners]]<br />
<br />
==References==<br />
{{reflist}}<br />
<br />
== External links ==<br />
{{commons category}}<br />
* [https://www.schools360.in/sahitya-akademi-awards-2019-winners-list/ Sahitya Akademi Awards Winners List 2019]<br />
* [http://prize.hindisahitya.org/sahitya-akadami/ Complete List of Sahitya Akademi Awards Winners] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220818115011/https://prize.hindisahitya.org/sahitya-akadami/ |date=18 August 2022 }}<br />
* {{Official website|url=http://sahitya-akademi.gov.in/sahitya-akademi/|Sahitya Akademi Awards and Fellowships, official website}}<br />
* {{cite web|url=http://www.firstpost.com/india/from-nayantara-sahgal-to-gurbachan-bhullar-heres-a-list-of-noted-authors-who-returned-sahitya-akademi-awards-2465382.html|title=From Nayantara Sahgal to Rajesh Joshi: Here's a list of noted authors who returned Sahitya Akademi awards|work=Firstpost|date=13 October 2015 |access-date=3 November 2015}}<br />
{{Sahitya}}<br />
<br />
[[Category:Indian literary awards]]<br />
[[Category:Awards established in 1954]]<br />
[[Category:Sahitya Akademi|Bal Sahitya Puraskar]]<br />
[[Category:1954 establishments in India]]<br />
[[Category:Literary awards by language]]</div>BellaCHhttps://en.bharatpedia.org/w/index.php?title=2026_West_Bengal_Legislative_Assembly_election&diff=4815052026 West Bengal Legislative Assembly election2026-05-04T06:37:19Z<p>BellaCH: Updated page with latest data</p>
<hr />
<div>{{Short description|Election to the 18th Legislative Assembly of the Indian state of West Bengal}}<br />
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2026}}<br />
{{Infobox election<br />
| election_name = 2026 West Bengal Legislative Assembly election<br />
| country = India<br />
| type = Legislative<br />
| ongoing = yes<br />
| vote_type = party<br />
| previous_election = 2021 West Bengal Legislative Assembly election<br />
| previous_year = 2021<br />
| next_election = <br />
| registered = 68,251,008 ({{decrease}} 10.94%)<ref name="The Indian Express-2026"/><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.eci.gov.in/eci-backend/public/api/download?url=LMAhAK6sOPBp%2FNFF0iRfXbEB1EVSLT41NNLRjYNJJP1KivrUxbfqkDatmHy12e%2FzBiU51zPFZI5qMtjV1qgjFg193XTtp6Zn6FU9qB%2FYxKh2I6Fg%2BNN0%2Fk6VQmFY0pHFCSv%2B1yJkuMeCkTzY9fhBvw%3D%3D |title=ECI Press Note: 2026 Assembly Elections Schedule |work=Election Commission of India |accessdate=15 March 2026}}</ref><br />
| next_year = 2031<br />
| election_date = 23 and 29 April 2026 (293 seats)<br>21 May 2026 (1 remaining seat)<br />
| seats_for_election = All 294 elected seats in the [[West Bengal Legislative Assembly]]<br />
| majority_seats = 148<br />
| map_image = [[File:Wahlkreise zur Vidhan Sabha von Westbengalen.svg|300px]]<br />
| map_caption = Map of the assembly constituencies in West Bengal<br />
| turnout = 92.93% ({{increase}} 10.63 [[Percentage point|pp]])<br />
| outgoing_members = 17th West Bengal Assembly<br />
| elected_members = <br />
| image1 = {{CSS image crop|Image =Ms. Mamata Banerjee, in Kolkata on July 17, 2018 (cropped) (cropped).JPG|bSize = 135 |cWidth = 110 |cHeight = 140|oTop = 5|oLeft = 10}}<br />
| leader1 = [[Mamata Banerjee]]<br />
| leader_since1 = 1998<br />
| party1 = Trinamool Congress<br />
| alliance1 = [[Trinamool Congress|AITC+]]<br />
| leaders_seat1 = [[Bhabanipur, West Bengal Assembly constituency|Bhabanipur]]<br />
| last_election1 = 48.02%, 215 seats<br />
| seats1 = <br />
| seat_change1 = <br />
| popular_vote1 = <br />
| percentage1 = <br />
| swing1 = <br />
| seats_before1 = 223<br />
| seats_needed1 = {{steady}}<br />
| image2 = {{CSS image crop|Image = Suvendu Adhikari at Esplanade Metro Rail Station, Kolkata, 6 March 2024.jpg|bSize = 125 |cWidth = 110 |cHeight = 140|oTop = 0|oLeft = 6}}<br />
| leader2 = [[Suvendu Adhikari]]<br />
| leader_since2 = 2021<br />
| leaders_seat2 = [[Nandigram Assembly constituency|Nandigram]]<br>[[Bhabanipur, West Bengal Assembly constituency|Bhabanipur]]<br />
| last_election2 = 38.15%, 77 seats<br />
| party2 = Bharatiya Janata Party<br />
| seats2 = <br />
| alliance2 = <!-- Do not insert any placeholder for "no alliance". --><br />
| seat_change2 = <br />
| popular_vote2 = <br />
| percentage2 = <br />
| swing2 = <br />
| seats_before2 = 65<br />
| seats_needed2 = {{increase}} 83<br />
| title = [[Chief Minister of West Bengal|Chief Minister]]<br />
| before_election = [[Mamata Banerjee]]<br />
| before_party = Trinamool Congress<br />
| after_election = <br />
| after_party = <br />
}}<br />
<br />
Legislative Assembly elections were held in [[West Bengal]] to elect [[List of constituencies of the West Bengal Legislative Assembly|294 members]] of the [[West Bengal Legislative Assembly]]. This electoral process of 293 seats unfolded between [[2026 elections in India|23 and 29 April 2026]], taking place in two phases.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/west-bengal-election-result-2026-falta-votes-will-be-counted-only-on-293-seats-tomorrow-heres-why-11441389|title=Votes Are Being Counted Only On 293 Seats In Bengal Today. Here's Why|publisher=NDTV|date=4 May 2026}}</ref> Voting for one remaining constituency will be held on 21 May 2026.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.thehindu.com/elections/west-bengal-assembly/eci-announces-repolling-for-falta-assembly-seat-in-west-bengal-on-may-21/article70933032.ece|title=ECI announces repolling for Falta Assembly seat in West Bengal on May 21|publisher=The Hindu|date=3 May 2026|access-date=4 May 2026}}</ref><br />
<br />
The election recorded a historic voter turnout of 92.93%, the highest ever in the state surpassing the [[2011 West Bengal Legislative Assembly election|2011 election]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Priya |first=Priyanshu |date=2026-04-29 |title=Bengal records highest-ever voter turnout since independence, over 92% cast ballot |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/west-bengal-voter-turnout-assembly-election-records-highest-ever-voting-percentage-since-independence-101777472674563.html |access-date=2026-05-01 |website=Hindustan Times |language=en}}</ref><br />
<br />
== Background ==<br />
The tenure of West Bengal Legislative Assembly is scheduled to end on 7 May 2026.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Ghoshal |first=Jayanta |date=7 February 2026 |title=BJP's Advice To Bengal Cadre On Countering Mamata Banerjee's Delhi Play |url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/bjps-advice-to-bengal-cadre-on-countering-mamata-banerjees-delhi-play-10954395 |work=NDTV}}</ref> The [[2021 West Bengal Legislative Assembly election|previous assembly elections]] were held in March to April of 2021. After the election, the incumbent [[Trinamool Congress]] (AITC) formed the [[Government of West Bengal|state government]] again after winning 215 out of 294 seats in the assembly, with [[Mamata Banerjee]] sworn in as the [[Chief Minister of West Bengal|Chief Minister]].<ref>{{Cite news |date=3 May 2021 |title=West Bengal elections: In final tally, TMC bags 213, BJP 77, ISF and Independent 1 each |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/kolkata/west-bengal-elections-in-final-tally-tmc-bags-213-bjp-77-isf-and-independent-1-each/article34471551.ece |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250915014240/https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/kolkata/west-bengal-elections-in-final-tally-tmc-bags-213-bjp-77-isf-and-independent-1-each/article34471551.ece |archive-date=15 September 2025 |access-date=2 November 2025 |work=The Hindu |language=en-IN |issn=0971-751X}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=3 October 2021 |title=Bhabanipur, Jangipur, Samserganj: TMC adds more to its tally in West Bengal Assembly |url=https://www.timesnownews.com/india/west-bengal/article/bhabanipur-jangipur-samserganj-rampant-tmc-adds-more-to-its-tally-in-west-bengal-assembly/819802 |access-date=2 November 2025 |website=timesnownews.com |language=en|last=Adil|first=Mohammad}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=5 May 2021 |title=Mamata Banerjee sworn-in as West Bengal chief minister for 3rd time, takes oath in Bengali |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/mamata-banerjee-sworn-in-as-bengal-cm-for-3rd-time-takes-oath-in-bengali/articleshow/82400020.cms |access-date=2 November 2025 |work=The Times of India |issn=0971-8257}}</ref><br />
<br />
== Political issues ==<br />
The campaign was shaped by disputes over electoral rolls and citizenship, border security and undocumented migration, and broader debates over identity, governance, women's safety, employment, development, and anti-incumbency after 15 years of AITC rule.<ref name="HinduContinuity">{{cite news |last=Singh |first=Shiv Sahay |date=20 March 2026 |title=West Bengal's two-cornered contest is one between continuity and change |url=https://www.thehindu.com/elections/west-bengal-assembly/west-bengals-two-cornered-contest-is-one-between-continuity-and-change/article70764900.ece |work=The Hindu |language=en-IN |issn=0971-751X}}</ref><ref name="FederalIssues">{{cite web |date=15 March 2026 |title=SIR, infiltration, women's safety: 10 factors set to dominate Bengal polls |url=https://thefederal.com/elections-2026/10-key-issues-west-bengal-assembly-elections-2026-234359 |website=The Federal |language=en}}</ref><ref name="HinduKeyIssues">{{cite news |date=15 March 2026 |title=West Bengal Assembly election 2026: Bengali 'asmita', Matua factor, urban discontent key issues |url=https://www.thehindu.com/elections/west-bengal-assembly/west-bengal-assembly-election-2026-bengali-asmita-matua-factor-urban-discontent-key-issues/article70746371.ece |work=The Hindu |language=en-IN|issn=}}</ref><br />
<br />
=== SIR and electoral rolls ===<br />
The [[Special Intensive Revision]] (SIR) of electoral rolls became one of the central controversies of the campaign. The SIR removed around 9 million voters from the rolls in West Bengal, representing about 12% of the electorate. Over six million were categorized as absentee or deceased, while the status of 2.7 million remained pending before tribunals. Observers noted that roughly 65% of the undecided group were Muslims, while [[Dalit]] Hindus, especially from the [[Matua Mahasangha|Matua]] community, were also affected in certain districts.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Bhattacharya |first=Snigdhendu |date=2026-04-12 |title=SIR in West Bengal: How exclusion of nine million voters could shape state politics |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cy51qg00dezo |access-date=2026-04-19 |website=BBC News |language=en-GB}}</ref><br />
<br />
The deletion of names from the rolls and the subsequent adjudication process became major political issues during the election period.<ref name="IESIR">{{cite news |date=30 March 2026 |title=Amid steep travel costs, SIR fears, Bengal migrants try to return home for a vote that feels vital |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/political-pulse/amid-steep-travel-costs-sir-fears-bengal-migrants-try-to-return-home-for-a-vote-that-feels-vital-10608576/ |work=The Indian Express}}</ref><ref name="HinduSIR">{{cite news |date=31 March 2026 |title=Election Commission actions under SIR risk disenfranchisement of genuine voters in Bengal: Mamata to CEC |url=https://www.thehindu.com/elections/west-bengal-assembly/election-commission-actions-under-sir-risk-disenfranchisement-of-genuine-voters-in-bengal-mamata-to-cec/article70807014.ece |work=The Hindu}}</ref> The AITC said that the exercise risked disenfranchising genuine voters, while the [[Bharatiya Janata Party]] (BJP) defended it as a revision of bogus entries and illegal migrants. The issue remains under judicial scrutiny during the campaign.<ref name="HinduSIR" /><ref>{{cite news |date=18 April 2026 |title=What does the Supreme Court's latest order mean for Bengal's deleted voters? |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/explained-law/what-does-sc-latest-order-mean-bengal-deleted-voters-10641096/ |work=The Indian Express|last=Nath|first=Damini}}</ref><br />
<br />
=== Citizenship Amendment Act ===<br />
<br />
The [[Citizenship (Amendment) Act, 2019|Citizenship Amendment Act]] (CAA) remained a separate campaign issue, particularly in areas where refugee and Matua politics were significant. The Union government published details of the act's implementation in the [[Citizenship (Amendment) Act, 2019#Citizenship (Amendment) Act Rules, 2024|Citizenship (Amendment) Rules, 2024]], in March 2024, and BJP leaders said that a BJP government in West Bengal would speed up citizenship processing under the Act.<ref name="CAAOfficial">{{cite web |date=11 March 2024 |title=The Gazette of India: Citizenship (Amendment) Rules, 2024 |url=https://indiancitizenshiponline.nic.in/UserGuide/E_gazette_11032024.pdf |work=The Gazette of India |publisher=Government of India}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |date=3 March 2026 |title=Post-SIR, Centre forms two more panels to fast-track CAA applications in West Bengal |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/west-bengal/post-sir-centre-forms-two-more-panels-to-fast-track-caa-applications-in-west-bengal/article70696163.ece |work=The Hindu|last=Singh|first=Vijaita}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |date=12 April 2026 |title=PM Modi vows to fast-track CAA implementation in West Bengal if BJP comes to power |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/pm-modi-vows-to-fast-track-caa-implementation-in-west-bengal-if-bjp-comes-to-power-101775955590381.html |work=Hindustan Times}}</ref> The AITC argued that the issue was being used to polarise the electorate and that the overlap between CAA, SIR and citizenship rhetoric had increased anxiety among minorities and some migrant communities.<ref>{{cite news |title=In battleground Bengal, how TMC bets on SIR deletions, voter backlash to corner BJP |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/political-pulse/in-battleground-bengal-how-tmc-bets-on-sir-deletions-voter-backlash-to-corner-bjp-10637925/ |work=The Indian Express}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |date=25 March 2026 |title=Polarisation still an issue in 2026 Bengal polls, but TMC slightly better placed than BJP |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/political-pulse/bengal-assembly-2026-tmc-bjp-polarisation-minority-vote-share-data-analysis-10600577/ |work=The Indian Express}}</ref><br />
<br />
=== Border security and migration ===<br />
Border security and undocumented migration were also major issues in the campaign. BJP leaders framed cross-border movement, border fencing and the [[Siliguri Corridor]] as matters of national security and linked them to their wider argument on infiltration.<ref>{{cite news |date=29 March 2026 |title='Bengal last remaining route for infiltration': Amit Shah says Assembly polls crucial for national security |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/kolkata/bengal-last-remaining-route-for-infiltration-amit-shah-says-assembly-polls-crucial-for-national-security-10607005/ |work=The Indian Express|last=Bose|first=Tanusree}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |date=18 January 2026 |title=Infiltration changing West Bengal's demography: PM |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/west-bengal/infiltration-changing-west-bengals-demography-pm/article70519322.ece |work=The Hindu|last=Singh|first=Shiv Sahay}}</ref> The AITC rejected these claims as politically motivated and linked them to communal polarisation.<ref name="FederalIssues" /><ref>{{cite news |date=28 March 2026 |title=Amit Shah releases 'charge sheet' against TMC government, says Bengal polls key to nation's security |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/elections/2026/Mar/28/amit-shah-releases-charge-sheet-against-tmc-government-says-bengal-polls-key-to-nations-security |work=The New Indian Express|last=Maiti|first=Subhendu}}</ref><br />
<br />
=== Identity politics ===<br />
Identity politics remained significant in the campaign. Bengali ''asmita'' (identity), the Matua vote, and questions of language, belonging and representation were prominent themes in several regions of the state.<ref name="HinduKeyIssues" /><ref name="FederalIssues" /> The AITC sought to present itself as the defender of Bengali identity and state autonomy, while the BJP tied identity questions to citizenship, migration and Hindu consolidation in selected constituencies.<ref name="HinduKeyIssues" /><ref>{{cite news |date=25 March 2026 |title=Polarisation still an issue in 2026 Bengal polls, but TMC slightly better placed than BJP |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/political-pulse/bengal-assembly-2026-tmc-bjp-polarisation-minority-vote-share-data-analysis-10600577/ |work=The Indian Express|last=Tiwary|first=Deeptiman}}</ref><br />
<br />
=== Corruption ===<br />
Corruption and governance remained important opposition themes, especially because of the [[2022 West Bengal School Service Commission recruitment scam|school recruitment scam]] and other ongoing investigations by central agencies. These allegations formed a major opposition line of attack on the AITC government's record in administration, public recruitment and institutional credibility.<ref>{{cite web |date=15 April 2022 |title=Explained: What is the West Bengal School Service Commission recruitment scam? |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/explained-west-bengal-school-service-commission-recruitment-scam-7869437/ |work=The Indian Express|last=Chowdhury|first=Santanu}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |date=27 March 2026 |title='Chargesheet' first, manifesto next: Amit Shah to release document listing failures of TMC government |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/kolkata/chargesheet-first-manifesto-next-amit-shah-to-release-document-listing-failures-of-tmc-government-10604448/ |work=The Indian Express|last=Bose|first=Tanusree}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |date=17 March 2026 |title=TMC under pressure as welfare politics meets voter frustration in Bengal |url=https://thefederal.com/elections-2026/tmc-under-pressure-as-welfare-politics-meets-voter-frustration-in-bengal-232281 |website=The Federal |language=en}}</ref> The AITC, by contrast, emphasised welfare delivery, continuity and its development record.<ref name=":0">{{cite news |date=20 March 2026 |title=Mamata woos voters with 10 commitments, says Bengal will be destination for industry |url=https://www.thehindu.com/elections/west-bengal-assembly/mamata-woos-voters-with-10-commitments-says-bengal-will-be-destination-for-industry/article70765593.ece |work=The Hindu|last=Chatterjee|first=Shrabana|last2=Singh|first2=Shiv Sahay}}</ref><ref name="HinduContinuity" /><br />
<br />
=== Women's safety ===<br />
Women's safety was a recurring issue in the campaign, especially after the [[2024 Kolkata rape and murder|2024 R. G. Kar Medical College and Hospital rape and murder]] case, which drew national attention and remained part of the wider law and order debate.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Roy |first1=Suryagni |last2=Roy |first2=Anirban Sinha |date=15 August 2024 |title=Woman trainee doctor found dead in seminar hall of Kolkata hospital |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/cities/kolkata/story/west-bengal-trainee-doctor-dead-rg-kar-medical-college-hospital-2579796-2024-08-09 |website=India Today}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |date=16 August 2024 |title=Kolkata doctor rape-murder case: All you need to know |url=https://www.deccanherald.com/india/west-bengal/kolkata-doctor-rape-murder-case-all-you-need-to-know-3148176#6 |website=Deccan Herald}}</ref><ref name="FederalIssues" /> The AITC cited [[National Crime Records Bureau|NCRB]] data showing Kolkata's comparatively low reported crime rate among large cities, while the BJP argued that such data did not capture under-reporting or failures to register cases.<ref>{{cite report |url=https://www.ncrb.gov.in/uploads/files/1CrimeinIndia2023PartI.pdf |title=Crime in India 2023 - Statistics - Volume I |author=<!-- not stated --> |date=26 September 2025 |publisher=National Crime Records Bureau |location= |place=New Delhi |pages=211-266 |docket= |access-date= |format=PDF |work=}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |date=5 October 2025 |title=Kolkata again tops NCRB 2023 safety list: TMC lauds data, BJP raises questions over its accuracy |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/kolkata/kolkata-again-tops-ncrb-2023-safety-list-tmc-lauds-data-bjp-raises-questions-over-its-accuracy-10288288/ |work=The Indian Express|last=Bose|first=Tanusree}}</ref><br />
<br />
=== Economy and employment ===<br />
<br />
Employment, industrial development and public recruitment were also prominent issues, particularly among younger and urban voters. Concerns about job creation, delayed recruitment examinations, the effects of the recruitment scandal, and competing claims over investment and industrial growth featured prominently in the campaign.<ref>{{cite web |date=18 September 2024 |title=West Bengal economy performs poorly over several decades: EAC-PM paper |url=https://www.thehindu.com/business/Economy/west-bengal-economy-performs-poorly-over-several-decades-eac-pm-paper/article68654721.ece |work=The Hindu}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |date=6 October 2023 |title=WBCS Prelims postponed, fresh schedule expected soon |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/education/news/wbcs-prelims-postponed-fresh-schedule-expected-soon-check-more-details-here/articleshow/104210072.cms |work=The Times of India}}</ref><ref name=":1">{{cite web |date=17 March 2026 |title=TMC under pressure as welfare politics meets voter frustration in Bengal |url=https://thefederal.com/elections-2026/tmc-under-pressure-as-welfare-politics-meets-voter-frustration-in-bengal-234705 |website=The Federal |language=en|last=Purkayastha|first=Samir K}}</ref> The BJP foregrounded jobs and industrial revival in its criticism of the state government, while the AITC campaigned on welfare schemes and promised continued investment and infrastructure expansion.<ref name=":0" /><ref>{{cite web |date=10 April 2026 |title=Rs 3,000 monthly assistance for women; new AIIMS, IIT for North Bengal: Amit Shah releases BJP Sankalpa Patra for Bengal polls |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/kolkata/rs-3000-monthly-assistance-for-women-new-aiims-iit-for-north-bengal-amit-shah-releases-bjp-sankalpa-patra-for-bengal-polls-10629715/ |work=The Indian Express|last=Bose|first=Tanusree}}</ref><br />
<br />
=== Anti-incumbency ===<br />
Anti-incumbency after 15 years of AITC rule was also noted as a factor in the contest, although it overlapped with disputes over SIR, identity and citizenship.<ref name="HinduContinuity" /><ref name="HinduKeyIssues" /><ref name=":1" /> Dissatisfaction over jobs, corruption, governance and law and order was often discussed alongside these issues rather than separately.<ref name="FederalIssues" /><ref name="IESIR" /><br />
<br />
== Schedule ==<br />
<br />
The [[Election Commission of India]] announced the schedule for the West Bengal Legislative Assembly election on 15 March 2026.<ref>{{Cite web |date=15 March 2026 |title=West Bengal assembly elections on April 23 and April 29, results on May 4 |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/west-bengal-assembly-election-voting-date-nominations-results-date-time-phases-full-schedule-101773569374988.html |access-date=15 March 2026 |website=Hindustan Times |language=en|last=Chatterjee|first=Tanmay}}</ref><br />
<br />
[[File:2026 West Bengal Legislative Assembly Election Phase Wise Schedule.svg|right|thumb|300px|Phases of the West Bengal Legislative Assembly election]]<br />
<br />
On consideration of severe electoral offences in [[Falta Assembly constituency]], re-polling will happen on 21 May 2026, with results for the seat on 24 May 2026.<br />
<br />
{| class="wikitable"style="text-align:center;<br />
|+<br />
|-<br />
! rowspan="2" | Poll event<br />
! colspan="2" | Phases<br />
|-<br />
! style="background: #fff28f | I<br />
! style="background: #feb8e3 | II<br />
|-<br />
| Notification date<br />
| 30 March 2026<br />
| 2 April 2026<br />
|-<br />
| Last date for filing nomination<br />
| 6 April 2026<br />
| 9 April 2026<br />
|-<br />
| Scrutiny of nomination<br />
| 7 April 2026<br />
| 10 April 2026<br />
|-<br />
| Last date for withdrawal of nomination<br />
| 9 April 2026<br />
| 13 April 2026<br />
|-<br />
| Date of poll<br />
| 23 April 2026<br />
| 29 April 2026<br />
|-<br />
| Number of constituencies<br />
| 152<ref name="scheduleofgeneral">{{Cite web |title=Schedule of General Election to the West Bengal Legislative Assembly, 2026 – WBXPress |url=https://wbxpress.com/schedule-general-election-west-bengal-legislative-assembly-2026/ |access-date=16 April 2026 |website=wbxpress.com}}</ref><br />
| 142<ref name="scheduleofgeneral" /><br />
|-<br />
| Assembly Constituency numbers<br />
| AC 1–76<br>AC 203–258<br>AC 275–294<ref name="scheduleofgeneral" /><br />
| AC 77–202<br>AC 259–274<ref name="scheduleofgeneral" /><br />
|-<br />
| Date of counting of votes<br />
| colspan="2" | 4 May 2026<br />
|-<br />
| Date of completion of electoral process<br />
| colspan="2" | 6 May 2026<br />
|}<br />
<br />
== Parties and alliances ==<br />
=== All India Trinamool Congress+ ===<br />
<!-- Per [[MOS:NOSECTIONLINKS]]: for technical reasons, section headings should, among other things, not contain links, citations, or template transclusions. --><br />
{{Hidden<br />
| header = Seat-sharing map of the AITC+ alliance<br />
| content = [[File:2026 West Bengal Legislative Assembly Election AITC+ Seat Sharing Map.svg|thumb|right|250px|AITC+ Seat Sharing]]<br />
}}<br />
<br />
{| class="wikitable" width="65%" style="text-align:center;<br />
| colspan="6" {{party color cell|All India Trinamool Congress}}<br />
|-<br />
| colspan="6" | '''[[Trinamool Congress|All India Trinamool Congress+]]'''<br />
|-<br />
! colspan="2" | Party<br />
! Flag <br />
! Symbol<br />
! Leader<br />
! Seats<ref>{{Cite web |date=18 March 2026 |title=Mamata Banerjee Predicts Over 226 For TMC In Bengal Polls, Announces Alliance With Anit Thapa's BGPM |url=https://www.thedailyjagran.com/india/mamata-banerjee-predicts-over-226-for-tmc-in-bengal-polls-announces-alliance-with-anit-thapas-bgpm-10303889 |access-date=18 March 2026 |website=The Daily Jagran |language=en|last=Pandey|first=Akansha}}</ref><br />
|-<br />
| {{Full party name with color|All India Trinamool Congress}}<br />
| [[File:Flag of the All India Trinamool Congress.png|50px|border]]<br />
| [[File:All India Trinamool Congress symbol 2021.svg|50px|centre]]<br />
| [[Mamata Banerjee]]<br />
| 291<ref name="The Hindu-2026" /><br />
|-<br />
| {{Full party name with color|Bharatiya Gorkha Prajatantrik Morcha}}<br />
| [[File:BGPM Flag.png|50px|border]]<br />
| [[File:Indian Election Symbol Battery-Torch.png|50px|centre]]<br />
| [[Anit Thapa]]<ref>{{Cite web |date=10 September 2025 |title=Anit Thapa shifts gears, broaches identity: BGPM celebrates fifth foundation day |url=https://www.telegraphindia.com/west-bengal/anit-thapa-shifts-gears-broaches-identity-bharatiya-gorkha-prajatantrik-morcha-celebrates-fifth-foundation-day-prnt/cid/2122203 |access-date=22 December 2025 |website=The Telegraph|last=Chhetri|first=Vivek}}</ref><br />
| 3<ref name="The Times of India-2026b">{{Cite news |date=15 March 2026 |title=TMC ally 1st off block to announce candidates for three Hills seats |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolkata/tmc-ally-1st-off-block-to-announce-candidates-for-three-hills-seats/articleshow/129593653.cms |access-date=16 March 2026 |work=The Times of India |issn=0971-8257|last=Gupta|first=Roshan}}</ref><br />
|-<br />
! colspan="5" | Total<br />
! 294<br />
|}<br />
<br />
=== Bharatiya Janata Party ===<br />
<!-- Per [[MOS:NOSECTIONLINKS]]: for technical reasons, section headings should, among other things, not contain links, citations, or template transclusions. --><br />
<br />
{| class="wikitable" width="65%" style="text-align:center;<br />
| colspan="6" {{party color cell|Bharatiya Janata Party}}<br />
|-<br />
! colspan="2" | Party<br />
! Flag<br />
! Symbol<br />
! Leader<br />
! Seats <br />
|-<br />
| {{Full party name with color|Bharatiya Janata Party}}<br />
| [[File:BJP Flag.svg|50px|border]]<br />
| [[File:Lotus flower symbol.svg|50px|centre]]<br />
| [[Samik Bhattacharya]]<br />
| 294<ref>{{cite web|url=https://candidatelist.live/list/bjp-west-bengal-assembly-election-candidates-list-2026|title=BJP West Bengal Assembly Election Candidates List 2026|publisher=|access-date=3 May 2026}}</ref><br />
|-<br />
|}<br />
<br />
=== Left Front+ ===<br />
<br />
{{Hidden<br />
| header = Seat-sharing map of the Left Front+ alliance<br />
| content = [[File:2026 West Bengal Legislative Assembly Election Left Front Seat Sharing Map.svg|thumb|right|250px|Left Front+ Seat Sharing]]<br />
}}<br />
<br />
{| class="wikitable" width="65%" style="text-align:center;"<br />
| colspan="7" {{party color cell|Left Front}}<br />
|-<br />
| colspan="7" | '''[[Left Front-led Alliance|Left Front+]]'''<br />
|-<br />
! colspan="2" | Party <br />
! Flag<br />
! Symbol<br />
! Leader<br />
! colspan="2" | Seats<br />
|-<br />
| {{Full party name with color|Communist Party of India (Marxist)|dab=yes}}<br />
| [[File:CPI-M-flag.svg|50px|border]]<br />
| rowspan="3" | [[File:CPI(M) election symbol - Hammer Sickle and Star.svg|50px|center]]<br />
| [[Mohammed Salim (politician)|Mohammed Salim]]<br />
| 195<ref>{{cite web |url=https://theprint.in/india/left-front-to-contest-252-seats-isf-30-cpiml-liberation-eight-in-bengal-assembly-polls/2894367/ |title=Left Front to contest 252 seats, ISF 30, CPI(ML) Liberation eight in Bengal assembly polls |publisher=The Print |date=1 April 2026 |access-date=2 April 2026}}</ref><br />
| rowspan="3" | 197<br />
|-<br />
| {{Full party name with color|Marxist Forward Bloc}}<br />
|<br />
| Ashish Chakraborty<br />
| 1<br />
|-<br />
| {{Full party name with color|Revolutionary Communist Party of India}}<br />
| [[File:RCPI Flag.jpg|50px|border]]<br />
| Subhas Roy<br />
| 1<br />
|-<br />
| style="background-color: {{party color|Indian Secular Front}}" |<br />
| style="text-align:left" | [[All India Secular Front]]<br />
| [[File:ISF flag.svg|50px|border]]<br />
| rowspan="2" | [[File:Indian Election Symbol Envelope.jpg|50px|center]]<br />
| [[Naushad Siddiqui|Nawsad Siddiqui]]<br />
| 28<br />
| rowspan="2" | 29<br />
|-<br />
| {{Full party name with color|Social Democratic Party of India}}<br />
| [[File:SDPI Flag.jpg|50px|border]]<br />
| Hakikul Islam<br />
| 1<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.sangbadpratidin.in/west-bengal-assembly-election/news/west-bengal-assembly-election-cpm-supports-sdpi-candidate-in-sagardighi/pid/1160361/ |title=সাগরদিঘিতে জোটের নামে জটলা! আইএসএফের প্রতীকে লড়তে চলা SDPI প্রার্থীকে সমর্থন সিপিএমের |publisher=Sangbad Pratidin |date=3 April 2026}}</ref><br />
|-<br />
| {{Full party name with color|All India Forward Bloc}}<br />
| [[File:All India Forward Bloc flag.svg|50px|border]]<br />
| [[File:Indian Election Symbol Lion.svg|50px|center]]<br />
| Naren Chatterjee<br />
| colspan="2" | 23<br />
|-<br />
| {{Full party name with color|Communist Party of India}}<br />
| [[File:CPI-banner.svg|50px|border]]<br />
| [[File:CPI symbol.svg|50px|center]]<br />
| Swapan Banerjee<br />
| colspan="2" | 17<br />
|-<br />
| {{Full party name with color|Revolutionary Socialist Party (India)}}<br />
| [[File:RSP-flag.svg|50px|border]]<br />
| [[File:Indian Election Symbol Spade and Stoker.png|50px|center]]<br />
| [[Tapan Hore]]<br />
| colspan="2" | 16<br />
|-<br />
| {{Full party name with color|Communist Party of India (Marxist–Leninist) Liberation|dab=yes}}<br />
| [[File:CPIML LIBERATION FLAG.jpg|50px|border]]<br />
| [[File:Flag Logo of CPIML.png|50px|center]]<br />
| Abhijit Majumder<br />
| colspan="2" | 9<br />
|-<br />
| {{Full party name with color|West Bengal Socialist Party}}<br />
|<br />
| [[File:Indian Election Symbol Bat.png|50px|centre]]<br />
| Manindra Chandra Paul<br />
| colspan="2" | 1<br />
|-<br />
| {{Party name with color|Independent politician}}<br />
|<br />
| [[File:Indian Election Symbol Pen Nib with Seven Rays.jpg|50px|centre]]<br />
| [[Ajoy Edwards]]<br />
| colspan="2" | 1<br />
|-<br />
! colspan="5" | Total<br />
! colspan="2" | 293<br />
|}<br />
<br />
=== Indian National Congress ===<br />
<!-- Per [[MOS:NOSECTIONLINKS]]: for technical reasons, section headings should, among other things, not contain links, citations, or template transclusions. --><br />
<br />
{| class="wikitable" width="65%" style="text-align:center;<br />
| colspan="6" {{party color cell|Indian National Congress}}<br />
|-<br />
! Colspan="2" | Party<br />
! Flag<br />
! Symbol<br />
! Leader<br />
! Seats<br />
|-<br />
| {{Full party name with color|Indian National Congress}}<br />
| [[File:Indian National Congress Flag.svg|50px|border]]<br />
| [[File:INC Hand.svg|50px|centre]]<br />
| [[Subhankar Sarkar]]<br />
| 292<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.millenniumpost.in/bengal/magrahat-west-cong-candidate-joins-tmc-days-before-polls-657577|title=Magrahat West: Cong candidate joins TMC days before polls|publisher=millenniumpost|date=26 April 2026}}</ref><br />
|}<br />
<br />
=== Others ===<br />
<br />
{| class="wikitable" width="65%" style="text-align:center;<br />
! colspan="2" | Party<br />
! Flag<br />
! Symbol<br />
! Leader<br />
! Seats <br />
|-<br />
| {{Full party name with color|Socialist Unity Centre of India (Communist)|dab=yes}}<br />
| [[File:SUCI flag.svg|50px|border]]<br />
| [[File:Indian Election Symbol Battery-Torch.png|50px|centre|Torch Light]]<br />
| Chandidas Bhattacharya<ref>{{Cite web |date=26 October 2025 |title=Will Left Front Be Able To Find Back Winning Ways In 2026 Bengal Assembly Polls? |url=https://www.etvbharat.com/en/bharat/will-left-front-be-able-to-find-back-winning-ways-in-2026-bengal-assembly-polls-enn25102601978 |access-date=22 December 2025 |website=ETV Bharat News |language=en}}</ref><br />
| 230<ref>{{Cite news |date=17 March 2026 |title=Bengal polls 2026: SUCI announces first list of 230 candidates |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolkata/suci-names-230-candidates-on-first-list/articleshow/129616407.cms |access-date=18 March 2026 |work=The Times of India |issn=0971-8257}}</ref><br />
|-<br />
| {{Full party name with color|Bahujan Samaj Party}}<br />
| [[File:BSP Flag.png|50px|border]]<br />
| [[File:Elephant electoral symbol.svg|50px|centre]]<br />
| Jay Prakash Singh<ref>{{Cite web |date=8 November 2025 |title=Former BSP leader rejoins party, assigned key role |url=https://www.thestatesman.com/india/former-bsp-leader-rejoins-party-assigned-key-role-1503509302.html |access-date=13 March 2026 |website=The Statesman |language=en|place=Lucknow}}</ref><br />
| 152<br />
|-<br />
| {{Full party name with color|Aam Janata Unnayan Party|color=#8AB800}}<ref>{{Cite web |date=25 March 2026 |title=Asaduddin Owaisi: 'মমতার রাজনীতিতে বঞ্চিত সংখ্যালঘুরা', আক্রমণ ওয়েইসির, মিমের সঙ্গে সভা ঘোষণা হুমায়ুনের |url=https://bengali.abplive.com/elections/asaduddin-owaisi-humayun-kabir-rally-at-behrampur-west-bengal-assembly-election-2026-mim-ajup-1170864 |website=ABP Ananda |language=bn}}</ref><br />
| [[File:Aam_Janata_Unnayan_Party.png|50px|border]]<br />
| [[File:Indian Election Symbol Whistle.png|50px|centre]]<br />
| [[Humayun Kabir (West Bengal politician)|Humayun Kabir]]<ref>{{Cite web |date=5 March 2026 |title=Election Commission grants registration to Humayun Kabir's Aam Janata Unnayan Party |url=https://www.deccanherald.com/india/west-bengal/election-commission-grants-registration-to-humayun-kabirs-aam-janata-unnayan-party-3920994 |access-date=13 March 2026 |website=Deccan Herald |language=en}}</ref><br />
| 115<br />
|-<br />
| {{Full party name with color|All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen}}<ref>{{Cite web |last=Maiti |first=Subhendu |date=26 March 2026 |title=West Bengal polls: Battle for Muslim vote intensifies |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/west-bengal/2026/Mar/26/west-bengal-polls-battle-for-muslim-vote-intensifies |access-date=29 March 2026 |website=The New Indian Express |language=en}}</ref><br />
| [[File:AIMIM_FLAG.png|50px|border]]<br />
| [[File:Indian Election Symbol Kite.svg|50px|centre]]<br />
| Imran Solanki<ref>{{Cite web |date=12 March 2025 |title=AIMIM to contest 2026 polls in state |url=https://www.thestatesman.com/bengal/aimim-to-contest-2026-polls-in-state-1503407139.html |access-date=11 March 2026 |website=The Statesman |language=en|place=Kolkata}}</ref><br />
| 12<ref>{{cite web |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/hyderabad/mim-snaps-ties-with-ajup-ahead-of-bengal-polls/articleshow/130178831.cms?utm_source=mobilenative&utm_medium=mWeb_social&utm_campaign=social_share |title=MIM snaps ties with AJUP ahead of Bengal polls |work=The Times of India |date=11 April 2026|last=Ali|first=Roushan}}</ref><br />
|-<br />
| {{party color cell|Communist Party of India (Marxist-Leninist) Mass Line}}<br />
| style="text-align:left" | [[Communist Party of India (Marxist–Leninist) Mass Line]]<br />
| [[File:CPI(ML) Mass Line logo.png|50px|border]]<br />
| [[File:Saw election symbol.png|50px|centre]]<br />
| Alik Chakraborty<br />
| 2<ref>{{cite web |url=https://bengali.news18.com/news/west-bengal/arabul-islam-cpiml-leave-left-front-in-bhangar-places-new-candidate-for-assembly-election-2026-l18t-rc-local18-2610507.html |title=Arabul Islam: আরাবুল ইসলামের উপর ক্ষোভ, ভাঙড়ে পাল্টা আইএসএফ-এর বিরুদ্ধে প্রার্থী ঘোষণা CPI(ML) মাসলাইনের |publisher= |date=30 March 2026 |access-date=5 April 2026|website=News18 Bangla|last=Chakraborty|first=Raima|language=bn}}</ref><br />
|-<br />
| {{Full party name with color|Jharkhand Loktantrik Krantikari Morcha}}<br />
|<br />
| [[File:Scissors - Indian Election Symbol.png|50px|center]]<br />
| Motilal Mahato <br />
| 2<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.thestatesman.com/bengal/jharkhand-loktantrik-krantikari-morcha-to-contest-state-polls-in-wb-1503507141.html |title=Jharkhand Loktantrik Krantikari Morcha to contest state polls in WB |work=The Statesman |date=4 November 2025|place=Kolkata}}</ref><br />
|}<br />
<br />
== Candidates ==<br />
<br />
BJP released the first list of 144 candidates on 16 March 2026;<ref name="The Economic Times-2026a">{{Cite news |date=16 March 2026 |title=West Bengal BJP candidate list 2026: First list of 144 candidates out; Suvendhu Adhikari fielded in two seats; Check complete roll |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/elections/assembly-elections/west-bengal/west-bengal-assembly-polls-bjp-releases-first-list-of-144-candidates-suvendhu-adhikari-fielded-in-two-seats-check-complete-list/articleshow/129608530.cms |access-date=16 March 2026 |work=The Economic Times |issn=0013-0389}}</ref> the second list of 111 candidates (also included replacement of a candidate and support to an independent candidate) on 19 March 2026.<ref name="The Economic Times-2026b">{{Cite news |date=19 March 2026 |title=West Bengal BJP candidate list 2026: Second list of 111 candidates, Nishit Pramanik to contest from Mathabhanga; Check complete roll |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/elections/assembly-elections/west-bengal/west-bengal-bjp-candidate-list-2026-second-list-of-111-candidates-nishit-pramanik-to-contest-from-mathabhanga-check-complete-roll/articleshow/129678517.cms |access-date=19 March 2026 |work=The Economic Times |issn=0013-0389}}</ref><ref name="thefederal.com-2026">{{Cite web |date=19 March 2026 |title=Bengal elections: BJP lists 111 faces more, includes star power, former Union minister |url=https://thefederal.com/elections-2026/west-bengal-elections-2026-bj-second-list-111-candidates-actors-former-union-minister-235026 |access-date=19 March 2026 |website=The Federal |language=en|quote=In one seat, it announced to support the candidature of Biswajit Mahato.|last=Purkayastha|first=Samir K}}</ref> The third list of BJP candidates was released on 25 March 2026 wherein 19 candidates were named.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Chakraborty |first=Sanjib |date=26 March 2026 |title=West Bengal assembly elections: BJP releases 3rd list, fields RG Kar victim's mother |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolkata/west-bengal-assembly-elections-bjp-releases-3rd-list-fields-rg-kar-victims-mother/articleshow/129814381.cms |work=The Times of India}}</ref> BJP released the fourth list of candidates on 31 March 2026 announcing 13 candidates and another 1 previously announced candidate was replaced.{{efn|The initial candidate from BJP in Maynaguri was the incumbent MLA [[Kaushik Roy (politician)|Kaushik Roy]], however his name was replaced with that of Dalim Roy}}<ref>{{Cite news |date=31 March 2026 |title=BJP releases fourth list for Bengal polls, fields Soma Thakur, Santosh Pathak |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/west-bengal/2026/Mar/31/bjp-releases-fourth-list-for-bengal-polls-fields-soma-thakur-santosh-pathak |work=The New Indian Express}}</ref><br />
<br />
AITC+ released their first list of 3 candidates on 15 March 2026, including 3 candidates for [[Bharatiya Gorkha Prajatantrik Morcha|BGPM]].<ref name="The Times of India-2026b" /> [[Trinamool Congress|AITC]] released their list of 291 candidates on 17 March 2026.<ref name="The Hindu-2026">{{Cite news |date=17 March 2026 |title=West Bengal Assembly elections 2026: Trinamool Congress candidates list |url=https://www.thehindu.com/elections/west-bengal-assembly/bengal-assembly-elections-2026-full-list-of-tmc-candidates-contesting-in-west-bengal/article70753654.ece |access-date=17 March 2026 |work=The Hindu |language=en-IN |issn=0971-751X}}</ref><br />
<br />
Left Front announced the first list of 192 candidates on 16 March 2026, including 142 seats for [[Communist Party of India (Marxist)|CPI(M)]], 21 seats for AIFB, 14 seats for [[Communist Party of India|CPI]], 13 seats for RSP, and 1 seat each for RCPI and MFB;<ref name="The Times of India-2026a">{{Cite news |date=16 March 2026 |title=West Bengal polls: Left front announces first list of 192 candidates |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/west-bengal-polls-left-front-announces-first-list-of-192-candidates/articleshow/129611794.cms |access-date=16 March 2026 |work=The Times of India |issn=0971-8257}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=16 March 2026 |title=Bengal polls: Eyeing its first Assembly seat after 2016, Left unveils 1st list of 192 names |url=https://thefederal.com/elections-2026/west-bengal-assembly-elections-2026-left-front-releases-192-candidates-list-234535 |access-date=16 March 2026 |website=The Federal |language=en}}</ref> the second list of 32 candidates on 19 March 2026, including 28 seats for CPI(M), 3 seats for CPI and 1 seat for RSP;<ref>{{Cite web |date=19 March 2026 |title=West Bengal Polls: Left Front Announces Names Of 32 Candidates In Second List |url=https://www.etvbharat.com/en/state/west-bengal-polls-left-front-announces-names-of-32-candidates-in-second-list-enn26031906968 |access-date=19 March 2026 |website=ETV Bharat News |language=en|last=Purkait|first=Sahajan}}</ref> the third list of 15 candidates including 13 seats for CPI(M) and 2 seats for AIFB and the fourth list containing 7 candidates for CPI(M). CPI(ML)L announced the names of their candidates on 10 seats on 17 March 2026.<ref>{{Cite web |title=CPIML candidates |url=https://www.aaroananda.com/story/latest-news/breaking-news/cpi-ml-liberation-new-electoral-strategy/10992227 |access-date=17 March 2026 |website=aaroananda.com |language=bn}}</ref><br />
<br />
INC released first list of 284 candidates on 29 March 2026; INC released second list of 9 candidates on 1 April 2026.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.thehindu.com/elections/west-bengal-assembly/west-bengal-assembly-polls-congress-names-284-candidates-fields-heavyweights/article70800143.ece |title=West Bengal Assembly polls: Congress names 284 candidates, fields heavyweights |work=The Hindu |date=30 March 2026|last=Chatterjee|first=Shrabana|last2=Singh|first2=Shiv Sahay}}</ref><br />
<br />
=== List ===<br />
<br />
{| class="wikitable sortable mw-collapsible" style="line-height:20px;text-align:left;font-size:94%;"<br />
! rowspan="2" | Voting date<br />
! rowspan="2" | District<br />
! rowspan="2" | No.<br />
! rowspan="2" | Constituency<br />
! colspan="3" style="background:{{party color|Trinamool Congress}}" |[[Trinamool Congress|<span style="color:white;">AITC+</span>]]<br />
! colspan="3" style="background:{{party color|National Democratic Alliance}}" |[[Bharatiya Janata Party|<span style="color:white;">BJP</span>]]<br />
! colspan="3" style="background:{{party color|Left Front (West Bengal)}}" |[[Left Front-led Alliance|<span style="color:white;">LF+</span>]]<br />
! colspan="3" style="background:{{party color|Indian National Congress}}" |[[Indian National Congress|<span style="color:white;">INC</span>]]<br />
|- <br />
! colspan="2" | Party ||Candidate<br />
! colspan="2" | Party ||Candidate<br />
! colspan="2" | Party ||Candidate<br />
! colspan="2" | Party ||Candidate<br />
|-<br />
| rowspan="76" bgcolor="#fff4a5" |'''23 April 2026'''<br />
| rowspan="9" | [[Cooch Behar district|Cooch Behar]]<br />
!1<br />
|[[Mekliganj Assembly constituency|Mekliganj (SC)]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Trinamool Congress}}<br />
|[[Paresh Chandra Adhikary|Paresh Adhikary]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Bharatiya Janata Party}}<br />
|Dadhiram Roy<br />
|{{Party name with color|All India Forward Bloc}}<br />
|Kamal Roy<br />
|{{Party name with color|Indian National Congress}}<br />
|Ila Rani Roy<br />
|-<br />
!2<br />
|[[Mathabhanga Assembly constituency|Mathabhanga (SC)]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Trinamool Congress}}<br />
|Sablu Barman<br />
|{{Party name with color|Bharatiya Janata Party}}<br />
|[[Nisith Pramanik]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Communist Party of India (Marxist)}}<br />
|Khagen Barman<br />
|{{Party name with color|Indian National Congress}}<br />
|Khitendra Nath Barman<br />
|-<br />
!3<br />
|[[Cooch Behar Uttar Assembly constituency|Cooch Behar Uttar (SC)]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Trinamool Congress}}<br />
|[[Partha Pratim Roy]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Bharatiya Janata Party}}<br />
|[[Sukumar Roy (politician)|Sukumar Roy]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Communist Party of India (Marxist)}}<br />
|Pranay Karji<br />
|{{Party name with color|Indian National Congress}}<br />
|Partha Pratim Ishore<br />
|-<br />
!4<br />
|[[Cooch Behar Dakshin Assembly constituency|Cooch Behar Dakshin]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Trinamool Congress}}<br />
|Avijit Dey Bhowmik<br />
|{{Party name with color|Bharatiya Janata Party}}<br />
|Rathindra Nath Bose<br />
|{{Party name with color|All India Forward Bloc}}<br />
|Nazmul Alam Sarkar<br />
|{{Party name with color|Indian National Congress}}<br />
|Khokan Mian<br />
|-<br />
!5<br />
|[[Sitalkuchi Assembly constituency|Sitalkuchi (SC)]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Trinamool Congress}}<br />
|Harihar Das<br />
|{{Party name with color|Bharatiya Janata Party}}<br />
|Savitri Barman<br />
|{{Party name with color|Communist Party of India (Marxist)}}<br />
|Nabadipti Adhikari<br />
|{{Party name with color|Indian National Congress}}<br />
|Sukamal Barman<br />
|-<br />
!6<br />
|[[Sitai Assembly constituency|Sitai (SC)]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Trinamool Congress}}<br />
|[[Sangita Roy]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Bharatiya Janata Party}}<br />
|Ashutosh Barma<br />
|{{Party name with color|All India Forward Bloc}}<br />
|Arun Kumar Barma<br />
|{{Party name with color|Indian National Congress}}<br />
|Rabin Roy<br />
|-<br />
!7<br />
|[[Dinhata Assembly constituency|Dinhata]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Trinamool Congress}}<br />
|[[Udayan Guha]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Bharatiya Janata Party}}<br />
|Ajay Roy<br />
|{{Party name with color|All India Forward Bloc}}<br />
|Bikash Mondal<br />
|{{Party name with color|Indian National Congress}}<br />
|Harihar Ray Singha<br />
|-<br />
!8<br />
|[[Natabari Assembly constituency|Natabari]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Trinamool Congress}}<br />
|Sailen Barman<br />
|{{Party name with color|Bharatiya Janata Party}}<br />
|Girija Shankar Roy<br />
|{{Party name with color|Communist Party of India (Marxist)}}<br />
|Akik Hassan<br />
|{{Party name with color|Indian National Congress}}<br />
|Biswajit Sarkar<br />
|-<br />
!9<br />
|[[Tufanganj Assembly constituency|Tufanganj]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Trinamool Congress}}<br />
|[[Shib Paul|Shib Shankar Paul]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Bharatiya Janata Party}}<br />
|[[Malati Rava Roy]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Communist Party of India (Marxist)}}<br />
|Dhananjoy Rava<br />
|{{Party name with color|Indian National Congress}}<br />
|Debendra Nath Barma<br />
|-<br />
| rowspan="5" | [[Alipurduar district|Alipurduar]]<br />
!10<br />
|[[Kumargram Assembly constituency|Kumargram (ST)]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Trinamool Congress}}<br />
|Rajeev Tirkey<br />
|{{Party name with color|Bharatiya Janata Party}}<br />
|[[Manoj Kumar Oraon]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Revolutionary Socialist Party (India)}}<br />
|Kishore Minz<br />
|{{Party name with color|Indian National Congress}}<br />
|Sudham Lama<br />
|-<br />
!11<br />
|[[Kalchini Assembly constituency|Kalchini (ST)]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Trinamool Congress}}<br />
|Birendra Bara<br />
|{{Party name with color|Bharatiya Janata Party}}<br />
|[[Bishal Lama]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Revolutionary Socialist Party (India)}}<br />
|Passang Sherpa<br />
|{{Party name with color|Indian National Congress}}<br />
|Anjan Chik Baraik<br />
|-<br />
!12<br />
|[[Alipurduars Assembly constituency|Alipurduars]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Trinamool Congress}}<br />
|[[Suman Kanjilal]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Bharatiya Janata Party}}<br />
|Paritosh Das<br />
|{{Party name with color|Communist Party of India (Marxist)}}<br />
|Shyamal Roy<br />
|{{Party name with color|Indian National Congress}}<br />
|Mrinmoy Sarkar<br />
|-<br />
!13<br />
|[[Falakata Assembly constituency|Falakata (SC)]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Trinamool Congress}}<br />
|Subhas Chandra Roy<br />
|{{Party name with color|Bharatiya Janata Party}}<br />
|[[Dipak Barman]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Communist Party of India (Marxist)}}<br />
|Kamal Kishore Roy<br />
|{{Party name with color|Indian National Congress}}<br />
|Akshoy Kumar Barman<br />
|-<br />
!14<br />
|[[Madarihat Assembly constituency|Madarihat (ST)]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Trinamool Congress}}<br />
|[[Jay Prakash Toppo]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Bharatiya Janata Party}}<br />
|Lakshman Limbu<br />
|{{Party name with color|Revolutionary Socialist Party (India)}}<br />
|Subhas Lohar<br />
|{{Party name with color|Indian National Congress}}<br />
|Joy Prafulla Lakra<br />
|-<br />
| rowspan="7" | [[Jalpaiguri district|Jalpaiguri]]<br />
!15<br />
|[[Dhupguri Assembly constituency|Dhupguri (SC)]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Trinamool Congress}}<br />
|[[Nirmal Chandra Roy]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Bharatiya Janata Party}}<br />
|Naresh Chandra Roy<br />
|{{Party name with color|Communist Party of India (Marxist)}}<br />
|Niranjan Roy<br />
|{{Party name with color|Indian National Congress}}<br />
|Harish Chandra Roy<br />
|-<br />
!16<br />
|[[Maynaguri Assembly constituency|Maynaguri (SC)]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Trinamool Congress}}<br />
|Rammohan Roy <br />
|{{Party name with color|Bharatiya Janata Party}}<br />
|Dalim Chandra Roy<br />
|{{Party name with color|Revolutionary Socialist Party (India)}}<br />
|Sudeb Roy<br />
|{{Party name with color|Indian National Congress}}<br />
|Jogen Sarkar<br />
|-<br />
!17<br />
|[[Jalpaiguri Assembly constituency|Jalpaiguri (SC)]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Trinamool Congress}}<br />
|Krishna Das<br />
|{{Party name with color|Bharatiya Janata Party}}<br />
|Ananta Deb Adhikary<br />
|{{Party name with color|Communist Party of India (Marxist)}}<br />
|Debraj Barman<br />
|{{Party name with color|Indian National Congress}}<br />
|Sudipto Mohonto<br />
|-<br />
!18<br />
|[[Rajganj Assembly constituency|Rajganj (SC)]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Trinamool Congress}}<br />
|[[Swapna Barman]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Bharatiya Janata Party}}<br />
|Dinesh Sarkar<br />
|{{Party name with color|Communist Party of India (Marxist)}}<br />
|Kharendranath Roy<br />
|{{Party name with color|Indian National Congress}}<br />
|Tushar Kanti Roy<br />
|-<br />
!19<br />
|[[Dabgram-Phulbari Assembly constituency|Dabgram-Phulbari]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Trinamool Congress}}<br />
|Ranjan Shil Sharma<br />
|{{Party name with color|Bharatiya Janata Party}}<br />
|[[Sikha Chatterjee|Shikha Chatterjee]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Communist Party of India (Marxist)}}<br />
|Dilip Singh <br />
|{{Party name with color|Indian National Congress}}<br />
|Rohit Singh Sisodia<br />
|-<br />
!20<br />
|[[Mal Assembly constituency|Mal (ST)]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Trinamool Congress}}<br />
|[[Bulu Chik Baraik]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Bharatiya Janata Party}}<br />
|[[Sukra Munda]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Communist Party of India (Marxist)}}<br />
|Manu Oraon<br />
|{{Party name with color|Indian National Congress}}<br />
|Rakesh Kujur<br />
|-<br />
!21<br />
|[[Nagrakata Assembly constituency|Nagrakata (ST)]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Trinamool Congress}}<br />
|Sanjay Kujur<br />
|{{Party name with color|Bharatiya Janata Party}}<br />
|[[Puna Bhengra]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Communist Party of India (Marxist)}}<br />
|Dilkumar Oraon<br />
|{{Party name with color|Indian National Congress}}<br />
|Shinu Munda<br />
|-<br />
|[[Kalimpong district|Kalimpong]]<br />
!22<br />
|[[Kalimpong Assembly constituency|Kalimpong]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Bharatiya Gorkha Prajatantrik Morcha}}<br />
|[[Ruden Sada Lepcha]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Bharatiya Janata Party}}<br />
|[[Bharat Chettri|Bharat Chhetri]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Communist Party of India (Marxist)}}<br />
|Rita Thapa<br />
|{{Party name with color|Indian National Congress}}<br />
|Santa Kumar Pradhan<br />
|-<br />
| rowspan="5" | [[Darjeeling district|Darjeeling]]<br />
!23<br />
|[[Darjeeling Assembly constituency|Darjeeling]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Bharatiya Gorkha Prajatantrik Morcha}}<br />
|Bijoy Kumar Rai<br />
|{{Party name with color|Bharatiya Janata Party}}<br />
|Noman Rai<br />
|Bgcolor={{party color|Independent politician}}|<br />
|align="left"|[[Independent politician|IND]]<br />
|[[Ajoy Edwards]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Indian National Congress}}<br />
|Madhap Rai<br />
|-<br />
!24<br />
|[[Kurseong Assembly constituency|Kurseong]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Bharatiya Gorkha Prajatantrik Morcha}}<br />
|Amar Lama<br />
|{{Party name with color|Bharatiya Janata Party}}<br />
|Sonam Lama<br />
|{{Party name with color|Communist Party of India (Marxist)}}<br />
|Uttam Sharma<br />
|{{Party name with color|Indian National Congress}}<br />
|Saroj Kumar Khatri<br />
|-<br />
!25<br />
|[[Matigara-Naxalbari Assembly constituency|Matigara-Naxalbari (SC)]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Trinamool Congress}}<br />
|[[Sankar Malakar|Shankar Malakar]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Bharatiya Janata Party}}<br />
|[[Anandamoy Barman]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Communist Party of India (Marxist)}}<br />
|Jharen Roy<br />
|{{Party name with color|Indian National Congress}}<br />
|Amitava Sarkar<br />
|-<br />
!26<br />
|[[Siliguri Assembly constituency|Siliguri]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Trinamool Congress}}<br />
|[[Goutam Deb]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Bharatiya Janata Party}}<br />
|[[Shankar Ghosh (politician)|Shankar Ghosh]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Communist Party of India (Marxist)}}<br />
|Sharadindu Chakraborty<br />
|{{Party name with color|Indian National Congress}}<br />
|Aloke Dhara<br />
|-<br />
!27<br />
|[[Phansidewa Assembly constituency|Phansidewa (ST)]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Trinamool Congress}}<br />
|Reena Toppo Ekka<br />
|{{Party name with color|Bharatiya Janata Party}}<br />
|[[Durga Murmu]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Communist Party of India (Marxist-Leninist) Liberation}}<br />
|Sumanti Ekka<br />
|{{Party name with color|Indian National Congress}}<br />
|Nabanita Tirkey<br />
|-<br />
| rowspan="9" | [[Uttar Dinajpur district|Uttar Dinajpur]]<br />
!28<br />
|[[Chopra Assembly constituency|Chopra]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Trinamool Congress}}<br />
|[[Hamidul Rahman|Hamidul Rahaman]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Bharatiya Janata Party}}<br />
|Shankar Adhikari<br />
|{{Party name with color|Communist Party of India (Marxist)}}<br />
|Makleswar Rahaman<br />
|{{Party name with color|Indian National Congress}}<br />
|Zakir Abedin<br />
|-<br />
!29<br />
|[[Islampur, West Bengal Assembly constituency|Islampur]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Trinamool Congress}}<br />
|[[Kanaia Lal Agarwal]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Bharatiya Janata Party}}<br />
|Chitrajit Roy<br />
|{{Party name with color|Communist Party of India (Marxist)}}<br />
|Sami Khan<br />
|{{Party name with color|Indian National Congress}}<br />
|Guddi Riaz<br />
|-<br />
!30<br />
|[[Goalpokhar Assembly constituency|Goalpokhar]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Trinamool Congress}}<br />
|[[Md. Ghulam Rabbani]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Bharatiya Janata Party}}<br />
|Sarajit Biswas<br />
|{{Party name with color|All India Forward Bloc}}<br />
|Zamaluddin<br />
|{{Party name with color|Indian National Congress}}<br />
|Masood Md. Naseem Ahsen<br />
|-<br />
!31<br />
|[[Chakulia Assembly constituency|Chakulia]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Trinamool Congress}}<br />
|[[Minhajul Arfin Azad]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Bharatiya Janata Party}}<br />
|Manoj Jain<br />
|{{Party name with color|All India Forward Bloc}}<br />
|Amjad Ali<br />
|{{Party name with color|Indian National Congress}}<br />
|[[Ali Imran Ramz]]<br />
|-<br />
!32<br />
|[[Karandighi Assembly constituency|Karandighi]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Trinamool Congress}}<br />
|[[Goutam Paul]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Bharatiya Janata Party}}<br />
|Biraj Biswas<br />
|{{Party name with color|Communist Party of India (Marxist)}}<br />
|Md. Sahabuddin<br />
|{{Party name with color|Indian National Congress}}<br />
|Murshid Alam<br />
|-<br />
!33<br />
|[[Hemtabad Assembly constituency|Hemtabad (SC)]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Trinamool Congress}}<br />
|[[Satyajit Barman]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Bharatiya Janata Party}}<br />
|Haripada Barman<br />
|{{Party name with color|Communist Party of India (Marxist)}}<br />
|Tanushree Das<br />
|{{Party name with color|Indian National Congress}}<br />
|Anamika Roy<br />
|-<br />
!34<br />
|[[Kaliaganj Assembly constituency|Kaliaganj (SC)]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Trinamool Congress}}<br />
|Nitai Baishya<br />
|{{Party name with color|Bharatiya Janata Party}}<br />
|Utpal Maharaj<br />
|{{Party name with color|Communist Party of India (Marxist)}}<br />
|Hirubala Roy<br />
|{{Party name with color|Indian National Congress}}<br />
|Girdhari Pramanik<br />
|-<br />
!35<br />
|[[Raiganj Assembly constituency|Raiganj]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Trinamool Congress}}<br />
|[[Krishna Kalyani]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Bharatiya Janata Party}}<br />
|Kaushik Chowdhury<br />
|{{Party name with color|Communist Party of India (Marxist)}}<br />
|Jibananda Singha<br />
|{{Party name with color|Indian National Congress}}<br />
|[[Mohit Sengupta]]<br />
|-<br />
!36<br />
|[[Itahar Assembly constituency|Itahar]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Trinamool Congress}}<br />
|[[Mosaraf Hussen]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Bharatiya Janata Party}}<br />
|Sabita Barman<br />
|{{Party name with color|Communist Party of India}}<br />
|Utpal Das<br />
|{{Party name with color|Indian National Congress}}<br />
|[[Amal Acharjee]]<br />
|-<br />
| rowspan="6" | [[Dakshin Dinajpur district|Dakshin Dinajpur]]<br />
!37<br />
|[[Kushmandi Assembly constituency|Kushmandi (SC)]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Trinamool Congress}}<br />
|[[Rekha Roy]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Bharatiya Janata Party}}<br />
|Tapas Chandra Roy<br />
|{{Party name with color|Revolutionary Socialist Party (India)}}<br />
|Jyotirmoy Roy<br />
|{{Party name with color|Indian National Congress}}<br />
|Bablu Sarkar<br />
|-<br />
!38<br />
|[[Kumarganj Assembly constituency|Kumarganj]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Trinamool Congress}}<br />
|[[Toraf Hossain Mandal]] <br />
|{{Party name with color|Bharatiya Janata Party}}<br />
|Suvendu Sarkar<br />
|{{Party name with color|Communist Party of India (Marxist)}}<br />
|Mofazzal Hossain<br />
|{{Party name with color|Indian National Congress}}<br />
|Gulam Martuja Mandal<br />
|-<br />
!39<br />
|[[Balurghat Assembly constituency|Balurghat]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Trinamool Congress}}<br />
|[[Arpita Ghosh]] <br />
|{{Party name with color|Bharatiya Janata Party}}<br />
|Bidyut Roy<br />
|{{Party name with color|Revolutionary Socialist Party (India)}}<br />
|Arnab Choudhury<br />
|{{Party name with color|Indian National Congress}}<br />
|Pradip Kumar Mitra<br />
|-<br />
!40<br />
|[[Tapan Assembly constituency|Tapan (ST)]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Trinamool Congress}}<br />
|Chintamoni Biha<br />
|{{Party name with color|Bharatiya Janata Party}}<br />
|[[Budhrai Tudu]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Revolutionary Socialist Party (India)}}<br />
|Bappai Haro<br />
|{{Party name with color|Indian National Congress}}<br />
|Bankim Chandra Toppo<br />
|-<br />
!41<br />
|[[Gangarampur Assembly constituency|Gangarampur (SC)]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Trinamool Congress}}<br />
|[[Goutam Das]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Bharatiya Janata Party}}<br />
|[[Satyendra Nath Ray]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Communist Party of India (Marxist)}}<br />
|Biplab Barman<br />
|{{Party name with color|Indian National Congress}}<br />
|Jui Barman<br />
|-<br />
!42<br />
|[[Harirampur Assembly constituency|Harirampur]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Trinamool Congress}}<br />
|[[Biplab Mitra]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Bharatiya Janata Party}}<br />
|Debabrata Majumder<br />
|{{Party name with color|Communist Party of India (Marxist)}}<br />
|Gautam Goswami<br />
|{{Party name with color|Indian National Congress}}<br />
|Subhasish Pal<br />
|-<br />
| rowspan="12" | [[Malda district|Malda]]<br />
!43<br />
|[[Habibpur Assembly constituency|Habibpur (ST)]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Trinamool Congress}}<br />
|Amal Kisku<br />
|{{Party name with color|Bharatiya Janata Party}}<br />
|[[Joyel Murmu]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Communist Party of India (Marxist)}}<br />
|Basudeb Barman<br />
|{{Party name with color|Indian National Congress}}<br />
|Rajen Soren<br />
|-<br />
!44<br />
|[[Gazole Assembly constituency|Gazole (SC)]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Trinamool Congress}}<br />
|Prasenjit Das<br />
|{{Party name with color|Bharatiya Janata Party}}<br />
|[[Chinmoy Deb Barman]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Communist Party of India (Marxist)}}<br />
|Khitish Sarkar<br />
|{{Party name with color|Indian National Congress}}<br />
|Prem Chowdhury<br />
|-<br />
!45<br />
|[[Chanchal Assembly constituency|Chanchal]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Trinamool Congress}}<br />
|Prasun Banerjee<br />
|{{Party name with color|Bharatiya Janata Party}}<br />
|Ratan Das<br />
|{{Party name with color|Communist Party of India (Marxist)}}<br />
|Anawarul Haque<br />
|{{Party name with color|Indian National Congress}}<br />
|[[Asif Mehbub]]<br />
|-<br />
!46<br />
|[[Harishchandrapur Assembly constituency|Harishchandrapur]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Trinamool Congress}}<br />
|Md. Matibur Rahaman<br />
|{{Party name with color|Bharatiya Janata Party}}<br />
|Ratan Das<br />
|{{Party name with color|Communist Party of India (Marxist)}}<br />
|Sheikh Khalil<br />
|{{Party name with color|Indian National Congress}}<br />
|[[Mostaque Alam]]<br />
|-<br />
!47<br />
|[[Malatipur Assembly constituency|Malatipur]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Trinamool Congress}}<br />
|[[Abdur Rahim Boxi]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Bharatiya Janata Party}}<br />
|Ashish Das<br />
|{{Party name with color|Communist Party of India (Marxist)}}<br />
|Minarul Hossain <br />
|{{Party name with color|Indian National Congress}}<br />
|[[Mausam Noor]]<br />
|-<br />
!48<br />
|[[Ratua Assembly constituency|Ratua]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Trinamool Congress}}<br />
|[[Samar Mukherjee (Malda politician)|Samar Mukherjee]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Bharatiya Janata Party}}<br />
|Abhishek Singhania<br />
|{{Party name with color|Communist Party of India (Marxist)}}<br />
|Jahur Alam<br />
|{{Party name with color|Indian National Congress}}<br />
|Mottakin Alam<br />
|-<br />
!49<br />
|[[Manikchak Assembly constituency|Manikchak]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Trinamool Congress}}<br />
|Kabita Mandal<br />
|{{Party name with color|Bharatiya Janata Party}}<br />
|Gour Chandra Mondal<br />
|{{Party name with color|Communist Party of India (Marxist)}}<br />
|Debojyoti Sinha<br />
|{{Party name with color|Indian National Congress}}<br />
|Md. Ansarul Hoque<br />
|-<br />
!50<br />
|[[Maldaha Assembly constituency|Maldaha (SC) ]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Trinamool Congress}}<br />
|Lipika Barman Ghosh<br />
|{{Party name with color|Bharatiya Janata Party}}<br />
|[[Gopal Chandra Saha]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Communist Party of India}}<br />
|Dipak Barman<br />
|{{Party name with color|Indian National Congress}}<br />
|[[Bhupendra Nath Halder]]<br />
|-<br />
!51<br />
|[[English Bazar Assembly constituency|English Bazar]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Trinamool Congress}}<br />
|Ashish Kundu<br />
|{{Party name with color|Bharatiya Janata Party}}<br />
|Amlan Bhaduri<br />
|{{Party name with color|Communist Party of India (Marxist)}}<br />
|Ambar Mitra<br />
|{{Party name with color|Indian National Congress}}<br />
|Masud Alam<br />
|-<br />
!52<br />
|[[Mothabari Assembly constituency|Mothabari]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Trinamool Congress}}<br />
|Md. Najrul Islam<br />
|{{Party name with color|Bharatiya Janata Party}}<br />
|Nibaran Ghosh<br />
|{{Party name with color|Indian Secular Front}}<br />
|Moulana Shajahan Ali<br />
|{{Party name with color|Indian National Congress}}<br />
|Sayem Chowdhury<br />
|-<br />
!53<br />
|[[Sujapur Assembly constituency|Sujapur]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Trinamool Congress}}<br />
|[[Sabina Yeasmin]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Bharatiya Janata Party}}<br />
|Abhiraj Chowdhury<br />
|{{Party name with color|Indian Secular Front}}<br />
|Md. Karimullah Haque<br />
|{{Party name with color|Indian National Congress}}<br />
|Md. Abdul Hannan<br />
|-<br />
!54<br />
|[[Baisnabnagar Assembly constituency|Baisnabnagar]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Trinamool Congress}}<br />
|[[Chandana Sarkar]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Bharatiya Janata Party}}<br />
|Raju Karmakar<br />
|{{Party name with color|Revolutionary Socialist Party (India)}}<br />
|Dundubhi Saha<br />
|{{Party name with color|Indian National Congress}}<br />
|Mamuni Mandal<br />
|-<br />
| rowspan="22" | [[Murshidabad district|Murshidabad]]<br />
!55<br />
|[[Farakka Assembly constituency|Farakka]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Trinamool Congress}}<br />
|[[Amirul Islam (politician)|Amirul Islam]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Bharatiya Janata Party}}<br />
|Sunil Chowdhury<br />
|{{Party name with color|Communist Party of India (Marxist)}}<br />
|Mojaffar Hossain <br />
|{{Party name with color|Indian National Congress}}<br />
|Md. Mahtab Sheikh<br />
|-<br />
!56<br />
|[[Samserganj Assembly constituency|Samserganj]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Trinamool Congress}}<br />
|Nur Alam<br />
|{{Party name with color|Bharatiya Janata Party}}<br />
|Shashthi Charan Ghosh<br />
|{{Party name with color|Indian Secular Front}}<br />
|{{vacant|Nomination rejected}}<br />
|{{Party name with color|Indian National Congress}}<br />
|Nazme Alam<br />
|-<br />
!57<br />
|[[Suti Assembly constituency|Suti]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Trinamool Congress}}<br />
|[[Emani Biswas]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Bharatiya Janata Party}}<br />
|Mahabir Ghosh<br />
|{{Party name with color|Revolutionary Socialist Party (India)}}<br />
|A.K.M. Hasanuzzaman<br />
|{{Party name with color|Indian National Congress}}<br />
|Alfazuddin Biswas<br />
|-<br />
!58<br />
|[[Jangipur, West Bengal Assembly constituency|Jangipur]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Trinamool Congress}}<br />
|[[Jakir Hossain (politician)|Jakir Hossain]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Bharatiya Janata Party}}<br />
|Chitto Mukherjee<br />
|{{Party name with color|Communist Party of India (Marxist)}}<br />
|Alok Kumar Das<br />
|{{Party name with color|Indian National Congress}}<br />
|Mohammad Imran Ali<br />
|-<br />
!59<br />
|[[Raghunathganj Assembly constituency|Raghunathganj]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Trinamool Congress}}<br />
|[[Akhruzzaman]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Bharatiya Janata Party}}<br />
|Surajit Poddar<br />
|{{Party name with color|Communist Party of India (Marxist)}}<br />
|Abul Hasnat<br />
|{{Party name with color|Indian National Congress}}<br />
|Nasir Sheikh<br />
|-<br />
!60<br />
|[[Sagardighi Assembly constituency|Sagardighi]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Trinamool Congress}}<br />
|[[Bayron Biswas]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Bharatiya Janata Party}}<br />
|Tapas Chakraborty<br />
|{{Party name with color|Social Democratic Party of India}}<br />
|Masiur Rahaman<br />
|{{Party name with color|Indian National Congress}}<br />
|[[Manoj Chakraborty]]<br />
|-<br />
!61<br />
|[[Lalgola Assembly constituency|Lalgola]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Trinamool Congress}}<br />
|Abdul Aziz<br />
|{{Party name with color|Bharatiya Janata Party}}<br />
|Amar Kumar Das<br />
|{{Party name with color|Communist Party of India (Marxist)}}<br />
|Babluzzaman<br />
|{{Party name with color|Indian National Congress}}<br />
|Md. Touhidur Rahaman<br />
|-<br />
!62<br />
|[[Bhagabangola Assembly constituency|Bhagabangola]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Trinamool Congress}}<br />
|[[Reyat Hossain Sarkar]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Bharatiya Janata Party}}<br />
|Bhaskar Sarkar<br />
|{{Party name with color|Communist Party of India (Marxist)}}<br />
|Mahmudal Hassan<br />
|{{Party name with color|Indian National Congress}}<br />
|Anju Begum<br />
|-<br />
!63<br />
|[[Raninagar Assembly constituency|Raninagar]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Trinamool Congress}}<br />
|[[Abdul Soumik Hossain]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Bharatiya Janata Party}}<br />
|Rana Pratap Singha Roy<br />
|{{Party name with color|Communist Party of India (Marxist)}}<br />
|Jamal Hossain<br />
|{{Party name with color|Indian National Congress}}<br />
|Zulfikur Ali<br />
|-<br />
!64<br />
|[[Murshidabad Assembly constituency|Murshidabad]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Trinamool Congress}}<br />
|[[Shaoni Singha Roy]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Bharatiya Janata Party}}<br />
|[[Gouri Shankar Ghosh]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|All India Forward Bloc}}<br />
|Abdul Mannan<br />
|{{Party name with color|Indian National Congress}}<br />
|Siddiqui Ali<br />
|-<br />
!65<br />
|[[Nabagram Assembly constituency|Nabagram (SC)]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Trinamool Congress}}<br />
|Pranab Chandra Das<br />
|{{Party name with color|Bharatiya Janata Party}}<br />
|Dilip Saha<br />
|{{Party name with color|Communist Party of India (Marxist)}}<br />
|Purnima Das<br />
|{{Party name with color|Indian National Congress}}<br />
|Hiru Haldar<br />
|-<br />
!66<br />
|[[Khargram Assembly constituency|Khargram (SC)]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Trinamool Congress}}<br />
|[[Ashis Marjit|Ashish Marjit]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Bharatiya Janata Party}}<br />
|Mitali Mal<br />
|{{Party name with color|Communist Party of India (Marxist)}}<br />
|Dhrubajyoti Saha <br />
|{{Party name with color|Indian National Congress}}<br />
|Mandar Kanti Mandal<br />
|-<br />
!67<br />
|[[Burwan Assembly constituency|Burwan (SC)]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Trinamool Congress}}<br />
|[[Protima Rajak]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Bharatiya Janata Party}}<br />
|Sukhen Kumar Bagdi<br />
|{{Party name with color|Revolutionary Socialist Party (India)}}<br />
|Ananda Das<br />
|{{Party name with color|Indian National Congress}}<br />
|Sujit Das<br />
|-<br />
!68<br />
|[[Kandi Assembly constituency|Kandi]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Trinamool Congress}}<br />
|[[Apurba Sarkar]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Bharatiya Janata Party}}<br />
|Gargi Das Ghosh<br />
|{{Party name with color|Communist Party of India}}<br />
|Rejaul Karim<br />
|{{Party name with color|Indian National Congress}}<br />
|Dr. Shamim Rana<br />
|-<br />
!69<br />
|[[Bharatpur, West Bengal Assembly constituency|Bharatpur]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Trinamool Congress}}<br />
|Mustafizur Rahaman<br />
|{{Party name with color|Bharatiya Janata Party}}<br />
|Anamika Ghosh<br />
|{{Party name with color|Revolutionary Socialist Party (India)}}<br />
|Naofel Md Shafiullah<br />
|{{Party name with color|Indian National Congress}}<br />
|Md. Azharudddin<br />
|-<br />
!70<br />
|[[Rejinagar Assembly constituency|Rejinagar]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Trinamool Congress}}<br />
|Ataur Rahman<br />
|{{Party name with color|Bharatiya Janata Party}}<br />
|Bapan Ghosh<br />
|{{Party name with color|West Bengal Socialist Party}}<br />
|Tushar Kanti Chatterjee<br />
|{{Party name with color|Indian National Congress}}<br />
|Jillu Sheikh<br />
|-<br />
!71<br />
|[[Beldanga Assembly constituency|Beldanga]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Trinamool Congress}}<br />
|[[Rabiul Alam Chowdhury]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Bharatiya Janata Party}}<br />
|Bharat Kumar Jhawar<br />
|{{Party name with color|Revolutionary Socialist Party (India)}}<br />
|Rajesh Ghosh<br />
|{{Party name with color|Indian National Congress}}<br />
|Md. Saharuddin Sheikh<br />
|-<br />
!72<br />
|[[Baharampur Assembly constituency|Baharampur]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Trinamool Congress}}<br />
|Naru Gopal Mukherjee<br />
|{{Party name with color|Bharatiya Janata Party}}<br />
|[[Subrata Maitra (politician)|Subrata Maitra]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Communist Party of India (Marxist-Leninist) Liberation}}<br />
|Abul Kashem Seikh<br />
|{{Party name with color|Indian National Congress}}<br />
|[[Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury]]<br />
|-<br />
!73<br />
|[[Hariharpara Assembly constituency|Hariharpara]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Trinamool Congress}}<br />
|[[Niamot Sheikh]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Bharatiya Janata Party}}<br />
|Tanmoy Biswas<br />
|{{Party name with color|Communist Party of India (Marxist)}}<br />
|Zamiruddin Molla<br />
|{{Party name with color|Indian National Congress}}<br />
|Mousumi Begum<br />
|-<br />
!74<br />
|[[Naoda Assembly constituency|Naoda]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Trinamool Congress}}<br />
|[[Sahina Mumtaz Begum]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Bharatiya Janata Party}}<br />
|Rana Mondal<br />
|{{Party name with color|Revolutionary Socialist Party (India)}}<br />
|Habibur Rahaman Mondal<br />
|{{Party name with color|Indian National Congress}}<br />
|Moshiur Rahman<br />
|-<br />
!75<br />
|[[Domkal Assembly constituency|Domkal]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Trinamool Congress}}<br />
|[[Humayun Kabir (police officer)|Humayun Kabir]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Bharatiya Janata Party}}<br />
|Nanda Dulal Pal<br />
|{{Party name with color|Communist Party of India (Marxist)}}<br />
|Mostafizur Rahaman<br />
|{{Party name with color|Indian National Congress}}<br />
|Shehnaz Begum<br />
|-<br />
!76<br />
|[[Jalangi Assembly constituency|Jalangi]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Trinamool Congress}}<br />
|Babar Ali<br />
|{{Party name with color|Bharatiya Janata Party}}<br />
|Naba Kumar Sarkar<br />
|{{Party name with color|Communist Party of India (Marxist)}}<br />
|Yunus Ali Sarkar<br />
|{{Party name with color|Indian National Congress}}<br />
|Abdul Rezzak Molla<br />
|-<br />
| rowspan="126" bgcolor="#fec6e8" |'''29 April 2026'''<br />
| rowspan="17" | [[Nadia district|Nadia]]<br />
!77<br />
|[[Karimpur Assembly constituency|Karimpur]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Trinamool Congress}}<br />
|[[Soham Chakraborty]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Bharatiya Janata Party}}<br />
|Samarendranath Ghosh<br />
|{{Party name with color|Communist Party of India (Marxist)}}<br />
|Pravas Majumder<br />
|{{Party name with color|Indian National Congress}}<br />
|Pooja Roy Chowdhury<br />
|-<br />
!78<br />
|[[Tehatta Assembly constituency|Tehatta]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Trinamool Congress}}<br />
|Dilip Poddar<br />
|{{Party name with color|Bharatiya Janata Party}}<br />
|Subrata Kabiraj<br />
|{{Party name with color|Communist Party of India (Marxist)}}<br />
|Subodh Biswas<br />
|{{Party name with color|Indian National Congress}}<br />
|Jyotirmoy Sarkar<br />
|-<br />
!79<br />
|[[Palashipara Assembly constituency|Palashipara]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Trinamool Congress}}<br />
|[[Rukbanur Rahman]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Bharatiya Janata Party}}<br />
|Anima Dutta<br />
|{{Party name with color|Indian Secular Front}}<br />
|Samshur Ali Mallick<br />
|{{Party name with color|Indian National Congress}}<br />
|Hamidul Haque<br />
|-<br />
!80<br />
|[[Kaliganj Assembly constituency|Kaliganj]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Trinamool Congress}}<br />
|[[Alifa Ahmed]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Bharatiya Janata Party}}<br />
|Bapan Ghosh<br />
|{{Party name with color|Communist Party of India (Marxist)}}<br />
|Sabina Yasmin<br />
|{{Party name with color|Indian National Congress}}<br />
|Kabil Uddin Shaikh<br />
|-<br />
!81<br />
|[[Nakashipara Assembly constituency|Nakashipara]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Trinamool Congress}}<br />
|[[Kallol Khan]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Bharatiya Janata Party}}<br />
|Shantanu Dey<br />
|{{Party name with color|Communist Party of India (Marxist)}}<br />
|Sukla Saha<br />
|{{Party name with color|Indian National Congress}}<br />
|Golam Kibria Mandal<br />
|-<br />
!82<br />
|[[Chapra, West Bengal Assembly constituency|Chapra]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Trinamool Congress}}<br />
|Jeber Sekh<br />
|{{Party name with color|Bharatiya Janata Party}}<br />
|Saikat Sarkar<br />
|{{Party name with color|Indian Secular Front}}<br />
|Jakir Mondal<br />
|{{Party name with color|Indian National Congress}}<br />
|Rahidul Mandal<br />
|-<br />
!83<br />
|[[Krishnanagar Uttar Assembly constituency|Krishnanagar Uttar]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Trinamool Congress}}<br />
|Somnath Dutta<br />
|{{Party name with color|Bharatiya Janata Party}}<br />
|Taraknath Chatterjee<br />
|{{Party name with color|Communist Party of India (Marxist)}}<br />
|Adwaita Biswas<br />
|{{Party name with color|Indian National Congress}}<br />
|Arghya Gon<br />
|-<br />
!84<br />
|[[Nabadwip Assembly constituency|Nabadwip]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Trinamool Congress}}<br />
|[[Pundarikakshya Saha]]<br />
|{{party name with color|Bharatiya Janata Party}}<br />
|Shruti Shekhar Goswami<br />
|{{Party name with color|Communist Party of India (Marxist)}}<br />
|Swarnendu Sinha<br />
|{{Party name with color|Indian National Congress}}<br />
|Samir Saha<br />
|-<br />
!85<br />
|[[Krishnanagar Dakshin Assembly constituency|Krishnanagar Dakshin]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Trinamool Congress}}<br />
|[[Ujjal Biswas]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Bharatiya Janata Party}}<br />
|Sadhan Ghosh<br />
|{{Party name with color|Communist Party of India (Marxist-Leninist) Liberation}}<br />
|Laboni Jangi<br />
|{{Party name with color|Indian National Congress}}<br />
|Abdur Rahim Shaikh<br />
|-<br />
!86<br />
|[[Santipur Assembly constituency|Santipur]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Trinamool Congress}}<br />
|[[Braja Kishore Goswami]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Bharatiya Janata Party}}<br />
|Swapan Das<br />
|{{Party name with color|Communist Party of India (Marxist)}}<br />
|Soumen Mahato<br />
|{{Party name with color|Indian National Congress}}<br />
|Alok Chatterjee<br />
|-<br />
!87<br />
|[[Ranaghat Uttar Paschim Assembly constituency|Ranaghat Uttar Paschim]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Trinamool Congress}}<br />
|Tapas Ghosh<br />
|{{Party name with color|Bharatiya Janata Party}}<br />
|[[Parthasarathi Chatterjee]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Communist Party of India (Marxist)}}<br />
|Debashis Chakraborty<br />
|{{Party name with color|Indian National Congress}}<br />
|Naba Kumar Mondal<br />
|-<br />
!88<br />
|[[Krishnaganj Assembly constituency|Krishnaganj (SC)]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Trinamool Congress}}<br />
|[[Samir Kumar Poddar]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Bharatiya Janata Party}}<br />
|Sukanta Biswas<br />
|{{Party name with color|Communist Party of India (Marxist)}}<br />
|Archana Biswas<br />
|{{Party name with color|Indian National Congress}}<br />
|Sankar Kumar Sarkar<br />
|-<br />
!89<br />
|[[Ranaghat Uttar Purba Assembly constituency|Ranaghat Uttar Purba (SC)]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Trinamool Congress}}<br />
|Barnali Dey Roy<br />
|{{Party name with color|Bharatiya Janata Party}}<br />
|[[Ashim Biswas (politician)|Ashim Biswas]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Communist Party of India (Marxist)}}<br />
|Mrinal Biswas<br />
|{{Party name with color|Indian National Congress}}<br />
|Nitya Gopal Mondal<br />
|-<br />
!90<br />
|[[Ranaghat Dakshin Assembly constituency|Ranaghat Dakshin (SC)]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Trinamool Congress}}<br />
|Sougata Kumar Burman<br />
|{{Party name with color|Bharatiya Janata Party}}<br />
|Ashim Kumar Biswas<br />
|{{Party name with color|Communist Party of India (Marxist)}}<br />
|Arindram Biswas<br />
|{{Party name with color|Indian National Congress}}<br />
|Rita Pal Das<br />
|-<br />
!91<br />
|[[Chakdaha Assembly constituency|Chakdaha]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Trinamool Congress}}<br />
|Subhankar Singha<br />
|{{Party name with color|Bharatiya Janata Party}}<br />
|[[Bankim Chandra Ghosh]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Communist Party of India (Marxist)}}<br />
|Narayan Dasgupta<br />
|{{Party name with color|Indian National Congress}}<br />
|Malay Saha<br />
|-<br />
!92<br />
|[[Kalyani Assembly constituency|Kalyani (SC)]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Trinamool Congress}}<br />
|Atindra Nath Mondal<br />
|{{Party name with color|Bharatiya Janata Party}}<br />
|Anupam Biswas<br />
|{{Party name with color|Communist Party of India (Marxist)}}<br />
|Sabuj Das<br />
|{{Party name with color|Indian National Congress}}<br />
|Asimananda Majumder<br />
|-<br />
!93<br />
|[[Haringhata Assembly constituency|Haringhata (SC)]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Trinamool Congress}}<br />
|Rajib Biswas<br />
|{{Party name with color|Bharatiya Janata Party}}<br />
|[[Ashim Kumar Sarkar]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Communist Party of India (Marxist)}}<br />
|Swapan Sarkar<br />
|{{Party name with color|Indian National Congress}}<br />
|Himanti Das<br />
|-<br />
| rowspan="33" | [[North 24 Parganas district|North 24 Parganas]]<br />
!94<br />
|[[Bagdah Assembly constituency|Bagdah (SC)]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Trinamool Congress}}<br />
|[[Madhuparna Thakur]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Bharatiya Janata Party}}<br />
|Soma Thakur<br />
|{{Party name with color|All India Forward Bloc}}<br />
|Gour Biswas<br />
|{{Party name with color|Indian National Congress}}<br />
|Prabir Kirtania<br />
|-<br />
!95<br />
|[[Bangaon Uttar Assembly constituency|Bangaon Uttar (SC)]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Trinamool Congress}}<br />
|[[Biswajit Das (politician)|Biswajit Das]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Bharatiya Janata Party}}<br />
|[[Ashok Kirtania]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Communist Party of India (Marxist)}}<br />
|Pijush Saha<br />
|{{Party name with color|Indian National Congress}}<br />
|Nilanjan Saha<br />
|-<br />
!96<br />
|[[Bangaon Dakshin Assembly constituency|Bangaon Dakshin (SC)]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Trinamool Congress}}<br />
|Rituparna Addhya<br />
|{{Party name with color|Bharatiya Janata Party}}<br />
|[[Swapan Majumder]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Communist Party of India (Marxist)}}<br />
|Asish Sarkar<br />
|{{Party name with color|Indian National Congress}}<br />
|Kishor Biswas<br />
|-<br />
!97<br />
|[[Gaighata Assembly constituency|Gaighata (SC)]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Trinamool Congress}}<br />
|Narottam Biswas<br />
|{{Party name with color|Bharatiya Janata Party}}<br />
|[[Subrata Thakur]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Communist Party of India}}<br />
|Sajal Biswas<br />
|{{Party name with color|Indian National Congress}}<br />
|Anil Kumar Pandey<br />
|-<br />
!98<br />
|[[Swarupnagar Assembly constituency|Swarupnagar (SC)]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Trinamool Congress}}<br />
|[[Bina Mondal]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Bharatiya Janata Party}}<br />
|Tarak Saha<br />
|{{Party name with color|Communist Party of India (Marxist)}}<br />
|Biswajit Mondal<br />
|{{Party name with color|Indian National Congress}}<br />
|Ritesh Mondal<br />
|-<br />
!99<br />
|[[Baduria Assembly constituency|Baduria]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Trinamool Congress}}<br />
|Burhanul Mokaddin<br />
|{{Party name with color|Bharatiya Janata Party}}<br />
|Sukriti Sarkar<br />
|{{Party name with color|Indian Secular Front}}<br />
|Md. Qutubuddin Fatehi<br />
|{{Party name with color|Indian National Congress}}<br />
|[[Abdur Rahim Quazi]]<br />
|-<br />
!100<br />
|[[Habra Assembly constituency|Habra]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Trinamool Congress}}<br />
|[[Jyotipriya Mallick]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Bharatiya Janata Party}}<br />
|Debdas Mondal<br />
|{{Party name with color|Communist Party of India (Marxist)}}<br />
|Rijinandan Biswas<br />
|{{Party name with color|Indian National Congress}}<br />
|Pronob Bhattacharya<br />
|-<br />
!101<br />
|[[Ashoknagar Assembly constituency|Ashoknagar]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Trinamool Congress}}<br />
|[[Narayan Goswami]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Bharatiya Janata Party}}<br />
|Somoy Hira<br />
|{{Party name with color|Indian Secular Front}}<br />
|Tapas Banerjee<br />
|{{Party name with color|Indian National Congress}}<br />
|Angshuman Roy<br />
|-<br />
!102<br />
|[[Amdanga Assembly constituency|Amdanga]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Trinamool Congress}}<br />
|Pirzada Kasem Siddiqui<br />
|{{Party name with color|Bharatiya Janata Party}}<br />
|Arindam Dey<br />
|{{Party name with color|Indian Secular Front}}<br />
|Biswajit Maity<br />
|{{Party name with color|Indian National Congress}}<br />
|Gopal Ghosh<br />
|-<br />
!103<br />
|[[Bijpur Assembly constituency|Bijpur]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Trinamool Congress}}<br />
|[[Subodh Adhikary]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Bharatiya Janata Party}}<br />
|Sudipta Das<br />
|{{Party name with color|Communist Party of India (Marxist)}}<br />
|Debasish Rakshit<br />
|{{Party name with color|Indian National Congress}}<br />
|Sibabrata Guha Roy<br />
|-<br />
!104<br />
|[[Naihati Assembly constituency|Naihati]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Trinamool Congress}}<br />
|[[Sanat Dey]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Bharatiya Janata Party}}<br />
|Sumitro Chatterjee<br />
|{{Party name with color|Communist Party of India (Marxist-Leninist) Liberation}}<br />
|Debojyoti Majumder<br />
|{{Party name with color|Indian National Congress}}<br />
|Pradip Kumar Kundu<br />
|-<br />
!105<br />
|[[Bhatpara Assembly constituency|Bhatpara]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Trinamool Congress}}<br />
|Amit Gupta<br />
|{{Party name with color|Bharatiya Janata Party}}<br />
|[[Pawan Singh (politician)|Pawan Singh]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Communist Party of India (Marxist)}}<br />
|Aasnarayan Singh<br />
|{{Party name with color|Indian National Congress}}<br />
|Dharmendra Shaw<br />
|-<br />
!106<br />
|[[Jagatdal Assembly constituency|Jagatdal]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Trinamool Congress}}<br />
|[[Somenath Shyam Ichini]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Bharatiya Janata Party}}<br />
|Rajesh Kumar<br />
|{{Party name with color|All India Forward Bloc}}<br />
|Parvej Ahmad Khan<br />
|{{Party name with color|Indian National Congress}}<br />
|Mandira Chakraborty<br />
|-<br />
!107<br />
|[[Noapara Assembly constituency|Noapara]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Trinamool Congress}}<br />
|Trinankur Bhattacharya<br />
|{{Party name with color|Bharatiya Janata Party}}<br />
|[[Arjun Singh (West Bengal politician)|Arjun Singh]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Communist Party of India (Marxist)}}<br />
|Gargi Chatterjee<br />
|{{Party name with color|Indian National Congress}}<br />
|Ashok Bhattacharya<br />
|-<br />
!108<br />
|[[Barrackpore Assembly constituency|Barrackpore]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Trinamool Congress}}<br />
|[[Raj Chakraborty]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Bharatiya Janata Party}}<br />
|Koustav Bagchi<br />
|{{Party name with color|Communist Party of India (Marxist)}}<br />
|Suman Bandyopadhyay<br />
|{{Party name with color|Indian National Congress}}<br />
|Sambhu Das<br />
|-<br />
!109<br />
|[[Khardaha Assembly constituency|Khardaha]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Trinamool Congress}}<br />
|Devdeep Purohit<br />
|{{Party name with color|Bharatiya Janata Party}}<br />
|Kalyan Chakraborty<br />
|{{Party name with color|Communist Party of India (Marxist)}}<br />
|Debojyoti Das<br />
|{{Party name with color|Indian National Congress}}<br />
|Joydev Ghosh<br />
|-<br />
!110<br />
|[[Dum Dum Uttar Assembly constituency|Dum Dum Uttar]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Trinamool Congress}}<br />
|[[Chandrima Bhattacharya]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Bharatiya Janata Party}}<br />
|Sourav Sikdar<br />
|{{Party name with color|Communist Party of India (Marxist)}}<br />
|[[Dipsita Dhar]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Indian National Congress}}<br />
|Dhananjoy Moitra<br />
|-<br />
!111<br />
|[[Panihati Assembly constituency|Panihati]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Trinamool Congress}}<br />
|Tirthankar Ghosh<br />
|{{Party name with color|Bharatiya Janata Party}}<br />
|Ratna Debnath<br />
|{{Party name with color|Communist Party of India (Marxist)}}<br />
|Kalatan Dasgupta<br />
|{{Party name with color|Indian National Congress}}<br />
|Subhashis Bhattacharya<br />
|-<br />
!112<br />
|[[Kamarhati Assembly constituency|Kamarhati]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Trinamool Congress}}<br />
|[[Madan Mitra]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Bharatiya Janata Party}}<br />
|Arup Choudhury<br />
|{{Party name with color|Communist Party of India (Marxist)}}<br />
|[[Manash Mukherjee]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Indian National Congress}}<br />
|Kallol Mukherjee<br />
|-<br />
!113<br />
|[[Baranagar Assembly constituency|Baranagar]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Trinamool Congress}}<br />
|[[Sayantika Banerjee]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Bharatiya Janata Party}}<br />
|[[Sajal Ghosh]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Communist Party of India (Marxist)}}<br />
|Sayandip Mitra<br />
|{{Party name with color|Indian National Congress}}<br />
|Kalyani Chakraborty<br />
|-<br />
!114<br />
|[[Dum Dum Assembly constituency|Dum Dum]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Trinamool Congress}}<br />
|[[Bratya Basu]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Bharatiya Janata Party}}<br />
|Arijit Bakshi<br />
|{{Party name with color|Communist Party of India (Marxist)}}<br />
|Mayukh Biswas<br />
|{{Party name with color|Indian National Congress}}<br />
|Susmita Biswas<br />
|-<br />
!115<br />
|[[Rajarhat New Town Assembly constituency|Rajarhat New Town]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Trinamool Congress}}<br />
|[[Tapash Chatterjee]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Bharatiya Janata Party}}<br />
|Piyush Kanodia<br />
|{{Party name with color|Communist Party of India (Marxist)}}<br />
|Saptarshi Deb<br />
|{{Party name with color|Indian National Congress}}<br />
|Sheikh Nijamuddin<br />
|-<br />
!116<br />
|[[Bidhannagar Assembly constituency|Bidhannagar]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Trinamool Congress}}<br />
|[[Sujit Bose (politician)|Sujit Bose]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Bharatiya Janata Party}}<br />
|Sharadwat Mukhopadhyay<br />
|{{Party name with color|Communist Party of India (Marxist)}}<br />
|Soumyajit Raha<br />
|{{Party name with color|Indian National Congress}}<br />
|Ranajit Mukherjee<br />
|-<br />
!117<br />
|[[Rajarhat Gopalpur Assembly constituency|Rajarhat Gopalpur]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Trinamool Congress}}<br />
|[[Aditi Munshi]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Bharatiya Janata Party}}<br />
|Tarunjyoti Tiwari<br />
|{{Party name with color|Communist Party of India (Marxist)}}<br />
|Subhajit Dasgupta<br />
|{{Party name with color|Indian National Congress}}<br />
|Partha Bhaumik<br />
|-<br />
!118<br />
|[[Madhyamgram Assembly constituency|Madhyamgram]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Trinamool Congress}}<br />
|[[Rathin Ghosh]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Bharatiya Janata Party}}<br />
|Anindya Banerjee<br />
|{{Party name with color|Indian Secular Front}}<br />
|Priyanka Barman<br />
|{{Party name with color|Indian National Congress}}<br />
|Ananta Roy<br />
|-<br />
!119<br />
|[[Barasat Assembly constituency|Barasat]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Trinamool Congress}}<br />
|[[Sabyasachi Dutta]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Bharatiya Janata Party}}<br />
|Shankar Chatterjee<br />
|{{Party name with color|All India Forward Bloc}}<br />
|Hemanta Das<br />
|{{Party name with color|Indian National Congress}}<br />
|Tarak Mukherjee<br />
|-<br />
!120<br />
|[[Deganga Assembly constituency|Deganga]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Trinamool Congress}}<br />
|Anisur Rahaman Bidesh<br />
|{{Party name with color|Bharatiya Janata Party}}<br />
|Tarun Kanti Ghosh<br />
|{{Party name with color|Indian Secular Front}}<br />
|Md. Mafidul Haque Sahaji<br />
|{{Party name with color|Indian National Congress}}<br />
|Miaraj Baidya<br />
|-<br />
!121<br />
|[[Haroa Assembly constituency|Haroa]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Trinamool Congress}}<br />
|Md. Mufti Abdul Matin<br />
|{{Party name with color|Bharatiya Janata Party}}<br />
|Bhaskar Mondal<br />
|{{Party name with color|Indian Secular Front}}<br />
|Piyarul Islam<br />
|{{Party name with color|Indian National Congress}}<br />
|Md. Rabiul Molla<br />
|-<br />
!122<br />
|[[Minakhan Assembly constituency|Minakhan (SC)]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Trinamool Congress}}<br />
|[[Usha Rani Mondal]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Bharatiya Janata Party}}<br />
|Rudrendra Patra<br />
|{{Party name with color|Indian Secular Front}}<br />
|Pratik Mondal<br />
|{{Party name with color|Indian National Congress}}<br />
|Barnali Naskar<br />
|-<br />
!123<br />
|[[Sandeshkhali Assembly constituency|Sandeshkhali (ST)]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Trinamool Congress}}<br />
|Jharna Sardar<br />
|{{Party name with color|Bharatiya Janata Party}}<br />
|Sanat Sardar<br />
|{{Party name with color|Communist Party of India (Marxist)}}<br />
|Rabindra Nath Mahato<br />
|{{Party name with color|Indian National Congress}}<br />
|Judhisthir Bhumiji<br />
|-<br />
!124<br />
|[[Basirhat Dakshin Assembly constituency|Basirhat Dakshin]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Trinamool Congress}}<br />
|Surajit Mitra<br />
|{{Party name with color|Bharatiya Janata Party}}<br />
|Sourya Banerjee<br />
|{{Party name with color|Communist Party of India (Marxist)}}<br />
|Ainul Arefin<br />
|{{Party name with color|Indian National Congress}}<br />
|Abu Ishak Gazi<br />
|-<br />
!125<br />
|[[Basirhat Uttar Assembly constituency|Basirhat Uttar]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Trinamool Congress}}<br />
|Md. Tauseffur Rahman<br />
|{{Party name with color|Bharatiya Janata Party}}<br />
|Kaushik Siddharth<br />
|{{Party name with color|Indian Secular Front}}<br />
|Md. Mucha Karimullah<br />
|{{Party name with color|Indian National Congress}}<br />
|Musa Haque Mondal<br />
|-<br />
!126<br />
|[[Hingalganj Assembly constituency|Hingalganj (SC)]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Trinamool Congress}}<br />
|Ananda Sarkar<br />
|{{Party name with color|Bharatiya Janata Party}}<br />
|Rekha Patra<br />
|{{Party name with color|Communist Party of India}}<br />
|Nirmal Kumar Biswas<br />
|{{Party name with color|Indian National Congress}}<br />
|Biswajit Roy<br />
|-<br />
| rowspan="31" |[[South 24 Parganas district|South 24 Parganas]]<br />
!127<br />
|[[Gosaba Assembly constituency|Gosaba (SC)]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Trinamool Congress}}<br />
|Subrata Mondal<br />
|{{Party name with color|Bharatiya Janata Party}}<br />
|Bikarno Naskar<br />
|{{Party name with color|Revolutionary Socialist Party (India)}}<br />
|Aditya Jotdar<br />
|{{Party name with color|Indian National Congress}}<br />
|Bhupal Chandra Das<br />
|-<br />
!128<br />
|[[Basanti Assembly constituency|Basanti (SC)]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Trinamool Congress}}<br />
|Nilima Bishal Mistry<br />
|{{Party name with color|Bharatiya Janata Party}}<br />
|Bikash Sardar<br />
|{{Party name with color|Indian Secular Front}}<br />
|Asit Roy<br />
|{{Party name with color|Indian National Congress}}<br />
|Gopinath Naiya<br />
|-<br />
!129<br />
|[[Kultali Assembly constituency|Kultali (SC)]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Trinamool Congress}}<br />
|[[Ganesh Chandra Mondal]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Bharatiya Janata Party}}<br />
|Madhabi Mahalder<br />
|{{Party name with color|Communist Party of India (Marxist)}}<br />
|[[Ram Sankar Halder]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Indian National Congress}}<br />
|Rupa Halder<br />
|-<br />
!130<br />
|[[Patharpratima Assembly constituency|Patharpratima]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Trinamool Congress}}<br />
|[[Samir Kumar Jana]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Bharatiya Janata Party}}<br />
|Asit Kumar Halder<br />
|{{Party name with color|Communist Party of India (Marxist)}}<br />
|Satya Ranjan Das<br />
|{{Party name with color|Indian National Congress}}<br />
|Subhrangshu Nayek<br />
|-<br />
!131<br />
|[[Kakdwip Assembly constituency|Kakdwip]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Trinamool Congress}}<br />
|[[Manturam Pakhira]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Bharatiya Janata Party}}<br />
|Dipankar Jana<br />
|{{Party name with color|Communist Party of India (Marxist)}}<br />
|Narayan Das<br />
|{{Party name with color|Indian National Congress}}<br />
|Nasiruddin Ahamed<br />
|-<br />
!132<br />
|[[Sagar, West Bengal Assembly constituency|Sagar]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Trinamool Congress}}<br />
|[[Bankim Chandra Hazra]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Bharatiya Janata Party}}<br />
|Sumanta Mondal<br />
|{{Party name with color|Communist Party of India (Marxist)}}<br />
|Swapan Singha<br />
|{{Party name with color|Indian National Congress}}<br />
|Prasanta Khutia<br />
|-<br />
!133<br />
|[[Kulpi Assembly constituency|Kulpi]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Trinamool Congress}}<br />
|Barnali Dhara<br />
|{{Party name with color|Bharatiya Janata Party}}<br />
|Abni Naskar<br />
|{{Party name with color|Indian Secular Front}}<br />
|Abdul Malek Mollah<br />
|{{Party name with color|Indian National Congress}}<br />
|Kutub Uddin Molla<br />
|-<br />
!134<br />
|[[Raidighi Assembly constituency|Raidighi]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Trinamool Congress}}<br />
|[[Tapasi Mondal|Tapas Mondal]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Bharatiya Janata Party}}<br />
|Palash Rana<br />
|{{Party name with color|Communist Party of India (Marxist)}}<br />
|Samya Ganguly<br />
|{{Party name with color|Indian National Congress}}<br />
|Ashish Kumar Mandal<br />
|-<br />
!135<br />
|[[Mandirbazar Assembly constituency|Mandirbazar (SC)]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Trinamool Congress}}<br />
|[[Joydeb Halder]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Bharatiya Janata Party}}<br />
|Mallika Paik<br />
|{{Party name with color|Indian Secular Front}}<br />
|Ashok Kumar Gayen<br />
|{{Party name with color|Indian National Congress}}<br />
|Kaushik Baidya<br />
|-<br />
!136<br />
|[[Jaynagar Assembly constituency|Jaynagar (SC)]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Trinamool Congress}}<br />
|[[Biswanath Das]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Bharatiya Janata Party}}<br />
|Alok Halder<br />
|{{Party name with color|Communist Party of India (Marxist)}}<br />
|Apurba Pramanik<br />
|{{Party name with color|Indian National Congress}}<br />
|Tapas Baidya<br />
|-<br />
!137<br />
|[[Baruipur Purba Assembly constituency|Baruipur Purba (SC)]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Trinamool Congress}}<br />
|[[Bivas Sardar]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Bharatiya Janata Party}}<br />
|Tumpa Sardar<br />
|{{Party name with color|Communist Party of India (Marxist)}}<br />
|Swapan Naskar<br />
|{{Party name with color|Indian National Congress}}<br />
|Pratap Chandra Mondal<br />
|-<br />
!138<br />
|[[Canning Paschim Assembly constituency|Canning Paschim (SC)]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Trinamool Congress}}<br />
|[[Paresh Ram Das]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Bharatiya Janata Party}}<br />
|Prashanta Bayen<br />
|{{Party name with color|Indian Secular Front}}<br />
|Prabir Mondal<br />
|{{Party name with color|Indian National Congress}}<br />
|Haran Chandra Mistry<br />
|-<br />
!139<br />
|[[Canning Purba Assembly constituency|Canning Purba]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Trinamool Congress}}<br />
|Md. Baharul Islam<br />
|{{Party name with color|Bharatiya Janata Party}}<br />
|Ashim Sapui<br />
|{{Party name with color|Indian Secular Front}}<br />
|[[Arabul Islam]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Indian National Congress}}<br />
|Sabir Ali Sardar<br />
|-<br />
!140<br />
|[[Baruipur Paschim Assembly constituency|Baruipur Paschim]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Trinamool Congress}}<br />
|[[Biman Banerjee]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Bharatiya Janata Party}}<br />
|Biswajit Paul<br />
|{{Party name with color|Communist Party of India (Marxist)}}<br />
|Lahek Ali<br />
|{{Party name with color|Indian National Congress}}<br />
|Asitlal Nag<br />
|-<br />
!141<br />
|[[Magrahat Purba Assembly constituency|Magrahat Purba (SC)]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Trinamool Congress}}<br />
|Sharmistha Purkait<br />
|{{Party name with color|Bharatiya Janata Party}}<br />
|Uttam Kumar Banik<br />
|{{Party name with color|Communist Party of India (Marxist)}}<br />
|Chandan Saha<br />
|{{Party name with color|Indian National Congress}}<br />
|Atanu Halder<br />
|-<br />
!142<br />
|[[Magrahat Paschim Assembly constituency|Magrahat Paschim]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Trinamool Congress}}<br />
|Shamim Ahmed<br />
|{{Party name with color|Bharatiya Janata Party}}<br />
|Gour Sundar Ghosh<br />
|{{Party name with color|Indian Secular Front}}<br />
|Abdul Ajij al Hasan<br />
|{{Party name with color|Indian National Congress}}<br />
|{{Vacant}}<br />
|-<br />
!143<br />
|[[Diamond Harbour Assembly constituency|Diamond Harbour]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Trinamool Congress}}<br />
|[[Pannalal Halder]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Bharatiya Janata Party}}<br />
|[[Dipak Kumar Halder]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Communist Party of India (Marxist)}}<br />
|Samarendra Nath Naiya<br />
|{{Party name with color|Indian National Congress}}<br />
|Goutam Bhattacharya<br />
|-<br />
!144<br />
|[[Falta Assembly constituency|Falta]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Trinamool Congress}}<br />
|Jahangir Khan<br />
|{{Party name with color|Bharatiya Janata Party}}<br />
|Debangshu Panda<br />
|{{Party name with color|Communist Party of India (Marxist)}}<br />
|Sambhu Kurmi<br />
|{{Party name with color|Indian National Congress}}<br />
|Abdur Rajjak Molla<br />
|-<br />
!145<br />
|[[Satgachhia Assembly constituency|Satgachhia]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Trinamool Congress}}<br />
|Somashree Betal<br />
|{{Party name with color|Bharatiya Janata Party}}<br />
|Agniswar Naskar<br />
|{{Party name with color|Communist Party of India (Marxist)}}<br />
|Gautam Pal<br />
|{{Party name with color|Indian National Congress}}<br />
|Pravash Ghosh<br />
|-<br />
!146<br />
|[[Bishnupur, South 24 Parganas Assembly constituency|Bishnupur (SC)]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Trinamool Congress}}<br />
|[[Dilip Mondal]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Bharatiya Janata Party}}<br />
|Abhijit Sardar<br />
|{{Party name with color|Communist Party of India (Marxist)}}<br />
|Shyamal Dal<br />
|{{Party name with color|Indian National Congress}}<br />
|Arghya Naskar<br />
|-<br />
!147<br />
|[[Sonarpur Dakshin Assembly constituency|Sonarpur Dakshin]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Trinamool Congress}}<br />
|[[Arundhuti Maitra]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Bharatiya Janata Party}}<br />
|[[Roopa Ganguly]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Communist Party of India}}<br />
|Paramita Dasgupta<br />
|{{Party name with color|Indian National Congress}}<br />
|Subrata Datta<br />
|-<br />
!148<br />
|[[Bhangar Assembly constituency|Bhangar]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Trinamool Congress}}<br />
|[[Saokat Molla]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Bharatiya Janata Party}}<br />
|Jayanta Gayen<br />
|{{Party name with color|Indian Secular Front}}<br />
|[[Naushad Siddiqui]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Indian National Congress}}<br />
|Mahabubul Islam<br />
|-<br />
!149<br />
|[[Kasba, West Bengal Assembly constituency|Kasba]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Trinamool Congress}}<br />
|[[Javed Ahmed Khan]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Bharatiya Janata Party}}<br />
|Sandeep Banerjee<br />
|{{Party name with color|Communist Party of India (Marxist)}}<br />
|Dipu Das<br />
|{{Party name with color|Indian National Congress}}<br />
|Md. Hasim Zeshan Ahmad<br />
|-<br />
!150<br />
|[[Jadavpur Assembly constituency|Jadavpur]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Trinamool Congress}}<br />
|[[Debabrata Majumdar]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Bharatiya Janata Party}}<br />
|Sarbori Mukherjee<br />
|{{Party name with color|Communist Party of India (Marxist)}}<br />
|[[Bikash Ranjan Bhattacharya]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Indian National Congress}}<br />
|Shyamali Mandal<br />
|-<br />
!151<br />
|[[Sonarpur Uttar Assembly constituency|Sonarpur Uttar]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Trinamool Congress}}<br />
|[[Firdousi Begum]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Bharatiya Janata Party}}<br />
|Debashish Dhar<br />
|{{Party name with color|Communist Party of India (Marxist)}}<br />
|Monalisa Sinha<br />
|{{Party name with color|Indian National Congress}}<br />
|Jagannath Kumir<br />
|-<br />
!152<br />
|[[Tollyganj Assembly constituency|Tollygunge]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Trinamool Congress}}<br />
|[[Aroop Biswas]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Bharatiya Janata Party}}<br />
|[[Papiya Adhikari]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Communist Party of India (Marxist)}}<br />
|Partha Pratim Biswas<br />
|{{Party name with color|Indian National Congress}}<br />
|Manas Sinha Roy<br />
|-<br />
!153<br />
|[[Behala Purba Assembly constituency|Behala Purba]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Trinamool Congress}}<br />
|Subhasish Chakraborty<br />
|{{Party name with color|Bharatiya Janata Party}}<br />
|Shankar Sikdar<br />
|{{Party name with color|Communist Party of India (Marxist)}}<br />
|Niloy Majumder<br />
|{{Party name with color|Indian National Congress}}<br />
|Abhijit Raha<br />
|-<br />
!154<br />
|[[Behala Paschim Assembly constituency|Behala Paschim]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Trinamool Congress}}<br />
|[[Ratna Chatterjee]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Bharatiya Janata Party}}<br />
|Indranil Khan<br />
|{{Party name with color|Communist Party of India (Marxist)}}<br />
|Nihar Bhakta<br />
|{{Party name with color|Indian National Congress}}<br />
|Saibal Roy<br />
|-<br />
!155<br />
|[[Maheshtala Assembly constituency|Maheshtala]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Trinamool Congress}}<br />
|Subhasis Das<br />
|{{Party name with color|Bharatiya Janata Party}}<br />
|Tamanath Bhowmik<br />
|{{Party name with color|Communist Party of India (Marxist)}}<br />
|Sayan Banerjee<br />
|{{Party name with color|Indian National Congress}}<br />
|Haji Abdul Hannan<br />
|-<br />
!156<br />
|[[Budge Budge Assembly constituency|Budge Budge]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Trinamool Congress}}<br />
|[[Ashok Kumar Deb]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Bharatiya Janata Party}}<br />
|Tarun Kumar Adak<br />
|{{Party name with color|Communist Party of India (Marxist-Leninist) Liberation}}<br />
|Kajol Dutta Ghosh<br />
|{{Party name with color|Indian National Congress}}<br />
|Mujibar Rahaman Kayal<br />
|-<br />
!157<br />
|[[Metiaburuz Assembly constituency|Metiaburuz]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Trinamool Congress}}<br />
|[[Abdul Khaleque Molla]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Bharatiya Janata Party}}<br />
|Veer Bahadur Singh<br />
|{{Party name with color|Communist Party of India (Marxist)}}<br />
|Monirul Islam<br />
|{{Party name with color|Indian National Congress}}<br />
|Md. Mukhtar<br />
|-<br />
| rowspan="11" | [[Kolkata district|Kolkata]]<br />
!158<br />
|[[Kolkata Port Assembly constituency|Kolkata Port]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Trinamool Congress}}<br />
|[[Firhad Hakim]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Bharatiya Janata Party}}<br />
|Rakesh Singh<br />
|{{Party name with color|Communist Party of India (Marxist)}}<br />
|Faiyaz Khan<br />
|{{Party name with color|Indian National Congress}}<br />
|Aquib Gulzar<br />
|-<br />
!159<br />
|[[Bhabanipur, West Bengal Assembly constituency|Bhabanipur]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Trinamool Congress}}<br />
|[[Mamata Banerjee]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Bharatiya Janata Party}}<br />
|[[Suvendu Adhikari]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Communist Party of India (Marxist)}}<br />
|Shrijeeb Biswas<br />
|{{Party name with color|Indian National Congress}}<br />
|Pradip Prasad<br />
|-<br />
!160<br />
|[[Rashbehari Assembly constituency|Rashbehari]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Trinamool Congress}}<br />
|[[Debasish Kumar]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Bharatiya Janata Party}}<br />
|[[Swapan Dasgupta]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Communist Party of India (Marxist-Leninist) Liberation}}<br />
|Manas Ghosh<br />
|{{Party name with color|Indian National Congress}}<br />
|Ashutosh Chatterjee<br />
|-<br />
!161<br />
|[[Ballygunge Assembly constituency|Ballygunge]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Trinamool Congress}}<br />
|[[Sovandeb Chattopadhyay]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Bharatiya Janata Party}}<br />
|Shatarupa<br />
|{{Party name with color|Communist Party of India (Marxist)}}<br />
|Afrin Begum<br />
|{{Party name with color|Indian National Congress}}<br />
|Rohan Mitra<br />
|-<br />
!162<br />
|[[Chowrangee Assembly constituency|Chowrangee]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Trinamool Congress}}<br />
|[[Nayna Bandopadhyay]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Bharatiya Janata Party}}<br />
|Santosh Pathak<br />
|{{Party name with color|Communist Party of India (Marxist)}}<br />
|Sanjoy Basu{{efn|RCPI candidate fighting on CPI(M) symbol.}}<br />
|{{Party name with color|Indian National Congress}}<br />
|Manash Sarkar<br />
|-<br />
!163<br />
|[[Entally Assembly constituency|Entally]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Trinamool Congress}}<br />
|Sandipan Saha<br />
|{{Party name with color|Bharatiya Janata Party}}<br />
|Priyanka Tibrewal<br />
|{{Party name with color|Communist Party of India (Marxist)}}<br />
|Abdur Rouf<br />
|{{Party name with color|Indian National Congress}}<br />
|Kashif Reza<br />
|-<br />
!164<br />
|[[Beleghata Assembly constituency|Beleghata]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Trinamool Congress}}<br />
|[[Kunal Ghosh]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Bharatiya Janata Party}}<br />
|Partha Choudhary<br />
|{{Party name with color|Communist Party of India (Marxist)}}<br />
|Paramita Roy<br />
|{{Party name with color|Indian National Congress}}<br />
|Shahina Javed<br />
|-<br />
!165<br />
|[[Jorasanko Assembly constituency|Jorasanko]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Trinamool Congress}}<br />
|Vijay Upadhayay<br />
|{{Party name with color|Bharatiya Janata Party}}<br />
|Vijay Ojha<br />
|{{Party name with color|Communist Party of India (Marxist)}}<br />
|Bharat Ram Tiwari<br />
|{{Party name with color|Indian National Congress}}<br />
|Deepak Singh<br />
|-<br />
!166<br />
|[[Shyampukur Assembly constituency|Shyampukur]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Trinamool Congress}}<br />
|[[Sashi Panja]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Bharatiya Janata Party}}<br />
|Poornima Chakraborty<br />
|{{Party name with color|All India Forward Bloc}}<br />
|Jhuma Das<br />
|{{Party name with color|Indian National Congress}}<br />
|Purna Ghosh<br />
|-<br />
!167<br />
|[[Maniktala Assembly constituency|Maniktala]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Trinamool Congress}}<br />
|Shreya Pandey<br />
|{{Party name with color|Bharatiya Janata Party}}<br />
|[[Tapas Roy]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Communist Party of India}}<br />
|Mousumi Ghosh<br />
|{{Party name with color|Indian National Congress}}<br />
|Suman Roy Chowdhury<br />
|-<br />
!168<br />
|[[Kashipur-Belgachhia Assembly constituency|Kashipur–Belgachhia]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Trinamool Congress}}<br />
|[[Atin Ghosh]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Bharatiya Janata Party}}<br />
|Ritesh Tiwari<br />
|{{Party name with color|Communist Party of India (Marxist)}}<br />
|Rajinder Gupta<br />
|{{Party name with color|Indian National Congress}}<br />
|Tarak Pal<br />
|-<br />
| rowspan="16" | [[Howrah district|Howrah]]<br />
!169<br />
|[[Bally Assembly constituency|Bally]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Trinamool Congress}}<br />
|Kailash Mishra<br />
|{{Party name with color|Bharatiya Janata Party}}<br />
|Sanjay Singh<br />
|{{Party name with color|Communist Party of India (Marxist)}}<br />
|Sankar Moitra<br />
|{{Party name with color|Indian National Congress}}<br />
|Priyanka Choudhury<br />
|-<br />
!170<br />
|[[Howrah Uttar Assembly constituency|Howrah Uttar]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Trinamool Congress}}<br />
|[[Gautam Chowdhuri|Goutam Chowdhuri]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Bharatiya Janata Party}}<br />
|Umesh Rai<br />
|{{Party name with color|Communist Party of India (Marxist)}}<br />
|Gautam Roy<br />
|{{Party name with color|Indian National Congress}}<br />
|Om Prakash Jaiswal<br />
|-<br />
!171<br />
|[[Howrah Madhya Assembly constituency|Howrah Madhya]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Trinamool Congress}}<br />
|[[Arup Roy]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Bharatiya Janata Party}}<br />
|Biplab Mondal<br />
|{{Party name with color|Communist Party of India (Marxist)}}<br />
|Imteaz Ahmed<br />
|{{Party name with color|Indian National Congress}}<br />
|Aparna Bose<br />
|-<br />
!172<br />
|[[Shibpur Assembly constituency|Shibpur]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Trinamool Congress}}<br />
|[[Rana Chatterjee]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Bharatiya Janata Party}}<br />
|[[Rudranil Ghosh]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|All India Forward Bloc}}<br />
|[[Jagannath Bhattacharya]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Indian National Congress}}<br />
|Shrabanti Singh<br />
|-<br />
!173<br />
|[[Howrah Dakshin Assembly constituency|Howrah Dakshin]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Trinamool Congress}}<br />
|[[Nandita Chowdhury]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Bharatiya Janata Party}}<br />
|Shyamal Hati<br />
|{{Party name with color|Communist Party of India (Marxist)}}<br />
|Abhijit Bandyopadhyay<br />
|{{Party name with color|Indian National Congress}}<br />
|Deepsikha Bhowmick<br />
|-<br />
!174<br />
|[[Sankrail Assembly constituency|Sankrail (SC)]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Trinamool Congress}}<br />
|[[Priya Paul]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Bharatiya Janata Party}}<br />
|Barnali Dhali<br />
|{{Party name with color|Communist Party of India (Marxist)}}<br />
|Samir Malick<br />
|{{Party name with color|Indian National Congress}}<br />
|Bechu Ram Malik<br />
|-<br />
!175<br />
|[[Panchla Assembly constituency|Panchla]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Trinamool Congress}}<br />
|[[Gulsan Mullick]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Bharatiya Janata Party}}<br />
|Ranjan Kumar Paul<br />
|{{Party name with color|All India Forward Bloc}}<br />
|Farid Molla<br />
|{{Party name with color|Indian National Congress}}<br />
|Rahul Pandey<br />
|-<br />
!176<br />
|[[Uluberia Purba Assembly constituency|Uluberia Purba]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Trinamool Congress}}<br />
|[[Ritabrata Banerjee]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Bharatiya Janata Party}}<br />
|Rudra Prasad Banerjee<br />
|{{Party name with color|Indian Secular Front}}<br />
|Ansar Ali Sheikh<br />
|{{Party name with color|Indian National Congress}}<br />
|Alam Deiyan Sheikh<br />
|-<br />
!177<br />
|[[Uluberia Uttar Assembly constituency|Uluberia Uttar (SC)]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Trinamool Congress}}<br />
|Bimal Kumar Das<br />
|{{Party name with color|Bharatiya Janata Party}}<br />
|Chiran Bera<br />
|{{Party name with color|Communist Party of India (Marxist)}}<br />
|Ashok Dolui<br />
|{{Party name with color|Indian National Congress}}<br />
|Kalyani Haldar<br />
|-<br />
!178<br />
|[[Uluberia Dakshin Assembly constituency|Uluberia Dakshin]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Trinamool Congress}}<br />
|[[Pulak Roy]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Bharatiya Janata Party}}<br />
|Mangalanand Puri Maharaj<br />
|{{Party name with color|All India Forward Bloc}}<br />
|Amirul Islam Khan<br />
|{{Party name with color|Indian National Congress}}<br />
|Intaz Ali Shah<br />
|-<br />
!179<br />
|[[Shyampur Assembly constituency|Shyampur]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Trinamool Congress}}<br />
|Nadebasi Jana<br />
|{{Party name with color|Bharatiya Janata Party}}<br />
|[[Hiran Chatterjee]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|All India Forward Bloc}}<br />
|Asit Baran Sau<br />
|{{Party name with color|Indian National Congress}}<br />
|Sheikh Manjur Alam<br />
|-<br />
!180<br />
|[[Bagnan Assembly constituency|Bagnan]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Trinamool Congress}}<br />
|[[Arunava Sen]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Bharatiya Janata Party}}<br />
|Premangshu Rana<br />
|{{Party name with color|Communist Party of India (Marxist)}}<br />
|Bhaskar Roy<br />
|{{Party name with color|Indian National Congress}}<br />
|Sheikh Hafizur Rahaman<br />
|-<br />
!181<br />
|[[Amta Assembly constituency|Amta]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Trinamool Congress}}<br />
|[[Sukanta Kumar Paul]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Bharatiya Janata Party}}<br />
|Amit Samanta<br />
|{{Party name with color|Communist Party of India (Marxist)}}<br />
|Joshimuddin Mallick<br />
|{{Party name with color|Indian National Congress}}<br />
|Tapan Das<br />
|-<br />
!182<br />
|[[Udaynarayanpur Assembly constituency|Udaynarayanpur]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Trinamool Congress}}<br />
|[[Samir Kumar Panja]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Bharatiya Janata Party}}<br />
|Prabhakar Pandit<br />
|{{Party name with color|Communist Party of India (Marxist)}}<br />
|Shasthi Maji<br />
|{{Party name with color|Indian National Congress}}<br />
|Asit Bakuly<br />
|-<br />
!183<br />
|[[Jagatballavpur Assembly constituency|Jagatballavpur]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Trinamool Congress}}<br />
|Subir Chatterjee<br />
|{{Party name with color|Bharatiya Janata Party}}<br />
|Anupam Ghosh<br />
|{{Party name with color|Indian Secular Front}}<br />
|Nazira Khatoon<br />
|{{Party name with color|Indian National Congress}}<br />
|Koushik Roy<br />
|-<br />
!184<br />
|[[Domjur Assembly constituency|Domjur]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Trinamool Congress}}<br />
|Tapas Maity<br />
|{{Party name with color|Bharatiya Janata Party}}<br />
|Gobinda Hazra<br />
|{{Party name with color|Communist Party of India (Marxist)}}<br />
|Dulu Das<br />
|{{Party name with color|Indian National Congress}}<br />
|Aloke Koley<br />
|-<br />
| rowspan="18" | [[Hooghly district|Hooghly]]<br />
!185<br />
|[[Uttarpara Assembly constituency|Uttarpara]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Trinamool Congress}}<br />
|Sirsanya Banerjee<br />
|{{Party name with color|Bharatiya Janata Party}}<br />
|Dipanjan Chakraborty<br />
|{{Party name with color|Communist Party of India (Marxist)}}<br />
|[[Minakshi Mukherjee]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Indian National Congress}}<br />
|Subrata Mukherjee<br />
|-<br />
!186<br />
|[[Sreerampur Assembly constituency|Sreerampur]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Trinamool Congress}}<br />
|Tanmay Ghosh<br />
|{{Party name with color|Bharatiya Janata Party}}<br />
|Bhaskar Bhattacharya<br />
|{{Party name with color|Communist Party of India (Marxist)}}<br />
|Nabanita Chakraborty<br />
|{{Party name with color|Indian National Congress}}<br />
|[[Subhankar Sarkar]]<br />
|-<br />
!187<br />
|[[Champdani Assembly constituency|Champdani]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Trinamool Congress}}<br />
|[[Arindam Guin]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Bharatiya Janata Party}}<br />
|Dilip Singh<br />
|{{Party name with color|Communist Party of India (Marxist)}}<br />
|Chandranath Banerjee<br />
|{{Party name with color|Indian National Congress}}<br />
|Pritam Ghosh<br />
|-<br />
!188<br />
|[[Singur Assembly constituency|Singur]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Trinamool Congress}}<br />
|[[Becharam Manna]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Bharatiya Janata Party}}<br />
|Arup Kumar Das<br />
|{{Party name with color|Communist Party of India (Marxist)}}<br />
|Debasish Chatterjee<br />
|{{Party name with color|Indian National Congress}}<br />
|Barun Kumar Malik<br />
|-<br />
!189<br />
|[[Chandannagar Assembly constituency|Chandannagar]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Trinamool Congress}}<br />
|[[Indranil Sen]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Bharatiya Janata Party}}<br />
|Dipanjan Guha<br />
|{{Party name with color|Communist Party of India (Marxist)}}<br />
|Manish Panda<br />
|{{Party name with color|Indian National Congress}}<br />
|Ratan Kumar Goldar<br />
|-<br />
!190<br />
|[[Chunchura Assembly constituency|Chunchura]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Trinamool Congress}}<br />
|Debangshu Bhattacharya<br />
|{{Party name with color|Bharatiya Janata Party}}<br />
|Subir Nag<br />
|{{Party name with color|All India Forward Bloc}}<br />
|Sunil Saha<br />
|{{Party name with color|Indian National Congress}}<br />
|Moinul Haque<br />
|-<br />
!191<br />
|[[Balagarh Assembly constituency|Balagarh (SC)]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Trinamool Congress}}<br />
|Ranjan Dhara<br />
|{{Party name with color|Bharatiya Janata Party}}<br />
|Sumana Sarkar<br />
|{{Party name with color|Communist Party of India (Marxist)}}<br />
|Bikash Goldar<br />
|{{Party name with color|Indian National Congress}}<br />
|Ashok Biswas<br />
|-<br />
!192<br />
|[[Pandua Assembly constituency|Pandua]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Trinamool Congress}}<br />
|[[Samir Chakraborty]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Bharatiya Janata Party}}<br />
|Tushar Kumar Majumdar<br />
|{{Party name with color|Communist Party of India (Marxist)}}<br />
|[[Sheikh Amjad Hossain|Amjad Hossain]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Indian National Congress}}<br />
|Sanatan Mandi<br />
|-<br />
!193<br />
|[[Saptagram Assembly constituency|Saptagram]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Trinamool Congress}}<br />
|[[Bidesh Ranjan Bose]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Bharatiya Janata Party}}<br />
|Swaraj Ghosh<br />
|{{Party name with color|Communist Party of India (Marxist)}}<br />
|Anirban Sarkar<br />
|{{Party name with color|Indian National Congress}}<br />
|Sougata Ghosh<br />
|-<br />
!194<br />
|[[Chanditala Assembly constituency|Chanditala]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Trinamool Congress}}<br />
|[[Swati Khandoker]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Bharatiya Janata Party}}<br />
|Debasish Mukherjee<br />
|{{Party name with color|Communist Party of India (Marxist)}}<br />
|Sheikh Asif Ali<br />
|{{Party name with color|Indian National Congress}}<br />
|Sheikh Abu Abbasuddin<br />
|-<br />
!195<br />
|[[Jangipara Assembly constituency|Jangipara]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Trinamool Congress}}<br />
|[[Snehasish Chakraborty]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Bharatiya Janata Party}}<br />
|Prasenjit Bag<br />
|{{Party name with color|Communist Party of India (Marxist)}}<br />
|Sudipto Sarkar<br />
|{{Party name with color|Indian National Congress}}<br />
|Subhashis Datta<br />
|-<br />
!196<br />
|[[Haripal Assembly constituency|Haripal]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Trinamool Congress}}<br />
|[[Karabi Manna]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Bharatiya Janata Party}}<br />
|Madhumita Ghosh<br />
|{{Party name with color|Indian Secular Front}}<br />
|Sheikh Muzaffar Ali<br />
|{{Party name with color|Indian National Congress}}<br />
|Saif Azad<br />
|-<br />
!197<br />
|[[Dhanekhali Assembly constituency|Dhanekhali (SC)]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Trinamool Congress}}<br />
|[[Ashima Patra]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Bharatiya Janata Party}}<br />
|Barnali Das<br />
|{{Party name with color|Communist Party of India (Marxist-Leninist) Liberation}}<br />
|Ruma Aheri<br />
|{{Party name with color|Indian National Congress}}<br />
|Jyoti Kumari Das<br />
|-<br />
!198<br />
|[[Tarakeswar Assembly constituency|Tarakeswar]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Trinamool Congress}}<br />
|[[Ramendu Sinharay]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Bharatiya Janata Party}}<br />
|Santu Pan<br />
|{{Party name with color|Communist Party of India (Marxist)}}<br />
|Abesh Khamrui<br />
|{{Party name with color|Indian National Congress}}<br />
|Bhabani Prasad Mondal<br />
|-<br />
!199<br />
|[[Pursurah Assembly constituency|Pursurah]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Trinamool Congress}}<br />
|Partha Hazari<br />
|{{Party name with color|Bharatiya Janata Party}}<br />
|[[Biman Ghosh]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Communist Party of India (Marxist)}}<br />
|Sandip Kumar Samanta<br />
|{{Party name with color|Indian National Congress}}<br />
|Sheikh Habibur Rahaman<br />
|-<br />
!200<br />
|[[Arambagh Assembly constituency|Arambagh (SC)]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Trinamool Congress}}<br />
|Mita Bag<br />
|{{Party name with color|Bharatiya Janata Party}}<br />
|Hemanta Bag<br />
|{{Party name with color|Communist Party of India (Marxist)}}<br />
|Bithika Pandit<br />
|{{Party name with color|Indian National Congress}}<br />
|Sushil Kumar Santra<br />
|-<br />
!201<br />
|[[Goghat Assembly constituency|Goghat (SC)]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Trinamool Congress}}<br />
|[[Nirmal Maji]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Bharatiya Janata Party}}<br />
|Prashanta Digar<br />
|{{Party name with color|All India Forward Bloc}}<br />
|Muktaram Dhaure<br />
|{{Party name with color|Indian National Congress}}<br />
|Haradhan Santra<br />
|-<br />
!202<br />
|[[Khanakul Assembly constituency|Khanakul]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Trinamool Congress}}<br />
|Palash Roy<br />
|{{Party name with color|Bharatiya Janata Party}}<br />
|[[Susanta Ghosh (Khanakul politician)|Susanta Ghosh]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Indian Secular Front}}<br />
|Sheikh Saddam Hossein<br />
|{{Party name with color|Indian National Congress}}<br />
|Pradip Kumar Kar<br />
|-<br />
| rowspan="56" bgcolor="#fff4a5" |'''23 April 2026'''<br />
| rowspan="16" | [[Purba Medinipur district|Purba Medinipur]]<br />
!203<br />
|[[Tamluk Assembly constituency|Tamluk]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Trinamool Congress}}<br />
|Dipendra Narayan Roy<br />
|{{Party name with color|Bharatiya Janata Party}}<br />
|Hari Krishna Bera<br />
|{{Party name with color|Communist Party of India}}<br />
|Nabendu Ghara<br />
|{{Party name with color|Indian National Congress}}<br />
|Haradhan Mazumder<br />
|-<br />
!204<br />
|[[Panskura Purba Assembly constituency|Panskura Purba]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Trinamool Congress}}<br />
|Asim Kumar Maji<br />
|{{Party name with color|Bharatiya Janata Party}}<br />
|Subrata Maity<br />
|{{Party name with color|Communist Party of India (Marxist)}}<br />
|[[Sheikh Ibrahim Ali]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Indian National Congress}}<br />
|Dipak Patra<br />
|-<br />
!205<br />
|[[Panskura Paschim Assembly constituency|Panskura Paschim]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Trinamool Congress}}<br />
|Siraj Khan<br />
|{{Party name with color|Bharatiya Janata Party}}<br />
|Sintu Senapati<br />
|{{Party name with color|Indian Secular Front}}<br />
|Afjal Ali Shah<br />
|{{Party name with color|Indian National Congress}}<br />
|Kalyan Roy<br />
|-<br />
!206<br />
|[[Moyna Assembly constituency|Moyna]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Trinamool Congress}}<br />
|Chandan Mondal<br />
|{{Party name with color|Bharatiya Janata Party}}<br />
|[[Ashok Dinda]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Communist Party of India}}<br />
|Swapan Barman<br />
|{{Party name with color|Indian National Congress}}<br />
|Nimai Barman<br />
|-<br />
!207<br />
|[[Nandakumar Assembly constituency|Nandakumar]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Trinamool Congress}}<br />
|[[Sukumar De|Sukumar Dey]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Bharatiya Janata Party}}<br />
|Nirmal Khanra<br />
|{{Party name with color|Communist Party of India (Marxist)}}<br />
|Chandan Maity<br />
|{{Party name with color|Indian National Congress}}<br />
|Sheikh Matin<br />
|-<br />
!208<br />
|[[Mahisadal Assembly constituency|Mahisadal]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Trinamool Congress}}<br />
|[[Tilak Kumar Chakraborty|Tilak Chakraborty]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Bharatiya Janata Party}}<br />
|Subhash Panja<br />
|{{Party name with color|Communist Party of India (Marxist)}}<br />
|Paritosh Patnayak<br />
|{{Party name with color|Indian National Congress}}<br />
|Kajal Nayek Das<br />
|-<br />
!209<br />
|[[Haldia Assembly constituency|Haldia (SC)]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Trinamool Congress}}<br />
|[[Tapasi Mondal]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Bharatiya Janata Party}}<br />
|Pradip Kumar Bijoli<br />
|{{Party name with color|Communist Party of India (Marxist)}}<br />
|Ashok Patra<br />
|{{Party name with color|Indian National Congress}}<br />
|Abhimanyu Mandal<br />
|-<br />
!210<br />
|[[Nandigram Assembly constituency|Nandigram]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Trinamool Congress}}<br />
|Pabitra Kar<br />
|{{Party name with color|Bharatiya Janata Party}}<br />
|[[Suvendu Adhikari]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Communist Party of India}}<br />
|Shanti Giri<br />
|{{Party name with color|Indian National Congress}}<br />
|Sheikh Jariatul Hossain<br />
|-<br />
!211<br />
|[[Chandipur Assembly constituency|Chandipur]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Trinamool Congress}}<br />
|[[Uttam Barik]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Bharatiya Janata Party}}<br />
|Piyush Kanti Das<br />
|{{Party name with color|Communist Party of India (Marxist)}}<br />
|Rita Das<br />
|{{Party name with color|Indian National Congress}}<br />
|Sheikh Taslim Ahmed<br />
|-<br />
!212<br />
|[[Patashpur Assembly constituency|Patashpur]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Trinamool Congress}}<br />
|Pijush Kanti Panda<br />
|{{Party name with color|Bharatiya Janata Party}}<br />
|Tapan Maity<br />
|{{Party name with color|Communist Party of India}}<br />
|Saikat Giri<br />
|{{Party name with color|Indian National Congress}}<br />
|Pranab Kumar Mahapatra<br />
|-<br />
!213<br />
|[[Kanthi Uttar Assembly constituency|Kanthi Uttar]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Trinamool Congress}}<br />
|Debasis Bhunia<br />
|{{Party name with color|Bharatiya Janata Party}}<br />
|[[Sumita Sinha]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Communist Party of India (Marxist)}}<br />
|Sutanu Maity<br />
|{{Party name with color|Indian National Congress}}<br />
|Subrata Mahapatra<br />
|-<br />
!214<br />
|[[Bhagabanpur Assembly constituency|Bhagabanpur]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Trinamool Congress}}<br />
|Manab Kumar Porua<br />
|{{Party name with color|Bharatiya Janata Party}}<br />
|[[Santanu Pramanik|Shantanu Pramanik]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Revolutionary Socialist Party (India)}}<br />
|Pratibha Rani Kar Sasamal<br />
|{{Party name with color|Indian National Congress}}<br />
|Biswajit Panigrahi<br />
|-<br />
!215<br />
|[[Khejuri Assembly constituency|Khejuri (SC)]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Trinamool Congress}}<br />
|Rabin Chandra Mandal<br />
|{{Party name with color|Bharatiya Janata Party}}<br />
|Subrata Paik<br />
|{{Party name with color|Communist Party of India (Marxist)}}<br />
|Himangshu Das<br />
|{{Party name with color|Indian National Congress}}<br />
|Asit Pramanik<br />
|-<br />
!216<br />
|[[Kanthi Dakshin Assembly constituency|Kanthi Dakshin]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Trinamool Congress}}<br />
|Tarun Kumar Jana<br />
|{{Party name with color|Bharatiya Janata Party}}<br />
|[[Arup Kumar Das]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Communist Party of India}}<br />
|Teheran Hossain<br />
|{{Party name with color|Indian National Congress}}<br />
|Sheikh Masud Malik<br />
|-<br />
!217<br />
|[[Ramnagar, Purba Medinipur Assembly constituency|Ramnagar]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Trinamool Congress}}<br />
|[[Akhil Giri]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Bharatiya Janata Party}}<br />
|Chandra Shekhar Mondal<br />
|{{Party name with color|Communist Party of India (Marxist)}}<br />
|Ashoke Kumar Maity<br />
|{{Party name with color|Indian National Congress}}<br />
|{{vacant|Nomination rejected}}<br />
|-<br />
!218<br />
|[[Egra Assembly constituency|Egra]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Trinamool Congress}}<br />
|Tarun Maity<br />
|{{Party name with color|Bharatiya Janata Party}}<br />
|[[Dibyendu Adhikari]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Communist Party of India (Marxist)}}<br />
|Subrata Panda<br />
|{{Party name with color|Indian National Congress}}<br />
|Anjan Kumar Pattnayak<br />
|-<br />
|[[Paschim Medinipur district|Paschim Medinipur]]<br />
!219<br />
|[[Dantan Assembly constituency|Dantan]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Trinamool Congress}}<br />
|Manik Maity<br />
|{{Party name with color|Bharatiya Janata Party}}<br />
|Ajit Kumar Jana<br />
|{{Party name with color|Communist Party of India}}<br />
|Shyamalkanti Das Pattanayek<br />
|{{Party name with color|Indian National Congress}}<br />
|Utpal Dutta<br />
|-<br />
| rowspan="3" | [[Jhargram district|Jhargram]]<br />
!220<br />
|[[Nayagram Assembly constituency|Nayagram (ST)]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Trinamool Congress}}<br />
|[[Dulal Murmu]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Bharatiya Janata Party}}<br />
|Amiya Kisku<br />
|{{Party name with color|Communist Party of India (Marxist)}}<br />
|[[Pulin Bihari Baske]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Indian National Congress}}<br />
|Prasanta Murmu<br />
|-<br />
!221<br />
|[[Gopiballavpur Assembly constituency|Gopiballavpur]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Trinamool Congress}}<br />
|Ajit Mahata<br />
|{{Party name with color|Bharatiya Janata Party}}<br />
|Rajesh Mahato<br />
|{{Party name with color|Communist Party of India}}<br />
|Bikash Sarangi<br />
|{{Party name with color|Indian National Congress}}<br />
|Sourav Ghosh<br />
|-<br />
!222<br />
|[[Jhargram Assembly constituency|Jhargram]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Trinamool Congress}}<br />
|Mangal Saren<br />
|{{Party name with color|Bharatiya Janata Party}}<br />
|Lakshmikant Sahu<br />
|{{Party name with color|Communist Party of India (Marxist)}}<br />
|Arjun Mahato<br />
|{{Party name with color|Indian National Congress}}<br />
|Prasenjit Dey<br />
|-<br />
| rowspan="14" | [[Paschim Medinipur district|Paschim Medinipur]]<br />
!223<br />
|[[Keshiary Assembly constituency|Keshiary (ST)]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Trinamool Congress}}<br />
|Ramjiban Mandi<br />
|{{Party name with color|Bharatiya Janata Party}}<br />
|Bhadra Hembram<br />
|{{Party name with color|Communist Party of India (Marxist)}}<br />
|Malina Murmu<br />
|{{Party name with color|Indian National Congress}}<br />
|Kaluchand Tudu<br />
|-<br />
!224<br />
|[[Kharagpur Sadar Assembly constituency|Kharagpur Sadar]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Trinamool Congress}}<br />
|[[Pradip Sarkar (West Bengal politician)|Pradip Sarkar]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Bharatiya Janata Party}}<br />
|[[Dilip Ghosh (politician)|Dilip Ghosh]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Communist Party of India (Marxist)}}<br />
|Madhusudan Roy<br />
|{{Party name with color|Indian National Congress}}<br />
|Papiya Chakraborty<br />
|-<br />
!225<br />
|[[Narayangarh Assembly constituency|Narayangarh]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Trinamool Congress}}<br />
|Pratibha Rani Maity<br />
|{{Party name with color|Bharatiya Janata Party}}<br />
|Rama Prasad Giri<br />
|{{Party name with color|Communist Party of India (Marxist)}}<br />
|Tapas Sinha<br />
|{{Party name with color|Indian National Congress}}<br />
|Sheikh Alam Hossain<br />
|-<br />
!226<br />
|[[Sabang Assembly constituency|Sabang]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Trinamool Congress}}<br />
|[[Manas Bhunia]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Bharatiya Janata Party}}<br />
|Amal Panda<br />
|{{Party name with color|Communist Party of India (Marxist)}}<br />
|Nakul Chandra Bera<br />
|{{Party name with color|Indian National Congress}}<br />
|Aloke Kumar Samui<br />
|-<br />
!227<br />
|[[Pingla Assembly constituency|Pingla]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Trinamool Congress}}<br />
|Ajit Maity<br />
|{{Party name with color|Bharatiya Janata Party}}<br />
|Swagata Manna<br />
|{{Party name with color|Communist Party of India}}<br />
|Ashoke Sen<br />
|{{Party name with color|Indian National Congress}}<br />
|Sushanta Mandal<br />
|-<br />
!228<br />
|[[Kharagpur Assembly constituency|Kharagpur]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Trinamool Congress}}<br />
|Dinen Roy<br />
|{{Party name with color|Bharatiya Janata Party}}<br />
|Tapan Bhuiya<br />
|{{Party name with color|Communist Party of India (Marxist)}}<br />
|Sheikh Shahjahan Ali<br />
|{{Party name with color|Indian National Congress}}<br />
|Ujjal Mukherjee<br />
|-<br />
!229<br />
|[[Debra Assembly constituency|Debra]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Trinamool Congress}}<br />
|[[Rajib Banerjee]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Bharatiya Janata Party}}<br />
|Subhashish Om<br />
|{{Party name with color|Communist Party of India (Marxist)}}<br />
|Sumit Adhikary<br />
|{{Party name with color|Indian National Congress}}<br />
|Chittaranjan Jana<br />
|-<br />
!230<br />
|[[Daspur Assembly constituency|Daspur]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Trinamool Congress}}<br />
|Ashish Hudait<br />
|{{Party name with color|Bharatiya Janata Party}}<br />
|Tapan Dutta<br />
|{{Party name with color|Communist Party of India (Marxist)}}<br />
|Ranjit Pal<br />
|{{Party name with color|Indian National Congress}}<br />
|Kousik Goswami<br />
|-<br />
!231<br />
|[[Ghatal Assembly constituency|Ghatal (SC)]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Trinamool Congress}}<br />
|Shyamali Sardar<br />
|{{Party name with color|Bharatiya Janata Party}}<br />
|[[Sital Kapat|Shital Kapat]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Communist Party of India (Marxist)}}<br />
|Shantinath Satik<br />
|{{Party name with color|Indian National Congress}}<br />
|Kaberi Dolui<br />
|-<br />
!232<br />
|[[Chandrakona Assembly constituency|Chandrakona (SC)]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Trinamool Congress}}<br />
|Surjya Kanta Dolui<br />
|{{Party name with color|Bharatiya Janata Party}}<br />
|Sukanta Dolui<br />
|{{Party name with color|Communist Party of India (Marxist)}}<br />
|Suparna Dolui<br />
|{{Party name with color|Indian National Congress}}<br />
|Manika Middya<br />
|-<br />
!233<br />
|[[Garbeta Assembly constituency|Garbeta]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Trinamool Congress}}<br />
|[[Uttara Singha]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Bharatiya Janata Party}}<br />
|Pradeep Lodha<br />
|{{Party name with color|Communist Party of India (Marxist)}}<br />
|Tapan Ghosh<br />
|{{Party name with color|Indian National Congress}}<br />
|Siddhartha Bishoyee<br />
|-<br />
!234<br />
|[[Salboni Assembly constituency|Salboni]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Trinamool Congress}}<br />
|[[Srikanta Mahata]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Bharatiya Janata Party}}<br />
|Biman Mahato<br />
|{{Party name with color|Indian Secular Front}}<br />
|Piyush Hansda<br />
|{{Party name with color|Indian National Congress}}<br />
|Arup Mukherjee<br />
|-<br />
!235<br />
|[[Keshpur Assembly constituency|Keshpur (SC)]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Trinamool Congress}}<br />
|[[Seuli Saha]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Bharatiya Janata Party}}<br />
|Suvendu Samanta<br />
|{{Party name with color|Communist Party of India (Marxist)}}<br />
|Gurupada Mondal<br />
|{{Party name with color|Indian National Congress}}<br />
|Kamal Kishore Khanna<br />
|-<br />
!236<br />
|[[Medinipur Assembly constituency|Medinipur]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Trinamool Congress}}<br />
|[[Sujoy Hazra]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Bharatiya Janata Party}}<br />
|Shankar Guchhait<br />
|{{Party name with color|Communist Party of India}}<br />
|Monikuntal Khamrui<br />
|{{Party name with color|Indian National Congress}}<br />
|Sambhunath Chattopadhyay<br />
|-<br />
|[[Jhargram district|Jhargram]]<br />
!237<br />
|[[Binpur Assembly constituency|Binpur (ST)]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Trinamool Congress}}<br />
|[[Birbaha Hansda]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Bharatiya Janata Party}}<br />
|Pranat Tudu<br />
|{{Party name with color|Communist Party of India (Marxist)}}<br />
|Rabi Sing Sardar<br />
|{{Party name with color|Indian National Congress}}<br />
|Golapi Soren<br />
|-<br />
| rowspan="9" | [[Purulia district|Purulia]]<br />
!238<br />
|[[Bandwan Assembly constituency|Bandwan (ST)]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Trinamool Congress}}<br />
|Rajib Lochan Saren<br />
|{{Party name with color|Bharatiya Janata Party}}<br />
|Labsen Baskey<br />
|{{Party name with color|Communist Party of India (Marxist)}}<br />
|Rathu Singh Sardar<br />
|{{Party name with color|Indian National Congress}}<br />
|Siten Mandi<br />
|-<br />
!239<br />
|[[Balarampur, Purulia Assembly constituency|Balarampur]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Trinamool Congress}}<br />
|[[Santiram Mahato|Shantiram Mahato]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Bharatiya Janata Party}}<br />
|Jaladhar Mahato<br />
|{{Party name with color|Communist Party of India (Marxist)}}<br />
|Namita Mahato<br />
|{{Party name with color|Indian National Congress}}<br />
|Sukanta Mahato<br />
|-<br />
!240<br />
|[[Baghmundi Assembly constituency|Baghmundi]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Trinamool Congress}}<br />
|Sushanta Mahato<br />
|{{Party name with color|Bharatiya Janata Party}}<br />
|Rahidas Mahato<br />
|{{Party name with color|All India Forward Bloc}}<br />
|Parimal Kumar<br />
|{{Party name with color|Indian National Congress}}<br />
|[[Nepal Mahato]]<br />
|-<br />
!241<br />
|[[Joypur, Purulia Assembly constituency|Joypur]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Trinamool Congress}}<br />
|Arjun Mahato<br />
|{{Party name with color|Bharatiya Janata Party}}<br />
|Biswajit Mahato{{efn|Independent candidate fighting on BJP symbol.}}<br />
|{{Party name with color|All India Forward Bloc}}<br />
|Dhirendra Nath Mahato<br />
|{{Party name with color|Indian National Congress}}<br />
|Phani Bhushan Kumar<br />
|-<br />
!242<br />
|[[Purulia Assembly constituency|Purulia]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Trinamool Congress}}<br />
|Sujoy Banerjee<br />
|{{Party name with color|Bharatiya Janata Party}}<br />
|[[Sudip Kumar Mukherjee]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Communist Party of India (Marxist)}}<br />
|Sayantan Ghosh<br />
|{{Party name with color|Indian National Congress}}<br />
|Dibyajyoti Prasad Singh Deo<br />
|-<br />
!243<br />
|[[Manbazar Assembly constituency|Manbazar (ST)]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Trinamool Congress}}<br />
|[[Sandhya Rani Tudu]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Bharatiya Janata Party}}<br />
|Moyna Murmu<br />
|{{Party name with color|Communist Party of India (Marxist)}}<br />
|Shantimani Murmu<br />
|{{Party name with color|Indian National Congress}}<br />
|Sombari Mahali<br />
|-<br />
!244<br />
|[[Kashipur, West Bengal Assembly constituency|Kashipur]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Trinamool Congress}}<br />
|Soumen Beltharia<br />
|{{Party name with color|Bharatiya Janata Party}}<br />
|[[Kamalakanta Hansda]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Communist Party of India (Marxist)}}<br />
|Sulekha Bauri<br />
|{{Party name with color|Indian National Congress}}<br />
|Subhas Mahato<br />
|-<br />
!245<br />
|[[Para Assembly constituency|Para (SC)]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Trinamool Congress}}<br />
|Manik Bauri<br />
|{{Party name with color|Bharatiya Janata Party}}<br />
|[[Nadiar Chand Bouri]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Communist Party of India (Marxist)}}<br />
|Aloke Bauri<br />
|{{Party name with color|Indian National Congress}}<br />
|Phalguni Bauri<br />
|-<br />
!246<br />
|[[Raghunathpur, West Bengal Assembly constituency|Raghunathpur (SC)]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Trinamool Congress}}<br />
|Hazari Bauri<br />
|{{Party name with color|Bharatiya Janata Party}}<br />
|Mamoni Bauri<br />
|{{Party name with color|Communist Party of India (Marxist)}}<br />
|Ganesh Bauri<br />
|{{Party name with color|Indian National Congress}}<br />
|Sandhya Bauri<br />
|-<br />
| rowspan="12" | [[Bankura district|Bankura]]<br />
!247<br />
|[[Saltora Assembly constituency|Saltora (SC)]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Trinamool Congress}}<br />
|Uttam Bauri<br />
|{{Party name with color|Bharatiya Janata Party}}<br />
|[[Chandana Bauri]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Communist Party of India (Marxist)}}<br />
|Nandalal Bauri<br />
|{{Party name with color|Indian National Congress}}<br />
|Amar Kanti Mandal<br />
|-<br />
!248<br />
|[[Chhatna Assembly constituency|Chhatna]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Trinamool Congress}}<br />
|Swapan Kumar Mandal<br />
|{{Party name with color|Bharatiya Janata Party}}<br />
|[[Satyanarayan Mukhopadhyay]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Revolutionary Socialist Party (India)}}<br />
|Rajib Kar<br />
|{{Party name with color|Indian National Congress}}<br />
|Partha Pratim Bose<br />
|-<br />
!249<br />
|[[Ranibandh Assembly constituency|Ranibandh (ST)]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Trinamool Congress}}<br />
|Tanushree Hansda<br />
|{{Party name with color|Bharatiya Janata Party}}<br />
|Kshudiram Tudu<br />
|{{Party name with color|Communist Party of India (Marxist)}}<br />
|[[Deblina Hembram]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Indian National Congress}}<br />
|Gurupada Sardar<br />
|-<br />
!250<br />
|[[Raipur, Bankura Assembly constituency|Raipur (ST)]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Trinamool Congress}}<br />
|Thakur Moni Soren<br />
|{{Party name with color|Bharatiya Janata Party}}<br />
|Kshetra Mohan Hansda<br />
|{{Party name with color|Communist Party of India (Marxist)}}<br />
|Ram Mandi<br />
|{{Party name with color|Indian National Congress}}<br />
|Subhra Hembram Murmu<br />
|-<br />
!251<br />
|[[Taldangra Assembly constituency|Taldangra]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Trinamool Congress}}<br />
|Falguni Singhababu<br />
|{{Party name with color|Bharatiya Janata Party}}<br />
|Souvik Patra<br />
|{{Party name with color|Communist Party of India (Marxist)}}<br />
|Debkanti Mohanti<br />
|{{Party name with color|Indian National Congress}}<br />
|Nayan Das Chakraborty<br />
|-<br />
!252<br />
|[[Bankura Assembly constituency|Bankura]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Trinamool Congress}}<br />
|Anup Mondal<br />
|{{Party name with color|Bharatiya Janata Party}}<br />
|[[Niladri Sekhar Dana]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Communist Party of India (Marxist)}}<br />
|Abhayananda Mukherjee<br />
|{{Party name with color|Indian National Congress}}<br />
|Arup Banerjee<br />
|-<br />
!253<br />
|[[Barjora Assembly constituency|Barjora]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Trinamool Congress}}<br />
|Gautam Mishra <br />
|{{Party name with color|Bharatiya Janata Party}}<br />
|Billeshwar Singha<br />
|{{Party name with color|Communist Party of India (Marxist)}}<br />
|Sujit Chakraborty <br />
|{{Party name with color|Indian National Congress}}<br />
|Vivekananda Keora<br />
|-<br />
!254<br />
|[[Onda Assembly constituency|Onda]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Trinamool Congress}}<br />
|Subrata Dutta <br />
|{{Party name with color|Bharatiya Janata Party}}<br />
|[[Amarnath Shakha]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|All India Forward Bloc}}<br />
|Asit Sharma<br />
|{{Party name with color|Indian National Congress}}<br />
|Paban Salampuria<br />
|-<br />
!255<br />
|[[Bishnupur, Bankura Assembly constituency|Bishnupur]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Trinamool Congress}}<br />
|[[Tanmay Ghosh]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Bharatiya Janata Party}}<br />
|Shukla Chatterjee<br />
|{{Party name with color|Communist Party of India (Marxist-Leninist) Liberation}}<br />
|Titas Gupta<br />
|{{Party name with color|Indian National Congress}}<br />
|Ujjal Chandra<br />
|-<br />
!256<br />
|[[Katulpur Assembly constituency|Katulpur (SC)]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Trinamool Congress}}<br />
|[[Harakali Protiher]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Bharatiya Janata Party}}<br />
|Lakshmikanta Majumdar<br />
|{{Party name with color|Communist Party of India (Marxist)}}<br />
|Ramchandra Roy<br />
|{{Party name with color|Indian National Congress}}<br />
|Sumitra Mallick Santra<br />
|-<br />
!257<br />
|[[Indas Assembly constituency|Indas (SC)]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Trinamool Congress}}<br />
|Shyamali Roy Bagdi<br />
|{{Party name with color|Bharatiya Janata Party}}<br />
|[[Nirmal Kumar Dhara]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Communist Party of India (Marxist)}}<br />
|Mona Mallick<br />
|{{Party name with color|Indian National Congress}}<br />
|Mou Mandal Samanta<br />
|-<br />
!258<br />
|[[Sonamukhi Assembly constituency|Sonamukhi (SC)]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Trinamool Congress}}<br />
|Kallol Saha<br />
|{{Party name with color|Bharatiya Janata Party}}<br />
|[[Dibakar Gharami]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Communist Party of India (Marxist)}}<br />
|Ajit Roy<br />
|{{Party name with color|Indian National Congress}}<br />
|Rahul Bauri<br />
|-<br />
| rowspan="16" bgcolor="#fec6e8" |'''29 April 2026'''<br />
| rowspan="16" |[[Purba Bardhaman district|Purba Bardhaman]]<br />
!259<br />
|[[Khandaghosh Assembly constituency|Khandaghosh (SC)]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Trinamool Congress}}<br />
|[[Nabin Chandra Bag]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Bharatiya Janata Party}}<br />
|Gautam Dhara<br />
|{{Party name with color|Communist Party of India (Marxist)}}<br />
|Ramjiban Roy<br />
|{{Party name with color|Indian National Congress}}<br />
|Arup Kumar Saha<br />
|-<br />
!260<br />
|[[Bardhaman Dakshin Assembly constituency|Bardhaman Dakshin]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Trinamool Congress}}<br />
|[[Khokan Das]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Bharatiya Janata Party}}<br />
|Moumita Biswas<br />
|{{Party name with color|Communist Party of India (Marxist)}}<br />
|Sudipta Gupta<br />
|{{Party name with color|Indian National Congress}}<br />
|Gourab Samaddar<br />
|-<br />
!261<br />
|[[Raina Assembly constituency|Raina (SC)]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Trinamool Congress}}<br />
|Madira Dalui<br />
|{{Party name with color|Bharatiya Janata Party}}<br />
|Subhash Patra<br />
|{{Party name with color|Communist Party of India (Marxist)}}<br />
|Somnath Majhi<br />
|{{Party name with color|Indian National Congress}}<br />
|Anik Saha<br />
|-<br />
!262<br />
|[[Jamalpur, West Bengal Assembly constituency|Jamalpur (SC)]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Trinamool Congress}}<br />
|Bhootnath Mallick<br />
|{{Party name with color|Bharatiya Janata Party}}<br />
|Arun Halder<br />
|{{Party name with color|Communist Party of India (Marxist)}}<br />
|[[Samar Hazra]]{{efn|MFB candidate fighting on CPI(M) symbol.}}<br />
|{{Party name with color|Indian National Congress}}<br />
|Rajib Saha<br />
|-<br />
!263<br />
|[[Monteswar Assembly constituency|Monteswar]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Trinamool Congress}}<br />
|[[Siddiqullah Chowdhury]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Bharatiya Janata Party}}<br />
|Saikat Panja<br />
|{{Party name with color|Communist Party of India (Marxist)}}<br />
|Anupam Ghosh<br />
|{{Party name with color|Indian National Congress}}<br />
|Jyotirmoy Mondal<br />
|-<br />
!264<br />
|[[Kalna Assembly constituency|Kalna (SC)]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Trinamool Congress}}<br />
|[[Deboprasad Bag]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Bharatiya Janata Party}}<br />
|Siddharth Majumdar<br />
|{{Party name with color|Communist Party of India (Marxist)}}<br />
|Sarmistha Nag Saha<br />
|{{Party name with color|Indian National Congress}}<br />
|Amal Kumar Saha<br />
|-<br />
!265<br />
|[[Memari Assembly constituency|Memari]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Trinamool Congress}}<br />
|Rasbihari Halder<br />
|{{Party name with color|Bharatiya Janata Party}}<br />
|Manav Guha<br />
|{{Party name with color|Communist Party of India (Marxist)}}<br />
|Krishanu Bhadra<br />
|{{Party name with color|Indian National Congress}}<br />
|Prabir Ganguly<br />
|-<br />
!266<br />
|[[Bardhaman Uttar Assembly constituency|Bardhaman Uttar (SC)]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Trinamool Congress}}<br />
|[[Nisith Kumar Malik]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Bharatiya Janata Party}}<br />
|Sanjay Das<br />
|{{Party name with color|Communist Party of India (Marxist)}}<br />
|Mamoni Mondal Roy<br />
|{{Party name with color|Indian National Congress}}<br />
|Sandip Das<br />
|-<br />
!267<br />
|[[Bhatar Assembly constituency|Bhatar]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Trinamool Congress}}<br />
|Shantanu Koner<br />
|{{Party name with color|Bharatiya Janata Party}}<br />
|Soumen Karfa<br />
|{{Party name with color|Communist Party of India (Marxist)}}<br />
|Hasina Khatoon<br />
|{{Party name with color|Indian National Congress}}<br />
|Dhurjati Bijoy Maji<br />
|-<br />
!268<br />
|[[Purbasthali Dakshin Assembly constituency|Purbasthali Dakshin]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Trinamool Congress}}<br />
|[[Swapan Debnath]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Bharatiya Janata Party}}<br />
|Prankrishna Tapadar<br />
|{{Party name with color|Communist Party of India (Marxist-Leninist) Liberation}}<br />
|Ziadul Sekh<br />
|{{Party name with color|Indian National Congress}}<br />
|Rabindranath Mondal<br />
|-<br />
!269<br />
|[[Purbasthali Uttar Assembly constituency|Purbasthali Uttar]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Trinamool Congress}}<br />
|Vasundhara Goswami<br />
|{{Party name with color|Bharatiya Janata Party}}<br />
|Gopal Chattopadhyay<br />
|{{Party name with color|Communist Party of India (Marxist)}}<br />
|Pradip Saha<br />
|{{Party name with color|Indian National Congress}}<br />
|Amitava Bhattacharya<br />
|-<br />
!270<br />
|[[Katwa Assembly constituency|Katwa]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Trinamool Congress}}<br />
|[[Rabindranath Chatterjee]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Bharatiya Janata Party}}<br />
|Krishna Ghosh<br />
|{{Party name with color|Communist Party of India (Marxist)}}<br />
|Sanjib Das<br />
|{{Party name with color|Indian National Congress}}<br />
|Ranajit Chatterjee<br />
|-<br />
!271<br />
|[[Ketugram Assembly constituency|Ketugram]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Trinamool Congress}}<br />
|[[Sekh Sahonawez]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Bharatiya Janata Party}}<br />
|Anadi Ghosh<br />
|{{Party name with color|Indian Secular Front}}<br />
|Qari Jakir Hossain<br />
|{{Party name with color|Indian National Congress}}<br />
|Md. Mofirul Kassem<br />
|-<br />
!272<br />
|[[Mangalkot Assembly constituency|Mangalkot]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Trinamool Congress}}<br />
|[[Apurba Chowdhury]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Bharatiya Janata Party}}<br />
|Shishir Ghosh<br />
|{{Party name with color|Communist Party of India (Marxist)}}<br />
|Miraj Alam<br />
|{{Party name with color|Indian National Congress}}<br />
|Jagadish Dutta<br />
|-<br />
!273<br />
|[[Ausgram Assembly constituency|Ausgram (SC)]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Trinamool Congress}}<br />
|Shyama Prasanna Lohar<br />
|{{Party name with color|Bharatiya Janata Party}}<br />
|Kalita Maji<br />
|{{Party name with color|Communist Party of India (Marxist)}}<br />
|Chanchal Majhi<br />
|{{Party name with color|Indian National Congress}}<br />
|Nisha Boral<br />
|-<br />
!274<br />
|[[Galsi Assembly constituency|Galsi (SC)]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Trinamool Congress}}<br />
|[[Alok Kumar Majhi]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Bharatiya Janata Party}}<br />
|Raju Patra<br />
|{{Party name with color|Communist Party of India (Marxist)}}<br />
|Monimala Das<br />
|{{Party name with color|Indian National Congress}}<br />
|Debasish Biswas<br />
|-<br />
| rowspan="20" bgcolor="#fff4a5" |'''23 April 2026'''<br />
| rowspan="9" | [[Paschim Bardhaman district|Paschim Bardhaman]]<br />
!275<br />
|[[Pandabeswar Assembly constituency|Pandabeswar]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Trinamool Congress}}<br />
|[[Narendranath Chakraborty]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Bharatiya Janata Party}}<br />
|[[Jitendra Tiwari]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Communist Party of India (Marxist)}}<br />
|Prabir Mondal<br />
|{{Party name with color|Indian National Congress}}<br />
|Uttam Kumar Roy<br />
|-<br />
!276<br />
|[[Durgapur Purba Assembly constituency|Durgapur Purba]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Trinamool Congress}}<br />
|[[Pradip Mazumdar]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Bharatiya Janata Party}}<br />
|Chandra Shekhar Banerjee<br />
|{{Party name with color|Communist Party of India (Marxist)}}<br />
|Simanta Chatterjee<br />
|{{Party name with color|Indian National Congress}}<br />
|Debesh Chakraborty<br />
|-<br />
!277<br />
|[[Durgapur Paschim Assembly constituency|Durgapur Paschim]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Trinamool Congress}}<br />
|Kavi Dutta<br />
|{{Party name with color|Bharatiya Janata Party}}<br />
|[[Lakshman Chandra Ghorui]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Communist Party of India (Marxist)}}<br />
|Pravas Sain<br />
|{{Party name with color|Indian National Congress}}<br />
|Tarun Roy<br />
|-<br />
!278<br />
|[[Raniganj, West Bengal Assembly constituency|Raniganj]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Trinamool Congress}}<br />
|Kalobaran Mondal<br />
|{{Party name with color|Bharatiya Janata Party}}<br />
|Partho Ghosh<br />
|{{Party name with color|Communist Party of India (Marxist)}}<br />
|Naran Bauri<br />
|{{Party name with color|Indian National Congress}}<br />
|Faiz Ahmed<br />
|-<br />
!279<br />
|[[Jamuria Assembly constituency|Jamuria]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Trinamool Congress}}<br />
|[[Hareram Singh]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Bharatiya Janata Party}}<br />
|Bijan Mukherjee<br />
|{{Party name with color|Communist Party of India (Marxist)}}<br />
|Md. Sabbir Hussain<br />
|{{Party name with color|Indian National Congress}}<br />
|Tarun Kumar Ganguly<br />
|-<br />
!280<br />
|[[Asansol Dakshin Assembly constituency|Asansol Dakshin]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Trinamool Congress}}<br />
|[[Tapas Banerjee]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Bharatiya Janata Party}}<br />
|[[Agnimitra Paul]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Communist Party of India (Marxist)}}<br />
|Shilpi Chakraborty<br />
|{{Party name with color|Indian National Congress}}<br />
|Souvik Mukherjee<br />
|-<br />
!281<br />
|[[Asansol Uttar Assembly constituency|Asansol Uttar]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Trinamool Congress}}<br />
|[[Moloy Ghatak]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Bharatiya Janata Party}}<br />
|Krishnendu Mukherjee<br />
|{{Party name with color|Communist Party of India}}<br />
|Akhilesh Kumar Singh<br />
|{{Party name with color|Indian National Congress}}<br />
|Prasenjit Puitandi<br />
|-<br />
!282<br />
|[[Kulti Assembly constituency|Kulti]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Trinamool Congress}}<br />
|Abhijit Ghatak<br />
|{{Party name with color|Bharatiya Janata Party}}<br />
|[[Ajay Kumar Poddar]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|All India Forward Bloc}}<br />
|Bhabani Acharya<br />
|{{Party name with color|Indian National Congress}}<br />
|Rabi Yadav<br />
|-<br />
!283<br />
|[[Barabani Assembly constituency|Barabani]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Trinamool Congress}}<br />
|[[Bidhan Upadhyay]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Bharatiya Janata Party}}<br />
|Arijit Roy<br />
|{{Party name with color|Indian Secular Front}}<br />
|Biswajit Bauri<br />
|{{Party name with color|Indian National Congress}}<br />
|Joydev Roy<br />
|-<br />
| rowspan="11" | [[Birbhum district|Birbhum]]<br />
!284<br />
|[[Dubrajpur Assembly constituency|Dubrajpur (SC)]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Trinamool Congress}}<br />
|[[Chandra Naresh Bauri]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Bharatiya Janata Party}}<br />
|[[Anup Kumar Saha]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|All India Forward Bloc}}<br />
|Bijoy Bagdi<br />
|{{Party name with color|Indian National Congress}}<br />
|Sanjoy Byapari<br />
|-<br />
!285<br />
|[[Suri Assembly constituency|Suri]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Trinamool Congress}}<br />
|[[Ujjal Chatterjee]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Bharatiya Janata Party}}<br />
|Jagannath Chattopadhyay<br />
|{{Party name with color|Communist Party of India (Marxist)}}<br />
|Motiur Rahaman<br />
|{{Party name with color|Indian National Congress}}<br />
|Sanjoy Adhikary<br />
|-<br />
!286<br />
|[[Bolpur Assembly constituency|Bolpur]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Trinamool Congress}}<br />
|[[Chandranath Sinha]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Bharatiya Janata Party}}<br />
|Dilip Kumar Ghosh<br />
|{{Party name with color|Indian Secular Front}}<br />
|Bapi Soren<br />
|{{Party name with color|Indian National Congress}}<br />
|Rathin Sen<br />
|-<br />
!287<br />
|[[Nanoor Assembly constituency|Nanoor (SC)]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Trinamool Congress}}<br />
|[[Bidhan Chandra Majhi]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Bharatiya Janata Party}}<br />
|Khokan Das<br />
|{{Party name with color|Communist Party of India (Marxist)}}<br />
|[[Shyamali Pradhan]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Indian National Congress}}<br />
|Abhay Das<br />
|-<br />
!288<br />
|[[Labpur Assembly constituency|Labpur]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Trinamool Congress}}<br />
|[[Abhijit Sinha]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Bharatiya Janata Party}}<br />
|Debasish Ojha<br />
|{{Party name with color|Communist Party of India (Marxist)}}<br />
|Mansa Hansda<br />
|{{Party name with color|Indian National Congress}}<br />
|Ratna Sen<br />
|-<br />
!289<br />
|[[Sainthia Assembly constituency|Sainthia (SC)]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Trinamool Congress}}<br />
|[[Nilabati Saha]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Bharatiya Janata Party}}<br />
|Krishna Kant Saha<br />
|{{Party name with color|Communist Party of India (Marxist)}}<br />
|Debu Chunari<br />
|{{Party name with color|Indian National Congress}}<br />
|Archana Ankur<br />
|-<br />
!290<br />
|[[Mayureswar Assembly constituency|Mayureswar]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Trinamool Congress}}<br />
|[[Abhijit Roy (politician)|Abhijit Roy]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Bharatiya Janata Party}}<br />
|Dudh Kumar Mondal<br />
|{{Party name with color|Communist Party of India (Marxist)}}<br />
|Jayanta Bhalla<br />
|{{Party name with color|Indian National Congress}}<br />
|Syed Kasafoddoza<br />
|-<br />
!291<br />
|[[Rampurhat Assembly constituency|Rampurhat]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Trinamool Congress}}<br />
|[[Asish Banerjee|Ashish Banerjee]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Bharatiya Janata Party}}<br />
|Dhruba Saha<br />
|{{Party name with color|Communist Party of India (Marxist)}}<br />
|Sanjib Mallick<br />
|{{Party name with color|Indian National Congress}}<br />
|Vivekananda Shaw<br />
|-<br />
!292<br />
|[[Hansan Assembly constituency|Hansan]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Trinamool Congress}}<br />
|Fayezul Haque <br />
|{{Party name with color|Bharatiya Janata Party}}<br />
|Nikhil Banerjee<br />
|{{Party name with color|Communist Party of India (Marxist)}}<br />
|Kamal Hasan<br />
|{{Party name with color|Indian National Congress}}<br />
|[[Milton Rashid]]<br />
|-<br />
!293<br />
|[[Nalhati Assembly constituency|Nalhati]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Trinamool Congress}}<br />
|[[Rajendra Prasad Singh (Birbhum politician)|Rajendra Prasad Singh]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Bharatiya Janata Party}}<br />
|Anil Singh<br />
|{{Party name with color|All India Forward Bloc}}<br />
|Dipak Chatterjee<br />
|{{Party name with color|Indian National Congress}}<br />
|Abdul Karim<br />
|-<br />
!294<br />
|[[Murarai Assembly constituency|Murarai]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Trinamool Congress}}<br />
|[[Mosarraf Hossain]]<br />
|{{Party name with color|Bharatiya Janata Party}}<br />
|Rinki Ghosh<br />
|{{Party name with color|Communist Party of India (Marxist)}}<br />
|Md. Ali Reza Mandal<br />
|{{Party name with color|Indian National Congress}}<br />
|Sanjibur Rahaman<br />
|-<br />
|}<br />
<br />
== Surveys and polls ==<br />
<br />
=== Opinion polls ===<br />
<br />
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;font-size:95%;line-height:16px;"<br />
|+ Seat projections<br />
! rowspan="2" | Polling Agency<br />
! rowspan="2" | Date Published<br />
! rowspan="2" | Sample size<br />
! rowspan="2" | Margin of Error<br />
| bgcolor="{{party color|Trinamool Congress}}"|<br />
| bgcolor="{{party color|Bharatiya Janata Party}}"|<br />
| bgcolor="{{party color|Others}}" |<br />
! rowspan="2" | Lead<br />
|-<br />
! [[Trinamool Congress|AITC+]] <br />
! [[Bharatiya Janata Party|BJP]] <br />
! Others<br />
|-<br />
|[[Indo-Asian News Service|IANS]]-Matrize<ref name="MatrizeNews-2026" /><ref name="IANS-Matrize-2026" /><ref name="Chanchal-2026" /><ref name="Moneycontrol-2026a" /><br />
|15 March 2026<br />
|22630<br />
|±3%<br />
|style="width:15%;"Style="background-color:{{party color|All India Trinamool Congress}}; color:white"|'''155-170'''<br />
|100-115<br />
|5-7<br />
|style="width:15%;"Style="background-color:{{party color|All India Trinamool Congress}}; color:white"|'''40-70'''<br />
|-<br />
|VoteVibe [[CNN-News18]] Opinion Poll-1<ref>{{Cite web |date=23 March 2026 |title=Bengal Election 2026: Opinion Poll Predicts Comfortable Victory For TMC; Mamata Preferred CM Choice |url=https://www.news18.com/india/bengal-election-2026-opinion-poll-predicts-comfortable-victory-for-tmc-mamata-preferred-cm-choice-9993084.html |access-date=24 March 2026 |website=News18}}</ref><ref name="Moneycontrol-2026b" /><br />
|23 March 2026<br />
|128360<br />
|±3%<br />
|style="width:15%;"Style="background-color:{{party color|All India Trinamool Congress}}; color:white"|'''184-200'''<br />
|98-108<br />
|1-3<br />
|style="width:15%;"Style="background-color:{{party color|All India Trinamool Congress}}; color:white"|'''76-96'''<br />
|-<br />
|VoteVibe [[News18 Bangla|CNN-News18]] Opinion Poll-2<ref name="Bangla-2026a">{{Cite web |date=30 March 2026 |title=West Bengal Opinion Poll 2: আসন সংখ্যা বাড়ল বিজেপির, তবে বাংলায় বিপুল ভোটে সরকার গড়বে তৃণমূল কংগ্রেস! News18-এর ওপিনিয়ন পোল 2-এ ইঙ্গিত |url=https://bengali.news18.com/news/kolkata/west-bengal-opinion-poll-2-will-mamata-banerjee-return-as-the-cm-or-is-there-a-surprise-know-what-the-opinion-poll-suggests-rc-2610622.html |access-date=30 March 2026 |website=News18 Bangla}}</ref><br />
|30 March 2026<br />
|128360<br />
|±3%<br />
|style="width:15%;"Style="background-color:{{party color|All India Trinamool Congress}}; color:white"|'''169-179'''<br />
|113-123<br />
|1-3<br />
|style="width:15%;"Style="background-color:{{party color|All India Trinamool Congress}}; color:white"|'''46-66'''<br />
|-<br />
|VoteVibe [[CNN-News18|CNN News18]] Opinion Poll-3<ref name="Bangla-2026b">{{Cite web |date=6 April 2026 |title=West Bengal Opinion Poll: বাংলায় এবার হাড্ডাহাড্ডি লড়াই? কত আসন পেতে পারে তৃণমূল-বিজেপি, News 18-এর তৃতীয় জনমত সমীক্ষায় বড় ইঙ্গিত |url=https://bengali.news18.com/news/kolkata/news-18-opinion-poll-3-hints-at-tmc-bjp-close-fight-in-west-bengal-assembly-elections-dmg-2620258.html |access-date=8 April 2026 |website=News18 Bangla}}</ref><br />
|6 April 2026<br />
|128360<br />
|±3%<br />
|style="width:15%;"Style="background-color:{{party color|All India Trinamool Congress}}; color:white"|'''159-169'''<br />
|120-130<br />
|3-7<br />
|style="width:15%;"Style="background-color:{{party color|All India Trinamool Congress}}; color:white"|'''29-49'''<br />
|-<br />
|Matrize-[[ABP News]]<ref name="Bhat-2026">{{Cite web |last=Bhat |first=Vinita |date=30 March 2026 |title=Bengal Assembly Elections Opinion Poll 2026: TMC Slightly Ahead Of BJP in Tight Bengal Race |url=https://news.abplive.com/elections/opinion-poll-2026-live-results-west-bengal-who-will-win-election-projections-mamata-banerjee-tmc-bjp-suvendu-adhikari-live-updates-1834932 |access-date=6 January 2026 |website=ABP Live |language=en}}</ref><br />
|6 April 2026<br />
|–<br />
|–<br />
|style="width:15%;"Style="background-color:{{party color|All India Trinamool Congress}}; color:white"|'''140-160'''<br />
|130-150<br />
|8-16<br />
|style="width:15%;"Style="background-color:{{party color|Others}}; color:"Blue"|'''Hung'''<br />
|}<br />
<br />
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;font-size:95%;line-height:16px;"<br />
|+ Vote share projections<br />
! rowspan="2" | Polling Agency<br />
! rowspan="2" | Date Published<br />
! rowspan="2" | Sample size<br />
! rowspan="2" | Margin of Error<br />
| bgcolor="{{party color|Trinamool Congress}}"|<br />
| bgcolor="{{party color|Bharatiya Janata Party}}"|<br />
| bgcolor="{{party color|Others}}" |<br />
! rowspan="2" | Lead<br />
|-<br />
! [[Trinamool Congress|AITC+]]<br />
! [[Bharatiya Janata Party|BJP]]<br />
! Others<br />
|-<br />
|[[Indo-Asian News Service|IANS]]-Matrize<ref name="MatrizeNews-2026">{{Cite web |date=15 March 2026 |title=l679Press_Release_+_Opinion_Poll_@_5_STATES |url=https://www.abplive.com/videos/news/opinion-poll-2026-dates-fixed-in-5-states-find-out-who-will-form-the-government-now-tmc-bjp-congress-3101910 |access-date=20 March 2026 |website=MatrizeNews}}</ref><ref name="IANS-Matrize-2026">{{cite web |url=https://matrizenews.com/admin/upl_xls/l679Press_Release_+_Opinion_Poll_@_5_STATES.pdf |title=l679Press_Release_+_Opinion_Poll_@_5_STATES |author=IANS-Matrize |date=15 March 2026 |website=MatrizeNews |access-date=21 March 2026}}<br />
</ref><ref name="Chanchal-2026">{{Cite web |last=Chanchal |date=16 March 2026 |title=BJP surge in West Bengal, neck-and-neck fight for Stalin in Tamil Nadu - What opinion poll predicts |url=https://www.livemint.com/elections/assembly-elections/bjp-surge-in-west-bengal-neck-and-neck-for-stalin-in-tamil-nadu-what-opinion-poll-predicts-11773659721367.html |access-date=21 March 2026 |website=mint |language=en}}</ref><ref name="Moneycontrol-2026a">{{Cite web |date=16 March 2026 |title=West Bengal elections: Opinion poll predicts edge for TMC but big rise in BJP's seat tally |url=https://www.moneycontrol.com/news/india/west-bengal-elections-opinion-poll-predicts-edge-for-tmc-but-big-rise-in-bjp-s-seat-tally-13861737.html |website=Moneycontrol}}</ref><br />
|15 March 2026<br />
|22630<br />
|±3%<br />
|style="width:15%;"Style="background-color:{{party color|All India Trinamool Congress}}; color:white"|'''43-45%'''<br />
|41-43%<br />
|12-16%<br />
|style="width:15%;"Style="background-color:{{party color|All India Trinamool Congress}}; color:white"|'''0-4%'''<br />
|-<br />
|VoteVibe [[CNN-News18]]Opinion Poll-1<ref name="Moneycontrol-2026b">{{Cite web |date=23 March 2026 |title=West Bengal polls: TMC set for fourth straight win, BJP to make big gains, predicts opinion poll |url=https://www.moneycontrol.com/news/india/can-bjp-end-mamata-banerjee-s-reign-in-west-bengal-here-s-what-opinion-poll-predicted-13868438.html |access-date=24 March 2026 |website=Moneycontrol}}</ref><br />
|23 March 2026<br />
|128360<br />
|±3%<br />
|style="width:15%;"Style="background-color:{{party color|All India Trinamool Congress}}; color:white"|'''41.9%'''<br />
|34.9%<br />
|22%<br />
|style="width:15%;"Style="background-color:{{party color|All India Trinamool Congress}}; color:white"|'''7%'''<br />
|-<br />
|VoteVibe [[News18 Bangla|CNN-News18]] Opinion Poll-2<ref name="Bangla-2026a" /><br />
|30 March 2026<br />
|128360<br />
|±3%<br />
|style="width:15%;"Style="background-color:{{party color|All India Trinamool Congress}}; color:white"|'''43.4%'''<br />
|38.1%<br />
|18%<br />
|style="width:15%;"Style="background-color:{{party color|All India Trinamool Congress}}; color:white"|'''5.3%'''<br />
|-<br />
|VoteVibe [[CNN-News18|CNN News18]] Opinion Poll-3<ref name="Bangla-2026b" /><br />
|6 April 2026<br />
|128360<br />
|±3%<br />
|style="width:15%;"Style="background-color:{{party color|All India Trinamool Congress}}; color:white"|'''43.7%'''<br />
|39.7%<br />
|16%<br />
|style="width:15%;"Style="background-color:{{party color|All India Trinamool Congress}}; color:white"|'''4%'''<br />
|-<br />
|Matrize-[[ABP News]]<ref name="Bhat-2026" /><br />
|6 April 2026<br />
|–<br />
|–<br />
|style="width:15%;"Style="background-color:{{party color|All India Trinamool Congress}}; color:white"|'''43%'''<br />
|41%<br />
|16%<br />
|style="width:15%;"Style="background-color:{{party color|All India Trinamool Congress}}; color:white"|'''2%'''<br />
|-<br />
|[[CVoter]] Opinion Poll<ref>{{Cite web |date=8 April 2026 |title=West Bengal Elections 2026: C-VOTER Opinion Poll Predicts Close Fight Between TMC And BJP |url=https://www.news18.com/elections/west-bengal-elections-2026-c-voter-opinion-poll-predicts-close-fight-between-tmc-and-bjp-ws-l-10021377.html |access-date=10 April 2026 |website=CNN News 18}}</ref><br />
|8 April 2026<br />
|–<br />
|–<br />
|style="width:15%;"Style="background-color:{{party color|All India Trinamool Congress}}; color:white"|'''44%'''<br />
|40%<br />
|16%<br />
|style="width:15%;"Style="background-color:{{party color|All India Trinamool Congress}}; color:white"|'''4%'''<br />
|-<br />
|Chanakya Strategies [[ABP News]]<ref>{{Cite web |last=Ananda |first=Abp |date=8 April 2026 |title=West Bengal Assembly Elections 2026: এবার বাংলার মসনদে কে, কড়া টক্কর বিরোধীদের? না কি সবুজ ঝড়ই, কী বলছে ওপিনিয়ন পোল? |url=https://bengali.abplive.com/elections/west-bengal-assembly-elections-2026-opinion-poll-tmc-bjp-congress-cpm-possible-vote-count-of-each-political-party-1172319 |access-date=11 April 2026 |website=Abp Ananda}}</ref><br />
|8 April 2026<br />
|–<br />
|–<br />
|style="width:15%;"Style="background-color:{{party color|All India Trinamool Congress}}; color:white"|'''45-47%'''<br />
|40-42%<br />
|12-16%<br />
|style="width:15%;"Style="background-color:{{party color|All India Trinamool Congress}}; color:white"|'''3-7%'''<br />
|}<br />
<br />
=== Exit polls ===<br />
<br />
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;font-size:95%;line-height:16px;"<br />
|+ Seat projections<br />
! rowspan="2" | Polling Agency<br />
! rowspan="2" | Date Published<br />
| bgcolor="{{party color|Trinamool Congress}}"|<br />
| bgcolor="{{party color|Bharatiya Janata Party}}"|<br />
| bgcolor="{{party color|Others}}" |<br />
! rowspan="2" | Lead<br />
|-<br />
! [[Trinamool Congress|AITC+]]<br />
! [[Bharatiya Janata Party|BJP]]<br />
! Others<br />
|-<br />
|P-MARQ<br />
| rowspan="8" |Apr 29, 2026<ref>{{Cite news |date=2026-04-29 |title=Bengal exit polls 2026: Combined projections point to neck-and-neck TMC-BJP race; hung house likely |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/bengal-exit-polls-2026-bjp-predicted-to-unseat-mamata-banerjee-tmc-staring-at-setback/articleshow/130609663.cms |access-date=2026-04-30 |work=The Times of India |issn=0971-8257}}</ref><br />
|118-138<br />
|style="width:15%;"Style="background-color:{{party color|Bharatiya Janata Party}}; color:white"|'''150-175'''<br />
|2-6<br />
|style="width:15%;"Style="background-color:{{party color|Bharatiya Janata Party}}; color:white"|'''12-57'''<br />
|-<br />
|Matrize<br />
|125-140<br />
|style="width:15%;"Style="background-color:{{party color|Bharatiya Janata Party}}; color:white"|'''146-161'''<br />
|6-10<br />
|style="width:15%;"Style="background-color:{{party color|Bharatiya Janata Party}}; color:white"|'''6-36'''<br />
|-<br />
|Chanakya Strategies<br />
|130-140<br />
|style="width:15%;"Style="background-color:{{party color|Bharatiya Janata Party}}; color:white"|'''150-160'''<br />
|6-10<br />
|style="width:15%;"Style="background-color:{{party color|Bharatiya Janata Party}}; color:white"|'''10-30'''<br />
|-<br />
|People's Pulse<br />
|style="width:15%;"Style="background-color:{{party color|Trinamool Congress}}; color:white"|'''177-187'''<br />
|95-110<br />
|0-2<br />
|style="width:15%;"Style="background-color:{{party color|Trinamool Congress}}; color:white"|'''77-82'''<br />
|-<br />
|JVC<br />
|131-152<br />
|'''138-159'''<br />
|0-2<br />
|style="background:gray; color:white" |Hung<br />
|-<br />
|Poll Diary<br />
|99-127<br />
|style="width:15%;"Style="background-color:{{party color|Bharatiya Janata Party}}; color:white"|'''142-171'''<br />
|5-9<br />
|style="width:15%;"Style="background-color:{{party color|Bharatiya Janata Party}}; color:white"|'''43-44'''<br />
|-<br />
|Praja Poll<ref>{{Cite web |last=Chakraborty |first=Sagarika |date=2026-04-29 |title=Praja Poll Projects BJP Government In West Bengal In 2026 Exit Poll |url=https://news.abplive.com/elections/praja-poll-projects-bjp-government-in-west-bengal-in-2026-exit-poll-1839495 |access-date=2026-04-30 |website=ABP Live |language=en}}</ref><br />
|85-110<br />
|style="width:15%;"Style="background-color:{{party color|Bharatiya Janata Party}}; color:white"|'''178-208'''<br />
|0-5<br />
|style="width:15%;"Style="background-color:{{party color|Bharatiya Janata Party}}; color:white"|'''93-98'''<br />
|-<br />
|People's Insight<ref>{{Cite web |last=Bharatvarsh |first=TV9 |date=2026-04-29 |title=People's Insight Exit Poll Result 2026: असम, तमिलनाडु से लेकर पश्चिम बंगाल तक... 4 राज्यों में किसकी सरकार? |url=https://www.tv9hindi.com/india/peoples-insight-exit-poll-results-2026-assam-tamil-nadu-kerala-whose-government-these-4-states-3768920.html |access-date=2026-04-30 |website=TV9 Bharatvarsh |language=hi}}</ref><br />
|138-150<br />
|'''144-154'''<br />
|0-2<br />
|style="background:gray; color:white" |Hung<br />
|-<br />
|Today's Chanakya<ref>{{Cite news |last=Soni |first=Mallika |date=30 April 2026 |title=Chanakya exit poll West Bengal Election 2026 |url=https://www.news18.com/india/chanakya-exit-poll-west-bengal-election-2026-bjp-vs-tmc-seats-results-prediction-10066210.html |work=[[News18]]}}</ref><br />
| rowspan="2" |Apr 30, 2026<br />
|100 ± 11<br />
|style="width:15%;"Style="background-color:{{party color|Bharatiya Janata Party}}; color:white"|'''192 ± 11'''<br />
|2 ± 2<br />
|style="width:15%;"Style="background-color:{{party color|Bharatiya Janata Party}}; color:white"|'''92''' <br />
|-<br />
|CNN-News18 - VoteVibe<ref>{{Cite web |date=2026-04-30 |title=West Bengal exit polls: CNN-News18 Vote Vibe predicts BJP ahead with 143–163 seats, TMC at 127–147 - CNBC TV18 |url=https://www.cnbctv18.com/india/politics/west-bengal-exit-polls-cnn-news18-vote-vibe-predicts-bjp-ahead-with-143-163-seats-tmc-at-127-147-ws-l-19896976.htm |access-date=2026-04-30 |website=CNBCTV18 |language=en}}</ref><br />
|127-147<br />
|style="width:15%;"Style="background-color:{{party color|Bharatiya Janata Party}}; color:white"|'''143-163'''<br />
|0-6<br />
|style="width:15%;"Style="background-color:{{party color|Bharatiya Janata Party}}; color:white"|'''16'''<br />
|}<br />
<br />
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;font-size:95%;line-height:16px;"<br />
|+ Vote share projections<br />
! rowspan="2" | Polling Agency<br />
! rowspan="2" | Date Published<br />
| bgcolor="{{party color|Trinamool Congress}}"|<br />
| bgcolor="{{party color|Bharatiya Janata Party}}"|<br />
| bgcolor="{{party color|Others}}" |<br />
! rowspan="2" | Lead<br />
|-<br />
! [[Trinamool Congress|AITC+]]<br />
! [[Bharatiya Janata Party|BJP]]<br />
! Others<br />
|-<br />
|People's Pulse<ref>{{Cite web |date=2026-04-29 |title=People’s Pulse exit poll: Trinamool Congress set for a comfortable win in West Bengal |url=https://thesouthfirst.com/topright/peoples-pulse-exit-poll-trinamool-congress-set-for-comfortable-win-in-west-bengal/ |access-date=2026-04-30 |website=The South First {{!}} News, Politics, Sports, Entertainment & Live Updates |language=en-IN}}</ref><br />
|Apr 29, 2026<br />
|style="width:15%;"Style="background-color:{{party color|Trinamool Congress}}; color:white"|'''47.2%'''<br />
|41.5%<br />
|11.3%<br />
|style="width:15%;"Style="background-color:{{party color|Trinamool Congress}}; color:white"|'''5.7%'''<br />
|-<br />
|Today's Chanakya<ref>{{Cite web |title=Analysis on West Bengal |url=https://www.todayschanakya.com/west-bengal-assembly-election-analysis-2026.html |access-date=2026-04-30 |website=www.todayschanakya.com}}</ref><br />
|Apr 30, 2026<br />
|38% ± 3%<br />
|tyle="width:15%;"Style="background-color:{{party color|Bharatiya Janata Party}}; color:white"|'''48% ± 3%'''<br />
|14% ± 3%<br />
|tyle="width:15%;"Style="background-color:{{party color|Bharatiya Janata Party}}; color:white"|'''10%'''<br />
|}<br />
<br />
==Voting==<br />
===Vote statistics===<br />
<br />
According to the [[Election Commission of India]], 70,459,284 voters were eligible to vote in the assembly elections in West Bengal. This includes 36,022,642 male, 34,435,260 female, and 1,382 [[third gender]].<ref name="The Indian Express-2026">{{Cite web |date=28 February 2026 |title=West Bengal Voter List: Over 63 Lakh Names Deleted in Final Roll |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/kolkata/west-bengal-sir-final-voter-list-names-deleted-10557359/ |access-date=15 March 2026 |website=The Indian Express |language=en |last=Mitra |first=Atri}}</ref><br />
<br />
As per the [[Election Commission of India]], a total of 9,102,577 voters were removed since October 2025 during the entire program of [[Special Intensive Revision]], shrinking total eligible voters by 11.88% to 67,534,952 compared to 76,637,529 in October 2025.<ref>{{Cite news |author1=Shiv Sahay Singh |author2=Shrabana Chatterjee |date=8 April 2026 |title=Electorate shrinks 12% since October, with the fresh exclusion of 27 lakh voters under adjudication |url=https://www.thehindu.com/elections/west-bengal-assembly/west-bengal-sir-voter-deletions-electoral-rolls-after-judicial-scrutiny/article70833724.ece |access-date=8 April 2026 |work=The Hindu |pages=1}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Bhattacharya |first=Aparna |date=8 April 2026 |title=Nearly 89 Lakh Names Removed: Five Takeaways on the Bengal SIR's Brutal Math |url=https://thewire.in/rights/nearly-89-lakh-names-removed-five-takeaways-on-the-bengal-sirs-brutal-math |access-date=8 April 2026 |work=The Wire}}</ref> After addition through additional supplementary lists, the final voter count stood at 68,251,008.<br />
<br />
The second and final phase of voting across 142 constituencies concluded on 29 April 2026, with the Election Commission deploying over 350,000 security personnel statewide — including the [[National Investigation Agency]] for the first time in a state election — amid reports of localised violence in Howrah and Hooghly districts.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.indiatvnews.com/west-bengal/news-west-bengal-phase-2-voting-live-polling-across-142-seats-to-begin-shortly-west-bengal-assembly-election-mamata-banerjee-suvendu-adhikari-2026-04-29-1039257|title=West Bengal Phase 2 voting: 91.36% turnout recorded in second phase|first1=India TV News|last1=Desk|first2=India TV|last2=News|date=29 April 2026|website=India TV News}}</ref> There were 85,379 polling booths and about 4.5 lakh polling officers involved in the election.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Service |first=Statesman News |date=2026-04-04 |title=EC boosts West Bengal poll preparedness with 4,660 new auxiliary booths |url=https://www.thestatesman.com/bengal/ec-boosts-west-bengal-poll-preparedness-with-4660-new-auxiliary-booths-1503577689.html |access-date=2026-05-02 |website=The Statesman |language=en}}</ref> <br />
<br />
===Voting turnout===<br />
{{Multiple image<br />
| image1 = Voters standing in a queue to cast their votes at a polling station during the 2nd phase of West Bengal Assembly Election 2026 at Howrah Dakshin Assembly constituency, in West Bengal on April 29, 2026 (1).jpg<br />
| caption1 = Voter queue outside a booth in Howrah district<br />
| image2 = Glimpses of the Enthusiastic voters standing in queues at the Polling Stations of Akhriganj High Madrasa near Bangladesh Border in Murshidabad District of West Bengal on April 23, 2026.jpg<br />
| caption2 = Voting procedures inside a polling booth in Murshidabad district<br />
| total_width = 350<br />
}}<br />
A huge and historic voter turnout of about 93% was recorded in the state, surpassing the previous record of 84% in 2011 assembly, when the 34 year rule of the Left Front fell to TMC.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Jaiswal |first=Arushi |last2= |first2= |date=2026-04-29 |title=West Bengal records historic turnout, crosses 92 per cent polling in two phases |url=https://www.indiatvnews.com/west-bengal/news-west-bengal-records-historic-turnout-crosses-92-per-cent-polling-in-two-phases-latest-updates-2026-04-29-1039356 |access-date=2026-05-02 |website=India TV News |language=en}}</ref> Over 6.3 crore votes were cast, at least 30 lakh more than the previous assembly and parliamentary elections in 2021 and 2024 respectively, inspite of a decrease of near 11% in voter list.<ref>{{Cite news |date=30 April 2026 |title=What do 34 lakh extra votes mean for Bengal: Shift towards BJP or TMC resilience? |url=https://www.moneycontrol.com/news/india/what-do-34-lakh-extra-votes-mean-for-bengal-shift-towards-bjp-or-tmc-resilience-13904303.html |access-date=2 May 2026 |work=Moneycontrol}}</ref> Analysts cite the high voter turnout mainly due to the following possibilities<ref>{{Cite web |last=Bhattashali |first=Amitava |last2=Roy |first2=Prattush |date=2026-04-24 |title=পশ্চিমবঙ্গ বিধানসভা নির্বাচনে রেকর্ড পরিমাণ ভোট পড়ার কারণ কী? |url=https://www.bbc.com/bengali/articles/c208308k400o |access-date=2026-05-02 |website=BBC News বাংলা |language=bn |publication-place=Kolkata and Delhi}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Adhikary |first=Satabdi |date=30 April 2026 |title=ইতিহাসে কোনওদিন এত ভোট পড়েনি...কলকাতায় কোথায় কত ভোট? কারণ আন্দাজ বিশ্লেষকদের |url=https://bengali.news18.com/news/kolkata/west-bengal-assembly-elections-2026-t-nearly-90-kolkata-hits-all-time-high-turnout-sta-2656565.html |work=News18 Bangla}}</ref>:<br />
* The conduction of SIR in the state before the election, removed about 60 lakh ASDD (Absent, Shifted, Dead and Duplicate) voter entries leading to reduced total voters and a high turnout.<br />
* Due to high deletion in the voter list, voters have felt importance to cast vote and use their democratic rights. Some, especially muslims and Bangladeshi refugees, feared if they don't, it may create problems in their future voting rights, further leading to cancellation of other government facilities or even citizenship.<br />
* Media reported high numbers of migrant labours coming from other states for the election. Upon one viral video from Gujarat, TMC accused BJP of breaching Election code by arranging train tickets, foods in other states.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Ghosh |first=Shubhojyoti |date=2026-04-22 |title=পশ্চিমবঙ্গে ভোট: পরিযায়ী শ্রমিকদের ঘরে ফেরার ঢল নিয়ে বিজেপির বিরুদ্ধে অভিযোগ তৃণমূল কংগ্রেসের |url=https://www.bbc.com/bengali/articles/cq8wjl1lnvno |access-date=2026-05-02 |website=BBC News বাংলা |language=bn}}</ref><br />
* Possibilities of potential anti-incumbency like the previous 2011 election and a general trend all over the world during ruling party change in elections.<br />
* In urban centres, mainly Kolkata metropolis, the usual low turnout trend changed. One of the main reason was the setting up of new booths in high rises and housing complexes. The residents, especially aged persons, felt excitement, ease and comfort in that while avoiding possibilities of poll violence outside.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Bannerjee |first=Sudeshna |date=1 May 2026 |title=New Town complexes vote at home |url=https://www.telegraphindia.com/elections/west-bengal-assembly-election-2026/new-town-complexes-vote-at-home-prnt/cid/2158543 |work=The Telegraph India}}</ref> In previous elections, there were cases of such high rises and complexes being locked up by mobs linked to the ruling party TMC, during the elections. Such cases done by the ruling party, had been observed since the [[Left Front government in West Bengal|left era]].<ref>{{Cite news |last=Gangopadhyay |first=Prabal |date=1 March 2026 |title=তালা পড়া আবাসনে এ বার নিজস্ব বুথ, স্বস্তিতে ভোটারেরা |url=https://www.anandabazar.com/west-bengal/kolkata/central-election-commission-has-decided-to-set-up-booths-in-large-residential-areas-on-election-day-based-on-the-number-of-voters-in-kolkata-prnt/cid/1671129 |access-date=1 May 2026 |work=[[Anandabazar Patrika]]}}</ref> TMC continuously opposed setting up of such booths by ECI.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Bengal Polls 2026: BJP, TMC engage in war of words over high-rise polling booths |url=https://www.deccanherald.com/india/west-bengal/bjp-tmc-engage-in-war-of-words-over-high-rise-polling-booths-in-west-bengal-3898648 |access-date=2026-05-02 |website=Deccan Herald |language=en}}</ref> <br />
<br />
==== Voting turnout by phase ====<br />
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;"<br />
! Phase <br />
! Gender<br />
! colspan="2"|Turnout<br />
|-<br />
|rowspan="3" bgcolor="#fff4a5"|'''Phase 1'''<ref>https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2255010&reg=3&lang=2</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=26 April 2026 |title=প্রথম দফায় এগিয়ে মহিলা ভোটারেরা |url=https://www.anandabazar.com/elections/west-bengal-assembly-election/in-percentage-terms-the-voting-rate-among-women-is-higher-than-that-of-men-prnt/cid/1683103 |work=Anandabazar Patrika}}</ref><br />
|Male<br />
|92.33%<br />
|rowspan="3"|93.19% <br />
|-<br />
|Female<br />
|94.09%<br />
|-<br />
|3rd Gender<br />
|94.62%<br />
|-<br />
|rowspan="3" bgcolor="#fec6e8"|'''Phase 2'''<ref>https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2256756&reg=3&lang=2</ref><br />
|Male<br />
|91.07%<br />
|rowspan="3"|92.67%<br />
|-<br />
|Female<br />
|92.28%<br />
|-<br />
|3rd Gender<br />
|91.28%<br />
|-<br />
!colspan="2"|Total<br />
!colspan="2"|92.93%<br />
|}<br />
<br />
====Voting turnout by district====<br />
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center;"<br />
! Phase <br />
! District<br />
! colspan="2"|Seats<br />
! colspan="2"|Turnout<br />
|-<br />
|rowspan="16" bgcolor="#fff4a5"|'''Phase 1'''<br />
! [[Cooch Behar district|Cooch Behar]]<br />
|9<br />
|rowspan="16"|152<br />
|96.04%<br />
|rowspan="16"|93.19%<br />
|-<br />
! [[Alipurduar district|Alipurduar]]<br />
|5<br />
|93.20%<br />
|-<br />
! [[Jalpaiguri district|Jalpaiguri]]<br />
|7<br />
|94.76%<br />
|-<br />
! [[Kalimpong district|Kalimpong]]<br />
|1<br />
|83.04%<br />
|-<br />
! [[Darjeeling district|Darjeeling]]<br />
|5<br />
|88.98%<br />
|-<br />
! [[Uttar Dinajpur district|Uttar Dinajpur]]<br />
|9<br />
|94.16%<br />
|-<br />
! [[Dakshin Dinajpur district|Dakshin Dinajpur]]<br />
|6<br />
|95.44%<br />
|-<br />
! [[Malda district|Malda]]<br />
|12<br />
|94.79%<br />
|-<br />
! [[Murshidabad district|Murshidabad]]<br />
|22<br />
|93.67%<br />
|-<br />
! [[Purba Medinipur district|Purba Medinipur]]<br />
|16<br />
|92.75%<br />
|-<br />
! [[Paschim Medinipur district|Paschim Medinipur]]<br />
|15<br />
|92.19%<br />
|-<br />
! [[Jhargram district|Jhargram]]<br />
|4<br />
|92.26%<br />
|-<br />
! [[Purulia district|Purulia]]<br />
|9<br />
|91.59%<br />
|-<br />
! [[Bankura district|Bankura]]<br />
|12<br />
|92.55%<br />
|-<br />
! [[Paschim Bardhaman district|Paschim Bardhaman]]<br />
|9<br />
|90.32%<br />
|-<br />
! [[Birbhum district|Birbhum]]<br />
|11<br />
|94.51%<br />
|-<br />
|rowspan="7" bgcolor="#fec6e8"|'''Phase 2'''<br />
![[Nadia district|Nadia]]<br />
|17<br />
|rowspan="7"|142<br />
|92.14%<br />
|rowspan="7"|92.67%<br />
|-<br />
![[North 24 Parganas district|North 24 Parganas]]<br />
|33<br />
|92.92%<br />
|-<br />
![[South 24 Parganas district|South 24 Parganas]]<br />
|31<br />
|93.48%<br />
|-<br />
![[Kolkata district|Kolkata]]<br />
|11<br />
|88.60%<br />
|-<br />
![[Howrah district|Howrah]]<br />
|16<br />
|92.59%<br />
|-<br />
![[Hooghly district|Hooghly]]<br />
|18<br />
|91.98%<br />
|-<br />
![[Purba Bardhaman district|Purba Bardhaman]]<br />
|16<br />
|93.83%<br />
|-<br />
!colspan="2"|Total<br />
!colspan="2"|294<br />
!colspan="2"|92.93%<br />
|}<br />
<br />
===Repoll===<br />
After receiving complaints about obstructing EVM buttons of opposition candidates with tapes, bubble gums or inking the opposition candidates' name and symbol by TMC cadre, the ECI took steps to verify these claims.<ref>{{Cite web |last= |first= |title=ইভিএমে বিজেপির প্রতীকের ওপর টেপ! ফলতায় মারাত্মক জালিয়াতির অভিযোগ, কমিশনের দ্বারস্থ পদ্মশিবির |url=https://bengali.indianexpress.com/west-bengal/falta-evm-tampering-allegation-debangshu-panda-diamond-harbour-model-11777384 |access-date=2026-05-01 |website=bengali.indianexpress.com |language=bn}}</ref> Such cases were also observed in last [[2024 Indian general election|general election]] in 2024.<ref>{{Cite news |date=9 June 2024 |title=ডায়মন্ড হারবারের কিছু বুথে বিরোধীদের ভোট নামমাত্র! |url=https://www.anandabazar.com/elections/lok-sabha-election-2024/bjp-moves-to-election-commission-demanding-re-poll-in-various-booths-of-diamond-harbour-and-mathurapur-lok-sabha-dgtl/cid/1521153 |work=[[Anandabazar Patrika]]}}</ref> After verifying these cases, the ECI decided to do repoll in 15 booths of two assembly constituencies: 11 in [[Magrahat Paschim Assembly constituency|Magrahat Paschim]] and 4 in [[Diamond Harbour Assembly constituency|Diamond Harbour]] on 2 May, 2026.<ref>{{Cite web |last=চক্রবর্তী |first=শুভ্রজিৎ চক্রবর্তী,দেবদীপ |date=2026-05-01 |title=রাজ্যের একাধিক বুথে পুনর্নির্বাচনের ঘোষণা কমিশনের, কোন কোন কেন্দ্রে রিপোল? |url=https://eisamay.com/west-bengal-news/kolkata-news/wb-election-2026-repolling-announced-in-several-booths-ceo-order-magrahat-and-other-sensitive-areas-list/200497512.cms |access-date=2026-05-01 |website=Eisamay Online |language=bn}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Sengupta |first=Buddhadeb |title=দক্ষিণ ২৪ পরগনার ১৫টি বুথে পুনর্নির্বাচন, ফের কবে ভোটাভুটি? |url=https://www.sangbadpratidin.in/west-bengal-assembly-election/news/west-bengal-assembly-election-election-commission-announces-repoll/pid/1185707/ |access-date=2026-05-01 |website=sangbadpratidin |language=bn}}</ref> Beside that, due to heavy breaching in election procedures and EVM tampering, the whole assembly constituency of [[Falta Assembly constituency|Falta]] was scheduled to be repolled on 21 May with counting and result on 24 May.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2 May 2026 |editor-last=Tiwari |editor-first=Vaibhav |title="Subversion Of Democratic Process": Bengal's Falta To See Repolling On May 21 |url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/poll-body-announces-repolling-in-all-285-polling-stations-in-west-bengals-falta-cites-subversion-of-democratic-process-11440564 |work=[[NDTV]]}}</ref><br />
<br />
== Results ==<br />
The votes will be counted and results will be announced on 4th May, 2026. There were 77 counting centres across the state.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Arora |first=Kamna |date=2026-05-01 |title=West Bengal to count votes at 77 centres: Full list of venues across districts |url=https://www.thestatesman.com/bengal/bengal-counting-centres-full-list-77-ec-results-1503588323.html |access-date=2026-05-02 |website=The Statesman |language=en}}</ref><br />
{| class="wikitable" style="width:300px; text-align:center; border:2px solid red;"<br />
|-<br />
! colspan="2" style="background:#ffcccc; font-size:120%;" | 🔴 LIVE RESULTS<br />
|-<br />
| colspan="2" | [[File:ECI Logo.svg|50px]]<br />
|-<br />
| '''Source'''<br />
| [https://results.eci.gov.in/ResultAcGenMay2026/partywiseresult-S25.htm Election Commission of India]<br />
|-<br />
| '''Last updated'''<br />
| 4 May 2026, 11:48 AM IST<br />
|-<br />
| '''Status'''<br />
| Counting in progress<br />
|-<br />
! colspan="2" | '''Trends (Leads/Won)'''<br />
|-<br />
| '''AITC+'''<br />
| 84/0<br />
|-<br />
| '''BJP'''<br />
| 171/0<br />
|-<br />
|'''LF+'''<br />
| 2/0<br />
|-<br />
| '''Others'''<br />
| 1/0<br />
|}<br />
=== Results by alliance or party ===<br />
<br />
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:Center;"<br />
! colspan="4" rowspan="2" | Alliance/ Party<br />
! colspan="3" | Popular vote<br />
! colspan="3" | Seats<br />
|-<br />
! Votes<br />
! %<br />
! ±[[Percentage point|pp]]<br />
! Contested<br />
! Won<br />
! +/−<br />
|-<br />
| rowspan=2 {{Party color cell|All India Trinamool Congress}}<br />
| rowspan=2 | [[All India Trinamool Congress|AITC+]]<br />
| {{Full party name with color|All India Trinamool Congress}}<br />
| {{formatnum:}}<br />
|<br />
|<br />
| 291<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|-<br />
| {{Full party name with color|Bharatiya Gorkha Prajatantrik Morcha}}<br />
| {{formatnum:}}<br />
|<br />
|<br />
| 3<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|-<br />
| style="background:#d2f3da" colspan=4 | '''Total'''<br />
| style="color:inherit;background:#d2f3da" | <br />
| style="color:inherit;background:#d2f3da" | <br />
| style="color:inherit;background:#d2f3da" | <br />
| style="color:inherit;background:#d2f3da" | {{font color|black|294}}<br />
| style="color:inherit;background:#d2f3da" | <br />
| style="color:inherit;background:#d2f3da" | <br />
|-<br />
| {{Party color cell|Bharatiya Janata Party}}<br />
| colspan=3 | [[Bharatiya Janata Party]]<br />
| {{formatnum:}}<br />
|<br />
|<br />
| 294<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|-<br />
| rowspan="11"{{Party color cell|Left Front (West Bengal)}}<br />
| rowspan="11" | [[Left Front-led Alliance|LF+]]<br />
| {{Full party name with color|Communist Party of India (Marxist)|dab=yes}}<br />
| {{formatnum:}}<br />
|<br />
|<br />
| 195<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|-<br />
| style="background-color: {{party color|Indian Secular Front}}" |<br />
| style="text-align:left" | [[All India Secular Front]]<br />
| {{formatnum:}}<br />
|<br />
|<br />
| 29<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|-<br />
| {{Full party name with color|All India Forward Bloc}}<br />
| {{formatnum:}}<br />
|<br />
|<br />
| 23<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|-<br />
| {{Full party name with color|Communist Party of India}}<br />
| {{formatnum:}}<br />
|<br />
|<br />
| 17<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|-<br />
| {{Full party name with color|Revolutionary Socialist Party (India)}}<br />
| {{formatnum:}}<br />
|<br />
|<br />
| 16<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|-<br />
| {{Full party name with color|Communist Party of India (Marxist-Leninist) Liberation|dab=yes}}<br />
| {{formatnum:}}<br />
|<br />
|<br />
| 9<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|-<br />
| {{Full party name with color|West Bengal Socialist Party}}<br />
| {{formatnum:}}<br />
|<br />
|<br />
| 1<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|-<br />
| {{Full party name with color|Marxist Forward Bloc}}<br />
| {{formatnum:}}<br />
|<br />
|<br />
| 1<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|-<br />
| {{Full party name with color|Revolutionary Communist Party of India}}<br />
| {{formatnum:}}<br />
|<br />
|<br />
| 1<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|-<br />
| {{Full party name with color|Social Democratic Party of India}}<br />
| {{formatnum:}}<br />
|<br />
|<br />
| 1<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|-<br />
| {{Party name with color|Independent (politician)}}<br />
| {{formatnum:}}<br />
|<br />
|<br />
| 1<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|-<br />
| style="background:#ffcccc" colspan=4 | '''Total'''<br />
| style="color:inherit;background:#ffcccc" | <br />
| style="color:inherit;background:#ffcccc" | <br />
| style="color:inherit;background:#ffcccc" | <br />
| style="color:inherit;background:#ffcccc" | {{font color|black|293}}<br />
| style="color:inherit;background:#ffcccc" | <br />
| style="color:inherit;background:#ffcccc" | <br />
|-<br />
| {{Party color cell|Indian National Congress}}<br />
| colspan=3 | [[Indian National Congress]]<br />
| {{formatnum:}}<br />
|<br />
|<br />
| 292<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|-<br />
| {{Party color cell|Others}}<br />
| colspan="3" align="left" | [[2026 West Bengal Legislative Assembly election#Others|Other parties]]<br />
| {{formatnum:}}<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|-<br />
| {{Party color cell|Independent (politician)}}<br />
| colspan="3" align="left" | [[Independent (politician)|Independents]]<br />
| {{formatnum:}}<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|-<br />
| {{Party color cell|None of the above (India)}}<br />
| colspan="3" align="left" | [[None of the above (India)|NOTA]]<br />
| {{formatnum:}}<br />
|<br />
|<br />
! style="background-color:#E9E9E9" |<br />
!<br />
|<br />
|-<br />
! colspan="4" | Total<br />
!<br />
! 100%<br />
! —<br />
!<br />
! 294<br />
! —<br />
|}<br />
<br />
=== Results by phase ===<br />
<br />
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center;"<br />
! rowspan="2" | Phase<br />
! rowspan="2" | Seats<br />
| style="color:inherit;background:{{party color|Trinamool Congress}}"|<br />
|style="color:inherit;background:{{party color|Bharatiya Janata Party}}"|<br />
|style="color:inherit;background:{{party color|Others}}"|<br />
|-<br />
! [[Trinamool Congress|AITC+]]<br />
! [[Bharatiya Janata Party|BJP]]<br />
! Others<br />
|-<br />
| bgcolor="#fff4a5"|'''Phase 1'''<br />
! 152<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|-<br />
| bgcolor="#fec6e8"|'''Phase 2'''<br />
! 142<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|-<br />
! Total<br />
! 294<br />
! <br />
! <br />
! <br />
|}<br />
<br />
=== Results by division ===<br />
<br />
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center;"<br />
! rowspan="2" | Division<br />
! rowspan="2" | Seats<br />
| style="color:inherit;background:{{party color|Trinamool Congress}}"|<br />
| style="color:inherit;background:{{party color|Bharatiya Janata Party}}" |<br />
| style="color:inherit;background:{{party color|Others}}" |<br />
|-<br />
! [[Trinamool Congress|AITC+]]<br />
! [[Bharatiya Janata Party|BJP]]<br />
! Others<br />
|-<br />
! [[Jalpaiguri division]]<br />
! 27<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|-<br />
! [[Malda division]]<br />
! 49<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|-<br />
! [[Burdwan division]]<br />
! 54<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|-<br />
! [[Medinipur division]]<br />
! 56<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|-<br />
! [[Presidency division]]<br />
! 108<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|-<br />
! Total Seats<br />
! 294<br />
!<br />
!<br />
!<br />
|}<br />
<br />
===Results by region===<br />
{| class="wikitable sortable" width="60%" style="text-align:center;"<br />
!rowspan="3"|Region<br />
!rowspan="3"|District<br />
!rowspan="3"|Seats<br />
|colspan="2" bgcolor="{{party color|Trinamool Congress}}"|<br />
|colspan="2" bgcolor="{{party color|Bharatiya Janata Party}}"|<br />
|colspan="2" bgcolor="{{party color|Others}}"|<br />
|-<br />
!colspan="2" class="wikitable"|[[Trinamool Congress|AITC+]] <br />
!colspan="2" class="wikitable"|[[Bharatiya Janata Party|BJP]] <br />
!colspan="2" class="wikitable"|Others<br />
|-<br />
|-<br />
!Won<br />
!+/-<br />
!Won<br />
!+/-<br />
!Won<br />
!+/-<br />
|- <br />
! rowspan=8| North Bengal<br />
! [[Cooch Behar district|Cooch Behar]]<br />
! 9<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|-<br />
! [[Alipurduar district|Alipurduar]]<br />
! 5<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|-<br />
! [[Jalpaiguri district|Jalpaiguri]]<br />
! 7<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|-<br />
! [[Kalimpong district|Kalimpong]]<br />
! 1<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|-<br />
! [[Darjeeling district|Darjeeling]]<br />
! 5<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|-<br />
! [[Uttar Dinajpur district|Uttar Dinajpur]]<br />
! 9<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|-<br />
! [[Dakshin Dinajpur district|Dakshin Dinajpur]]<br />
! 6<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|-<br />
! [[Malda district|Malda]]<br />
! 12<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|-<br />
! colspan=2|Total || 54 || || || || || || <br />
|-<br />
! rowspan=10| South Bengal<br />
! [[Murshidabad district|Murshidabad]]<br />
! 22<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|-<br />
! [[Nadia district|Nadia]]<br />
! 17<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|-<br />
! [[North 24 Parganas district|North 24 Parganas]]<br />
! 33<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|-<br />
! [[South 24 Parganas district|South 24 Parganas]]<br />
! 31<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|-<br />
! [[Kolkata district|Kolkata]]<br />
! 11<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|-<br />
! [[Howrah district|Howrah]]<br />
! 16<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|-<br />
! [[Hooghly district|Hooghly]]<br />
! 18<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|-<br />
! [[Purba Medinipur district|Purba Medinipur]]<br />
! 16<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|-<br />
! [[Paschim Medinipur district|Paschim Medinipur]]<br />
! 15<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|-<br />
! [[Jhargram district|Jhargram]]<br />
! 4<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|-<br />
! colspan=2|Total || 183 || || || || || || <br />
|-<br />
! rowspan=5| Rarh Banga<br />
! [[Purulia district|Purulia]]<br />
! 9<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|-<br />
! [[Bankura district|Bankura]]<br />
! 12<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|-<br />
! [[Purba Bardhaman district|Purba Bardhaman]]<br />
! 16<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|-<br />
! [[Paschim Bardhaman district|Paschim Bardhaman]]<br />
! 9<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|-<br />
! [[Birbhum district|Birbhum]]<br />
! 11<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|-<br />
! colspan=2|Total || 57 || || || || || || <br />
|-<br />
! colspan=2|Total<br />
!294<br />
!<br />
!<br />
!<br />
!<br />
!<br />
!<br />
|}<br />
<br />
=== Results by constituency ===<br />
<br />
{| class="wikitable"<br />
! rowspan="2" | District<br />
! colspan="2" | Constituency<br />
! colspan="5" | Winner<br />
! colspan="5" | Runner Up<br />
! rowspan="2" | Margin<br />
! rowspan="2" | %<br />
|-<br />
! No.<br />
! Name<br />
! Candidate<br />
! colspan="2" | Party<br />
! Votes<br />
! %<br />
! Candidate<br />
! colspan="2" | Party<br />
! Votes<br />
! %<br />
|-<br />
| rowspan="9" | [[Cooch Behar district|Cooch Behar]]<br />
! 1<br />
| [[Mekliganj Assembly constituency|Mekliganj (SC)]]<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|-<br />
! 2<br />
| [[Mathabhanga Assembly constituency|Mathabhanga (SC)]]<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|-<br />
! 3<br />
| [[Cooch Behar Uttar]] (SC)<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|-<br />
! 4<br />
| [[Cooch Behar Dakshin]]<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|-<br />
! 5<br />
| [[Sitalkuchi Assembly constituency|Sitalkuchi (SC)]]<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|-<br />
! 6<br />
| [[Sitai Assembly constituency|Sitai (SC)]]<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|-<br />
! 7<br />
| [[Dinhata Assembly constituency|Dinhata]]<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|-<br />
! 8<br />
| [[Natabari Assembly constituency|Natabari]]<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|-<br />
! 9<br />
| [[Tufanganj Assembly constituency|Tufanganj]]<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|-<br />
| rowspan="5" | [[Alipurduar district|Alipurduar]]<br />
! 10<br />
| [[Kumargram Assembly constituency|Kumargram (ST)]]<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|-<br />
! 11<br />
| [[Kalchini Assembly constituency|Kalchini (ST)]]<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|-<br />
! 12<br />
| [[Alipurduars Assembly constituency|Alipurduars]]<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|-<br />
! 13<br />
| [[Falakata Assembly constituency|Falakata]]<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|-<br />
! 14<br />
| [[Madarihat Assembly constituency|Madarihat]]<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|-<br />
| rowspan="7" | [[Jalpaiguri district|Jalpaiguri]]<br />
! 15<br />
| [[Dhupguri Assembly constituency|Dhupguri (SC)]]<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|-<br />
! 16<br />
| [[Maynaguri Assembly constituency|Maynaguri (SC)]]<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|-<br />
! 17<br />
| [[Jalpaiguri Assembly constituency|Jalpaiguri (SC)]]<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|-<br />
! 18<br />
| [[Rajganj Assembly constituency|Rajganj (SC)]]<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|-<br />
! 19<br />
| [[Dabgram-Phulbari Assembly constituency|Dabgram-Phulbari]]<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|-<br />
! 20<br />
| [[Mal Assembly constituency|Mal (ST)]]<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|-<br />
! 21<br />
| [[Nagrakata Assembly constituency|Nagrakata (ST)]]<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|-<br />
| [[Kalimpong district|Kalimpong]]<br />
! 22<br />
| [[Kalimpong Assembly constituency|Kalimpong]]<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|-<br />
| rowspan="5" | [[Darjeeling district|Darjeeling]]<br />
! 23<br />
| [[Darjeeling Assembly constituency|Darjeeling]]<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|-<br />
! 24<br />
| [[Kurseong Assembly constituency|Kurseong]]<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|-<br />
! 25<br />
| [[Matigara-Naxalbari]] (SC)<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|-<br />
! 26<br />
| [[Siliguri Assembly constituency|Siliguri]]<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|-<br />
! 27<br />
| [[Phansidewa Assembly constituency|Phansidewa (ST)]]<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|-<br />
| rowspan="9" | [[Uttar Dinajpur district|Uttar Dinajpur]]<br />
! 28<br />
| [[Chopra Assembly constituency|Chopra]]<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|-<br />
! 29<br />
| [[Islampur, West Bengal Assembly constituency|Islampur]]<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|-<br />
! 30<br />
| [[Goalpokhar Assembly constituency|Goalpokhar]]<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|-<br />
! 31<br />
| [[Chakulia Assembly constituency|Chakulia]]<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|-<br />
! 32<br />
| [[Karandighi Assembly constituency|Karandighi]]<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|-<br />
! 33<br />
| [[Hemtabad Assembly constituency|Hemtabad (SC)]]<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|-<br />
! 34<br />
| [[Kaliaganj Assembly constituency|Kaliaganj (SC)]]<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|-<br />
! 35<br />
| [[Raiganj Assembly constituency|Raiganj]]<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|-<br />
! 36<br />
| [[Itahar Assembly constituency|Itahar]]<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|-<br />
| rowspan="6" | [[Dakshin Dinajpur district|Dakshin Dinajpur]]<br />
! 37<br />
| [[Kushmandi Assembly constituency|Kushmandi (SC)]]<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
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|-<br />
! 38<br />
| [[Kumarganj Assembly constituency|Kumarganj]]<br />
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|-<br />
! 39<br />
| [[Balurghat Assembly constituency|Balurghat]]<br />
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|-<br />
! 40<br />
| [[Tapan Assembly constituency|Tapan (ST)]]<br />
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|-<br />
! 41<br />
| [[Gangarampur Assembly constituency|Gangarampur (SC)]]<br />
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|-<br />
! 42<br />
| [[Harirampur Assembly constituency|Harirampur]]<br />
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|-<br />
| rowspan="12" | [[Malda district|Malda]]<br />
! 43<br />
| [[Habibpur Assembly constituency|Habibpur (ST)]]<br />
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|-<br />
! 44<br />
| [[Gazole Assembly constituency|Gazole (SC)]]<br />
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|-<br />
! 45<br />
| [[Chanchal Assembly constituency|Chanchal]]<br />
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|-<br />
! 46<br />
| [[Harishchandrapur Assembly constituency|Harishchandrapur]]<br />
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|-<br />
! 47<br />
| [[Malatipur Assembly constituency|Malatipur]]<br />
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|-<br />
! 48<br />
| [[Ratua Assembly constituency|Ratua]]<br />
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|-<br />
! 49<br />
| [[Manikchak Assembly constituency|Manikchak]]<br />
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|-<br />
! 50<br />
| [[Maldaha Assembly constituency|Maldaha]]<br />
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|-<br />
! 51<br />
| [[English Bazar Assembly constituency|English Bazar]]<br />
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|-<br />
! 52<br />
| [[Mothabari Assembly constituency|Mothabari]]<br />
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|-<br />
! 53<br />
| [[Sujapur Assembly constituency|Sujapur]]<br />
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|-<br />
! 54<br />
| [[Baisnabnagar Assembly constituency|Baisnabnagar]]<br />
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|-<br />
| rowspan="22" | [[Murshidabad district|Murshidabad]]<br />
! 55<br />
| [[Farakka Assembly constituency|Farakka]]<br />
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|-<br />
! 56<br />
| [[Samserganj Assembly constituency|Samserganj]]<br />
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|-<br />
! 57<br />
| [[Suti Assembly constituency|Suti]]<br />
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|-<br />
! 58<br />
| [[Jangipur, West Bengal Assembly constituency|Jangipur]]<br />
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|-<br />
! 59<br />
| [[Raghunathganj Assembly constituency|Raghunathganj]]<br />
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|-<br />
! 60<br />
| [[Sagardighi Assembly constituency|Sagardighi]]<br />
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|-<br />
! 61<br />
| [[Lalgola Assembly constituency|Lalgola]]<br />
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|-<br />
! 62<br />
| [[Bhagabangola Assembly constituency|Bhagabangola]]<br />
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|-<br />
! 63<br />
| [[Raninagar Assembly constituency|Raninagar]]<br />
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|-<br />
! 64<br />
| [[Murshidabad Assembly constituency|Murshidabad]]<br />
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|-<br />
! 65<br />
| [[Nabagram Assembly constituency|Nabagram (SC)]]<br />
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|-<br />
! 66<br />
| [[Khargram Assembly constituency|Khargram (SC)]]<br />
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|-<br />
! 67<br />
| [[Burwan Assembly constituency|Burwan (SC)]]<br />
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|-<br />
! 68<br />
| [[Kandi Assembly constituency|Kandi]]<br />
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|-<br />
! 69<br />
| [[Bharatpur, West Bengal Assembly constituency|Bharatpur]]<br />
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|-<br />
! 70<br />
| [[Rejinagar Assembly constituency|Rejinagar]]<br />
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|-<br />
! 71<br />
| [[Beldanga Assembly constituency|Beldanga]]<br />
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|-<br />
! 72<br />
| [[Baharampur Assembly constituency|Baharampur]]<br />
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|-<br />
! 73<br />
| [[Hariharpara Assembly constituency|Hariharpara]]<br />
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|-<br />
! 74<br />
| [[Naoda Assembly constituency|Naoda]]<br />
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|-<br />
! 75<br />
| [[Domkal Assembly constituency|Domkal]]<br />
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|-<br />
! 76<br />
| [[Jalangi Assembly constituency|Jalangi]]<br />
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|-<br />
| rowspan="17" | [[Nadia district|Nadia]]<br />
! 77<br />
| [[Karimpur Assembly constituency|Karimpur]]<br />
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|<br />
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|-<br />
! 78<br />
| [[Tehatta Assembly constituency|Tehatta]]<br />
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|-<br />
! 79<br />
| [[Palashipara Assembly constituency|Palashipara]]<br />
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|-<br />
! 80<br />
| [[Kaliganj Assembly constituency|Kaliganj]]<br />
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|-<br />
! 81<br />
| [[Nakashipara Assembly constituency|Nakashipara]]<br />
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|<br />
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|-<br />
! 82<br />
| [[Chapra, West Bengal Assembly constituency|Chapra]]<br />
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|-<br />
! 83<br />
| [[Krishnanagar Uttar Assembly constituency|Krishnanagar Uttar]]<br />
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|-<br />
! 84<br />
| [[Nabadwip Assembly constituency|Nabadwip]]<br />
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|-<br />
! 85<br />
| [[Krishnanagar Dakshin Assembly constituency|Krishnanagar Dakshin]]<br />
|<br />
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|-<br />
! 86<br />
| [[Santipur Assembly constituency|Santipur]]<br />
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|<br />
|-<br />
! 87<br />
| [[Ranaghat Uttar Paschim Assembly constituency|Ranaghat Uttar Paschim]]<br />
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|-<br />
! 88<br />
| [[Krishnaganj Assembly constituency|Krishnaganj (SC)]]<br />
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|-<br />
! 89<br />
| [[Ranaghat Uttar Purba Assembly constituency|Ranaghat Uttar Purba (SC)]]<br />
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|-<br />
! 90<br />
| [[Ranaghat Dakshin Assembly constituency|Ranaghat Dakshin (SC)]]<br />
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|-<br />
! 91<br />
| [[Chakdaha Assembly constituency|Chakdaha]]<br />
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|-<br />
! 92<br />
| [[Kalyani Assembly constituency|Kalyani (SC)]]<br />
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|-<br />
! 93<br />
| [[Haringhata Assembly constituency|Haringhata (SC)]]<br />
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|<br />
|-<br />
| rowspan="33" | [[North 24 Parganas district|North 24 Parganas]]<br />
! 94<br />
| [[Bagdah Assembly constituency|Bagdah (SC)]]<br />
|<br />
|<br />
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|-<br />
! 95<br />
| [[Bangaon Uttar Assembly constituency|Bangaon Uttar (SC)]]<br />
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|-<br />
! 96<br />
| [[Bangaon Dakshin Assembly constituency|Bangaon Dakshin (SC)]]<br />
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|-<br />
! 97<br />
| [[Gaighata Assembly constituency|Gaighata (SC)]]<br />
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|-<br />
! 98<br />
| [[Swarupnagar Assembly constituency|Swarupnagar (SC)]]<br />
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|<br />
|-<br />
! 99<br />
| [[Baduria Assembly constituency|Baduria]]<br />
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|-<br />
! 100<br />
| [[Habra Assembly constituency|Habra]]<br />
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|<br />
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|<br />
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|<br />
|<br />
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|<br />
|<br />
|-<br />
! 101<br />
| [[Ashoknagar Assembly constituency|Ashokenagar]]<br />
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|<br />
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|<br />
|-<br />
! 102<br />
| [[Amdanga Assembly constituency|Amdanga]]<br />
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|-<br />
! 103<br />
| [[Bijpur Assembly constituency|Bijpur]]<br />
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|-<br />
! 104<br />
| [[Naihati Assembly constituency|Naihati]]<br />
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|<br />
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|<br />
|-<br />
! 105<br />
| [[Bhatpara Assembly constituency|Bhatpara]]<br />
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|<br />
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|<br />
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|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|-<br />
! 106<br />
| [[Jagatdal Assembly constituency|Jagatdal]]<br />
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|<br />
|<br />
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|<br />
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|<br />
|<br />
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|<br />
|<br />
|-<br />
! 107<br />
| [[Noapara Assembly constituency|Noapara]]<br />
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|<br />
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|<br />
|-<br />
! 108<br />
| [[Barrackpur Assembly constituency|Barrackpur]]<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
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|<br />
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|<br />
|<br />
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|<br />
|<br />
|-<br />
! 109<br />
| [[Khardaha Assembly constituency|Khardaha]]<br />
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|<br />
|-<br />
! 110<br />
| [[Dum Dum Uttar Assembly constituency|Dum Dum Uttar]]<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
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|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|-<br />
! 111<br />
| [[Panihati Assembly constituency|Panihati]]<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
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|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|-<br />
! 112<br />
| [[Kamarhati Assembly constituency|Kamarhati]]<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
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|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|-<br />
! 113<br />
| [[Baranagar Assembly constituency|Baranagar]]<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|-<br />
! 114<br />
| [[Dum Dum Assembly constituency|Dum Dum]]<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
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|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
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|<br />
|<br />
|-<br />
! 115<br />
| [[Rajarhat New Town Assembly constituency|Rajarhat New Town]]<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
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|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|-<br />
! 116<br />
| [[Bidhannagar Assembly constituency|Bidhannagar]]<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|-<br />
! 117<br />
| [[Rajarhat Gopalpur Assembly constituency|Rajarhat Gopalpur]]<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|-<br />
! 118<br />
| [[Madhyamgram Assembly constituency|Madhyamgram]]<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|-<br />
! 119<br />
| [[Barasat Assembly constituency|Barasat]]<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|-<br />
! 120<br />
| [[Deganga Assembly constituency|Deganga]]<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|-<br />
! 121<br />
| [[Haroa Assembly constituency|Haroa]]<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|-<br />
! 122<br />
| [[Minakhan Assembly constituency|Minakhan (SC)]]<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|-<br />
! 123<br />
| [[Sandeshkhali Assembly constituency|Sandeshkhali (ST)]]<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|-<br />
! 124<br />
| [[Basirhat Dakshin Assembly constituency|Basirhat Dakshin]]<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|-<br />
! 125<br />
| [[Basirhat Uttar Assembly constituency|Basirhat Uttar]]<br />
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|-<br />
! 126<br />
| [[Hingalganj Assembly constituency|Hingalganj (SC)]]<br />
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|-<br />
| rowspan="31" | [[South 24 Parganas district|South 24 Parganas]]<br />
! 127<br />
| [[Gosaba Assembly constituency|Gosaba (SC)]]<br />
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|-<br />
! 128<br />
| [[Basanti Assembly constituency|Basanti (SC)]]<br />
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|-<br />
! 129<br />
| [[Kultali Assembly constituency|Kultali (SC)]]<br />
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|-<br />
! 130<br />
| [[Patharpratima Assembly constituency|Patharpratima]]<br />
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|-<br />
! 131<br />
| [[Kakdwip Assembly constituency|Kakdwip]]<br />
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|-<br />
! 132<br />
| [[Sagar, West Bengal Assembly constituency|Sagar]]<br />
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|-<br />
! 133<br />
| [[Kulpi Assembly constituency|Kulpi]]<br />
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|-<br />
! 134<br />
| [[Raidighi Assembly constituency|Raidighi]]<br />
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|-<br />
! 135<br />
| [[Mandirbazar Assembly constituency|Mandirbazar (SC)]]<br />
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|-<br />
! 136<br />
| [[Jaynagar Assembly constituency|Jaynagar (SC)]]<br />
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|-<br />
! 137<br />
| [[Baruipur Purba Assembly constituency|Baruipur Purba (SC)]]<br />
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|-<br />
! 138<br />
| [[Canning Paschim Assembly constituency|Canning Paschim (SC)]]<br />
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|-<br />
! 139<br />
| [[Canning Purba Assembly constituency|Canning Purba]]<br />
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|-<br />
! 140<br />
| [[Baruipur Paschim Assembly constituency|Baruipur Paschim]]<br />
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|-<br />
! 141<br />
| [[Magrahat Purba Assembly constituency|Magrahat Purba (SC)]]<br />
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|-<br />
! 142<br />
| [[Magrahat Paschim Assembly constituency|Magrahat Paschim]]<br />
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|-<br />
! 143<br />
| [[Diamond Harbour Assembly constituency|Diamond Harbour]]<br />
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|-<br />
! 144<br />
| [[Falta Assembly constituency|Falta]]<br />
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|-<br />
! 145<br />
| [[Satgachhia Assembly constituency|Satgachia]]<br />
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|-<br />
! 146<br />
| [[Bishnupur, South 24 Parganas Assembly constituency|Bishnupur (SC)]]<br />
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|-<br />
! 147<br />
| [[Sonarpur Dakshin Assembly constituency|Sonarpur Dakshin]]<br />
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|-<br />
! 148<br />
| [[Bhangar Assembly constituency|Bhangar]]<br />
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|-<br />
! 149<br />
| [[Kasba, West Bengal Assembly constituency|Kasba]]<br />
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|-<br />
! 150<br />
| [[Jadavpur Assembly constituency|Jadavpur]]<br />
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|-<br />
! 151<br />
| [[Sonarpur Uttar Assembly constituency|Sonarpur Uttar]]<br />
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|-<br />
! 152<br />
| [[Tollyganj Assembly constituency|Tollygunge]]<br />
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|-<br />
! 153<br />
| [[Behala Purba Assembly constituency|Behala Purba]]<br />
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|-<br />
! 154<br />
| [[Behala Paschim]]<br />
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|-<br />
! 155<br />
| [[Maheshtala Assembly constituency|Maheshtala]]<br />
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|-<br />
! 156<br />
| [[Budge Budge Assembly constituency|Budge Budge]]<br />
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|-<br />
! 157<br />
| [[Metiaburuz Assembly constituency|Metiaburuz]]<br />
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|-<br />
| rowspan="11" | [[Kolkata district|Kolkata]]<br />
! 158<br />
| [[Kolkata Port Assembly constituency|Kolkata Port]]<br />
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|-<br />
! 159<br />
| [[Bhabanipur, West Bengal Assembly constituency|Bhabanipur]]<br />
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|-<br />
! 160<br />
| [[Rashbehari Assembly constituency|Rashbehari]]<br />
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|-<br />
! 161<br />
| [[Ballygunge Assembly constituency|Ballygunge]]<br />
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|-<br />
! 162<br />
| [[Chowrangee Assembly constituency|Chowrangee]]<br />
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|-<br />
! 163<br />
| [[Entally Assembly constituency|Entally]]<br />
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|-<br />
! 164<br />
| [[Beleghata Assembly constituency|Beleghata]]<br />
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|-<br />
! 165<br />
| [[Jorasanko Assembly constituency|Jorasanko]]<br />
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|-<br />
! 166<br />
| [[Shyampukur Assembly constituency|Shyampukur]]<br />
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|-<br />
! 167<br />
| [[Maniktala Assembly constituency|Maniktala]]<br />
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|-<br />
! 168<br />
| [[Kashipur-Belgachhia]]<br />
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|-<br />
| rowspan="16" | [[Howrah district|Howrah]]<br />
! 169<br />
| [[Bally Assembly constituency|Bally]]<br />
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|-<br />
! 170<br />
| [[Howrah Uttar]]<br />
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|-<br />
! 171<br />
| [[Howrah Madhya]]<br />
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|-<br />
! 172<br />
| [[Shibpur Assembly constituency|Shibpur]]<br />
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|-<br />
! 173<br />
| [[Howrah Dakshin]]<br />
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|-<br />
! 174<br />
| [[Sankrail Assembly constituency|Sankrail (SC)]]<br />
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|-<br />
! 175<br />
| [[Panchla Assembly constituency|Panchla]]<br />
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|-<br />
! 176<br />
| [[Uluberia Purba]]<br />
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|-<br />
! 177<br />
| [[Uluberia Uttar]] (SC)<br />
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|-<br />
! 178<br />
| [[Uluberia Dakshin]]<br />
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|-<br />
! 179<br />
| [[Shyampur Assembly constituency|Shyampur]]<br />
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|-<br />
! 180<br />
| [[Bagnan Assembly constituency|Bagnan]]<br />
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|-<br />
! 181<br />
| [[Amta Assembly constituency|Amta]]<br />
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|-<br />
! 182<br />
| [[Udaynarayanpur Assembly constituency|Udaynarayanpur]]<br />
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|-<br />
! 183<br />
| [[Jagatballavpur Assembly constituency|Jagatballavpur]]<br />
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|-<br />
! 184<br />
| [[Domjur Assembly constituency|Domjur]]<br />
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|-<br />
| rowspan="18" | [[Hooghly district|Hooghly]]<br />
! 185<br />
| [[Uttarpara Assembly constituency|Uttarpara]]<br />
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|-<br />
! 186<br />
| [[Sreerampur Assembly constituency|Sreerampur]]<br />
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|-<br />
! 187<br />
| [[Champdani Assembly constituency|Champdani]]<br />
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|-<br />
! 188<br />
| [[Singur Assembly constituency|Singur]]<br />
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|-<br />
! 189<br />
| [[Chandannagar Assembly constituency|Chandannagar]]<br />
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|-<br />
! 190<br />
| [[Chunchura Assembly constituency|Chunchura]]<br />
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|-<br />
! 191<br />
| [[Balagarh Assembly constituency|Balagarh (SC)]]<br />
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|-<br />
! 192<br />
| [[Pandua Assembly constituency|Pandua]]<br />
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|-<br />
! 193<br />
| [[Saptagram Assembly constituency|Saptagram]]<br />
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|-<br />
! 194<br />
| [[Chanditala Assembly constituency|Chanditala]]<br />
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|-<br />
! 195<br />
| [[Jangipara Assembly constituency|Jangipara]]<br />
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|-<br />
! 196<br />
| [[Haripal Assembly constituency|Haripal]]<br />
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|-<br />
! 197<br />
| [[Dhanekhali Assembly constituency|Dhanekhali (SC)]]<br />
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|-<br />
! 198<br />
| [[Tarakeswar Assembly constituency|Tarakeswar]]<br />
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|-<br />
! 199<br />
| [[Pursurah Assembly constituency|Pursurah]]<br />
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|-<br />
! 200<br />
| [[Arambag Assembly constituency|Arambagh (SC)]]<br />
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|-<br />
! 201<br />
| [[Goghat Assembly constituency|Goghat (SC)]]<br />
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|-<br />
! 202<br />
| [[Khanakul Assembly constituency|Khanakul]]<br />
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|-<br />
| rowspan="16" | [[Purba Medinipur district|Purba Medinipur]]<br />
! 203<br />
| [[Tamluk Assembly constituency|Tamluk]]<br />
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|-<br />
! 204<br />
| [[Panskura Purba]]<br />
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|-<br />
! 205<br />
| [[Panskura Paschim]]<br />
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|-<br />
! 206<br />
| [[Moyna Assembly constituency|Moyna]]<br />
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|-<br />
! 207<br />
| [[Nandakumar Assembly constituency|Nandakumar]]<br />
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|-<br />
! 208<br />
| [[Mahisadal Assembly constituency|Mahisadal]]<br />
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|-<br />
! 209<br />
| [[Haldia Assembly constituency|Haldia (SC)]]<br />
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|-<br />
! 210<br />
| [[Nandigram Assembly constituency|Nandigram]]<br />
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|-<br />
! 211<br />
| [[Chandipur Assembly constituency|Chandipur]]<br />
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|-<br />
! 212<br />
| [[Patashpur Assembly constituency|Patashpur]]<br />
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|<br />
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|<br />
|-<br />
! 213<br />
| [[Kanthi Uttar Assembly constituency|Kanthi Uttar]]<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
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|<br />
|-<br />
! 214<br />
| [[Bhagabanpur Assembly constituency|Bhagabanpur]]<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|-<br />
! 215<br />
| [[Khejuri Assembly constituency|Khejuri (SC)]]<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|-<br />
! 216<br />
| [[Kanthi Dakshin Assembly constituency|Kanthi Dakshin]]<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|-<br />
! 217<br />
| [[Ramnagar, Purba Medinipur Assembly constituency|Ramnagar]]<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
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|<br />
|-<br />
! 218<br />
| [[Egra Assembly constituency|Egra]]<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
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|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|-<br />
| [[Paschim Medinipur district|Paschim Medinipur]]<br />
! 219<br />
| [[Dantan Assembly constituency|Dantan]]<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|-<br />
| rowspan="3" | [[Jhargram district|Jhargram]]<br />
! 220<br />
| [[Nayagram Assembly constituency|Nayagram (ST)]]<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|-<br />
! 221<br />
| [[Gopiballavpur Assembly constituency|Gopiballavpur]]<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
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|<br />
|-<br />
! 222<br />
| [[Jhargram Assembly constituency|Jhargram]]<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
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|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|-<br />
| rowspan="14" | [[Paschim Medinipur district|Paschim Medinipur]]<br />
! 223<br />
| [[Keshiary Assembly constituency|Keshiary (ST)]]<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
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|<br />
|<br />
|-<br />
! 224<br />
| [[Kharagpur Sadar Assembly constituency|Kharagpur Sadar]]<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
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|<br />
|<br />
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|<br />
|<br />
|-<br />
! 225<br />
| [[Narayangarh Assembly constituency|Narayangarh]]<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
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|<br />
|<br />
|-<br />
! 226<br />
| [[Sabang Assembly constituency|Sabang]]<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|-<br />
! 227<br />
| [[Pingla Assembly constituency|Pingla]]<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|-<br />
! 228<br />
| [[Kharagpur Assembly constituency|Kharagpur]]<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|-<br />
! 229<br />
| [[Debra Assembly constituency|Debra]]<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|-<br />
! 230<br />
| [[Daspur Assembly constituency|Daspur]]<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|-<br />
! 231<br />
| [[Ghatal Assembly constituency|Ghatal]]<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|-<br />
! 232<br />
| [[Chandrakona Assembly constituency|Chandrakona (SC)]]<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|-<br />
! 233<br />
| [[Garbeta Assembly constituency|Garbeta]]<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|-<br />
! 234<br />
| [[Salboni Assembly constituency|Salboni]]<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|-<br />
! 235<br />
| [[Keshpur Assembly constituency|Keshpur]]<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|-<br />
! 236<br />
| [[Medinipur Assembly constituency|Medinipur]]<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|-<br />
| [[Jhargram district|Jhargram]]<br />
! 237<br />
| [[Binpur Assembly constituency|Binpur (ST)]]<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|-<br />
| rowspan="9" | [[Purulia district|Purulia]]<br />
! 238<br />
| [[Bandwan Assembly constituency|Bandwan (ST)]]<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|-<br />
! 239<br />
| [[Balarampur, Purulia Assembly constituency|Balarampur]]<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|-<br />
! 240<br />
| [[Baghmundi Assembly constituency|Baghmundi]]<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|-<br />
! 241<br />
| [[Joypur, Purulia Assembly constituency|Joypur]]<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
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|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|-<br />
! 242<br />
| [[Purulia Assembly constituency|Purulia]]<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|-<br />
! 243<br />
| [[Manbazar Assembly constituency|Manbazar (ST)]]<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|-<br />
! 244<br />
| [[Kashipur, West Bengal Assembly constituency|Kashipur]]<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|-<br />
! 245<br />
| [[Para Assembly constituency|Para (SC)]]<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|-<br />
! 246<br />
| [[Raghunathpur, West Bengal Assembly constituency|Raghunathpur (SC)]]<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|-<br />
| rowspan="12" | [[Bankura district|Bankura]]<br />
! 247<br />
| [[Saltora Assembly constituency|Saltora (SC)]]<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|-<br />
! 248<br />
| [[Chhatna Assembly constituency|Chhatna]]<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|-<br />
! 249<br />
| [[Ranibandh Assembly constituency|Ranibandh (ST)]]<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|-<br />
! 250<br />
| [[Raipur, Bankura Assembly constituency|Raipur (ST)]]<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|-<br />
! 251<br />
| [[Taldangra Assembly constituency|Taldangra]]<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|-<br />
! 252<br />
| [[Bankura Assembly constituency|Bankura]]<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|-<br />
! 253<br />
| [[Barjora Assembly constituency|Barjora]]<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|-<br />
! 254<br />
| [[Onda Assembly constituency|Onda]]<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|-<br />
! 255<br />
| [[Bishnupur, Bankura Assembly constituency|Bishnupur]]<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|-<br />
! 256<br />
| [[Katulpur]] (SC)<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|-<br />
! 257<br />
| [[Indas Assembly constituency|Indas (SC)]]<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|-<br />
! 258<br />
| [[Sonamukhi Assembly constituency|Sonamukhi (SC)]]<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|-<br />
| rowspan="16" | [[Purba Bardhaman district|Purba Bardhaman]]<br />
! 259<br />
| [[Khandaghosh Assembly constituency|Khandaghosh (SC)]]<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|-<br />
! 260<br />
| [[Bardhaman Dakshin]]<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|-<br />
! 261<br />
| [[Raina Assembly constituency|Raina (SC)]]<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|-<br />
! 262<br />
| [[Jamalpur, West Bengal Assembly constituency|Jamalpur (SC)]]<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|-<br />
! 263<br />
| [[Monteswar Assembly constituency|Monteswar]]<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|-<br />
! 264<br />
| [[Kalna Assembly constituency|Kalna (SC)]]<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|-<br />
! 265<br />
| [[Memari Assembly constituency|Memari]]<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|-<br />
! 266<br />
| [[Bardhaman Uttar]] (SC)<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|-<br />
! 267<br />
| [[Bhatar Assembly constituency|Bhatar]]<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|-<br />
! 268<br />
| [[Purbasthali Dakshin]]<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|-<br />
! 269<br />
| [[Purbasthali Uttar]]<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|-<br />
! 270<br />
| [[Katwa Assembly constituency|Katwa]]<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|-<br />
! 271<br />
| [[Ketugram Assembly constituency|Ketugram]]<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|-<br />
! 272<br />
| [[Mangalkot Assembly constituency|Mangalkot]]<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|-<br />
! 273<br />
| [[Ausgram Assembly constituency|Ausgram (SC)]]<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|-<br />
! 274<br />
| [[Galsi Assembly constituency|Galsi (SC)]]<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|-<br />
| rowspan="9" | [[Paschim Bardhaman district|Paschim Bardhaman]]<br />
! 275<br />
| [[Pandabeswar Assembly constituency|Pandabeswar]]<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|-<br />
! 276<br />
| [[Durgapur Purba]]<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|-<br />
! 277<br />
| [[Durgapur Paschim]]<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|-<br />
! 278<br />
| [[Raniganj, West Bengal Assembly constituency|Raniganj]]<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|-<br />
! 279<br />
| [[Jamuria Assembly constituency|Jamuria]]<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|-<br />
! 280<br />
| [[Asansol Dakshin Assembly constituency|Asansol Dakshin]]<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|-<br />
! 281<br />
| [[Asansol Uttar Assembly constituency|Asansol Uttar]]<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|-<br />
! 282<br />
| [[Kulti Assembly constituency|Kulti]]<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|-<br />
! 283<br />
| [[Barabani Assembly constituency|Barabani]]<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|-<br />
| rowspan="11" | [[Birbhum district|Birbhum]]<br />
! 284<br />
| [[Dubrajpur Assembly constituency|Dubrajpur (SC)]]<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|-<br />
! 285<br />
| [[Suri Assembly constituency|Suri]]<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|-<br />
! 286<br />
| [[Bolpur Assembly constituency|Bolpur]]<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|-<br />
! 287<br />
| [[Nanoor Assembly constituency|Nanoor (SC)]]<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|-<br />
! 288<br />
| [[Labpur Assembly constituency|Labpur]]<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|-<br />
! 289<br />
| [[Sainthia Assembly constituency|Sainthia (SC)]]<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|-<br />
! 290<br />
| [[Mayureswar Assembly constituency|Mayureswar]]<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|-<br />
! 291<br />
| [[Rampurhat Assembly constituency|Rampurhat]]<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|-<br />
! 292<br />
| [[Hansan Assembly constituency|Hansan]]<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|-<br />
! 293<br />
| [[Nalhati Assembly constituency|Nalhati]]<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|-<br />
! 294<br />
| [[Murarai Assembly constituency|Murarai]]<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|<br />
|}<br />
<br />
== See also ==<br />
<br />
* [[2026 elections in India]]<br />
* [[2024 Indian general election in West Bengal]]<br />
* [[2026 Kolkata Municipal Corporation election]]<br />
* [[2026 Rajya Sabha elections]]<br />
<br />
==Notes==<br />
{{notelist}}<br />
<br />
== References ==<br />
{{Reflist}}<br />
<br />
==External links==<br />
*[https://ceowestbengal.wb.gov.in/ State Election Commission of West Bengal]<br />
<br />
{{West Bengal elections}}<br />
<br />
[[Category:State Assembly elections in West Bengal]]<br />
[[Category:2026 State Assembly elections in India|West Bengal]]<br />
[[Category:2020s in West Bengal]]</div>BellaCHhttps://en.bharatpedia.org/w/index.php?title=Asha_Bhosle&diff=479289Asha Bhosle2026-04-12T11:08:57Z<p>BellaCH: </p>
<hr />
<div>{{short description|Indian playback singer (1933–2026)}}<br />
{{Use Indian English|date=November 2014}}<br />
{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2020}}<br />
{{Infobox person<br />
| name = Asha Bhosle<br />
| honorific_suffix = <br />
| image = Ashaji.jpg<br />
| image_size = <br />
| alt = <br />
| caption = Asha Bhosle in 2015<br />
| birth_name = Asha Mangeshkar<br />
| birth_date = {{Birth date|1933|09|08}}<br />
| birth_place = Goar, [[Sangli]], [[Sangli State]], India<br />
| death_date = {{Death date and age|2026|04|12|1933|09|08}}<br />
| death_place = [[Mumbai]], Maharashtra, India<br />
| occupation = {{flatlist|<br />
* [[Playback singer]]<br />
* [[entrepreneur]]<br />
* [[actress]]<br />
* [[television personality]]<br />
}}<br />
| years_active = 1943–2026<br />
| mother = <br />
| father = [[Deenanath Mangeshkar]]<br />
| spouse = Ganpatrao Bhosle<br />(m. 1949; sep. 1960; died 1966) <br />{{marriage|[[R. D. Burman]]|1980|1994|reason=died}}<br />
| children = 3 (including [[Varsha Bhosle]])<br />
| family = [[Mangeshkar family]] and [[Manikya dynasty]] (in-laws)<br />
| relatives = [[List of Hindi film families#Mangeshkar-Hardikar-Abhisheki-Kolhapure extended family|See list]]<br />
| works = [[List of songs recorded by Asha Bhosle|Full list]]<br />
| awards = [[List of awards and nominations received by Asha Bhosle|Full list]]<br />
| honours = [[Dadasaheb Phalke Award]] (2000)<br/> [[Padma Vibhushan]] (2008)<br/> [[Banga Bibhushan]] (2018)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.jagonews24.com/international/news/428839|title='বঙ্গবিভূষণ' পুরস্কার পেলেন আশা ভোঁসলে, সমরেশ, প্রসেনজিৎ|date=22 May 2018|access-date=26 September 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240202143434/https://www.jagonews24.com/international/news/428839|archive-date=2 February 2024|website=jagonews24.com|language=bn|trans-title=Banga Bibhushan for Asha Bhosle, Samaresh, Prasenjit and others}}</ref><br/> [[Maharashtra Bhushan]] (2021)<br />
| module = {{Infobox musical artist|embed=yes<br />
| background = solo_singer<br />
| genre = {{flatlist|<br />
* [[Filmi]]<br />
* [[Qawwali]]<ref name="auto"/><br />
* [[ghazal]]s<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://gaana.com/album/the-golden-collection-memorable-ghazals-and-geets-asha-bhosle|title=Asha Bhosle Songs: The Golden Collection – Memorable Ghazals And Geets – Asha Bhosle MP3 Urdu Songs by Asha Bhosle|access-date=9 February 2022|website=Gaana}}</ref><br />
* [[Folk music|folk]]<br />
* [[bhajan]]s<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.saregama.com/artist/asha-bhosle_816/bhajan_33722/songs|title=Asha Bhosle Bhajan songs – Download Bhajan MP3 Song of Asha Bhosle|website=Saregama.com|access-date=9 February 2022}}</ref><br />
* [[Pop music|pop]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://mumbaimirror.indiatimes.com/entertainment/bollywood/happy-birthday-asha-bhosle-some-lesser-known-facts-about-the-queen-of-indie-pop/articleshow/77986495.cms|title=Happy Birthday Asha Bhosle: Some lesser-known facts about the Queen of Indie Pop – Mumbai Mirror|website=Mumbaimirror.indiatimes.com|access-date=9 February 2022}}</ref><br />
* [[Indian classical music|classical]]<ref name="auto">{{Cite web|url=https://www.rediff.com/movies/special/85-unforgettable-asha-bhosle-songs/20180907.htm|title = 85 UNFORGETTABLE Asha Bhosle songs|website=Rediff.com}}</ref><br />
* [[Gurbani]]<ref>"Gurbani Shabad By Asha Bhonsale Music Playlist: Best Gurbani Shabad By Asha Bhonsale MP3 Songs on Gaana.com" https://gaana.com/playlist/amp/dr-joginder-singh-chhabra-gurbani-shabad-by-asha-bhonsale.html</ref><br />
* [[Nazrul Geeti]]<ref>"Nazrul Geeti Songs Download: Nazrul Geeti MP3 Bengali Songs Online Free on Gaana.com" https://gaana.com/album/amp/nazrul-geeti-vol2.html</ref><br />
* [[Rabindra Sangeet]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://gaana.com/playlist/anupam-28-asha-bhosle-rabindra-sangeet|title=Playlist ASHA BHOSLE RABINDRA SANGEET on Gaana.com|website=Gaana|access-date=9 February 2022}}</ref><br />
}}<br />
| instrument = [[Human voice|Vocals]]<br />
}}<br />
}}<br />
<br />
'''Asha Bhosle'''{{NoteTag|Bhosle's name has been credited variously as Asha, Asha Bhosle, Asha Bhonsale, Asha Bhonsle, Asha Bhonsley, Asha Bhosale and Asha Bhosley. She is often referred to as Ashaji&nbsp;– the [[Hindi]] suffix ''ji'' denotes respect.}} ({{IPA|mr|ˈaːʃaː ˈbʱos(ə)le|pron}}; {{nee|'''Mangeshkar'''}}; 8 September 1933 – 12 April 2026) was an [[India]]n [[playback singer]], entrepreneur, actress and television personality who predominantly worked in [[Indian cinema]]. Known for her versatility, she was described in the media as one of the greatest and most influential [[singers]] in [[Hindi cinema]]. In a career spanning over eight decades, she recorded songs for films and albums in various Indian languages and won [[#Accolades|several accolades]] including two [[National Film Awards]], four [[Bengal Film Journalists' Association Awards|BFJA Awards]], eighteen [[Maharashtra State Film Awards]], nine [[Filmfare Awards]] including a [[Filmfare Lifetime Achievement Award|Lifetime Achievement Award]] and a record seven [[Filmfare Award for Best Female Playback Singer|Filmfare Awards for Best Female Playback Singer]],{{NoteTag| Tied with [[Alka Yagnik]].}} in addition to two [[Grammy]] nominations. In 2000, she was honoured with the [[Dadasaheb Phalke Award]], India's highest award in the field of cinema. In 2008, she was honoured by the [[Government of India]] with the [[Padma Vibhushan]], the [[Indian honours system|second-highest civilian honour]] of the country. The [[Guinness World Records|Guinness Book of World Records]] acknowledged her in 2011 as the most recorded artist in music history.<ref>{{Cite news|date=October 18, 2011|title=Guinness World Record for the most studio recordings - singles|url=https://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/world-records/99223-most-studio-recordings-singles|access-date=February 27, 2022|website=[[Guinness World Records]]|language=en}}</ref><br />
<br />
Bhosle was the younger sister of playback singer [[Lata Mangeshkar]] and belonged to the prominent [[Mangeshkar family]]. Renowned for her [[soprano]] voice range<ref>{{cite web|url = https://mrandmrs55.com/2012/05/10/bollywoods-beloved-sopranos-lata-and-ashas-highest-notes/|author=Mr. 55|work=Classic Bollywood Revisited|publisher=Mr. and Mrs. 55|title=Bollywood's Beloved Sopranos: Lata and Asha's Highest Notes|date=10 May 2012|access-date=30 April 2018}}</ref> and often credited with her versatility,<ref name="britannica">{{cite book|author1=Gulzar |author2=Nihalani, Govind |author3=Chatterji, Saibal |title=Encyclopaedia of Hindi Cinema|year=2003|publisher=Popular Prakashan|isbn=81-7991-066-0|pages=532–533}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Chords & Notes|url=http://www.hindu.com/mp/2008/06/07/stories/2008060752910500.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121107231200/http://www.hindu.com/mp/2008/06/07/stories/2008060752910500.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=7 November 2012|author=V.L|newspaper=[[The Hindu]]|date=7 June 2008|access-date=2010-08-11}}</ref><ref>World Music: Latin and North America, Caribbean, India, Asia and Pacific; By Simon Broughton, Mark Ellingham, Richard Trillo; Rough Guides, 2000</ref> her work included [[Filmi|film music]], [[Pop music|pop]], [[ghazal]]s, [[bhajan]]s, traditional [[Indian classical music]], [[folk song]]s, [[qawwali]]s, and [[Rabindra Sangeet]]. Apart from [[Hindi]], she has sung in over 20 Indian and foreign languages.<ref name="who'swho">The International Who's Who. 2004. Europa Publications. Routledge.</ref> In 2013, she made her debut as an actress in the film ''[[Mai (2013 film)|Mai]]'', and received critical acclaim for her performance. In 2006, she stated that she had recorded over 12,000 [[Song|songs]] in her career,<ref>( {{cite web |author = Jyothi Venkatesh |url = http://www.vashi2panvel.com/Navi-Mumbai-News/item/196/catid/26 |title = Asha Bhosle: Sa Re Ga Ma... |publisher = Vashi2Panvel.com |access-date = 2006-05-03|quote = I would like to state humbly that I am the only singer who has sung the maximum number of songs&nbsp;– 12,000. If you sing one song a day, you can humanly sing 365 songs a year and 3650 songs in ten years. In around 60 years of my career I could sing 12,000 songs because there were times I had sung even four songs a day. |url-status = usurped |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20071020024238/http://www.vashi2panvel.com/Navi-Mumbai-News/index.php?arr=item%2F196%2Fcatid%2F26|archive-date = 2007-10-20 |df = dmy-all<br />
}}</ref> a figure repeated by several other sources.<ref name="who'swho"/><ref>{{cite web<br />
|url=http://specials.rediff.com/movies/2006/aug/23sld7.htm<br />
|title=How fair were they to Mohammed Rafi?: Page 7<br />
|author=Raju Bharatan<br />
|work=[[Rediff.com]]<br />
|date=23 August 2006<br />
|access-date=2007-04-28<br />
|quote = Asha Bhosle, in fact, occupies pride of place --- she is all set to complete 13,000 songs. And that must rate as the highest in Indian cinema&nbsp;– Guinness or no Guinness.<br />
| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20070530020617/http://specials.rediff.com/movies/2006/aug/23sld7.htm| archive-date= 30 May 2007 | url-status= live}}</ref><br />
<br />
==Early life and career==<br />
Asha Mangeshkar was born in the small hamlet of Goar in [[Sangli]], then in the [[Salute state|salute]] [[princely state]] of [[Sangli State|Sangli]] (now in [[Maharashtra]]), into the [[Mangeshkar family|musical family]] of [[Pandit]] [[Deenanath Mangeshkar]], who was [[Marathi people|Marathi]] and [[Konkani people|Konkani]], and his [[Gujarati people|Gujarati]] wife, Shevanti. Deenanath was an actor and classical singer on the [[Marathi theatre|Marathi musical stage]]. When Bhosle was nine years old, her father died. The family moved from [[Pune]] to [[Kolhapur]] and then to [[Mumbai]]. She and her elder sister [[Lata Mangeshkar]] began singing and acting in films to support their family. She sang her first film song '"Chala Chala Nav Bala" for the [[Marathi cinema|Marathi film]] ''Majha Bal'' (1943). The music for the film was composed by [[Datta Davjekar]]. She made her Hindi film debut when she sang the song "Saawan Aaya" for [[Hansraj Behl]]'s ''Chunariya'' (1948),<ref name="rediff_70">{{cite web<br />
|url=http://ia.rediff.com/movies/2003/sep/05ms1.htm<br />
|title=Asha, 70 years, 70 landmarks<br />
|date=8 September 2003<br />
|access-date=2006-11-11<br />
| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20061108074820/http://ia.rediff.com/movies/2003/sep/05ms1.htm| archive-date= 8 November 2006 | url-status= live}}</ref> though another film ''Andhon Ki Duniya'' was released before ''Chunariya'' in the same year; in both films she sang three songs each. Her first solo Hindi film song was for the movie ''Raat Ki Rani'' (1949).<br />
<br />
Her sisters, [[Lata Mangeshkar|Lata]] and [[Usha Mangeshkar]], have been playback singers. Her elder, sister [[Meena Mangeshkar]] and younger brother [[Hridaynath Mangeshkar]] are music directors.<br />
<br />
==Career==<br />
[[File:Asha Bhosle - still 47160 crop.jpg|thumb|right|Asha Bhosle in 2008]]<br />
From the late 1940s to early 1950s, prominent playback singers like [[Geeta Dutt]], [[Shamshad Begum]] and Lata Mangeshkar dominated the singing for the female lead and the big films. In the 1950s, Bhosle sang more songs than most playback singers in Hindi films. Most of these were in [[low budget]] films. Her earliest songs were composed by [[A R Qureshi|A. R. Qureshi]], [[Sajjad Hussain (composer)|Sajjad Hussain]], [[S. Mohinder]], [[Sardar Malik]], [[Ghulam Mohammed (composer)|Ghulam Mohammed]] and some others.<ref name="rediff_70"/> Singing in ''Sangdil'' (1952), composed by Sajjad Hussain, she got reasonable recognition. In the same year, she has the lead in the film ''Chham Chhama Chham'', under [[O. P. Nayyar]], she has sung 10 out of 11 songs in that film. Consequently, film director [[Bimal Roy]] gave her a chance to sing in ''[[Parineeta (1953 film)|Parineeta]]'' (1953). [[Raj Kapoor]] signed her to sing all songs in ''[[Boot Polish (film)|Boot Polish]]'' (1954), which gained her popularity.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Rao|first=Gayatri|date=2016-11-14|title=Nanhe munne bachche teri muthi mein kya hai – Rafi/Asha – Shankar–Jaikishan {{!}} Boot Polish (1954)|url=https://lemonwire.com/2016/11/14/nanhe-munne-bachche-teri-muthi-mein-kya-hai-rafiasha-shankar-jaikishan-boot-polish-1954/|access-date=2020-09-21|website=LemonWire|language=en-US}}</ref> Bhosle cited [[Elvis Presley]] and [[Bill Haley]] to have influenced her to embrace the western music style.<ref name="u507">{{cite web | last=Haniffa | first=Aziz | title='The new singers can't sing good' | website=Rediff | date=2016-07-11 | url=https://m.rediff.com/movies/report/exclusive-asha-bhosle-to-retire/20160711.htm | access-date=2026-04-12}}</ref><ref name="e139">{{cite web | title=Asha Bhosle on turning 92: I'm far from done. There's so much to learn, so little time | website=The Times of India | date=2025-09-08 | url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/music/news/asha-bhosle-on-turning-92-im-far-from-done-theres-so-much-to-learn-so-little-time/articleshow/123752708.cms | access-date=2026-04-12}}</ref><ref name="v580">{{cite web | title=Asha Bhosle: I sing every song like it's my first | website=EasternEye | date=2019-02-22 | url=https://www.easterneye.biz/i-sing-every-song-like-its-my-first/ | access-date=2026-04-12}}</ref><br />
<br />
O. P. Nayyar gave Bhosle a number of songs during 1952-1956, although she first achieved success in [[B. R. Chopra]]'s ''[[Naya Daur (1957 film)|Naya Daur]]'' (1957), composed by him. Her duets with [[Mohammad Rafi|Rafi]] like "Maang Ke Saath Tumhara", "Saathi Haath Badhana" and "Uden Jab Jab Zulfein Teri", penned by [[Sahir Ludhianvi]], earned her recognition. It was the first time she sang all the songs for a film's leading actress. B. R. Chopra then approached her for several of his later productions, including ''[[Dhool Ka Phool]]'', ''[[Gumrah (1963 film)|Gumrah]]'' (1963), ''[[Waqt (1965 film)|Waqt]]'' (1965), ''[[Hamraaz]]'' (1967), ''[[Aadmi Aur Insaan]]'' (1969), ''[[Dhund (1973 film)|Dhund]]'' (1973) and many more. O. P. Nayyar's future collaboration with Bhosle also resulted in success. Gradually, she established her status and received the patronage of such composers as [[Sachin Dev Burman]] and [[Ravi (music director)|Ravi]]. Bhosle and O. P. Nayyar had a professional and personal parting of ways in the 1970s.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web|title=The stubborn note of O P Nayyar|url=https://www.rediff.com/movies/2003/feb/04dinesh.htm|access-date=2020-09-21|website=Rediff.com}}</ref> In 1966, Bhosle's performances in the duets from one of music director [[Rahul Dev Burman|R.D. Burman]]'s soundtracks, for the movie ''[[Teesri Manzil]]'', won popular acclaim. Reportedly, when she first heard the dance number "Aaja Aaja", she felt she would not be able to sing this westernised tune. While Burman offered to change the music, she refused, taking it as a challenge. She completed the song after ten days of rehearsals, and "Aaja Aaja", along with such other songs as "O Haseena Zulfonwali" and "O Mere Sona Re" (all three duets with Rafi), became successful. [[Shammi Kapoor]], the film's leading actor, was once quoted as saying, "If I did not have Mohammad Rafi to sing for me, I would have got Asha Bhosle to do the job". Bhosle's collaboration with Burman resulted in numerous hits and a marriage. During the 1960-70s, she was the voice of Hindi film actress and dancer, [[Helen (actress)|Helen]], on whom "O Haseena Zulfon Wali" was picturised. It is said that Helen would attend her recording sessions so that she could understand the song better and plan dance steps accordingly.<ref>{{cite news|title=Asha Unplugged over the years|url=http://movies.indiatimes.com/articleshow/msid-3457219,prtpage-1.cms|date=8 September 2008|author=Malani, Gaurav|publisher=[[Indiatimes]]|access-date=2009-07-22|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080912143433/http://movies.indiatimes.com/articleshow/msid-3457219,prtpage-1.cms|archive-date=12 September 2008|url-status=dead}}</ref> Some of their other popular numbers include "[[Piya Tu Ab To Aaja]]" (''[[Caravan (1971 film)|Caravan]]'') and "Yeh Mera Dil" (''[[Don (1978 film)|Don]]''), among others.<br />
<br />
In 1981, Bhosle attempted a different genre by singing several [[ghazal]]s for the [[Rekha]]-starrer ''[[Umrao Jaan (1981 film)|Umrao Jaan]]'', including "Dil Cheez Kya Hai", "In Aankhon Ki Masti Ke", "Yeh Kya Jagah Hai Doston" and "Justju Jiski Thi". The film's music director [[Mohammed Zahur Khayyam|Khayyam]], had lowered her pitch by half a note. Bhosle herself expressed surprise that she could sing so differently. The ghazals won her the first [[National Film Award for Best Female Playback Singer|National Film Award]] of her career. A few years later, she won another National Award for the song "[[Mera Kuchh Saamaan]]" from ''[[Ijaazat]]'' (1987).<br />
<br />
In 1995, 62-year-old Bhosle sang for actress [[Urmila Matondkar]] in the movie ''[[Rangeela (1995 film)|Rangeela]]''. The soundtrack featured songs like "Tanha Tanha" and "Rangeela Re" sung by her, and composed by music director [[A. R. Rahman]], who would go on to record several songs with her. During the 2000s, several of Bhosle's numbers became chartbusters, including "Radha Kaise Na Jale" from ''[[Lagaan]]'' (2001), "Kambakht Ishq" from ''[[Pyaar Tune Kya Kiya (film)|Pyaar Tune Kya Kiya]]'' (2001), "Yeh Lamha" from ''[[Filhaal]]'' (2002) and "Lucky Lips" from ''[[Lucky: No Time for Love|Lucky]]'' (2005). In October 2004, ''The Very Best of Asha Bhosle, The Queen of Bollywood'', a compilation album of songs recorded by Bhosle for albums and Hindi language films that were released between 1966 and 2003, was released.<br />
<br />
In 2012 she judged [[Sur Kshetra]].<br />
<br />
In 2013, Bhosle debuted in the film ''[[Mai (2013 film)|Mai]]'' in the title role, at the age of 79. Bhosle played the role of a 65-year-old mother who suffers from [[Alzheimer's disease]] and is abandoned by her children.<ref name=Only>{{cite news | url=http://daily.bhaskar.com/article/ENT----mai-will-be-my-only-experiment-with-acting----asha-bhosle-4163843-NOR.html | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160122233652/http://daily.bhaskar.com/article/ENT----mai-will-be-my-only-experiment-with-acting----asha-bhosle-4163843-NOR.html | url-status=dead | archive-date=22 January 2016 | title='Mai' will be my only experiment with acting: Asha Bhosle | newspaper=[[Dainik Bhaskar]] | date=30 January 2013 | access-date=3 February 2013 | author=Jha, Subhash K}}</ref> She received positive reviews for her acting as well from critics.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://movies.ndtv.com/movie-reviews/movie-review-i-mai-i-780 | title=Movie review: Mai | publisher=NDTV | date=1 February 2013 | access-date=3 February 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine | url=http://www.filmfare.com/reviews/movie-review-mai-2269.html | title=Movie Review: Mai | magazine=[[Filmfare]] | date=2 February 2013 | access-date=3 February 2013 | author=Gupta, Rachit}}</ref><br />
<br />
In May 2020, Bhosle launched her [[YouTube]] channel named "Asha Bhosle Official".<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/music/asha-bhosle-launches-youtube-channel-and-unveil-main-hoon-a-birthday-song-for-sri-sri-ravishankar/article31590129.ece |title=Asha Bhosle launches YouTube channel, egged on by her granddaughter |work=The Hindu |date=15 May 2020 |access-date=15 July 2021}}</ref><br />
<br />
==Partnership with music directors==<br />
{{More citations needed|section|date=April 2026}}<br />
<br />
===O. P. Nayyar===<br />
Music director [[O. P. Nayyar]]'s association with Bhosle is part of [[Hindi film]] lore. He was the composer who first gave Bhosle her own identity. Many people have speculated about a romantic relationship between the two.<br />
<br />
Nayyar first met Bhosle in 1952, at the music recording of ''Chham Chhama Chham''.<ref name="ref_O_P_Nayyar"><br />
{{cite web<br />
|url=http://music.indya.com/features/index.html <br />
|title=Asha Bhosle was the best person I ever met, An interview with O.P. Nayyar <br />
|publisher=Indya.com <br />
|access-date=2005-11-11 <br />
|url-status=dead <br />
|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050305192530/http://music.indya.com/features/index.html <br />
|archive-date=5 March 2005 <br />
}}<br />
</ref> He then called her for a film called ''Mangu'' (1954), and gave her a big break in superhit films like ''[[Baap Re Baap (1955 film)|Baap Re Baap]]'' (1955), ''Ham Sab Chor Hain'' (1956), ''[[C.I.D. (1956 film)|C.I.D.]]'' (1956), Duniya Rang Rangeeli (1957), Mr. Qartoon M. A. (1958) and many more. However, it was the success of [[Naya Daur (1957 film)|Naya Daur]] (1957) that made the duo popular.{{Cn|date=October 2024}} After 1959, she was emotionally and professionally involved with O. P. Nayyar.{{Cn|date=October 2024}}<br />
<br />
The team of O. P. Nayyar and Bhosle is best remembered for their breezy and sometimes [[Siren (mythology)|siren]]ish songs.{{Cn|date=October 2024}} Some good examples of their sensuous numbers are "Aaiye Meharbaan" picturised on [[Madhubala]] (''[[Howrah Bridge (film)|Howrah Bridge]]'', 1958) and "Yeh Hai Reshmi Zulfon Ka Andhera", (''[[Mere Sanam]]'', 1965). "[[Aao Huzoor Tumko]]" (''[[Kismat (1968 film)|Kismat]]'', 1968) and "Jaiye Aap Kahan Jayenge" (''[[Mere Sanam]]'', 1965) were also popular. They also recorded songs for many hit movies like ''[[Tumsa Nahin Dekha (1957 film)|Tumsa Nahin Dekha]]'' (1957), ''[[Ek Musafir Ek Hasina]]'' (1962) and ''[[Kashmir Ki Kali]]'' (1964). O. P. Nayyar used the Bhosle-[[Mohammad Rafi|Rafi]] duo for his most popular duets such as "Mangke Saath Tumhara", "Uden Jab Jab Zulfein Teri" (both from ''[[Naya Daur (1957 film)|Naya Daur]]''), "Aap Yun Hi Agar Humse Milte Rahe", "Main Pyaar Ka Rahi Hoon" (both from ''[[Ek Musafir Ek Hasina]]''), "Deewana Hua Baadal", "Ishaaron Ishaaron Mein" (both from ''[[Kashmir Ki Kali]]'').<ref name=":1" /><br />
<br />
Bhosle recorded her last song for O. P. Nayyar in the movie ''[[Pran Jaye Par Vachan Na Jaye]]'' (1974). The solo number "Chain Se Humko Kabhi" garnered many awards, but it was not included in the movie.{{Cn|date=October 2024}}<br />
<br />
They separated on 5 August 1972. It is not clear what made them part their ways. On being asked the reason for their parting, O. P. Nayyar once said, "I know astrology very well. I knew that one day I had to part with her. Something also happened that upset me, so I left her."<ref name="ref_O_P_Nayyar" /> Nevertheless, he also said "...now that I am seventy-six, I can say that the most important person in my life was Asha Bhosle. She was the best person I ever met."<br />
<br />
The parting of Bhosle and O. P. Nayyar was bitter, and probably therefore she has hesitated to give Nayyar his due. While talking about O. P. Nayyar in an interview with [[The Times of India]], she once remarked, "Whichever composer gave me work, it was because my voice was suited to his music at that point. No ''one'' musician did me any favor by asking me to sing for him."<ref name="Times_Life_Jul_2005">{{cite news<br />
|author=Jitesh Pillaai <br />
|title=Notes to Myself (An interview with Asha Bhosle) <br />
|url=http://epaperdaily.timesofindia.com/Repository/ml.asp?Ref=VE9JTS8yMDA1LzA3LzMxI0FyMDQzMDA=&Mode=HTML&Locale=english-skin-custom <br />
|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080216231736/http://epaperdaily.timesofindia.com/Repository/ml.asp?Ref=VE9JTS8yMDA1LzA3LzMxI0FyMDQzMDA%3D&Mode=HTML&Locale=english-skin-custom <br />
|url-status=dead <br />
|archive-date=16 February 2008 <br />
|work=Times Life, [[The Times of India]], [[Mumbai]] <br />
|publisher=The Times Group <br />
|page=43 <br />
|date=31 July 2005 <br />
|access-date=2007-09-08 <br />
}}</ref> She gives the credit for her first big break to [[Baldev Raj Chopra|B. R. Chopra]], the producer of ''[[Naya Daur (1957 film)|Naya Daur]]''.<br />
<br />
===Khayyam===<br />
Another music director who recognized Bhosle's talent early was [[Mohammed Zahur Khayyam|Khayyam]]. Their partnership dates back to his first movie ''Biwi'' (1948), in which Khayyam was assistant music director. Khayyam gave her some good assignments in the 1950s, including ''[[Footpath (1953 film)|Footpath]]'' and ''[[Phir Subah Hogi]]''. However, their collaboration is chiefly remembered for the songs of ''[[Umrao Jaan (1981 film)|Umrao Jaan]]''.<ref>{{cite book|last1=Bharatan|first1=Raju|title=A journey down melody lane|date=2010|publisher=Hay House Publishers (India)|location=New Delhi|isbn=9788189988913|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=WnxABAAAQBAJ&q=nayyar+asha+bhosle&pg=PT6}}</ref><br />
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===Ravi===<br />
Music composer [[Ravi (music director)|Ravi]] considered Bhosle one of his favorite singers. She sang for his first movie ''[[Vachan]]'' (1955). The melodious [[lullaby]] from this movie, "Chanda Mama Door Ke" became an overnight hit among young mothers in India. Ravi got her to sing [[bhajan]]s for the movies ''[[Gharana]]'', ''[[Grahasti (film)|Grahasti]]'', ''[[Kaajal]]'' and ''[[Phool Aur Patthar]]'', Ravi and Bhosle recorded a variety of songs, including the popular comic duet with [[Kishore Kumar]] :– "C A T...Cat, Cat Maane Billi" (''[[Dilli Ka Thug]]''). The [[bhajan]] "Tora Man Darpan Kehlaye" (''[[Kaajal]]'') attained great popularity.<ref>{{Cite news|agency=Press Trust of India|date=2018-03-09|title=Tough cop Roopa Moudgil releases music video to inspire women|work=Business Standard India|url=https://www.business-standard.com/article/pti-stories/tough-cop-roopa-moudgil-releases-music-video-to-inspire-women-118030900993_1.html|access-date=2020-09-21}}</ref><br />
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They also recorded songs for many popular movies like ''[[Waqt (1965 film)|Waqt]]'', ''[[Chaudhvin Ka Chand]]'', ''[[Gumrah (1963 film)|Gumrah]]'', ''[[Bahu Beti]]'', ''[[China Town (1962 film)|China Town]]'', ''[[Aadmi Aur Insaan]]'', ''[[Dhund (1973 film)|Dhund]]'', ''[[Hamraaz]]'' and many more. For ''[[Chaudhvin Ka Chand]]'', Ravi wanted [[Geeta Dutt]] (the wife of actor and producer [[Guru Dutt]]) to sing the songs. [[Guru Dutt]] insisted that only Bhosle could do justice with those songs, which has been proved.<ref name="rediff_70"/><br />
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===Sachin Dev Burman===<br />
[[Sachin Dev Burman]] was one of those composers, who had recognized the potentiality and versatility in Bhosle and apart from Lata Mangeshkar, he had utilised the voice of Bhosle as well, he had some misunderstandings with Lata from 1957 to 1962, on that time only Bhosle used to be his only female voice.<ref name="encyclopaedia_of_hindi_cinema">{{cite book<br />
| last = Khubchandani<br />
| first = Lata<br />
| editor = [[Gulzar (lyricist)|Gulzar]] |editor2=[[Govind Nihalani]] |editor3=Saibal Chatterjee<br />
| title = Encyclopaedia of Hindi Cinema<br />
| year = 2003<br />
| publisher = Popular Prakashan<br />
| isbn = 81-7991-066-0<br />
| pages = 486–487<br />
}}</ref> She and Burman Dada gave many songs in movies such as ''[[Nau Do Gyarah]]'', ''[[Kala Pani (1958 film)|Kala Pani]]'', ''[[Kala Bazar]]'', ''[[Insan Jaag Utha]]'', ''[[Lajwanti]]'', ''[[Sujata (1959 film)|Sujata]]'', ''[[Teen Devian]]'' and many more. They recorded many songs together after 1962 as well.<br />
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===Rahul Dev Burman (Pancham)===<br />
Bhosle first met [[Rahul Dev Burman]] (also known as Pancham) when she was the mother of two and he was in 10th grade having dropped out to pursue music. Their partnership was first noticed in ''Teesri Manzil'' (1966). She went on to record a variety of songs with him&nbsp;– [[cabaret]]s, rock, [[disco]], [[ghazal]]s and [[Indian classical music|classical]].<br />
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In the 1970s, Bhosle and Burman's youthful Western songs took Hindi film music by storm&nbsp;– the raunchy cabaret "[[Piya Tu Ab To Aaja]]" (''[[Caravan (1971 film)|Caravan]]'', picturized on [[Helen (actress)|Helen]]), the rebellious "[[Dum Maro Dum (song)|Dum Maro Dum]]" (''[[Hare Rama Hare Krishna (1971 film)|Hare Rama Hare Krishna]]'', 1971), the sexy "Duniya Mein Logon Ko" (''[[Apna Desh]]'', 1972) and the romantic "Chura Liya Hai Tumne" (''[[Yaadon Ki Baaraat]]'', 1973). Burman also recorded many hit duets with Bhosle and [[Kishore Kumar]] such as "Jaan-E-Jaan Dhundhta Phir Raha" (''[[Jawani Diwani]]'') and "Bhali Bhali Si Ek Soorat" (''[[Buddha Mil Gaya (film)|Buddha Mil Gaya]]'').<br />
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In the 1980s, Burman and Bhosle recorded subtle numbers for films like ''[[Ijaazat]]'' (1987) - "[[Mera Kuch Saaman]]", "Khaali Haath Shaam Aayi Hai" and "Katra Katra". They also recorded the duet "O Maria!" (''[[Saagar (1985 film)|Saagar]]'').<br />
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Bhosle used to call R. D. Burman "Bob". She married him in 1980. Their partnership lasted until his death.<br />
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R. D. Burman made her sing some of the most legendary songs in Bengali as well, namely "Mohuaye Jomechhe Aaj Mou Go", "Chokhe Chokhe Kotha Bolo", "Chokhe Naame Brishti" (Bengali version of "Jaane Kya Baat Hai"), "Baanshi Sune Ki Ghore Thaka Jaye", "Sondhya Belay Tumi Aami" and "Aaj Gun Gun Gun Kunje Amar" (Bengali version of "Pyaar Deewana Hota Hai") and many other songs.{{Cn|date=October 2024}}<br />
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===Bappi Lahiri===<br />
Bhosle has long collaboration with [[Bappi Lahiri]], starting from mid 70s to mid 90s, Bhosle gave many songs under Bappi Lahiri such, ''[[Haathkadi (1982 film)|Haathkadi]]'' (1982), ''[[Namak Halaal]]'' (1982), ''[[Sharaabi]]'' (1984), ''[[Himmatwala (1983 film)|Himmatwala]]'' (1983), ''[[Mawaali]]'' (1983), ''[[Tohfa]]'' (1984), ''[[Prem Pratigyaa]]'' (1989) to name a very few. The last duet of [[Kishore Kumar|Kishore]]-Bhosle "Guru Guru, Aa Jao Guru" from ''[[Waqt Ki Awaz]]'' (1988), also music by Bappi Lahiri. Bappi Lahiri also composed the memorable [[ghazal]] "Kisi Nazar Ko Tera Intazaar Aaj Bhi Hai" for ''[[Aitbaar]]'' (1985), also sung by Bhosle. <br />
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===Ilaiyaraaja===<br />
Prolific Indian film composer [[Ilaiyaraaja]] began employing Bhosle's vocals in the early 1980s, their earliest collaboration being for the film ''[[Moondram Pirai]]'' (1982) (remade in Hindi as ''Sadma'' in 1983). Their association continued, mostly through the latter half of the 1980s and early 1990s. Another notable song from this period is "Shenbagamae" for the movie [[Enga Ooru Pattukaran]] in 1987. In 2000, Bhosle sung the theme song for [[Kamal Haasan]]'s political film ''[[Hey Ram]]''. The song, "Nee Partha Parvai" in Tamil and ''Janmon Ki Jwala'' in Hindi (or Aparna's Theme), was a duet with singer [[Hariharan (singer)|Hariharan]].<br />
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===A. R. Rahman===<br />
[[A. R. Rahman]] worked with Bhosle's on ''[[Rangeela (1995 film)|Rangeela]]'' (1995). She and Rahman went on to record more songs like "Mujhe Rang De" (''[[Thakshak]]''), "Radha Kaise Na Jale" (''[[Lagaan]]'', duet with [[Udit Narayan]]), "Kahin Aag Lage" (''[[Taal (film)|Taal]]''), "O Bhanware" (''[[Daud (film)|Daud]]'', duet with [[K. J. Yesudas]]), "Venilla Venilla" (''[[Iruvar]]'', 1999), "September Madham" (''[[Alaipayuthey]]'', 2000) and "Dhuan Dhuan" (''[[Meenaxi (Soundtrack)|Meenaxi]]'', 2004).<ref name="rediff_70"/><br />
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===Jaidev===<br />
When [[S D Burman]]'s assistant [[Jaidev]] started giving music independently, he got Bhosle to sing some of his songs as well. They worked in ''[[Hum Dono (1961 film)|Hum Dono]]'' (1961), ''[[Mujhe Jeene Do]]'' (1963), ''[[Do Boond Pani]]'' (1971) and other movies. In 1971, the pair released an LP of eight non-film devotional songs and ghazals called ''An Unforgettable Treat''. Bhosle considered Jaidev a close friend who stood by her when she was struggling personally and professionally. Upon his death in 1987, she released a compilation album of lesser-known songs he had composed for her, called ''Suranjali''.<br />
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===Shankar–Jaikishan===<br />
[[Shankar–Jaikishan]] worked with Bhosle in a number of songs, especially, from 1965 to 1972. Some hits of this trio including the seductive "Parde Mein Rehne Do" (''[[Shikar (1968 film)|Shikar]]'', 1968). Bhosle got her second [[Filmfare Award]] for the song. She also sang "[[Zindagi Ek Safar Hai Suhana]]" (''[[Andaz (1971 film)|Andaz]]'', 1971) for Shankar–Jaikishan, in which she tried to [[yodel]] like [[Kishore Kumar]], whose version of the song is more popular. They also used her voice in films like ''[[Boot Polish (film)|Boot Polish]]'' (1954), ''[[Shree 420]]'' (1955), ''[[Chori Chori (1956 film)|Chori Chori]]'' (1956), ''[[Jis Desh Men Ganga Behti Hai]]'' (1960), ''[[Junglee (1961 film)|Junglee]]'' (1961), ''[[An Evening in Paris]]'' (1967) and ''[[Kal Aaj Aur Kal]]'' (1971), ''[[Lal Patthar]]'' (1971), ''[[Aankhon Aankhon Mein]]'' (1972) among others. Bhosle gave all female vocals for the songs of ''[[Mera Naam Joker]]'' (1970) also.<br />
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===Anu Malik===<br />
Composer [[Anu Malik]] and Bhosle have recorded many singles together starting from ''Poonam'' (1981), including songs for the hit films like ''[[Sohni Mahiwal]]'' (1984). Their most popular songs include "Yeh Lamha Filhaal Jee Lene De" (''Filhaal'') and "Kitabein Bahut Si" (''[[Baazigar]]'') among others. The voice of Bhosle in Anu Malik's "Jab Dil Mile" (''[[Yaadein (2001 film)|Yaadein]]'') stood out among voices of [[Udit Narayan]], [[Sukhwinder Singh]] and [[Sunidhi Chauhan]]. Their latest collaboration has been for the song, "Prem Mein Tohre" (''[[Begum Jaan (2017 film)|Begum Jaan]]'') which also received praise.<br />
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===Other composers===<br />
[[Madan Mohan (music director)|Madan Mohan]] recorded a number of songs with Bhosle, including the popular folk number "Jhumka Gira Re" picturised on [[Sadhana Shivdasani|Sadhana]] from ''[[Mera Saaya]]'' (1966), some other films of Madan Mohan with Bhosle are ''[[Aakhri Dao]]'' (1958), ''[[Adalat (1958 film)|Adalat]]'' (1958), ''[[Pooja Ke Phool]]'' (1964), ''[[Neela Aakash]]'' (1965), ''[[Neend Hamari Khwab Tumhare (1966 film)|Neend Hamari Khwab Tumhare]]'' (1966) to name a very few. In ''[[Chhoti Si Baat]]'' (1976), Bhosle sang the "Jaaneman Jaaneman" number with [[K. J. Yesudas]] for [[Salil Chowdhury]]. Salil's 1956 movie ''[[Jagte Raho]]'' also had a number recorded by Bhosle, "Thandi Thandi Saawan Ki Phuhaar", Bhosle also had the lead for Salil Chowdhury in ''[[Amanat (1955 film)|Amanat]]'' (1955). Bhosle has sung many hit songs under [[C. Ramchandra]] in films like ''[[Insaniyat (1955 film)|Insaniyat]]'' (1955), ''[[Raj Tilak (1958 film)|Raj Tilak]]'' (1958), ''[[Paigham]]'' (1959), ''[[Navrang]]'' (1959), ''[[Amardeep (1958 film)|Amar Deep]]'' (1958), ''[[Sharada (1957 film)|Sharada]]'' (1957), ''[[Aasha (1957 film)|Aasha]]'' (1957) among others, the superhit song "Eena Meena Deeka" (from [[Aasha (1957 film)|Aasha]], sung by [[Kishore Kumar|Kishore]] and Bhosle in two different versions) was composed by C. Ramchandra.<br />
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Another Bhosle patron is the young composer [[Sandeep Chowta]], who got her to sing "Kambakht Ishq", a trio with [[Sonu Nigam]] and [[Sukhwinder Singh]] for the movie ''Pyaar Tune Kya Kiya'' (2001). The song gained major popularity among the Indian youth. [[Vidyasagar (composer)|Vidyasagar]] recorded Bhosle's voice for a popular duet song "Konja Neram" for the [[Rajinikanth]] starrer ''[[Chandramukhi]]'' (2005) along with [[Madhu Balakrishnan]].<br />
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Bhosle has worked with Lata-patrons like [[Laxmikant–Pyarelal]], [[Naushad Ali]], [[Ravindra Jain]], [[Datta Naik|N. Dutta]] and [[Hemant Kumar]]. When Naushad was asked to sum up the essential difference between Lata and Bhosle, he said that Bhosle "lacks certain something which Lata, and Lata alone has." Later he stated in an interview, "Maybe I said it because I then had a closed ear on Asha".<ref name="Girija"><br />
{{cite web| url=http://www.musicalnirvana.com/ghazal/asha_articles.html| title=Articles on Asha Bhosle&nbsp;– A voice for all seasons: Taken from Girija Rajendran's article for the Hindu| access-date=2006-05-03}}</ref> Naushad, later in his life, also admitted that he has been unfair to Bhosle. Bhosle has also worked with other noted Hindi film composers like [[Roshan (music director)|Roshan]], [[Chitragupt (composer)|Chitragupt]], [[Kalyanji-Anandji]], [[Usha Khanna]], [[Nadeem-Shravan]], [[Jatin-Lalit]] and others.<br />
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==Non-film music==<br />
{{More citations needed|section|date=April 2026}}[[File:Asha Bhosle.jpg|thumb|right|Asha Bhosle at [[Sunidhi Chauhan]]'s wedding reception]]<br />
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===Studio albums===<br />
In a rare feat, noted lyricist [[Gulzar (lyricist)|Gulzar]], music director [[R.D. Burman]] and Bhosle came together in 1987 to create a double album titled ''Dil Padosi Hai'', which was released on 8 September 1987.<ref>{{YouTube|uwTBsElMeuw|''Dil Padosi Hai'', release}}</ref> In 1995, Bhosle underwent the ''gatha bandan'' (thread-tying) ceremony with [[Hindustani classical music]] maestro [[Ali Akbar Khan]] to learn a classical repertoire held within the Maihar ''gharana'' (stylistic school of Indian classical music), as handed down to Khan by his father [[Allauddin Khan]] (the guru of [[Ravi Shankar]]). Later, Bhosle and Ustad Ali Akbar Khan recorded eleven fixed compositions (or ''bandish''es) in California for ''Legacy'', a private album that earned them a [[Grammy Award]] nomination.<br />
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In the 1990s, Bhosle experimented with [[remix]]ed R.D. Burman songs. She was criticized by many, including [[Mohammed Zahur Khayyam|Khayyam]], for tampering with old melodies. Nevertheless, albums like ''Rahul And I'' became quite popular. In 1997, Bhosle did a private [[Indipop]] album ''Janam Samjha Karo'' with [[Lesle Lewis (composer)|Lesle Lewis]]. The album was hugely popular and won her many awards including the 1997 [[MTV]] Award.<br />
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Bhosle had been once asked by director [[B. R. Ishara]] to compose music for one of his films, but she had politely declined. In 2002, she turned music composer with the album ''Aap Ki Asha'', an eight-song music and video album. The lyrics were written by [[Majrooh Sultanpuri]]. The album was released by [[Sachin Tendulkar]] on 21 May 2001 at a lavish party in Mumbai. The album received mixed reviews.<br />
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Bhosle had spotted Pakistani singer [[Adnan Sami]]'s talent when he was about 10 years old. At that time, she was performing in London with R. D. Burman. It was she who had asked him to pursue his interests in music. When Adnan grew up and became a professional musician, Bhosle sang the title duet with him for his best-selling album ''Kabhi To Nazar Milao''. The two came together again in the album ''Barse Badal''. The album comprises eight songs, based on [[Indian Classical music]]. She contributed the song ''Yun Na Thi'' to the recording ''Womad Talking Book Volume Four: An Introduction to Asia 1'' on Womad Records.<br />
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Bhosle has sung [[ghazal]]s for many albums like ''Meraj-E-Ghazal'', ''[[Aabshar-e-Ghazal]]'' and ''Kashish''. In 2005, Bhosle released a self-titled album as a tribute to the four ghazal maestros&nbsp;– [[Mehdi Hassan]], [[Ghulam Ali (Ghazal singer)|Ghulam Ali]], [[Farida Khanum]] and [[Jagjit Singh]]. The album features eight of her favorite [[ghazal]]s like Farida Khanum's ''[[Aaj Jaane Ki Zid Na Karo]]'', [[Ghulam Ali (Ghazal singer)|Ghulam Ali]]'s ''Chupke Chupke'', ''Aawargi'' and ''Dil Mein Ek Lahar'', Jagjit Singh's ''Ahista Ahista'' and [[Mehdi Hassan]]'s ''Ranjish Hi Sahi'', ''Rafta Rafta'' and ''Mujhe Tum Nazar Se''. These classic ghazals were recreated with modern sounds by musician Pandit Somesh Mathur. The album was aimed at the younger generation, who, according to Bhosle, are "turned off" by the traditional sounds of tabla and sarangi.<br />
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Numerous compilations of Bhosle's songs have been released as well. To commemorate her 60th birthday, [[EMI]] India released three cassettes: ''Bala Main Bairagan Hoongi'' (devotional songs), ''The Golden Collection: Memorable Ghazals'' (non-film ghazals by composers such as Ghulam Ali, R.D. Burman and Nazar Hussain), and ''The Golden Collection: The Ever Versatile Asha Bhosle'' (44 popular film songs).<br />
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In 1996, Bhosle sang [[Channeache Rati]] among several other songs in Rajendra Talak's [[Konkani language|Konkani]] album ''Daryachya Deger'' with [[Suresh Wadkar]].<br />
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In 2006, she recorded an album ''Asha and Friends'', singing duets, with film actors [[Sanjay Dutt]] and [[Urmila Matondkar]] and famous cricket player [[Brett Lee]], with whom she sang, "[[You're the One for Me (Brett Lee song)|You're the One for Me]]" ("Haan Main Tumhara Hoon"). All these songs composed by Shamir Tandon were shot on video by journalist turned director [[S. Ramachandran (filmmaker)|S. Ramachandran]].<br />
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In 2014, she sang a song titled "Dil Lagane Ko Dil Jab" for the [[International Women's Day]] special album, ''[[Women's Day Special: Spreading Melodies Everywhere]]''. It was composed by Shamir Tandon and penned by Saajan Agarwal.<br />
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In 2014, she sang one more song titled "Bappa Morya" with her Granddaughter Zanai Bhosle .on Ganesh chaturthi for Saregama Music company composed by Nitin Shankar song written by SahilSultanpuri.<br />
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In 2015, Bhosle recorded a Sufi song, "Fariyad Sun Fakira" with co-singers Javed Ali and Pankaj Kumar.<br />
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In 2016, she recorded the album "82" with music director [[Mandar Agashe]] who decorated six of [[Suresh Bhat]]'s ghazals with his musical touch of pop, reggae, blues, and rock.<ref name=":0">{{Cite news|url=http://marathicineyug.com/news/latest-news/784-music-director-mandar-agashe-launches-asha-bhosle-s-82-pop-album|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160416165808/http://marathicineyug.com/news/latest-news/784-music-director-mandar-agashe-launches-asha-bhosle-s-82-pop-album|url-status=usurped|archive-date=16 April 2016|title=Music Director Mandar Agashe Launches Asha Bhosle's "82" Pop Album|date=13 April 2016|website=Marathicneyug.com|access-date=5 October 2016}}</ref> The album was named after her age at the time of recording.<ref name=":0" /> About the album "82", Bhosle said, "I had a long association with [[Suresh Bhat]] and have a lot of memories about him. With this album, I will relive those memories. I don't need to tell you how powerful his words were and, with the album, that power can be experienced again. Mr. Bhat always wanted to record these ghazals in the pop and rock genres and it is good to see Mandar fulfilling that wish. I just wish Mr. Bhat was among us today."<ref name=":0" /><br />
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In 2020, during the [[COVID-19 pandemic in India|COVID-19 pandemic]] and the lockdown throughout the nation, Bhosle along with many noted artists like [[S. P. Balasubrahmanyam]], [[Udit Narayan]], [[Kailash Kher]], [[Usha Uthup]], [[Shaan (singer)|Shaan]], [[Alka Yagnik]], [[Sonu Nigam]] and other 200 artists of India, worked on a song named "Jayatu Jayatu Bharatam" to unite the country during the pandemic.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/hindi/2020/may/15/jayatu-jayatu-bharatam-200-singers-including-asha-bhosle-sonu-nigam-join-hands-for-one-song-2143782.html|title=Asha Bhosle, Sonu Nigam and other 200 artists join hands for one song|date=24 May 2020|work=New Indian Express|access-date=5 October 2020}}</ref><br />
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===Concerts and collaborations with foreign artists===<br />
In the 1980s and 1990s, Bhosle staged concerts in Canada, [[Dubai]], UK, US and many other countries. In October 2002, she did a concert with Sudesh Bhosle and others, in London, for "Help the Aged" to help raise funds for the elderly in India. In 2007 she toured the US, Canada, and West Indies in a tour called "The Incredibles". In this tour, she was accompanied by singers [[Sonu Nigam]], [[Kunal Ganjawala]] and [[Kailash Kher]]. This tour, originally scheduled for only 12 concerts, went on to run more than 20.<br />
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In the early 1990s, Bhosle sang with [[Boy George]] ("[[Bow Down Mister]]") and Stephen Lauscombe. In 1997, she sang a love song with the boy band [[Code Red (band)|Code Red]], at the age of 64. She also recorded the song "The Way you Dream" (One Giant Leap),<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://1giantleap.tv/ |title=No such site available |date=8 October 2019 |website= |access-date=9 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191008054436/http://1giantleap.tv/ |archive-date=8 October 2019 |url-status=dead}}</ref> with [[Michael Stipe]] that was used in the English movie, ''[[Bulletproof Monk]]''. The song was also released on the album ''[[1 Giant Leap]]'' for 2002.<br />
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In 1997, the British band [[Cornershop (band)|Cornershop]] paid tribute to Bhosle with their song "[[Brimful of Asha]]," an international hit which was later remixed by [[Fatboy Slim]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Brimful Of Asha meaning explained – Cornershop (Official Website) |url=https://www.cornershop.com/2012/01/brimful-explained |access-date=2025-01-24 |language=en-US}}</ref> In 2001, the CD single of [[Nelly Furtado]]'s "[[I'm Like a Bird]]" included a "Nellie vs. Asha Remix" created by Digital Cutup Lounge.<br />
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In 2003, British opera pop singer [[Sarah Brightman]] sampled her song "Dil Cheez Kya Hai" on her album ''[[Harem (album)|Harem]]''. It was used as the intro for her song "You Take My Breath Away".<br />
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In 2005, American [[string quartet]] [[Kronos Quartet]] re-recorded [[R D Burman]] compositions like "[[Chura Liyaa Hai Tumne|Chura Liya]]", "Piya Tu" and "Mera Kuchh Saaman" among others and got Bhosle to sing them. Despite her age, she recorded three to four songs a day, leaving the quartet members stupefied. On 23 August 2005, ''[[You've Stolen My Heart (album)|You've Stolen My Heart: Songs from R.D. Burman's Bollywood]]'' was released in US. The album was nominated for [[Grammy Award]]s 2006 in the category of "Best Contemporary World Music Album". In the 1990s, a friend had introduced David Harrington of [[Kronos Quartet]] to the song "Aaj ki raat." Harrington was mesmerised, and the song ended up on the album ''Kronos Caravan''.<br />
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Also in 2005, [[The Black Eyed Peas]] sampled her songs "Ae Naujawan Sab Kuchh Yahan" (''[[Apradh]]'', 1972) and "Yeh Mera Dil Pyaar Ka Diwana" (''[[Don (1978 film)|Don]]'', 1978) in their hit single "[[Don't Phunk with My Heart]]". In late 2006, Bhosle collaborated with Australian test cricket star, [[Brett Lee]]. The single, "[[You're the One for Me (Brett Lee song)|You're the One for Me]]", debuted at number 4 on the charts and reached a peak position of number 2.<br />
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In 2006, Bhosle recorded one song for the soundtrack of the Pakistani movie ''Mein Ek Din Laut Kay Aaaonga''. She sang the song titled "Dil Key Taar Bajey", with Pakistani pop singer [[Jawad Ahmed]]. It was aired as part of the film's promotional campaign and became very popular, featuring on [[Record chart|top music charts]].{{Cn|date=October 2024}}<br />
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In 2026, Bhosle featured on British virtual band [[Gorillaz]]'s ninth studio album [[The Mountain (Gorillaz album)|''The Mountain'']], on the track "The Shadowy Light".<ref>{{Cite web |last=Tagat |first=Anurag |date=2025-09-05 |title=Will Gorillaz’s Next Release Feature Asha Bhosle, Asha Puthli, Anoushka Shankar and More? |url=https://rollingstoneindia.com/gorillaz-new-album-asha-bhosle-asha-puthli-anoushka-shankar/ |access-date=2026-03-30 |website=Rolling Stone India |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=The Making of Gorillaz's 'The Mountain': How Anoushka Shankar and the Bangash Brothers Became Part Of The Epic Collaboration |url=https://www.hollywoodreporterindia.com/features/interviews/the-making-of-gorillazs-the-mountain-how-anoushka-shankar-and-the-bangash-brothers-became-part-of-the-epic-collaboration |access-date=2026-03-30 |website=The Hollywood Reporter India |language=en}}</ref><br />
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==Bengali career==<br />
Bhosle sang her first Bengali song in 1958 under the banner of [[Saregama|His Master's Voice]]. The songs were music by [[Sudhin Dasgupta]] and Binod Chattopadhyay. On the next year, she recorded her "Pooja Songs" from His Master's Voice with music composed by [[Manna Dey]]. She sang many Pooja songs in Bengali.<br />
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[[Rahul Dev Burman]] converted some Hindi tracks to Bengali such as "Gunjone Dole Je Bhramar" (made from Gunguna Rahe Hain Bhanware in Aradhana), "Chokhe Name Bristi" (from ''Jane Kya Baat Hai''), "Aaj Gun Gun Gun Kunje" (from ''Pyaar Deewana Hota Hain''). In the mid-1970s, she would frequently sing for Bengali songs tuned by [[Sudhin Dasgupta]], [[Nachiketa Ghosh]] etc. In 1977, she sang the duet "Sara Pyaar Tumhara" with [[Kishore Kumar]] in ''Anand Ashram'' and "Amar Swapno Tumi" in its Bengali version with the same title. In the 1970s, she sang a lot of songs in films such as ''Chhadmabeshi'', ''Bandi'', ''Mouchak'', ''Swayamsiddha'', ''Amanush'', ''Anand Ashram'' etc. In 1981, she sang the duet "Aadho Aalo Chhayate" with Kishore in ''Kalankini Kankabati''. In 1982, she sang the Bhajan "Kunjo Bihari He Giridhari" in ''Mayer Ashirbad'', In the same year, she sang "Kotha Hoyechilo" in ''Troyee''. In 1987, she sang "Chirodini Tumi Je Amar" in ''Amar Sangee'', composed by Bappi Lahiri. In 2014, she has created the album "Pancham Tumi Kothay" in honor of her husband [[Rahul Dev Burman]]'s 75th birth anniversary. In this album she has sung 8 songs previously composed by Burman. She has also sung in a 2014 film ''Paarapaar'' at the age of 81.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.soundbox.co.in/asha-bhosle-re-records-rd-burmans-bengali-tracks/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141215181922/http://www.soundbox.co.in/asha-bhosle-re-records-rd-burmans-bengali-tracks/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=15 December 2014 |title=Asha Bhosle re-records RD Burman's Bengali tracks |work=Soundbox |date=18 September 2014 |access-date=19 January 2015 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url= http://www.dnaindia.com/entertainment/report-asha-bhosle-sings-again-for-bengali-films-2030902 |title=Asha Bhosle sings again for Bengali films |newspaper=[[Daily News and Analysis]] |date=31 October 2014 |access-date=19 January 2015}}</ref><br />
<br />
==Marathi career ==<br />
Bhosle started her playback singing in Marathi with the mythological film ''Gokulcha Raja''. Since then Bhosle has sung thousands of Marathi film songs, [[Bhavageete|Bhavgeet]] (non-film songs). Natya sangeet from Mast er [[Deenanath Mangeshkar]]'s Marathi Sangeet natak has also been recorded in Bhosle's voice. During the 1950s and 60s, Bhosle and her sister Lata were the main playback singers for Marathi films. She won the 1962 [[Maharashtra State Film Award for Best Female Playback Singer]] for the Marathi film, ''[[Manini (1961 film)|Manini]]''.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://scholar.google.com/scholar?cluster=11530055570410931518&hl=en&as_sdt=0,39|title=Google Scholar|website=Scholar.google.com|access-date=9 February 2022}}</ref> In 1963 music director [[Vasant Desai]] used her voice with [[Talat Mahmood]] in the film, ''Molkarin''.<ref>{{cite journal |editor-last1=Chandvankar |editor-first1=Suresh |title='Kimayagar' - Mr. Vasantrao Desai (1912-1975) |journal=The Journal of the 'Society of Indian Record Collectors THE RECORD NEWS |date=2012 |issue=Annual 2012 |page=11 |url=https://dsal.uchicago.edu/books/trn/pdfs/trn_2012.pdf}}</ref> <br />
<br />
Some Marathi films in which Bhosle has rendered her voice are: ''Molkarin'', ''[[Jait Re Jait]]'', ''Gharkul'', ''Devbappa'', ''[[Sangtye Aika]]'', ''[[Sinhasan]]'', ''[[Samna (film)|Samna]]'', ''Maratha Tituka Melvava'', and ''[[Nivdung]]''.<br />
<br />
Bhosle also sang many Marathi devotional songs ([[abhang]]) with music composed by [[Shrinivas Khale]].<ref name="BoothShope2013">{{cite book|author1=Gregory D. Booth|author2=Bradley Shope|title=More Than Bollywood: Studies in Indian Popular Music|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=LvTQCwAAQBAJ&pg=PP1|date=1 November 2013|publisher=Oxford University Press|isbn=978-0-19-992884-2|page=277}}</ref> <br />
<br />
==Personal life==<br />
At the age of 16, Asha eloped with 31-year-old Ganpatrao Bhosle, marrying him against her family's wishes.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2021-09-08 |title=When Asha said she wanted to quit singing, become housewife after first marriage |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/entertainment/music/when-asha-bhosle-said-she-wanted-to-quit-singing-become-a-housewife-after-first-marriage-he-forced-me-to-continue-101631096388321.html |access-date= |website=[[Hindustan Times]] |language=en}}</ref> Ganpatrao was her personal secretary. Following their wedding, her husband and in-laws mistreated her.{{clarify|reason=In what way?|date=April 2026}} After a few years of marriage, Bhosle was turned out by a suspicious Ganpatrao<ref>{{Cite web |title=A life on canvas « Harmony Magazine |url=https://www.harmonyindia.org/etcetera_posts/a-life-on-canvas/ |access-date=9 February 2022 |website=Harmonyindia.org}}</ref>{{clarify|reason=Why was he suspicious?|date=April 2026}} and she went to her maternal home with two children while pregnant with her third child. They separated in 1960.<br />
<br />
The eldest of her three children, Hemant Bhosle (named after [[Hemant Kumar]]), spent most of his early years as a pilot and quit to have a brief career as a music director. Hemant's best known compositions are the Kishore-Bhosle duets from the film ''Anpadh'': "Aji Kaho Kya Haal Hai" picturised on Vijendra Ghatke and "Sarika" and "Salamat Raho Tum" picturised on Ashok Kumar and Sarika. Hemant died of cancer in 2015.<br />
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Bhosle's daughter [[Varsha Bhosle|Varsha]] committed suicide on 8 October 2012; she was 56 years old and worked as a columnist for ''The Sunday Observer'' and ''[[Rediff]]''.<ref>{{cite news | url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-10-08/mumbai/34321873_1_singer-asha-bhosle-anand-bhosle-prabhu-kunj | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121009141640/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-10-08/mumbai/34321873_1_singer-asha-bhosle-anand-bhosle-prabhu-kunj | url-status=dead | archive-date=9 October 2012 | title=Asha's daughter, commits suicide | date=8 October 2012 | newspaper=[[The Times of India]] | access-date=9 October 2012}}</ref> Bhosle's youngest child, Anand Bhosle, studied business and film direction. He managed Bhosle's career. Her granddaughter Zanai Bhosle (daughter of Anand Bhosle) runs iAzure [[Apple Inc.]] store in Mumbai.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.freepressjournal.in/cmcm/technology-cannot-add-soul-to-singers-voice-says-asha-bhosle|title = Technology cannot add soul to singer's voice, says Asha Bhosle|website=Freepressjournal.in}}</ref> Zanai is an emerging singer and [[Kathak]] dancer<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://indiandownunder.com.au/2016/04/zanai-bhosle-a-young-singing-and-dancing-phenomenan/|title = Zanai Bhosle – an emerging singing and dancing phenomenan of Bollywood |website=Indiandownunder.com.au}}</ref> and had sung with Bhosle.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://zeenews.india.com/entertainment/music/watch-asha-bhosle-granddaughter-sing-ganapati-morya_1462158.html|title = Watch: Asha Bhosle, granddaughter sing 'Ganapati Morya'|website=Zeenews.india.com|date = 29 August 2014}}</ref><br />
<br />
Bhosle married [[Rahul Dev Burman]] in 1980 after a protracted romance despite vehement opposition from Rahul's mother to their relationship.<ref name="Guinness">{{cite news |last=Baksi |first=Dibyojyoti |date=22 October 2011 |title=I am honoured after receiving this award: Asha Bhosle |work=Hindustan Times |url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/I-am-honoured-after-receiving-this-award-Asha-Bhosle/H1-Article1-760281.aspx |url-status=dead |access-date=2011-10-23 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111022185824/http://www.hindustantimes.com/I-am-honoured-after-receiving-this-award-Asha-Bhosle/H1-Article1-760281.aspx |archive-date=22 October 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |author=Ranjan Das Gupta |title=More than a composer |newspaper=[[Deccan Herald]] |url=http://www.deccanherald.com/content/125433/more-composer.html |access-date=28 May 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |author=Subhash K. Jha |date=27 June 2010 |title=I knew him from the time he ran around in shorts |newspaper=[[Mid-Day]] |location=Mumbai |url=http://www.mid-day.com/entertainment/2010/jun/270610-lata-mangeshkar-rd-burman-71st-birthday.htm |access-date=28 May 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |author=Sreemita Bhattacharya |date=8 August 2011 |title=I'm afraid to speak in Bengali: Asha Bhosle |newspaper=[[The Times of India]] |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/music/news/Im-afraid-to-speak-in-Bengali-Asha-Bhosle/etarticleshow/9528026.cms |url-status=live |access-date=28 May 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130903063841/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-08-08/news-and-interviews/29863528_1_asha-bhosle-bengali-films-rabindra-sangeet |archive-date=3 September 2013}}</ref> This was the second marriage for both Rahul and Bhosle. Rahul, 6 years younger than her, got divorced from Rita Patel in 1971.<ref>{{cite magazine |date=27 June 2011 |title=Remembering R. D. Burman on his 72nd birth anniversary |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/movies/bollywood/story/remembering-r-d-burman-on-his-72nd-birth-anniversary-136342-2011-06-26 |magazine=[[India Today]] |location=New Delhi |access-date=28 May 2012}}</ref><br />
<br />
Bhosle enjoyed cooking. In an interview with ''[[The Times of India]]'', she said that had she not become a singer, she would have been a cook. She founded a restaurant chain, ''[[Ashaʼs]]'', which offers traditional north-western [[Indian cuisine]].<ref>{{cite web |date=12 June 2025 |title=Asha's Restaurant Website |url= https://ashasrestaurants.com/our-story/|access-date=12 June 2025}}</ref>{{Primary source inline|date=April 2026}} <br />
<br />
===Rivalry with Lata Mangeshkar===<br />
Bhosle's [[sibling rivalry]] with [[Lata Mangeshkar]] has garnered media attention, despite denials from the pair regarding a rivalry.<ref name="Times_Life_Jul_2005"/> As young children, they were very close. As a child, Lata used to carry Bhosle all the time. They were so inseparable that when Lata went to school she would take Bhosle with her. One day the teacher protested that they cannot have two students on one fee. Lata refused to return to school without Bhosle and quit her studies.<ref name="ref_Kavita_Chhibber"><br />
{{cite web<br />
|author = Chhibber, Kavita<br />
|url = http://www.kavitachhibber.com/asha_bhosle.html<br />
|title = Kavita Chhibber's interview with Asha Bhosle<br />
|access-date = 2006-05-03<br />
|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20051227124536/http://www.kavitachhibber.com/asha_bhosle.html<br />
|archive-date = 27 December 2005<br />
|url-status = dead<br />
|df = dmy<br />
}}</ref><br />
<br />
Lata considered Bhosle's act of eloping as irresponsible, leaving her alone to sing and earn for the family. This led to tensions between them. Bhosle herself stated in an interview<ref name="ref_Kavita_Chhibber" />&nbsp;– "It was a love marriage and Lata ''didi'' did not speak to me for a long time. She disapproved of the alliance." At one time, their relationship was very adversarial and there have been periods of non-communication.<br />
<br />
In her initial days in the industry, Bhosle always played second fiddle to her elder sister. Some say that Lata had once criticised Bhosle's relationship with [[O. P. Nayyar]]. This widened the rift between the two sisters and O. P. Nayyar also decided that he would never work with Lata. O. P. Nayyar had once revealed that "Asha and Lata, staying in opposite flats at Bombay's [[Pedder Road]], shared a maid. Said maid's responsibility was to come and tell the younger sister that Lata had just recorded something wonderful for Bhosle to lose her vocal poise. Such was her Lata phobia that it took me some months to convince Bhosle that she had a voice individualistic enough to evolve a singing style all of her own."<ref name="Girija" /> Bhosle once said that she has worked for years to create a voice and a style that was different from Lata, so that she could carve her own niche and not be banished to live in her sister's shadow.<ref name="ref_Kavita_Chhibber" /><br />
<br />
Bhosle and Lata have also sung together. Their first duet was for the film ''Daman'' (1951).<ref name="Girija" /> Some of their songs include "Man Bhawan Ke Ghar aye" (''[[Chori Chori (1956 film)|Chori Chori]]'', 1956), "Sakhi ri sun bole papihaa us paar" (''[[Miss Mary (1957 film)|Miss Mary]]'', 1957), "O chand jahaan woh jayein" (''[[Sharada (1957 film)|Sharada]]'', 1957), "Mere Mehboob Mein Kya Nahi" (''[[Mere Mehboob]]'', 1963), "Unse Nazrein Mili" (''[[Gazal (1964 film)|Gazal]]'', 1964), "Ai kash kisi deewane ko" (''[[Aaye Din Bahar Ke]]'', 1966), "Jabse Laagi Toose Najariya" (''[[Shikar (1968 film)|Shikar, 1968]]''), "Main Haseena Nazneena Koi Mujhsa Nahi" ''([[Baazi (1968 film)|Baazi, 1968]])'', "Main Chali Main Chali" (''[[Padosan]]'', 1968), "Chhap tilak sab" (''[[Main Tulsi Tere Aangan Ki]]'', 1978), and "Man kyun behka" (''[[Utsav]]'', 1984). While singing, Lata used to hold her notebook in her right hand, while Bhosle held hers in the left hand. This meant Lata had her face away from Bhosle, making it difficult for them to "anticipate" each other.<ref name="ref_Kavita_Chhibber" /><br />
<br />
The movie ''[[Saaz (film)|Saaz]]'' was supposedly based on Lata and Bhosle's rivalry.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://im.rediff.com/entertai/may/15saaz.htm|title=Rediff On The Net, Movies: A preview of Saaz, Sai Paranjpye's latest film|website=Im.rediff.com|access-date=9 February 2022}}</ref> Bhosle said about the movie&nbsp;– "To have two women in long plaits, take a couple of incidents and exaggerate them into a 3-hour film is such a waste of time."<ref name="ref_Kavita_Chhibber" /> In the last few years, Bhosle and Lata have often been seen in public, enjoying each other's company. In an interview with ''[[The Times of India]]'', Bhosle said&nbsp;– "I remember, sometimes both of us would be at a function and some industry types would ignore me and interact only with her, as if to prove their loyalty. Later, didi and I would have a good laugh!"<br />
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== Death ==<br />
On 11 April 2026, Bhosle was hospitalized at [[Breach Candy Hospital]] in Mumbai due to exhaustion and pulmonary chest infection. Her granddaughter Zanai Bhosle announced her admission via social media, requesting privacy during the treatment.<ref>{{cite web |access-date=11 April 2026 |title=Asha Bhosle hospitalised due to chest infection, says her granddaughter |url=https://www.deccanherald.com/india/maharashtra/asha-bhosle-admitted-to-breach-candy-hospital-after-suspected-heart-attack-3964746 |website=Deccan Herald}}</ref> The next day, she died at the age of 92 due to [[multiple organ failure]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Farzeen |first=Sana |date=2026-04-12 |title=Asha Bhosle, playback icon, dies at 92 in Mumbai |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/movies/celebrities/story/legendary-singer-asha-bhosle-dies-at-mumbai-hospital-2895028-2026-04-12 |access-date=12 April 2026 |website=India Today |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |access-date=12 April 2026 |title=Asha Bhosle: The sound of Bollywood dies aged 92 |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c6ppd0qdp1do |website=BBC}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |access-date=12 April 2026 |title="Asha Bhosle Died Due To Multiple Organ Failure": Breach Candy Hospital |url=https://www.ndtv.com/entertainment/asha-bhosle-died-due-to-multiple-organ-failure-breach-candy-hospital-11346166 |website=NDTV}}</ref><br />
<br />
==In popular culture==<br />
British [[alternative rock]] band [[Cornershop (band)|Cornershop]] released "[[Brimful of Asha]]" in 1997. The song, dedicated to Bhosle, became an international hit single for the band and topped the [[UK Singles Chart]] in February 1998.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Brimful Of Asha meaning explained – Cornershop (Official Website)|url=https://www.cornershop.com/2012/01/brimful-explained|website=Cornershop.com|access-date=2020-09-03|language=en-US}}</ref> A number of remixes have been released as well, notably by [[Norman Cook]], also known as [[Fatboy Slim]].<br />
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==Discography==<br />
{{Further|List of songs recorded by Asha Bhosle}}<br />
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===Hindi songs===<br />
{{further|List of Hindi songs recorded by Asha Bhosle}}<br />
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==Awards==<br />
{{further|List of awards received by Asha Bhosle}}<br />
[[File:Asha Bhosle at 18th Annual Colors Screen Awards 2012.jpg|thumb|right|Asha Bhosle at the 18th Annual Colors Screen Awards in 2012]]<br />
<br />
===Filmfare awards===<br />
Asha Bhosle had won seven [[Filmfare Best Female Playback Award]]s of 18 nominations.<ref name="Awards to Asha">[http://www.asha-bhonsle.com/awards/ Asha Bhosle Awards]. Asha-Bhosle.com. Accessed 18 October 2007</ref> She won her first two awards in 1967 and 1968. (Mangeshkar asked not to be considered for the award nominations after 1969 to promote new talent). After receiving the award in 1979, Bhosle emulated her elder sister and requested that her name not be considered for the nominations hereafter. Despite this, Bhosle is the most frequent winner of this award to date, tying with [[Alka Yagnik]]. She was later given a ''Special Award'' for ''[[Rangeela (1995 film)|Rangeela]]'' in 1996, and the [[Filmfare Lifetime Achievement Award]] in 2001. Following is the list of her Filmfare Awards:<br />
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====Filmfare Best Female Playback Award====<br />
* 1967: "Garibon ki Suno" (''[[Dus Lakh]]'', 1966)<br />
* 1969: "Parde Mein Rehne Do" (''[[Shikar (1968 film)|Shikar]]'', 1968)<br />
* 1972: "Piya Tu Ab To Aaja" (''[[Caravan (1971 film)|Caravan]]'', 1971)<br />
* 1973: "[[Dum Maro Dum (song)|Dum Maro Dum]]" (''[[Hare Rama Hare Krishna (1971 film)|Hare Rama Hare Krishna]]'', (1971)<br />
* 1974: "Hone Lagi Hai Raat" (''Naina'', 1973)<br />
* 1975: "Chain Se Humko Kabhi" (''[[Pran Jaye Par Vachan Na Jaye]]'', 1974)<br />
* 1979: "Yeh Mera Dil" (''[[Don (1978 film)|Don]]'', 1978)<br />
<br />
====Special Award====<br />
* 1996&nbsp;– Special Award (''[[Rangeela (1995 film)|Rangeela]]'', 1995)<br />
<br />
====Lifetime Achievement Award====<br />
* 2001&nbsp;– [[Filmfare Lifetime Achievement Award]]<br />
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===National Film Awards===<br />
Asha has won the [[National Film Award for Best Female Playback Singer]] twice:<br />
* 1981: ''Dil Cheez Kya Hai'' (''[[Umrao Jaan (1981 film)|Umrao Jaan]]'')<br />
* 1986: ''[[Mera Kuch Samaan]]'' (''[[Ijaazat]]'')<br />
<br />
=== IIFA Awards ===<br />
[[IIFA Award for Best Female Playback]]<br />
* 2002: "Radha Kaisa Na Jale" (''[[Lagaan]]'')<br />
<br />
=== Grammys ===<br />
Bhosle is one of the very few Indian artists who has been nominated at the [[Grammy Awards]].<br />
<br />
*[[39th Grammy Awards]] - 1997<ref name="ashagrammy">{{Cite news|title=Asha Bhosle - Grammy Artist Page|url=https://www.grammy.com/artists/asha-bhosle/1034|access-date=February 27, 2022|website=[[Grammy]]|language=en}}</ref><br />
- [[Grammy Award for Best Global Music Album]] - [[Ali Akbar Khan]]'s ''Legacy'' (nominated)<br />
<br />
*[[48th Grammy Awards]] - 2006<ref name="ashagrammy"/><br />
- [[Grammy Award for Best Contemporary World Music Album]] - ''[[You've Stolen My Heart]]'' (nominated)<br />
<br />
===Other awards===<br />
Asha has won numerous other awards, including:<br />
* 1987: Nightingale Of Asia Award (from the [[India|Indo]]–[[Pakistan|Pak]] Association, UK).<ref name="Awards to Asha"/><br />
* 1989: [[Awards conferred on Lata Mangeshkar#Lata Mangeshkar Award|Lata Mangeshkar Award]] (Government of [[Madhya Pradesh]]).<ref name="Awards to Asha"/><br />
* 1997: Screen [[Videocon]] Award (for the album ''Jaanam Samajha Karo'').<ref name="Awards to Asha"/><br />
* 1997: [[MTV]] Award (for the album ''Jaanam Samajha Karo'').<ref name="Awards to Asha"/><br />
* 1997: [[Channel V]] Award (for the album ''Jaanam Samjha Karo'').<ref name="Awards to Asha"/><br />
* 1998: Dayawati Modi Award.<ref>[http://portal.unesco.org/ci/photos/showphoto.php/photo/3770 Abdul Waheed Khan being presented Dayawati Modi Award]. portal.unesco.org. 17 November 2006. Accessed 18 October 2007.</ref><br />
* 1999: [[Awards conferred on Lata Mangeshkar#Lata Mangeshkar Award|Lata Mangeshkar Award]] (Government of [[Maharashtra]])<br />
* 2000: Singer of the Millennium ([[Dubai]]).<br />
* 2000: [[Zee TV|Zee]] Gold Bollywood Award (for ''Mujhe Rang De'' from ''Thakshak'').<br />
* 2001: [[MTV]] Award (for ''Kambakht Ishq'').<br />
* 2002: [[BBC]] Lifetime Achievement Award (presented by the UK Prime Minister [[Tony Blair]]).<br />
* 2002: [[Zee Cine Award for Best Playback Singer - Female]] (for ''Radha Kaise Na Jale'' from ''Lagaan'').<br />
* 2002: [[Zee Cine Special Award for Hall of Fame]].<br />
* 2002: Sansui Movie Award (for ''Radha Kaise Na Jale'' from ''Lagaan'').<br />
* 2003: [[Swaralaya Yesudas Award]] for outstanding contributions to Indian music.<ref name="Awards to Asha"/><br />
* 2004: ''Living Legend Award'' by the [[FICCI|Federation of Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry]].<ref>Bhayani, Viral. [http://www.redhotcurry.com/entertainment/bollywood/march_2004/living_legends.htm Bachchan, Hema Honoured as Living Legends] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110928192435/http://www.redhotcurry.com/entertainment/bollywood/march_2004/living_legends.htm |date=28 September 2011 }}. redhotcurry.com. 16 March 2004. Accessed 18 October 2007.</ref><br />
* 2005: [[MTV India|MTV Immies]], Best Female Pop Act for ''Aaj Jaane Ki Zid Na Karo''.<ref>[http://www.mtvindia.com/immies/05/index.html 2005 Winners] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070905233629/http://www.mtvindia.com/immies/05/index.html |date=5 September 2007 }}. [[MTV India]]. Accessed 18 October 2007.</ref><br />
* 2005: Most Stylish People in Music.<ref>[http://www.mtvindia.com/styleawards2006/stylehistory.php History: Most Stylish People in Music] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080216132909/http://www.mtvindia.com/styleawards2006/stylehistory.php |date=16 February 2008 }}. [[MTV India]]. Accessed 18 October 2007.</ref><br />
<br />
===Honours and recognitions===<br />
* In 1997, Asha became the first Indian singer to be nominated for the [[Grammy Award]], for ''Legacy'', an album with [[Ustad Ali Akbar Khan]].<br />
* She has received seventeen [[Maharashtra]] State Awards.<br />
* She received the [[Dadasaheb Phalke Award]] in 2000 for her outstanding contribution to [[Indian cinema]].<ref name="Awards to Asha"/><br />
* She holds honorary doctorates from the university of [[Amravati]] and University of [[Jalgaon]] in Literature and from the [[University of Salford]] in Arts.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2019-10-10 |title=Asha Bhosle honoured with doctorate degree by Salford University |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/videos/entertainment/hindi/asha-bhosle-honoured-with-doctorate-degree-by-salford-university/videoshow/71520885.cms |access-date=2020-12-05 |website=[[The Times of India]]}}</ref><br />
* She has received ''The Freddie Mercury Award'' for Outstanding Achievement in Arts.<br />
* The Birmingham Film Festival paid her a special tribute in November 2002.<br />
* She was honoured with the [[Padma Vibhushan]] by the [[Government of India]].<ref>[http://www.hindustantimes.com/News-Feed/india/Tendulkar-Tata-get-top-civilian-honour/Article1-271807.aspx Tendulkar, Tata get top civilian honour] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110714233536/http://www.hindustantimes.com/News-Feed/india/Tendulkar-Tata-get-top-civilian-honour/Article1-271807.aspx |date=14 July 2011 }}, Hindustan Times, 25 January 2008.</ref><br />
* In 2021, Bhosle was honoured with the [[Maharashtra Bhushan]] by the [[Government of Maharashtra]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/asha-bhosle-to-be-honoured-with-maharashtra-bhushan/article34165808.ece|title=Asha Bhosle to be honoured with 'Maharashtra Bhushan|date= 26 March 2021|publisher=thehindu.com}}</ref><br />
* She was among top 20 music icons of the past 50 years.<ref>[http://www.indianexpress.com/news/asha-bhosle-on-top-20-music-icons-list/657007/ Asha Bhosle on top 20 music icons list], Indian Express, 6 August 2010</ref><ref>[http://www.hindustantimes.com/Asha-Bhosle-among-top-20-music-icons/H1-Article1-583088.aspx Asha Bhosle among top 20 music icons] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110514005535/http://www.hindustantimes.com/Asha-Bhosle-among-top-20-music-icons/H1-Article1-583088.aspx |date=14 May 2011 }}, Hindustan Times, 7 August 2010</ref><br />
* In 2011 the ''[[Guinness Book of World Records]]'' officially acknowledged Bhosle, at [[The Asian Awards]], as the most recorded artist in the history of music. She was awarded a certificate for "the most studio recordings (singles) from [[Sebastian Coe]] for recording up to 11,000 solo, duet and chorus-backed songs and in over 20 Indian languages since 1947". At the event she was also awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award.<ref name="newrec">{{cite news |newspaper=[[DNA India]]|title=It's a world record for Asha Bhosle|url=http://www.dnaindia.com/entertainment/report_its-a-world-record-for-asha-bhosle_1601969|date=22 October 2011|access-date=2011-10-23|author=Banerjee, Soumyadipta}}</ref><br />
* Asha Bhosle is the recipient of the first Doctor of Literature (D.Litt.) of the [[Jodhpur National University]].<br />
* BBC list of [[100 Women (BBC)|100 inspiring women]] for 2015.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-34745739|title=BBC 100 Women 2015: Who is on the list?|date=17 November 2015|work=BBC News|access-date=27 August 2019|language=en-GB}}</ref><br />
<br />
==Further reading==<br />
* {{cite book<br />
| last = Cakrabarti<br />
| first = Atanu<br />
| title = Āśā Bhom̐śale, jībana o gāna<br />
| publisher = Madela Publishing House<br />
| location = [[Kolkata]]<br />
| year = 1999<br />
| oclc = 42764343<br />
| isbn = 978-81-7616-040-7<br />
| language = bn<br />
}}<br />
* {{cite book<br />
| last = Ciṭakārā<br />
| first = Mukeśa<br />
| title = Āśā Bhoṃsale : gāne, kôrḍsa, aura svaralipi<br />
| publisher = Music Books<br />
| location = [[Delhi]]<br />
| year = 2006<br />
| oclc = 71351425<br />
| isbn = 978-81-89511-00-5<br />
| language = hi<br />
}}<br />
<br />
==See also==<br />
{{Portal|Bollywood}}<br />
*[[Mangeshkar Family]]<br />
<br />
== Notes ==<br />
{{reflist|group=note}}<br />
<br />
==References==<br />
{{Reflist}}<br />
<br />
==External links==<br />
{{Commons category|Asha Bhosle}}<br />
* {{IMDb name| id=0080427}}<br />
* {{TV Guide person|asha-bhosle}}<br />
* {{Rotten Tomatoes person|asha_bhosle|Asha Bhosle}}<br />
* {{Bollywood Hungama person|asha-bhosle}}<br />
* {{discogs artist|Asha Bhosle}}<br />
<br />
{{Navboxes<br />
| title = Awards for Asha Bhosle<br />
| list1 = <br />
{{Dadasaheb Phalke Award}}<br />
{{Padma Vibhushan Awards}}<br />
{{National Film Award Best Female Playback Singer}}<br />
{{FilmfareAwardBestFemaleSinger}}<br />
{{FilmfareLifetimeAchievementAward}}<br />
{{IIFAAwardBestFemalePlaybackSinger}}<br />
{{Screen Award for Best Female Playback Singer}}<br />
{{ZeeCineAwardBestPlaybackFemale}}<br />
}}<br />
{{Notable singers of Rabindra Sangeet}}<br />
{{Mangeshkar family}}<br />
{{Lata Mangeshkar}}<br />
{{Authority control}}<br />
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Bhosle, Asha}}<br />
[[Category:1933 births]]<br />
[[Category:2026 deaths]]<br />
[[Category:Bengali-language singers]]<br />
[[Category:Hindi-language playback singers]]<br />
[[Category:Dadasaheb Phalke Award recipients]]<br />
[[Category:English-language Indian singers]]<br />
[[Category:Gujarati-language singers]]<br />
[[Category:Hindi-language singers]]<br />
[[Category:20th-century Indian women singers]]<br />
[[Category:Indian women playback singers]]<br />
[[Category:Indian guitarists]]<br />
[[Category:Indian women guitarists]]<br />
[[Category:Tamil-language playback singers]]<br />
[[Category:Marathi-language playback singers]]<br />
[[Category:Nepali-language Indian singers]]<br />
[[Category:Recipients of the Padma Vibhushan in arts]]<br />
[[Category:Russian-language Indian singers]]<br />
[[Category:Konkani-language singers]]<br />
[[Category:Kannada-language playback singers]]<br />
[[Category:People from Sangli]]<br />
[[Category:Mangeshkar family]]<br />
[[Category:Best Female Playback Singer National Film Award winners]]<br />
[[Category:Filmfare Awards winners]]<br />
[[Category:Filmfare Lifetime Achievement Award winners]]<br />
[[Category:International Indian Film Academy Awards winners]]<br />
[[Category:Screen Awards winners]]<br />
[[Category:Zee Cine Awards winners]]<br />
[[Category:21st-century Indian women singers]]<br />
[[Category:Women musicians from Maharashtra]]<br />
[[Category:Singers from Maharashtra]]<br />
[[Category:Marathi people]]<br />
[[Category:Singers from Mumbai]]<br />
[[Category:World record holders]]<br />
[[Category:Urdu-language singers]]</div>BellaCH