An India-linked LNG carrier that had been closely monitored for signs of a return to routine shipping through the Strait of Hormuz has anchored before making the crucial crossing, raising fresh concerns about stability in the region.

The vessel, Umm Al Ashtan, had departed from Dahej in Gujarat and was expected to pass through the Strait on Friday, 1 May, to load cargo in the Persian Gulf. Its scheduled transit had been widely viewed as a potential indicator that maritime operations in the strategically vital corridor were returning to normal after recent disruptions, The Hindu reported.

Instead, the ship has dropped anchor at Khor Fakkan, just outside the Strait, according to vessel tracking data from marinetraffic.com. The unexpected halt has cast doubt on assumptions that conditions had sufficiently stabilised for uninterrupted commercial movement.

During its journey, Umm Al Ashtan maintained a course closer to Oman rather than following the Iranian coastline, a route more commonly associated with established transit patterns in the area. The choice of route, combined with the subsequent anchoring, points to continued caution among shipping operators navigating the region.

In contrast, other vessels appear to be proceeding more conventionally. The supertanker Idemitsu Maru, bound for Nagoya, Japan, has reportedly followed a path closer to the Iranian coast, suggesting a divergence in risk assessments within the industry.

The stalled passage of Umm Al Ashtan is particularly significant because it had been seen as a test case for the resumption of normal traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, a critical artery for global energy supplies. Its decision to hold position instead of proceeding has tempered expectations and highlighted the ongoing fragility of the situation.

The episode underscores that, despite tentative signs of easing tensions, shipping through the Strait remains influenced by strategic caution, with operators weighing security concerns alongside commercial imperatives.

The Punjab Legislative Assembly on Friday unanimously passed a confidence motion moved by Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, with ruling Aam Aadmi Party legislators reaffirming their loyalty amid recent political turbulence.

The motion was cleared during a special one-day session convened on Labour Day, even as opposition members stayed away from the proceedings. With no dissenting voices in the House, the resolution was adopted in their absence.

Moving the motion, Mann dismissed speculation that his government was under threat following the recent defection of seven AAP Rajya Sabha MPs to the Bharatiya Janata Party. He said such claims were intended to create confusion among the public.

“There are rumours that our MLAs will switch sides, but these are baseless. The party remains strong and united,” Mann said, asserting that AAP continues to expand its footprint across several states.

The confidence vote comes in the wake of a major setback for AAP at the national level, where seven of its 10 members in the Rajya Sabha recently quit the party and merged with the BJP, citing ideological differences. The development had triggered concerns about possible instability within the party’s Punjab unit.

However, Mann sought to project unity, stating that the party was built through sustained effort and that its legislators “stand like a rock” behind leader Arvind Kejriwal.

The ruling party, which holds a commanding majority with 94 members in the 117-seat Assembly, had issued a whip directing all its legislators to be present during the session. AAP MLAs echoed the Chief Minister’s sentiments, pledging continued loyalty to the party.

Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema, who seconded the motion, criticised the BJP-led central government, accusing it of misusing investigative agencies such as the Enforcement Directorate and the CBI against political opponents.

Several MLAs also spoke in support of the government, highlighting welfare initiatives and development measures undertaken during its tenure. Minister Sanjeev Arora pointed to increased investments and schemes such as free electricity for households as key achievements.

The confidence motion is being seen as a strategic move by the Mann government to pre-empt any attempts to destabilise it and to publicly demonstrate its numerical strength in the Assembly.

Despite the absence of opposition parties—including the Congress, BJP and Shiromani Akali Dal—the government used the session to underline its stability and send a clear political message that it retains firm control of the House.

With IANS inputs

Bangladesh has summoned India’s acting High Commissioner in Dhaka to formally protest against remarks made by Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, in a move that underscores renewed tensions between the two neighbours.

According to officials cited by local media, the meeting took place on Thursday, 30 April, when Ishrat Jahan, Director General for South Asia at Bangladesh’s Foreign Ministry, conveyed Dhaka’s concerns to the Indian diplomat, Pawan Badhe.

The protest follows a recent social media post by Sarma, in which he claimed that 20 foreign nationals had been detained in Assam and “pushed back” into Bangladesh. In the same post, he used language suggesting forceful action against what he described as “illegal Bangladeshis”.

Bangladesh’s Foreign Ministry characterised the remarks as “disparaging” and said they undermine the spirit of mutual respect and cooperation that underpins bilateral relations. Officials in Dhaka expressed dissatisfaction over the tone of the comments and stressed the need for restraint when addressing sensitive cross-border issues.

During the meeting, Ishrat Jahan emphasised that public statements of this nature could negatively affect diplomatic ties and urged Indian authorities to approach such matters with greater caution.

Relations between the two countries have been under strain in recent years. Ties deteriorated significantly after political upheaval in Bangladesh in 2024, when an interim administration led by Muhammad Yunus took power following the fall of the Sheikh Hasina government.

Although both sides have since signalled a willingness to rebuild engagement, particularly after the Bangladesh Nationalist Party’s electoral victory earlier this year and the appointment of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, incidents such as this highlight the continuing fragility of the relationship.

Diplomatic efforts are ongoing, but observers note that rhetoric around migration and border management remains a particularly sensitive issue for both governments.

With PTI inputs

The Election Commission has announced that re-polling will be conducted in 15 booths across parts of West Bengal following allegations of irregularities during voting held on 29 April. The re-polling is scheduled to take place on Saturday, 2 May, and will cover select booths in the South 24 Parganas district.

According to officials, the decision has been taken after reviewing complaints regarding disruptions and alleged malpractice during polling day. The affected booths fall within two Assembly constituencies—Magrahat Paschim and Diamond Harbour.

In Assembly Constituency No. 142, Magrahat Paschim, re-polling will be held at multiple locations. These include Uttar Yarpur Primary School (Room 2), Najra Primary School (Rooms 1 and 2), Deula Primary School (Room 1), Ghola Nayapara Girls' High Madrasa (Room 2), Ektara Malaya Primary School (Rooms 1 and 2), Ektara Malaya Dhora Primary School (Room 1), and Bahirpua Kurkuria Primary School (Rooms 1, 2 and 3).

Similarly, in Assembly Constituency No. 143, Diamond Harbour, voters will return to the booths at Bagda Junior High School, Chanda Primary School (Room 2), Haridevpur Primary School, and Raynagar Primary School.

Sources have also indicated that several booths in the Falta Assembly constituency may be considered for re-polling as well, although a final confirmation on those locations is still awaited.

While the Election Commission has maintained that the re-polling is being carried out to ensure a free and fair electoral process, the move is likely to further intensify the already charged political atmosphere in the state. Security arrangements are expected to be tightened significantly in all the identified booths.

Central forces and polling officials will be deployed to ensure that voting takes place peacefully and without disruption. Voters in the affected areas have been urged to participate in the re-polling and exercise their democratic rights.

Meanwhile, with the counting of votes scheduled for Monday, political tensions in West Bengal have intensified, as both the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) step up their preparations and scrutiny of strong room security across the state.

The top leadership of the Trinamool Congress, led by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and party leader Abhishek Banerjee, is leaving nothing to chance. Both leaders are closely monitoring the situation and held meetings at Kalighat to review security arrangements, assessed reports from districts, and finalised strategies for counting day.

Abhishek Banerjee is also expected to hold a dedicated meeting with party counting agents on Saturday, while Mamata Banerjee has already issued specific instructions to them.

Since Friday morning, several TMC candidates have been visiting counting centres to conduct on-the-spot inspections. These inspections include checking CCTV footage and reviewing overall security arrangements. The party leadership has directed workers and leaders to maintain round-the-clock vigilance outside strong rooms.

Meanwhile, the BJP has been actively preparing its own cadre for counting day. Senior leader Bhupendra Yadav attended meetings with counting agents in Siliguri and Malda, describing them as “workshops” focused on organisational preparedness. He emphasised the importance of ensuring a flawless counting process, stating that every vote cast by the public must be protected.

BJP leader Locket Chatterjee accused the TMC of creating “drama”, arguing that the ruling party is uneasy because it could not manipulate the elections this time.
Concerns over the security of strong rooms have intensified across West Bengal ahead of the vote count. In Kalna, a controversy broke out after CCTV cameras monitoring a strong room reportedly went offline for two minutes.

Trinamool Congress candidate Swapan Debnath rushed to the site and lodged a complaint with the Election Commission, warning that even a brief lapse could lead to serious irregularities. He has now decided to personally supervise night-time monitoring.

The BJP dismissed the allegations, with candidate Siddharth Majumdar accusing the TMC of creating excuses in anticipation of defeat. Tensions were also reported in Egra, where TMC workers protested, alleging that a BJP candidate was allowed unauthorised entry into a strong room. Officials later intervened to control the situation.

In Kolkata, Mamata Banerjee visited a strong room late at night, prompting counter-protests from BJP workers. She later claimed that an outsider had joined the protest and live-streamed the incident.

Similar concerns emerged in Bongaon and Katwa, with allegations of CCTV malfunction and a damaged boundary wall. In response, the Election Commission has strengthened security, deployed central forces, and enforced Section 163 to restrict gatherings near strong rooms.

Political tensions are rising in West Bengal as leaders across parties make bold claims ahead of the election results due on 4 May. On Thursday, 29 April, Congress leader Ghulam Ahmad Mir predicted a clear victory for the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC), stating that the party is likely to emerge as the single largest force in the state.

Mir, who is the All India Congress Committee (AICC) in-charge for West Bengal, argued that despite the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) putting its full weight behind the campaign, elections are not won through aggressive tactics alone. He maintained that the people of Bengal have voted with awareness and independence.

He placed particular emphasis on women voters, suggesting that they played a decisive role in shaping the outcome. According to Mir, women make up around half of the electorate in the state, and a significant proportion of them supported the TMC due to welfare schemes introduced by the state government. He added that women from BJP-supporting households may also have voted in favour of the ruling party.

At the same time, Mir openly acknowledged the weakened condition of the Congress in West Bengal. He admitted that both the Congress and the Left Front have lost much of their organisational strength in the state. Despite this, he said the Congress is attempting to rebuild itself and position as a viable “third force” in the political landscape, even as he conceded that the TMC currently has a far stronger organisational network.

His remarks have sparked speculation about Congress’ intentions after the results are announced. There are indications that the party may seek to strengthen ties within the broader anti-BJP opposition alliance. Party sources suggest that a meeting of the INDIA bloc could soon be held in Delhi, with plans to coordinate both parliamentary strategies and public protests in the coming weeks.

Meanwhile, not all Congress leaders share Mir’s assessment. Amba Prasad, who served as co-in-charge of the party’s election efforts in Bengal, struck a more optimistic note. She described the people of Bengal as highly discerning voters and argued that the Congress remains the only credible alternative in the state.

Prasad highlighted the party’s historical role in driving industrial development in West Bengal after independence and expressed confidence that it could regain support. She credited Rahul Gandhi’s leadership and public appeal as key factors that could help the Congress perform strongly. According to her, the party’s efforts under difficult conditions will eventually pay off, allowing it to re-establish itself as a serious political contender.

On the other side, the BJP has projected a sharply different picture. State BJP president Samik Bhattacharya has claimed that a “saffron storm” is on the horizon and that his party will secure more than 170 seats, enough to form the government.

Reacting to such claims, senior state Congress leader Adhir Chowdhury urged caution. He said it is too early to draw conclusions and that the final outcome will only be clear once votes are counted. While dismissing the BJP’s confidence, he acknowledged that there is significant public dissatisfaction with the current TMC government.

Chowdhury noted that there is widespread anger among voters, but also admitted that the situation remains unpredictable. According to him, the intensity of public sentiment makes it difficult to determine which party will ultimately benefit.

As West Bengal awaits the results, the political atmosphere remains charged with competing narratives. Each party is projecting confidence, yet underlying uncertainties continue to shape the discourse. The verdict on 4 May will not only determine the state’s leadership but could also influence the broader dynamics of opposition politics in India.

Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray has strongly opposed the state government’s decision to require taxi and auto-rickshaw drivers from outside Maharashtra to learn Marathi, escalating his rhetoric against migrant workers.

Speaking at a lecture series in Pune on Thursday, 30 April, Thackeray questioned how such drivers could “dare” not to speak Marathi, and suggested that only the MNS’s trademark “bamboo-style” tactics keep them in check. He also called on Marathi-speaking people to unite against “outsiders”.

Thackeray’s remarks have intensified political tensions, with concerns that the situation could deteriorate across the state, including Mumbai. His statements are being seen as a direct challenge to the government.

Responding sharply, chief minister Devendra Fadnavis said violence in the name of language would not be tolerated. “Raising the issue of language through violence is not Maharashtra’s culture,” he said, invoking the inclusive ethos associated with Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. He added that harbouring hostility towards outsiders was wrong, even as there was broad agreement that people in the state should learn Marathi.

Fadnavis also questioned Thackeray’s own contribution to promoting the language and cautioned against politicising the issue.

The row has been fuelled by the government’s move to make Marathi mandatory for taxi and auto drivers. Thackeray has adopted an aggressive stance around the issue, positioning it at the centre of his politics. However, the government has set a deadline of 15 August for drivers to learn the language, a move seen as a setback for the MNS’s campaign.

Thackeray has continued to mobilise support on linguistic lines, alleging that migrants are being encouraged at the expense of locals. He criticised the policy of teaching Marathi to outsiders, remarking that “today they are being taught Marathi, tomorrow they will be seen receiving Marathi awards”.

Using a metaphor, he said, “Where the soil is soft, rats burrow easily; that cannot happen with a rock,” adding that Marathi people must become “as strong as a rock”.

Fadnavis, however, reiterated that Maharashtra belongs to everyone and described the effort to encourage learning Marathi as a positive and inclusive step.

It has been a prompt move on the part of IPL authorities to fine Riyan Parag 25 per cent of his fees for the Punjab Kings game after he was caught vaping on camera, though one must say he got away lightly. For all the hefty fines the IPL is known to levy on captains or players for slow over rates or a Code of Conduct issue such as this, it’s the franchise owners who are known to pick up the tab.

There is no doubt that such an act of indiscretion by an Indian player, that too the captain of a side, has done a disservice to the profile of the league, which has survived numerous brushes with controversy during it’s 18-year journey. The broadcasters’ camera, which picked up the Assam batter vaping after his dismissal while his team’s chase was still on, offers a peek into the supposed high life that the IPL still has to offer.

It’s common knowledge that the league has survived a barrage of such controversies over the years — from match-fixing allegations to the notorious ‘after parties’ in founder Lalit Modi’s era to sensational charges by cheerleaders about advances by well-known international cricketers.

A sanitisation drive has been on for some time to bring the focus back to cricket, though there have been the odd lapse, such as South African speedster Kagiso Rabada being caught smoking in public or Gujarat Titans sending him back last year to serve a ban after being caught using a recreational drug back home.

While many could argue that it's much ado about nothing, Parag's clip has raised eyebrows because e-cigarettes or vapes are banned in India under the Prohibition of Electronic Cigarettes Act (PECA), 2019, which prohibits production, sale, purchase and use, with violations attracting fines and even imprisonment. How, then, did it find its way to the sanctum sanctorum of the dressing room, where no players or support staff are even allowed to walk in with mobile phones?

This is the second instance this season that Rajasthan Royals — who have had a good season otherwise — have made news for the wrong reasons. Only weeks ago, Royals team manager Romi Bhinder was fined for using a mobile phone in the dugout, a clear breach of protocol designed to prevent corruption and information leaks. It’s the same franchise which, way back in 2013, was in the eye of a match-fixing scandal.

Parag, again the subject of merciless trolling ahead of tonight’s game against Delhi Capitals, has been dealt a serious blow, and his lack of runs is not helping. Royals head coach Kumar Sangakkara called the incident a ‘’reminder to all players’’ to maintain the team culture and professionalism while Ravi Ashwin — who spent a three-year cycle with the Pink Army — had a word of advice for his "younger brother". 

‘’Sometimes what happens is it’s a personal choice, but your personal choice should be in your personal space. If you do all this in public space, that can very well be avoided. All I would say this: it’s my small advice as an elder brother. I want to tell Riyan Parag that whatever happens in your personal life, nobody has any concern about it.

"But whatever you do, do it in your personal space because you are a captain, you are a franchise leader. You are probably an inspiration for many cricketers, many youth, many young Indians, and young people around the world. So there is a responsibility too,’’ the retired spinner said on his YouTube channel.

It’s not really adopting a moral high ground but a word of advice, coming from an insider with franchises with different team ethos, for the countless young millionaires the IPL produces!

The drowning of a tourist cruise in the vast waters of the Narmada at Bargi dam near Jabalpur on 30 April, which has so far claimed nine lives, lays bare the extent of administrative arbitrariness in Madhya Pradesh. The accident occurred near Khamaria island at around 5.30 pm, when a nearly 20-year-old cruise operated by the state tourism department sank. Around 35 tourists and two crew members were on board.

Emerging details suggest that mechanised boats were being run in the Bargi dam in violation of environmental laws and explicit orders of the National Green Tribunal (NGT). Acting on a petition by environmentalist Subhash C. Pandey, the NGT in 2023 had clearly directed that diesel-powered motorboats and cruises cannot be operated in drinking water sources such as Bhopal’s Upper Lake and dams linked to the Narmada.

The Madhya Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation had challenged this order in the Supreme Court, but in March 2024, the court upheld the NGT ruling, calling it appropriate for environmental protection. Despite this, motorised cruises continued to operate in the Bargi dam, allegedly with the consent of both the tourism corporation and the district administration.

Diesel-powered boats release sulphur and other chemicals into the water, harming aquatic life, disrupting biodiversity, and reducing the natural purification capacity of water bodies. Aquatic organisms play a crucial role in maintaining water quality; their decline leads to deterioration in water purity. Sulphur contamination, in particular, is toxic to such organisms.

On the day of the incident, a sudden storm whipped up high waves, and the cruise began to submerge. Local residents said the weather deteriorated rapidly, and the situation spiralled out of control within minutes.

Among those on board was Kamraj Arya, an employee of the Ordnance Factory Khamaria in Jabalpur, who had come with around 15 family members for an outing. While his parents remained on the dam’s edge, he boarded the cruise with his wife, sister-in-law and children. Kamraj and one of his sons were rescued, but several members of his family remain missing.

The tragedy appears to be a stark example of profit-driven negligence and disregard for safety norms. The meteorological department had issued a yellow alert a day earlier, warning of strong winds of 40–50 kmph. Despite this, the cruise was allowed into the dam waters at around 4.30 pm on Thursday. Soon after, strong winds caused it to capsize. The vessel reportedly sank to a depth of about 20 m and could only be retrieved nearly 24 hours later. In order to recover bodies, parts of the cruise vessel had to be cut open.

Survivors said no life jackets were provided to passengers either while boarding or during the ride. Jackets were handed out only when water began rapidly entering the vessel, leading to chaos and scrambling among passengers.

In the immediate aftermath, local labourers working nearby managed to rescue around 29 people using ropes and their own swimming skills. State disaster response teams and other authorities, however, appeared ill-equipped, citing darkness, lack of equipment, water depth and rough weather. By the time official rescue efforts gathered pace, the situation had already turned critical.

Samajwadi Party (SP) chief Akhilesh Yadav on Friday invoked the teachings of Gautama Buddha to underline his political message, asserting that nations which have reached the pinnacle of progress have followed the Buddha’s path, even as he warned of “continuous threats” to India’s Constitution and democratic values.

Speaking on the occasion of Buddha Purnima at the party office in Lucknow, Yadav said, “Among the knowledge people have imparted from time to time, the greatest contribution has been that of Lord Buddha… The nations that stand at the pinnacle today have followed the path shown by Lord Buddha. The message he delivered has brought about a change.”

Addressing an audience that included Buddhist monks, he struck a more political note, saying, “There are forces which are posing a continuous threat to the Constitution given by Babasaheb Ambedkar and to democracy. I am confident that the ‘Baudh bhikshus’ will bless us to be successful.”

The former Uttar Pradesh chief minister also outlined his party’s vision for developing key Buddhist sites in the state. He said places associated with Buddha — such as Sarnath and Kushinagar — would be further developed to connect followers of the Buddhist path and the “bahujan samaj” with the global community.

Taking aim at the current government, Yadav alleged that the ambitious Maitreya Project in Kushinagar had been stalled. “Some people did not want the Maitreya Project… If it had been completed, people from across the world would have come and pledged to follow the path of Lord Buddha. However, under the current government, that project has been left half-finished,” he said.

He also spoke about the Kushinagar International Airport, claiming that while it was initiated earlier, his government completed its construction. “We assure you that the international airport will be started and an international city will be built,” Yadav said, in a swipe at political opponents.

Blending spiritual homage with political critique, Yadav’s remarks sought to position the Buddha’s philosophy as both a moral compass and a framework for governance, while reiterating his party’s commitment to constitutional values and development of cultural heritage sites.

With PTI inputs

Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Omar Abdullah on Friday warned that if the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls influences the outcome of the West Bengal Assembly elections, it could establish a troubling precedent that political parties must guard against.

Responding to a question about the standoff outside an EVM strongroom in Kolkata's Bhabanipur on Thursday night, Abdullah said West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee was within her rights to deploy party workers to watch over the machines.

"I have always said that I do not accept pre-poll rigging, and that safeguarding the EVMs after the polls is our responsibility. We used to do the same when there were ballot boxes; we would keep our people outside the strongroom. So, it was Mamata Banerjee's right to keep people outside the strongroom, and she did it," he told reporters.

Abdullah drew a distinction between alleged manipulation of electronic voting machines and concerns around electoral roll revisions, asserting that irregularities were now occurring through the latter.

"There is a difference between EVM (hacking) and what they are doing through SIR. Today, stealing (votes) is not happening through EVMs but the SIR, unfortunately, through the Election Commission," he said.

He described the ongoing West Bengal election as a significant test for opposition parties, cautioning that any impact of the SIR on results would have wider implications.

"This West Bengal election is a huge challenge for all of us because, God forbid, if the SIR shows its results, it can be very dangerous for all of us. We have to save ourselves from their attempt to rig the election by deleting voters from the voter list. I do not think anything can be done through the EVMs," he added.

On exit polls, Abdullah expressed scepticism, saying they would not reflect the final outcome when votes are counted on Monday, 4 May.

"Which exit poll has been right till now? Five years ago, when the elections took place in West Bengal, all the exit polls had given the government to the BJP. But what was the result? We do not have to wait for long; the results will come on Monday," he said.

The chief minister added that, in his view, "all these exit polls will be proven wrong once again".

Without naming anyone, he also remarked, "One of them has refused to publish his exit poll because perhaps he did not like the results."

A day after West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee spent hours at a counting centre in Bhabanipur alleging possible malpractice, state’s chief electoral officer Manoj Agarwal on Friday dismissed the claims, asserting that the process remains secure and transparent.

“There is no scope for any wrongdoing given the arrangements made,” Agarwal told reporters, adding that strong rooms housing EVMs are under round-the-clock CCTV surveillance. “One should have reason and evidence for making allegations,” he said, terming the accusations baseless.

The controversy comes ahead of the 4 May counting of votes, with tensions rising over the integrity of stored electronic voting machines. Banerjee had visited the Bhabanipur counting centre late Thursday night, staying for nearly four hours and warning that any attempt to tamper with the process would not be tolerated.

Senior officials said elaborate security measures are in place across counting centres. At Khudiram Anushilan Kendra in Kolkata — where EVM strong rooms for several constituencies are housed — additional Central Armed Police Forces and armed state police have been deployed. “Security is being supervised at the highest level, with senior officers monitoring the situation,” said joint commissioner of police Rupesh Kumar.

The ruling Trinamool Congress, however, maintained a cautious stance. Party spokesperson Kunal Ghosh said workers and candidates were keeping strict vigil at counting centres on instructions from Banerjee. He also expressed concern over possible unauthorised movement during the handling of postal ballots. “Our polling agents and candidates have been alerted,” he said.

State minister Shashi Panja, who had joined a sit-in outside the counting centre on Thursday, emphasised the need for transparency. “There must be transparency in the process,” she said.

TMC leaders had earlier alleged that CCTV footage showed outsiders inside strong rooms “fiddling with ballot papers”. The Election Commission, however, rejected the claim, clarifying that officials seen in the footage were engaged in routine segregation of postal ballots and that all protocols were being strictly followed.

By Friday morning, the situation appeared calmer. Sakhawat Memorial School in Bhabanipur, which witnessed high drama overnight, returned to normalcy with security personnel maintaining vigil.

Officials reiterated that stringent safeguards are in place across Kolkata and other districts to ensure a smooth and secure counting process, even as political rhetoric continues to intensify.

With PTI inputs

Today, May Day 2026, as India's 25 crore workers echo their 22 April Bharat Bandh against the diluted Labour Codes, we reclaim the Chicago Martyrs — eight great heroes whose 1886 stand for an eight-hour working day reshaped the world. Framed after Haymarket's chaos, they faced a kangaroo court, yet their sacrifice birthed global labour rights.

Fedayi ka khoon hai surkh ruh ka sailaab,
Zameen-e-mehnat par ugti hai inqilab ki kahaar
(The martyr's blood is the crimson flood of a spirited soul,
On labour's soil sprouts the crop of revolution)

Let us honour each by name, their lives a defiant hymn against exploitation.

August Spies (31), German immigrant and furniture craftsman, wielded words like weapons as Arbeiter-Zeitung editor. A mesmerising orator, he rallied Chicago's German workers, exposing factory barons' greed. At trial, he exposed bias; from the gallows on 11 November 1887, he proclaimed: "The time will come when our silence will be more powerful than the voices you are throttling today!" His pamphlets fuelled the 1 May strike by 300,000.

Albert Parsons (39), Texan printer and The Alarm editor, evolved from Confederate soldier to interracial unionist. Founder of Chicago's Noble Order of the Knights of Labor, he bridged Black and White workers, defying Jim Crow. Kissing his children goodbye, he sang 'Sweet Bye and Bye' to the scaffold, his eloquence immortalised in trial speeches that shamed the judge.

Adolph Fischer (30), German printer at Arbeiter-Zeitung, embodied revolutionary zeal. Father to a young daughter, he typeset manifestos demanding dignity. "I die a proud communist," he declared, unbowed as the noose tightened — his last words galvanising anarchists worldwide.

Phansi ke farmaan par shaheedon ke geet sada,
Mehnatkashon ki awaaz ban gayi hai sada
(On the gallows' decree, martyrs' songs echo eternal,
Becoming the forever voice of toilers)

George Engel (50), Jewish toy seller from Germany, overcame deafness to join the fight. Never at Haymarket, he was convicted on rumour. His simple life — peddling playthings — belied a fierce intellect; from jail, he wrote of "the social revolution", his hanging a stark injustice.

Louis Lingg (22), Swiss carpenter and unmatched dynamite artisan, supplied the movement's muscle. Anarchist firebrand, he scorned the verdict, biting a blasting cap in his cell days before execution — his mangled face a final rebuke, as witnesses like Captain Schaack later confirmed.

The survivors endured Cook County Jail's hell: Michael Schwab (35), Austrian bookbinder and Arbeiter-Zeitung associate editor, penned defiant essays till his 1901 pardon. Samuel Fielden (39), English teamster and Methodist preacher turned radical, hauled goods by day, spoke fire by night — freed in 1893. Oscar Neebe (41), yeast merchant and union organiser, dodged the rope through savvy lawyering, paroled amid uproar.

Hanged amid 10,000 mourners, four martyrs sparked riots from London to Paris. The 1889 Second International declared May Day their tribute; US eight-hour laws followed in 1916, ILO standards in 1919.

India inherited their fire: the 1926 Trade Unions Act legalised strikes, mirroring Haymarket's call amid mill drudgery. Factories Act, 1948, enshrined eight hours. Now, 2026's IFTU-led bandh — paralysing rails and ports — rails against the 2020 Codes' gig-era betrayals, Swiggy drivers toiling endlessly like 1880s Chicagoans.

From Haymarket's National Historic Landmark rises their truth: power bows to united sacrifice. In Srinagar's workshops or Mumbai's mills, their voices urge: seize this May Day to forge equity anew.

Chicago ke shaheedon ka silsila na rukega,
May Day ki loh par likha inka naam sada rahega
(The Chicago martyrs' chain will never halt,
On May Day's stone, their name endures eternal)

Hasnain Naqvi is a former member of the history faculty at St Xavier’s College, Mumbai. More of his writing here