FOLLOW US: @TheStatesmanLtd @thestatesmanltd thestatesman1875 www.thestatesman.com People’s Parliament, Always in Session India’s National Newspaper since 1818 | Pages 12 | ` 5.00 | KOLKATA | NEW DELHI | SILIGURI | BHUBANESWAR | Friday, 05 September 2025 SPORTS WORLD EDITORIAL PAGE Positive Momentum Page 6 BRIEFLY ED quizzes Shikhar Dhawan in betting app case: New Delhi: Ex-cricketer Shikhar Dhawan on Thursday appeared before the Enforcement Directorate here for questioning with regard to the illegal online betting app-linked money laundering case, sources said. He reached the probe agency’s office at 11 a.m. for recording his statement under the provisions of the PMLA as part of the investigation linked to an "illegal" betting app namely 1xBet, they said. SC refuses interim bail to Kashmiri separatist leader: New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Thursday declined to grant interim bail to Kashmiri separatist leader Shabir Ahmed Shah in an alleged terror funding case, rejecting the plea made on the grounds of his poor health. A bench of Justice Vikram Nath and Justice Sandeep Mehta, while hearing Shah’s appeal against the Delhi HC’s June 12 order, issued notice to the NIA and sought its response. ‘India has key role in ending Russia’s war’ STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE New Delhi, 4 September The President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, has said that India has an important role to play in bringing Russia to end its war of aggression and helping create a path towards peace. The statement came after her joint telephonic conversation with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President of the European Council Antonio Costa, today. In a post on X, following the conversation, Ms von der Leyen wrote that they warmly welcome India’s continued engagement with President Zelenskyy. “India has an important role to play in bringing Russia to end its war of aggression and helping create a path towards peace. This war carries global security consequences and undermines economic stability. So it is a risk to the entire world. Looking ahead, we plan to agree on a joint strategic agenda at the next EU–India summit, as early as possible in 2026. We also remain fully committed to concluding the Free Trade Agreement negotiations by the end of the year. To achieve this, progress is needed now,” the post said. In a statement issued here, the Prime Minister’s Office said that as the world’s largest democratic forces, India and EU share a strong and close relationship built on trust, shared values, and a common vision for the future. Trump takes tariff fight to US Supreme Court NATION Setback for NDA in Tamil Nadu as AMMK walks out Page 9 West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee speaks in the state Legislative Assembly, in Kolkata. ANI Kolkata, 4 September I n a dramatic and unprecedented day at the West Bengal Assembly, five BJP MLAs were suspended amid chaotic scenes, with Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee launching a scathing attack on the Opposition BJP, calling it a thoroughly anti-Bengali political force, as the saffron party MLAs disrupted proceedings in protest over the suspension of the Leader of the Opposition from the House. The House was scheduled to discuss a resolution condemning attacks on Bengali-speaking migrant workers across the country. The Leader of the Opposition, Suvendu Adhikari, had been suspended for the entire session, Page 12 Page 4 Mamata attacks BJP as anti-Bengali force amid Assembly chaos STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE US Open: Jannik Sinner reaches semifinal which concluded today. The day began with BJP legislators, boycotting the morning session in solidarity with their suspended leader. However, tensions escalated in the afternoon when the Chief Minister rose to speak on the resolution. BJP MLAs returned to the House, shouting slogans and accusing the ruling party of corruption, including chants of “thief.” Speaker Biman Banerjee urged them to maintain decorum, but the disruptions intensified, forcing the Chief Minister to halt her speech. Despite repeated warnings, the BJP legislators continued their protests, chanting slogans even as the Chief Minister paused her address. The sustained disruption led to a fiery response from Mamata Banerjee, who accused the BJP of being “the biggest thieves” and a “party of looters.” In her no-holds-barred rebuttal, Miss Banerjee said: “I condemn the conduct of BJP legislators. They skip the House when it’s their turn to speak, yet I still allow their MLAs to use my time. They are anti-Bengali, uninterested in discussing the Bengali language, and focused solely on disruption. Their aim is to silence me, fearing exposure of their anti-Bengali stance. But I cannot be muzzled ~ I come from student politics. I tolerated their rant hoping the situation would calm, but it didn’t. Discipline and decorum in the House are the responsibility of both sides ~ it’s not one-sided.” On the incident of paper shreds being thrown toward her, she added: “Tearing papers and hurling them on the House floor is immoral, unethical, unconstitutional, undemocratic, and illegal. If I speak, they will be exposed and people will see their true character. They are anti-Bengali, ‘godi’ thieves, the biggest dacoits, and a party of looters. They are corrupt. I condemn them. A day will come when the people of Bengal will vote them out and say, ‘We don’t want a single one of you in the House.’ You are a party of repression.” • Another report on Pg 3 ‘Singapore vital pillar of India’s Act East Policy’ NIKHIL VYAS New Delhi, 4 September Describing Singapore as a vital pillar of India's Act East Policy, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday said both the nations will continue to work together with ASEAN to advance their Joint Vision for peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region. Making a joint press statement after his official talks with visiting Singapore Prime Minister Lawrence Wong at Hyderabad House here, PM Modi said, "Singapore is a vital pillar of our Act East Policy. Together, we will continue to advance cooperation with ASEAN and carry forward our Joint Vision for peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region." The two countries also signed an agreement on Green and Digital Shipping Corridors which will give significant momentum to the green fuel supply chain and digital port clearance in the maritime sector. New GST reforms a game changer: PM Modi SHAHID K ABBAS New Delhi, 4 September Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday said the next generation GST reforms unveiled on Wednesday were a game - changer for manufacturers as lower input costs, with simplified slabs of 5 per cent and 18 per cent, faster digital compliance, and rising demand will give a big b o ost to Made in India products. In a series of posts shared on X, he said: “Now GST will become even more simple. There are now only two rates of GST 5 per cent and 18 per cent. From 22nd September .... From the first day of Navratri new rates of GST will come into force. There are reforms even in GST in India's growth. GST 2.0... a double dose of support and growth for the nation." The new system will feature two primary GST rates: 5 per cent and 18 per cent, effective from 22 Sept, coinciding with the first day of Navratri.