www.thestatesman.com | @TheStatesmanLtd FOLLOW US: India’s National Newspaper since 1818 Nation | Pages 12 | @thestatesmanltd ` 5.00 | World People’s Parliament, Always in Session thestatesman1875 KOLKATA | NEW DELHI | SILIGURI | BHUBANESWAR | 28 December 2025 S P O RT S Despite all odds, the wily Nitish had the last laugh in 2025 Thailand, Cambodia agree to ceasefire after weeks of border clashes Patrick Dorgu’s first Man U goal brings festive cheer after 1-0 win over Newcastle Page 5 Page 9 Page 12 Mamata condemns killing of migrant worker in Odisha Speaking the Bengali language cannot be a crime. Drugmaker rejects Australia’s alert on fake antirabies vaccine in India: New Delhi: Hyderabad-based drugmaker Indian Immunologicals Limited (IIL) on Saturday refuted claims by Australian health authorities over fake doses of its antirabies vaccine in India. Earlier this week, the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation issued an alert that counterfeit batches of rabies vaccine Abhayrab have been circulating in India since November 2023. In a statement, IIL “strongly refuted the over-cautionary and misplaced reference to 2023”, adding that the alert “does not reflect the current situation”. The Australian alert said people who have received the counterfeit vaccine may not be fully protected against rabies. MAMATA BANERJEE, BENGAL CHIEF MINISTER STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE Kolkata, 27 December C hief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Saturday lashed out at the alleged persecution of Bengalispeaking migrant workers in various BJP-ruled states, condemning the latest incident where a man from Jangipur in Murshidabad was beaten to death in Odisha. Miss Banerjee denounced what she described as heinous incidents and vowed to stand firmly with the bereaved families and victims in their hour of distress. In a statement on her official X (formerly Twitter) account, Miss Banerjee wrote: “We strongly condemn the indescribable incidents of persecution being carried out in different BJP-ruled states. We stand in solidarity with these persecuted, terrorised, and oppressed migrant Bengali-speaking families, and we will provide them with all possible support. Though we know that lives cannot be measured in money, we are committed to supporting them in this hour of grief and will provide compensation on behalf of our government.” The migrant worker from Jangipur in Murshidabad district was allegedly killed in Odisha's Sambalpur district following an altercationon Wednesday. In connection with the killing of the youth, Jewel Rana, the West Bengal Police registered a zero FIR at the Suti police station and a police team from West Bengal went to Odisha to carry out the investigation. “Most recently, migrant workers from the Jangipur area have faced various forms of oppression in the BJP-ruled state of Odisha. It is extremely unfortunate that a young migrant worker from the Sutia area of Jangipur was beaten to death in Sambalpur on December 24. Migrant workers from Murshidabad are returning home from Odisha in fear. We stand with the families affected by this tragic incident, and our financial assistance will reach the family of the deceased,” the Chief Minister added. Miss Banerjee further emphasised: “Speaking Bengali cannot be a crime. The West Bengal police have already lodged a zero FIR in connection with the death of Juel Rana at Suti Police Station, and six persons have been arrested so far. A team of West Bengal police has gone to Odisha for further investigation.” Digvijaya ’s praise for RSS embarrasses Congress: New Delhi: Senior Congress leader and Rajya Sabha MP Digvijaya Singh, stirred a fresh political row, this time just as the party was preparing for a crucial Congress Working Committee (CWC) meeting to deliberate on the current political situation and strategy against the BJPled government. Mr Singh, who had previously called for internal reforms within the Congress, on Saturday shared a black-and-white photograph of BJP veteran L.K Advani and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, praising the organisational strength of the BJP and the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) ~ both frequent targets of Congress criticism. Referring to Mr Modi’s rise, the Congress leader highlighted how grassroots workers in the Sangh-BJP ecosystem could climb the ranks to become CM and PM. Congress to launch nationwide protest from 5 Jan over MGNREGA repeal SHAHID ABBAS New Delhi, 27 December The Congress Working Committee (CWC) on Saturday decided to initiate a massive nationwide agitation starting 5 January 2026 to oppose the Union Government’s move to repeal the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA). Party President Mallikarjun Kharge made the announcement at a press conference following a CWC meeting held today, reiterating the party’s unwavering commitment to protecting the rights of rural workers. “The Indian National Congress solemnly vows to lead a MGNREGA Bachao Abhiyan from 5th January 2026. We will protest the repeal of MGNREGA at all costs,” Mr Kharge said. Senior Congress leader Rahul Gandhi joined the briefing, strongly condemning the government’s decision. “The Prime Minister’s Office has decided to replace MGNREGA. This is a devastating attack on federalism. MGNREGA strengthened panchayats and empowered rural India. The government is snatching the poor’s right,” he stated. Mr Gandhi further accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of harbouring “a deep dislike” for the rights of the poor, calling MGNREGA the “living embodiment” of Gandhi’s Gram Swaraj vision, especially crucial during the Covid-19 pandemic. “For ten years, this government has weakened it; now it aims to erase it completely,” he added.