www.thestatesman.com | India’s National Newspaper since 1818 8th Day @TheStatesmanLtd FOLLOW US: | Pages 20 | @thestatesmanltd ` 5.00 | People’s Parliament, Always in Session thestatesman1875 KOLKATA LC | NEW DELHI | SILIGURI Evolve Goodbye 2025: A Time of Transition | BHUBANESWAR | 28 December 2025 S P O RT S Interview with Rani Neutill Patrick Dorgu’s first Man U goal brings festive cheer after 1-0 win over Newcastle Page 20 Mamata condemns killing of migrant worker in Odisha STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE Speaking the Bengali language cannot be a crime. Kolkata, 27 December SC takes suo motu cognisance of Aravalli hills definition issue: New Delhi: The Supreme Court has taken suo motu cognisance of issues relating to the definition of the Aravalli hills and ranges. According to the causelist published on the website of the apex court, a Bench comprising Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant, and Justices J K Maheshwari and A G Masih will hear the suo motu writ petition titled ‘In Re: Definition of Aravalli Hills and Ranges and Ancillary Issues’ on 29 December. The Supreme Court has taken up the issue on its own motion amid concerns over the protection of the ecologically fragile Aravalli range and controversy over the new 100metres-above-local-terrain definition of the Aravalli hills that the Supreme Court had accepted in a 20 November 2025 order. Environmentalists have claimed that this definition excludes over 90 per cent of the range from protection, triggering widespread concern. 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 MAMATA BANERJEE, BENGAL CHIEF MINISTER 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. CWC decides 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 media 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.