Tuesday, September 29, 2026
you begin to know yourself without the constant interference of the world
Meditation — The Art of Pausing Within
Meditation is not merely about closing your eyes or sitting in silence. It is the gentle art of stepping away from the noise of the outside world and returning to the quiet space within yourself.
In our busy lives, we are constantly moving—from one responsibility to another, from one thought to another, from one expectation to another. We rarely give ourselves the opportunity to simply stop, breathe, observe and be.
Meditation begins with a few moments of stillness.
Sit quietly.
Take a slow, deep breath.
Let your thoughts come and go without fighting them.
Do not try to control everything.
Simply observe.
With regular practice, you gradually discover that peace does not always come from changing the circumstances around you. Sometimes, peace comes from changing the way you meet those circumstances.
Meditation teaches patience when the mind is restless, acceptance when things cannot be changed, and awareness when emotions begin to overwhelm us. It helps us distinguish between what deserves our attention and what is merely passing noise.
The greatest benefit of meditation is perhaps this: you begin to know yourself without the constant interference of the world.
A few minutes of silence each day can become a powerful reminder that beneath anxiety, ambition, disappointment and endless thoughts, there is still a quiet and balanced part of you.
Pause.
Breathe.
Observe.
Let go.
Begin again.
Because sometimes, the first step towards finding peace is simply to stop for a few moments and listen to the silence within.
“Meditation is the first step towards discovering the peace that was already within you.”
Ashok Kumar Singh
Advocate
High Court Calcutta
Sunday, September 27, 2026
जनसाधारण को विश्वास में लें — भारत के साथ चलें
जनसाधारण को विश्वास में लें — भारत के साथ चलें
किसी राष्ट्र की शक्ति केवल उसकी सरकार, प्रशासन या संस्थाओं में नहीं होती। किसी भी राष्ट्र की वास्तविक शक्ति उसके सामान्य नागरिकों में होती है—किसान, श्रमिक, व्यापारी, पेशेवर, युवा, महिलाएँ और देश के प्रत्येक जिम्मेदार नागरिक में।
इसलिए आज आवश्यकता है कि जनसाधारण को विश्वास में लिया जाए।
उन्हें सच्चाई बताई जाए।
उनके प्रश्नों का उत्तर दिया जाए।
उनकी चिंताओं को सुना जाए।
और भारत के भविष्य की यात्रा में उन्हें साथ लेकर चला जाए।
**जनसाधारण को विश्वास में लें।
उन्हें भारत के साथ चलने के लिए आमंत्रित करें।**
भारत के साथ चलना केवल कोई राजनीतिक नारा नहीं है।
इसका अर्थ है—
संविधान के साथ चलना,
कानून के शासन के साथ चलना,
राष्ट्रीय हित के साथ चलना,
भारत की संप्रभुता और अखंडता के साथ चलना।
साथ ही, देश को किसी भी प्रकार के अवैध विदेशी हस्तक्षेप, गैर-कानूनी बाहरी प्रभाव अथवा अवैध विदेशी वित्तीय सहायता के प्रति सतर्क रहना चाहिए।
यदि किसी व्यक्ति या संगठन के विरुद्ध विश्वसनीय प्रमाण मिलते हैं कि वह भारत की संप्रभुता, सुरक्षा या संवैधानिक व्यवस्था के विरुद्ध किसी गैर-कानूनी विदेशी गतिविधि में संलिप्त है, तो उसकी निष्पक्ष जाँच होनी चाहिए और कानून के अनुसार कठोर कार्रवाई की जानी चाहिए।
जहाँ किसी अवैध धन या बाहरी प्रभाव की supply line का प्रमाण मिले, उसे कानून के अनुसार चिन्हित कर बंद किया जाना चाहिए।
लेकिन इसके साथ एक मूलभूत सिद्धांत को कभी नहीं भूलना चाहिए—
**संदेह प्रमाण नहीं है।
आरोप दोषसिद्धि नहीं है।
राजनीतिक असहमति अपराध नहीं है।**
केवल किसी व्यक्ति के विचार, आलोचना अथवा राजनीतिक मतभेद के आधार पर उसे किसी विदेशी शक्ति का एजेंट घोषित करना उचित नहीं हो सकता।
प्रमाण है तो जाँच हो।
अपराध है तो अभियोजन हो।
अपराध सिद्ध हो तो कानून के अनुसार दंड हो।
दंड कानून के माध्यम से हो—राजनीतिक प्रतिशोध के माध्यम से नहीं।
यही एक मजबूत लोकतांत्रिक व्यवस्था की पहचान है।
भारत तब और मजबूत होगा जब आम नागरिकों को यह विश्वास होगा कि कानून सभी के लिए समान है—न कोई कानून से ऊपर है और न किसी निर्दोष व्यक्ति को केवल आरोप के आधार पर अपराधी बनाया जा सकता है।
जनता केवल दर्शक नहीं है।
जनता लोकतंत्र की सबसे महत्वपूर्ण सहभागी है।
जनता देखती है।
जनता सुनती है।
जनता प्रश्न करती है।
जनता तथ्यों को परखती है।
और अंततः जनता अपना संवैधानिक निर्णय देती है।
इसलिए आज आवश्यकता है—
जनता में विश्वास पैदा करने की, भय पैदा करने की नहीं।
जनता को विश्वास में लें।
उन्हें तथ्य दें।
संस्थाओं को मजबूत करें।
राष्ट्रीय संप्रभुता की रक्षा करें।
अवैध विदेशी हस्तक्षेप के विरुद्ध कानून के अनुसार कार्रवाई करें।
और जहाँ अपराध प्रमाणित हो, वहाँ कानून को पूरी दृढ़ता के साथ लागू करें।
क्योंकि—
भारत को कमजोर करके कोई व्यक्ति मजबूत नहीं हो सकता।
कानून के शासन को कमजोर करके कोई समाज सुरक्षित नहीं रह सकता।
और लोकतांत्रिक संस्थाओं को कमजोर करके कोई राष्ट्र लंबे समय तक मजबूत नहीं रह सकता।
आइए, हम सब भारत के साथ चलें—संविधान के सम्मान के साथ, कानून के शासन के साथ और राष्ट्रहित के प्रति अपनी जिम्मेदारी के साथ।
जय हिन्द। 🇮🇳
अशोक कुमार सिंह
अधिवक्ता, हाई कोर्ट कलकत्ता
Take the Common People Into Confidence — Let Them Walk With Bharat
Take the Common People Into Confidence — Let Them Walk With Bharat
The strength of a nation does not lie only in its institutions, administration or political leadership. The real strength of Bharat lies in its people—the farmers, workers, professionals, entrepreneurs, youth, women and every ordinary citizen who contributes to the nation.
Therefore, the need of the hour is not to keep the common people at a distance, but to take them into confidence.
Tell them the truth.
Answer their questions.
Listen to their concerns.
And, most importantly, take them along in building the future of Bharat.
Take the common people into confidence.
Ask them to walk with Bharat.
Walking with Bharat means more than a political slogan.
It means walking with the Constitution, the rule of law, national sovereignty, democratic institutions and the interests of the nation.
At the same time, the country must remain vigilant against any illegal foreign interference or unlawful external influence.
If any individual or organisation is found, on the basis of credible evidence and due investigation, to be involved in illegal foreign funding, unlawful external influence or activities prejudicial to India's sovereignty and security, the appropriate authorities must act firmly and strictly in accordance with law.
The supply line of any illegal funding or unlawful influence must be investigated and, where established, stopped through lawful means.
But there is an equally important principle:
**Suspicion is not proof.
Allegation is not conviction.
Political disagreement is not a crime.**
No citizen should be branded as an agent of a foreign power merely because of political differences, criticism or dissent.
If there is evidence, investigate.
If an offence is established, prosecute.
If guilt is proved in accordance with law, punish.
Punishment must come through the rule of law—not through political vengeance.
This is precisely what strengthens Bharat.
Our democracy becomes stronger when citizens have confidence that institutions will act firmly against genuine wrongdoing while protecting the innocent and respecting constitutional rights.
The common people are not merely spectators.
They are the ultimate participants in our democratic journey.
They observe.
They question.
They remember.
They evaluate.
And they ultimately exercise their constitutional choices.
Therefore, the State must build trust rather than fear.
Take the people into confidence.
Give them facts.
Make institutions accountable.
Protect national sovereignty.
Prevent illegal external interference.
And ensure that every proven offence is dealt with firmly, fairly and according to law.
Because—
No individual becomes stronger by weakening Bharat.
No society becomes safer by undermining the rule of law.
And no democracy becomes stronger by silencing legitimate questions.
Let us therefore walk together with Bharat—with confidence, constitutional values and a commitment to the rule of law.
Jai Hind. 🇮🇳
Ashok Kumar Singh
Advocate, High Court Calcutta
জনগণকে আস্থায় নিন — ভারতকে সঙ্গে নিয়ে এগিয়ে চলুন
জনগণকে আস্থায় নিন — ভারতকে সঙ্গে নিয়ে এগিয়ে চলুন
দেশের শক্তি কেবল রাষ্ট্রের প্রতিষ্ঠান, প্রশাসন বা রাজনৈতিক নেতৃত্বের মধ্যে সীমাবদ্ধ নয়। ভারতের প্রকৃত শক্তি তার সাধারণ মানুষ—কৃষক, শ্রমিক, ব্যবসায়ী, পেশাজীবী, যুবসমাজ, নারী এবং দেশের প্রতিটি সচেতন নাগরিকের সম্মিলিত শক্তির মধ্যে নিহিত।
তাই আজকের প্রয়োজন সাধারণ মানুষকে দূরে সরিয়ে রাখা নয়; বরং তাঁদের আস্থায় নেওয়া।
মানুষকে সত্য জানাতে হবে।
মানুষের প্রশ্নের উত্তর দিতে হবে।
মানুষের উদ্বেগকে গুরুত্ব দিতে হবে।
এবং দেশের ভবিষ্যৎ নিয়ে তাঁদের সঙ্গে নিয়েই এগিয়ে যেতে হবে।
Take the commoners to confidence.
Ask them to walk with Bharat.
ভারতের সঙ্গে হাঁটা মানে কেবল একটি রাজনৈতিক স্লোগান নয়।
এর অর্থ—
দেশের সংবিধানের সঙ্গে হাঁটা,
আইনের শাসনের সঙ্গে হাঁটা,
জাতীয় স্বার্থের সঙ্গে হাঁটা,
এবং ভারতের সার্বভৌমত্ব ও অখণ্ডতার সঙ্গে হাঁটা।
একই সঙ্গে দেশের নিরাপত্তার প্রশ্নে একটি বিষয় অত্যন্ত গুরুত্বপূর্ণ—বিদেশি হস্তক্ষেপ ও অবৈধ প্রভাবের বিরুদ্ধে কঠোর অবস্থান।
যদি কোনও ব্যক্তি বা সংগঠন বিদেশি শক্তির বেআইনি প্রভাব, অর্থায়ন বা নির্দেশনার সঙ্গে যুক্ত থাকে, তাহলে তার বিরুদ্ধে অবশ্যই নিরপেক্ষ তদন্ত, প্রমাণভিত্তিক আইনি ব্যবস্থা এবং সংবিধানসম্মত পদক্ষেপ গ্রহণ করা উচিত।
কেবল সন্দেহের ভিত্তিতে কাউকে “বিদেশি শক্তির পে-রোলে” থাকা ব্যক্তি হিসেবে চিহ্নিত করা উচিত নয়।
অভিযোগ নয়—প্রমাণ চাই।
প্রচার নয়—তদন্ত চাই।
প্রতিহিংসা নয়—আইনের শাসন চাই।
যদি কোনও বেআইনি অর্থের প্রবাহ বা বিদেশি অর্থায়নের প্রমাণ পাওয়া যায়, তাহলে সেই অবৈধ supply line আইনসম্মতভাবে বন্ধ করতে হবে। অর্থের উৎস, লেনদেনের পথ এবং সংশ্লিষ্ট ব্যক্তিদের ভূমিকা তদন্তের মাধ্যমে প্রকাশ্যে আনতে হবে।
আর যদি অপরাধ প্রমাণিত হয়, তাহলে—
**শাস্তি হবে আইনের মাধ্যমে,
প্রতিহিংসার মাধ্যমে নয়।**
ভারতের গণতন্ত্রের শক্তি এখানেই—কেউ আইনের ঊর্ধ্বে নয়, আবার কেবল রাজনৈতিক মতপার্থক্যের কারণে কাউকে অপরাধীও বানানো যায় না।
আজ সাধারণ মানুষ অনেক বেশি সচেতন।
তারা প্রশ্ন করতে জানে।
তারা তথ্য যাচাই করতে জানে।
তারা বুঝতে চায়—কে সত্যিই দেশের স্বার্থে কাজ করছে এবং কে ব্যক্তিগত, রাজনৈতিক বা বিদেশি স্বার্থকে অগ্রাধিকার দিচ্ছে।
তাই রাষ্ট্রের কর্তব্য হলো জনগণের উপর অবিশ্বাস না করে জনগণের আস্থা অর্জন করা।
মানুষকে সঙ্গে নিন।
মানুষকে সত্য বলুন।
মানুষকে সিদ্ধান্তের অংশীদার করুন।
আর দেশের বিরুদ্ধে যে কোনও প্রমাণিত বেআইনি কার্যকলাপের বিরুদ্ধে কঠোর কিন্তু সম্পূর্ণ সাংবিধানিক ব্যবস্থা গ্রহণ করুন।
কারণ—
ভারতকে দুর্বল করে কোনও ব্যক্তি শক্তিশালী হতে পারে না।
ভারতকে বিভক্ত করে কোনও সমাজ নিরাপদ হতে পারে না।
আর আইনের শাসনকে দুর্বল করে কোনও গণতন্ত্র দীর্ঘদিন শক্তিশালী থাকতে পারে না।
আসুন, আমরা সবাই ভারতকে সঙ্গে নিয়ে এগিয়ে চলি।
জনগণের আস্থা অর্জন করি।
আইনের শাসনকে শক্তিশালী করি।
দেশের সার্বভৌমত্ব রক্ষা করি।
এবং প্রমাণিত অপরাধের বিরুদ্ধে আইনের কঠোর প্রয়োগ নিশ্চিত করি।
জয় হিন্দ। 🇮🇳
অশোক কুমার সিংহ
অ্যাডভোকেট, হাই কোর্ট কলকাতা
যখন রাজনৈতিক শোরগোলের প্রভাব ফিকে হয়ে আসে
যখন রাজনৈতিক শোরগোলের প্রভাব ফিকে হয়ে আসে
রাজনৈতিক পরিবেশে হয়তো ধীরে ধীরে কিছু পরিবর্তনের আভাস পাওয়া যাচ্ছে।
যে “হল্লা ব্রিগেড” এতদিন অত্যন্ত উচ্চকণ্ঠে নিজেদের বক্তব্য, অভিযোগ ও রাজনৈতিক প্রচার সামনে নিয়ে আসছিল, তাদের মুখে এখন যেন কিছুটা উদ্বেগ ও হতাশার ছাপ দেখা যাচ্ছে।
মুখের অভিব্যক্তিতে ক্লান্তি,
বডি ল্যাঙ্গুয়েজে আত্মবিশ্বাসের ঘাটতি,
আর রাজনৈতিক শোরগোলে আগের সেই তেজ যেন অনেকটাই ম্লান।
কোনও বক্তব্য বারবার উচ্চারণ করলেই তা সত্য হয়ে যায় না। শেষ পর্যন্ত প্রতিটি দাবি, প্রতিটি অভিযোগ এবং প্রতিটি রাজনৈতিক ন্যারেটিভকে তথ্য, প্রমাণ এবং বাস্তবতার পরীক্ষার মুখোমুখি হতে হয়।
যদি কোনও রাজনৈতিক বক্তব্য অতিরঞ্জন, বিভ্রান্তি কিংবা তথ্যের বিকৃত উপস্থাপনার উপর দাঁড়িয়ে থাকে, তাহলে সময়ের সঙ্গে সঙ্গে তার প্রকৃত স্বরূপ মানুষের সামনে প্রকাশ পাওয়াই স্বাভাবিক।
সত্যের শক্তি প্রমাণে,
আর মিথ্যার শক্তি অনেক সময় শুধুই শোরগোলে।
হয়তো সেই কারণেই আজ সাধারণ মানুষ একটু নীরবে পরিস্থিতি পর্যবেক্ষণ করছে।
যে কথাগুলি গতকাল অত্যন্ত জোরের সঙ্গে বলা হচ্ছিল, আজ সেই কথাগুলিই প্রশ্নের মুখোমুখি হচ্ছে।
যে দাবিগুলিকে একসময় চূড়ান্ত সত্য হিসেবে প্রতিষ্ঠা করার চেষ্টা করা হয়েছিল, আজ সেগুলিই বাস্তবতা ও তথ্যের আলোয় যাচাই করা হচ্ছে।
রাজনীতিতে প্রচার গুরুত্বপূর্ণ হতে পারে, কিন্তু শেষ পর্যন্ত জনগণের বিচারবোধই সবচেয়ে বড় পরীক্ষার ক্ষেত্র।
মানুষ শুধু শুনছে না।
মানুষ দেখছে।
মানুষ ভাবছে।
মানুষ প্রশ্ন করছে।
মানুষ তুলনা করছে।
এবং মানুষ মনে রাখছে।
এই প্রসঙ্গে নিউটনের তৃতীয় সূত্রের কথাটি স্মরণ করা যেতে পারে—
“প্রত্যেক ক্রিয়ারই সমান ও বিপরীতমুখী প্রতিক্রিয়া রয়েছে।”
রাজনীতির ক্ষেত্রে এটিকে একটি রূপক হিসেবেও দেখা যায়।
প্রতিটি রাজনৈতিক পদক্ষেপের একটি প্রতিক্রিয়া থাকে।
প্রতিটি সিদ্ধান্তের একটি পরিণতি থাকে।
প্রতিটি অভিযোগের একটি উত্তর আসে।
প্রতিটি প্রচারের মুখোমুখি হয় বাস্তবতা।
আর জনগণের সামনে ক্রমাগত কোনও একটি ন্যারেটিভ তুলে ধরলে, শেষ পর্যন্ত তার মূল্যায়ন হয় জনমতের আদালতে।
তাই এখন হয়তো আরও বেশি শোরগোলের প্রয়োজন নেই।
প্রয়োজন তথ্যের।
প্রয়োজন প্রমাণের।
প্রয়োজন বাস্তবতার।
অভিযোগ করা হয়েছে।
প্রচার করা হয়েছে।
দাবি করা হয়েছে।
এখন সময় এসেছে—
তথ্যকে কথা বলতে দেওয়ার।
রাজনৈতিক শোরগোল কিছু সময়ের জন্য মানুষের দৃষ্টি আকর্ষণ করতে পারে; কিন্তু দীর্ঘমেয়াদে জনগণের স্মৃতি, অভিজ্ঞতা এবং বিচারবোধই গুরুত্বপূর্ণ হয়ে ওঠে।
হয়তো সেই কারণেই আজ কিছু মুখে উদ্বেগের ছাপ এবং কিছু রাজনৈতিক বডি ল্যাঙ্গুয়েজে আগের মতো দৃঢ়তা দেখা যাচ্ছে না।
এখন মানুষ অপেক্ষা করছে—
যে ক্রিয়া এতদিন ধরে চলেছে, তার প্রতিক্রিয়া কীভাবে সামনে আসে।
সময়ই তার উত্তর দেবে।
আর হয়তো তখনই রূপকের ভাষায় বলা যাবে—
নিউটনের তৃতীয় সূত্র তার রাজনৈতিক প্রতিক্রিয়ার বাস্তব রূপ দেখিয়েছে।
জয় হিন্দ। 🇮🇳
অশোক কুমার সিংহ
অ্যাডভোকেট, হাই কোর্ট কলকাতা
जब शोर का असर समाप्त होने लगे
जब शोर का असर समाप्त होने लगे
राजनीतिक माहौल में शायद कुछ बदलाव दिखाई देने लगा है।
जिसे कभी बहुत ऊँची आवाज़ में अपनी बात रखने वाली “हल्ला ब्रिगेड” कहा जा सकता है, उनके चेहरों पर अब चिंता और निराशा की झलक दिखाई देती है। जो आत्मविश्वास पहले उनके वक्तव्यों और नारों में दिखाई देता था, वह अब कुछ हद तक धीमा पड़ता हुआ प्रतीत हो रहा है।
चेहरों पर उदासी है,
बॉडी लैंग्वेज में आत्मविश्वास की कमी दिखाई देती है,
और राजनीतिक शोर का प्रभाव भी पहले जैसा दिखाई नहीं देता।
लगातार दोहराए गए आरोप, दावे और कथाएँ अंततः तथ्यों और प्रमाणों की कसौटी पर ही परखी जाती हैं।
यदि किसी राजनीतिक नैरेटिव में अतिशयोक्ति, भ्रम या तथ्यों की गलत प्रस्तुति हो, तो समय के साथ उसकी वास्तविकता सामने आना स्वाभाविक है। केवल किसी बात को बार-बार कह देने से वह सत्य नहीं बन जाती।
सत्य को प्रमाण की आवश्यकता होती है;
असत्य को केवल शोर की।
शायद यही कारण है कि आज अनेक लोग शांत होकर परिस्थितियों को देख रहे हैं।
जो बातें कल तक बहुत जोर से कही जा रही थीं, आज उन्हीं बातों पर प्रश्न उठ रहे हैं।
जो दावे कभी अंतिम सत्य के रूप में प्रस्तुत किए जा रहे थे, अब उन्हें तथ्यों और परिस्थितियों के सामने परखा जा रहा है।
और जब किसी राजनीतिक प्रचार का आधार वास्तविकता की कसौटी पर कमजोर पड़ता है, तो उसका प्रभाव भी स्वाभाविक रूप से कम हो सकता है।
अब जनता केवल सुनना नहीं चाहती।
जनता देख रही है।
जनता समझ रही है।
जनता प्रश्न कर रही है।
जनता तुलना कर रही है।
और अंततः लोकतंत्र में सबसे महत्वपूर्ण भूमिका जनता की ही होती है।
इसी संदर्भ में न्यूटन के तृतीय नियम का स्मरण होता है—
“प्रत्येक क्रिया के बराबर और विपरीत दिशा में प्रतिक्रिया होती है।”
राजनीतिक जीवन में भी इसे एक रूपक के रूप में समझा जा सकता है।
हर राजनीतिक कार्रवाई की कोई न कोई प्रतिक्रिया होती है।
हर निर्णय का कोई न कोई परिणाम होता है।
हर आरोप का उत्तर आता है।
हर प्रचार के सामने तथ्य अपनी जगह बनाते हैं।
और जनता के बीच लगातार चलाए गए किसी भी नैरेटिव का अंततः सामना जनमत से होता है।
इसलिए अब शायद आवश्यकता अधिक शोर की नहीं, बल्कि तथ्यों के सामने आने की है।
आरोप लगाए जा चुके हैं।
प्रचार हो चुका है।
दावे किए जा चुके हैं।
अब समय है कि तथ्य स्वयं बोलें।
लंबे समय तक राजनीतिक शोर किया जा सकता है, लेकिन जनता की स्मृति और लोकतंत्र का निर्णय केवल शोर पर निर्भर नहीं करता।
शायद इसी कारण आज कुछ चेहरों पर चिंता दिखाई दे रही है और कुछ राजनीतिक शरीर-भाषा में पहले जैसी दृढ़ता दिखाई नहीं देती।
अब लोग प्रतीक्षा कर रहे हैं—
क्या होगा उस क्रिया का, जिसकी प्रतिक्रिया अब सामने आने वाली है?
शायद अब समय है कि न्यूटन का तृतीय नियम अपना राजनीतिक रूपक पूरा करे।
जय हिन्द। 🇮🇳
अशोक कुमार सिंह
अधिवक्ता, हाई कोर्ट कलकत्ता
When the Narrative Falls Flat
When the Narrative Falls Flat
One can perhaps sense a change in the political atmosphere.
The long faces of what may be described as the “Halla Brigade” are increasingly noticeable. The confidence that once appeared so loud and unquestionable now seems, at least to the observer, to have been replaced by hesitation and uncertainty.
The body language appears subdued.
The rhetoric appears to have lost some of its earlier force.
And the narratives that were repeatedly projected with great confidence are now facing the ultimate test—the test of facts, evidence and public scrutiny.
In politics, slogans can create noise.
Allegations can create headlines.
Repeated assertions can create an impression.
But ultimately, truth has to withstand examination.
If a particular narrative is based upon exaggeration, distortion or what is perceived by its opponents as falsification, then sooner or later the facts themselves become the real test. No amount of repetition can permanently substitute for evidence.
Perhaps that is why the present atmosphere appears different.
What was once presented as an unquestionable political certainty may now require explanation.
What was once loudly proclaimed may now have to answer difficult questions.
And what was intended to create political momentum may, in the eyes of some observers, have fallen flat under the weight of scrutiny.
But there is another interesting principle which may be remembered here—the Third Law of Newton:
“For every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction.”
In public life, this principle may be used metaphorically.
Political actions generate public responses.
Decisions create consequences.
Campaigns produce counter-campaigns.
Assertions invite scrutiny.
And attempts to influence public opinion inevitably encounter the response of an informed electorate.
The people are not merely spectators.
They observe.
They remember.
They compare.
They question.
And, ultimately, they decide.
Therefore, perhaps the political class should listen carefully to the changing mood rather than merely increasing the volume of the rhetoric.
The coming response, whatever form it may take, will be determined not by political noise alone, but by the collective judgment of the people and the facts placed before them.
So, perhaps, the long faces are only the beginning of a much larger political conversation.
The rhetoric has been heard.
The allegations have been made.
The counter-allegations have followed.
Now let the facts speak.
And perhaps, as people wait patiently, the Third Law of Newton is also waiting to make its presence felt in the political arena.
Jai Hind. 🇮🇳
Ashok Kumar Singh
Advocate, High Court Calcutta
The Setting Sun of West Bengal — and Perhaps Its Reappearance
The Setting Sun of West Bengal — and Perhaps Its Reappearance
Perhaps, the setting of the Sun of West Bengal began on 7th May, 2012.
That date may be remembered by many not merely as another day in the political calendar, but as a point from which the political, administrative and social landscape of West Bengal began to undergo a significant transformation.
The Sun is often used as a metaphor for power, hope, confidence, progress and public aspiration. When the Sun sets, darkness gradually descends. But sunset is never the end of the story.
The Sun may disappear from the horizon for a time, yet it does not cease to exist.
It rises again.
And perhaps, after a long period of darkness, uncertainty and political turbulence, the Sun of West Bengal is once again becoming visible on the horizon.
The question is not merely about one political party, one individual or one election.
The larger question is about West Bengal itself.
A State with an extraordinary intellectual heritage.
A State which produced great thinkers, reformers, scientists, writers, freedom fighters, jurists, artists and social reformers.
A State which has historically contributed immensely to India's constitutional, cultural and intellectual life.
The people of West Bengal have always possessed the capacity to distinguish between hope and despair, development and stagnation, institutional strength and institutional weakness, and genuine public service and political rhetoric.
The rising Sun therefore represents more than political change.
It represents the possibility of renewed hope.
It represents the aspiration for stronger institutions, greater accountability, better governance, employment opportunities, economic development, social harmony and restoration of confidence among the people.
But the rising of the Sun also brings responsibility.
A new morning cannot merely replace one political arrangement with another. It must bring with it a renewed commitment to constitutional values, democratic institutions, rule of law and equal opportunity.
West Bengal deserves a future in which merit is respected, institutions are strengthened, young people can dream without leaving the State, businesses can grow with confidence, and ordinary citizens can approach public institutions without fear or favour.
If the Sun is indeed appearing again, let it not be merely a political sunrise.
Let it be a sunrise of hope, justice, development, dignity and constitutional governance.
The sunset may have lasted long.
The night may have appeared even longer.
But history teaches us one simple truth:
No night is permanent.
Every sunset carries within it the promise of another sunrise.
And perhaps today, from the horizon of West Bengal, the first rays of that new Sun are once again becoming visible.
Let the people decide what that sunrise should mean for the future of the State.
Jai Hind. 🇮🇳
Ashok Kumar Singh
Advocate, High Court Calcutta
A Reflection on the Collegium System and the Future of Judicial Appointments
A Reflection on the Collegium System and the Future of Judicial Appointments
If I am not mistaken, and based on what I have observed so far, I have rarely come across an ordinary citizen or a commoner openly advocating for the continuation of the present Collegium System for the appointment of Judges of the Higher Judiciary.
The debate surrounding the Collegium System is, by and large, conducted within the legal and judicial establishment itself. Existing and former Judges, senior members of the Bar, constitutional experts and other persons closely associated with the judicial system are generally the principal voices in this discussion.
That, by itself, raises an important question:
Should a system concerning the appointment of Judges of the highest constitutional courts remain a subject predominantly debated and defended within the very institutional structure that operates that system?
In my humble view, the question deserves a much wider constitutional and public discussion.
Is the Collegium System capable of creating an institutional cycle?
One concern that arises in my mind is whether the continuation of the Collegium System, in certain circumstances, may contribute to the creation of an institutional cycle in which expectations regarding elevation to the Bench continue from one generation to another.
I do not suggest that every Judge belonging to a particular family background acts in this manner. Nor do I suggest that every second- or third-generation member of a judicial family necessarily possesses any unfair advantage.
However, human institutions are not completely free from social influences.
Where a person grows up in a family in which one parent is a Judge, the child may naturally grow up observing the judicial profession from a very different environment from that experienced by an ordinary member of the public. The family may have greater familiarity with the legal system, judicial functioning, professional networks and the culture surrounding the higher judiciary.
These circumstances may create advantages—whether intended or unintended—which may not necessarily be available to everyone entering the legal profession from an ordinary background.
Over time, such circumstances can also influence aspirations.
When the child subsequently enters the legal profession, the possibility of becoming a Judge may appear not merely as an abstract constitutional responsibility but as an established professional destination within the family environment.
That is where the question of institutional openness and equal opportunity becomes important.
Is there any special DNA for becoming a Judge?
There is certainly no known constitutional, legal or biological principle which suggests that judicial ability is inherited through family lineage.
There is no special “judicial DNA” which automatically determines that the child of a Judge, or the second or third generation of a judicial family, is inherently more suitable to become a Judge.
Judicial excellence should ultimately depend upon qualities such as legal knowledge, intellectual ability, integrity, independence, temperament, constitutional understanding, professional experience, impartiality and commitment to justice.
These qualities can exist in a person irrespective of his or her family background.
Therefore, the central question should not be:
“From which family does the candidate come?”
The question should be:
“What objective process can identify the person most suitable to discharge the constitutional responsibilities of a Judge?”
A comparison with entry into other public institutions
Another issue deserves consideration.
An LL.B. degree provides the necessary academic qualification to enter the legal profession, but possessing an LL.B. degree by itself does not establish that a person is automatically capable of performing every judicial function.
For several public appointments and services, candidates are required to undergo competitive examinations, assessments, interviews, training and other objective processes.
At the entry level of the judiciary also, judicial officers generally enter through prescribed competitive judicial service examinations and selection procedures.
If merit-based competitive selection is considered appropriate for identifying judicial officers at the subordinate level, the constitutional community should also examine whether greater transparency and objective criteria can have a meaningful role in appointments to the Higher Judiciary.
This is not an argument against experience.
Experience is indispensable.
Nor is it an argument that every Judge must be selected through a conventional written examination.
The Higher Judiciary performs constitutional functions of an entirely different nature, and therefore its method of selection necessarily requires a different framework.
But different does not necessarily mean completely insulated from objective and transparent standards.
The need for a wider debate
In my view, the time has come for a serious and dispassionate national conversation about the Collegium System.
The issue should not be treated as a contest between the judiciary and the executive, nor as an attack upon the independence of the judiciary.
Judicial independence is indispensable to democracy and the rule of law.
At the same time, transparency, accountability, equal opportunity and public confidence are equally important components of a constitutional democracy.
The real question, therefore, should be:
How can India preserve the independence of the judiciary while simultaneously ensuring that the process of selecting Judges is transparent, objective, inclusive and capable of inspiring confidence among ordinary citizens?
Perhaps the answer lies in developing a system which combines judicial independence with demonstrable transparency, professional merit with experience, and institutional safeguards with equal opportunity.
A possible reconsideration of the existing arrangement
At the subordinate judicial level, candidates are already required to undergo competitive judicial examinations and prescribed selection processes.
For the High Courts and the Supreme Court, the existing constitutional mechanism involves recommendations rather than a comparable competitive selection process.
Whether the present arrangement is the best possible mechanism is, in my view, a legitimate constitutional question deserving careful reconsideration.
The issue may therefore appropriately be placed before the Hon'ble Supreme Court of India, and, where constitutionally permissible, before the appropriate constitutional forum, for a fresh examination of the principles governing judicial appointments.
The objective should not be to weaken the judiciary.
The objective should be to ensure that the judiciary remains independent, while the pathway to judicial office remains open, transparent and based upon demonstrable merit rather than perception, lineage or institutional familiarity.
The judiciary belongs to the Constitution.
The Constitution belongs to the people.
Therefore, any system governing access to the highest judicial offices should ultimately command the confidence not only of Judges and lawyers, but also of the ordinary citizen.
This is not a criticism of any individual Judge or any particular judicial family.
It is simply a question about institutional design, equal opportunity and the future of the Indian justice system.
The time has perhaps come to ask difficult questions—not with hostility, but with constitutional maturity.
Should the Collegium System continue in its present form, or is there a need to reconsider and reform the mechanism of appointment to the Higher Judiciary?
The debate deserves to be wider, deeper and more transparent.
Jai Hind. 🇮🇳
Ashok Kumar Singh
Advocate, High Court Calcutta
Friday, September 25, 2026
A Family Is Built Not Only on Relationships, but Also on Responsibilities
A Family Is Built Not Only on Relationships, but Also on Responsibilities
“Even to become a contributing part of a family, money is necessary.”
— Unknown | Abhyuday Sahitya
This thought reflects a practical truth of modern life: love and relationships may create a family, but responsibilities often require financial resources to sustain it.
Being a part of a family is not merely about sharing a home, a surname, or emotional bonds. It also means sharing responsibilities, necessities, difficulties and dreams.
Food, education, healthcare, housing, electricity, transportation, household expenses and the future security of children and elderly family members—all require resources. Behind every functioning household, there is often someone quietly working, sacrificing personal desires and carrying responsibilities that may never be fully visible to others.
Earning is not merely about making money.
For many people, their income represents:
- their parents' medical expenses;
- their children's education;
- household necessities;
- rent, loans or other financial commitments;
- emergencies and unexpected expenses;
- savings for the future; and
- the dreams and security of the entire family.
That is why the person who earns for the family should not be judged merely by how much he or she earns. The effort, pressure, sacrifices and responsibilities behind that income also deserve recognition.
At the same time, a person's value should never be measured only by his or her income.
Not every contribution to a family comes in the form of money.
One person may earn.
Another may manage the household.
Someone may care for children.
Someone may look after elderly parents.
Someone may stand beside the family during its darkest moments.
Every genuine contribution has dignity.
Money may help sustain a family, but money alone cannot make a family.
A truly strong family is one where financial responsibility is respected, but human dignity is respected even more.
It is important to understand that earning members may carry significant financial pressure, but they also need appreciation, emotional support and understanding. Similarly, those who do not earn an income should not be made to feel that they are without value.
The real strength of a family lies in mutual respect, shared responsibility, trust, sacrifice and compassion.
Therefore, we should remember:
A family should be a place where responsibilities are shared—not a place where one person's contribution is taken for granted.
Money may be necessary to run a household, but love, respect, trust and cooperation are necessary to keep a family together.
In the end, the greatest wealth of a family is not the amount of money it possesses, but the people who stand beside one another when life becomes difficult.
— Ashok Kumar Singh
Advocate, High Court Calcutta
Saturday, September 19, 2026
Summary of Writ Petition
Summary of Writ Petition No. 25557 of 2026
In the High Court at Calcutta
Sankar
Prashad Dalapati vs. Rajpur-Sonarpur Municipality & Ors.
W.P.A. No. 25557 of 2026
Article 226
Constitutional Writ Jurisdiction •
Appellate Side
Petitioner: Sri Sankar Prashad Dalapati
Private Respondents: Bhupal Naskar
and Dulal Naskar
Advocate on Record: Asumdipta
Santra, Advocate, High Court, Calcutta.
1.
Subject matter of the writ petition
The writ petition concerns an
alleged unauthorised commercial vehicle garage and construction in a
residential area within the jurisdiction of Rajpur-Sonarpur Municipality.
The petitioner claims that the
private respondents, Bhupal Naskar and Dulal Naskar, have allegedly erected an
unauthorised masonry and reinforced-concrete structure and are commercially
operating a vehicle garage on approximately 14 cottahs of land.
2.
Allegations made by the petitioner
According to the synopsis of facts,
the alleged garage operation has resulted in:
- Parking and repair of heavy vehicles in a residential locality.
- Noise pollution and environmental hazards.
- Security concerns for neighbouring residents.
- Obstruction of public pathways.
- Disturbance to the peaceful enjoyment of the locality.
The petitioner further alleges that
the garage may be operating without the necessary statutory permissions,
including:
- A sanctioned building plan.
- Municipal permission.
- A trade licence.
- Fire-safety clearance.
- An occupancy certificate.
- Other applicable statutory approvals.
Important: These are allegations
recorded in the petition's synopsis and are not established findings of a
court.
3.
Property details
The property in question is
described as being situated at:
- Mouza: Teghari
- J.L. No.: 52
- R.S. Dag No.: 66
- L.R. Dag No.: 68
- R.S. Khatian No.: 135/1
- Approximate area: 14 cottahs
4.
Representations submitted by the petitioner
The petitioner states that the
following representations were submitted:
|
Date |
Particulars |
|
03 June 2026 |
Detailed representation submitted
to the Chairman of Rajpur-Sonarpur Municipality. |
|
14 August 2026 |
Representation submitted to the
concerned fire-services authorities. |
The petitioner alleges that no
effective inspection, inquiry, or statutory action was taken in response to
these representations.
5.
Respondents
The petition's addressee list
includes the following authorities:
- Rajpur-Sonarpur Municipality.
- Chairman and Executive Officer of the Municipality.
- Board of Councillors.
- Inspector-in-Charge, Narendrapur Police Station.
- Urban Land Ceiling Clearance Office.
- Divisional Fire Officer, South 24 Parganas.
- Director General, West Bengal Fire & Emergency
Services Department.
- Bhupal Naskar and Dulal Chandra Naskar as private
respondents.
6.
Purpose of the writ petition
The petition has been filed under
Article 226 of the Constitution of India, invoking the writ jurisdiction of the
High Court at Calcutta.
From the available document, the
apparent objective is to seek judicial intervention regarding the alleged
unauthorised construction and commercial garage operation and to secure
appropriate action by the concerned statutory authorities.
The specific final reliefs sought by
the petitioner are not fully available in the supplied six-page document.
7.
Proposed date of hearing
The forwarding letter states that
the matter was intended to be moved before:
- Hon’ble Justice Raja Basu Chowdhury
- Court Room No. 3
- 18 September 2026, or thereafter, subject to the
Court’s business.
8.
Documents annexed or referred to
The index refers to the following
documents:
- Writ petition.
- Photocopy of the L.R. plot information.
- Representation dated 03 June 2026.
- FIR complaint dated 14 August 2026.
Conclusion
The writ petition is essentially a
complaint concerning alleged unauthorised construction and the commercial
operation of a vehicle garage in a residential locality. The petitioner
contends that the municipal and other statutory authorities failed to take
effective action despite written representations, leading to the filing of the
writ petition under Article 226.
APPLICATION UNDER SECTION 227(3) OF THE BHARATIYA NAGARIK SURAKSHA SANHITA, 2023
IN THE COURT
OF THE LEARNED 13TH JUDICIAL MAGISTRATE
AT CALCUTTA
C.S. Case No.
328168 of 2026
{Under
Section 25 Payment & Settlement Act 2007}
L & T FINANCE LIMITED
...
Complainant
-Versus-
RANJIT SINGH, & OTHERS
...
Accused Persons
APPLICATION
ON BEHALF OF THE ACCUSED PERSONS, NAMELY, RANJIT SINGH AND HARJEET KAUR, UNDER
SECTION 227(3) OF THE BHARATIYA NAGARIK SURAKSHA SANHITA, 2023, FOR SUPPLY OF A
COPY OF THE COMPLAINT AND ALL DOCUMENTS ANNEXED THERETO, THE SAME NOT HAVING
BEEN SERVED ALONG WITH THE SUMMONS
MOST RESPECTFULLY SHOWETH;
- That
the instant case, being C.S. Case No. 328168 of 2026, has been instituted
before this Learned Court by the complainant, namely, L & T Finance Limited,
against the accused persons, including the present applicants, in
connection with an alleged offence under Section 25 of the Payment and
Settlement Systems Act, 2007.
- That
the present applicants, namely, (i)
Ranjit Singh, Proprietor of Janata Trading Co., residing at Kolkata
Bajar Road, Nayapara, Sambalpur Sadar, P.O. Sambalpur, Odisha – 768001;
and (ii) Harjeet Kaur,
residing at Kolkata Bajar Road, Nayapara, Sambalpur Sadar, P.O. Sambalpur,
Odisha – 768001, are the accused persons in the aforesaid proceeding and
are filing the present application through their learned Advocate.
- That
this Learned Court was pleased to issue summons dated 01.09.2026, directing the accused
persons to appear before this Learned Court on 06.10.2026 at 10:00 a.m., in connection with the aforesaid
case.
- That
upon receipt of the aforesaid summons, the present applicants carefully
examined the contents thereof and found that the summons mentions an
alleged charge under Section 25 of
the Payment and Settlement Systems Act, 2007.
- That
the summons further contains an endorsement stating “Copy attached” against the
particulars of the alleged offence.
- That,
however, the applicants state that the copy of the complaint, as referred to in the summons, was not
supplied or enclosed along with the summons served upon them.
- That
the applicants are, therefore, presently unaware of the precise factual
allegations made against them by the complainant, the specific
transactions relied upon, the nature of the alleged contravention, the
basis of the alleged criminal liability, and the materials, if any, relied
upon by the complainant for the purpose of initiating the present
proceeding.
- That
the applicants most respectfully submit that the complaint is the foundational
document of a complaint case. The allegations contained therein are
required to be examined by the accused persons and their learned Advocate
in order to understand the precise nature of the prosecution case and to
take appropriate legal steps in accordance with law.
- That
Section 227(3) of the Bharatiya
Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 expressly provides that, in a
proceeding instituted upon a complaint made in writing, every summons or
warrant issued under sub-section (1) shall be accompanied by a copy of
such complaint.
- That
the aforesaid statutory requirement is intended to ensure that an accused
person is duly informed of the allegations forming the basis of the
criminal proceeding and is afforded a meaningful opportunity to defend
himself or herself in accordance with law.
- That
the applicants respectfully submit that the absence of the complaint from
the papers served upon them has caused substantial difficulty in
understanding the case and preparing an effective response before this
Learned Court.
- That
the applicants are desirous of appearing before this Learned Court and
cooperating with the judicial proceedings, subject to their rights and
remedies available under law. However, the applicants are entitled to
receive a copy of the complaint before being required to effectively
respond to the allegations made against them.
- That
unless and until a copy of the complaint is made available to the
applicants, the applicants will not be in a position to ascertain, inter
alia a. The precise allegations levelled against each of the accused
persons; b. The factual circumstances in which the alleged offence is
stated to have been committed; c. The specific transaction or transactions
forming the subject matter of the complaint; d. The role attributed to each
of the accused persons individually; e. The basis upon which the
complainant alleges the commission of an offence under Section 25 of the
Payment and Settlement Systems Act, 2007; and f. The nature of the relief
or adjudicatory action sought by the complainant before this Learned
Court.
- That
the applicants further submit that, if any documents, statements,
transaction records, notices, authorisations, agreements, electronic
records or other materials have been annexed to or incorporated into the
complaint and have been relied upon for the institution of the proceeding,
the applicants may also require copies of such materials, subject to the
applicable provisions of law and the orders of this Learned Court.
- That
the applicants state that the present application is being filed bona fide
and in the interest of justice. The same is not intended to delay the
proceeding or to avoid the jurisdiction of this Learned Court in any
manner whatsoever.
- That
the applicants crave leave to submit that an accused person cannot be
expected to effectively answer or address allegations which have not been
disclosed to him or her through the foundational complaint. Furnishing a
copy of the complaint would enable the applicants to understand the case,
obtain appropriate legal advice and take such steps as may be permissible
in law.
- That
the applicants further submit that the omission to furnish the complaint
along with the summons appears to be an inadvertent procedural omission,
and the applicants seek rectification of the same by obtaining the
relevant documents from the records of this Learned Court.
- That
the applicants undertake to receive the copy of the complaint and the
relevant accompanying documents through their learned Advocate or in such
manner as this Learned Court may deem fit and proper.
- That
the applicants reserve their right to take such further steps, including
filing an appropriate application or raising appropriate legal objections,
as may be advised upon perusal of the complaint and the documents supplied
to them. The present application may kindly not be construed as an
admission of the allegations made in the complaint or as a waiver of any
defence or legal remedy available to the applicants.
- That
it is, therefore, just, necessary and expedient, in the interest of
fairness and the proper administration of criminal justice, that the
complainant or the concerned office of this Learned Court be directed to
furnish the applicants with a complete and legible copy of the complaint
and the documents required to accompany the same in accordance with law.
In the aforesaid
facts and circumstances, it is most humbly prayed that Your Honour may
graciously be pleased to;
a.
Allow the present application;
b.
Direct the concerned office of this Learned Court and/or the complainant, L
& T Finance Limited, to furnish the applicants with a complete and legible copy of the complaint
filed in connection with C.S. Case No. 328168 of 2026, the same not having been
supplied along with the summons;
and
c.
Pass such other or further order or orders as Your Honour may deem fit and
proper in the interest of justice.
AND FOR THIS ACT OF KINDNESS, THE APPLICANTS, AS IN
DUTY BOUND, SHALL EVER PRAY.
VERIFICATION
I,
Ranjit Singh, one of the applicants above named, do hereby verify that the
statements made in paragraphs 1 to 20 of the foregoing application are true and
correct to my knowledge and belief, based on the records available to me, and
that I have not suppressed any material fact.
Verified
at Calcutta on this _____ day of ____________, 2026.
Signature of
the Applicant
Ranjit Singh
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