West Bengal invokes new Public Safety Act for first time after NEET protest violence; second Kolkata airport planned
West Bengal authorities invoked the newly enacted West Bengal Public Safety and Control of Anti-Social Activities Act, 2026, for the first time following violence at protests in Kolkata against the alleged NEET question paper leak, with Kolkata Police arresting fourteen individuals accused of orchestrating the clashes. The state is simultaneously advancing two significant long-term initiatives: plans for a second airport to serve Kolkata and a curriculum overhaul for school education aligned with the National Education Policy.
New Public Safety Act invoked for first time as 14 arrested over NEET protest violence in Kolkata
Kolkata Police arrested fourteen people in connection with violence that erupted during protests on Friday against the alleged NEET question paper leak, with West Bengal authorities invoking the newly enacted West Bengal Public Safety and Control of Anti-Social Activities Act, 2026, for the first time against individuals accused of orchestrating the disturbances. The legislation, which came into force in 2026, enables preventive detention and enhanced legal measures that go beyond standard arrest procedures, making its invocation against those involved in the Kolkata protest violence a notable escalation in the official response to the NEET-related unrest. Deccan Herald's reporter Anirban Bhaumik reported that West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari alleged on Sunday that the clashes were driven by what he described as Islamic fundamentalists, characterising the violence as potentially backed by foreign forces. The NEET controversy, which arose from allegations that examination question papers were compromised, has been a source of protest activity across multiple Indian states, with demonstrations expressing frustration among students and families who believe the examination system has been undermined. West Bengal's decision to apply the new public safety legislation specifically to those accused of organising or inciting violence during the protests — rather than to peaceful demonstrators — reflects the state government's effort to distinguish between lawful expression and what it characterises as organised disruption. The Kolkata arrests and the use of the new act are expected to remain a point of political contention in the state. [1]
🏢 West Bengal moves ahead with plans for a second Kolkata airport
West Bengal is advancing plans for a second airport in the Kolkata metropolitan region, with the proposed facility designed to meet growing demand for air travel in and around the city and to support broader economic development across the region. Safariindia.com reported the initiative, noting that the proposed airport would supplement the existing Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport, which currently serves as Kolkata's primary air gateway and has been experiencing increasing passenger volumes as the city's economic and connectivity profile expands. The West Bengal government's push for additional airport infrastructure reflects a recognition that a single major airport may be inadequate to handle projected growth in air travel as Kolkata continues to develop as a business destination, cultural hub, and tourism node for eastern India. A second airport could also extend air access to parts of the wider metropolitan region that are currently underserved by direct connectivity, reducing travel distances for passengers in those areas seeking to access flight services. Developing a new major airport involves complex land acquisition processes, environmental clearances, and regulatory approvals, all of which add considerable timelines to the project. Nevertheless, the state government's active movement toward this goal signals its ambition to position Kolkata as a more prominent node in India's aviation network and to give the region the infrastructure to support its growth aspirations. [6]
West Bengal forms panel to overhaul school curriculum and cut dependence on private tuition
West Bengal has constituted a new syllabus and curriculum committee tasked with overhauling the structure of school education in the state, with the committee charged specifically with aligning the curriculum with India's National Education Policy 2020 and reducing both rote learning and students' dependence on private tuition. The Indian Express reported from Kolkata that writer Tanusree Bose's account of the committee formation described it as a significant policy initiative in how West Bengal will structure the foundational education provided to its school-going population. The emphasis on curbing rote learning addresses a persistent concern in Indian school education: that students are prepared to reproduce memorised content for examinations rather than to think analytically, apply knowledge practically, or develop genuine comprehension. The goal of reducing reliance on private tuition addresses a related structural issue particular acute in West Bengal, where the private tutoring industry has become deeply embedded in students' academic lives and families' household budgets, with many students effectively dependent on paid coaching sessions beyond their regular school hours. Alignment with the National Education Policy 2020 places West Bengal's reform initiative within a broader national framework that seeks to modernise and improve the quality and relevance of school education across India. States retain significant autonomy in implementing the NEP, meaning that West Bengal's committee will need to translate national policy goals into specific curriculum changes suitable for the state's educational context and student population. [9]
Sources: [1] Deccan Herald · [6] safariindia.com · [9] The Indian Express