Suvendu Adhikari Vows to Establish Nationalism Inside and Outside Jadavpur University; 20–22 Lakh More Women May Get Annapurna Benefits

Kolkata, August 23, 2026: West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari has stepped up his attack over the recent unrest at Jadavpur University, declaring that his government will establish “nationalism” both inside and outside the campus. At the same time, he has sought to reassure women affected by delays and exclusions under the state’s Annapurna Yojana, saying another 20–22 lakh women could be brought under the scheme if they are found genuinely eligible.

Addressing a gathering in Bhawanipur on Saturday, Adhikari said there would be no compromise on nationalism and patriotism in West Bengal. Referring to the controversy at Jadavpur University, he said his government would work to establish nationalism, Indian culture and Sanatan values on the campus as well as outside it.

The Chief Minister also said that people living in West Bengal would have to sing “Vande Mataram”, while accusing sections of the Jadavpur University campus of opposing the hoisting of the national flag and the observance of national days. His remarks came against the backdrop of recent clashes involving student organisations at the university, which have triggered a fresh political confrontation over campus politics, nationalism and the role of student groups.

Adhikari alleged that certain “anti-national” and “jihadi” elements had previously opposed national celebrations at Jadavpur University. He also claimed that officials had faced resistance over entering the campus and installing CCTV cameras. These allegations are part of the Chief Minister’s political criticism of the university and its administration.

The Annapurna Yojana issue, meanwhile, has emerged as another major challenge for the new BJP government in Bengal. The scheme provides eligible women with ₹3,000 a month through direct bank transfers. While the government has expanded the number of beneficiaries in successive rounds, thousands of women across the state have recently protested over delayed payments, rejected applications and verification-related problems.

According to the latest figures cited by Adhikari, around 1.45 crore women have received benefits under the scheme in August. He said the government was continuing the verification process and that another 20–22 lakh women could potentially be brought into the scheme if they meet the eligibility requirements. The emphasis, he said, would be on ensuring that genuinely eligible and financially vulnerable women are not left out.

The announcement is significant because the number of women currently receiving Annapurna assistance remains substantially below the roughly 2.2 crore beneficiaries who had been covered by the previous Lakshmir Bhandar system. The BJP government had promised ₹3,000 a month under Annapurna, doubling the previous ₹1,500 assistance, but introduced a fresh verification process to determine eligibility.

The government has already taken steps to deal with rejected and pending applications. Officials have been processing claims and objections, while women whose applications were rejected are being given opportunities to challenge the decision. Reports indicate that around 17 lakh applications remain rejected and another 14 lakh are still under scrutiny, making the promised expansion potentially important for those who have been waiting for inclusion.

The administration has also faced protests in several districts from women claiming that they completed the application and verification process but did not receive the promised ₹3,000. Demonstrations have been reported in places including Cooch Behar and Murshidabad, adding pressure on the government to accelerate verification and payment.

Adhikari, however, has argued that beneficiaries should not be misled by isolated social-media videos or protests and has maintained that no genuinely eligible woman will ultimately be denied the benefit. His latest assurance that another 20–22 lakh women could be included indicates that the government is seeking to expand the beneficiary base while continuing its scrutiny of applications.

The twin messages from the Chief Minister — nationalism at Jadavpur University and expansion of Annapurna benefits — underline two major political priorities for the new Bengal government. While the Jadavpur controversy has placed questions of ideology, campus administration and nationalism at the centre of political debate, the Annapurna Yojana has become a crucial test of the government’s ability to translate its election promises into a functioning welfare programme.

For now, the prospect of another 20–22 lakh women receiving Annapurna assistance will depend on the ongoing verification process and whether the applicants satisfy the scheme’s eligibility conditions. The government has made clear that the expansion is intended for genuine beneficiaries rather than an automatic inclusion of every pending or rejected applicant.