Suvendu Adhikari Takes 14 Key Decisions in First 48 Hours as West Bengal CM From Street Namaz Ban to BSF Land Transfer and Post-Poll Violence Probes
West Bengal’s new Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari has wasted no time in establishing the policy direction of his government, issuing a rapid-fire series of 14 major administrative orders within 48 hours of taking oath at the historic Brigade Parade Grounds on 9 May 2026. The decisions, which range from restrictions on public religious activities to the reopening of closed post-poll violence cases, represent a dramatic departure from the governance style of his predecessor Mamata Banerjee and have generated intense debate across the political spectrum.
The 14 decisions were announced through a combination of cabinet directives, police orders, and administrative circulars between 9 and 11 May, and cover topics as diverse as law and order, religious regulation, land allocation, vehicle fleet reductions, and economic reform. Taken together, they paint a picture of a government that is moving aggressively to reshape West Bengal’s administrative landscape in its earliest days.
Decision 1: Ban on Street Namaz and Loudspeaker Restrictions
The most prominent and controversial of Adhikari’s decisions was the ban on namaz (Islamic prayers) on public roads and streets. BJP leader Arjun Singh confirmed the order, saying: “The CM has given many orders during the Cabinet meeting. Namaz will not be allowed in the streets. Let them pray at mosques, but on the streets, it won’t be tolerated.” The order specifically targets the practice of public prayers on Red Road in central Kolkata, a Ministry of Defence-owned area where large gatherings for Friday namaz had become commonplace during Mamata Banerjee’s tenure.
Alongside the namaz restrictions, the government imposed controls on loudspeaker use, requiring that all loudspeakers at religious premises comply with legal noise regulations and court-mandated decibel limits. The government also directed “strong action against stone pelters,” signalling a tougher law-and-order approach in areas that have experienced communal tensions.
Decisions 2–5: Post-Poll Violence and Law Enforcement
On 11 May, Adhikari directed senior police officers to reopen cases of post-poll violence from the 2021 Vidhan Sabha election and the 2023 Panchayat election that were closed during the previous TMC government. BJP leaders had long alleged that the Mamata government had systematically shut down investigations into violence targeting BJP workers and supporters after both elections. The reopening of these cases represents a direct challenge to the TMC’s legacy and could lead to arrests of individuals connected to the previous ruling party.
The government also announced a reshuffle of police officers, with transfers of top officials considered close to the TMC administration. A special investigation team has been constituted to review unsolved cases of political violence in the state, and the government has asked the central government for additional paramilitary forces to maintain law and order during the transition period.
Decisions 6–8: Border Security and Land Allocation
In a move with significant security implications, Adhikari approved the transfer of 600 acres of land to the Border Security Force (BSF) for the construction of border fencing along the India-Bangladesh border. The decision addresses a long-standing demand from security agencies that the previous TMC government had resisted, citing concerns about the impact on border communities and agricultural land.
The government also ordered a review of all encroachments on government land in Kolkata and suburban areas, with particular focus on properties connected to individuals facing criminal charges. Additionally, new guidelines were issued for the allocation of government housing to state employees, replacing the discretionary system that had operated under the previous administration.
Decisions 9–11: Government Austerity and Transparency
Adhikari ordered a 50 per cent reduction in the size of government vehicle convoys, including his own. The decision, which applies to all ministers and senior officials, is intended to signal fiscal responsibility and reduce the perception of political privilege. The government also announced a freeze on new government vehicle purchases for six months and directed all departments to prepare expenditure audits for the previous five financial years.
In a transparency measure, the government directed all state departments to make their budgetary expenditure data available on a public portal within 30 days. The move was praised by governance watchdog organisations as a step towards greater accountability.
Decisions 12–14: Economic and Social Reforms
The remaining decisions included the announcement of a review of all contracts awarded by the previous government above Rs 50 crore, the creation of a special cell to address the grievances of Bengali Hindu refugees from Bangladesh, and the establishment of a task force to improve the condition of state-run hospitals and primary health centres.
The pace of decision-making since Adhikari’s historic oath has been described by BJP leaders as evidence of “action-oriented governance” in contrast to what they characterise as the TMC’s focus on political patronage. The Chief Minister himself said during a media interaction: “The people gave us a mandate for change, and change will not wait.”
Opposition Response
The TMC, now in opposition, has sharply criticised several of the decisions. TMC leaders who are already challenging the election results in the Supreme Court called the namaz ban “an assault on the secular fabric of Bengal” and accused the BJP government of pursuing a communal agenda. Former minister Firhad Hakim said the loudspeaker and namaz restrictions were “designed to polarise and not to govern.”
Civil liberties organisations expressed concern about the cumulative impact of the law-and-order decisions, particularly the reopening of closed cases and the police reshuffle. The Indian Civil Liberties Union said in a statement that while governance reform was welcome, “the selective reopening of politically sensitive cases and the targeting of specific religious practices raise serious questions about the impartiality and constitutional validity of these decisions.”
However, BJP supporters and Hindu organisations celebrated the decisions, calling them a correction of what they described as years of “minority appeasement” under the TMC. The Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) praised the street namaz ban and loudspeaker controls as “restoring the rule of law” and urged the government to take similar action against illegal encroachments on temple land.
What Comes Next?
The 14 decisions represent the opening chapter of Adhikari’s tenure, and political analysts expect the pace of policy announcements to continue as the government seeks to establish its identity and deliver on its election promises. The political dynamics of West Bengal remain volatile, with the TMC’s Supreme Court challenge, ongoing post-election tensions, and the significant challenge of governing a state that has been under a single party’s control for 15 years.
Whether Adhikari’s rapid-fire approach to governance translates into lasting administrative change — or generates more heat than light — will depend on the implementation of these orders over the coming weeks and months. For now, the message from Writers’ Building is unmistakable: the new government in West Bengal intends to move fast and move decisively.
- JCD Prabhakar Elected Unopposed as Tamil Nadu Assembly Speaker as Vijay TVK Government Takes Shape With Key Legislative Appointments - May 13, 2026
- Suvendu Adhikari Takes 14 Key Decisions in First 48 Hours as West Bengal CM From Street Namaz Ban to BSF Land Transfer and Post-Poll Violence Probes - May 13, 2026
- IT Employees Union NITES Urges Government to Issue Mandatory Work From Home Advisory for IT Sector After PM Modi Fuel Conservation Appeal - May 12, 2026
