Fri Nov 21 07:40:00 UTC 2025: Here’s a summary of the text, followed by a rewritten news article:

Summary:

A 5.7 magnitude earthquake struck Bangladesh on November 21, 2025, with its epicenter near Dhaka. The tremors were strongly felt in Kolkata and other parts of West Bengal, India, causing panic and temporary evacuations of offices. While no major damage or casualties have been reported so far, the event sparked political sparring between the BJP and Trinamool Congress on social media. Similar tremors were reported in other northeastern cities of India, like Agartala and Guwahati.
News Article:

Earthquake Jolts Kolkata and West Bengal, Triggering Panic and Political Spat

Kolkata, India – November 21, 2025 – A 5.7 magnitude earthquake originating in Bangladesh sent tremors rippling through Kolkata and other regions of West Bengal this morning. The quake, which struck at approximately 10:10 AM IST, caused buildings to shake and prompted widespread evacuations as residents fled offices and homes in a state of panic.

The National Center for Seismology reported the earthquake’s origin in Bangladesh at a depth of 10 kilometers. The United States Geological Survey (USGS) pinpointed the epicenter near Narsingdi, about 40 kilometers from Dhaka, the Bangladeshi capital.

“I jolted out of my chair inside the office when it started shaking,” said one office worker in South Kolkata. “I felt like I was dizzy, but later realised the fans and water bottles are all shaking.”

While reports of significant damage or casualties are still being assessed, initial indications suggest that the impact has been minimal. Similar tremors were also felt in Agartala, Guwahati, and other northeastern cities in India.

The earthquake quickly became fodder for political squabbling on social media. The Bharatiya Janta Party (BJP) posted a message questioning if the tremors were linked to something referred to as “SIR,” directed at West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. The All India Trinamool Congress retorted, suggesting the quake symbolized the “ground shaking beneath the feet” of the BJP ahead of the 2026 Assembly elections.

Authorities are continuing to monitor the situation.

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