A doctor from Indraprastha Apollo Hospital in New Delhi has been arrested for allegedly removing kidneys from at least 15 to 16 individuals under the pretext of surgery. According to a report by the Indian Express on July 9, Delhi Police detained Dr. Vijaya Kumar, a 50-year-old female physician, on charges of involvement in a kidney trafficking network operating between Bangladesh and India.

The report states that Dr. Kumar, who served as a visiting consultant and surgeon at Yatharth Hospital in Noida, performed the alleged operations between 2021 and 2023. Most of the victims were Bangladeshi citizens brought to India by intermediaries who lured them with promises of money. Delhi Police said the trafficking ring targeted poor Bangladeshis and arranged for their kidneys to be removed in hospitals around New Delhi.

Authorities previously arrested three Bangladeshi nationals linked to similar kidney trafficking networks. Organ sales for money are illegal in India, though voluntary donations remain lawful under specific conditions.

A commentary published on January 9, 2026, in the Bangladeshi outlet ‘Amar Desh’ criticizes India’s decision to remove Bangladeshi cricketer Mustafizur Rahman from the Indian Premier League (IPL). The article argues that India’s move was unjust, politically motivated, and influenced by extremist pressure rather than cricketing reasons. It claims that both Bangladeshi authorities and some Indian politicians and players have condemned the decision as unfair.

The piece describes how Mustafizur was initially a highly sought-after player in the IPL auction, eventually signed by Kolkata Knight Riders. However, he was later dropped without credible explanation. The author alleges that religious and national identity, not performance, drove the exclusion, and that India’s cricket board bowed to extremist nationalist demands. The commentary also criticizes the targeting of team co-owner Shah Rukh Khan for his Muslim identity while ignoring other owners.

According to the article, India’s handling of the issue exposes double standards in its cricket administration and damages its global image. It concludes that the episode reveals India’s surrender of cricketing integrity to political and religious extremism.

Authorities in Delhi recently demolished several structures adjacent to the century-old Faiz-e-Ilahi Mosque near Turkman Gate, including a pilgrims’ lodging room, a house, a private diagnostic center, part of a road, a sidewalk, and a parking area. The operation, carried out early Wednesday, led to clashes between police and locals from Tuesday night until dawn, resulting in baton charges, tear gas use, and at least five arrests. The Delhi High Court had earlier issued notices to the municipal corporation and related agencies following a petition by the mosque’s management committee.

The committee stated that the land had long been under its use and that rent was regularly paid to the Delhi Waqf Board. The demolition is viewed as part of a continuing pattern of evictions targeting Muslim communities across India. Similar operations in 2025 destroyed long-standing Muslim settlements in South Delhi’s Jungpura and Govindpuri, displacing hundreds without proper notice or rehabilitation.

Reports note that such demolitions have frequently affected Muslim-majority areas, Dalit neighborhoods, and protest-linked communities, reflecting a broader trend of state-backed displacement in recent years.

West Indies cricketer Jason Holder has come under fire after commenting on India and Pakistan’s tense cricket rivalry. Speaking on the popular podcast ‘Game With Grace,’ Holder criticized India’s decision not to accept the Asia Cup trophy despite winning the tournament. He said the rivalry had gone beyond cricket and called the move excessive, urging both nations to show unity and mutual respect as symbols of sportsmanship and peace.

Following his remarks, Indian social media users reacted sharply, with many calling for a boycott of Holder and even demanding his exclusion from the Indian Premier League (IPL). The backlash mirrors a recent incident in which Bangladeshi pacer Mustafizur Rahman was reportedly dropped from Kolkata Knight Riders following similar public pressure.

The controversy highlights how cricket continues to reflect broader political and emotional tensions between India and Pakistan, with players’ statements often sparking intense public reactions across both nations.

Reports from India indicate a growing number of attacks on Muslim migrant workers from West Bengal, particularly in BJP-ruled states such as Odisha and Chhattisgarh. On January 4, 2026, a worker from Murshidabad named Ejaz Ali was allegedly assaulted in Sambalpur, Odisha, after being accused of being Bangladeshi. His left arm was broken, and he returned home without receiving medical treatment. Similar incidents have been reported in other regions, forcing many workers to leave their jobs and return to their home state out of fear.

According to the report, these assaults often involve groups identifying Muslim workers by their names on identity cards and labeling them as foreigners. Victims have reported losing their earnings and belongings during the attacks. In Chhattisgarh’s Narayanpur, three workers from Murshidabad were also beaten and nearly set on fire by attackers. The victims were unable to file complaints.

The repeated incidents have left many migrant laborers unemployed and fearful, highlighting rising communal tensions and insecurity among Muslim workers in BJP-governed areas.

Indian media reports claim that the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) directed Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) to release Bangladesh pacer Mustafizur Rahman from their Indian Premier League (IPL) squad, though the matter was never discussed in any official board meeting. According to The Indian Express, senior BCCI officials made the decision unilaterally, and even members of the IPL governing council were unaware until the news appeared in the media. Attempts to contact BCCI secretary Debajit Saikia for clarification were unsuccessful.

Saikia later confirmed that KKR had been instructed to release Mustafizur, who was signed for 9.2 crore rupees. The decision triggered strong reactions in Bangladesh. The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) refused to send its team to India for the upcoming T20 World Cup, citing player safety concerns. Additionally, Bangladesh’s Information Ministry decided to suspend IPL broadcasts in the country.

The controversy continues to grow as questions remain about the decision-making process within BCCI and its implications for Bangladesh-India cricket relations.

Indian Premier League (IPL) sources have indicated that Bangladeshi cricketer Mustafizur Rahman is unlikely to receive any financial compensation after being dropped by Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR). The franchise had purchased him for 9.2 crore rupees in the auction but released him following a directive from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) amid protests by Hindu nationalist groups. According to IPL insiders, the league’s insurance policy does not cover such situations, leaving Mustafizur without a clear path to payment.

An IPL-linked source told PTI that player salaries are insured only for injuries or on-field performance issues, which do not apply in this case. Therefore, KKR has no legal obligation to pay him. The source added that Mustafizur’s only option would be legal action under Indian law, though foreign players rarely pursue such cases, even through the Court of Arbitration for Sport.

The current political climate between India and Bangladesh is seen as another obstacle to any legal move, with sources suggesting that uncertainty in bilateral relations discourages players from taking such steps.

Indian Congress leader Shashi Tharoor has sharply criticized his country’s authorities for the exclusion of Bangladeshi pacer Mustafizur Rahman from the Indian Premier League (IPL), a move that has heightened tensions between India and Bangladesh. In a post on X, Tharoor said the embarrassing situation was self-inflicted, calling the decision to drop Mustafizur unnecessary and unreasonable.

Speaking to the Indian Express, Tharoor argued that Bangladesh should not be equated with Pakistan, noting that Bangladesh does not send terrorists across the border and that India’s diplomatic relationship with Bangladesh is fundamentally different. His remarks came after Kolkata Knight Riders removed Mustafizur from their squad following directives from the Indian cricket board.

Mustafizur had been bought by Kolkata Knight Riders for 92 million rupees in the 2026 IPL auction, the highest fee ever for a Bangladeshi player. The controversy arose after some Indian political groups and religious organizations questioned his participation, citing allegations of persecution of religious minorities in Bangladesh.

A moderate earthquake measuring 5.4 on the Richter scale struck Assam in northern India early Monday morning, according to the United States Geological Survey (USGS). The quake occurred near the surface, with its epicenter located about three kilometers outside Dhing village, close to the Bhutan border. Tremors were felt at 4:17 a.m. local time (10:47 p.m. GMT on Sunday).

The USGS reported that although strong shaking was experienced in the area, the region’s relatively low population density is expected to limit the extent of damage. No immediate reports of casualties or major destruction have been received so far.

The Himalayan region is known for frequent seismic activity, with several major earthquakes recorded in India’s history. Notably, the 1950 Assam–Tibet earthquake killed around 4,800 people, and the 1897 “Great Assam Earthquake” remains one of the most powerful in the country’s history, causing hundreds of deaths in remote mountain areas.

After a gap of 34 years, the World Ijtema is being held in West Bengal’s Puinan village under the Dhaniakhali constituency of Hooghly district. The event began on January 2, 2026, and will conclude on January 5 at noon, covering an area of about 60 square kilometers. Millions of devotees from various Indian states and other countries have joined the congregation, with around 10 to 12 lakh people attending Friday prayers.

Local authorities have arranged extensive facilities for the participants, including a temporary 170-bed hospital near the Ijtema grounds, staffed round the clock by doctors and health workers. Dhaniakhali MLA Asima Patra stated that both the administration and local representatives have ensured all necessary arrangements for the visitors and emphasized that the event has no political connection.

Participants such as Kamal Uddin from Biratnagar, Nepal, expressed their devotion, noting that they have attended multiple Ijtemas in different locations to listen to religious teachings.

Bangladesh pacer Mustafizur Rahman has been removed from the Kolkata Knight Riders squad for the upcoming Indian Premier League following a directive from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). The franchise confirmed the decision in a press release, stating that it acted on BCCI’s instructions. According to the report, the Indian government ordered the cricket board to exclude Mustafizur, allegedly to appease hardline Hindu nationalist groups that had opposed his inclusion.

The controversy has sparked widespread criticism in Bangladesh and beyond, with many fans condemning the move as politically motivated. BCCI Secretary Debajit Saikia told Indian media that the directive came from the government. The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has yet to issue an official response, saying it has not received formal communication from BCCI. Meanwhile, Hindu nationalist leaders in India have publicly praised the decision, framing it as a victory for Hindu sentiment.

The incident has raised questions about the politicization of cricket and the safety of Bangladeshi players ahead of the T20 World Cup scheduled in India next month.

Police in India-administered Kashmir have placed cricketer Furkanul Haq under surveillance after a video showing him playing with a Palestinian flag sticker on his helmet went viral on social media. Authorities summoned him for questioning on Friday and initiated a 14-day preliminary inquiry to verify the facts, his intent, and any possible links. Police said the action was taken considering the sensitivity of the issue and its potential impact on public order. Under Indian law, such an inquiry can be launched with approval from a deputy superintendent for offenses punishable by three to seven years in prison.

The incident occurred during a Jammu and Kashmir Champions League match in Muthi, Jammu, where Haq represented JK Eleven Kings against Jammu Trail Blazers. Reports said he was asked to leave the field after opposing players objected to the helmet sticker. The Jammu and Kashmir Cricket Association clarified that the matter involved local players and had no connection with the organization.

Former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister and PDP leader Mehbooba Mufti expressed support for Palestine on social media following the incident.

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has stated that nearly 2,000 Indian nationals were pushed into Bangladesh over the past three months under a new deportation policy. The move follows rulings by Assam’s Foreigners Tribunals declaring individuals as illegal foreigners, after which they are expelled within seven days. The policy, implemented using a 1950 law, aims to prevent prolonged legal appeals. On December 31 alone, 18 people were reportedly sent across the border.

Currently, 100 Foreigners Tribunals are active in Assam to identify alleged foreigners. Critics claim many of these tribunals issue one-sided rulings, and while some individuals win appeals in the High Court, most cannot afford to challenge the verdicts and end up in detention camps. Reports suggest that some deportees have been returned by Bangladeshi border forces, while others have been jailed in Bangladesh.

Legal experts and human rights groups have questioned the legality of using the 1950 “Immigrants (Expulsion from Assam) Order,” arguing that it was created in a different historical context and is unconstitutional in today’s reality.

India’s top business magnates, including Mukesh Ambani and Gautam Adani, are facing mounting challenges under U.S. President Donald Trump’s second term. Expectations that his administration would strengthen U.S.-India relations have faded as tariffs on Indian goods were doubled to 50 percent, following Trump’s frustration over India’s continued oil imports from Russia. The move has directly impacted Indian trade and strained diplomatic ties between New Delhi and Washington.

Ambani’s Reliance Industries, which profited from refining discounted Russian crude, has been hit hard by new U.S. trade measures. Adani, meanwhile, faces corruption allegations in U.S. courts, with cases filed by the Department of Justice and the Securities and Exchange Commission. Despite lobbying efforts and investments aimed at improving relations, both businessmen are struggling to gain traction with the Trump administration. Analysts note that early optimism about a close Trump-Modi partnership has given way to disappointment as U.S. attention toward India wanes.

Indian business circles now hope that a new trade agreement could ease tensions and reduce tariffs, though many acknowledge that earlier assumptions about Trump’s unwavering support were unrealistic.

Authorities in Sambhal district of Uttar Pradesh have issued demolition notices for 22 houses and shops near the historic Shahi Jama Masjid, alleging illegal construction on land recorded as a cemetery. The district administration has identified the land as government property and served notices to 48 residents, mostly Muslims and small traders, instructing them to respond within 15 days or face bulldozer action. The move followed a recent land survey that officials said revealed unauthorized structures on the cemetery plot.

The notices have sparked fear and anger among local Muslim residents, who claim their families have lived there for decades and accuse the administration of acting hastily. Residents said the threat of bulldozers has created panic, especially among women and children. Local leaders have demanded transparency and restraint, saying they respect the law but seek fairness and time to present their documents.

Earlier, the Allahabad High Court declined to halt the land survey, allowing residents to raise objections before revenue officials. The situation remains tense as community members prepare legal responses amid growing unease.