India’s government has announced a new initiative to strengthen security along its borders with Bangladesh and Pakistan, covering nearly 6,000 kilometers. Home Minister Amit Shah said in New Delhi that the project will deploy drones, radars, and surveillance cameras across the frontier areas. The implementation is expected to begin within a year, with the Border Security Force (BSF) receiving full technical support from the government.

Shah added that fencing work along unfenced sections of the Bangladesh border will be expedited. India and Bangladesh share a 4,096-kilometer border, of which about 1,650 kilometers are already fenced, leaving 569 kilometers without fencing. The longest stretch of this border lies in West Bengal, spanning approximately 2,219 kilometers.

According to the report, the project aims to enhance monitoring and control along sensitive border zones, particularly where physical barriers are incomplete or absent.

The Madhya Pradesh High Court has ruled that the centuries-old Kamal Maula Mosque in Dhar district is a temple dedicated to a Hindu goddess, following a petition claiming the site originally housed a temple. The decision, announced on Friday, has barred Muslims from praying there and allowed Hindus to install an idol under police protection. The mosque, part of the Bhojshala complex, had long been a shared site under an Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) agreement permitting both Hindu and Muslim worship on different days.

Muslim leaders and legal representatives have condemned the ruling as a violation of India’s Places of Worship Act of 1991, which preserves the religious character of sites as they existed in 1947. They plan to appeal to the Supreme Court. Critics, including historian Audrey Truschke, described the ASI survey as politically motivated and part of a broader pattern of Islamophobia linked to Hindu nationalism.

The case has revived memories of the Babri Mosque demolition and is seen as part of a wider campaign by Hindu nationalist groups to reclaim sites they allege were once temples, raising concerns about religious freedom and secularism in India.

India has increased petrol and diesel prices again, marking the third hike in ten days. Starting Saturday, petrol prices rose by 87 paise per litre and diesel by 91 paise per litre. The latest adjustment follows earlier increases on May 16 and May 19, when prices were raised by 3 rupees and 90 paise per litre respectively. As a result, fuel prices have climbed by at least 5 rupees per litre in major cities over the past ten days.

The price hikes come amid a fuel supply crisis linked to conflict in West Asia. Although India’s central petroleum department previously claimed there was no shortage of petrol or diesel, it had signaled that further price increases were possible. As of Friday night, petrol in New Delhi cost 98.64 rupees per litre, which has now risen to 99.51 rupees, while diesel increased from 91.58 to 92.49 rupees per litre.

The repeated hikes suggest continued pressure on India’s fuel market, with potential implications for transportation and consumer costs if global tensions persist.

Tension has resurfaced in Dhar district of Madhya Pradesh over the disputed Bhojshala complex after Muslim representatives filed an appeal in India’s Supreme Court. The petition, submitted by mosque caretaker Qazi Moinuddin, challenges the High Court’s May 15 ruling that overturned a long-standing arrangement allowing separate worship days for Hindus and Muslims at the site.

The Bhojshala complex, preserved by the Archaeological Survey of India, has historical and archaeological significance. Since 2003, Hindus were permitted to perform rituals on Tuesdays, while Muslims offered Friday prayers. The High Court recently nullified this arrangement and directed the government to consider allocating land elsewhere for a new mosque. As a result, Friday prayers will not be held at Bhojshala for the first time in 23 years, prompting heightened security measures across the city.

Hindu groups have welcomed the ruling and organized weeklong celebrations, while local authorities have convened peace meetings to prevent communal unrest. The state government has also announced plans to develop Bhojshala in the style of Ayodhya’s Ram Temple, sparking renewed political and religious debate.

The Kolkata High Court has upheld a state government notification maintaining a ban on the slaughter of bulls, oxen, cows, calves, and buffaloes in West Bengal ahead of Eid al-Adha. The division bench of Chief Justice Joy Pal and Justice Partha Sarathi Sen ruled that the May 13, 2026 notification merely implemented a 2018 court directive and therefore did not warrant suspension or cancellation. The court also stated that cow sacrifice is not a mandatory religious practice in Islam.

According to the state notification, these animals cannot be slaughtered without certification declaring them unfit and may only be slaughtered in authorized abattoirs. Following the ruling, reports from India’s Aaj Tak media indicated that Hindu men and women in Bhangar, South 24 Parganas, protested the decision, rejecting the restriction on cow sacrifice and demanding permission to sell cattle.

The court’s decision reinforces earlier judicial restrictions on cattle slaughter in the state, while the protests highlight ongoing tensions surrounding religious and cultural practices linked to animal sacrifice.

The Indian central government has decided to bring back several individuals who were previously sent to Bangladesh to verify their Indian citizenship status. The decision was disclosed to the Supreme Court on Friday, following a case filed by the central government challenging a September 2025 Calcutta High Court ruling that had declared the deportation of Sonali Khatun and others to Bangladesh illegal.

Earlier, the Supreme Court had allowed Sonali Khatun and her eight-year-old child to re-enter India on humanitarian grounds after they had been sent to Bangladesh. The court also directed the West Bengal government to ensure their care and medical support. The case stems from the detention of several families in Delhi’s Rohini area in June 2025, who were suspected of being Bangladeshi nationals and subsequently deported.

Solicitor General Tushar Mehta informed the bench led by Chief Justice Surya Kant that the government would repatriate the individuals within eight to ten days and verify their citizenship before deciding on further action. The next hearing is scheduled for July.

A new satirical political group called the National Parasitic Front (NPF) has emerged in India following the rise of the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP). Both groups stem from a political satire movement that uses humor to address serious issues such as politics, inflation, and unemployment. The NPF was formed mainly by members of Generation Z, who are using satire as a form of protest and social commentary.

The movement began after Chief Justice Surya Kant’s controversial remark comparing some unemployed youth to cockroaches, which he later clarified was misquoted and not intended as criticism. The comment sparked widespread online outrage, leading to the formation of the CJP as a satirical response. The CJP quickly gained popularity on social media, amassing nearly ten million followers on Instagram, surpassing the official handle of the ruling BJP government.

The newly formed NPF positions itself as a platform for dissenters who challenge societal norms. Its messaging portrays “parasites” as citizens surviving within a fragile system, using irony to critique elitist political rhetoric while emphasizing reform from within.

The Delhi government has announced strict restrictions on animal sacrifice ahead of the upcoming Eid-ul-Azha. Delhi Minister Kapil Mishra stated that sacrificing cows, calves, camels, or any other prohibited animals within the city is completely illegal. Sacrifices are only permitted in authorized and designated slaughterhouses, and performing them in open spaces, streets, or public areas is strictly banned. Violations will lead to criminal cases and legal action.

The government has also prohibited the disposal of blood or waste from sacrifices into drains or streets, requiring all waste to be managed only at approved sites. Additionally, setting up or operating unauthorized livestock markets on roads or in alleys has been declared illegal. To ensure enforcement, Delhi’s administration has instructed the police to remain vigilant and urged citizens to report any violations directly to the police or the city’s development department.

These measures aim to maintain public order and hygiene during the festival period, according to the official announcement.

A severe heatwave is sweeping across India’s Uttar Pradesh state, prompting the meteorological department to issue a red alert in ten districts. The affected areas include Banda, Chitrakoot, Kaushambi, Prayagraj, Fatehpur, Pratapgarh, Mirzapur, Varanasi, Bhadohi, and Jaunpur. Authorities have advised residents to avoid going outdoors unless absolutely necessary, as dangerously high temperatures are expected to persist throughout Friday.

An orange alert has been declared for 34 districts including Baghpat, Meerut, Ghaziabad, Hapur, Gautam Buddha Nagar, Bulandshahr, Aligarh, Mathura, and Agra, while 17 districts such as Lucknow, Ayodhya, Barabanki, Sitapur, and Lakhimpur Kheri are under a yellow alert. According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), temperatures in eastern Uttar Pradesh may rise by another 2–3 degrees Celsius within the next 48 hours.

On Thursday, Banda recorded the state’s highest temperature at 47.6°C, followed by Prayagraj at 46.6°C and Varanasi (BHU) at 45.6°C. The IMD explained that yellow alerts indicate monitoring conditions, orange alerts warn of prolonged heat, and red alerts signal extreme danger to public health.

Construction of a barbed wire fence along the Bangladesh-India border has begun, according to the report. The work started from the Phansidewa area near Siliguri after the West Bengal state government formally handed over 27 kilometers of land to the Indian Border Security Force (BSF) for the project.

The decision to transfer land was made after the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) came to power in the West Bengal state assembly elections, under the leadership of Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari. To strengthen border security, two types of land were provided: 32 acres of government-owned land across nine districts and 43 acres of privately purchased land from five districts. The entire cost of the land acquisition will be borne by India’s Ministry of Home Affairs.

The initiative aims to reinforce security along the international boundary between Bangladesh and India, with construction activities now underway in the designated areas.

The Indian rupee has depreciated significantly over the past year, losing about 10 percent of its value against the Bangladeshi taka and nearly 12 percent against the Pakistani rupee, according to a report by The Economic Times published on May 22, 2026. The rupee also hit a record low of 96.96 per US dollar last Wednesday. Analysts attribute the decline to global economic uncertainty, rising crude oil prices, and reduced foreign investment inflows.

Experts note that India’s heavy reliance on imported energy has made its currency vulnerable to oil price fluctuations. The ongoing stalemate in Iran–US peace talks and higher international bond yields have further driven investors away from emerging markets, putting additional pressure on the rupee. Economists warn that the depreciation could raise costs for overseas education, travel, imported goods, and international business transactions.

Analysts suggest that if import costs continue to outpace export earnings and foreign capital inflows, India’s current account deficit could deepen. The rupee’s short-term volatility is expected to persist as global geopolitical conditions, inflation, and investment trends evolve in the coming months.

The Calcutta High Court has upheld West Bengal’s existing ban on the slaughter of bulls, oxen, cows, calves, and buffaloes ahead of Eid al-Adha. A division bench comprising Chief Justice Joy Pal and Justice Partha Sarathi Sen declined to interfere with a state government notification issued on 13 May 2026, stating that it merely implemented a 2018 court directive. The court reiterated that cow sacrifice is not a mandatory religious practice in Islam and directed the state to amend the notification to include this observation.

The state’s notification declared certain animals “unfit” for slaughter without certification and restricted slaughtering to authorized abattoirs. The court also empowered authorities to inspect facilities to prevent illegal slaughter and tasked the state with ensuring adequate infrastructure and officials for certification. Trinamool Congress legislator Akhruzzaman argued that the lack of exemption under Section 12 of the West Bengal Animal Slaughter Control Act would prevent Muslims from performing religious sacrifices, but the bench maintained its position based on prior Supreme Court rulings.

The court instructed the state government to review the matter and decide within 24 hours whether to grant exemptions under Section 12, considering the upcoming Eid al-Adha.

The Calcutta High Court has upheld the West Bengal government’s notification restricting animal slaughter ahead of Eid. On Thursday, a division bench of Chief Justice Sujoy Paul and Justice Parthasarathi Sen ruled that no animal may be slaughtered without an official certificate confirming its suitability, and that public slaughter will remain completely prohibited. The court declined to stay the state’s May 13 notification, which imposed several restrictions on the slaughter of cows and buffaloes.

The bench directed the state government to review the certification process and related infrastructure while continuing hearings on the constitutional validity of the law. It also instructed that any applications for exemption be resolved within 24 hours. The court referred to the Supreme Court’s earlier observation in the “State of Bihar vs. Mohammad Hanif Qureshi” case, which stated that cow slaughter is not an essential religious practice in Islam.

The state notification contains eight specific directives requiring prior certification for the slaughter of bulls, oxen, cows, calves, male and female buffaloes, and castrated buffaloes. Violations of these provisions will be punishable under law.

The West Bengal government has issued a directive prohibiting state government employees from speaking to the media or attending media-organized events without prior permission. The order, published on Wednesday, May 20, 2026, applies to members of the Indian Civil Service, the West Bengal Police Service, and employees of government-aided institutions. It also instructs that government employees must not make negative comments about government policies in the media.

The directive has sparked widespread criticism on social media. Many users argued that several corruption allegations against the previous government had surfaced through disclosures by government employees, and therefore, the new rule could restrict freedom of expression. However, individuals close to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) stated that such a rule has existed since 1976 but was not strictly enforced by the previous administration.

The renewed enforcement of this rule may tighten communication controls within the state bureaucracy, though its long-term impact on transparency and governance remains uncertain.

Former Indian Election Commissioner Ashok Lavasa has argued that elections without real competition cannot be considered victories for democracy. Writing in a commentary published on May 21, 2026, he compared political competition to the essential spirit of sports and business, saying that without credible rivals and a neutral referee, the democratic process loses legitimacy. Lavasa emphasized that true mandates require genuine contests where voters believe the process is fair and transparent.

He criticized provisions in India’s electoral law that allow candidates to win unopposed and highlighted recent events in West Bengal, where over 2.7 million voters were removed from rolls during a rushed verification process. Lavasa questioned the Election Commission’s neutrality and the judiciary’s silence as millions lost their voting rights without a functioning appeal mechanism. He warned that such actions erode public confidence and damage the democratic fabric.

Lavasa concluded that a democracy without competition or impartial oversight risks turning into a hollow exercise, where victories lack meaning and the very essence of people’s rule is compromised.