On May 6, 2026, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) came to power in West Bengal for the first time, prompting Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari to order strict enforcement of a 1950 law regulating cattle slaughter. The directive requires official certification and restricts slaughter to designated facilities for animals over 14 years old. As Eid al-Adha approaches, the Dhulagorh cattle market near Kolkata stands nearly deserted, with traders reporting heavy losses and fear of administrative action.

The crackdown has severely affected the state’s beef trade. Muslim butchers, restaurant owners, and street vendors have shut down operations, while beef prices have fallen sharply. Kolkata’s “The Burger Shop” suspended its popular beef burger after suppliers were forced to close. Longtime meat sellers report collapsing demand and early shop closures. Traders who borrowed heavily for the festival now face financial ruin.

BJP spokesperson Debjit Sarkar defended the move as lawful enforcement, while legal expert Jaysingh Nugggehalli said such bans are tied more to identity and livelihood politics than animal welfare. Activist Harsh Mander described the developments as part of a broader ideological project marginalizing Muslims in India.

The West Bengal government, led by Shuvendu, has initiated steps to relocate the 136-year-old Gauripur Jame Mosque situated within the operational area of Kolkata International Airport. Following the new government’s assumption of power, administrative activity around the mosque intensified, with security cited as the main reason. On Tuesday, airport authorities and district officials inspected the site, and on Wednesday, a meeting was held at the North 24 Parganas District Magistrate’s office involving the administration, airport authorities, and mosque committee representatives.

Airport Director Vikram Singh stated that the mosque’s presence inside the airport has long created operational challenges, restricting flight operations. Discussions were held on how to address these issues. Meanwhile, the mosque committee said that any decision to demolish or relocate the mosque cannot be made solely by the local committee. They intend to seek guidance from religious organizations such as Darul Uloom Deoband, the All India Muslim Personal Law Board, and Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind.

Further decisions regarding the mosque’s relocation are expected after consultations with these religious bodies.

West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari announced that Bangladeshi nationals entering India illegally will no longer be sent to jail but will instead be handed directly to the Border Security Force (BSF). He made the statement on Tuesday after an administrative meeting with officials from Nadia, Hooghly, and North 24 Parganas districts in Kalyani. Adhikari said the police had been instructed accordingly, arguing that keeping such individuals in jail wastes public money.

Adhikari claimed that a large number of 'illegal Bangladeshis' had gathered at the Hakimpur checkpoint in North 24 Parganas district. Addressing them, he urged them to leave quickly, warning that the government would take action otherwise. He added that these individuals harm Indian citizens, particularly residents of West Bengal, and that previous governments had avoided enforcing existing laws for political reasons.

Earlier, the BJP-led government in West Bengal, under Adhikari’s leadership, had ordered the creation of ‘holding centers’ in every district to detain alleged Bangladeshi and Rohingya infiltrators. Similar facilities have been established in other Indian states over the past year.

Muslims across several Indian states, particularly in Uttar Pradesh, have expressed growing concern over restrictions on Eid al-Adha prayers. Administrative measures limiting prayers in open fields, roads, or public spaces, along with opposition from right-wing Hindu groups, have left many communities struggling to find adequate prayer venues. In Meerut’s Maliyana village, mosque committees instructed worshippers to avoid crowds, ignore provocations, and refrain from filming during prayers.

Local residents reported fear of police action or harassment if they pray in open areas. Since Prime Minister Narendra Modi came to power in 2014, right-wing Hindu organizations have increasingly opposed public prayers, citing traffic and security issues. The Vishva Hindu Parishad recently demanded a nationwide ban on street prayers. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath urged Muslims to pray in shifts, warning of “other measures” for noncompliance, which has heightened anxiety.

Human rights activists argue that while restrictions are imposed on Muslim gatherings, large Hindu religious events receive administrative support, raising concerns about religious freedom and equal application of the law.

West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari announced that India will no longer extend special treatment to Bangladeshis. He made the statement on Tuesday after an administrative meeting in Kalyani with officials from Nadia, Hooghly, and North 24 Parganas districts. Adhikari claimed that a large number of 'illegal Bangladeshis' had gathered at the Hakimpur checkpoint in North 24 Parganas and warned them to leave immediately, saying the government would take action otherwise.

He stated that he did not want to spend public money to feed or house these individuals in jail, accusing them of harming Indian citizens, particularly those in West Bengal. Adhikari said police had been instructed not to imprison them but to hand them directly over to the Border Security Force (BSF). He emphasized that India would no longer share its resources with them.

Earlier, the BJP-led government in West Bengal, under Adhikari’s leadership, had ordered the creation of ‘holding centers’ in every district to detain alleged Bangladeshi and Rohingya infiltrators, a move similar to those implemented in other Indian states over the past year.

After Suvendu Adhikari assumed office as Chief Minister of West Bengal, government stipends for teachers at 601 unregistered madrasas were discontinued, according to a report by India Today. These institutions collectively serve about 84,000 students and employ nearly 6,000 teachers. During Mamata Banerjee’s tenure, the state had provided financial assistance to these madrasas, but that support has now been withdrawn.

Following the suspension of stipends, a delegation of teachers met with Minority Morcha president Kamal Hossain, who assured them that he would look into the matter. The report also noted that Adhikari’s administration introduced new regulations on animal slaughter, which have affected cattle sales during the Muslim festival of Eid al-Adha, causing concern among Hindu cattle farmers.

Additionally, the state government reduced the Eid al-Adha holiday from two days to one, citing adjustments based on moon sighting. The change marks a departure from the previous Trinamool Congress government’s policy, as the Bharatiya Janata Party now governs the state with a majority of 207 assembly seats.

A new political group called the Cockroach Janata Party has emerged in India, gaining a large following within just four days. The party’s rise through social media memes, reels, and humor-laced political commentary has drawn widespread attention. Observers note that its rapid popularity reflects growing frustration among young people who feel alienated from traditional politics and institutions.

The article argues that this phenomenon stems from deeper social fragmentation and the erosion of collective public life. Once rooted in unions, campuses, and community clubs, politics has become detached from everyday social bonds. Digital platforms now provide a temporary sense of belonging, uniting individuals through shared anger or symbolic opposition rather than enduring ideals. Comparisons with Bangladesh and Nepal suggest similar youth-driven digital movements that either institutionalized or faded over time.

The analysis concludes that such decentralized digital movements face an inherent contradiction: while they challenge centralized power, they depend on the same technological and structural systems that reinforce it. Without rebuilding trust, shared responsibility, and long-term commitment, these bursts of online unity risk remaining cycles of transient outrage rather than lasting political transformation.

India’s $1.2 trillion electronics industry faces new risks after China introduced export restrictions under State Council decrees 834 and 835. These measures, limiting shipments of key machinery and components, have alarmed Indian electronics and automobile manufacturers who fear delays in investment and production. Executives have begun discussions with Chinese suppliers to assess the impact, while the domestic industry has alerted India’s Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology.

The challenge comes as India pushes to become a global manufacturing hub, with exports rising from $8.6 billion in 2015 to $470 billion in 2025. The government aims to reach $1.2 trillion by the end of 2026. However, China’s control over essential equipment and rare-earth materials exposes India’s dependence on Chinese supply chains. Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal said the government is developing sector-specific investment plans to reduce reliance on certain regions and will launch 50 industrial parks under a new initiative.

Industry leaders view the situation as both a warning and an opportunity. Some urge stronger domestic supplier networks and balanced policies to build resilience, while others see a turning point for India to deepen local manufacturing and technology capabilities.

Ahead of Eid al-Adha, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government in West Bengal has imposed strict regulations on the sale and slaughter of cows. In response, several Islamic clerics and imams have urged Muslims not to use cows for sacrifice. However, Hindu groups across the state have staged protests demanding that Muslims be allowed to perform cow sacrifices.

A government directive issued on May 13 by the state’s Home Department stated that no cow, bull, calf, or buffalo may be slaughtered without official permission. It requires joint certification from a municipal chairman or panchayat head and a government veterinarian, allowing slaughter only for animals over 14 years old or unfit for work. Violations carry jail and fines. Clerics such as Maulana Shafique Qasmi of Kolkata’s Nakhoda Mosque and Pirzada Ziauddin Siddiqui of Furfura Sharif supported avoiding cow sacrifice out of respect for Hindu sentiments.

Reports indicate that Hindu farmers in South 24 Parganas, who rely on selling cattle before Eid to repay loans, are urging that Muslims be allowed to buy cows so they can recover their investments.

The government of Uttar Pradesh has announced new directives regarding Eid al-Adha prayers and animal sacrifices. Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath stated that animal sacrifices will not be allowed in open or public spaces, and roads cannot be blocked for Eid prayers. He emphasized a policy of zero tolerance against the sacrifice of prohibited animals and instructed that prayers must be performed only at designated and traditional locations.

During a high-level law and order review meeting held via video conference, Adityanath directed district administrations to ensure that sacrifices take place only at pre-approved sites. He also ordered that no new customs or practices be introduced during the festival. Legal slaughterhouses must not exceed their approved capacity for holding animals, and authorities were told to maintain security, cleanliness, and electricity supply during the celebrations.

The directives aim to ensure orderly observance of Eid al-Adha across the state while maintaining public safety and adherence to existing regulations.

Two Awami League leaders who fled Bangladesh after the July Revolution and took refuge in India have been arrested by Kolkata Police and placed on seven-day remand. According to diplomatic sources, the arrests occurred on May 20 during a police operation on Marquis Street targeting alleged illegal Bangladeshi entrants. The detainees were identified as Ahad Bappi, general secretary of Banshal Thana Jubo League, and Rohanul Islam, organizational secretary of Savar Thana Chhatra League. A case was filed against them under illegal entry charges, and they were taken into police custody for interrogation.

The arrests have caused concern among other Awami League leaders currently residing in Kolkata. Despite efforts by influential party members to secure their release, the attempts reportedly failed. The incident follows the formation of a Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government in West Bengal, which has launched special operations to locate alleged Bangladeshi infiltrators.

Uncertainty remains over the fate of hundreds of Awami League leaders who sought refuge in West Bengal after the July Revolution, as the new state government has not clarified its stance on their status.

India has increased petrol and diesel prices again, marking the fourth hike in two weeks. On Monday, petrol prices rose by 2.61 rupees per litre and diesel by 2.71 rupees per litre. Consumers began paying the new rates the same day. The latest adjustment follows a previous increase on Saturday, when petrol went up by 87 paise and diesel by 97 paise.

The repeated fuel price hikes come amid ongoing tensions in West Asia, which have raised concerns about rising costs of essential goods in India. In Delhi, the new prices stand at 102.12 rupees per litre for petrol and 95.20 rupees for diesel. Kolkata recorded the highest rates, with petrol priced at 113.51 rupees and diesel at 99.82 rupees per litre.

The continued upward trend in fuel prices has sparked fears of inflationary pressure on daily commodities, though no official response or policy statement was mentioned in the report.

An Indian citizen, Nikhil Gupta, has confessed in a Manhattan federal court to conspiring to assassinate Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, a US citizen and leader of the Khalistan separatist movement. Gupta admitted that he acted under the direction of an officer from India’s foreign intelligence agency, the Research and Analysis Wing (RAW), which operates under the Prime Minister’s Office. The confession has caused diplomatic concern and renewed pressure on India. The court is scheduled to deliver its verdict on May 29, with Gupta facing 19 to 23 years in prison and a fine of up to $500,000.

The US Department of Justice alleged that the plot was not a rogue operation but a targeted assassination attempt involving an Indian government employee, Vikas Yadav, who allegedly recruited Gupta in 2023. India has not issued an official statement, though a high-level committee was formed to investigate the matter. Media reports suggested involvement of “rogue elements,” but the findings were not made public. The case has strained India’s relations with the US and other Western nations, reviving scrutiny of India’s intelligence operations abroad.

Following Gupta’s plea, the US Justice Department may now seek Yadav’s extradition under the bilateral treaty, though no formal request has yet been made.

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government in West Bengal, led by Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari, has directed the creation of detention or holding centers in every district to confine alleged Bangladeshi and Rohingya entrants. The order, issued to state police at the end of the week, follows a central directive from India’s Ministry of Home Affairs requiring states to establish such centers for foreigners awaiting repatriation or identity verification. Similar facilities have already been set up in several other Indian states over the past year.

Reports indicate that many detained individuals in other states were later found to be Indian citizens, particularly Bengali-speaking Muslim migrant workers from West Bengal. Some detainees alleged mistreatment and inadequate food while held in temporary facilities such as community halls or office compounds. Activists have raised concerns about human rights violations and wrongful detentions.

Economist and Congress leader Prasenjit Bose questioned the necessity of these centers and demanded data on the number and identity of alleged illegal entrants in West Bengal. He stated that his formal requests for such information from the central government have gone unanswered.

At least 16 people have died from heatstroke in southern India as an intense heatwave continues across several regions, officials said on Sunday. The deaths occurred in Telangana state, where temperatures have soared well above 45 degrees Celsius in some cities. Telangana’s Revenue Minister Ponguleti Srinivasa Reddy has called for a state-wide alert to protect public health, describing the heatwave’s intensity as unprecedented.

The India Meteorological Department recently forecast higher-than-normal temperatures and severe heatwaves in multiple areas, including the capital New Delhi, where temperatures have remained above 40 degrees Celsius throughout the week. The extreme heat has driven electricity consumption to record levels, while high nighttime temperatures have offered little relief.

Health experts warned that excessive heat can cause dehydration and, in severe cases, organ failure. Local authorities in Telangana have advised elderly people, children, and pregnant women to avoid going outdoors during the day. Scientists have linked the increasing frequency and intensity of heatwaves in India to climate change, as the country remains heavily dependent on coal for power generation.