West Bengal’s newly elected Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari announced that 27 kilometers of land will be handed over to the Border Security Force (BSF) to advance fencing work along the India-Bangladesh border. He said the initiative aims to strengthen border security and curb illegal infiltration, with land transfer to begin within two weeks.

Adhikari stated that out of the state’s 2,200-kilometer border, fencing currently exists along about 1,600 kilometers, leaving 600 kilometers incomplete. He alleged that the previous state government withheld 555 kilometers of land for political reasons. The chief minister assigned the land and revenue secretary and the chief secretary to complete the handover process within 45 days.

Referring to the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), Adhikari said those not covered under the law would be treated as illegal infiltrators, to be arrested by state police and handed over to the BSF. His remarks have sparked new political debate in West Bengal, bringing border security, infiltration, and citizenship issues back to the center of state politics.

Maulana Mohammad Shafiq Qasemi, the imam of Kolkata’s historic Nakhoda Mosque, has urged Muslims in West Bengal to refrain from sacrificing cows during Eid al-Adha and to stop eating beef altogether. In an interview with news agency PTI, he advised Muslims to choose goats as an alternative for sacrifice, emphasizing that avoiding cow slaughter would prevent harm to Hindu families involved in the dairy trade.

Qasemi explained that many Hindu families invest their savings in raising cows and sell them during Eid. If Muslims stop buying cows for sacrifice, those families could face financial losses. His appeal comes amid heightened sensitivity around cow slaughter in the state.

Last week, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government in West Bengal issued a directive prohibiting the slaughter of cows and buffaloes without prior permission, effectively tightening control over beef sales. The issue of cow sacrifice and beef consumption has recently intensified religious, social, and political debates in the state.

A new online political movement called the ‘Cockroach Janata Party’ has gone viral across India’s social media platforms. Emerging mainly among Gen Z users, the movement adopted a cockroach as its symbol and gained rapid traction after its launch on May 15. By Tuesday night, its Instagram following reached one million and surpassed three million within hours, making it one of the most discussed online topics in India.

The movement began after India’s Chief Justice compared some unemployed youths to “parasites” and “cockroaches” during a court hearing on fake degrees and joblessness. In response, founder Abhijit Deepak posted online asking what would happen if all “cockroaches” united, triggering a viral wave of memes, posts, and satirical content. Some opposition politicians and former officials have also expressed interest in joining the online group.

Deepak clarified that the movement has no anti-government or regime-change agenda. He emphasized that India’s youth are aware, mature, and politically conscious, and will express their views peacefully and democratically. The group has unveiled a cockroach as its election symbol and plans to hold its first virtual conference soon.

A commentary published on 20 May 2026 in the Bangladeshi daily ‘Amar Desh’ draws parallels between Zionism and Hindutva, arguing that both movements emerged from religious nationalism and rely on force and propaganda to sustain themselves. The article traces the origins of Zionism under Theodor Herzl and its culmination in the 1948 establishment of Israel, describing the state’s expansion into Palestinian territories and its control over the West Bank and Gaza. It alleges systematic oppression of Palestinians, including mass detentions and violence.

The piece then compares Israel’s treatment of Palestinians with India’s political trajectory under the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and its ideological parent, the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS). It claims that since 2014, Hindu nationalist politics have intensified anti-Muslim sentiment, drawing inspiration from Zionist strategies. The article cites BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari’s campaign remarks in West Bengal, where he labeled Muslims as outsiders and invoked Israel’s Gaza actions as a model.

Following BJP’s electoral win in West Bengal, the article reports incidents of violence against Muslims and calls to identify Muslim homes. It concludes that such developments mirror pre-genocide propaganda seen in other regions and pose grave risks for India’s Muslim population.

The article discusses escalating actions by Hindu nationalist groups in India seeking to convert historic mosques into temples, despite existing laws and court rulings protecting religious sites. It recounts the 1992 demolition of the Babri Mosque and the subsequent 2019 Supreme Court verdict that awarded the disputed land for a Ram temple while affirming the 1991 law preserving the status of all other places of worship as of August 15, 1947. However, recent court decisions, such as the Madhya Pradesh High Court’s declaration of the Kamal Maula Mosque as a temple, have reignited concerns about judicial bias and disregard for legal protections.

The report lists eleven mosques currently under legal dispute, including the Gyanvapi Mosque in Varanasi and the Shahi Eidgah Mosque in Mathura. It also notes that several Hindu groups have filed ownership claims over the Taj Mahal, alleging it was built over a temple site. The author argues that while the Taj Mahal is unlikely to be demolished due to its global significance and tourism value, the ongoing communal campaigns expose India’s deepening religious polarization.

The piece concludes that India’s secular image has eroded, and the international community may soon recognize the country’s growing sectarian and hegemonic tendencies.

Over the past 12 months, the Indian rupee has experienced an unprecedented depreciation of about 11.86 percent against the Pakistani rupee. The exchange rate dropped from 3.2913 Pakistani rupees per Indian rupee in May 2025 to 2.9010 by May 2026. This decline began after the 2015 'Operation Sindur' ceasefire mediated by then U.S. President Donald Trump and has continued despite the end of military tensions.

The report suggests that the rupee’s weakness reflects deeper structural issues in India’s economy under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government, rather than solely global factors such as the strong U.S. dollar or Middle East conflicts. The Indian rupee also lost nearly 10 percent against the Bangladeshi taka during the same period. Analysts and international observers, including a Financial Times report, have linked the rupee’s fall to declining confidence in Modi’s administration.

A Japanese bank, MUFG, noted that the rupee’s depreciation is likely to persist through the year regardless of developments in West Asia, indicating that India’s internal economic vulnerabilities remain a key concern.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi faced visible discomfort during a joint press briefing in Oslo, Norway, after a Norwegian journalist directly questioned him about the state of media freedom and democracy in India. The incident occurred following a bilateral meeting, and Modi left the venue without responding to the question. The exchange quickly drew global attention and sparked renewed debate over political accountability in India.

Following the event, the journalist expressed frustration on social media, noting that Norway ranks first in the global press freedom index while India stands at 157. She emphasized that journalists have the right to question governments with which their countries maintain relations. The report also highlighted that since taking office in 2014, Modi has avoided full, unscripted press conferences, preferring selective interviews and controlled events. Opposition parties argue that the Modi government has weakened media accountability in India’s democracy.

Later that night, Indian Foreign Ministry Secretary C.B. George addressed journalists in Norway, defending India’s record on minority and media rights. He stated that allegations against India stem from reports by voluntary organizations and insisted that the Indian constitution guarantees equal rights and legal protection for all citizens.

The central government of India has taken control of several highways in the strategically vital Siliguri Corridor, also known as the ‘Chicken’s Neck’, in West Bengal. According to a notification issued by the state’s chief secretary, the new Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government transferred seven roads to the National Highways Authority of India and the National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited. These roads were previously managed by the state’s Public Works Department, and five of them pass directly through the corridor.

Experts believe this transfer will accelerate road expansion and repair work in the area. Military observers note that improved road infrastructure will enhance the speed and ease of troop movement in the region. The corridor, only 22 kilometers long, connects mainland India with its northeastern states and lies close to the borders of Nepal, Bangladesh, and Bhutan.

Analysts view the move as a significant step for national security, following years of central-level discussions on infrastructure expansion in the area since the 2017 Doklam standoff involving India, Bhutan, and China.

Newly elected West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari said that his appointment has caused greater discomfort among Jamaat supporters in Bangladesh than among Indian opposition parties. He made the remarks on Monday evening at a thanksgiving event in Kolkata’s Bhabanipur and Camac Street, where he also issued stern warnings regarding border security and law and order.

Adhikari pledged to secure the border, expel non-Indians, and send back infiltrators to Bangladesh through the same routes they entered. He described himself as a common man’s brother who would not bow to pressure and promised to fulfill the commitments made by the Bharatiya Janata Party. He stated that protecting the nation is his government’s top priority, noting that names of infiltrators have already been removed from voter lists and that their deportation process will follow. He also reiterated his earlier decision to provide land for border fencing within 45 days.

Addressing recent violence in Kolkata’s Park Circus, Adhikari warned that attacks on police, vandalism, and extortion will face zero tolerance. He added that those responsible for damaging a police outpost in Asansol will be arrested and made to pay full compensation.

Dutch Prime Minister Rob Jetten expressed concern about the state of press freedom and minority rights in India ahead of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to the Netherlands. According to Dutch newspaper De Volkskrant, Jetten said the Dutch government and wider Europe were worried about developments in India, particularly regarding the situation of Muslims and other small communities. He added that these concerns were regularly raised with the Indian government and that the EU-India free trade agreement could provide a platform to discuss broader issues such as human rights and democracy.

In response, India’s Ministry of External Affairs dismissed the remarks, saying they reflected a lack of awareness about India. Ministry official C.B. George described India as a vibrant democracy with deep cultural and religious diversity, noting that minority populations had grown from 11% at independence to over 20% today. He emphasized that all communities in India continue to prosper.

Meanwhile, human rights organizations have criticized India for declining press freedom. Reporters Without Borders ranked India 157th out of 180 countries in 2026, down from 151st in 2025, placing it below several South Asian neighbors.

India, the world’s most populous country with about 1.42 billion people, is witnessing a new campaign by Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s political allies and Hindu nationalist organizations encouraging citizens to have more children. They argue that declining birth rates could lead to demographic imbalance and future economic strain. According to UN projections, India’s population may continue to grow for nearly four decades, reaching around 1.7 billion.

India’s total fertility rate fell to 2.0 during 2019–21 from 3.4 in 1992–93, largely due to women’s education and wider use of contraception. The government considers a rate of 2.1 necessary for population stability. In this context, the Andhra Pradesh government, run by a coalition including Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party, announced incentives of 30,000 rupees for a third child and 40,000 rupees for a fourth, though implementation details remain unclear. Sikkim has also introduced benefits such as extended parental leave and IVF support.

RSS, the ideological parent of the BJP, has voiced concern over falling fertility, warning of demographic imbalance. Meanwhile, official data show youth unemployment at 9.9 percent in 2025, highlighting economic challenges amid calls for larger families.

The new West Bengal government, led by Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari, has decided to discontinue all religion-based allowances in the state. The decision was taken during the second cabinet meeting held on Monday at Nabanna. Minister Agnimitra Paul announced that allowances and aid programs under the Information and Culture Department and the Minority Affairs and Madrasah Education Department, which were based on religious identity, will be stopped. Beneficiaries will receive payments for the current month, but the scheme will cease from next month.

The government clarified that scholarships and educational grants for students will continue unaffected. Only financial assistance provided on the basis of religious identity is being withdrawn. Paul added that a detailed government notification on the matter will be issued soon.

The cabinet also approved several other measures, including the formation of a Seventh Pay Commission to review government employees’ pay structure, the launch of the Annapurna Yojana, and free travel for women on all state-run buses starting June 1.

In West Bengal, newly appointed Minority Affairs and Madrasa Education Minister Khudiram Tudu warned that any illegally operating madrasas in the state could be demolished with bulldozers if they defy government orders. His remarks came amid a broader campaign of evictions and demolitions following the change of government, which critics allege is targeting Muslim communities. Although Tudu later clarified that his comments were misinterpreted and referred only to investigations into illegal institutions, his statement triggered widespread fear and anger.

Muslim scholars, religious leaders, and community figures strongly condemned the minister’s remarks, asserting that India’s constitution guarantees minorities the right to manage their own educational institutions. They argued that many independent madrasas operate lawfully without government funding. Meanwhile, the minister promised reforms, including new managing committees and teacher recruitment through the School Service Commission, to improve madrasa education.

On Sunday, around 500 residents of Kolkata’s Park Circus area, mostly women, protested against the bulldozer threat and alleged religious targeting. Police and paramilitary forces intervened, leading to clashes and reports of police assault on demonstrators.

In West Bengal, India, new cattle slaughter restrictions imposed by the recently formed BJP-led state government have triggered widespread unrest ahead of Eid al-Adha. The directive enforces strict certification requirements under the 1950 West Bengal Animal Slaughter Control Act and a 2018 High Court order, allowing slaughter only for animals over 14 years old or permanently unfit for work or breeding. Public slaughter is banned, and violations carry fines or jail terms. As a result, cattle markets have emptied, with traders and buyers avoiding legal risks.

The crisis has hit Hindu cattle farmers hardest, many of whom raise cattle year-round on loans expecting Eid sales. With markets frozen, they face mounting debt and losses, some publicly threatening suicide and demanding the government or Prime Minister Narendra Modi buy their unsold cattle. Opposition figures and local legislators have criticized the age-verification rule as impractical, questioning how authorities can determine a cow’s age without birth records.

Critics also highlight a policy contradiction: while small farmers face restrictions, India remains one of the world’s top beef exporters, earning billions annually from corporate meat exports, raising questions about fairness in livestock policy.

A fire broke out early Sunday morning in an air-conditioned coach of the Delhi-bound Rajdhani Express while it was passing near Vikramgarh Alot station in Kota district, Rajasthan. According to Indian media NDTV, the incident occurred around 5:45 a.m. in the B-1 coach of the train. No casualties were reported. All 68 passengers in the affected coach were safely evacuated and moved to other compartments. The damaged coach was detached from the train, and its power supply was disconnected.

A video circulating on social media showed thick black smoke rising from the burning coach, with nearby trees catching fire due to the heat and sparks. Railway officials said the rescued passengers would be taken to Kota in other coaches, where a replacement coach would be attached to resume the journey.

The 12431 Rajdhani Express had departed from Thiruvananthapuram on Friday and was scheduled to reach Hazrat Nizamuddin railway station in Delhi at 12:30 p.m. The fire occurred after the train had covered about 2,600 kilometers and was still around 450 kilometers from Delhi.