Russian President Vladimir Putin is set to visit India soon, announced Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov in a televised statement on Thursday. “Preparations for the visit are underway,” Lavrov stated. He noted that following Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Russia after his third-term re-election, it was now Russia’s turn for a diplomatic visit. However, Lavrov did not specify an exact date for Putin’s trip.

A football tournament in Panskura, East Medinipur, organized by the club Kalimata Sangha, has barred Muslim players from participating, sparking widespread controversy. Many blame the ruling BJP for fostering religious division. However, BJP leaders have denied involvement, suggesting it was a result of local communal tensions. The organizers have since apologized and withdrawn the controversial restriction.

India has strongly condemned the latest report by the US Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF), calling it “biased and politically motivated.” The Indian Ministry of External Affairs stated that USCIRF should be declared an “internationally discredited entity” due to its prejudiced assessments. The report accuses India of discriminating against religious minorities and alleges that India’s foreign intelligence agency, RAW, has attempted to assassinate Khalistani separatists abroad. The report also calls for sanctions against RAW.

The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) has expressed concern over the rising inhumane treatment of Muslims in India. The agency also recommended imposing targeted sanctions on India’s intelligence agency, RAW, over allegations of involvement in the assassinations of Sikh separatists in the US and Canada.

The report highlighted that religious freedom in India deteriorated further in 2024, with increasing attacks and discrimination against religious minorities. It criticized Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the BJP for spreading hate speech and misinformation against Muslims during last year’s election campaign. It also recalled Modi’s remarks in April, where he referred to Muslims as “infiltrators” who have “too many children,” linking this to opposition parties’ electoral interests.

India’s High Court has directed the central government to submit a status report within four weeks regarding Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s citizenship controversy. Subramanian Swamy had filed a complaint with the Home Ministry, alleging that Rahul had identified himself as a British citizen in documents submitted to UK authorities. Indian law does not permit dual citizenship, and Swamy has demanded the cancellation of Rahul’s passport.

Indian Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar has admitted that India was aware of the massive protests against Sheikh Hasina's regime in Bangladesh but refrained from intervening. He stated that India lacked the "necessary influence" to dictate Hasina’s actions and could only offer advice. Jaishankar also hinted at a possible revival of SAARC and addressed concerns about Bangladesh’s military receiving warnings from Turkey’s intelligence—claims later denied by ISPR.

Elon Musk’s social media platform, X, has filed a lawsuit against the Indian government, accusing it of excessive control over online content. The controversy erupted after India’s Ministry of Home Affairs launched a new website, allowing any government office to issue notices for blocking social media posts. X has alleged that this system enables extreme censorship, giving authorities the power to suppress unfavorable content. Meanwhile, Musk is also expanding Tesla and Starlink operations in India.

A massive fire broke out at the residence of a Delhi High Court judge while the Chief Justice was away in Delhi. Firefighters took nearly an hour to control the blaze. However, while inspecting the site for any lingering fire pockets, they were shocked to discover a staggering amount of cash inside the judge’s home.

Following the incident, Supreme Court Justice Sanjiv Khanna immediately convened a collegium meeting. It was decided that Justice Yashwant Verma would be transferred to the Allahabad High Court with immediate effect. Discussions are also underway regarding his possible impeachment. Several collegium members believe that merely transferring him is too lenient for such a serious offense, arguing that it could damage the judiciary’s reputation. Many are calling for his immediate resignation.

At least 30 Maoists and one soldier were killed in two separate encounters with security forces in India’s Chhattisgarh state on Thursday. Authorities recovered a large cache of weapons and ammunition from the site. In a post on X, Indian Home Minister Amit Shah stated that the Modi government is maintaining a tough stance against Naxalites, enforcing a zero-tolerance policy against those who refuse to surrender.

Muslim organizations in India have staged large-scale protests in Delhi against the contentious Waqf Bill. Opposition parties, including Congress, Trinamool Congress, and the Samajwadi Party, also participated. Protesters demanded the bill’s withdrawal. The All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) has announced another protest in Patna on March 20. The bill mandates that at least two non-Muslim members be included in the Waqf Board, alongside representatives from Shia, Sunni, and backward Muslim communities. It also transfers survey responsibilities from the Survey Commissioner to district collectors and revokes Waqf status from government properties. The opposition has strongly criticized the bill.

Hindu nationalist groups launched attacks on Muslims in Nagpur, Maharashtra, on Monday night. Rioters threw stones, set shops and vehicles on fire, prompting police to use tear gas. Authorities later imposed a curfew. At least six civilians and three police officers were injured. By early Tuesday morning, police had arrested 20 individuals. The violence erupted following false rumors that Muslims burned the Quran in retaliation for the vandalization of Aurangzeb’s tomb.

Several Hindutva groups have threatened to demolish the tomb of Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb. The Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) and Bajrang Dal have warned that if the tomb is not removed, it could face the same fate as the Babri Masjid. The tomb, located in Khuldabad, Sambhajinagar (formerly Aurangabad) district of Maharashtra, has become the center of controversy. On Monday, Bajrang Dal supporters staged protests in Maharashtra’s Nagpur district, demanding the removal of the tomb. Hindutva organizations argue that Aurangzeb’s tomb symbolizes oppression and tyranny and should be taken down. Previously, BJP leaders had also called for its removal, a demand that was supported by Maharashtra’s Chief Minister, Devendra Fadnavis.

US National Intelligence Director Tulsi Gabbard has arrived in India for an official visit. She is scheduled to attend a high-level meeting on Sunday, joined by intelligence chiefs from Australia, Germany, New Zealand, and several other countries. During her trip, she will also hold discussions with India’s National Security Advisor Ajit Doval. Indian intelligence officials are expected to brief Gabbard on the situations in Bangladesh and Pakistan. In response to continuous Indian propaganda, Bangladesh’s interim government has stated that India and its media are engaged in a misleading narrative that does not reflect reality.

Over the last 13 months, 2,601 Bangladeshi nationals have been apprehended at the India-Bangladesh border, according to India’s Home Ministry. These individuals were caught attempting to enter India illegally. From January 1, 2024, to January 31, 2025, the Border Security Force (BSF) detained them during border crossings. The ministry also stated that India has intensified border surveillance by increasing the number of security personnel and deploying advanced technology, including handheld thermal imagers, night vision devices, UAVs, CCTV cameras, infrared sensors, and an integrated border management system along the Dhubri border in Assam.

In Sambhal, Uttar Pradesh, at least 1,015 individuals were detained as a preventive measure during Holi celebrations, and nearly a dozen mosques were covered with tarps. This included the historic Shahi Jama Masjid, among others that are the subject of Hindu nationalist group campaigns. Opposition parties and Muslim organizations have criticized these actions as a manifestation of the government’s biased policies. They allege that top administration officials and BJP leaders are inciting communal tensions by advising Muslims to stay indoors on Holi.