A major controversy erupted in India’s Bihar state after Chief Minister Nitish Kumar was filmed pulling off the hijab of a female AYUSH doctor during a government appointment ceremony in Patna on December 15. The 74-year-old leader was seen gesturing for the doctor to remove her hijab before reaching out himself and uncovering her head, prompting visible discomfort from the woman and laughter from some attendees. Deputy Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary reportedly tried to intervene.

The incident has triggered widespread condemnation across political and social platforms. The opposition Congress Party called the act “shameful and disgraceful,” demanding Kumar’s resignation and questioning women’s safety under his leadership. The Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) also criticized the behavior, saying it exposed the ruling JD(U)-BJP alliance’s hypocrisy on women’s empowerment. Social media users have described the act as “deplorable,” with many calling for accountability.

This is not the first time Kumar has faced criticism over his behavior toward women. A similar controversy arose in November when a video showed him placing a garland on a woman during a campaign event. The latest uproar could further strain his political standing ahead of upcoming state elections.

Aditya Dhar’s new film *DhuranDhar*, released on December 5 across Indian cinemas, has ignited intense political and social debate. The three-hour spy thriller revisits major terror incidents such as the 1999 Kandahar hijacking, the 2001 Parliament attack, and the 2008 Mumbai attacks. While audiences have praised its cinematic scale and storytelling, critics argue that the film carries hyper-nationalist overtones and religious bias, prompting bans in several Gulf countries.

Political reactions have been sharply divided. Congress MP Tariq Anwar accused the film of promoting Islamophobia, while BJP leaders defended it as a factual portrayal of terrorism. Actor Hrithik Roshan publicly expressed discomfort with the movie’s political stance. Analysts note that Dhar’s work, including his earlier *Uri: The Surgical Strike*, aligns with government narratives on national security and patriotism.

Experts suggest *DhuranDhar* reflects a broader trend of Bollywood films reinforcing state ideology since 2014. Its upcoming second part, due in March, is expected to reignite debates over religion, nationalism, and the politicization of Indian cinema.

A major road accident occurred on the Delhi-Agra Expressway near Mathura, India, on Tuesday morning due to dense fog that severely reduced visibility. According to local reports, seven buses and three cars collided in a chain reaction, leaving at least four people dead and 25 others injured. Several vehicles caught fire following the collision, causing panic among passengers and complicating rescue operations.

Senior Superintendent of Police Shlok Kumar confirmed that emergency teams were deployed immediately to clear the expressway and transport the injured to nearby hospitals. Authorities cited poor visibility as the primary cause of the accident, which occurred during early morning hours when fog was at its thickest. Traffic movement on the expressway was temporarily halted as rescue and cleanup efforts continued.

Officials have urged motorists to exercise caution amid worsening winter fog conditions across northern India. The incident highlights recurring safety challenges on major highways during the fog season, prompting renewed calls for improved road safety measures and better fog-warning systems.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Victory Day message on December 16, 2025, drew attention after he referred to the 1971 conflict as India’s historic victory without mentioning Bangladesh. In a Facebook post, Modi honored Indian soldiers for their courage and sacrifice during the war, describing the day as a proud moment in India’s history. His remarks, however, made no reference to Bangladesh’s independence struggle or the shared nature of the victory.

The omission has prompted discussion among observers in both countries, as December 16 marks Bangladesh’s Liberation Day and India’s Vijay Diwas. Analysts note that while India played a crucial role in the final phase of the war, the day primarily symbolizes Bangladesh’s independence from Pakistan. Some commentators in Dhaka viewed Modi’s message as a missed opportunity to reaffirm bilateral ties rooted in the 1971 war.

Diplomatic analysts suggest the incident may not cause lasting tension but underscores sensitivities surrounding historical narratives in South Asia. Both nations continue to commemorate the day through parallel but distinct ceremonies.

India’s Ministry of External Affairs has revealed that nearly 900,000 Indian citizens have renounced their citizenship over the past five years. Minister of State Kirti Vardhan Singh presented the data in a written reply to the Rajya Sabha on December 14, noting that the government maintains detailed annual records of such cases. The figures indicate that citizenship renunciations have risen steadily since the pandemic slowdown.

According to the ministry’s data, more than 2 million Indians have given up their citizenship in the past 14 years, with a notable surge in recent years. The trend reflects a growing inclination among Indians to acquire foreign citizenship, often for better economic or educational opportunities abroad. In 2020, the number dropped to 85,256 due to COVID-19 restrictions, but rebounded sharply in subsequent years, reaching over 200,000 annually.

Analysts suggest that the continued rise may reflect both global mobility trends and domestic economic factors. The government has not indicated any policy changes in response, but the data may prompt renewed debate on migration and talent retention.

Following the November 10 car explosion near Delhi’s Red Fort that killed at least 12 people, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) launched a series of searches across Kashmir’s hospitals. Investigators reportedly raided doctors’ lockers and offices, detaining eight medical professionals, including a female doctor, as part of the probe into the suicide attack allegedly carried out by a Kashmiri doctor from Faridabad’s Al Falah Medical University.

The raids have triggered widespread fear and mental stress among Kashmiri doctors. Several physicians told BBC that the searches, while understood as security measures, have stigmatized the entire medical community. Health Minister Sakina Ito urged investigators to follow due protocols, while former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti warned that collective suspicion against Kashmiri doctors could harm national unity.

Authorities maintain the operations are standard security procedures across all district hospitals. However, concerns persist that the aggressive approach may deepen mistrust and disrupt healthcare services in the region.

India has granted citizenship to 36 Bangladeshi nationals under the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), marking one of the largest such approvals since the law’s implementation in March 2024. According to officials, 35 individuals in Odisha and one in Assam received citizenship certificates during a state-organized ceremony. Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi described the CAA as a symbol of protection and refuge for persecuted minorities.

The Hindu reported that the newly naturalized citizens are all Hindus who migrated from Bangladesh before December 31, 2014. With this, the total number of CAA beneficiaries in Odisha has risen to 51, while around 1,100 applications remain under review. In Assam, a 40-year-old Bangladeshi woman became the first to gain citizenship under the Act after marrying an Indian citizen and residing in India for over seven years.

The move underscores India’s gradual rollout of the CAA amid ongoing political debate and regional sensitivities, particularly in border states. Authorities expect further approvals as pending applications are processed in the coming months.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee publicly apologized to Argentine football legend Lionel Messi after severe disorder erupted during his event at Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata. Thousands of fans who gathered to see Messi were left disappointed as the situation spiraled out of control, prompting the Chief Minister to express her deep regret over the mismanagement.

In a message on X, Banerjee said she was deeply disturbed by the chaos and extended an apology to Messi, sports enthusiasts, and fans. She announced the formation of an inquiry committee led by retired Justice Asim Kumar Roy, along with senior state officials, to investigate the incident and recommend preventive measures for the future. Videos circulating online showed angry spectators breaking barricades and throwing objects onto the field.

Many attendees complained about poor arrangements and limited visibility despite paying high ticket prices. The incident has drawn criticism of event organizers and local authorities, raising questions about crowd management and VIP privileges at major public events in India.

A promotional event featuring Lionel Messi at Kolkata’s Salt Lake Stadium turned violent on Sunday as crowd control failed amid massive attendance. Over 100,000 spectators gathered to see the Argentine football star, but poor organization and political interference near the stage led to frustration among fans. As visibility of Messi was blocked by local leaders, sections of the audience began throwing bottles and tearing banners, triggering widespread disorder.

Witnesses reported that parts of the crowd broke through fencing, with around 2,500 people storming the field. Some attempted to set fire to tents near the pitch and damaged goal nets and tunnel structures. Police resorted to defensive measures, using broken chairs as shields, while Rapid Action Force units were deployed to regain control. Clashes between police and spectators continued intermittently, leaving the stadium area under mob control for hours.

Authorities have launched an investigation into the security lapses, while event organizers face criticism for inadequate planning. The incident raises concerns over safety protocols for high-profile international events in India.

India’s Home Minister Amit Shah sparked uproar in the Lok Sabha on Tuesday by calling the Nehru-Gandhi family the country’s first ‘vote thieves’. The remark came during a debate on electoral reforms, where Shah accused the Congress of hypocrisy over objections to the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process meant to update voter rolls. His comments triggered a sharp exchange with Opposition leader Rahul Gandhi, who challenged Shah to a public debate on election integrity.

Shah alleged that the first instance of ‘vote theft’ occurred when Jawaharlal Nehru became India’s first Prime Minister despite Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel receiving more provincial votes. He further cited Indira Gandhi’s 1975 election annulment and Sonia Gandhi’s alleged early voting as examples of Congress malpractice. Congress MPs protested, calling the allegations baseless and politically motivated.

The confrontation underscores rising tensions between the ruling BJP and Congress ahead of upcoming state elections. Analysts say the exchange reflects deepening polarization over electoral credibility and institutional trust, issues likely to dominate India’s political discourse in the coming months.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Opposition Leader Rahul Gandhi held an unusually long meeting inside India’s Parliament, sparking widespread political speculation. Official sources said the discussion centered on the appointment of a new Chief Information Commissioner (CIC), a post vacant since September following Hiralal Samariya’s retirement. The extended duration of the meeting, however, has prompted questions about whether broader political issues were also discussed.

Under India’s constitutional framework, the CIC is selected by a committee comprising the Prime Minister, a minister nominated by him, and the Opposition Leader. Sources indicate that Gandhi rejected all proposed names and submitted written objections, continuing his pattern of challenging key appointments. The vacancy has left only two commissioners managing a backlog of around 31,000 pending Right to Information (RTI) cases.

Opposition parties accuse the government of deliberately delaying the appointment, undermining transparency and citizens’ access to information. Analysts suggest the meeting may have also touched on parliamentary deadlock, controversial bills, and economic concerns. No official statement was issued, leaving the true scope of the discussion uncertain.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has alleged that Indian citizens are being forcibly pushed into Bangladesh by the Border Security Force (BSF). Speaking at a meeting with local officials in Cooch Behar on Monday, Banerjee criticized what she described as 'excessive actions' along the India-Bangladesh border and urged state police to remain active and conduct more checkpoint operations.

Banerjee accused border authorities of harassing residents in the border district, emphasizing that linguistic identity should not be used to question citizenship. She stated that speaking Bengali does not make someone Bangladeshi, drawing parallels with Urdu and Punjabi speakers across India and neighboring countries. Her remarks come amid ongoing tensions between the state government and the BSF over jurisdiction and alleged overreach.

The comments are expected to heighten political friction between the Trinamool Congress and the central government. Analysts suggest the issue could influence border policy debates and community relations in sensitive frontier areas.

Each winter, New Delhi is engulfed in a thick layer of toxic smog that severely impacts public health, sending thousands to hospitals with respiratory illnesses. Despite repeated government pledges to combat air pollution, the Indian capital continues to record some of the world’s highest pollution levels, prompting growing fears that the city may soon become unliveable.

Experts attribute the recurring smog to a combination of vehicle emissions, industrial output, and seasonal crop burning in neighboring states. Residents have expressed frustration over what they see as inadequate enforcement of pollution controls and insufficient investment in cleaner energy alternatives. Environmental activists argue that policy measures have been reactive rather than preventive, with temporary school closures and traffic restrictions offering little long-term relief.

As public pressure mounts, authorities are under increasing scrutiny to deliver tangible improvements. Analysts warn that without systemic reforms and regional cooperation, New Delhi’s air quality crisis could deepen, threatening both economic productivity and the health of over 20 million residents.

India’s largest airline, IndiGo, has canceled around 2,000 flights nationwide, disrupting travel plans for thousands of passengers. The cancellations, caused by pilot shortages and failure to comply with new duty-time regulations, have led to chaos at airports and significant delays. With a 65% share of India’s domestic market, IndiGo’s operational breakdown has had a cascading effect across the country’s aviation network.

The crisis comes as rival Air India, holding 27% of the market, faces scrutiny over poor service and recent safety incidents. The government has temporarily eased pilot fatigue management rules to stabilize operations. Industry experts warn that IndiGo’s dominance—along with Air India’s presence—creates a near-duopoly, leaving the entire sector vulnerable to disruptions. Refund losses have already reached $68 million, and on-time performance has dropped to just 3.7%.

Analysts say the episode highlights structural weaknesses in India’s civil aviation system, where overreliance on a single carrier poses systemic risks. The government may face pressure to diversify competition and strengthen regulatory oversight.

The diamond polishing hub of Surat, India, is facing an unprecedented crisis as new US tariffs and global demand slumps cripple the industry. Once a symbol of upward mobility for rural migrants, the city’s diamond sector has seen massive layoffs, with nearly 400,000 workers affected by job losses, pay cuts, or reduced hours. Families like that of Alpesh Bhai, who once afforded private schooling for their children, are now struggling to cover basic needs after losing stable incomes.

The crisis deepened after the United States imposed 50 percent tariffs on Indian diamond exports, compounding earlier disruptions from Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and weakened demand in China and the US. Government data show hundreds of children have dropped out or shifted from private to public schools, where education quality remains poor. The Gujarat government’s relief package, covering one year of school fees for unemployed diamond workers’ children, has reached only a fraction of applicants, leaving many excluded.

Union leaders warn of growing mental health distress, with more than 70 suicides among diamond workers reported in 2024. The industry’s recovery remains uncertain, as families continue to bear the social and educational costs of a collapsing export market.