Massive donations have poured in for the proposed Babri Mosque project announced by suspended Trinamool Congress leader Humayun Kabir in West Bengal’s Murshidabad district. Eleven steel donation boxes placed at the foundation-laying event on December 6 filled up within two days. Counting began Sunday night, revealing over ₹37 lakh in cash and ₹93 lakh in online contributions via QR code, with total donations expected to cross several crores.

Kabir, expelled from the TMC following his mosque announcement, claimed that people were donating generously, including contributions from abroad. The counting process is being livestreamed to ensure transparency, with 30 people engaged in tallying funds. Security measures, including CCTV and a dedicated storage room, are being arranged to safeguard the money.

Kabir has declared plans to launch a new political party on December 22 and contest 135 seats in the upcoming state elections. His mosque initiative and political ambitions have drawn both grassroots enthusiasm and scrutiny from state political circles.

Bollywood filmmaker Vikram Bhatt has been arrested along with his wife Shwetambari Bhatt and daughter Krishna in connection with an alleged ₹30 crore financial fraud linked to an IVF-related project. Rajasthan and Mumbai police jointly conducted the operation, detaining the accused from the residence of Bhatt’s sister-in-law. The arrests follow a notice issued by Udaipur police a week earlier, instructing all accused to appear by December 8 and restricting foreign travel without permission.

According to police sources, the complaint was filed by Ajay Murdia, who had planned to produce a biopic about his late wife. Murdia reportedly met Bhatt through Udaipur resident Dinesh Kataria and transferred funds after Bhatt assured him that he would handle the film’s production, involving his wife and daughter. The financial transactions later became disputed, leading to the fraud allegations.

The case has drawn wide attention in the Indian film industry, raising questions about celebrity-led investment schemes and transparency in private film financing. Further investigation is underway to trace the flow of funds and determine the extent of Bhatt’s involvement.

Bollywood filmmaker Vikram Bhatt has been arrested by Rajasthan Police on charges of financial fraud amounting to ₹30 crore. The arrest took place in Mumbai’s Bandra area at the residence of his sister-in-law, following a joint police operation. The case stems from a complaint filed by Dr. Ajay Murdia, a prominent IVF specialist and founder of Indira IVF, who accused Bhatt and his wife Shwetambari of misappropriating funds.

According to the complaint lodged at Udaipur’s Bhupalpura police station, Dr. Murdia had invested around ₹30 crore in several of Bhatt’s film projects, including a proposed biopic on Murdia’s wife. The doctor alleges that Bhatt failed to deliver any of the promised work and did not return the invested money. Police had earlier issued a lookout notice against the couple and restricted their international travel.

Authorities stated that Bhatt will be presented before a Bandra court for a transit remand to facilitate his transfer to Udaipur. The arrest has sparked widespread discussion in the Indian entertainment industry about financial accountability in film financing.

Popular Kolkata-based singer Nachiketa Chakraborty was hospitalized on Saturday evening after developing heart-related complications, prompting the cancellation of his scheduled concert in Asansol on Sunday, December 7. According to hospital sources, the veteran musician is currently in stable condition under medical supervision.

This is not the first time the artist has faced health setbacks affecting his performances. In February 2023, Nachiketa had to cancel another show due to cervical spondylitis, a condition that worsens during winter and with continuous stage activity. Family members and close associates have confirmed that his health had been deteriorating over the past few days before the latest hospitalization.

Fans and fellow musicians have expressed concern and sent wishes for his speedy recovery. Organizers have not yet announced a rescheduled date for the canceled concert, while doctors continue to monitor his condition closely.

A foundation-laying ceremony for the reconstruction of the demolished Babri Mosque in Ayodhya has ignited political and communal tensions in West Bengal. The event, held in Rejinagar, Murshidabad, was organized by suspended Trinamool Congress (TMC) legislator Humayun Kabir, who described the project as a constitutional right and a step toward healing the wounds of the 1992 demolition. Around 400 people attended the ceremony, which proceeded without reported violence.

The TMC leadership distanced itself from the event, emphasizing that while individuals may build religious structures on private land, exploiting such acts for political gain is unacceptable. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) sharply criticized the initiative, calling it a politically motivated attempt to consolidate Muslim votes. BJP leaders Amit Malviya and Dilip Ghosh accused the TMC of deliberately stoking communal sentiments ahead of the 2026 state elections.

Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee urged citizens to remain vigilant against divisive forces, asserting that Bengal’s tradition of communal harmony must be preserved. Authorities continue to monitor the situation closely to prevent escalation.

Bhojpuri singer Neha Singh Rathore is facing possible arrest after the Allahabad High Court on Friday, December 6, rejected her anticipatory bail plea. The court’s decision came amid multiple legal cases filed against her across Uttar Pradesh following her remarks questioning Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s responsibility for the Pahalgam attack earlier this year.

Rathore had publicly criticized the government, alleging that national politics has become dominated by religious and nationalist divisions while issues like education and healthcare are being neglected. Her comments went viral, prompting strong backlash from pro-government groups who accused her of defamation and incitement. In response, Rathore defended her statements, asserting her constitutional right to question the government’s handling of public safety and denying that her remarks were inflammatory.

Legal experts note that the case highlights growing tensions between artistic expression and political sensitivity in India. If arrested, Rathore could face prolonged legal proceedings, while the case may further fuel debate over freedom of speech and dissent in the country.

At least 23 people were killed after a devastating fire broke out at a popular nightclub in Arpora, North Goa, around midnight on Saturday. The blaze, which reportedly started due to a gas cylinder explosion, engulfed the venue known as 'Birch by Romeo Lane'. Among the victims were several tourists, and officials confirmed that three people died from burns while others succumbed to smoke inhalation.

Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant confirmed the tragedy early Sunday, calling it a painful day for the state. He visited the site and ordered a detailed investigation, promising strict legal action against those found responsible. Police Director General Alok Kumar said all bodies had been recovered and the fire was brought under control.

The incident has raised concerns over fire safety compliance at entertainment venues in tourist-heavy regions like Goa. Authorities are expected to review safety regulations and inspection protocols in the coming days to prevent similar disasters.

Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar stated that former Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s continued stay in India is entirely her personal decision. Speaking at the HT Leadership Summit in New Delhi on December 6, Jaishankar emphasized that the circumstances under which Hasina arrived in India have influenced her current situation and will likely shape her future choices.

Responding to a question on whether Hasina could remain in India as long as she wished, Jaishankar noted that such matters depend on the evolving realities surrounding her presence. He reiterated that the ultimate decision rests with Hasina herself, underscoring India’s position of non-interference in her personal choices.

The remarks come amid ongoing speculation about Hasina’s political future and her possible next steps following her departure from Bangladesh. Observers view Jaishankar’s comments as a signal of India’s cautious diplomatic stance, balancing humanitarian considerations with regional political sensitivities.

A massive crowd gathered in Rejinagar, Murshidabad, on December 6 to mark the foundation-laying ceremony for the reconstruction of the Babri Mosque, 33 years after its demolition in Ayodhya. The event, organized by suspended Trinamool Congress legislator Humayun Kabir, drew thousands of participants and religious leaders from across India and abroad, including Saudi Arabia. Kabir claimed that nearly 300,000 people would attend, with arrangements made for food and accommodation for tens of thousands.

The initiative has triggered significant political controversy in West Bengal. The Trinamool Congress suspended Kabir a day before the event, citing disciplinary reasons, while police questioned him regarding the gathering’s security implications. Kabir emphasized that the mosque and associated facilities—including a hospital and university—would be built without government funding to preserve religious sanctity.

Authorities have heightened security in the area amid concerns over communal sensitivity. Observers note that the ceremony’s timing, coinciding with the demolition anniversary, could influence regional political dynamics and interfaith relations in the state.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has assured India of a steady and uninterrupted energy supply, disregarding U.S. President Donald Trump’s tariff pressures. Speaking alongside Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi, Putin criticized Washington’s stance, questioning the logic of restricting India’s energy imports from Russia while the U.S. itself continues to purchase Russian nuclear fuel.

Putin highlighted the Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant as a flagship project of Russia-India cooperation, noting that two of its six reactor units are already connected to the power grid. He expressed optimism that the plant, once fully operational, would significantly bolster India’s energy capacity and reduce its dependence on fossil fuels.

The assurance comes amid heightened U.S.-India trade tensions, with Trump imposing 50% tariffs on most Indian goods and accusing New Delhi of indirectly funding the Ukraine war through Russian oil purchases—an allegation India firmly denies. Putin concluded his two-day visit to India on Friday, emphasizing long-term energy collaboration between Moscow and New Delhi.

India announced it will soon introduce a 30-day free e-tourist visa and group tourist visa for Russian citizens, Prime Minister Narendra Modi confirmed after a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin at Hyderabad House in New Delhi. The initiative is part of broader efforts to strengthen cultural and people-to-people connections between the two countries.

Modi emphasized that the new visa policy reflects the importance of direct engagement between citizens in deepening bilateral relations. He also noted the recent opening of two new Indian consulates in Russia, which are expected to facilitate easier communication and promote cooperation in trade, education, science, and culture. The move follows growing efforts by both nations to expand collaboration beyond defense and energy sectors.

Analysts view the free visa scheme as a strategic gesture to attract Russian tourists amid global travel realignments. It may also enhance India’s soft power and economic ties with Russia, especially as both countries seek to diversify partnerships in a shifting geopolitical landscape.

In West Bengal’s Murshidabad district, expelled Trinamool Congress MLA Humayun Kabir initiated the foundation-laying ceremony for a new mosque named 'Babri Masjid' in Beldanga on Saturday. The event, organized across 25 bighas near Moradighi, is expected to draw nearly 300,000 attendees, including religious scholars from Saudi Arabia. Around 40,000 biryani packets have been prepared for guests, with total event costs estimated between ₹6–7 million.

Kabir, recently ousted from the Trinamool Congress for anti-party activities, has continued the initiative despite political backlash. Local police, following Calcutta High Court directives, have deployed about 3,000 officers to maintain order and traffic flow along National Highway 12. Authorities have expressed concern over potential congestion due to the large turnout.

The event has stirred unease within the Trinamool Congress, as Kabir’s move is seen both as a show of defiance and a test of his local influence. The ceremony, beginning with Quran recitations, is scheduled to conclude by late afternoon under police supervision.

December 6 marks the anniversary of the 1992 demolition of the Babri Masjid in Ayodhya, India—an event that continues to shape South Asia’s political and cultural discourse. The destruction of the 16th-century mosque, built by Mir Baqi in 1528, was not merely the fall of a structure but a symbolic rupture in India’s pluralistic and secular fabric. The incident exposed the fragility of state institutions when confronted with religious nationalism.

The Babri demolition followed decades of tension, from the 1949 idol installation to the 1980s rise of Hindutva politics and the 1990 Rath Yatra led by L.K. Advani. The Liberhan Commission later concluded the demolition was premeditated, not spontaneous. Human rights data indicate over 2,000 deaths in communal violence between 1992 and 2002, reflecting the deep societal scars left by the event.

The 2019 Supreme Court verdict granting the disputed land for temple construction reignited debates on justice and secularism. Analysts argue that December 6 remains a moral reminder—civilization cannot be built on destruction but on coexistence, equality, and the courage of reason.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has reaffirmed his country’s commitment to bringing India’s largest nuclear power plant, located in Kudankulam, Tamil Nadu, to full operational capacity. The project, comprising six reactors with a total capacity of 6,000 megawatts, is being developed in partnership with India’s state-run agencies. Two reactors are already connected to the national grid, while construction continues on the remaining four.

During a joint press conference in New Delhi with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Putin highlighted the project as a milestone in bilateral energy cooperation. Russia’s state-owned nuclear corporation, Rosatom, has already delivered the first batch of nuclear fuel for the plant’s third reactor, produced at the Novosibirsk Chemical Concentrates Plant. Under a 2024 agreement, Russia will supply fuel for the third and fourth reactors throughout their operational lifetimes.

The collaboration underscores Russia’s role as a key energy partner for India, which aims to generate 100 gigawatts of nuclear power by 2070. Both nations are also exploring future cooperation on small modular reactors and floating nuclear facilities.

During Russian President Vladimir Putin’s two-day visit to India for the annual India-Russia summit, Prime Minister Narendra Modi presented him with six carefully chosen gifts representing India’s cultural and regional diversity. The items included world-famous Assam tea, Kashmiri saffron, a silver tea set from Murshidabad, a silver horse from Maharashtra, a marble chess set from Agra, and a Russian translation of the Bhagavad Gita.

Putin arrived in New Delhi on Thursday evening and was welcomed with a red-carpet reception at Indira Gandhi International Airport. The exchange of gifts underscored the personal rapport between the two leaders and the symbolic importance of cultural diplomacy in strengthening bilateral relations. Modi’s selection of gifts reflected India’s craftsmanship and heritage.

The visit comes amid growing India-Russia cooperation, particularly in energy and defense sectors, despite Western pressure over Moscow’s global policies. Analysts note that the meeting reaffirmed both nations’ commitment to maintaining strategic autonomy and expanding trade partnerships in the face of shifting global alignments.