On the 33rd anniversary of the Babri Masjid demolition, former Trinamool Congress MLA Humayun Kabir laid the foundation stone for a mosque named 'Babri Masjid' in Raninagar, Murshidabad, West Bengal. The ceremony took place on December 6 at noon, coinciding with the date of the original mosque’s destruction in Ayodhya in 1992. Local authorities deployed heightened security to ensure the event proceeded peacefully.

A division bench of the Calcutta High Court declined to intervene in a petition seeking to halt the construction, effectively removing legal barriers to the project. Kabir announced that the mosque’s construction would take around three years, funded by donations from devout Muslims. He urged for police cooperation to maintain peace during the event.

The move comes as Ayodhya’s Ram Temple nears completion following the Supreme Court’s 2019 verdict. The Murshidabad project has drawn attention for its timing and symbolism, reflecting ongoing religious sensitivities in India’s socio-political landscape.

Russia has proposed building small modular reactors (SMRs) and floating nuclear power plants in India, expanding their long-standing nuclear cooperation. During his recent visit to New Delhi, President Vladimir Putin discussed the initiative with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, emphasizing Moscow’s readiness to ensure continuous energy supply to India.

Putin highlighted the progress of the Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant, Russia’s largest nuclear project in India, where two of six planned reactors are already connected to the national grid. The remaining four units are under construction. He also mentioned future collaboration in non-energy nuclear technologies, including isotope applications in medicine and agriculture.

The proposal comes amid U.S. pressure on India to reduce energy imports from Russia, citing concerns that such trade supports Moscow’s war efforts in Ukraine. Despite these tensions, India continues to prioritize affordable and clean energy partnerships, with the new Russian proposal potentially reshaping its nuclear energy landscape.

India’s largest airline, IndiGo, has cancelled more than 550 flights nationwide for the fourth consecutive day, severely disrupting travel plans for thousands of passengers. The cancellations affected major airports including Mumbai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Chennai, and Goa. The disruption stems from newly implemented crew rostering and flight duty time limitation (FDTL) regulations, which have increased mandatory rest periods and reduced the number of permitted night landings. With a shortage of pilots and crew, IndiGo has struggled to maintain its schedule. The airline stated that it is taking all necessary measures to restore normal operations and expects the situation to stabilize within 48 hours. However, cancellations may continue for the next few days, and IndiGo plans to reduce flight operations from December 8. Passengers have faced severe inconvenience, with reports of thousands of unclaimed suitcases piling up at Delhi airport terminals.

The United States has deported 3,258 Indian nationals so far in 2024, marking the highest annual figure since 2009, according to Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar’s statement in the Rajya Sabha. Of those deported, 2,032 returned via commercial flights, while 1,226 were repatriated on special chartered flights arranged by US authorities. In comparison, 1,368 Indians were deported in 2024 and 617 in 2023. Data from the Pew Research Center estimates around 725,000 undocumented Indian immigrants currently reside in the US, making them the third-largest undocumented group after those from Mexico and El Salvador. The surge in deportations follows the US government’s stricter immigration enforcement under President Donald Trump’s second term, which identified over 18,000 Indians as illegal entrants. The Indian government says it is actively working to curb illegal migration, dismantle human trafficking networks, and assist citizens stranded abroad.

A new study by the Institute of Nano Science and Technology (INST) under India’s Ministry of Science and Technology has revealed that nano-plastics generated from single-use plastics such as PET bottles can severely disrupt key biological processes in the human body. Published in the journal *Nanoscale Advances*, the research led by Prashant Sharma and Sakshi Dagria shows that prolonged exposure to nano-plastics can impair beneficial gut bacteria, reduce their defense mechanisms, and increase antibiotic sensitivity. Laboratory tests demonstrated that these particles damage red blood cell membranes, cause oxidative stress, DNA damage, inflammation, and even trigger apoptosis, a form of programmed cell death linked to cancer. The findings highlight that nano-plastics—tiny synthetic particles measuring between 1 and 1000 nanometers—pose emerging health risks by interfering with gut health, blood stability, and cellular metabolism. Researchers warn that long-term exposure to such particles could lead to significant physiological and genetic harm, underscoring the urgent need for stricter plastic waste management and further biomedical research.

India’s largest airline, IndiGo, has cancelled more than 550 flights in a single day, marking the worst air travel disruption in two decades. The airline attributed the cancellations to a combination of crew shortages, planning errors linked to new flight duty time limitation (FDTL) regulations, and technical issues. The new policy, effective since November 1, aims to reduce pilot fatigue and enhance safety but has increased the demand for pilots, especially for night operations. IndiGo’s on-time performance dropped sharply to 19.7 percent on Wednesday, down from 35 percent the previous day. The Ministry of Civil Aviation and the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) have held meetings with IndiGo executives to address the crisis. Major airports including Mumbai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Chennai, and Goa were affected. IndiGo operates around 2,300 flights daily and is planning further cancellations over the next few days as it works to restore normal operations.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi presented a Russian-language translation of the Bhagavad Gita to Russian President Vladimir Putin during the latter’s visit to New Delhi on Thursday. This marks Putin’s first trip to India since the start of the Ukraine war. Modi shared the gesture on social media, describing the Gita as a source of inspiration for millions worldwide. Upon arrival at Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport, Putin received a red-carpet welcome and was warmly embraced by Modi. The two leaders later shared a private dinner, reciprocating Putin’s earlier hospitality during Modi’s 2023 Moscow visit. On Friday, they are scheduled to hold formal talks, followed by an official reception at Rashtrapati Bhavan and a luncheon at Hyderabad House. Putin will also pay tribute to Mahatma Gandhi at Rajghat and inaugurate a new Russian state television channel operated from India before attending a state banquet hosted by President Droupadi Murmu. He is expected to depart India on Friday night.

Russian President Vladimir Putin arrived in India for a two-day official visit, marking his first trip to the country since the start of the Ukraine war. Prime Minister Narendra Modi personally welcomed him at Delhi’s Palam Air Base, where the two leaders exchanged hugs and greetings before departing together. The visit includes a private dinner hosted by Modi, reciprocating Putin’s similar gesture during Modi’s Moscow trip last year. On Friday, Putin is scheduled to pay tribute to Mahatma Gandhi at Rajghat, attend an official reception at Rashtrapati Bhavan, and hold high-level bilateral talks at Hyderabad House. He will also inaugurate a new Russian state television channel operating from India and attend a state banquet hosted by President Droupadi Murmu. Discussions are expected to focus on defense, energy, and trade cooperation between the two nations. Putin is set to depart India on Friday night.

At a public rally in Berhampore, Murshidabad, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of exploiting the SIR issue as a political weapon to advance its communal agenda. She claimed that more than half of the deaths linked to SIR incidents involved Hindus, rejecting the BJP’s religious polarization narrative. Banerjee reaffirmed that she would never allow NRC or detention camps in the state. Addressing concerns over the amended Waqf Property Act, she assured that all Waqf properties would remain protected and dismissed rumors about religious sites being misclassified. Her remarks followed violent clashes in Jangipur and Umarpur over the Waqf law, which left three dead and displaced thousands. Banerjee also criticized the BJP for fielding independent candidates in Bihar to divide votes and reiterated that border control is the central government’s responsibility. She invoked Murshidabad’s secular heritage, urging people to reject divisive politics.

At least 15 people, including three police officers and 12 Maoist insurgents, were killed in a violent clash between security forces and Maoist rebels in Chhattisgarh, India, on December 3. The encounter occurred during a joint operation based on intelligence reports about the presence of the banned CPI (Maoist) group’s armed wing, the People’s Liberation Guerrilla Army (PLGA), in a forested area between Dantewada and Bijapur. Security units from the state police, the District Reserve Guard (DRG), the Special Task Force (STF), and the CRPF’s elite COBRA commandos participated in the operation. Authorities recovered rifles, ammunition, and explosives from the site. Despite Maoist leaders’ earlier declaration to suspend armed rebellion, security operations have intensified, with the Indian government pledging to eliminate the insurgency by March next year. So far this year, 275 people have died in similar clashes in Chhattisgarh, including several top Maoist leaders.

Russian President Vladimir Putin arrives in India on a two-day state visit starting Thursday, December 4, which the Kremlin has described as highly significant. During the visit, Putin and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi will discuss cooperation in politics, trade, economy, science, technology, culture, and humanitarian sectors. The agenda also includes key international and regional issues. Modi will first host Putin for an informal meeting at his residence, followed by an official reception at Rashtrapati Bhavan attended by President Droupadi Murmu. Several bilateral meetings, a state luncheon, a cultural program, and a state banquet are scheduled. Putin will also attend the Russia–India Business Forum and pay tribute at Mahatma Gandhi’s memorial. Over 25 agreements and memorandums, including ten intergovernmental documents, are expected to be signed. The visit comes amid U.S. pressure on India to reduce oil imports from Russia and ongoing diplomatic efforts to end the Russia–Ukraine war.

Russia’s parliament has approved a major military logistics agreement with India just before President Vladimir Putin’s two-day state visit to New Delhi. The Reciprocal Exchange of Logistics Support (RELOS) pact allows both nations’ armed forces to use each other’s military facilities for logistical support, strengthening defense cooperation. Putin is visiting India at Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s invitation to attend the 23rd India-Russia Annual Summit, where discussions are expected to cover defense, trade, and energy. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov stated that the depth of bilateral cooperation depends on India’s willingness to engage further. The RELOS agreement, originally signed on February 18, was formally ratified by Russia’s State Duma this week, underscoring Moscow’s emphasis on its strategic partnership with New Delhi. The move highlights both countries’ intent to deepen military and strategic ties amid shifting global alliances.

Indian batsman Ruturaj Gaikwad’s centuries appear to coincide with India’s defeats. After scoring his maiden T20 century (123) against Australia in Guwahati in November 2023, India lost that match despite posting a record 222 runs. On Wednesday in Raipur, Gaikwad struck his maiden ODI century (105) as India set a formidable 358-run target against South Africa. However, the Proteas chased it down with four balls to spare, winning by four wickets and leveling the series 1–1. Both of Gaikwad’s career centuries have come in high-scoring matches that ended in Indian defeats, raising questions about India’s bowling depth and match finishing under pressure. The loss was particularly disappointing for the home crowd, who witnessed another record total go in vain.

A Muslim youth from West Bengal’s Murshidabad district, identified as Rahul Islam, was allegedly assaulted in Odisha’s Ganjam district by a group of men who forced him to chant religious slogans such as 'Jai Shri Ram' and 'Bharat Mata Ki Jai'. The attackers reportedly accused him of being a 'Bangladeshi' and a 'Rohingya' after questioning his identity documents. Following the incident, migrant workers’ groups lodged complaints with the Odisha Police, the National Minority Commission, and the National Human Rights Commission. The Odisha government recently stated that thousands of undocumented Bangladeshis had been identified in the state, prompting intensified identity checks since the BJP came to power. Labor unions claim over 300 migrant workers have been detained in the past 10 days. Trinamool Congress MP Mahua Moitra has threatened legal action against the Odisha Police. Rahul Islam sustained injuries and returned to Murshidabad out of fear. Police maintain that identity verification is ongoing and no deportations have occurred.

India’s political scene has heated up again following Defence Minister Rajnath Singh’s controversial comments about former Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru. Speaking at an event in Sadli village, Gujarat, marking Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel’s birth anniversary, Singh alleged that Nehru once proposed using government funds to build the Babri Masjid in Ayodhya, a move opposed by Patel. He further claimed that Nehru discouraged public fundraising for Patel’s memorial, suggesting the money be used for wells and roads instead. Singh portrayed Patel as a secular, decisive leader who could have become prime minister but withdrew in deference to Mahatma Gandhi’s wishes. He credited Prime Minister Narendra Modi with restoring Patel’s rightful place in history through initiatives like the Statue of Unity. Singh also argued that Patel’s approach could have prevented the prolonged Kashmir issue. His remarks have triggered intense debate among historians and political parties, with analysts suggesting the comments align with the ruling party’s broader ideological narrative.