The Congress has accused the Modi government of handing 1,050 acres of land in Bihar’s Bhagalpur to the Adani Group on a 33-year lease for just ₹1 annually. The site, with nearly one million trees, will host a 2,400 MW thermal power plant. Congress leader Pawan Khera alleged Adani would use free land, coal, and water but sell power at ₹6.75 per unit, calling it “double loot.” He also claimed farmers lost land without fair compensation. No government response yet.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Manipur on Saturday for the first time since ethnic clashes erupted two years ago, leaving nearly 250 people dead.

His arrival was met with protests, with crowds chanting “Go Back Modi.” Tensions flared within hours of his visit, as police used rubber bullets and tear gas to disperse demonstrators, injuring several.

Modi is on a three-day tour that also covers Assam and Bihar. Violence in Manipur broke out in May 2023 between the largely Hindu Meitei community and the predominantly Christian Kuki population, displacing thousands, many of whom still live in government-run camps.

Addressing the state, Modi said, “The Government of India is making every effort to restore normal life in Manipur. I am here with you today—the people of Manipur are not alone.” He urged all sides to pursue peace.

Arjun Singh, former BJP MP, has called for a mass uprising in West Bengal similar to the recent youth-led revolt in Nepal.
Referring to Nepal’s ongoing unrest, Singh said: “The way Nepal’s young generation has stood up against corruption is a powerful example. Bengal’s youth must also rise with similar courage.”
His remarks have sparked controversy, with critics accusing him of making inflammatory statements that could incite violence in the state and even issuing threats against Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.

India’s former Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla has issued a stern warning against Jamaat-e-Islami, saying the group remains a threat to regional stability.

Speaking at a seminar in New Delhi, Shringla said: “A leopard does not change its spots, and Jamaat will not change its character.” He emphasized that while India is committed to working with any neighboring government, vigilance is necessary against forces hostile to India’s core interests.

Trinamool Congress leader Abhishek Banerjee has alleged massive vote-buying in India’s recent Vice Presidential election, claiming each vote cost ₹15–20 crore. He stated that MPs, not ordinary citizens, were targeted with money, raising concerns about the integrity of democracy. Political circles are abuzz with questions about the source and process of such huge sums. Analysts warn that if true, this intertwining of money and politics threatens state credibility and could erode public trust in democratic institutions.

Manipur continues to reel from the scars of over two years of violent conflict, which has claimed more than 260 lives and displaced thousands. Ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit on September 13, local communities, including Kuki and Zo groups, oppose cultural celebrations, insisting that justice and lasting solutions are needed instead of music and dance. Victims and displaced committees say their mourning is far from over, and question the delayed attention from the government, seeing the visit as too little, too late.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has accused the BJP government of economically depriving Bengal and humiliating Bengali-speaking migrant workers in other states by branding them “Bangladeshis.”
Speaking at a public rally, Banerjee said, “No one will be criminalized for their language. If speaking Bengali makes one a Bangladeshi, we will never accept that.” She added that even Adivasi women are facing NRC-related harassment.
She claimed the Centre has withheld funds for 100-day employment schemes, education, road repairs, and flood control. “We don’t need Delhi’s mercy,” she said. “Bengal will rise on its own.” Taking a dig at Prime Minister Modi, she added, “Those who divide by caste can never be true leaders. Bengal will never become Gujarat. As long as I live, I will say Joy Bangla.”

As Israeli bombardment continued in Gaza, India and Israel signed a bilateral investment treaty in New Delhi during the visit of Israel’s far-right Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich.

The Modi government described the deal as a step toward deepening ties with Israel, highlighting sectors such as cybersecurity, defense, innovation, and high technology. Indian Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said the moment was “crucial for expanding cooperation,” while Smotrich posted on X that the agreement reflected “mutual prosperity, innovation, and new opportunities for investors.” India’s finance ministry hailed it as a “historic milestone.”

Voting for India’s Vice Presidential election is set for September 9. The ruling NDA has nominated former Maharashtra Governor C.P. Radhakrishnan, while the opposition has fielded former Andhra Pradesh judge B. Sudarshan Reddy.

On the eve of the vote, Asaduddin Owaisi’s AIMIM party declared support for Reddy. Owaisi said, “At the request of Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy, we are backing the opposition candidate to strengthen the fight against the Centre.”

Reddy already has backing from Congress, DMK, Trinamool Congress, Samajwadi Party, Shiv Sena (Uddhav faction), AAP, and NCP (Sharad Pawar faction). Though parliamentary arithmetic favors the NDA candidate, analysts say the opposition’s campaign is more about sending a political message than securing victory.

India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi will not attend the UN General Assembly starting September 23 in New York. External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar will deliver India’s address on his behalf. Analysts cite domestic priorities, election preparations, and growing confidence in India’s multilateral and bilateral diplomacy as reasons. While critics warn that Pakistan may exploit Modi’s absence on Kashmir issues, supporters see it as a sign of India’s strategic focus on regional and global alliances beyond the UN platform.

BJP has campaigned on the promise of “crime-free politics,” yet 136 of its 336 ministers face criminal charges, including serious offenses like murder, kidnapping, and sexual assault. Even allies have leaders with pending cases. At the state level, most ministers in Bihar, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, Delhi, and Puducherry face charges. While opposition parties also have accused ministers, BJP’s majority in power draws the most public scrutiny, raising doubts about the sincerity of its crime-free politics pledge.

An international seminar in Delhi today reportedly aims to tarnish Bangladesh’s image and increase pressure on the caretaker government led by Dr. Muhammad Yunus. Organized by a Delhi think tank, the event includes senior Indian military officials and four Bangladeshi participants known for pro-Awami League and anti-Bangladesh stances. Discussions will cover minority persecution, fundamentalism, secularism, and regional stability. Analysts warn India seeks to use this platform to influence Bangladesh’s politics and stress unity among July uprising supporters is crucial to counter these efforts.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi will not attend the upcoming United Nations General Assembly session. Instead, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar will represent India and deliver the country’s address on September 27 in New York.

Earlier schedules had indicated that Modi would speak on September 26. Modi last visited the United States in February this year, where he held bilateral talks with then-President Donald Trump. However, ties between the two leaders soured soon after, with Trump imposing a 50% tariff on Indian goods following India’s purchase of Russian energy.

This year’s UNGA session is expected to witness a landmark moment as several Western countries—including France, Canada, and Belgium—prepare to formally recognize Palestine as an independent state. In response, the United States has reportedly canceled Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas’s visa to block his participation.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee launched a fiery attack on the ruling BJP from the state assembly floor, branding Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah, and the BJP as “thieves.”

Her remarks came in response to the central government’s recent notification allowing minorities from Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Bangladesh who entered India before December 31, 2024, to stay without valid documents. BJP has framed the decision as a humanitarian step, but Mamata questioned its legitimacy.

“Was this law discussed in Parliament? Did it go through a standing committee? How can such a major decision be taken unilaterally? This is nothing but BJP’s attempt to manipulate voter lists before elections,” she said, adding, “But BJP will not win. Others will remain in this seat. BJP will cease to exist here.”

As Mamata spoke, BJP legislators disrupted proceedings by throwing papers, prompting the Speaker to suspend four of them. The Chief Minister accused BJP of being “anti-Bengali,” while BJP members retaliated with slogans branding Mamata a thief—sparking her direct counterattack naming Modi and Amit Shah.

Ahead of Durga Puja, West Bengal’s fish markets are flooded with hilsa from Gujarat, with nearly 4,000 tons arriving in just six weeks. Traditionally, hilsa from Bangladesh’s Padma and Meghna rivers are prized for their unique aroma and sweetness, but supply remains uncertain. Experts and traders say Gujarat’s catch lacks that signature flavor. With Odisha’s catch limited and juveniles still being sold illegally in local markets, Bengalis are reluctantly turning to less flavorful alternatives.