Bangladesh Labour Party Chairman Dr. Mostafizur Rahman Iran has alleged that Muslims in West Bengal are facing systematic persecution under the guise of secularism in India. Speaking on Friday at the party’s Nayapaltan office in Dhaka, he claimed that after the recent elections, armed groups linked to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) have carried out violent attacks, looting, and arson against Muslim communities with the support of the new Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari. He also said that cow and buffalo slaughter had been banned in the state, targeting the Muslim community.

Dr. Iran stated that Muslims in various Indian states are facing threats to their civil rights, religious freedom, and security. He urged international human rights organizations to investigate incidents of minority persecution in West Bengal and other parts of India and to take effective action. The event was organized to mark the 30th death anniversary of Maulana Abdul Matin, the party’s founder.

During the event, Dr. Iran also recalled Maulana Matin’s political legacy, describing him as a strong voice against oppression and a key figure in Bangladesh’s nationalist movements.

India and the United Arab Emirates have reached several key agreements focused on defense cooperation, energy security, and infrastructure development. The accords were signed in Abu Dhabi during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit, part of his five-nation tour, in the presence of UAE President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. Abu Dhabi also announced a $5 billion investment in various Indian sectors.

Among the agreements, the strategic defense partnership received the most attention, aiming to expand security and military collaboration. Two additional memorandums of understanding were signed to enhance energy cooperation through strategic oil reserves and liquefied petroleum gas supply, expected to strengthen India’s energy security. Plans were also announced to establish a ship repair hub in Vadinar, Gujarat, to boost maritime infrastructure and industrial cooperation.

During the bilateral meeting, Modi emphasized dialogue and diplomacy to address regional crises and praised the UAE’s leadership for its composure in difficult times. He condemned attacks on the UAE and reaffirmed India’s support, also appreciating the UAE government’s care for Indian residents in the country.

The Madhya Pradesh High Court has declared the disputed Bhojshala complex as a Saraswati temple, ruling in favor of Hindu petitioners. The verdict was delivered by a bench comprising Justices Vijay Kumar Shukla and Alok Awasthi. The court observed that evidence showed the site functioned as a Sanskrit learning center and temple dedicated to Goddess Saraswati. It also noted that Hindu worship at the site had continued without interruption. The court invited the Muslim community to apply for separate land in the district to build a mosque.

The Bhojshala site has long been contested, with Hindus identifying it as a temple built by King Bhoj and Muslims claiming it as the Kamal Maula Mosque. Under a 2003 Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) arrangement, Hindus and Muslims alternated worship on Tuesdays and Fridays. The Hindu side challenged this arrangement, seeking exclusive worship rights.

Following a court order in March 2024, the ASI conducted a 98-day scientific survey and reported that the current structure reused parts of an earlier temple. The Muslim side argued in court that the ASI report was biased and favored Hindu claims.

The West Bengal government has ordered that all government and government-aided schools must sing the national song 'Vande Mataram' during morning assemblies. The directive, issued by the state’s School Education Department, requires schools to record videos of the assemblies as proof of compliance. Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari announced that the practice will become mandatory from next Monday.

According to the official circular dated May 13, school heads have been instructed to ensure that all students participate in singing the song before classes begin each day. Previously, schools in the state typically sang only the national anthem 'Jana Gana Mana', and later included 'Banglar Mati, Banglar Jal', a song from the anti-partition movement. The new directive adds 'Vande Mataram' to the daily routine.

The decision has prompted questions among teachers about how both the national anthem and the national song can be accommodated within the limited time of morning assemblies.

Uncertainty has emerged over whether a final declaration will be issued at the BRICS meeting held in India, as differences between Iran and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have complicated the discussions, according to Iranian state media. Deputy Foreign Minister Jeym Gharibabadi stated that the UAE’s presence in the New Delhi meeting created a “communication problem” between the two countries, making the negotiation process more difficult.

Separately, the UAE denied a claim by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that he had visited the Gulf state during a U.S.-Israel attack on Iran. In response, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said those conspiring with Israel to create division should be held accountable. He urged BRICS nations to condemn what he called the “illegal aggression” of the United States and Israel.

Araghchi added that peaceful coexistence requires full understanding and calm relations between the two nations, emphasizing the need for dialogue to resolve tensions.

The Government of India has imposed a ban on sugar exports effective until September 30, 2026. The decision, announced by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, applies to all categories of sugar including raw, white, and refined. The export policy has been changed from 'restricted' to 'prohibited', marking a significant policy shift. Authorities indicated that the ban could be extended if necessary.

According to the government, the measure aims to ensure adequate domestic supply of sugar. The decision follows earlier policies that allowed limited exports in anticipation of surplus production. Experts cited in the report suggest that the move is intended to control inflation risks arising from uncertainty linked to ongoing conflicts in the Middle East.

The export restriction represents a major adjustment in India’s trade policy for sugar and may influence both domestic pricing and international sugar markets if extended beyond the current deadline.

Sifar Café, located in the Bamzu area of Anantnag about 40 kilometers from Pahalgam in Indian-administered Kashmir, has become a major tourist attraction following the shooting of the Tamil blockbuster film 'Leo'. Once a quiet local hangout, the café was featured in the movie as 'Café Wild Beans', where actor Vijay portrayed a café owner leading a double life as a gangster.

Since the film’s release in 2023, the café has drawn large numbers of visitors from Tamil Nadu, particularly after Vijay took office as the state’s chief minister. Fans recreate scenes from the movie, make social media reels, and dance to Vijay’s popular songs during their visits.

The café’s signature item, ‘chocolate coffee’, has become a favorite among tourists, as it was served by Vijay in the film. Staff members said Tamil Nadu location scouts first selected the site in 2022, and filming continued there for 25 days with stars including Trisha Krishnan, Sanjay Dutt, and Sandy Master.

Trinamool Congress leader and former West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee appeared at the Kolkata High Court on Thursday morning, dressed in a lawyer’s outfit. She arrived around 10 a.m. local time to face questioning in a case related to alleged attacks on Trinamool party offices following the recent state assembly elections.

The Trinamool Congress suffered defeat in the just-concluded assembly election, where Mamata Banerjee lost her Bhabanipur seat to current Chief Minister and BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari. At present, she holds no legislative position and serves only as the party leader. Against this backdrop, Banerjee personally attended court proceedings concerning the post-election violence allegations.

The case centers on a series of reported assaults on Trinamool offices after the election results, and Banerjee’s court appearance marks a significant development in the ongoing legal process.

At least 56 people have died across India’s Uttar Pradesh state following a severe storm, lightning, and unseasonal heavy rain that struck overnight on Wednesday. The worst-hit districts include Prayagraj, Bhadohi, Fatehpur, and Pratapgarh, where trees were uprooted, electric poles collapsed, and hundreds of homes were damaged. The state government held an emergency meeting led by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, who directed officials to deliver relief and compensation within 24 hours.

According to official data, Prayagraj recorded 17 deaths, Bhadohi 16, Fatehpur 9, Badaun 5, and Pratapgarh 4, with additional casualties reported in Chandauli, Kushinagar, Sonbhadra, Kanpur Dehat, and Deoria. Rescue and relief operations are ongoing in affected areas, where power outages and blocked roads have disrupted normal life. Agricultural losses are feared, particularly in wheat and vegetable fields inundated by rainwater.

Meteorologists described the storm as unusually intense for this season in northern India, suggesting that climate change may be contributing to more extreme weather events. Authorities have urged residents to remain cautious and avoid taking shelter under trees or in open spaces during storms.

The Indian rupee fell to its lowest level in history on Wednesday, trading at 95.80 rupees against the US dollar after dropping by 12 paisa at the start of foreign exchange trading. The decline occurred amid global political instability and uncertainty in the oil market, marking the steepest fall ever recorded for the Indian currency.

According to the report, the rupee had already been weakening before the recent escalation of conflict in West Asia. Market experts believe that the emerging war situation between the United States and Iran has further accelerated the rupee’s depreciation. The fall reflects heightened market anxiety over geopolitical tensions and energy price volatility.

The continued instability in global markets and regional conflicts may keep the rupee under pressure in the near term, though the report does not specify any official response or policy measures from Indian authorities.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi arrived in New Delhi late Wednesday to attend the BRICS foreign ministers’ meeting. The two-day session, scheduled for Thursday and Friday, is regarded as a key preparatory stage for the 18th BRICS Summit to be held in September, hosted by India.

According to diplomatic sources, Araghchi will hold a bilateral meeting with Indian Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar and engage with other participating ministers and representatives on issues of mutual interest. The visit underscores active diplomatic coordination among BRICS members amid rising regional tensions. The meeting is expected to address global economic instability, energy security, and the future of multilateral cooperation, with a focus on forming a unified stance among member states.

Diplomatic observers view this gathering as not only a routine consultation but also a platform for shaping future policy alignment within the BRICS framework.

The Karnataka government has officially withdrawn the 2022 school uniform directive that had restricted the wearing of religious attire in classrooms. Under the new order issued by the state’s education department, students in government, aided, and private institutions will be allowed to wear limited religious symbols such as hijabs, sacred threads, or rudraksha beads along with prescribed uniforms. The directive emphasizes that uniforms remain mandatory and that religious symbols must not disrupt discipline, safety, or student identification.

The earlier 2022 directive, introduced by the then Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government, had effectively banned religious clothing in classrooms, sparking widespread protests, legal challenges, and national debate, particularly over Muslim students being barred from classes for wearing hijabs. Although the Karnataka High Court upheld the ban, the matter later reached the Supreme Court.

The current Congress-led government under Chief Minister Siddaramaiah had previously indicated plans to review the policy. The formal withdrawal marks a reversal of the earlier stance. BJP legislator Bharath Shetty reacted by saying that if hijabs are permitted, Hindu students should also be allowed to wear saffron scarves.

At least 33 people have died in Uttar Pradesh, India, following a severe storm accompanied by heavy rain and lightning, according to officials on May 14, 2026. The worst-affected districts include Bhadohi, Fatehpur, and Budaun, with additional casualties reported in Chandauli and Sonbhadra. Authorities confirmed that Bhadohi recorded 16 deaths, Fatehpur nine, Budaun five, Chandauli two, and Sonbhadra one.

Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has directed officials to provide compensation to the affected families and complete relief operations within 24 hours. In Bhadohi, Additional District Magistrate Kunwar Birendra Kumar Maurya reported widespread damage, including uprooted trees, fallen electric poles, and damaged houses. The storm also disrupted mobile networks, hampering rescue and recovery efforts.

Police in Bhadohi stated on social media that 16 people died in separate incidents, while six others were injured, two of them critically. Relief and restoration work is ongoing across the affected areas.

At least 90 people have been killed in a severe storm accompanied by hail and lightning across Uttar Pradesh, India’s most populous state. The storm uprooted trees and billboards, damaged electricity poles, and destroyed hundreds of homes. According to a state relief official, several deaths occurred when trees and walls collapsed, though no immediate details of rescue operations were provided. Police said early Thursday that administrative officials were inspecting the affected areas.

The storm also disrupted air traffic at Indira Gandhi International Airport in New Delhi after rainfall hit parts of the capital. Government data showed that Prayagraj reported 17 deaths, Bhadohi 16, Fatehpur 9, Badaun 5, and Pratapgarh 4, while two people each died in Chandauli and Kushinagar, and one in Sonbhadra. Separate lightning incidents were also reported in Kanpur Dehat and Deoria.

Authorities are continuing to assess the extent of damage and losses across the state as relief efforts proceed.

The government of West Bengal has issued new and stricter regulations on animal slaughter, banning the public slaughter of cattle and all other animals across the state. According to the directive, anyone wishing to slaughter cattle or other animals must obtain official approval and a fitness certificate from a government veterinarian. Violations of the new rules may result in up to six months of imprisonment, a fine, or both.

The notification, reported by NDTV, specifies that animals such as cows, bulls, oxen, and buffaloes can only be slaughtered after receiving joint certification from local authorities and government veterinarians. Only animals older than fourteen years or those unfit for work or breeding may be approved for slaughter. Animals suffering from severe injury, disability, or incurable disease may also be permitted for slaughter, provided the certificate clearly states the reason.

The directive further mandates that approved animals must be slaughtered only in designated slaughterhouses or officially approved locations. Open or public slaughter is completely prohibited, and obstruction of inspections by authorized officials will be treated as a punishable offense.