West Bengal Opposition Leader and BJP legislator Suvendu Adhikari filed a defamation case worth 100 crore rupees against Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Friday, January 16, at the Alipore court. The case follows Banerjee’s public remarks linking Adhikari and Union Home Minister Amit Shah to an alleged coal scam. Adhikari stated that if he wins the case, the compensation will be donated to public welfare services.

Before filing the case, Adhikari had sent a legal notice to Banerjee through his lawyer, demanding evidence within 72 hours to support her allegations made on January 8 and 9. After she failed to provide proof, he proceeded with the defamation suit. On his X handle, Adhikari shared a copy of the case and accused Banerjee of misleading the public and remaining silent on the defamation notice.

The case marks an escalation in the political confrontation between the West Bengal Chief Minister and the state’s main opposition leader, centering on allegations of corruption and accountability in the coal sector.

Indian nationals have begun returning home from Iran following widespread anti-government protests. On Saturday night, the first two commercial flights carrying Indian citizens from Iran landed in New Delhi. Several returnees described their experiences of the unrest, with some noting disruptions to daily life and communication difficulties due to internet shutdowns.

A medical student who returned said she had heard about the protests but did not witness them directly, confirming that internet services were suspended. An engineer working in Iran reported that conditions had improved compared to earlier, facing only network issues. Another Indian who spent a month in Iran said protesters often blocked vehicles and that he was unable to contact his family because of the internet outage. One returnee added that while people were worried, the situation in Tehran had since normalized, with fewer protesters compared to government supporters.

According to the report, more than 9,000 Indian citizens remain in Iran as the situation continues to stabilize.

A Muslim laborer from West Bengal was allegedly beaten to death in Jharkhand, India, on Thursday morning over suspicions of being a Bangladeshi infiltrator. The victim, identified as 36-year-old Alauddin from Sujapur village under Beldanga police station in Murshidabad district, had been working as a hawker in Jharkhand for about five years. Following the incident, angry residents in Murshidabad blocked railway lines and highways on Friday, burning tires in protest, according to ETV Bharat.

Alauddin’s family claimed he had been living in fear for several days, repeatedly harassed and assaulted by locals who accused him of being Bangladeshi despite showing his Indian Aadhaar identity card. He reportedly told his family by phone on Wednesday that he feared for his life. The family alleged that photographs they received showed Alauddin sitting with a noose around his neck, suggesting he was murdered and later hanged to conceal evidence.

The killing has reignited debate in India over alleged infiltration and ethnic hostility, highlighting ongoing tensions surrounding identity and citizenship in border regions.

India has not approved visa applications for England’s Pakistan-origin cricketers Adil Rashid and Rehan Ahmed ahead of the upcoming T20 World Cup, which will be jointly hosted by India and Sri Lanka from February 7. The Guardian reported that the two English spinners’ visa requests were not granted by the Indian government, creating complications for England’s preparations. As a result, both players are unlikely to join the team’s six-match warm-up series against Sri Lanka before the tournament.

This is not the first time the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has faced such difficulties. Earlier, England’s Shoaib Bashir and Saqib Mahmood also encountered visa issues related to their Pakistani heritage. The situation reflects the lingering diplomatic and political tensions between India and Pakistan, which have affected players of Pakistani descent from multiple countries, including the United States.

According to The Guardian, the ECB has been assured that there is no objection from the Indian government regarding the applications and is working with British authorities to expedite the process. England is scheduled to begin its World Cup campaign against Nepal in Mumbai on February 8.

The Indian Coast Guard detained a Pakistani fishing boat and nine crew members after the vessel allegedly entered Indian waters in the Arabian Sea. The incident was confirmed by Gujarat Defence PRO Wing Commander Abhishek Kumar Tiwari through a post on social media platform X. According to his statement, a Coast Guard ship was patrolling the area when it spotted the Pakistani boat within India’s maritime boundary. When ordered to stop, the boat reportedly attempted to flee back into Pakistani waters.

The Coast Guard intercepted and seized the vessel, bringing it to shore for further investigation. The nine individuals on board were taken into custody and are currently being questioned by authorities. The post did not specify the exact location or timing of the interception beyond confirming it occurred in Indian territorial waters.

No additional details were provided regarding the purpose of the boat’s presence or any materials found on board, and the investigation remains ongoing.

Indian Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi stated that the Indian Army is preparing for future warfare, emphasizing the use of modern technology and indigenous military equipment. Speaking to reporters in Jaipur on Thursday after the Army Day parade, he said self-reliance is no longer just a goal but a strategic necessity.

Dwivedi explained that the army now possesses well-trained soldiers, modern equipment, and diverse operational capabilities, with technology being used to further enhance troop effectiveness. He noted a clear shift in the army’s strategic thinking in recent years. Referring to 'Operation Sindhur,' he said it demonstrated the army’s ability to strike swiftly, in a coordinated and precise manner, reflecting a mature and confident force capable of protecting national interests responsibly.

The army chief added that new structures have been created to meet future needs, including the formation of units such as the Bhairav Battalion and the Shaktiman Regiment. These developments reflect efforts to build a faster, more flexible, and mission-oriented army ready to face emerging challenges.

Local authorities in Madhya Pradesh’s Betul district demolished a school building on Tuesday, accusing its builder of operating an unapproved madrasa. The demolition took place in Dhaba village under Bhainsdehi subdivision. Officials said the structure was built without authorization, while heavy police were deployed during the operation. The incident has sparked tension in the area.

Resident Abdon Naim, who spent 2 million rupees constructing the school, said the building was incomplete and classes had not yet started. He had applied for approval from the state’s School Education Department on December 30 and later received a no-objection certificate from the village panchayat after local protests. Despite this, a team led by Sub-Divisional Magistrate Ajit Maravi proceeded with the demolition.

Reports noted that Madhya Pradesh has 83,000 government schools, many lacking basic facilities, yet they continue to operate. The demolition of a school labeled as a madrasa has been viewed as an example of ongoing Islamophobia in the country.

The Indian government has closed a medical college in Kashmir after right-wing Hindu groups protested the high number of Muslim students admitted. According to Al Jazeera, the National Medical Commission (NMC) on January 6 revoked the accreditation of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Medical Institute in Reasi district, Jammu division. The college’s first MBBS batch, launched in November last year, had 50 students—42 of them Muslim, seven Hindu, and one Sikh. The institution was founded by a Hindu religious trust and partially funded by the government.

The protests began when news spread that most of the admitted students were Muslim. Hindu organizations demanded the cancellation of their admissions, arguing that the college was funded by donations from devotees of the Vaishno Devi temple. The agitation continued for weeks, with daily demonstrations outside the college gates. Several lawmakers from the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party also urged the Kashmir Lieutenant Governor to restrict admissions to Hindu students only.

The NMC cited faculty shortages, low hospital bed usage, and inadequate facilities as reasons for the withdrawal of approval. Critics described the closure as a capitulation to hardline Hindu groups.

A Muslim laborer from Jharkhand named Diljani Ansari was attacked in Mangaluru, Karnataka, after being falsely accused of being a Bangladeshi national. The incident occurred on Sunday in the Kulur area when four young men stopped him, demanded his identification, and accused him of being an illegal immigrant. Despite Ansari’s insistence that he was Indian, the attackers beat him and struck his head with an object, leaving him seriously injured. A local woman rescued him, but he did not file a police complaint out of fear, instead informing local leaders who later notified the police.

Police investigations confirmed that Ansari is an Indian citizen who has worked in Mangaluru for about six months each year over the past 15 years. The suspects, identified as Sagar, Danush, Lalu Rathish, and Mohan, are reportedly linked to a right-wing organization. Authorities have charged them with attempted murder and criminal intimidation, though all four remain at large.

The report notes that incidents of violence against Muslims suspected of being Bangladeshis have been increasing, particularly in states with strong Hindu nationalist influence.

India’s Ministry of External Affairs has urged its citizens currently in Iran to leave the country immediately. The advisory follows reports from human rights organizations that thousands of people have been killed or arrested during a government crackdown on widespread protests. The Indian Embassy in Tehran announced on social media that Indian nationals, including students, pilgrims, businesspeople, and tourists, should depart using any available transportation.

According to the ministry’s estimates, around 10,000 Indian citizens are usually present in Iran. The embassy’s message, issued on Wednesday night, emphasized the need for all Indian nationals to prioritize their safety and make immediate travel arrangements.

The advisory reflects growing concern over the deteriorating security situation in Iran and signals India’s effort to ensure the safety of its nationals amid escalating unrest.

A new report by the Washington-based Center for the Study of Organized Hate (CSOH) and its India Hate Lab (IHL) project shows a sharp rise in hate speech incidents targeting religious minorities in India. In 2025, over 1,318 hate speech cases were recorded across 21 states, marking a 13 percent increase from 2024 and a 97 percent rise since 2023. Nearly 98 percent of these incidents targeted Muslims, while 133 involved Christians. Most cases occurred in states governed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), accounting for 88 percent of all recorded hate speech.

The report found that extremist Hindu groups such as the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP), Bajrang Dal, and Akhil Bharatiya Hindu Parishad were linked to hundreds of incidents. Many speeches invoked conspiracy theories like “love jihad,” “land jihad,” and “population jihad,” often calling for violence, boycotts, or destruction of mosques and churches. Attacks on Christians also surged around Christmas, including assaults on churches in Raipur and other cities.

Experts cited in the report warned that religious hate speech has become intertwined with BJP’s political strategies, fueling communal tensions and violence against minorities.

Bangladesh has declared that playing cricket in India is currently unsafe and remains firm in its demand to shift its World Cup matches to Sri Lanka. The country’s stance has created tension with the International Cricket Council (ICC), which has yet to decide whether Bangladesh can play its matches outside India. The tournament, scheduled to begin in February, now faces uncertainty as multiple teams encounter logistical and political obstacles.

The report highlights that India’s strict visa policy toward individuals born in Pakistan has affected more than 20 players from several countries, including the United States, Oman, Canada, and the Netherlands. These players, many of Pakistani origin, are struggling to obtain visas to enter India. The issue extends beyond Bangladesh’s security concerns, as several teams may be unable to field their best squads.

With only weeks remaining before the tournament, unresolved visa restrictions and safety concerns have raised doubts about India’s ability to host the event smoothly. The author suggests that the ICC consider moving the World Cup to a neutral venue to ensure fair participation and avoid further controversy.

New Zealand defeated India by seven wickets in the second One Day International at Rajkot, leveling the three-match series 1–1. Chasing 285, the visitors reached 286 for three in 47.3 overs, securing victory with 15 balls to spare. Daryl Mitchell starred with an unbeaten 131 off 117 balls, including 11 fours and two sixes, while Will Young contributed 87 runs. The win marked New Zealand’s highest successful run chase in an ODI on Indian soil.

Earlier, India posted 284 for seven after losing the toss and being sent to bat at Niranjan Shah Stadium. Lokesh Rahul remained unbeaten on 112 from 92 balls, hitting 11 boundaries and one six, while opener Shubman Gill added 56 runs. For New Zealand, bowler Clark took three wickets for 56 runs.

With this emphatic win, New Zealand ended an eight-match losing streak against India and kept the series alive ahead of the final ODI.

Reports from Assam’s Nagaon district describe repeated forced deportations of Bengali-origin Muslims to Bangladesh. A 31-year-old resident, Hasan Ali, told media outlet The Scroll that his father, 58-year-old farmer Taher Ali, was pushed across the border three times in eight months after being declared a ‘foreigner’ by Assam’s Foreigners Tribunal. The tribunal, which has stripped thousands of residents of citizenship, often issued unilateral rulings without hearing the accused. Since May last year, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government in Assam has allegedly bypassed legal deportation procedures, using the 1950 law to expel declared foreigners at gunpoint during the night.

Bangladesh has refused to accept these individuals, leaving many trapped in a cycle of pushback and return. At least seven residents were reportedly forced across the border in December, only to be denied entry and later detained by Bangladeshi authorities. Legal experts and observers told The Scroll that Assam’s policy violates both constitutional and international norms. An Oxford researcher described the situation as the creation of statelessness, with people being treated like ‘tennis balls’ between two nations.

The Indian Border Security Force and Home Ministry did not respond to inquiries about the legality or nationality verification process behind these expulsions.

A new report by the Washington-based Center for the Study of Organized Hate’s India Hate Lab (IHL) shows that hate speech incidents targeting Muslims and Christians in India rose sharply in 2025. The study documented 1,318 cases across 21 states, marking a 13 percent increase from 2024 and a 97 percent rise compared with 2023. Nearly 98 percent of the hate speech targeted Muslims, while 133 incidents involved Christians. Most cases occurred in states governed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

According to the report, 88 percent of all hate speech incidents—about 1,164 cases—took place in BJP-ruled or allied regions, up 25 percent from 2024. Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and Delhi accounted for 65 percent of all incidents. In contrast, opposition-ruled states saw a 34 percent decline. The report linked 289 incidents to the Vishwa Hindu Parishad and Bajrang Dal, and 138 to the Akhil Bharatiya Hindu Parishad.

The IHL classified hate speech based on UN definitions, noting that nearly half of the incidents invoked conspiracy theories such as “love jihad,” “land jihad,” and “population jihad.” Several speeches called for violence, weapon use, boycotts, or destruction of religious sites.