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.

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.