India's political landscape is ablaze with activity! From the ongoing debates surrounding the new farm bills and their impact on rural India, to the upcoming state elections shaping the national narrative, the stakes couldn't be higher. Key political figures are maneuvering strategically, with alliances shifting and power dynamics constantly in flux. The opposition's challenge to the ruling party is intensifying, sparking vigorous debates on crucial policy matters including economic reforms and social justice initiatives. Parliamentary proceedings are filled with heated exchanges, reflecting the deep divisions within the nation. This evolving political climate directly impacts the lives of every Indian citizen, influencing everything from economic opportunities to social welfare programs. Stay informed about the latest developments in Indian politics, from crucial legislative decisions to grassroots movements, by exploring Abtak.com for in-depth analysis and breaking news updates. Understanding the intricacies of our political system is crucial; stay engaged, stay informed, and stay ahead.
New Delhi: The razing of a Durga temple in Dhaka's Khiliket area has cast a long shadow over India-Bangladesh ties, reviving questions about the safety of religious minorities in post-Hasina Bangladesh. With reports attributing the demolition to pressure from radical Islamist groups, the incident on Thursday represents a potential inflection point in India's foreign policy approach toward its eastern neighbour. "We understand that extremists were clamouring for demolishing the Durga temple in Khilkhet, Dhaka," External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said during a regular media briefing here on Thursday. "The interim government, instead of providing security to the temple, projected the episode as illegal land use allowing... and they allowed the destruction of the temple today. This has resulted in damage to the deity before it was shifted. We are dismayed that such incidents continue to recur in Bangladesh. Let me underline that it is the responsibility of the interim government of Bangladesh to protect Hindus, their properties, and religious institutions." According to reports, Bangladesh Railway authorities demolished the temple named Khilkhet Sarbojanin Shri Shri Durga Mandir claiming that it was built illegally on railway land. Different minority organisations have condemned the incident alleging that the authorities demolished the temple without providing prior notice to the community people. The temple committee members alleged that a mob of over 500 people, armed with sticks, took position in the temple while the worshippers were staying in the temple at about 9 pm on Monday. They alleged that the railway authorities only demolished the temple while the other establishments in the area were untouched. Committee secretary Arjun Roy told the New Age that they took permission from the railway authorities to celebrate Durga Puja there in the past year and to use the place for their worshipping temporarily. "But the authorities demolished everything today without giving us a prior notice," Roy was quoted as saying. "We are very disheartened over the incident." The Bangladesh Puja Udjapan Parishad, the Mahanagar Sarbojanin Puja Committee and the Minority Rights Movement, in separate statements, have condemned the mob incident and the demolition of the temple. Since Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's controversial ouster in August last year - following months of political unrest, allegations of electoral manipulation, and opposition-backed protests -- Bangladesh has entered a period of political flux. The absence of a strong, secular leadership has left the field open for Islamist factions, including those affiliated with groups such as Hefazat-e-Islam and the re-emerging Jamaat-e-Islami, to assert themselves in public and administrative domains. Under Hasina, these groups were systematically weakened through a combination of legal bans, arrests, and curbs on religious extremism. Her administration was widely credited with maintaining communal balance and shielding minorities from mob violence. In contrast, the current interim or opposition-influenced regime appears either unwilling or unable to counter the rising tide of intolerance. The demolition of the Khiliket temple is the latest and most visible sign of this shift. India's partnership with Bangladesh under Hasina had been one of the strongest bilateral successes in its regional foreign policy. From counter-terrorism cooperation and border management to trade, energy, and connectivity projects, New Delhi and Dhaka were closely aligned. Crucially, Hasina was viewed as a political ally who ensured that anti-India insurgents found no refuge in Bangladeshi territory and that minority protections remained a priority.
DHAKA: Hindu leader Chinmoy Krishna Das failed to get any relief on Tuesday as his bail hearing in a Bangladesh court was postponed for a month due to the unavailability of any lawyer to represent him, according to a media report. After an initial hearing on the bail petition on Tuesday, the judge set January 2 for another hearing, Chattogram Metropolitan Police ADC (Prosecution) Mofizur Rahman was quoted as saying by bdnews24.com. Das will have to wait a month to see if he will receive bail in a sedition case against him, it said. His bail plea was set to be heard by the court of Chattogra ...Read More >
A temple locked since 1978 communal riots in Sambhal, Uttar Pradesh, has been reopened by authorities during an anti-encroachment drive. The Bhasma Shankar temple, containing idols of Lord Hanuman and a Shivling, was rediscovered during an electricity theft inspection. This follows recent violence and heightened tensions in the area, including a mosque survey dispute and loudspeaker fine.The Sambhal administration here on Saturday uncovered and reopened a temple, which is said to have been closed ...Read More >
Guwahati, Jun 5 (PTI) The Assam Congress on Thursday demanded a CBI inquiry into alleged illegal stone mining in Karbi Anglong district in violation of a Supreme Court order. Addressing a press conference here, former Rajya Sabha member Ripun Bora also alleged that Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council Chief Executive Member Tuliram Ronghang was allowing illegal activities in the district in nexus with Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma. "Large-scale illegal stone mining is taking place in the hills of Karbi Anglong in violation of the Supreme Court order. The SC had banned mining in and around K ...Read More >
Hindus and members of other minority groups say they have faced more attacks than ever since an interim government replaced the ousted prime minister, as Islamist groups have become more prominent and demoralized security agencies have left a security vacuum. The government says the threat to Hindus has been exaggerated. Around 91% of Bangladeshs population is Muslim, with Hindus making up almost all of the rest. Officials, witnesses and local media reports said that Krishna Das Prabhu, also known as Chinmoy Krishna Das Brahmachari, was arrested in Dhakas main airport on Monday while traveli ...Read More >
Assam Beef Ban: A political row has erupted over the Assam government's decision to ban the public consumption of beef in the state with the Opposition labelling it "against the right to freedom" while the ruling BJP lauding the state Cabinet's call. Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma had announced on Wednesday that his government has decided to ban the consumption of beef in restaurants, hotels and public places, drawing sharp reactions from the Opposition. Samajwadi Party MP Iqra Hasan ...Read More >
New Delhi [India], November 26 (ANI): Responding on the arrest and denial of bail of Chinmoy Krishna Das the Ministry of External Affairs on Tuesday urged Bangladeshi government to ensure the safety and security of Hindus. "We have noted with deep concern the arrest and denial of bail to Shri Chinmoy Krishna Das, who is also the spokesperson of the Bangladesh Sammilit Sanatan Jagran Jote", the statement said. "This incident follows the multiple attacks on Hindus and other minorities by extremist elements in Bangladesh. There are several documented cases of arson and looting of minorities' ho ...Read More >
ISKCON Kolkata has reported ongoing attacks on their monks in Bangladesh to the Indian government, urging intervention. The recent arrest of monk Chinmoy Krishna Das highlights increasing threats against Hindu religious orders, urging the intervention of both Indian authorities and the United Nations for minority protection. ISKCON Kolkata has reported ongoing attacks on their monks and members in Bangladesh to the Indian government, seeking immediate intervention. The recent arrest of ISKCON monk Chinmoy Krishna Das underscores the persistent threats faced by Hindu religious orders, includin ...Read More >
BUDAUN: A court hearing a plea of a Hindu outfit, which had sought permission to worship at Jama Masjid Shamsi here claiming it was a temple, on Tuesday asked the Muslim side to complete their arguments by December 10. Arguing his case, the lawyer for Shamsi Shahi Jama Masjid Intezamia Committee and Waqf Board Asrar Ahmed questioned the locus standi of the Akhil Bharat Hindu Mahasabha to file the petition in the matter. Urging the court to dismiss the plea, the counsel submitted that the mosque is about 850 years old. He stated that there is "no existence of a temple" there and worship by Hin ...Read More >
Dhaka: India should 'unequivocally' recognise the July-August uprising, which toppled Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's regime, to start bilateral ties afresh, a key aide of Bangladesh's interim government said Wednesday. In a Facebook post, Mahfuj Alam -- considered a de facto minister in the interim government and a key leader of Bangladesh's Anti-Discrimination Students Movement -- noted that the Indian establishment tried to portray the uprising as "something militant, anti-Hindu, and an Islamist takeover" and asked India to "change the Post '75 playbook and realise the new Bangladesh realit ...Read More >
The Supreme Court halted new temple-mosque legal battles. The court will review the 1991 law impacting religious site status. This law froze the status of religious sites as of August 15, 1947. Several cases, including Gyanvapi and Shahi Idgah, challenge this law. The law's validity is being questioned. The court's decision impacts ongoing and future disputes.In its ruling on the keenly-watched Place of Worship Act case, the Supreme Court said on December 12 that no new Mandir-Masjid suits are to ...Read More >
New Delhi, December 13: Prime Minister Narendra Modi has said the government is committed to providing every facility to the devotees visiting Prayagraj for Maha Kumbh. Ahead of his visit to Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, on Friday, PM Modi said that he will take stock of the works related to the Maha Kumbh and also inaugurate and launch multiple development projects. PM Modi Prayagraj Visit: Prime Minister Narendra Modi To Arrive in Prayagraj Today To Launch Development Projects Worth Around INR 5,500 Crore. "Along with making the Maha Kumbh of faith divine and grand, we are committed to providi ...Read More >
New Delhi, Dec 18 (PTI) The Pakistan high commission on Wednesday said it issued 84 visas to Indian pilgrims to visit the Shree Katas Raj temples in Punjab province's Chakwal district. The group has been given visas to visit the Katas Raj temples from December 19 to 25. The temples are also known as Qila Katas. It is a complex of several Hindu temples connected to one another by walkways. Under the provision of a bilateral protocol on visits to religious shrines, Sikh and Hindu pilgrims from India visit Pakistan every year.Pakistani pilgrims also visit India every year under the protocol. ...Read More >
Mumbai: Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to visit the naval dockyard for the commissioning ceremony of three naval vessels -- two warships INS Surat and INS Nilgiri, and the submarine INS Vaghsheer -- on Wednesday. The event will take place between 9.30 am and 12.30 pm. According to a defence spokesperson, thies commissioning represents a crucial advancement towards fulfilling the national ambition to emerge as a global force in defence production and maritime security. Later, Modi will be at Kharghar in Navi Mumbai at 3.30 pm. Officials said that as part of his initiative to streng ...Read More >
Prayagraj (Uttar Pradesh) January 27 (ANI): Spiritual leader and orator Devkinandan Thakur on Monday said that the Sanatana Dharma Sansad, which he convenes at the ongoing Mahakumbh, is organised for safeguarding Sanatanis. Devkinandan Thakurji Maharaj, as he is popularly known, said that the Dharma Sansad has been called for a board that can bring all our puja, tradition, culture, and Gau mata together and protect them. Also Read | Mahakumbh 2025: After Taking Holy Dip, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Along With His Family, Performs 'Aarti' at Triveni Sangam. "This Sanatana Dharma Sansad is ...Read More >
New Delhi [India], May 23 (ANI): Criticising the BJP-led NDA government, Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha (LoP) Rahul Gandhi on Friday said that India's foreign policy has collapsed. In a post on X, Gandhi raised three questions to the central government. "Will JJ explain, Why India has been hyphenated with Pakistan? Why didn't a single country back us in condemning Pakistan? Who asked Trump to "mediate" between India & Pakistan?" the LoP said. Reposting a video of S Jaishankar's interview with a media outlet, he said, "India's foreign policy has collapsed," he added. Earlier, Gandhi q ...Read More >
ISKCON Kolkata has raised concerns with India over ongoing persecution of its monks and Hindu communities in Bangladesh, following the arrest of monk Chinmoy Krishna Das. ISKCON Kolkata has seriously raised concerns with the Indian government over the ongoing persecution of its monks and Hindu religious communities in Bangladesh. This is after the recent arrest of monk Chinmoy Krishna Das, a development that is very worrying in light of a series of attacks on members of the Hindu Vaishnavite order and other minority communities. ISKCON Kolkata spokesperson Radharaman Das shared with PTI that ...Read More >
New Delhi [India], November 28 (ANI): India has expressed its concern over the escalating incidents of violence against Hindu minorities in Bangladesh and desecration, and damage to their places of worship, and has also called on the interim government there to ensure the safety of minorities. In a response to question asked by RJD MP AD Singh, Minister of State for Ministry of External Affairs, Kirit Vardhan Singh in a written reply to Rajya Sabha, stated that the "primary responsibility" for the protection of life and liberty of all citizens of Bangladesh, including minorities, "rests with ...Read More >
Dhaka: A writ petition has been filed in the Bangladesh High Court seeking a ban on the broadcast of Indian TV channels in the country citing growing concerns over the impact of Indian media on Bangladeshi culture and society, Dhaka Tribune reported. Lawyer Ekhlas Uddin Bhuiyan, who filed the petition on Monday, is seeking a directive under the Cable Television Network Operation Act 2006 to prohibit the broadcast of Indian TV channels. It also asks why a rule should not be issued instructing a ban on Indian TV channels in Bangladesh, as per Dhaka Tribune. The hearing on the application may ...Read More >
NEW DELHI: The heads of the border guard forces of India and Bangladesh will meet in New Delhi in mid-February for the first time since the fall of the Sheikh Hasina government to discuss key issues such as the fencing of the boundary and tackling trans-border crime. The director general of Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB), Maj Gen Mohammad Ashrafuzzaman Siddiqui, will travel to India during February 16-19 for talks with the head of the Border Security Force (BSF), Daljit Singh Chawdhary, people familiar with preparations for the meeting said on condition of anonymity on Wednesday. Siddiqui's t ...Read More >
Deposed Bangladeshi PM Sheikh Hasina accused Muhammad Yunus on Tuesday that he has been the mastermind behind the targeted violence against the minorities, especially Hindus in Bangladesh. She said this while virtually addressing the Awami league event in Now York. Hasina claimed that Yunus led the mass killing under a meticulously planned crusade with the help of student coordinators. The statement comes in the wake of heightened unrest after the arrest of ISKCON affiliated Hindu monk Chinmoy Krishna Das. She also stressed upon the statement of the son of her political rival Khaleda Zia, Ta ...Read More >
Kolkata: BJP on Saturday criticised urban development minister Firhad Hakim over a video where the Kolkata mayor is purportedly heard making a comment on minorities. Hakim had made the comment while addressing an educational conference recently. Hakim said BJP was using his quote out of context and he was only referring to the gulf between the educated and the uneducated. "As education spreads, the gulf will be bridged and there will be one identity," said Hakim. Saying that he would never play ...Read More >
Patna: BJP's West Bengal in charge and Bihar's health and law minister Mangal Pandey on Wednesday claimed that a three-member committee appointed by the Calcutta High Court had exposed the Mamata Banerjee govt and implicated Trinamool Congress (TMC) leaders in the Murshidabad violence, in which three people, including a father-son duo, were brutally killed during protests against the waqf law last month.The committee, tasked with probing the Murshidabad incident, highlighted serious lapses by the ...Read More >
A violent clash between Bangladeshi security forces and supporters of Hindu leader Chinmoy Krishna Das Brahmachari resulted in one fatality on Tuesday. The incident occurred after Brahmachari, an outspoken monk and spokesperson for a newly-formed Hindu advocacy group, was denied bail on sedition charges. According to AFP, citing Nurul Alam, a police inspector stationed at Chittagong Medical College Hospital, public prosecutor Saiful Islam Alif succumbed to injuries sustained during the altercation. "He had deep injuries on his head," confirmed hospital director Taslim Uddin. The clashes erup ...Read More >
Taal Thok Ke: Anti-Hindu violence is once again continuing in Bangladesh. Somewhere temples are being targeted. Somewhere acid attacks are being carried out on Hindus. Somewhere armed mobs are targeting Hindu homes. And on top of that, the Maulanas of Bangladesh are making venomous speeches threatening to kill Hindus. Meanwhile, ISKCON's Brahmachari Chinmay Prabhu is arrested without a warrant. He is put in jail and when the Indian government objects to this whole incident, the Bangladesh government says that the court's order is supreme here. This is true but there are ISKCON temples all over ...Read More >
Bangladeshi Hindu priest Chinmoy Krishna Das's wait for freedom has been prolonged as his bail hearing was postponed on Tuesday. Chinmoy Krishna Das Brahmachari, spokesperson of the Bangladesh Sammilita Sanatani Jagran Jote and head of the Pundarik Dham in the Chittagong district of Bangladesh, will now have to wait at least till January 2, 2025, for his hearing to take place. On Tuesday, Chinmoy Das's lawyer did not appear on his behalf in the court of Metropolitan session's Judge Saiful Islam in Chittagong. Apart from this, the state also sought time. The court has now fixed January 2 as th ...Read More >
New Delhi, Dec 3 (PTI) The Shahi Imam of Delhi's Jama Masjid on Tuesday described as "reprehensible" the alleged mistreatment of Hindu minorities in Bangladesh and asked that country's interim government to take immediate steps to prevent such acts. India has been expressing concerns over attacks on minorities, especially Hindus, in Bangladesh, since Sheikh Hasina's resignation as prime minister in August following months-long students-led protests. Also Read | Rahul Gandhi To Visit Sambhal: DM Requests Neighbouring Districts To Restrict Congress Leader's Proposed Visit to Violence-Hit Town. ...Read More >
Dhanbad/Gumla, Dec 4 (PTI) Thousands of people from various Hindu organisations on Wednesday took out rallies in Jharkhand's Dhanbad and Gumla cities in protest against the attacks on Hindus in Bangladesh and the arrest of spiritual leader Chinmoy Krishna Das. Demanding the immediate release of Das, the protesters urged the Indian government to intervene and stop the atrocities being perpetrated on minority Hindus in the neighbouring country. In Dhanbad, Hindu Rashtriya Samanvya Samiti (HRSS) organised the protest, which was attended by members of Dhanbad ISKCON, Bajrang Dal, BJP and other o ...Read More >
Kolkata, Dec 4 (PTI) A five-member delegation of monks went to the Bangladesh Deputy High Commission here on Wednesday to submit a memorandum demanding immediate steps to stop atrocities on Hindus and other religious minorities in the neighbouring country. Kartik Maharaj, one of the members of the delegation, said they had also written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, urging him to take legal recourse to ensure the safety and security of minorities in Bangladesh. "Bigger protests will be organised in West Bengal if appropriate steps are not taken to ensure protection of the minorities in Ban ...Read More >
New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Thursday directed courts across the country to refrain from admitting or passing any new orders on pleas seeking surveys of mosques to determine if temples lie beneath them. This decision extends to existing suits, halting any further orders on the matter. The directive was issued as the apex court continued hearing petitions challenging the constitutional validity of the Places of Worship (Special Provisions) Act, 1991. This Act prohibits filing lawsuits to reclaim places of worship or alter their character from what existed on August 15, 1947. Judicial Revie ...Read More >
NEW DELHI: A day after a court in Ajmer issued notices in a civil suit claiming that there is a Shiva temple in the dargah of Sufi saint Moinuddin Chishti, Rajya Sabha MP Kapil Sibal on Thursday termed the development as "worrisome" and wondered where the country was being taken for political dividends. A local court in Ajmer on Wednesday directed that notice be issued to three parties in a civil suit which claims there is a Shiva temple in the dargah, the plaintiff's advocate said. In a post on X, Sibal said, "Worrisome. The latest claim: Shiv Temple at Ajmer Dargah. Where are we taking thi ...Read More >