Left, Right & Centre

The government vs opposition battle in Parliament has reached a new level. The INDIA bloc parties have given notice for a no confidence motion against the Rajya Sabha chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar. This is for the first time in the Indian Parliamentary history that a no confidence motion is being brought in against the chair of the House. Hitting back the at the notice, Parliamentary affairs minister Kiren Rijiju called the opposition's move against the Rajya Sabha chair as shameful. While the motion is likely to be defeated as the NDA has a majority in both houses of Parliament, But it shows the bitter relations between the treasury and opposition benches, which are going from bad to worse with each passing day. What is the endgame here and how will the Parliament logjam end? 

In a significant diplomatic move, Indian Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri visited Bangladesh today to address concerns over minority safety and recent attacks on cultural, religious, and diplomatic properties. During his talks with Foreign Adviser Md Touhid Hossain, Mr Misri underscored India's commitment to fostering a positive, constructive relationship with Bangladesh. He highlighted India's concerns regarding the welfare of minorities amid recent unrest. The discussions come at a time when relations have been strained due to political shifts in Bangladesh, with an emphasis on ensuring stability and mutual respect. This visit marks the first high-level engagement since the interim government took power.  Will India's relationship with Bangladesh now be fixed?

In a stunning turn of events, Syrian rebels have ousted President Bashar al-Assad, who has fled to Moscow after 13 years of civil war. The streets of Damascus erupted in celebration as the opposition took control, signalling a new era for Syria. Amid the chaos, Israel has moved tanks into Syria to curb potential threats.  International powers are now scrambling to navigate this seismic shift in Middle Eastern politics, with the future of Syria hanging in the balance.

After the loss in the recently held state polls, cracks in the opposition are out in the open over who will lead the INDIA bloc. TMC Chief and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has said that she's ready to lead the 'INDIA' coalition. Her remark has sparked a flurry of reactions with many bloc leaders coming out in her support, leaving Congress to fend for itself. So, who will it be? Will it be Mamata Banerjee, Lalu Prasad Yadav, Rahul Gandhi or someone else to front the opposition bloc? Will Cong be willing to accept a non-congress leader? Can leadership change revive the 'INDIA' bloc's fortunes? Experts discuss.

Another ISKCON temple in Bangladesh has been vandalized and set on fire, this time in Dhaka. This incident is the latest in a series of attacks on ISKCON temples in Bangladesh, with the community alleging persistent assaults and limited government action. ISKCON Kolkata Vice-President Radharamn Das reported the incident on his X account, expressing concerns about the safety of Hindus in Bangladesh. The Indian government has condemned these ongoing attacks multiple times now. Many are calling for justice and strengthened protection for religious minorities in Bangladesh. The matter is not just about the arrest of Chinmoy Prabhu Das, or the looting of houses and properties of minorities but the larger conversation is around what the minorities are going through at the moment. Is the Bangladesh government, which removed Sheikh Hasina in a military coup, completely changing the secular-democratic character of its country? What impact can it have on the politics of South Asia? And what can India do in this situation?

In a shocking turn of events, an assassination attempt was made on former Punjab Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal at the Golden Temple in Amritsar. The assailant, Narain Singh Chaura, a known former militant with ties to the Khalistani movement, was quickly apprehended by the police. This brazen attack, occurring while Mr Badal was serving religious penance, raises alarming questions about the resurgence of terrorism in Punjab. Chaura, with his history of arms smuggling and links to Pakistan, underscores the potential for escalating tensions. Could this be a sign of dark times ahead? Experts discuss.

In a political twist that has got Maharashtra buzzing, Devendra Fadnavis is poised to reclaim the Chief Minister's seat after Shiv Sena's Eknath Shinde stepped aside. After days of suspense and backroom negotiations, the BJP has clinched the deal with Shiv Sena, setting the stage for a dramatic power shift. With Mr Fadnavis at the helm, how will this coalition navigate the challenges ahead? Experts discuss.

Tensions between India and Bangladesh intensify as a significant incident unfolds: an ISKCON priest, Chinmoy Krishna Das, arrested in Bangladesh on sedition charges, was denied legal representation today. Despite the urgency, no lawyer appeared in court for Das, with his legal team citing an unspoken ban on representation. This development follows violent protests after his bail was rejected, leading to a lawyer's death and further unrest. India has expressed deep concern over the safety of minorities, issuing travel advisories. 

Expressing concern over India's declining population growth, RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat on Sunday called for couples to have at least three children. He said if the total fertility rate of a society falls below 2.1, it faces risk of extinction. India is also the most populated country in the world. Can India, the most populous country, really afford to back an idea of this nature?

US President Joe Biden's latest move has revived allegations raised by President-elect Donald Trump that the US Department of Justice was being manipulated by political powerhouses. In a stunning volte face, Joe Biden extended the presidential pardon to his convicted son Hunter Biden, who was days away from being sentenced to decades in prison. President-elect Donald Trump tore into Joe Biden's move of using the Presidential office to benefit family by calling it a "miscarriage of justice". Experts question the administration's neutrality.