India Archive

The Indian government has taken a definitive stand against illegal online betting, with the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) implementing a block on 22 apps and websites on Sunday, November 5th. This decisive action includes the prohibition of Mahadev Book, an app implicated in unlawful betting activities and alleged links to the notorious D-company.

The serene town of Thiruvannamalai in Tamil Nadu finds itself at the center of a storm following a contentious decision by the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowment (HR and CE) department. The decision to construct a shopping complex on land owned by the revered Arunachaleswarar Temple has not only raised eyebrows but also drawn the ire of devotees. This land, located in front of the East Gopuram, is not just any piece of real estate; it is part of the sacred grounds of a temple considered an "Ancient Temple" and protected under Section 46(II) of the Act.

In the small town of Sivakasi in Tamil Nadu, often hailed as the "fireworks capital" of India, a crisis looms large. The town, with a rich legacy of 90 years in the firecracker industry, which accounts for 90% of India’s production, is facing an unprecedented challenge. This year, around 8 lakh industry workers find themselves on the brink of unemployment as a consequence of a series of bans on firecrackers by various state governments, including Delhi's blanket ban effective until January 1.

The Kerala High Court has made a significant intervention ahead of the festival season, issuing directives to state authorities to conduct comprehensive raids across all religious institutions in search of illegally stored firecrackers. This order, as articulated by Justice Amit Rawal, not only mandates the confiscation of these firecrackers but also imposes restrictions on their usage, stating, "no crackers shall be burst in religious places at odd times there is no commandment in any of the holy books to burst crackers to please God."

In the midst of escalating tensions in the Middle East, particularly the military operations in Gaza following the terror attack on October 7, a concerning surge in antisemitic sentiment has been observed globally, primarily among certain left-liberal groups, alongside Islamist factions. This trend has disturbingly made its way into academic circles, as evidenced at a recent event held by OP Jindal Global University.

In a controversial move that has sparked widespread debate, Frontline, the English magazine of The Hindu group, has made headlines with its recent editorial stance. Dated October 30th, the magazine published an editor's note that has been interpreted as a justification of the brutal actions by Hamas on October 7th, 2023, against civilians in Israel.

On October 31st, a new chapter unfolded in the Middle East as the Iran-backed Houthis in Yemen brazenly declared war against Israel. The Houthi rebels took responsibility for launching a series of missile and drone attacks aimed at the southernmost Israeli city of Eilat, signaling their entry into the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict. This declaration is a stark reminder of the volatile and unpredictable nature of regional politics.

The unfolding narrative of the 'cash for query scam' involving Trinamool Congress MP Mahua Moitra has taken a new turn with revelations concerning her parliamentary login. In a striking disclosure, the IT Ministry has reported that Moitra's parliamentary ID was accessed from Dubai on 49 occasions.

In a candid exchange on Joe Rogan's podcast, Tesla's CEO Elon Musk delivered a scathing critique of billionaire philanthropist George Soros, suggesting a profound animosity towards human civilization at the core of Soros's actions. Musk, who has become as renowned for his unfiltered commentary as his entrepreneurial ventures, asserted, "In my opinion, (Soros) fundamentally hates humanity. He is doing things that erode the fabric of civilization."