NEWS BRIEFINGS: LATEST DEVELOPMENTS IN INDIA

Assam-based news reporter Dilwar Hussain Mozumder was released from judicial custody on March 29 after securing bail in the second case against him. However, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma’s response seems to reveal a lack of understanding regarding what constitutes journalism and who qualifies as a journalist.

The central government issued 66 takedown notices to X (formerly Twitter) over the past year, with one-third targeting content critical of Union Ministers and government agencies, according to The Hindu, whose report is based on an analysis of court documents from a lawsuit filed by X challenging the government’s actions in the Karnataka High Court.

The Supreme Court has observed that protecting freedom of speech and expression, even when what is said is unpopular or disliked, is essential and must be respected in a healthy democracy. The observation came in a case involving Congress MP Imran Pratapgarhi, who was accused of promoting enmity through a poem shared in a social media post.

The Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) ability to pass bills in Parliament may not be as straightforward as you might think. With the dynamics of coalition politics, the composition of the two Houses of Parliament, and the nature of the legislation in question, the ease—or difficulty—of getting bills approved varies greatly.

The 2025 annual report by the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) accuses India of a sharp decline in religious freedom, particularly for minorities such as Muslims, Christians and Sikhs. In response, India has vehemently rejected these claims, labelling them as biased and politically motivated assessments.

The Supreme Court has decided to take up a case on its own – called a “suo motu” action – to review a controversial ruling made by the Allahabad High Court, that actions such as grabbing a child’s breasts, breaking the string of her clothes and trying to drag her to a secluded spot do not qualify as either rape or an attempt to commit rape.

On March 24, the Supreme Court strongly criticised the Uttar Pradesh government for the demolition of houses in Prayagraj, describing the act as shocking and deeply troubling.

Justice Yashwant Varma of the Delhi High Court has strongly denied allegations that large amounts of burnt cash were discovered in a storeroom at his official residence following a fire on the night of March 14.

Chief Justice of India (CJI) Sanjiv Khanna has ordered a formal inquiry into the alleged discovery of a large amount of cash at the official residence of Justice Yashwant Varma of the Delhi High Court—a matter that has raised serious questions about judicial integrity.

Elon Musk’s social media platform, X (formerly Twitter), has filed a lawsuit against the Indian government, alleging that the country’s IT Ministry has overstepped its legal authority by unlawfully expanding censorship powers. The legal dispute centres around new mechanisms introduced by the Indian government that, according to X, allow for more widespread and unregulated content removal from online platforms.

The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government in Punjab on March 19 forcibly removed farmers who had been demonstrating at the Shambhu border between Haryana and Punjab for more than a year, detained farmer leaders, and cleared the temporary shelters and trolleys that had housed farmers. On March 20, several demonstrations to condemn the government’s move, described as backstabbing, were held, leading to more detentions and arrests.

India ranks 24^th out of 33 countries on the “Future of Free Speech” index, which measures global support for free speech and identifies which topics people believe should be open for discussion and criticism. The report show that while many Indians express belief in the importance of free speech, the country’s legal and political environment does not reflect these sentiments.

Curfew was imposed for the second consecutive day in Nagpur, Maharashtra, following communal tensions sparked by demands from Hindu nationalist groups, including the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) and Bajrang Dal, to remove the tomb of 17th-century Mughal emperor Aurangzeb. The groups argued that Aurangzeb’s legacy was emblematic of historical oppression against Hindus.

The Indian government’s decision to allocate $1 billion (about 8,300 crore rupees) to promote the influencer economy may not reflect just economic aspirations, but also potential political calculations. Does this initiative purely aim to expand India's digital economy, or could it subtly serve to extend ideological influence in the rapidly evolving landscape of social media?

In an assembly speech, Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy expressed his outrage over the use of abusive language directed at his family on social media, particularly against the women in his household. His anger is understandable, but not the threat he issued to "strip" and "parade" offenders on the streets, nor his proposal to amend laws governing media and social media use. 

At a recent seminar, Supreme Court Justice B.V. Nagarathna drew attention to the lack of adequate representation of women in the legal profession, judiciary and political leadership roles in India. She also called for ensuring at least 30 percent reservation for women advocates in legal panels representing state and central governments, as well as in the panels advising public sector units.

Tushar Gandhi, great-grandson of Mahatma Gandhi, was allegedly detained by Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) activists in Kerala following his critical remarks about the RSS.

Two YouTube journalists in Hyderabad, Telangana—Revathi Pogadadanda and Tanvi Yadav—have been arrested for airing a video critical of Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy of the Congress party. The video allegedly contained “derogatory” and “vulgar” content. However, arresting journalists for their work, even if it is considered offensive, doesn’t set a good precedent for democratic freedoms.

A Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader in Kerala, P.C. George, who is facing charges of hate speech, made unsubstantiated claims at a public event that around 400 girls from the state’s Meenachil Taluk in Kottayam district were victims of the so-called “love jihad.” The Syro-Malabar Church chose to publicly endorse George’s narrative.

The Immigration and Foreigners Bill, 2025, proposes a major overhaul of India’s immigration laws. While its stated intent is national security and efficient immigration control, several of its provisions have significant potential for misuse, particularly against citizens, creating an NRC-like situation, and foreign journalists and human rights researchers.

In Parliament, the opposition alleged serious discrepancies in voters’ lists and demanded an immediate discussion in both Houses. Reports of duplicate voter IDs and errors in the lists have raised concerns about the integrity of the electoral process, prompting calls for urgent action by the Election Commission of India.

Efforts to restore “normalcy” in Manipur after nearly two years of violence, by enforcing free movement on highways, have triggered an indefinite shutdown in Kuki-Zo-dominated areas. The shutdown follows deadly clashes in Kangpokpi district between security forces and Kuki-Zo protesters, resulting in the death of 30-year-old Lalgouthang Singsit.

India’s tax system has undergone significant changes over the decades, shifting from a complex and fragmented structure to a more streamlined approach. While direct taxes now contribute a greater share of government revenue, indirect taxes remain an essential part of India’s fiscal strategy. However, their regressive nature disproportionately affects lower-income households, raising concerns about economic equity.

Starting April 1, 2026, the Income Tax Department will have the authority to access individuals’ digital spaces—including social media accounts, personal emails, bank accounts and online investment platforms—if they suspect tax evasion or possession of undisclosed assets.

The health outcomes of India’s tribal populations lag behind the national average, according to an IndiaSpend analysis of government data. More tribal children die in early childhood, and many of those who survive suffer from malnutrition.

The Supreme Court told the Gujarat Police to respect freedom of speech and expression, especially 75 years after the Constitution came into force. The police had registered a case against Congress MP Imran Pratapgarhi, accusing him of posting content that allegedly incited unrest. The Court made this remark while reserving its verdict on Pratapgarhi’s petition seeking to quash the case.

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin has urged the people of the state to have children immediately after marriage, arguing that the state’s success in family planning has put it at a disadvantage in terms of political representation. The call comes amid concerns over the upcoming delimitation exercise, which will redraw parliamentary constituencies based on population.

The Supreme Court has sought a response from the central government regarding a petition challenging the practice of taking down social media posts without prior notice or a fair hearing for the content creator. The petition, filed by the Software Freedom Law Centre (SFLC), argues that this practice violates principles of natural justice and the right to free speech under Article 19(1)(a) of the Constitution.

The University Grants Commission’s (UGC) newly proposed regulations on caste discrimination in higher education have drawn criticism on two main fronts: first, for not providing clear, specific descriptions of discriminatory actions; and second, for introducing penalties for “false” claims.

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has recently intensified its outreach to Sufi Muslims, following engagements with the economically and socially marginalised Pasmanda Muslims. The effort seemingly aims to counter the influence of other Islamic sects and to solidify political support within some Muslim communities. But one might ask why it hasn’t embraced a very similar spiritual tradition known as Bhakti.