India Archive

In the history of Indian higher education, Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) has often stood as a symbol of intense political debate. It is a campus known for its vibrant student activism, where the lines between academic freedom and political dissent frequently blur. However, the university administration has recently taken a commendable and necessary stand to draw a clear line between legitimate protest and lawlessness. The events that unfolded in early February 2026 represent a significant shift in how the university handles indiscipline, marking a departure from tolerance towards direct action that damages public property.

In a significant development that has sent ripples through the political landscape, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma held a press conference on Sunday to bring to light the findings of a Special Investigation Team (SIT). According to the state government, this probe has uncovered details pointing toward a widespread, foreign-connected attempt to shape and influence the internal political and policy discussions within India.

In a significant political development ahead of the upcoming assembly elections, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has leveled serious accusations against Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi, his wife Elizabeth Colburn, and a Pakistani national named Ali Tauqeer Sheikh. During a press conference held on Sunday in Guwahati, the Chief Minister suggested that the trio shares a suspicious relationship that potentially compromises India's national security.

In a decisive move to maintain public order during a high-profile diplomatic event, Malaysian authorities have taken controversial Islamic preacher Mohammed Zamri Vinoth into custody. The arrest occurred on the evening of Saturday, February 7, thwarting a planned demonstration in the heart of the capital that threatened to disrupt communal harmony.

On January 30th, a significant legal observation was made by the Kerala High Court regarding religious entry rules. The High Court stated that the existing rule, which enforces a complete prohibition on non-Hindus entering Hindu temples, might need to be reconsidered to ensure it matches constitutional values. In its observation, the Court noted that the laws and regulations managing religious places should not end up being used as tools that create “social discord or disharmony”.

In a landmark achievement for internal security and regional stability, two key districts in Odisha—Koraput and Malkangiri—have officially been declared Naxal-free. This success marks a turning point in the long-standing battle against Left-Wing Extremism (LWE) in the state. The transition reached its peak on Thursday, February 5th, when Koraput was formally cleared following the surrender of a high-ranking Maoist cadre, Mamta Podiami.

The veteran actor Naseeruddin Shah recently wrote an opinion piece in the Indian Express that has sparked significant debate. The article was written after Shah was allegedly "disinvited" from an event hosted by the Mumbai University Urdu Department. However, many observers suggest that his writing feels less like a factual report and more like a familiar display of grievance politics.

The legal landscape of Indian higher education reached a significant crossroads on 29th January, when the Supreme Court of India moved to stay the implementation of the controversial University Grants Commission (Promotion of Equity in Higher Education Institutions) Regulations of 2026. While the court has paused the enforcement of these rules—often described by critics as draconian—the stay has only served to intensify the public discourse. The debate remains both heated and deeply polarized, with counter-narratives clashing over the fundamental definition of discrimination in modern India.

The Assam government has continued its sustained campaign against illegal land occupation, with a major eviction drive carried out on 3 February along the Assam–Mizoram border. The operation focused on forest land and was completed without violence, as most illegal settlers vacated the area before the authorities moved in. In total, 912 acres, also measured as 2,800 bighas, of forest land were cleared during this drive.

The Madras High Court, Madurai Bench, has set aside a Tamil Nadu government order that permitted commercial activities to be carried out using surplus funds belonging to the historic Kallazhagar Temple in Madurai district. The court made it clear that temples cannot be handled in the same way as government development projects and that any activity proposed in the name of development must strictly follow the religious character of the institution and the law governing temple administration.