The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Bombay has formed a committee to review and strengthen its Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (SC-ST) cell following the death of a student on campus in September. The decision comes amid student protests demanding stronger grievance redressal mechanisms, improved mental health support and greater accountability from the institute’s administration. The move follows the death of Sahil Wakode, a second-year BTech student, on September 18, 2026. The incident triggered protests on campus, with students raising concerns about alleged caste-based discrimination, student welfare and the effectiveness of existing institutional support systems.

The newly formed committee will examine the functioning of the SC-ST cell and recommend measures to make it more effective in addressing students’ complaints. Students have called for greater authority for the cell, stronger representation and a more responsive mechanism to deal with allegations of discrimination.

Wakode’s family has alleged that he faced caste-based discrimination and harassment. These allegations have drawn attention to the safeguards available to students from marginalised communities. The Mumbai Police Crime Branch is investigating the circumstances surrounding his death, while the National Commission for Scheduled Castes has also examined the matter. Alongside the SC-ST cell review, IIT Bombay has established a separate committee to assess hostel conditions and gather feedback on students’ concerns. The panel is expected to examine aspects of campus life that affect student welfare and recommend improvements where necessary.

The institute has also initiated recruitment for 30 temporary counsellor positions, including four senior counsellor posts. The positions may be filled on a full-time or part-time basis. An institute official said the recruitment drive had received more than 600 applications, which will be screened before candidates are shortlisted for interviews.

The measures come amid wider concerns about mental health and student support at competitive educational institutions. Students face academic pressure and personal challenges, making accessible counselling services and reliable complaint-handling procedures important components of campus welfare. Students have urged the administration to move beyond committee formation and ensure that recommendations lead to practical changes. Their demands include transparent grievance procedures, timely action on complaints and stronger safeguards for students who report discrimination.

The committees are expected to examine existing systems and identify areas requiring improvement. Their effectiveness will depend on the recommendations made and the institute’s willingness to implement them in a timely and transparent manner. The developments have renewed debate over student welfare, inclusion and accountability in higher education. As the investigation into Wakode’s death continues, IIT Bombay’s response to the concerns raised by students and his family is likely to remain under scrutiny.

Disclaimer: This image is taken from PTI.

Cyclone Arnab has weakened after making landfall along the Andhra Pradesh coast, with weather officials expecting the system to lose further intensity as it moves inland. The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) has deployed four additional teams to Andhra Pradesh to strengthen rescue and relief operations amid concerns over heavy rainfall, coastal damage and flooding. NDRF Inspector General Narendra Singh Bundela said at a press conference in Delhi that the cyclone had been downgraded from a very severe cyclonic storm to a severe cyclonic storm. According to the assessment shared by officials, the system was expected to weaken further into a cyclonic storm before deteriorating into a deep depression by Wednesday evening.

The additional NDRF teams were sent to Andhra Pradesh on Tuesday night, with the Indian Air Force transporting personnel to the state. The deployment was undertaken in anticipation of significant impacts along the coastline and to support emergency response efforts. Bundela said the NDRF, State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) and district-level emergency teams were actively working in affected areas. The Andhra Pradesh government has deployed 80 SDRF teams to assist with evacuation, rescue and other emergency operations.

Authorities have also carried out evacuations in Yanam, where rainfall left some residents stranded. According to Bundela, NDRF personnel evacuated 38 people from the area by Tuesday evening. The state government is providing regular updates on casualties, damage and other developments through its State Emergency Operation Centre. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) reported that Cyclone Arnab completed its landfall along the Andhra Pradesh and Yanam coasts between Bapatla and Visakhapatnam, southwest of Yanam, by 8 am on Wednesday, October 28. The storm crossed the coast between 2 am and 8 am, with its centre moving completely over land by the end of that period.

During landfall, the cyclone recorded maximum sustained winds of 125–135 kmph, with gusts reaching 150 kmph. At 8:30 am, the system was located over coastal Andhra Pradesh, Yanam and the adjoining west-central Bay of Bengal. The IMD placed its centre approximately 20 km east-northeast of Narsapur, 40 km southwest of Yanam and 60 km southwest of Kakinada.

The Andhra Pradesh government has placed the state on high alert, with the Chief Minister's Office saying officials are working continuously to protect residents and limit damage to property. Authorities are monitoring vulnerable locations and coordinating emergency response measures as the storm weakens. Although no fatalities had been reported at the time of the announcement, the cyclone's powerful waves and coastal impact have already damaged infrastructure. Severe sea conditions and coastal erosion affected the Uppada coastal road near Kakinada, prompting repair and restoration work to begin. Officials are working to restore connectivity and protect the vulnerable shoreline. Emergency teams remain deployed across affected areas as authorities continue to monitor weather conditions, assess damage and prepare for further rainfall and possible flooding.

Disclaimer: This image is taken from ANI.

The Centre has been asked to take steps to secure the return of a man who travelled to the United States despite his passport being in the custody of the Supreme Court of India. The case came to light during proceedings related to a child custody dispute and contempt allegations against the man. The Supreme Court expressed concern over how the man managed to leave India despite the restrictions imposed during the legal proceedings. The court directed the authorities to examine the circumstances surrounding his departure and take appropriate steps under the law to bring him back.

According to reports published in January 2025, a bench comprising Justices Sudhanshu Dhulia and Prashant Kumar Mishra questioned how the man had travelled abroad when his passport was already with the court. The bench also issued a non-bailable warrant against him and asked the Union Home Ministry to take necessary action. The matter is linked to a long-running dispute between the man and his estranged wife over the custody of their child. The couple had moved to the United States after their marriage in 2006, but their relationship later deteriorated, leading to legal proceedings in India and abroad.

In October 2019, the parties reached a settlement before the Supreme Court that included an arrangement for the child to be handed over to the mother. The husband allegedly failed to comply with the agreement, prompting his estranged wife to initiate contempt proceedings. The Supreme Court subsequently sought his appearance during the case. Reports stated that he appeared virtually in December 2022 but failed to attend later hearings in January 2024. The court was informed in January 2025 that he had left India despite his passport being in judicial custody.

The development raised questions about how the man managed to travel internationally and whether any procedural lapses or outside assistance had enabled his departure. The court directed the authorities to investigate the circumstances and explore lawful measures to secure his return. The case also highlights the challenges involved in enforcing court orders when a person travels overseas during ongoing judicial proceedings. Any effort to secure his return from the United States would depend on the applicable legal procedures and cooperation between the authorities of the two countries.

The Supreme Court's directions seek to ensure compliance with its orders and advance the pending proceedings. However, a request to secure a person's return should not be confused with a completed deportation, and any subsequent developments must be confirmed through official updates.

Disclaimer: This image is taken from Hindustan Times.

Indira Gandhi, India’s first and only woman prime minister to date, continues to occupy a significant place in the country’s political history, with her legacy marked by major policy decisions, military achievements and one of the most controversial periods in Indian democracy. Gandhi, who served as prime minister from 1966 to 1977 and again from 1980 until her assassination in 1984, played a decisive role in shaping India’s domestic and foreign policies. While her supporters credit her with strengthening India’s international position and pursuing economic policies aimed at social equality, critics point to the Emergency imposed in 1975 as a defining example of the dangers of concentrated political power.

One of the most significant moments of her political career came in 1971, when India’s military intervention in the Bangladesh Liberation War contributed to the creation of an independent Bangladesh. The outcome strengthened Gandhi’s political standing and reinforced India’s position in South Asia. Her government also introduced major economic measures, including the nationalisation of 14 major commercial banks in 1969. The move was intended to expand access to banking and direct financial resources towards agriculture, small businesses and development priorities. Gandhi also campaigned on the promise of Garibi Hatao, or the removal of poverty, making economic inequality a central theme of her political message.

The implementation and long-term effectiveness of these policies remain subjects of debate. Although her government expanded the role of the state in economic planning, poverty, unemployment and inflation continued to pose significant challenges. The most contentious period of Gandhi’s tenure began on June 25, 1975, when a national Emergency was declared. The decision followed mounting political opposition, public protests and a court ruling concerning her 1971 election. During the Emergency, opposition leaders were detained, press freedoms were restricted and civil liberties came under severe pressure.

The period also witnessed controversial forced sterilisation campaigns and demolition drives that disproportionately affected vulnerable communities. These actions contributed to widespread criticism of the government and raised serious questions about democratic accountability. Gandhi called a general election in 1977, giving voters an opportunity to assess her government’s record. The Congress Party suffered a major defeat, and Gandhi lost her parliamentary seat in Rae Bareli. The Janata Party subsequently formed India’s first non-Congress government at the national level, demonstrating the electorate’s ability to remove a powerful incumbent.

She returned to power in 1980 after political divisions weakened the Janata government. Her second tenure was marked by growing regional tensions, particularly in Punjab. In June 1984, the Indian Army carried out Operation Blue Star at the Golden Temple complex in Amritsar to remove armed militants. The operation resulted in deaths and damage to the sacred site, leaving a lasting impact on Sikh communities and Indian politics.

On October 31, 1984, Gandhi was assassinated by two of her Sikh bodyguards. Her death was followed by widespread anti-Sikh violence, particularly in Delhi, in which thousands of people were killed. The violence remains a deeply painful chapter in India's history and continues to raise questions about justice and accountability.

Gandhi’s political legacy remains relevant to discussions about leadership, nationalism, economic policy and democratic institutions. Her supporters highlight her role in the 1971 war, her economic initiatives and her ability to command a nationwide political following. Critics argue that the Emergency exposed the risks of weakening institutional checks and concentrating authority in the hands of a single leader. The period also contributed to subsequent efforts to strengthen constitutional safeguards. The Forty-fourth Constitutional Amendment, enacted in 1978, introduced changes intended to make the declaration of a national Emergency more difficult and strengthen protections against the misuse of extraordinary powers.

Political analysts and historians continue to assess Gandhi’s record through these competing perspectives. Her career illustrates the complex relationship between decisive leadership and democratic accountability, particularly in a diverse country where political authority must operate within constitutional limits. More than four decades after her death, Indira Gandhi remains an influential figure in debates over India’s political direction. Her legacy reflects both the capacity of political leadership to reshape national affairs and the lasting consequences when civil liberties and democratic safeguards come under pressure.

Disclaimer: This image is taken from Hindustan Times.

A new round of demonstrations led by India’s youth-driven Cockroach movement has faced a government crackdown under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, alongside the closure of a long-standing protest venue in Delhi. Two prominent leaders of the movement have reportedly been jailed for five days over alleged violations of restrictions on protests. Initially sparked by concerns over education and unemployment, the demonstrations have expanded to focus on voting rights. The government rejects allegations that it intends to exclude millions of people from the electoral process. However, its handling of the protests has drawn criticism from the United Nations and Amnesty International, prompting broader concerns about democratic freedoms in India. In this report, Lucy Hough speaks with South Asia correspondent Hannah Ellis-Petersen about the protests and their wider political implications.
Disclaimer: This podcast is taken from The Guardian.

Prime Minister Lawrence Wong has announced a broad set of initiatives covering family support, housing, technology and Singapore’s national resilience. Hairianto Diman and Justine Moss speak to SMU School of Law Associate Professor Eugene Tan about the major measures, their significance for Singaporeans and what they reveal about the Government’s priorities for the country’s next stage of growth.
Disclaimer: This podcast is taken from CNA.

Myanmar's military government has released rare images of detained leader Aung San Suu Kyi meeting a Red Cross official, marking her first known contact with the outside world since the 2021 coup. The photos were released just ahead of junta chief Min Aung Hlaing's first official visit to Thailand, prompting speculation about their political significance.

Disclaimer: This podcast is taken from CNA.

In a conversation with political editor Tom McIlroy and chief political correspondent Dan Jervis-Bardy during the 50th Labor conference in Adelaide, South Australian Premier Peter Malinauskas discussed his state’s political battle with One Nation. He said progressive groups should avoid dismissing or talking down to Pauline Hanson’s supporters, arguing that their concerns need to be understood rather than ignored. Addressing the ongoing debate over the AUKUS submarine deal, Malinauskas acknowledged concerns after the US revealed that Virginia-class submarine production rates had not improved. However, he maintained that walking away from the agreement would create greater strategic risks than the challenges surrounding the controversial defence partnership.

Disclaimer: This podcast is taken from The Guardian.