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Indian Army conducts field trials of several next-generation defence technologies under simulated near-combat conditions

OpIndia Staff
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Indian Army conducts field trials of several next-generation defence technologies under simulated near-combat conditions

As the government of India and Indian armed forced have said that Operation Sindoor against terror bases has not stopped, it only has been paused, Indian Army is currently undertaking extensive Capacity Development Demonstrations at key locations across the country. The army is conducting extensive trials of several next-generation technologies under simulated operational conditions.

The trials are being conducted in various places, including the Pokhran Field Firing Ranges, Babina Field Firing Ranges, and Joshimath, with dedicated Air Defence equipment demonstrations also scheduled at Agra and Gopalpur. These field trials are being conducted under near-combat conditions, integrating electronic warfare simulations to assess the performance of cutting-edge defence systems rigorously.

The demonstrations feature a wide array of advanced technologies developed under the Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative, aimed at accelerating indigenous capability development. On 27 May 2025, General Upendra Dwivedi, Chief of the Army Staff, visited Babina Field Firing Ranges and reviewed the ongoing demonstrations and interacted with all stakeholders.

A statement issued by the ministry of defence said that the trials mark a significant step in the Indian Army’s roadmap for a “Decade of Transformation” and are designed to ensure rapid absorption of emerging technologies to meet evolving battlefield requirements. A large number of defence industry partners are taking part in the demonstration, reflecting the increasing synergy between the Indian Army and domestic manufacturers.

Some of the major systems being evaluated under simulated near-combat conditions include:

  • Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS)
  • UAV Launched Precision Guided Munition (ULPGM)
  • Runway Independent (RWI) Remotely Piloted Aerial Systems (RPAS)
  • Counter-UAS Solutions
  • Loitering Munitions
  • Specialised Vertical Launch (SVL) Drones
  • Precision Multi Munition Delivery Systems
  • Integrated Drone Detection and Interdiction System (IDDIS)
  • Low Level Light Weight Radars
  • VSHORADS (Next Generation) IR Systems
  • Electronic Warfare (EW) Platforms

Through these evaluations, the Indian Army aims to strengthen its technological edge, enhance operational readiness, and reaffirm its commitment to indigenous innovation and self-reliance in defence capability development.

Kolkata Police arrests a law student from Delhi over a deleted video: How criticising Pakistan and “hurting sentiments” is a crime for Bengal govt but violence against Hindus isn’t

Amit Kelkar
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Kolkata Police arrests a law student from Delhi over a deleted video: How criticising Pakistan and “hurting sentiments” is a crime for Bengal govt but violence against Hindus isn’t

Following the incessant online hounding and ‘Sar Tan Se Juda’ threats by Islamists against Hindu social media influencer Sharmishtha, the Kolkata police, instead of protecting her freedom of expression, chose to side with the Islamists and arrested her Friday (30th May). The Kolkata Police travelled all the way from West Bengal to Gurgaon, covering a distance of 1500 km just to arrest Sharmistha, a 22-year-old law student, who merely voiced out her opinion against the terrorist state of Pakistan. The fact that Sharmishtha tendered an apology and deleted the viral video, did not deter the Kolkata police from arresting her.

Mamata government and her commitment to her core vote bank

The incident goes on to show Mamata Banerjee’s unwavering commitment to her core voter community which goes beyond logic, fairness, reasonability and even international boundaries. The “Royal Bengal Tiger”, as Mamamta Banerjee describes herself, unleashed the mighty state machinery against a young woman who, in a patriotic zeal, made a video in response to a Pakistani troll who denied the persecution of Hindus and the brutal massacre of Hindus in Pahalgam.

Sharmishtha’s only crime was that she defended India’s relaliatory action against Pakistan whose support for Jihadist terrorists who kill non-Muslim ‘Kafirs’ is an open-secret. Even though her video was filled with expletives and had a charged tone, it was targeted at Pakistani trolls who had been running fake narratives on social media trying to deny the religious motive behind the Pahalgam terror attack. An emotionally triggered Sharmishtha mocked the Pakistani troll and criticised the Islamic idea of 72 hoors and their prophet which triggered the Islamist mobs to whom the concept of criticism and is as alien as the concept of a round Earth. Sharmishtha’s reaction to the Pakistani troll was completely natural and in sync with the collective emotional state of the entire country after the heinous Pahalgam terror attack. But, apparently Sharmishtha’s respose to a Pakistani troll amounts to a criminal act in India can only be explained by looking at the lawbook of the West Bengal government.

Hindu lives do not matter in Mamata Banerjee’s West Bengal

The action of the Kolkata police, however, is no surprise considering that the Mamata government is habitual of bending over backwards to appease Islamists. The present case is just another example of the blatant hyprocrisy of the Mamata government which turns a blind eye to the plight of Hindus persecuted by Islamist mobs in its own state.

The entire country witnessed how Mamata government in West Bengal failed to protect Hindus from Islamist mobs in Murshidabad and Sandeshkhali and allowed their persecution by Islamist mobs right under its nose. The Muslim-dominated Murshidabad district witnessed large-scale incidents of violence, vandalism, arson and targeted attacks against the Hindu community on 11th April in the garb of protests against the new Waqf Amendment Act. Hindu families lost their homes and livelihoods. Their water tanks have been poisoned and they were subjected to both rape and death threats. In the aftermath of the violence, several Hindu women narrated the harrowing details of the brutal violence. The Hindu women were asked to trade their honour for the lives of their husbands and children. The Islamists asked them to get raped to save their families. They asked the Hindu women to erase their sindoor and convert to Islam.

Similar incidents of persecution of Hindus came to light last year in Sandeshkhali. In February 2024, several areas in Sandeshkhali of North 24 Parganas district in West Bengal witnessed massive protests mainly by women. These women demanded the arrest of TMC leader and Mamata Banerjee’s close aide Sheikh Shahjahan and two other TMC workers, Shiba Prasad Hazra and Uttam Sardar, believed to be close to Shahjahan.

Hundreds of women residents of Sandeshkhali came out on the streets with brooms, sticks and farming tools and blocked the roads. These women alleged that married Hindu women from the area are picked up, based on how young and pretty they are, and are violated night after night till the TMC men are “satisfied”. The husbands of these women were also threatened and told that they have no “right” over their wives. If they attempted to stop the exploitation of the women, they were mercilessly beaten.

Notably, the alacrity displayed by the West Bengal police in arresting Sharmishtha was enitrely missing when the Hindus of the state were being subjected to brutal violence and humiliation at the hands of Islamist mobs. Instead of acting against the Muslim perpetrators, Mamata Banerjee, a woman herself, downplayed the sexual exploitation of Hindu women and termed the rape cases as ‘minor incident’. Seeing the inaction of the West Bengal government, the Calcutta High Court directed a CBI investigation into the matter which the state government vehemently opposed.

The Hindus of West Bengal have been consistently experiencing unchecked violence and persecution by Islamists under the watch of the Mamata government, which displayed great zeal in sending its police force miles away to arrest a young woman exercising her constitutionally guaranteed freedom of expression well within the bounds of law but turned a blind eye to the violence taking place against Hindus in its own backyard. The Mamata government is setting new standards of appeasement in the state, the cost of which is being paid by the Hindus living in the West Bengal and even beyond.

Blasphemy by proxy: Mamata’s Bengal criminalises dissent, shields Islamist violence

The duplicity is glaring. A young woman can be jailed for a social media video that was promptly deleted after online backlash. Meanwhile, men accused of rape, rioting, and land grab in Sandeshkhali roam free. This is not governance. This is not secularism. This is selective law enforcement driven by vote-bank politics.

Worse, many who threatened Sharmishta with rape and death on social media have not faced a single police knock on their doors. In a true democracy, issuing death threats would prompt immediate legal action—regardless of the faith of the perpetrator. But in Mamata Banerjee’s Bengal, it seems that if you belong to a certain community and scream the loudest, the law will not just ignore you—it will act against your victim instead.

What we are witnessing is the institutionalization of blasphemy laws by proxy, where criticism of Pakistan or Islam, even when not targeting Indian Muslims directly, is met with penal consequences, but attacks on Hindus, Hindu beliefs, or Hindu lives are treated as administrative inconveniences to be brushed under the carpet.

This pattern of governance is not just a threat to Bengal—it is a threat to the very idea of India. The Constitution guarantees freedom of expression, equality before the law, and protection from persecution. But under this regime, those rights are extended only selectively—filtered through the lens of political utility and religious appeasement.

Mamata Banerjee and her administration must answer a fundamental question: Do they serve the Constitution of India or a parallel Islamist consensus that dictates what can and cannot be said or done? Because right now, the answer seems painfully clear.

Until this blatant hypocrisy is called out—and punished at the ballot box—young voices like Sharmishta’s will be stifled, victims of Islamist violence will remain unheard, and Bengal will continue its tragic descent from a land of intellect and revolution to one of fear and communal opportunism.

It is time for the nation to wake up.

Congress leader Salman Khurshid debunks Trump’s claim, praises Indian restraint, but back home, Jairam Ramesh and Pawan Khera still stuck on the wrong questions

Anurag
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Congress leader Salman Khurshid debunks Trump’s claim, praises Indian restraint, but back home, Jairam Ramesh and Pawan Khera still stuck on the wrong questions

On 31st May, Congress veteran and former External Affairs Minister Salman Khurshid told the Indian community in Jakarta exactly what had happened, Pakistan called India asking for ceasefire. Simple, clear and settled. Yet, back home, Congress leaders Jairam Ramesh and Pawan Khera continue to ask Prime Minister Narendra Modi why the ceasefire happened and whether Donald Trump played a role. There is a contradiction within Congress which is not just glaring but embarrassing.

What Salman Khurshid said in Jakarta

Khurshid is part of one of the Modi government’s all-party international delegations formed after Operation Sindoor. In his address, he plainly stated that India did not initiate any talks with Pakistan. Instead, it was Pakistan’s DGMO who reached out, unable to withstand further military pressure.

He said, “There is no truth to claims that we called Pakistan. That is complete hogwash.” He dismissed the narratives that suggest India blinked first. Khurshid elaborated that Pakistan was unable to cope with India’s onslaught during Operation Sindoor and reached out for a halt. India, in a show of maturity and power, chose to stop further attacks.

Khurshid also drew attention to the fact that Pakistan continued to violate ceasefire for hours even after the call from Pakistan to halt the escalating situation. He underlined how little control the civilian government in Islamabad has over its own military. He observed, “No one is in control in Pakistan. There are factions in the army vying for power. Despite that, India showed patience and restraint.”

Khurshid’s message was clear. The members of the delegation, irrespective of the political lines, are speaking as one. They are speaking on behalf of their country against the enemy nation. Khurshid said, “India is waiting to be great and no one will distract us.”

But what is Congress doing back home?

Khurshid’s clarity, however, appears lost on his colleagues back in India. Congress’s communication chief Jairam Ramesh has posted eleven times in 21 days on social media, demanding that PM Modi clarify whether Trump’s repeated claims of brokering the ceasefire are true.

He frames the issue as one of national embarrassment, accusing PM Modi of silence, allowing Trump to “equate” India with Pakistan, and wondering if Trump is lying or telling half-truths. Another Congress leader, Pawan Khera, has joined the chorus and expressed concerns over PM Modi’s silence. He asked whether PM Modi’s failure to reject Trump’s comments means they might be true.

Khera asked, “This is the eighth time Trump has claimed he stopped Operation Sindoor. Why is Modi silent?”, a week ago. Perhaps, the real question is, why are Jairam Ramesh and Pawan Khera silent on Salman Khurshid’s very public, on-record clarification?

Does the Congress not believe its own leaders?

Khurshid, while speaking in Indonesia as a representative of India, left no room for doubt. Pakistan reached out, India accepted, this is what he has clarified. He called alternative versions “nonsense”. He categorically made it clear that India’s response was strong, decisive, and respected internationally. He, despite being an opposition leader, praised the government’s formation of an all-party team as a symbol of national unity, which some of his party leaders and other opposition leaders are not able to digest.

If the Congress party sees this as India’s stand, why are senior Congress leaders undermining it at home?

The question that should be asked is if Ramesh and Khera trust Khurshid or not. Or are they so eager to oppose PM Modi that they are willing to contradict their own party’s foreign outreach, their own former External Affairs Minister, and a sitting member of the delegation tasked with explaining Operation Sindoor to the world.

This cannot be a minor miscommunication. This is not a footnote. This is the official position of the Congress campaign at home, which is entirely different from what a Congress leader has said abroad.

A moment of truth

Operation Sindoor was India’s moment of assertion against state-sponsored terror. India reacted strongly to the Pahalgam terrorist attack that claimed lives of 26 innocent Hindus. The world took note of the military action India took. Pakistan, being Pakistan, tried to set a narrative against India, claiming Pahalgam was a false flag operation. Reacting to the propaganda, India created seven all-party delegations and dispatched them to carry India’s message. Khurshid, Shashi Tharoor, Asaduddin Owaisi and many other opposition leaders are part of these delegations going from country to country with their fellow MPs from the ruling party, BJP.

While Khurshid played his part and remained above politics, back home, his party colleagues continue to shoot rhetorical arrows in the dark. They are chasing ghosts of Trump’s imagination and attributing foreign influence on India’s sovereign military action.

The Congress has to answer. Which Congress should the people of India believe? The one that stood with the Indian flag in Jakarta, or the one that cannot stop questioning the Government in Delhi?

India deserves clarity. The world is watching. And in this case, Salman Khurshid already said what needed to be said. Everything else, as he rightly called it, is nonsense.

Pakistan violated Indus Water Treaty through cross border terrorism: Says India at International Glaciers’ meet after Pak PM Sharif accused India of weaponising water

OpIndia Staff
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Pakistan violated Indus Water Treaty through cross border terrorism: Says India at International Glaciers’ meet after Pak PM Sharif accused India of weaponising water

India has said that Pakistan should stop blaming India for halting the Indus Water Treaty, adding that Pakistan itself is responsible for the same. At the first High-Level International Conference on Glaciers’ Preservation in Tajikistan’s Dushanbe, Minister of State for Environment Kirti Vardhan Singh said that Pakistan was violating the treaty through terrorism. Singh said that non-stop cross border terrorism from Pakistan is interfering with the treaty’s implementation.

Addressing the plenary session of the UN conference on glaciers in Tajikistan’s Dushanbe on Friday, Kirti Vardhan Singh said, “We are appalled at the attempt by Pakistan to misuse the forum and to bring in unwarranted references to issues which do not fall within the purview of the forum. We strongly condemned such an attempt.”

The minister said that it is an undeniable fact that there have been fundamental changes in circumstances since the Indus Waters Treaty was signed. Therefore, a reassessment of the treaty’s obligations has become necessary. The changes include technological advancements, demographic changes, climate change and the ongoing threat of cross-border terrorism.

Kirti Vardhan Singh told the gathering that the Indus Water treaty’s preamble states it was concluded in the spirit of goodwill and friendship, and that honouring the treaty in good faith is essential. But, cross border terrorism from Pakistan interferes with implementation of the treaty.

“Pakistan, which itself is in violation of the treaty, should desist from putting the blame of the breach of the treaty on India,” he said.

At the event, Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Friday said his country would not allow India to cross the red line by holding the Indus Waters Treaty in abeyance, accusing India of endangering millions of lives. “India’s unilateral and illegal decision to hold in abeyance the Indus Water Treaty, which governs the sharing of the Indus Basin’s water, is deeply regrettable,” Sharif said.

Alleging that India has weaponised water, the Pakistan PM said, “The world today bears fresh scars from the use of conventional weapons in Gaza that have left deep wounds. As if that were not enough, we are now witnessing an alarming new low — the weaponisation of water.” He also said, “Millions of lives must not be held hostage to narrow political gains, and Pakistan will not allow this. We will never allow the red line to be crossed.”

PM Modi unveils ₹300 coin honouring Ahilyabai Holkar, salutes India’s women warriors for heroism in Operation Sindoor

OpIndia Staff
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PM Modi unveils ₹300 coin honouring Ahilyabai Holkar, salutes India’s women warriors for heroism in Operation Sindoor

Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Bhopal, the capital of Madhya Pradesh, to attend the Lokmata Devi Ahilyabai Women Empowerment Conclave held at Jamboree Ground. Addressing a massive public gathering, PM Modi paid heartfelt tribute to Lokmata Devi Ahilyabai Holkar, praising her legacy as a beacon of courage, culture, and compassion.

“Just hearing the name ‘Ahilyabai’ evokes deep reverence,” he said. “Centuries ago, when India was shackled by foreign rule, she not only uplifted her own kingdom but also safeguarded the soul of Bharat — its culture and heritage.”

Modi recalled how Ahilyabai had rebuilt numerous temples across the country, including the iconic Kashi Vishwanath Temple. “It is my privilege to serve in Kashi, where Lokmata once led monumental works of devotion and development,” he said, pointing out that her statue now stands tall at the Kashi temple complex.

To honor her memory, the Prime Minister unveiled a commemorative postage stamp and a special ₹300 coin featuring her portrait. He also felicitated female artists who have contributed to tribal, folk, and traditional Indian arts with the National Devi Ahilyabai Award.

Operation Sindoor: India’s grit and glory

A major highlight of his speech was the praise for Operation Sindoor, which he described as the most successful counter-terror operation in India’s history. “When terrorists tried to tear apart our society in Pahalgam, our brave forces turned their hideouts into dust,” he declared. “Now, every Indian says — if you fire bullets, you’ll be answered with shells.”

Modi symbolically linked Sindoor — traditionally a sacred mark of strength and devotion in Indian culture — with the operation, calling it a new emblem of India’s courage and feminine power. “Hanuman applies it. We use it in worship. And today, it signifies India’s indomitable spirit.”

The PM especially lauded the fearless contribution of women in uniform. “Even under intense shelling by Pakistan, our brave BSF women stood their ground,” he said. “From classrooms to battlegrounds, India trusts its daughters like never before.”

Whether it’s tackling Maoists or confronting cross-border terror, Modi said, women are now India’s frontline defenders.

Empowering women, the Modi way

A large portion of his speech focused on women’s empowerment. He revealed that the government has pledged to transform 3 crore rural women into Lakhpati Didis — self-made millionaires — and over 1.5 crore have already reached that milestone.

“Our village women, working as ‘Bank Sakhis’ and ‘Insurance Sakhis,’ are bringing financial services to the last mile,” he said. “Earlier, women were kept away from technology. But that’s changing now.”

He highlighted women’s strides in science, medicine, engineering, and aviation — noting that over 100 women scientists and engineers were part of the Chandrayaan-3 mission. He also cited the Namo Drone Didi initiative as a game-changer that’s empowering rural women with tech-based livelihoods.

Ahilyabai’s vision, today’s governance

PM Modi emphasized that his government is walking in the footsteps of Ahilyabai Holkar. “Her governance model prioritized the poor and marginalized. She built irrigation canals and supported cottage industries — the very things we are promoting today.”

Quoting the mantra “Nagrik Devo Bhava” (citizens are divine), he said, “In every scheme of ours, women are not just beneficiaries, they are at the core.”

He noted that millions of women have been given home ownership for the first time, and they now play key roles in startups and even India’s space missions.

A celebration led by women, for women

Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav echoed the PM’s sentiments, saying the visit was a tribute to Ahilyabai’s ideals, with the government working relentlessly to fulfill her vision of empowered womanhood.

In a symbolic twist, the entire event was organized by women. A female pilot flew PM Modi’s aircraft from Datia to Bhopal. The first trip of the Indore Metro featured only women passengers. From security to stage management, women took charge of every aspect of the event — showcasing true empowerment in action.

Thousands of women, dressed in vibrant sindoori (vermillion-colored) sarees, lined the streets of Bhopal to welcome the PM in a grand roadshow. The tricolor fluttered across the city, while posters celebrating Operation Sindoor adorned the landscape.

As the roadshow culminated at Jamboree Ground, it became clear this was no ordinary political event. It was a resounding celebration of India’s strength — embodied by its women, inspired by Ahilyabai, and led from the front by a government committed to transformation.

PM Modi’s Bhopal visit was more than a rally — it was a statement. A powerful fusion of heritage, valor, and the unstoppable rise of Nari Shakti (woman power) in New India.

A timeline of fake promises: How Muhammad Yunus has been keeping elections in Bangladesh at bay to undemocratically hold onto power

Dibakar Dutta
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A timeline of fake promises: How Muhammad Yunus has been keeping elections in Bangladesh at bay to undemocratically hold onto power

Muhammad Yunus, the ‘chief advisor’ to the interim government of Bangladesh, came to power after the undemocratic ouster of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in a well-coordinated regime change operation (masked as ‘student protests’).

Yunus became the undemocratic, de-facto leader of Bangladesh on 8th August 2024, following the ‘invitation’ of the radical Islamists who helped unseat Sheikh Hasina and forced her to flee to India.

It has been over 9 months since the controversial ‘Nobel laureate’ became the ‘chief advisor’ of the interim government, making hollow promises of ‘free and fair elections’ and drastic systematic reforms.

But elections are nowhere in sight in Bangladesh, which is now being undemocratically run by Muhammad Yunus.

Faced with popular discontentment and backlash from Opposition parities and the Bangladesh Army, Yunus issued threats of resignation, blamed India, placated Islamists and created mass hysteria of ‘war-like situation.’

However, one distinct pattern of his regime became crystal clear – Muhammad Yunus had been strategically pushing behind the date for conducting elections to hold onto power undemocratically.

July 2024: Yunus wanted ‘fresh election’ when Sheikh Hasina was in power

On 26th July last year, the controversial ‘Nobel laureate’ gave an interview to Indian daily ‘The Hindu’ wherein he claimed that conducting fresh election was essential for restoration of democracy in Bangladesh.

It must be mentioned that nationwide elections were conducted in January 2024, just 6 months prior to the interview. At that time, he mouthed platitudes about democracy and norms but exactly doing the opposite now.

On being asked by The Hindu if Yunus was looking forward to a ‘fresh election’, the US asset replied, “Of course, election is the ultimate solution of all political problems. When something doesn’t work, you go back to the people to seek their instructions.”

“They are the ultimate owners of the country. Make sure it is a genuine election, not an election of a magician,” he had claimed.

October 2024: Yunus refused to put a ‘time frame’ to conducting elections

Muhammad Yunus, who had the backing of the US deep State, was tasked to stir the country amid the political turmoil and chaos that ensued after the fall of Dhaka.

His reputation of being a ‘Nobel laureate’ and a champion of ‘microfinance’ gave hopes of ‘renewed democracy’ to the Bangladeshis. 

He received overwhelming support from the public, so-called ‘student protestors’, the Opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), Islamic extremists and even the Bangladeshi military.

While speaking to ‘Voice of America’ on 3rd October 2024, Muhammad Yunus even reiterated his commitment to ‘holding elections’.

On being asked about the diktat given by the Bangladeshi Army General Waqar-Uz-Zaman to hold elections with 1.5 years (about 18 months), he brazened out, “Well, if you want to presume, you may, but that’s not the decision of the government. The government has not given any opinion so far. The government needs to say when they would take a decision about their duration.”

When ‘Voice of America’ asked him about his main objectives, Yunus stated, “My main objectives are to bring in reforms, to arrange an election and hand over the power to the elected representatives.”

December 2024: Faced with pressure, Yunus vows to hold elections in late 2025 or early 2026

After 4 months had passed to the constitution of the interim government, Muhammad Yunus came under intense pressure to provide a timeline to conduct election.

To placate the masses, he said that fresh elections in Bangladesh would be held in late 2025 or early 2026. While speaking on the occasion of Vijay Diwas (16th December 2024), Yunus was heard saying, “Election dates could be fixed by the end of 2025 or the first half of 2026.”

“Throughout, I have emphasised that reforms should take place first before the arrangements for an election,” he said. “If the political parties agree to hold the election on an earlier date with minimum reforms, such as having a flawless voter list, the election could be held…by the end of 2025,” he added.

The ‘chief advisor’ to the interim government had claimed that elections could be delayed by a few months if ‘full list of electoral reforms’ were to be implemented.

March 2025: Yunus pushes election process to next year amid pressure from all quarters

Amid deteriorating law and order situation, economic crisis, and political uncertainty in Bangladesh, Muhammad Yunus came under intense pressure from all quarters (public, political class, and the Army).

It had already been 7 months since the controversial ‘Nobel laureate’ took the reigns of the country into his hands.

On 25th March this year, Muhammad Yunus remarked that elections in Bangladesh could be held either in December 2025 or the half of next year (around June 2026).

“Our responsibility is to present the entire process transparently before the nation and hold the election once the process is complete,” he remarked.

May 2025: Yunus delays election in Bangladesh to until June 2026

On 25th May this year, the Press Secretary of Muhammad Yunus declared that Yunus would not stay in power for a single day after 30th June 2026 (indicating that elections in Bangladesh are unlikely to happen until that time).

Shafiqul claimed, “In the meeting, the chief adviser told political party leaders that ‘we are in a state of war’. After banning the Awami League, they [people] are not able to accept anything. There is a conspiracy going on inside and outside the country aiming to push us back into subjugation. They’re trying destabilise the country,” he brazened out.

Yunus had tried to make an emotional appeal through his press secretary that he meant no harm to Bangladesh and that he was ‘undemocratically’ working for the country’s own interests (without being elected).

Muhammad Yunus and his new theatrics

The ‘chief advisor’ to the interim government of Bangladesh, Muhammad Yunus, has finally run his course.

In a last-ditch effort to save his throne, the controversial US asset is resorting to blame game, creating mass hysteria and even threatening resignation.

After a drama that unfolded on 22nd May about the possibility of Yunus’ resignation, the nation’s focus shifted swiftly from the growing discontenment and facade of unelected, ‘democratic’ governance.

Student activists attempted to woo him at his residence, others demanded his elevation to the post of President. Opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party claimed it never asked Yunus to vacate his position.

To top it all, prominent Bangladeshi newspaper ‘The Daily Star’ made a heartfelt appeal to the ‘chief advisor’ against considering resignation. Of course, Muhammad Yunus ‘relented‘ and decided against ‘abandoning’ his responsibilities.

“We’re not going anywhere until our job is done. The chief adviser will be with us. He has not said he will resign. The other advisers are also staying. We have been given responsibilities, and we are here to fulfill them,” information adviser Wahiduddin Mahmud clarified.

Delhi High Court upholds termination of a Christian Army officer who refused to participate in his regiment’s Puja ceremony citing his faith

OpIndia Staff
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Delhi High Court upholds termination of a Christian Army officer who refused to participate in his regiment’s Puja ceremony citing his faith

The Delhi High Court on 30th May upheld the termination of a Commanding Officer of in Indian Army who refused to take part in a regimental weekly Puja ceremony on the ground that it violated his Christian faith. Commanding Officer Samuel Kamalesan was counselled multiple times by his superiors about the importance of regimentation but he maintained his stand after which he was terminated.

Hearing the petition of the Commanding Officer, a bench of Justices Navin Chawla and Shalinder Kaur upheld his termination and observed, “uniformity among personnel, not only in their appearance but also in showing their respect for the religion of all, is quintessential to a cohesive, disciplined, and coordinated functioning of an Armed Force.”

The petitioner had challenged his termination order and his dismissal from the India Army without pension and gratuity. He sought reinstatement in service. Kamalesan, who was commissioned in the Army in 2027, submitted before the court that his troop maintained only a Mandir and a Gurudwara and not a ‘Sarv Dharm Sthal’ which would serve persons of all faiths. He also claimed that there was no church in the premises. He admitted that he accompanied his troops to Mandir or Gurudwara for weekly religious parades but sought exemption from entering the innermost part of the Mandir where puja, havan or aarti took place.

This is not a case of religious freedom but of disobeying of command: HC

The High Court noted that the officer was resolute in not attending the ceremonial puja and stood outside the premises due to his personal belief which is admitted by him. “The Commanding Officers are to lead by example and not by division; and by placing the cohesion of the Unit above individual religious preferences, particularly when commanding troops who they will lead in combat situations and war, ” the court said in its judgment dated 30th May.

After considering the submissions of both sides, the High Court stated that the present case does not involve a question of religious freedom but of obeying the lawful command of a superior. “It is not disputed by the petitioner that his superiors have been calling upon him to attend the religious parades by even entering the sanctum sanctorum and perform the rituals if this would help in boosting the morale of the troops,” the court noted.

Standard of discipline required in Armed forces is beyond ordinary: HC

“While, to a civilian, this may appear a bit harsh and may even sound far fetched, however, the standard of discipline required for the Armed Forces is different. The motivation that is to be instilled in the troops may necessitate actions beyond ordinary civilian standards,” the court explained.

The High Court dismissed Kamalesan’s petition citing that his conduct amounted to indiscipline as he placed his religion above a lawful command of his superior.

Delhi High Court rejects plea to halt demolition of Pakistani-Hindu refugee camp

ANI
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Delhi High Court rejects plea to halt demolition of Pakistani-Hindu refugee camp

The Delhi High Court has rejected a petition seeking to restrain the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) from demolishing the Pakistani-Hindu refugee camp at Majnu Ka Tila until alternative land is allocated to its residents.

The court acknowledged its sincere attempts to engage with relevant authorities to facilitate the rehabilitation and relocation of the refugees. However, these efforts remained unproductive, largely due to bureaucratic delays, particularly on the part of the Union of India. Despite the humanitarian concerns, the court clarified that framing policy for refugee relief is beyond its jurisdiction.

In a judgment delivered on Friday, Justice Dharmesh Sharma ruled that the interim order issued on March 12, 2024, stands vacated. The court further stated that the petitioner, Ravi Ranjan Singh, along with other similarly placed refugees, “have no right to continue to occupy the area in question,” thereby dismissing their plea to halt the eviction.

The bench emphasised the necessity of safeguarding the ecologically sensitive Yamuna floodplains.

It noted that environmental protection measures align with directives from the Supreme Court, the National Green Tribunal (NGT), and the Delhi High Court itself. These actions aim to preserve ecological integrity and uphold the fundamental right to a clean and healthy environment for both current and future generations.

Given the fragile state of the Yamuna River, the court asserted that any interference with its restoration efforts cannot be justified. It ruled that humanitarian considerations cannot override environmental imperatives, as such exemptions would delay critical public projects.

The petition, filed by Singh, highlighted the plight of nearly 800 Hindu refugees from Pakistan. It urged the court to direct the DDA to refrain from demolition until alternative land was allocated in accordance with the government’s policy under the Citizenship Amendment Act, 2019. The plea also called for embankments along the Yamuna to protect such settlements and religious structures, citing precedents like the Akshardham Temple and the Commonwealth Games Village. 

(This news report is published from a syndicated feed. Except for the headline, the content has not been written or edited by OpIndia staff)

IndiaAI Mission: India’s Common Compute Capacity reaches 34,333 GPUs with addition of around 16,000 GPUs, 3 more Indigenous Foundation Models selected

OpIndia Staff
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IndiaAI Mission: India’s Common Compute Capacity reaches 34,333 GPUs with addition of around 16,000 GPUs, 3 more Indigenous Foundation Models selected

In a significant stride towards bolstering India’s artificial intelligence (AI) capabilities, the nation’s compute capacity has now exceeded 34,000 Graphics Processing Units (GPUs). This milestone was announced by Union Minister for Electronics & Information Technology, Ashwini Vaishnaw, during the ‘IndiaAI – Make AI in India, Make AI Work for India’ event held in New Delhi.

The augmentation includes an addition of 15,916 GPUs to the existing 18,417, culminating in a total of 34,333 GPUs. This expansion aims to provide a shared computational AI platform on the cloud, facilitating training and inference processes essential for developing indigenous foundational models and AI solutions tailored to the Indian context.

Seven industry partners contributed to this enhancement: Cyfuture India Pvt. Ltd., Ishan Infotech Ltd., Locuz Enterprise Solutions Ltd., Netmagic IT Services Pvt. Ltd., Sify Digital Services Ltd., Vensysco Technologies Ltd., and Yotta Data Services Pvt. Ltd. These companies are providing various processose like AMD MI300X, AWS Inferentia2, AWS Trainium, Intel Gaudi 2, NVIDIA A100, NVIDIA B200, NVIDIA H100, NVIDIA H200, NVIDIA L4, NVIDIA L40S etc.

Under the IndiaAI Mission, three additional startups have also been selected to develop and deploy Indian foundation models. They are:

  1. Soket AI: Tasked with creating India’s first open-source 120 billion parameter foundation model, optimized for the nation’s linguistic diversity and targeting sectors like defense, healthcare, and education.
  2. Gnani AI: Developing a 14 billion parameter Voice AI foundation model capable of delivering multilingual, real-time speech processing with advanced reasoning capabilities.
  3. Gan AI: Working on a 70 billion parameter multilingual foundation model aimed at achieving “Superhuman TTS (text-to-speech)” capabilities to surpass current global leaders.

These initiatives complement the efforts of Sarvam AI, previously selected to build India’s Sovereign LLM Ecosystem with an open-source 120 billion parameter AI model. Sarvam AI’s earlier models include Sarvam-1 (2 billion parameters) and Sarvam-M (24 billion parameters) with hybrid reasoning capabilities.

Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw urged the newly selected teams under the IndiaAI Mission to aim for a top-five global position in their respective sectors. Emphasizing Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of democratization of technology, Vaishnaw said, “Technology should not be left in the hands of a few. It’s very important that a larger section of the society should be able to access technology, develop new solutions and get better opportunities. That’s the philosophy with which IndiaAI Mission was created. We are making significant progress in practically every pillar of the AI mission. Common compute is a very important principle of democratizing technology.”

The minister also noted that 367 datasets have been uploaded to AI Kosh, contributing to the creation of a comprehensive and inclusive AI ecosystem in India. The Minister underlined IndiaAI Mission’s role in fostering reverse brain drain, and creating a comprehensive ecosystem encompassing foundational models, compute capacity, safety standards, and talent development initiatives. He emphasized that these efforts are aimed at building a complete and inclusive AI ecosystem in India.

Recognition of Cybersecurity Innovations

In collaboration with the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C) under the Ministry of Home Affairs, the IndiaAI I4C CyberGuard AI Hackathon was conducted to develop AI-based solutions enhancing the classification of cybercrime complaints and identifying emerging crime patterns. The hackathon’s outcomes include models capable of interpreting complex inputs such as handwritten FIRs, screenshots, and audio calls with improved speed and accuracy.

IndiaAI is an Independent Business Division under MeitY, is the implementation agency for the IndiaAI Mission. It strives to democratize the benefits of AI across all strata of society, bolster India’s leadership in AI, foster technological self-reliance, and ensure the ethical and responsible use of AI.

From podium to protest: Who is Megha Vemuri? Indian-American student banned from MIT for her pro-Palestine speech

Anurag
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From podium to protest: Who is Megha Vemuri? Indian-American student banned from MIT for her pro-Palestine speech

An Indian-American MIT Class of 2025 student, Megha Vemuri, has been barred from her own graduation ceremony for delivering a surprise pro-Palestine speech. Vemuri, who happened to be the president of the class, sparked controversy with her speech made during an event on 29th May. In her speech, she sharply criticised Israel and accused the Massachusetts Institute of Technology of being complicit in what she called the “genocide” of Palestinians.

Her remarks triggered a walkout by several Jewish students and prompted MIT to ban her, along with her family, from most of the campus during the official commencement that was scheduled for 30th May.

What did Megha Vemuri say?

Vemuri came off the stage wearing a red keffiyeh, a scarf linked to Palestinians. She went off-script during her speech and lashed out at MIT for its alleged ties with the Israeli Defence Forces (IDF). She said, “The Israeli occupation forces are the only foreign military that MIT has research ties with. This means that Israel’s assault on the Palestinian people is not only aided and abetted by our country, but our school.”

She further claimed, “We are watching Israel try to wipe Palestine off the face of the earth, and it is a shame that MIT is a part of it.”

Though she got cheers from a few sections of the audience, her accusations drew visible discomfort and audible boos. She declared, “You faced threats, intimidation and suppression coming from all directions, especially your own university officials. But you prevailed, because the MIT community that I know would never tolerate a genocide.”

Why did MIT ban her?

Following the incident, University Chancellor Melissa Nobles sent an email to her stating that she had deliberately misled the commencement organisers. The letter read, “While we acknowledge your right to free expression, your decision to lead a protest from the stage, disrupting an important institute ceremony, was a violation of MIT’s time, place and manner rules for campus expression.”

As a result, Vemuri and her family were banned from attending the undergraduate commencement on 30th May.

Who is Megha Vemuri?

Megha Vemuri was raised in Alpharetta, Georgia. She completed her school at Alpharetta High School before joining MIT in 2021. Recently, she graduated with a degree in computer science, neuroscience and linguistics. She is associated with a campus group called “Written Revolution”, which describes itself as a platform for revolutionary ideas. She has previously worked with the UCT Neuroscience Institute in South Africa as a research intern.

Jewish students walk out in protest

Vemuri’s comments during the ceremony provoked strong reactions, especially from Jewish students and their families. Many walked out mid-ceremony. One Israeli student told media, “All of our families came from far to see the ceremony and were extremely disappointed.”

Another graduate said the walkout included not just Israeli families but many Jewish attendees who found her words offensive and inappropriate for the occasion.

In a statement, MIT stood by its disciplinary action, saying it supports free speech but will not tolerate deliberate disruption of institutional events through misleading conduct.

A recurring pattern on campuses?

This is not the first time American universities have witnessed aggressive anti-Israel protests that included hostile occupation of spaces, confrontation with Jewish students, and inflammatory speeches. Interestingly, Vemuri took the drastic step leading to her ban at a time when the US government under President Donald Trump is taking strict action against students involved in campus activism, especially against Israel.

Vemuri followed the trend and used a public and shared moment to push a divisive narrative that many believe crossed the line from political expression into targeted hostility.

A criticism worth making

Vemuri’s remarks were not limited to dissent. She accused her own university of complicity in genocide and framed Israel’s actions as total erasure of an entire community. By doing this, she misrepresented facts and turned a solemn and inclusive event into a theatre of political provocation.

Her speech was so hurtful that several Jewish students felt the need to walk out of what should have been a moment of joy. In the name of resistance, people like Vemuri risk replacing dialogue with dogma and inclusivity with intimidation. And when the so-called revolution begins by pushing out Jewish students from their own graduation, it might be time to question just whose rights are being defended.

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