Eastern India's populous state, second to none in politics and culture
Protests led by the Cockroach Janta Party have forced Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan to resign over exam leaks and irregularities. The movement, born online, has mobilized millions of Gen Z followers and spurred government actions, from a high-profile task force to a renewed push for exam reforms. The developments unfold as Prime Minister Modi grapples with youth frustration and political backlash.
Prashant Kishor, founder of the Jan Suraaj Party, has defeated BJP candidate Neeraj Kumar in Bankipur by over 19,000 votes, according to the Election Commission of India. This marks Kishor’s first electoral contest and tests Modi’s support among India’s youth amid recent student protests. Bankipur had voted BJP in four consecutive terms since 2010.
The monsoon has intensified, causing deadly floods and landslides across multiple Indian states. Assam and Jharkhand report the highest casualties, while Kerala and Kashmir face ongoing damage as the weather system continues to unleash heavy rainfall. Officials warn that climate-driven changes are raising the risk of future disasters.
On Mon, 17 Aug 2026, a stampede at Ashok Dham Temple in Lakhisarai district followed reports of an electric pole collapse and a potential live wire, triggering panic among thousands of devotees during Shravan. Women were among those affected as barricades buckled and panic spread. Authorities say investigations are underway.
Assam endures devastating monsoon floods that have displaced hundreds of thousands, while in Bundelkhand, drought and heat have intensified water scarcity, revealing enduring caste and access inequalities.
The Cockroach Janta Party has launched a peaceful march planned for Sept. 5 in New Delhi, led by families of NEET exam-affected students and victims of police violence. Protests followed the NEET paper leak and the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. The government has faced criticism for delaying commitments and for police action during the demonstrations.
The landslide on the Nepal-Tibet border has triggered massive floods and widespread casualties. Officials say dozens dead and hundreds missing, with Nepal and China coordinating search-and-rescue efforts as authorities assess potential causes and downstream risks.
A glacial collapse on the Nepal–Tibet border has caused a debris-laden flood that has killed hundreds, left more than 1,500 people missing and swept away villages, roads and bridges. Rescue teams are searching across Rasuwa district and Tibet while authorities are trying to identify bodies and account for hundreds of missing foreign tourists.
Heavy rainfall from a Bay of Bengal depression has damaged over 1,000 houses in Uttar Pradesh and triggered evacuations in Odisha and Nepal, as authorities warn of continuing risk. One state reports dozens injured; schools are closed and power supplies are disrupted as relief efforts continue.
Thousands of protesters, led by opposition politicians and the youth-led Cockroach Janata Party, have marched in multiple Indian cities to demand Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar's resignation after a nationwide voter-roll revision removed about 130 million names. Authorities have detained demonstrators, closed metro stations and deployed large security forces while the Election Commission and the government deny wrongdoing.
Thousands of young protesters, led by the Cockroach Janta Party and student groups, have staged near-daily rallies demanding Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar resign after a Special Intensive Revision of voter rolls removed about 130 million names. Authorities have deployed tens of thousands of police in New Delhi, detained movement leaders and opposition figures, suspended mobile internet and closed rail and metro links to block access to protest sites.