https://www.scmp.com/rss/524728/feed The latest news and top stories on Nilanjan Mukhopadhyay, an Indian journalist and author. He is known for over four decades of experience focussing on Indian politics, including the rise of Hindu organisations and right-wing politics. He covered the Ram Janmabhoomi–Babri Masjid conflict. His works include 'Narendra Modi: The Man, The Times' (2013) and 'The RSS: Icons of the Indian Right' (2019). en https://assets.i-scmp.com/static/img/icons/scmp-meta-1200x630.png https://www.scmp.com Biman Mukherji Biman Mukherji The US and Israel’s war against Iran is casting an unusually long shadow over India’s next round of state elections, stoking fears of an energy shock and fresh uncertainty for millions of migrant workers in the Middle East. As voters prepare to cast ballots in Assam and Kerala on Thursday, and in West Bengal and Tamil Nadu later this month, concerns about higher energy costs, tighter cooking gas supplies and the fate of workers in the Gulf have given the campaign an unusual international... https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3349282/india-kicks-crucial-state-elections-modis-bjp-amid-iran-war-turmoil?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3349282/india-kicks-crucial-state-elections-modis-bjp-amid-iran-war-turmoil?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 07 Apr 2026 11:20:42 +0000 Biman Mukherji,Maria Siow Biman Mukherji,Maria Siow The sinking of an Iranian warship by a US submarine off Sri Lanka’s coast has raised concerns across South and Southeast Asia that the Middle East conflict may be expanding into the Indian Ocean, while also intensifying political pressure in India for a stronger response. Analysts said the strike’s location near key sea lanes linking Asia with the Gulf had heightened fears the conflict could spill into waters vital to regional trade while also raising doubts in New Delhi over its cautious... https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3345575/us-sinking-iranian-warship-near-sri-lanka-sparks-regional-anxiety-pressure-india?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3345575/us-sinking-iranian-warship-near-sri-lanka-sparks-regional-anxiety-pressure-india?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 05 Mar 2026 10:00:50 +0000 Biman Mukherji Biman Mukherji Bangladesh’s recent pull-out over perceived security concerns for the showpiece T20 World Cup cricket hosted by India and Sri Lanka next month has underscored the unprecedented way regional political tensions have spilled over into sports. Bangladesh was replaced by Scotland in the 20-team event on Saturday after the International Cricket Council rejected Dhaka’s request to move its matches to Sri Lanka, saying it was not feasible to change the schedule so close to the February 7 start. The... https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/lifestyle-culture/article/3341669/bangladeshs-cricket-boycott-exposes-deepening-cracks-south-asian-diplomacy?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/lifestyle-culture/article/3341669/bangladeshs-cricket-boycott-exposes-deepening-cracks-south-asian-diplomacy?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 29 Jan 2026 09:00:10 +0000 Biman Mukherji Biman Mukherji India has taken a decisive step to open its tightly controlled nuclear power sector to private and foreign capital, signalling a shift in how the country plans to meet soaring electricity demand while cutting emissions. Parliament earlier this month approved the Sustainable Harnessing and Advancement of Nuclear Energy for Transforming India (Shanti) Bill, one of the most consequential overhauls of India’s civilian nuclear framework in decades, ending years of near-exclusive state control. Under... https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/economics/article/3337634/indias-new-law-fuel-energy-needs-drive-nuclear-power-growth?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/economics/article/3337634/indias-new-law-fuel-energy-needs-drive-nuclear-power-growth?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 24 Dec 2025 09:35:33 +0000 Biman Mukherji Biman Mukherji India’s decision to suspend visa services from Bangladesh’s port city of Chittagong after a fresh bout of political violence underscores how difficult it may be for bilateral ties to return to normal any time soon, analysts have said. The suspension, announced on Sunday, followed protests triggered by the death of Sharif Osman Hadi, 32, a youth leader linked to last year’s student-led uprising, who was shot in Dhaka on December 12 and later died from his injuries at a hospital in Singapore after... https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3337371/indias-partial-visa-suspension-signals-unease-over-bangladeshs-recent-unrest?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3337371/indias-partial-visa-suspension-signals-unease-over-bangladeshs-recent-unrest?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 22 Dec 2025 12:06:01 +0000 Biman Mukherji Biman Mukherji India’s ruling party has seized on the chaotic handling of football legend Lionel Messi’s appearance in Kolkata to attack the government in West Bengal, turning the Argentinian’s visit into an election-season test for one of the country’s most politically consequential states. The visit descended into chaos as crowd unrest prompted arrests and an apology from West Bengal’s Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. West Bengal’s opposition leaders from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which governs... https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3336645/how-lionel-messi-was-dragged-indian-election-battle?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3336645/how-lionel-messi-was-dragged-indian-election-battle?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 16 Dec 2025 10:02:32 +0000 Biman Mukherji Biman Mukherji The alleged rape of a law student at a Kolkata college – less than a year after a trainee doctor’s rape and murder sparked national outrage – has reignited debate over women’s safety in India and triggered political infighting in West Bengal’s ruling party. The latest case took place on June 25 at South Calcutta Law College, where the student was allegedly lured to stay after hours by Monojit Mishra, a temporary college staff member who is also a former student previously affiliated with the... https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/people/article/3316516/india-alleged-rape-kolkata-student-sparks-debate-over-womens-safety-political-row?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/people/article/3316516/india-alleged-rape-kolkata-student-sparks-debate-over-womens-safety-political-row?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 01 Jul 2025 10:00:40 +0000