The Supreme Court of India upheld the constitutional validity of Section 6A of the Citizenship Act, which denies citizenship to individuals who entered India after March 25, 1971. The ruling was delivered on Thursday by a bench of four members led by Chief Justice D.Y. Chandrachud. The court ruled in favour of maintaining the validity of this provision, which provides citizenship benefits to those who entered the country between January 1, 1966, and March 25, 1971. Most of these beneficiaries are Bangladeshi nationals. Therefore, individuals who arrived in India after this cut-off date will not be eligible for citizenship. Trudeau accuses India of promoting violence in Canada: Reports However, Justice J.B. Pardiwala dissented, stating that Section 6A of the Citizenship Act, enacted in 1955, is unconstitutional. Despite this dissenting opinion, the majority ruling upheld the provision with a 4:1 vote. Section 6A was specifically created for Assam in response to the violent anti-immigration movements in the state. This provision was established as part of the Assam Accord, a settlement reached between the Indian government and protesters in 1985 to address the issues of illegal immigration from Bangladesh. This ruling has significant implications for the status of many individuals in Assam, further complicating the contentious issue of citizenship in the region. Source: Hindustan Times

In the Indian state of Assam, police officials are being told they either need to lose weight over the next few months or find another profession. A senior member of the state police has said that beginning in the middle of August, all officers' BMIs will be “professionally recorded,” the BBC reports. Those officers who are deemed “obese” will be given until the end of the year to either lose weight or retire willingly. GP Singh, the director general of police in Assam, has stated that anyone with legitimate health concerns will be excused. Read More: 10 Energy Healing Methods: Which One is Right for You?  Singh tweeted that he will be the first police officer to have his body mass index (BMI) taken. Assam's chief minister said a few weeks ago that roughly 300 police officers in the state will be compelled to retire early due to being “habitual drinkers” and “physically unfit.” According to research, Indian police personnel frequently work overtime without receiving adequate rest or meal breaks. Doctors, health care providers, and insurance companies all around the world utilise Body Mass Index (BMI; computed by dividing a person’s weight by the square of their height) to classify individuals as either healthy, overweight, or obese. Read More: Zumba: Dance Your Way into Fitness Nevertheless, it is also very contentious, with many experts arguing that BMI is an unreliable indicator of health because it was developed primarily with white European males in mind.

Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen has said "just sharing" of waters of transboundary rivers, and basin-wise river management is essential for the sustainability of rivers. Momen emphasised that sustainable, collaborative and meaningful cooperation are the keys to having healthy rivers and efficient riverine cooperation. He made the remarks while delivering a special address at the inaugural session of the two-day NADI-3 (Natural Allies in Development and Interdependence) Conference that began in Guwahati, Assam Saturday. Indian External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar and Assam Chief Minister Dr Himanta Biswa Sarma also spoke at the inaugural session, said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Momen said rivers are the lifeline of Bangladesh and have influenced the traditions, culture, music, lifestyle and livelihood of the people.He stressed the need to maintain healthy rivers to facilitate waterway connectivity.The foreign minister said the Protocol on Inland Water Transit and Trade which is one of the earliest instruments signed between Bangladesh and India in 1972 is significantly contributing to bilateral trade between the two countries.He also noted that the agreement on the use of Chattogram and Mongla ports for the movement of goods to and from India is another milestone of friendly relations between the countries.Taking the advantage of its unique geographical location in the region, Bangladesh is offering itself as a gateway to landlocked Nepal, Bhutan and the northeastern states of India and promoting regional connectivity and integration, Momen said.During the conference, the dignitaries, including the chief minister of Assam and the envoy of Singapore to India, lauded the action of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and her government for showing a "zero tolerance" approach towards terrorism and insurgency which "ultimately paved the way in establishing peace and stability in South Asia." Later he met Assam Governor Professor Jagdish Mukhi at Raj Bhaban and discussed the issues of mutual interest. Both agreed that the Bangladesh-Assam ties is deeply rooted in history and expressed satisfaction with the existing friendly relations. Momen underscored the need to strengthen the age-old bond between the people of Bangladesh and Assam.

Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen had talks with Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma in Guwahati on Friday. They discussed issues of mutual interest. Earlier, Industries and Commerce Minister of Assam Chandra Mohan Patowary received him at the airport. Foreign Minister Momen reached Guwahati via Kolkata today to attend the third edition of the Asian Confluence flagship dialogue NADI (Natural Allies in Development and Interdependence) Conclave – "Asian Confluence River Conclave" to be held on May 28-29. The conclave will be inaugurated by Momen, his Indian counterpart Dr S Jaishankar, Thai Foreign Minister Don Pramudwinai, and Himanta in the presence of high commissioners and ambassadors of several countries, top experts, scientists, and other dignitaries. Indian Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman will deliver the valedictory address of the conclave on May 29. Shillong-based think tank Asian Confluence will host the event in collaboration with India's Ministry of External Affairs, the Act East Department of Assam, the North Eastern Council, and other partners. Also read: Momen, Jaishankar to inaugurate River Conclave in Guwahati Saturday

Indian authorities on Thursday stepped up rescue operations to look for survivors in Wednesday's ferry tragedy in the Brahmaputra river in the northeastern state of Assam. The Indian Army has been called out to help in the rescue operations. So far, 87 people have been rescued, but one person has died and two others are still missing, officials said. The accident occurred on Wednesday evening when a single-motor passenger boat, carrying 90 people, collided with a government ferry in the Brahmaputra near Nimati Ghat in Jorhat district, 350km from Assam's capital Guwahati, and capsized. Read: 60 'missing' in India ferry accident "Over 200 people were on board both the boats. While those on the government ferry had a narrow escape, the single-motor boat with 90 people on board capsized after the collision," a disaster management official told the media. "Some 87 people have been rescued so far. One woman has died while two others are still missing. The Indian Army is looking for survivors," he added. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi took to Twitter to say that "all possible efforts are being made to rescue the passengers". "Saddened by the boat accident in Assam. All possible efforts are being made to rescue the passengers. I pray for everyone’s safety and well-being," the PM tweeted. Read: Another Indian Oxygen Express arrives with 200 MT of medical oxygen Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, meanwhile, directed officials to act against all single-motor boats that often carry passengers beyond their seating capacity. "I am pained at the tragic boat accident near Nimati Ghat, Jorhat." A probe has been ordered into the accident, the disaster management official said.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Thursday greeted Dr Himanta Biswa Sarma on his assumption office as the Chief Minister of Assam, India.  Sheikh Hasina said the multi-ethnic, multi-linguistic and multi-faith people of Assam will progress towards a more vibrant society and greater development under Dr Sarma’s visionary leadership, said PMO press release.  The Prime Minister stressed that Bangladesh-India relations enjoy phenomenal warmth, depth, and diversity, where Assam is an integral part of this relationship.  She reiterated that 2021 is a special year for both India and Bangladesh as both the countries celebrate 50 years of bilateral relations and when Bangladesh particularly celebrates its Golden Jubilee of Independence as well as the birth centenary of the Father of the Nation, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.  She mentioned that with Bangladesh poised to graduate into a middle-income country, Bangladesh invites Assam to reap benefits from its socio-economic development and growth trajectory.  The government remains steadfast in strengthening connectivity for the North-Eastern part of India, she said. Also read: Don’t let Covid to spike with unguarded Eid celebrations: PM Hasina     “Given our geographical advantage  as a connectivity hub between South and South East Asia, we remain supportive of India’s ‘Act East Policy’.” Expressing the topmost concern on tackling the Covid-19 pandemic, she reiterated that Bangladesh looks towards collective action across borders for countering the menace.  “Our thoughts and prayers are with the people of Assam and India as a whole, for saving lives and restoring livelihoods.”

Two Indian states with sizeable Muslim populations began voting in local elections Saturday in a test of strength for Prime Minister Narendra Modi, whose Hindu nationalist agenda is being challenged by monthslong farmer protests and a fresh wave of the pandemic. Top Bharatiya Janata Party leaders, including Modi, have campaigned heavily to win West Bengal for the first time and dislodge the state’s chief minister, Mamata Banerjee, as well as retain power in northeastern Assam state. The BJP has for years been accused of stoking religious polarization and discriminating against minorities, and faces stiff challenges in both states with nearly 30% Muslim population. Nationwide, Muslims comprise nearly 14% of the 1.4 billion people, while Hindus make up 80%. “The BJP’s success depends on if it is able to polarize Hindu votes to a huge extent, and get half of the 70% of Hindu votes,” said Subir Bhowmik, a political analyst. Also read: India election body struggles with scale of fake information Manmohan Singh, a former prime minister and an opposition Congress party leader, criticized the BJP's Hindu nationalism, saying that society is being divided on the basis of religion, culture and language. “The basic rights of the common man are being denied and there is an atmosphere of tension and fear." Thousands of paramilitary soldiers and local police are guarding voting stations to prevent clashes between rival supporters. In West Bengal, rival groups have attacked each other with sticks and rocks, and set vehicles on fire during campaigning. Images of a fiery Banerjee, 66, who’s been addressing massive crowds from a wheelchair after a leg injury, have set the tone for a tough battle. Banerjee heads a powerful regional party, the All India Trinamool Congress, which came to power 10 years ago years after unseating more than three decades of Communist Party rule. The elections are seen as crucial for the BJP to gain a foothold in the northeast and south. The vote comes as tens of thousands of farmers have rattled Modi’s government with prolonged protests on the fringes of the capital, New Delhi. And India’s economy is still struggling to emerge out of the coronavirus crisis — another pivotal challenge for Modi, who came into office partly on promises of economic development — just as cases are rising again amid vaccinations. Also read: Facebook says it's limiting false stories for India election In West Bengal and Assam, the BJP is banking on its strong Hindu nationalist ideology to draw votes. The party is trying to galvanize Hindu support by promising to deport hundreds of thousands of Bangladeshi Muslims who fled their homes decades ago. In 2018, Home Minister Amit Shah described them as “termites” eating into India’s resources. The BJP also enacted a controversial citizenship law in 2019 that provides a fast track to naturalization for some migrants who entered illegally while fleeing religious persecution. But it excludes Muslims, which critics say is discriminatory and a violation of India’s Constitution. In southern India, Modi's BJP party is vying for a third spot in Kerala, currently ruled by a Communist Party-led government. And in legislative elections in Tamil Nadu, both the BJP and Congress have allied with powerful regional parties as junior partners. Voting in Kerala and Tamil Nadu and the Union Territory of Puducherry will be held next month with all the results declared May 2.

India will take some decisions, including implementation of Teesta water-sharing treaty, after elections in its West Bengal and Assam states.

Chief Minister of Assam Sarbananda Sonwal on Saturday emphasised regular contacts between the trade representatives of Bangladesh and India and those directly involved in import and export to enhance bilateral trade and resolve trade complexities.

With the death of six more people in floods and mudslides in northeastern India's Assam state, the death toll has been climbed to 77 till Tuesday.