The Supreme Court's ruling bars civil courts from hearing cases on the ownership of places of worship, impacting high-profile disputes like the Gyanvapi mosque. Meanwhile, the Union Cabinet has greenlit bills for simultaneous Lok Sabha and state assembly elections, stirring political discussions. A dramatic day in Parliament saw fierce protests and disruptions, highlighting the tense climate in Indian politics. Additionally, women's financial initiatives and security issues in Chhattisgarh were also key talking points.

First, in light of the recent tussle between the RBI and the government over the repo rate, The Indian Express’s Udit Misra explains the functions and limits of monetary policy.Next, The Indian Express’s Shivani Naik discusses a Delhi High Court case in which a petitioner claims that horses, in equestrian sports, should be considered equipment (11:32).Finally, The Indian Express’s Apurva Vishwanath explains why the opposition’s attempt to move a no-confidence motion against Rajya Sabha Chairperson Jagdeep Dhankhar is largely a symbolic move (21:26).Hosted, written and produced by Shashank BhargavaEdited and mixed by Suresh Pawar

This is the Catchup on 3 Things by The Indian Express and I'm Flora Swain.Today is the 11th of December and here are the headlines.In Parliament, the Opposition is in full swing as tensions rise. Rahul Gandhi met Speaker Om Birla, pushing for a discussion on key issues, including the Adani row. He also requested that derogatory remarks made against him in the Lower House be expunged. Meanwhile, the Rajya Sabha was adjourned after the Opposition demanded the removal of Vice President Dhankhar. On Tuesday, Opposition MPs filed a no-confidence motion, accusing him of partisan behavior. The situation continues to heat up with both sides standing firm.In a creative protest, Opposition MPs greeted their BJP counterparts with the national flag and red roses, urging the House to continue its proceedings and discuss important issues, including the Adani row. This gesture included Congress, DMK, JMM, and Left party MPs. The protest took place at Parliament steps, with leaders like Priyanka Gandhi Vadra showing their support for the cause. The move is a direct response to the political gridlock over ongoing matters in the House.Bangladesh confirmed on Tuesday that 88 incidents of communal violence targeting minorities, mostly Hindus, occurred after the ousting of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. Interim government spokesman Shafiqul Alam said 70 people were arrested in connection with the attacks. This announcement came after Indian Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri raised concerns about the safety of minorities during talks with Bangladeshi officials, calling the incidents regrettable. The violence has drawn significant international attention and criticism.Actor Mushtaq Khan has shared his ordeal after claiming he was kidnapped in Meerut. Invited to an event, Khan was allegedly abducted, tortured for 12 hours, and demanded to pay a crore in ransom. His business partner stated that the kidnappers withdrew Rs 2 lakh from Khan’s and his son’s accounts. Khan managed to escape after hearing the morning azaan, thinking a mosque was nearby. This unsettling incident follows comedian Sunil Pal’s similar claims of abduction.MIT’s suspension of Indian-origin research scholar Prahlad Iyengar has sparked controversy. Iyengar, a PhD student in Electrical Engineering, was suspended after writing a pro-Palestine essay for a student journal. His suspension has led to an open letter from university faculty demanding his reinstatement. Iyengar was barred from campus until January 2026, and the student magazine that published his essay has been banned. The suspension has raised questions about academic freedom and expression at prestigious universities.This was the Catch Up on 3 Things by The Indian Express

Shubhajit Roy, Diplomatic Affairs Editor at The Indian Express, discusses the turmoil in Syria, analyzing Bashar al-Assad's diminishing power and the role of Islamist rebel groups. He delves into the historical context of the conflict and potential geopolitical shifts. Anjali Marar, also from The Indian Express, shares insights on Cyclone Fengal, emphasizing its surprising devastation despite being low-intensity. The conversation also touches on the controversial demolition of a historic mosque in Uttar Pradesh, linking local issues to broader national dynamics.

In a historic move, the Opposition introduced a no-confidence motion against Vice-President Dhankhar, marking a first in Indian parliamentary history. Tensions escalated in the Rajya Sabha during debates over allegations linking Congress to George Soros and the BJP to Gautam Adani. Amidst this political upheaval, the passing of former Karnataka Chief Minister S.M. Krishna was also noted, highlighting his significant impact on Bengaluru's global prominence. These events illustrate a growing discontent in Indian politics.

Anonna Dutt, an investigative journalist at The Indian Express specializing in healthcare, discusses a critical shortage of tuberculosis medications in India, spotlighting how this affects efforts to combat the disease. Raakhi Jagga, also from The Indian Express, provides an update on the farmers' protests, which have now lasted over 300 days, emphasizing their calls for Minimum Support Price reforms. The conversation also touches on the recent appointment of a new RBI Governor, highlighting the challenges that lie ahead in balancing growth and inflation.

India advocates for a peaceful political process in Syria following recent turmoil. The fall of Assad brings a shift in the long-stalled conflict. Domestically, parliamentary disruptions occur as opposition voices rise. Tensions over India-China relations prompt calls for a thorough debate on strategic policies. Meanwhile, the Maharashtra Assembly confidently backs Fadnavis's government amid ongoing political maneuvering and controversies.

Shubhajit Roy, Diplomatic Affairs editor at The Indian Express, discusses the intricate dynamics of India-China relations, focusing on recent troop disengagement and essential diplomatic efforts. Amitabh Sinha, a climate change expert also from The Indian Express, delves into the landmark case at the International Court of Justice initiated by small island nations seeking accountability from wealthier countries. Lastly, innovative Rock Bolt technology emerges as a solution for managing active landslide zones in Uttarakhand, promising safety for highways and local communities.

This is the Catchup on 3 Things by The Indian Express and I'm Ichha Sharma.Today is the 6th of December and here are this week’s headlines.BJP leader Devendra Fadnavis took oath as the chief minister of Maharashtra on 5th of December along with two deputy chief ministers, Shiv Sena’s Eknath Shinde and NCP’s Ajit Pawar, at a grand event held at Azad Maidan in Mumbai.  The formation of the new government comes after two weeks of intense negotiations among the Mahayuti allies following the 23rd November poll results. The swearing-in ceremony took place in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Union ministers, and several chief ministers.Meanwhile, India experienced its second warmest November in 123 years and this warming trend has continued since the post-monsoon season in October, and could contribute to making 2024 the warmest year ever on record, globally. According to meteorologists, there were two main reasons for the above normal temperatures in India, first the lack of strong western disturbances affecting the plains of northwest India, and second lack of cyclonic disturbances or low pressure systems — both of which kept the rainfall activity at its lowest across the country.As allegations emerge against its director of “favouritism”, “vindictiveness in faculty selection”, and failure to build a hospital on campus, the Indian Institute of Technology, Kharagpur, has responded by issuing show cause notices to as many as 85 faculty members, deepening the rift between the administration and teachers. The institute has also issued orders replacing three heads of departments, who were signatories to a mass petition. The conflict began in September, when the IIT Teachers’ Association wrote to the Union Education Ministry, accusing the institute of arbitrary recruitment and other irregularities under the tenure of its current director V K Tewari. The Trinamool Congress asked the Centre to appeal to the United Nations to send a peacekeeping force to Bangladesh on Tuesday where according to the party “the minorities and the Hindus are being tortured and being killed”. The party’s appeal in the Lok Sabha came a day after West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee made a similar request in the state Assembly. Speaking during the Zero Hour, party MP Sudip Bandyopadhyay sought a statement in the House by Minister of External Affairs S Jaishankar about the latest situation in Bangladesh. He added that the West Bengal government had adopted a resolution that it would work together with the Centre on the matter and stand by its decisions.On the global front, France Prime Minister Michel Barnier’s government has collapsed amid a no-confidence vote in the National Assembly and he has been forced to resign after three months into his term, sending the country into a political crisis. Like the former Prime Minister Gabriel Attal was asked to continue as the caretaker government, when President Macron dissolved the National Assembly following his party’s crushing defeat in the EU elections, PM Michel Barnier will also remain in power as a caretaker administrator.This was the Catch Up on 3 Things by The Indian Express.

Shubhangi Khapre, a reporter for The Indian Express, delves into Devendra Fadnavis's remarkable political journey as he begins his third term as Chief Minister of Maharashtra, highlighting his achievements and strategic leadership. Deeptiman Tiwary discusses the RSS's unusual silence on the Sambhal and Ajmer cases despite its historical activism on religious tensions. The conversation also touches on the tragic stampede during the Pushpa 2 premiere, emphasizing the need for accountability in such critical incidents.