The highly anticipated Kolkata Derby between Mohun Bagan and East Bengal has been cancelled due to ongoing unrest in the city. The cancellation comes as a blow to fans, with the tournament organizers considering shifting the remaining matches to Jamshedpur. The unrest stems from a tragic incident that has sparked widespread protests across India.
Former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, in her first public statement since her resignation, hinted at the United States’ involvement in her decision. She claimed she resigned to prevent further violence and the potential loss of life during the ongoing unrest in the country.
Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus has been sworn in as Bangladesh’s interim leader, following the resignation of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and days of unrest. Yunus, known for his work with microcredit, has pledged to restore order and unite the country. He will now lead an interim government tasked with overseeing new elections.
Spiritual leader Sadhguru Jaggi Vasudev has urged India to take swift action to ensure the safety of Hindus in Bangladesh, which has witnessed widespread violence and unrest. He expressed concern over the attacks on Hindu temples and cultural centers, stating that the atrocities are not just an internal matter of Bangladesh. Reports of violence against Hindus have emerged, including the burning of an ISKCON center and the vandalization of the Indira Gandhi Cultural Centre in Dhaka.
India’s External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar expressed worry over attacks against minorities in Bangladesh, following recent unrest in the country. He highlighted incidents of temples and businesses being targeted, while the Bangladesh Army has stepped in to provide support to minorities through dedicated contact numbers.
Bangladesh’s Supreme Court has scaled back the controversial job quota system, sparking deadly protests across the country. The court has reduced the quota for veterans to 5% and allocated 93% of jobs based on merit. The protests, fueled by high youth unemployment and perceived discrimination, have resulted in the deaths of at least 114 people. The government has implemented a curfew, deployed the army, and shut down the internet in response to the unrest.
On Tuesday, May 21, an Australian military C130 Hercules aircraft carrying tourists stranded in New Caledonia during a week of rioting and looting finally arrived in Brisbane. The flight, the first successful evacuation since the unrest erupted, brought approximately 50-60 passengers to safety, including children and pregnant women. The unrest, which began on May 13, has left six dead and hundreds injured, prompting the French government to send forces to quell the protests fueled by opposition to French rule.
