Good morning. A wave of political unrest is sweeping Bangladesh in the crucial run-up to its February general elections, casting a shadow over the nation's stability. Meanwhile, in India, the Enforcement Directorate is set for a strategic shift to expedite high-profile cases. From the world of cinema, a retired army colonel is ensuring authenticity in war films, and the BJP is gaining momentum ahead of key civic polls. Here's your detailed briefing for December 23, 2025.
Bangladesh Gripped by Pre-Election Violence
Bangladesh is witnessing escalating violence ahead of its pivotal February elections, the first since the ouster of Sheikh Hasina and the end of the Awami League's 15-year rule. The situation intensified following the killing of Sharif Osman Hadi, a student leader involved in the July uprising. Adding to the tension, Motaleb Sikder, a young leader of the National Citizen Party, was shot in the head by miscreants on Monday. Reports confirm he is now out of danger.
This political turmoil directly impacts India-Bangladesh relations. In a tit-for-tat move, Bangladesh has "temporarily suspended" consular and visa services in Delhi and Tripura, citing unavoidable circumstances. This action came just a day after India halted its own visa operations in Chittagong due to a security incident at its Assistant High Commission.
The political landscape is fragmented. The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), the sole remaining legacy party, is eager to seize power. Other stakeholders, including the NCP and JeI, have called for the elections to be postponed. Notably, BNP's de facto chief, Tarique Rehman, is preparing to return to the country after 18 years in exile, further heating up the political climate.
ED's New Directive: Fast-Track Investigations
In a significant internal shift, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) is moving to address long-standing criticism about delayed trials and slow probes. ED Director Rahul Navin has instructed officers to prioritize completing investigations and filing prosecution complaints rather than merely registering new cases.
This directive also aims to broaden the agency's focus. Officials have been asked not to concentrate solely on politically sensitive cases but to also devote resources to contemporary crimes like cyber frauds and cryptocurrency scams. This move is expected to streamline the ED's workflow and enhance its conviction rate.
The Reel-to-Real Bridge: Colonel Bhupinder Shahi
Meet Colonel Bhupinder Shahi (retd), the military advisor bringing authenticity to Bollywood war films. The Mohali-based veteran, who served in the 15th Battalion of the Jammu and Kashmir Rifles for over two decades, took premature retirement in 2017. He found a new calling in cinema, starting with the Captain Vikram Batra biopic, Shershaah, while still posted in Ladakh.
His latest project is Aditya Dhar's much-anticipated film, Dhurandhar. Colonel Shahi's role is comprehensive, from liaising with the Army and Air Force for filming permissions to ensuring every military detail on screen is realistic. Having worked on nine films, he describes his job as being "the bridge between reel and real."
Other Key Developments
India-New Zealand FTA Concluded: In a diplomatic win, India and New Zealand have wrapped up negotiations for a Free Trade Agreement in a record nine months. The deal, to be signed after legal formalities, will see India reduce tariffs on 95% of New Zealand's products. In return, New Zealand will remove caps on Indian student visas, easing immigration.
BJP's Head-Start in Maharashtra: The BJP has emerged as the single-largest party in Maharashtra's recent local body polls, showing strong inroads into rural and semi-urban areas. This performance gives the party a clear advantage ahead of the crucial January 15 corporation polls, including the high-stakes Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) election, though alliance dynamics remain a factor.
Government's Takedown Notices to X: The Ministry of Home Affairs has issued 91 takedown notices to X Corp (formerly Twitter) via its Sahyog portal, flagging 1,100 URLs. Over half were cited for disturbing public order, with at least 124 targeting politicians. X's legal challenge to the portal's legitimacy is pending before the Karnataka High Court.
In Focus: The Aravalli Definition Debate
A new legal definition of the Aravalli Hills, which excludes large tracts of land from protection, has sparked nationwide protests. While the Union Environment Ministry asserts there is no imminent ecological threat and that mining would be allowed in only 0.19% of the total expanse, experts warn the redefinition fundamentally alters the hills' protected profile, with consequences extending far beyond mining activities.
As Bangladesh navigates a turbulent path to the polls and Indian agencies recalibrate their strategies, the interplay of politics, policy, and security continues to shape the subcontinent's narrative.
