News Insight: Key Events in India Over the Past Week

📅 February 23, 2025

📰 Weekly News Analysis

1. New Delhi Railway Station Stampede

On February 15, 2025, a tragic stampede at New Delhi Railway Station resulted in the deaths of at least 18 individuals, including 14 women and a 7-year-old child. The incident occurred around 8:00 PM local time as thousands of passengers gathered to board trains heading to the Maha Kumbh festival in Prayagraj. The chaos was reportedly triggered by an announcement regarding a platform change, leading to confusion and a sudden surge in the crowd. As passengers descended from a footbridge connecting platforms, some slipped and fell, causing a deadly pile-up. Over a dozen people sustained injuries and were transported to Lok Nayak Jai Prakash Narain Hospital for treatment. In response to the tragedy, Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his condolences and announced an investigation to determine the cause of the stampede.

Source: AP News

In the aftermath, authorities have taken measures to prevent similar incidents. The Prayagraj Sangam Railway Station has been temporarily closed until February 28, redirecting travelers to Phaphamau Railway Station. Additionally, the Railway Ministry has directed social media platform X to remove videos of the stampede within 36 hours, marking one of its first major content enforcement actions since gaining direct takedown powers

Source: DNA India, Source: Moneycontrol

This tragic event underscores the critical need for improved crowd management and safety protocols during large-scale religious gatherings in India.

2. Seizure of Books in Kashmir

In a move aimed at curbing dissent, police in Jammu and Kashmir conducted raids on bookstores, seizing over 650 books. The majority of these publications were authored by Abul A'la Maududi, the founder of the banned Islamic organization Jamaat-e-Islami. Authorities stated that the seizures were based on credible intelligence regarding the sale of literature promoting the ideology of the banned group. However, leaders from Jamaat-e-Islami have condemned the actions as unconstitutional, emphasizing that the publications are legally available. This development highlights the ongoing tensions in the region, especially following the 2019 ban on Jamaat-e-Islami and the revocation of Kashmir's partial autonomy.

Source: The Guardian

3. Political Developments

Appointment of New Chief Election Commissioner

Gyanesh Kumar has been appointed as the new Chief Election Commissioner of India. His selection was made by a committee comprising Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah, and Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi. Kumar's appointment comes at a crucial time as the Election Commission prepares for upcoming elections in several states

Source: Hindustan Times

Leadership Change in Delhi

Rekha Gupta, a 50-year-old first-time Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) from Shalimar Bagh, was sworn in on February 20, 2025, at a ceremony held at Ramlila Maidan. Her appointment is historically significant, as she becomes the fourth woman to hold the Chief Minister's position in Delhi.

Source: NEW INDIA EXPRESS

4. Economic Update: RBI Liquidity Infusion

Liquidity Measures by the Reserve Bank of India

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) is poised to inject at least 1 trillion rupees into the banking system by the end of March 2025 to address a prevailing liquidity deficit. As of February 20, the banking system's liquidity shortfall stood at approximately 1.7 trillion rupees. Analysts attribute this deficit to factors such as the RBI's interventions in the foreign exchange market and a recent policy interest rate cut, the first in nearly five years. To mitigate the shortfall, the RBI has undertaken measures including open market bond purchases and a $5 billion dollar/rupee swap. Further actions, such as additional bond purchases and boosting non-resident Indian deposits, are under consideration to ensure effective policy transmission by lenders

Source: Reuters

Appointment of Prime Minister's Principal Secretary

Shaktikanta Das, the former Chief of the Reserve Bank of India, has been appointed as Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Principal Secretary. Das concluded his second term at the helm of the RBI in December 2024, where he oversaw critical areas including monetary policy, debt and forex markets, and financial sector regulation. His appointment brings a wealth of experience to the Prime Minister's Office, especially in economic and financial matters.

Source: Reuters

5. Cultural and Sports Events

Maha Kumbh Mela 2025

The Maha Kumbh Mela 2025 in Prayagraj has witnessed unprecedented participation, with over 540 million devotees taking the holy dip at the Triveni Sangam in the first 36 days of the festival. This event, recognized as the world's largest human gathering, is set to conclude on February 26.
Enhanced security measures have been implemented to manage the massive influx of pilgrims, ensuring their safety during the sacred bathing rituals. Authorities have also introduced special trains to accommodate the transportation needs of the devotees.
The festival has attracted pilgrims and tourists from various countries, including Australia, Bhutan, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, Japan, Nepal, Russia, the United Kingdom, and the United States. Notable attendees include President Droupadi Murmu, Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and the King of Bhutan, Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck.
This remarkable turnout underscores the deep spiritual significance of the Maha Kumbh Mela and highlights the effective organizational efforts to accommodate such a vast congregation.

Source: devdiscourse.com

Champions Trophy 2025

The 2025 ICC Champions Trophy commenced on February 19, 2025, marking the tournament's return after an eight-year hiatus since its last edition in 2017. The tournament features the top eight ranked One Day International (ODI) teams and is primarily hosted in Pakistan. Due to security concerns, India's matches, including potential semi-finals and finals, are being held in Dubai. The tournament format includes two groups of four teams each, with the top two from each group advancing to the semi-finals. The final is scheduled to take place in Lahore on March 9, unless India is a finalist, in which case the match will be held in Dubai.

Source: THETIMES.CO.UK

Conclusion

These events collectively underscore the dynamic and multifaceted nature of India's current landscape, reflecting a nation navigating complex challenges and milestones across public safety, political transitions, economic strategies, and cultural celebrations.