Authorities in India’s Maharashtra state have now imposed a curfew across parts of Nagpur due to the violent sectarian clashes between Muslim and Hindu protestors. This unrest initially started when Hindu nationalist groups started demanding that the tomb of Mughal emperor Aurangzeb (who ruled the subcontinent from 1658 to 1707) be demolished.

Aurangzeb’s tomb, located in Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar (formerly known as Aurangabad) about 500 kms from Nagpur, has been a thorn in the sides of Hindu nationalists for a while now. In line with the Hindu nationalist plans of PM Modi and his BJP followers of erasing the rich Mughal history of the subcontinent, they are now vilifying Aurangzeb and accusing him of religious persecution against Hindus and the destruction of Hindu temples.

Modi has gone so far as to compare Aurangzeb to his current political opponents, stating how the ‘Hindu culture’ has persevered despite all the ‘persecution’. However, many historians rebuke these claims and discuss how Aurangzeb patronized Hindu temples and employed Hindus at high posts in his government. Bollywood, increasingly becoming another major source of division and religious strife in India, has released a new movie titled “Chaava”, which shows Aurangzeb in a terrible light – further building the narrative against him.

The current clashes in Nagpur escalated after rumours started circulating that Hindu protestors desecrated the Holy Quran. Maharashtra’s Deputy Chief Minister has acknowledged these allegations but has also claimed that the violence began largely due to misinformation.

According to sources, over thirty police officers have been injured along with five civilians. Multiple houses and cars have also been damaged, with pictures of broken windows and windshields surfacing constantly. Fifty people have already been arrested, and over a thousand extra police officers have been deployed in central Nagpur to ensure that the violence is curbed.

Union minister Nitin Gadkari also appealed for peace and harmony, stating, “Nagpur always has a history of peace. I appeal to all my brothers to maintain peace. Do not believe rumours and do not come on roads”.

Syrian church leaders are toning down Christmas celebrations this year, despite assurances from the new Islamist rulers that Christians are free to practice their faith. This cautious approach highlights the daunting task of building trust among Syria's diverse minorities, who've been scarred by decades of brutal dictatorship and 13 years of relentless civil war .

Ahmed al-Sharaa, the de facto ruler, has promised Christians and other groups that they'll be safe under his Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) rule. Notably, Sharaa has traded his jihadist attire for business suits, signaling a shift towards a more moderate approach. He's also assured Western officials that HTS won't seek revenge against the former Assad regime nor repress other religious minorities .

However, many Christians remain skeptical, and some have already faced harassment. In one incident, unidentified gunmen attacked a Greek Orthodox church in Hama, attempting to destroy a cross and smashing headstones in the cemetery .

Since fleeing to Delhi last month, Hasina has been in hiding, while numerous senior Awami League leaders have been arrested on charges related to the unrest that resulted in over 1,000 deaths, with many party activists also killed, according to Wazed.

Representatives from the interim government did not respond promptly to requests for comments regarding his statements.

Badiul Alam Majumder, chair of an election reform panel, stated that recommendations would be made within three months following a review. “It’s up to the government to decide whether to engage in talks with the Awami League or determine the timing of the elections,” he added.

Last month, Wazed indicated that Hasina was prepared to face trial in Bangladesh, a demand made by the student leaders of the uprising, and that the Awami League is eager to participate in the elections.

When asked on Tuesday about Hasina's potential return to the country, he remarked, “That will depend on her. For now, I want to ensure the safety of my party members and raise international awareness about the atrocities being committed against them by this Yunus regime.”

Just weeks before the general elections, the Indian Government headed by Modi has decided to implement the CAA. The law was initially passed in 2019 and indirectly targets the Muslim minority in India. The CAA allows non-Muslim refugees safe haven and citizenship status once they cross Indian borders.

What could be the long-term implications of this act and why was it brought into the spotlight once again despite bring subjected to major rebuttal and negative feedback when it was introduced?