The Hindu Morning Digest: February 8, 2026

Samyukt Kisan Morcha demands Goyal’s resignation, asks PM to refrain from signing deal with U.S.

As soon as Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal explained the details of the India-United States bilateral trade agreement, the Samyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM) demanded his immediate resignation. Leaders of apple and cotton growers said any relaxation to the import of cotton will be disastrous for States such as Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Maharashtra and Gujarat. Talking to reporters at a press conference on Saturday (February 7, 2026), the leaders of SKM said the framework for the interim agreement on U.S.-India trade is a total surrender before the multinational giants of U.S. agriculture sector.

West Bengal CEO seeks one-week extension for SIR deadline; 5% hearings pending 

The Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) of West Bengal on Saturday (February 7, 2026) sought a one-week extension from the Election Commission of India (ECI) to complete the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, as around 5% of the hearings remain pending after the original deadline expired on Saturday (February 7, 2026). In a recommendation sent to the ECI on Saturday (February 7, 2026), CEO Manoj Kumar Agarwal sought additional time to complete hearings, upload documents, process submissions of forms 6, 7 and 8, and digitise all records. The proposed revised deadline for completing the groundwork is February 14. The final draft rolls were earlier scheduled to be published on February 14. If the extension is approved, officials said the publication of the finaldraft rolls could be pushed to February 21. 

51 Maoists surrender in Sukma, Bijapur

Fifty-one Maoists, carrying a total reward of ₹1.61 crore between them, surrendered in the Sukma and Bijapur districts of Chhattisgarh’s Bastar region on Saturday (February 7, 2026), the police said. Of them, 30 surrendered in Bijapur, while 21 surrendered in Sukma. Twenty-four of the surrendered Maoist cadres were women, Inspector General of Police (IGP, Bastar Range) P. Sundarraj said. A total of 14 weapons, including AK-47 rifles, self-loading rifles, INSAS rifles, and barrel grenade launchers, were also handed over to the government by the Maoists who surrendered.

India trusted partner for growth, says PM Modi in Malaysia citing trade deals with various countries

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday (February 7, 2026) said India is seen as a “trusted partner for growth” and it was reflected in the recent trade deals it has agreed to with various countries, including the UK, USA and EU. Referring to the trade deals India agreed to with various countries, the Prime Minister said India is seen as a “trusted partner for growth”. Addressing a community programme in Kuala Lumpur, Mr. Modi also said that the Indian diaspora continues to serve as a strong bridge between India and Malaysia.

Bengal CM stole limelight, despite me being original petitioner: CPI(M)’s Mostari Banu

Mostari Banu, a woman from Murshidabad who claims to be the original petitioner in the matter involving Special Intensive Revision (SIR) before the Supreme Court, has claimed that West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee “stole the limelight” by appearing before the apex court on February 4. Ms. Banu, who hails from Bhagwangola in Murshidabad and is associated with the Communist Party of India (Marxist), said that she had filed the petition several weeks ago on the harassment during the ongoing SIR in the State.

Manmohan Singh govt.’s plan to relocate Dal Lake dwellers shelved; families to stay on the lake

The Jammu and Kashmir government has abandoned the ₹416.72-crore resettlement plan for Dal Lake dwellers. To a question from National Conference (NC) legislator Tanvir Sadiq, it told the J&K Assembly that the project achieved “only 27% progress” in 17 years. The plan was conceived by former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Congress leader Sonia Gandhi to preserve and restore the lake, which attracts tourists from across the globe. The Singh government approved the plan in 2009. The project sought to relocate and rehabilitate around 9,000 families from the Dal Lake ecosystem to tackle growing pollution, mitigate impact on aquatic life and preserve the shrinking lake.

I-T dept releases draft rules and forms for new Income Tax Act

The tax department on Saturday (February 7, 2026) released draft rules and forms under the new Income Tax Act, 2025, which proposes to simplify the provisions and reduce the compliance burden for ease of understanding and make it taxpayer-friendly. A new and simplified Income Tax Act, 2025, which will replace the over six-decade-old Income Tax Act of 1961, will come into effect from April 1. The Income Tax department has sought comments from stakeholders on the draft Income-tax Rules, 2026, and forms by February 22. Thereafter, the rules and forms under the new Act will be notified.

Israel says Netanyahu will meet with Trump about Iran talks on February 11

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will meet with U.S. President Donald Trump in Washington on Wednesday (February 11, 2026) about American talks with Iran, his office said Saturday (February 7, 2026), while Iran’s foreign minister threatened U.S. military bases in the region a day after the discussions. “The Prime Minister believes that all negotiations must include limiting the ballistic missiles and ending support for the Iranian axis,” Mr. Netanyahu’s office said in a brief statement, referring to Tehran’s support for militant groups, including Hezbollah in Lebanon and Hamas in the Palestinian territories. Mr. Trump and Mr. Netanyahu last met in December.

Four Indian students among several injured in stabbing attack in Russia

At least six people, including four Indian students, were injured on Saturday (February 7, 2026) in a stabbing attack at a university in Russia’s Bashkortostan Republic, media reports and the Indian mission in Moscow said. According to preliminary reports, a teenager armed with a knife entered a dormitory of the State Medical University in Ufa in the Bashkortostan Republic. He attacked the students living there and stabbed several of them, the Interior Ministry said. In a release, the Russian Federal Health Ministry said that four people injured in the attack are receiving medical care. One is in serious condition, while three others are in moderate condition, it added.

Attacks leave 30 dead in Nigeria’s Benue State

Two attacks in the space of a few days left 30 people dead in two neighbouring towns in Nigeria’s central State of Benue, long prone to inter-communal clashes, sources told AFP. Armed bandits killed at least 13 traders on Friday (February 7, 2026) in Anwase, a village in the Kwande area, local government official Ibi Andrew told AFP. He said the assailants stormed the market “and opened fire on the people randomly”.

T20 World Cup 2026 | Skipper Suryakumar saves the day for Men in Blue

The captain rose to the fore and the host prospered at the Wankhede Stadium on Saturday (February 7, 2026) night. Suryakumar Yadav’s masterly unbeaten 84 helped India post 161 for nine, a score that proved beyond the reach of the United States of America (USA) in the ICC Twenty20 World Cup Group A clash. In the chase, the USA struggled for a toehold and finished with 132 for eight, handing defending champion India a 29-run triumph. Arshdeep Singh and Mohammed Siraj scythed through the top order. Andries Gous, Saiteja Mukkamalla and Monank Patel were back in the hut as the visitor struggled at 13 for three.

Published – February 08, 2026 07:05 am IST