The Hindu Morning Digest: March 23, 2026

Iran-Israel war LIVE: Will completely close Strait of Hormuz if U.S. targets power plants, says Iran

The Israeli PM stated that Iran has targeted civilian areas and key religious sites in Jerusalem, including the Western Wall, the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, and the Al-Aqsa Mosque

BJP will draw a blank this time too, says Pinarayi Vijayan

The Kerala Chief Minister doesn’t see defections from the Left helping either the BJP or the Congress, which, according to him, is the BJP’s ‘B team’; for the State to be in step with the modern era, the Left should continue to be in govt, he argues

Judiciary must neither be eternal critic nor cheerleader: Justice Bhuyan

Supreme Court judge, Justice Ujjal Bhuyan, on Sunday (March 22, 2026) said there were many within the judiciary who continue to suffer from the “more loyal than the king syndrome”, while pointing to the reticence shown by courts to grant bail, leading to prolonged incarceration for undertrials.

House panel seeks details of road map on operationalising Lokpal’s inquiry, prosecution wings

A parliamentary committee has sought details of what is being done to fully operationalise the inquiry and prosecution wings of the Lokpal, over a decade after a law governing it was enacted.

Vijay announces TVK candidates for all 30 Assembly segments in Puducherry

Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam president Vijay on Sunday (March 22, 2026) announced candidates for all 30 Assembly segments in the Union Territory of Puducherry as the party is going alone to face the upcoming elections on April 9.

Wangchuk returns to Ladakh after NSA revocation, calls for relief to detainees

Returning to Leh after his release from detention, climate activist Sonam Wangchuk on Sunday (March 22, 2026) said the Ladakh movement would remain peaceful and expressed hope for constructive engagement between all stakeholders.

Congress releases final list of 7 candidates for Assam Assembly polls

The Congress on Sunday (March 22, 2026) announced its fifth and final list of seven candidates for the Assam Assembly elections.

Hyderabad paediatrician who pushed ORS labelling reforms served legal notice by pharma firms

Hyderabad-based paediatrician Sivaranjani Santosh, whose eight-year battle led to a key regulatory shift on ORS labelling, is now facing legal trouble after pharma majors issued a notice accusing her of making false, misleading, disparaging and defamatory remarks about their products.

House panel for greater inclusivity, fee rationalisation and curriculum modernisation in Sainik Schools

A parliamentary standing committee on defence has called on the Ministry of Defence to address the issue of high annual fees in Sainik Schools on a priority basis.

19 held for blocking road, violence during protests over cow vigilante’s death in Mathura

Nineteen people have been arrested and sent to jail for allegedly blocking the Delhi-Agra National Highway and indulging in violence following the death of cow vigilante Chandrashekhar Das, popularly known as ‘Farsa Wale Baba’, police said on Sunday (March 22, 2026).

West Bengal likely to get 2,400 CAPF companies in phased deployment

About 2400 companies of the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) are likely to be deployed in West Bengal for the upcoming Assembly election.

As Gor makes first trip as U.S. Special envoy to South Asia, Delhi watches strategic signals closely

United States Ambassador to India Sergio Gor’s visit to Sri Lanka, his first visit in the region in his role as U.S. Special Envoy for South Asia, is a “quiet strategic signal”, said experts, as it comes amidst the war in West Asia, and U.S. action in the Indian Ocean. 

Akash Deep out of IPL with back injury; doubtful for one-off Test against Afghanistan in June

Kolkata Knight Riders suffered yet another blow to their pace resources with India seamer Akash Deep ruled out for at least eight weeks due to a stress reaction in the lower back on Saturday (March 21, 2026), which effectively sidelined him from the Indian Premier League.