India on Wednesday asked all its nationals currently in Iran to leave the country using available commercial means, citing a sharp deterioration in the security situation amid widespread anti-government protests and a heavy crackdown by authorities.

The government has also issued a strong advisory urging Indians to avoid travelling to Iran until further notice.

Advisory issued for Indian nationals in Iran

In a fresh advisory, the Indian Embassy in Iran said Indian citizens, including students, pilgrims, businesspersons and tourists, should leave Iran by available modes of transport, including commercial flights.

The embassy further advised Indian nationals and persons of Indian origin to exercise extreme caution, avoid areas witnessing protests or demonstrations, stay in regular contact with the embassy, and closely monitor local developments through official channels and local media.

Separately, the Ministry of External Affairs reiterated its warning, strongly advising Indians against travelling to Iran in view of the evolving situation. Earlier this month, the ministry had already asked citizens to avoid non-essential travel and urged those residing in Iran to remain cautious.

Protests spread nationwide

The unrest in Iran began late last month in Tehran after the Iranian currency, the rial, fell to record lows. What started as protests over economic hardship has since expanded into a broader movement demanding political change.

The demonstrations have now spread across all 31 provinces of the country, with the overall situation deteriorating significantly in recent days.

According to reports cited by media, the death toll from the nationwide protests has crossed 2,500, reflecting the scale and intensity of the ongoing crackdown.

Rising regional tensions

The developments in Iran have also contributed to heightened tensions in West Asia. The situation escalated further after the US president warned Tehran against the use of force on demonstrators and hinted at possible military action.

In a message addressed to protesters, the US president said that “help is on the way,” adding to the growing international pressure surrounding the crisis.

Trinamool Congress MP Abhishek Banerjee on Tuesday intensified his attack on the Election Commission and the BJP-led Centre, presenting 10 people at a public rally who were allegedly marked as dead in the draft electoral rolls during the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise in West Bengal.

Addressing the gathering in Cooch Behar, the Trinamool national general secretary called the individuals on stage and claimed they had been wrongly declared deceased despite being residents of the district since birth. He alleged that their names were struck off the electoral rolls during the SIR process.

Banerjee accused the Election Commission of acting under political influence and said the ongoing exercise was effectively depriving citizens of their fundamental right to vote.

Allegations over voter list revision

The Diamond Harbour MP claimed that around 3.5 lakh residents of Cooch Behar district alone have received notices citing logical discrepancies during the SIR process. He urged Trinamool workers to ensure that all affected individuals are re-included in the voter list.

Banerjee also alleged that the EC was focusing on removing names from electoral rolls instead of safeguarding democratic participation. He claimed that anxiety related to the SIR exercise had led to the deaths of around 78 people in the state.

Earlier this month, Banerjee had presented three individuals at another rally in South 24 Parganas district, alleging that they too had been marked as dead voters in the draft rolls.

Attack on BJP over unfulfilled promises

Targeting the BJP-led Centre, Banerjee accused the ruling party of failing to fulfil electoral promises made to the people of Cooch Behar since 2014. He cited commitments related to the formation of the Narayani battalion, a training centre named after warrior Chilarai, international status for the Madan Mohan temple, and the upgradation of Cooch Behar airport.

He also claimed that the 9-seater aircraft service between Cooch Behar and Kolkata, introduced in February 2023, is likely to be discontinued by the end of the month, alleging neglect by the Centre.

Assembly polls and political messaging

Calling on voters to back Trinamool candidates in all nine assembly seats in Cooch Behar district, Banerjee said the upcoming assembly elections would be a contest between the people of Bengal and the BJP. In the 2021 assembly elections, the BJP had won six seats in the district, while Trinamool secured three.

He thanked voters for defeating former Union minister Nisith Pramanik in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections and asserted that the Trinamool Congress would return to power in West Bengal for a fourth consecutive term under Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.

Banerjee also criticised recent central agency actions in the state and accused the BJP leadership of insulting Bengal’s cultural and political legacy. He further alleged excesses by border forces against farmers working near the India-Bangladesh border and objected to NRC notices allegedly being sent to some residents of Cooch Behar.

A rare and emotionally charged family moment played out on Tuesday when Rashtriya Janata Dal leader Tej Pratap Yadav visited 10 Circular Road, the residence of former Bihar Chief Minister Rabri Devi, to meet his parents and younger brother Tejashwi Yadav.

The visit marked a notable departure from months of visible distance within the Lalu Prasad Yadav family and was centred around a formal invitation for a Dahi-Chura feast scheduled for January 14 on the occasion of Makar Sankranti.

Tej Pratap personally handed over the invitation letter to Tejashwi Yadav, the Leader of the Opposition in the Bihar Assembly, in a gesture widely interpreted as an attempt at reconciliation and reaffirmation of family unity.

Upon his arrival, Tej Pratap sought blessings by touching the feet of RJD supremo Lalu Prasad Yadav and Rabri Devi, underscoring the personal significance of the meeting.

Rare public warmth between the brothers

The meeting was particularly striking as it was the first time in a long while that Tej Pratap and Tejashwi were seen together with visible warmth in front of the media. For several months, the two brothers had been living separately and maintaining a noticeable distance on public platforms, fuelling speculation of a rift.

A deeply personal moment during the visit drew widespread attention when Tej Pratap lifted Tejashwi’s daughter, Katyayani, in his arms. The images of the interaction quickly circulated on social media, presenting a softer picture of family bonds beyond political equations.

Tej Pratap later described the moment as a memorable experience, reinforcing the impression that familial ties remain intact despite past differences.

Political and symbolic significance

Political observers see the visit as a significant shift after a prolonged phase of strained relations, often described as a “cold war” between the brothers. The timing of the outreach, on the eve of Makar Sankranti, has also blunted opposition narratives of a deep and irreversible divide within the Lalu family.

Attention has now shifted to the Dahi-Chura feast scheduled for Wednesday. Beyond its cultural importance, the event is being viewed as a symbolic display of unity within the family and the party.

The outreach has generated renewed enthusiasm among RJD workers, with many keenly watching how Tejashwi Yadav and other family members participate in the celebration, which could further cement this much-discussed rapprochement.