Archive · 23 Aug 2026
India’s Bizarre Headlines: Belly Football, Dog Protest and Trump Blame
Five unusual stories from India have drawn attention.
In New Barrackpore, older men with large waists will play a special football match.
Organisers say the event also reminds people that too little exercise can cause health problems.
In Khandwa, a politician brought someone wearing a dog mask to protest the handling of stray-dog sterilisation.
Officials said they would create a committee to examine the allegations.
At the Press Club of India, an event praised Narendra Modi, but the club said the organisers had broken the hall’s booking rules.
A Maharashtra politician connected road delays to Donald Trump and problems involving Iran and bitumen.
Another minister said fish prepared without garlic and onion could be called vegetarian.
A New Barrackpore football tournament requires players to be over 40 with waists of at least 42 inches.
Khandwa opposition leader Deepak Rathore used a dog-mask protest to demand an investigation into stray-dog sterilisation funds.
The Press Club of India said it did not organise an event featuring a Modi aarti and “Modi Chalisa” recitation.
Maharashtra BJP leader Sujay Vikhe-Patil blamed road delays on disruptions he attributed to Donald Trump’s Iran policy.
Uttar Pradesh minister Sanjay Nishad said fish without garlic and onion could be considered vegetarian.
- Who
- The stories involve football organisers and players in New Barrackpore; Khandwa opposition leader Deepak “Mullu” Rathore; Press Club event coordinator Rajan Singh; Maharashtra BJP leader Sujay Vikhe-Patil; and Uttar Pradesh minister Sanjay Nishad.
- What
- The reports describe a belly-themed football match, a dog-mask protest over sterilisation, a disputed Modi devotional event, a political explanation for road delays, and a claim about fish being vegetarian.
- When
- The events were reported for August 16, 18, 20, and 23; the road statement is dated August 16, 2026, while the other reports do not specify a year.
- Where
- The events took place in New Barrackpore, Khandwa in Madhya Pradesh, the Press Club of India, Ahilyanagar in Maharashtra, and a News18 Uttar Pradesh/Uttarakhand event.
- Why
- The football event aims to combine spectacle with a fitness message; Rathore sought an investigation into alleged sterilisation irregularities; the Press Club event was stopped after booking rules were violated; Vikhe-Patil cited alleged supply disruptions; and Nishad offered a religious and culinary rationale for his statement.
Critics, complainants and conventional views
Organisers, officials and stated explanations
Stray-dog sterilisation programme
Critics, complainants and conventional views
Deepak Rathore alleged irregularities and possible misappropriation of funds, and demanded an impartial investigation.
Organisers, officials and stated explanations
Additional Collector Kashiram Badole said the civic commissioner had been contacted and that a committee would investigate the allegations.
Modi devotional event
Critics, complainants and conventional views
The event’s use of a rented press hall for an aarti and “Modi Chalisa” prompted public attention and required an explanation from the venue.
Organisers, officials and stated explanations
Rajan Singh defended the proposal for a Modi temple and credited the Modi government with rights and employment for transgender people; the Press Club said the event violated its booking terms.
Maharashtra road delays
Critics, complainants and conventional views
Residents facing road problems could view the explanation as an unusual connection between international conflict, fuel supplies, bitumen and a local project.
Organisers, officials and stated explanations
Sujay Vikhe-Patil said attacks on Iran had disrupted crude-oil supplies and reduced bitumen availability, creating difficulties for the contractor, and urged residents not to protest violently.
Whether fish can be vegetarian
Critics, complainants and conventional views
The article notes that fish remains non-vegetarian for most people.
Organisers, officials and stated explanations
Sanjay Nishad argued that fish without garlic and onion is vegetarian, saying no religious authority had previously objected to the claim.
- Belly football
- Players must be over 40 and have a waist measuring at least 42 inches.
- Tournament history
- Ganapati Football began in 1998, continued until 2008, and is returning after an 18-year break.
- Dog-sterilisation allegations
- Protesters alleged irregularities and possible misuse of funds earmarked for stray-dog sterilisation.
- Proposed Modi temple
- Rajan Singh said plans existed for a Rs 112-crore temple on a five-acre plot in Bihar.
- Road-delay explanation
- Sujay Vikhe-Patil linked delays to alleged disruptions in crude-oil supplies and bitumen availability.
- Fish statement
- Sanjay Nishad said fish without garlic and onion is vegetarian.
- Press Club response
- The Press Club of India said the hall was hired for a press conference, not the devotional event, and that authorities stopped it after booking terms were violated.