Archive · 10 Sep 2026
Xi India Visit, Protest Arrest Order, DHS Post Draws Criticism
Several important events involving India and its institutions were reported.
Chinese President Xi Jinping plans to visit India for a BRICS meeting in September.
He may also meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Bangladesh said it would not send a government representative because it said its prime minister was not invited.
In West Bengal, protests followed religious leader Dhirendra Shastri’s comments about eating meat during Durga Puja.
Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari told police to arrest people who burned Shastri’s photographs.
In the United States, a government post aimed at “Mr Singh” was criticized as racist.
A law school in Bengaluru also restored a graduation ceremony after students and alumni objected to invited speakers.
Chinese President Xi Jinping will visit India for the September 12–13 BRICS Summit and is expected to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Bangladesh said it will not send a government representative because Prime Minister Tarique Rahman was reportedly not invited, though India invited him as BIMSTEC chairperson.
West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari ordered arrests after protesters burned photographs of religious leader Dhirendra Shastri over remarks about meat during Durga Puja.
The United States Department of Homeland Security faced accusations of racism and xenophobia over a post targeting “Mr Singh” and an AI-generated image.
National Law School of India University, Bengaluru, restored its 2026 convocation after student and alumni opposition, with Chief Justice Surya Kant still scheduled to attend.
- Who
- Chinese President Xi Jinping, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Bangladesh officials, West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari, religious leader Dhirendra Shastri, the United States Department of Homeland Security, and National Law School of India University are among those involved.
- What
- Xi will visit India for the BRICS Summit; Bangladesh will not send a representative; arrests were ordered after protests over Shastri’s remarks; the United States Department of Homeland Security faced criticism; and NLSIU reinstated its convocation.
- When
- The BRICS Summit is scheduled for September 12–13, the NLSIU convocation for October 17, and the original convocation date was September 12. Shastri’s remarks were made on Sunday.
- Where
- The summit will be held in New Delhi; the protests and arrest order concern West Bengal; the convocation will be held at NLSIU in Bengaluru; and the criticized social media post came from the United States Department of Homeland Security.
- Why
- Xi’s visit is for the BRICS Summit. The protest dispute concerned Shastri’s comments about meat during Durga Puja. The DHS post was criticized for stereotyping people, while NLSIU restored its ceremony after opposition from students and alumni.
Critics and Opponents
Officials and Supporters
Arrests over protest
Critics and Opponents
Protesters opposed Dhirendra Shastri’s remarks because eating meat during Durga Puja is common among Hindus in the state and burned photographs in protest.
Officials and Supporters
Suvendu Adhikari said Shastri had only expressed his views, not imposed them, and directed police to arrest those who burned his photographs.
DHS social media post
Critics and Opponents
Politicians and Indian-diaspora groups called the post racist and xenophobic, saying it stereotyped people based on the surname and appearance of “Mr Singh.”
Officials and Supporters
The post presented a “self-deport” message and an AI-generated image involving Optimus Prime, but the article does not report a detailed defense from the Department of Homeland Security.
NLSIU convocation
Critics and Opponents
More than 700 students and alumni opposed the invitations to Surya Kant and Manan Kumar Mishra, citing Kant’s remarks and the Bar Council’s withdrawn action involving NALSAR students.
Officials and Supporters
NLSIU reversed the cancellation and restored the ceremony, with Surya Kant scheduled to attend on October 17.
- BRICS Summit
- The 18th summit is scheduled for September 12 and 13 in New Delhi.
- Xi Jinping’s visit
- It will be Xi’s first visit to India in nearly seven years, according to the report.
- India–China ties
- The visit follows an improvement in relations since 2024 after years of tension over the eastern Ladakh military standoff.
- Bangladesh participation
- Bangladesh’s foreign minister said Dhaka would not send a government representative because Tarique Rahman was reportedly not invited.
- West Bengal dispute
- Dhirendra Shastri said Hindus should not consume “dirty” non-vegetarian food during Durga Puja and that meat should not be sold near Durga idols.
- NLSIU convocation
- The ceremony was reinstated for October 17, with Chief Justice Surya Kant scheduled to attend.
- DHS criticism
- The Hindu American Foundation and Coalition of Hindus of North America called for an investigation into the social media post.