Hundreds of thousands of devotees have congregated on the banks of the Ganges to mark Makar Sankranti, amid soaring COVID-19 infections.

Indian authorities have ordered an investigation into a deadly train accident in eastern India where 12 rail cars derailed. The express train had more than 1,000 people on board.

In an effort to stave off a spike in COVID-19 infections, authorities have started to impose strict rules. With most new cases reported in urban areas, nighttime curfews have been declared in all major cities. But maintaining social distancing is a huge challenge.

Children have been out of school for over a year, raising worries about students falling behind. In India this month, some states have started allowing schools to reopen. But in Delhi, many are choosing to stay away, over fears of a third wave.

A surge in attacks on Christians in India is part of a much broader malaise, experts say. "The objective is clear: to isolate and demonize minorities so that a Hindu state is established," a political scientist told DW.

Kashmir's subzero temperatures in winter and a dearth of electricity are a painful mixture for locals. With a vast capacity to produce hydropower, why is so little electricity available?

As COVID restrictions are eased, small clubs are bringing people back for stand-up comedy shows. Some producers are using this opportunity to fix the skewed gender ratio in lineups as well as audiences.

The ambitious goal to fully vaccinate the entire adult population is proving difficult. People are not returning to receive their second dose, and motivating them poses complex challenges.

Narendra Modi, India’s Prime Minister, has warned younger generations about the threat Bitcoin poses. In his keynote address at The Sydney Dialogue, hosted by the Australian Strategic Policy Institute, Modi spoke on the technology development India has experienced and how it could help guide the safety of cryptocurrency.

India was recently gripped by a controversy involving the family of one of its most famous actors, Shahrukh Khan. In October 2021, Khan's son was arrested for alleged narcotics consumption. But according to his lawyer, there was no evidence of any wrongdoing. Many Indians believe the arrest was in fact orchestrated by India's Hindu nationalist government as a way of targeting the actor. In recent years, the government has become increasingly hostile towards some members of the country's powerful film industry. Our correspondents report.

The three laws were passed last year, with the government saying they were essential for the modernization of Indian agriculture. But that led to furious protests from farmers fearing for their livelihoods.

The Muslim community in India is often a target of misinformation spread by Hindu nationalists. The latest accusation is that Muslims are carrying out "rice jihad". We tell you more in this edition of Truth or Fake.