Anger against Bengal SIR, a new nuclear submarine, and violence in Manipur

This episode of 3 Things explores three major developments in India: escalating tensions in West Bengal over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process, the induction of INS Aridaman—the third indigenous nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine—into the Indian Navy, and a tragic incident in Manipur that has reignited ethnic violence. In West Bengal, over 89 lakh people have been removed from electoral rolls during the SIR, sparking massive protests, particularly in Malda, where judicial officers were besieged for eight hours by angry citizens. A leaked letter from the officers had warned of security risks days prior, but no action was taken, leading to a Supreme Court-ordered NIA probe and nationwide concern over democratic rights and judicial safety. Meanwhile, INS Aridaman's commissioning marks a strategic leap for India, making it one of only a few nations with a fully operational nuclear triad. The submarine, capable of carrying long-range K-15 and K-4 missiles, enhances India’s second-strike capability under its no-first-use doctrine. In Manipur, a rocket strike killed a four-year-old boy and his newborn sister, triggering violent protests and two civilian deaths after CRPF forces opened fire. The state government has suspended internet in five districts and handed the case to the NIA, suspecting sabotage of peace efforts. The episode underscores deepening anxieties around electoral integrity, national security, and ethnic conflict in India’s northeast.