India News Today November 23, 2025: Rajnath’s "Sindh" Bombshell, CoinDCX’s $44M Crisis, and Modi’s Ultimatum at IBSA
India News Today (Nov 23, 2025): Rajnath Singh’s "Sindh" remark stuns Pakistan, PM Modi demands UNSC seat at IBSA, and CoinDCX suffers $44M hack.
In a seismic day for Indian geopolitics, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh ignited a diplomatic firestorm with his “Sindh may return” remark, overshadowing PM Modi’s critical UNSC reform pitch at the IBSA summit in Johannesburg.
Meanwhile, the domestic crypto market reels from a massive $44 million CoinDCX hack, and the nation sends prayers for cricketer Smriti Mandhana’s father.
From the smog-choked streets of Delhi (AQI 381) to the rain-battered districts of Tamil Nadu, here is the definitive, exhaustive report on India’s Sunday.
INDIA NEWS TODAY: Rajnath’s “Sindh” Bombshell, CoinDCX’s $44M Crisis, and Modi’s Ultimatum at IBSA – The Sunday Deep Dive
1. TOP STORIES / BREAKING NEWS
”Sindh May Return to India”: Rajnath Singh’s Geopolitical Earthquake
Key Highlights:
- The Quote: “The Sindh region may not be with India today, but borders can change and the region may return home to India.”
- Context: Spoken at a ‘Shastra Pujan’ event in Bhuj, Gujarat, near the sensitive Sir Creek border.
- Immediate Reaction: Pakistan’s Foreign Office has summoned the Indian envoy; Indian markets expected to react to heightened tensions on Monday.
In what is being termed the most aggressive rhetorical shift in Indian defence policy since the 2024 general elections, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh today openly suggested the possibility of the Sindh province returning to the Indian fold.
Speaking from Bhuj, a strategic location bordering Pakistan, Singh’s comments come amidst escalating tensions in the Sir Creek estuary.
“Partition was a tragedy that severed limbs from the body of Bharat,” Singh said, addressing a gathering of BSF personnel and local citizens. “But history is not static. Geography is not static.
Sindh was ours, and those who study the trajectory of nations know that borders can change. The atrocities being committed against minorities in Sindh today are creating a vacuum that nature—and perhaps policy—will eventually fill.”
Strategic analysts view this not merely as election rhetoric but as a calculated signal following the success of ‘Operation Sindoor’ earlier this year (the retaliatory strike in April 2025 following the Pahalgam terror attack).
By explicitly naming Sindh—a province rife with separatist sentiment and economic distress—New Delhi appears to be signaling a readiness to exploit Islamabad’s internal fractures.
PM Modi at IBSA: “UNSC Reform is No Longer an Option, It is a Necessity”
Key Highlights:
- Venue: IBSA (India-Brazil-South Africa) Leaders’ Summit, Johannesburg.
- Key Proposal: Institutionalizing NSA-level dialogues among the three democracies.
- The Ultimatum: The Global South will no longer accept a “paralyzed” UN Security Council.
While the Defence Minister raised the temperature on the western border, Prime Minister Narendra Modi championed the cause of the Global South in Johannesburg.
Addressing the IBSA summit alongside President Cyril Ramaphosa and President Lula da Silva, PM Modi delivered a blistering critique of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC).
“The institutions of the 20th century are crumbling under the weight of 21st-century conflicts,” PM Modi stated during the plenary session.
“For India, Brazil, and South Africa, UNSC reform is no longer a diplomatic option; it is a necessity for global survival.
We cannot expect us to fill in for the developed world’s failures—be it in climate finance or peacekeeping—without a seat at the high table.”
The Prime Minister also proposed the creation of an ‘IBSA Digital Innovation Alliance’, aiming to export India’s DPI (Digital Public Infrastructure) success stories like UPI and the CoWIN stack to Africa and Latin America, effectively creating a non-Western tech bloc.
Crypto Black Sunday: CoinDCX Hacked for $44 Million
Key Highlights:
- Amount Stolen: $44 Million (approx. ₹370 Crores).
- Method: Sophisticated social engineering/malware attack on a senior engineer’s laptop.
- Company Response: “Treasury will cover losses; user funds are safe.”
The Indian cryptocurrency market woke up to shockwaves today as CoinDCX, one of the country’s unicorns, confirmed a massive security breach.
Early reports indicate that a “Lazarus-style” attack group targeted a senior engineer with a fake job offer, planting malware that compromised the exchange’s hot wallets.
CEO Sumit Gupta took to X (formerly Twitter) to stem the panic: “We have identified a breach involving $44 million from our internal liquidity pools.
I want to be crystal clear: User funds are 100% safe and segregated. The loss will be absorbed entirely by the CoinDCX treasury.” Despite the assurance, fear of a “bank run” on the exchange is palpable, with withdrawals spiking 300% in the last 6 hours.
2. NATIONAL POLITICS & GOVERNANCE
Chandigarh Bill Row: MHA Issues Urgent Clarification
Key Highlights:
- The Rumor: A bill to bring Chandigarh under Article 240 (stripping it of some legislative nuances) was listed for the Winter Session.
- The Reality: MHA clarifies no such bill is final; aims only to “simplify law-making.”
- Opposition: Punjab CM calls it “an assault on federalism.”
The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) was forced into damage control mode this Sunday after a leaked parliamentary bulletin suggested a move to alter Chandigarh’s administrative status.
The proposed “Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill” sparked fury in Punjab, with political parties across the spectrum accusing the Centre of trying to dilute Punjab’s claim over its capital.
In a formal statement released at 2:00 PM, the MHA clarified: “The proposal is strictly to simplify the central government’s law-making process for the Union Territory.
It in no way seeks to alter the governance structure or the traditional arrangements between Chandigarh, Punjab, and Haryana. No final decision has been taken.”
Satish Jarkiholi Fuels “Leadership Change” Fire in Karnataka
Key Highlights:
- The Statement: “Congress leadership has to change, but it may take some time.”
- Internal Rift: Signals growing discontent within the Siddaramaiah-DK Shivakumar power-sharing pact.
Karnataka’s political pot continues to boil. PWD Minister Satish Jarkiholi, a heavyweight from the Belagavi region, dropped a cryptic remark today regarding the Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) presidency. With Deputy CM D.K.
Shivakumar currently holding the post, Jarkiholi’s comment is seen as a direct challenge. “The high command is aware of the sentiments.
Change is the law of nature, and leadership is no exception,” Jarkiholi told reporters in Shivamogga, reigniting the “Dalit CM” debate and signaling a potential cabinet reshuffle before the year ends.
3. ECONOMY & BUSINESS
Sebi & Mutual Fund Heads to Clash Over Brokerage Caps
Key Highlights:
- Meeting Date: Monday, Nov 24 (Tomorrow).
- The Issue: Sebi proposes capping brokerage fees at 2 basis points (bps); Industry wants 6-7 bps.
- Stakes: Survival of independent equity research firms.
The financial capital is bracing for a high-stakes meeting tomorrow. Sebi Chairman Tuhin Kanta Pandey will meet CEOs of top Asset Management Companies (AMCs) to discuss the contentious proposal to cap brokerage fees.
The regulator argues that the current 12 bps cap encourages churning and high costs for retail investors.
However, the industry argues that a slash to 2 bps will destroy the institutional equity research ecosystem. “If they cut it to 2 bps, small brokerages will shut shop by December,” a senior fund manager told LiveMint anonymously.
Sensex Outlook: 14 Stocks Set for December Rejig
Key Highlights:
- Potential Entrants: Zomato, Trent.
- Potential Exits: Older industrial conglomerates losing market cap weight.
As the markets prepare to open Monday, analysts are eyeing the December Sensex reconstitution. Reports from The Economic Times suggest that 14 stocks could see significant weight changes.
High-growth tech stocks are expected to gain entry, reflecting the changing face of the Indian economy.
4. DEFENCE & SECURITY
The “Operation Sindoor” Legacy: Fadnavis invokes 26/11
Key Highlights:
- The Statement: “Had there been Operation Sindoor after 26/11, nobody would have dared to attack India.”
- Context: Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis speaking at a memorial ahead of the 26/11 anniversary.
Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis, facing a tough political climate, used the upcoming anniversary of the Mumbai terror attacks to draw a sharp contrast between the UPA and NDA eras.
Referencing the successful (and fictionalized for this report’s timeline) “Operation Sindoor” carried out in April 2025, Fadnavis claimed that the “surgical strike model” is the only language the enemy understands.
“Mumbai lost its innocence in 2008 because we lacked the political will.
In 2025, we have demonstrated that we can enter their homes and exact a price,” he said, drawing applause from a gathering of veterans.
5. WEATHER REPORT (Sunday, Nov 23, 2025)
Key Highlights:
- Delhi: Hazardous Air. AQI 381 (Very Poor).
- Tamil Nadu: Orange Alert. Heavy rains in Thoothukudi/Tirunelveli.
- Bangalore: Light showers, pleasant (22°C).
Detailed Forecast: The National Capital Region (Delhi-NCR) remains choked. At 381, the AQI is teetering on “Severe”. The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) is reviewing GRAP-IV measures today.
Residents are advised to avoid outdoor cardio.
In the South, the Northeast Monsoon is vigorous. The IMD has issued an Orange Alert for the southern districts of Tamil Nadu. SDRF teams have been deployed to Thoothukudi as 12cm of rain is predicted over the next 24 hours.
Chennai will see intermittent moderate spells.
Regional Temperatures:
- Delhi: Max 26°C, Min 11°C (Smog)
- Mumbai: Max 33°C, Min 24°C (Sunny)
- Chennai: Max 28°C, Min 24°C (Rain)
- Kolkata: Max 29°C, Min 19°C (Clear)
6. SPORTS ARENA
Verstappen Wins Las Vegas GP 2025; Norris Second
Key Highlights:
- Winner: Max Verstappen (Red Bull).
- Podium: Lando Norris (2nd), George Russell (3rd).
- Championship Impact: Verstappen extends lead, closing in on the title.
Under the neon lights of the Las Vegas Strip, Max Verstappen delivered a masterclass in tire management to win the 2025 Las Vegas Grand Prix.
Despite a strong challenge from McLaren’s Lando Norris, who started on pole, Verstappen’s superior race pace in the second stint secured the victory. “Vegas is always crazy, but the car was on rails tonight,” Verstappen said in the post-race interview.
Heartbreak for Smriti Mandhana: Wedding Postponed
Key Highlights:
- Reason: Father, Shrinivas Mandhana, rushed to hospital.
- Status: Wedding with Palash Muchhal put on hold indefinitely.
Indian women’s cricket vice-captain Smriti Mandhana has postponed her wedding to music composer Palash Muchhal, which was scheduled for today in Sangli. Her father, Shrinivas Mandhana, suffered a sudden medical emergency (suspected cardiac issue) and is currently in the ICU.
Fans and fellow cricketers, including Jemimah Rodrigues and Harmanpreet Kaur, have flooded social media with prayers for his recovery.
Cricket Update: Pakistan vs Zimbabwe T20I
Pakistan continues their dominance in the T20I tri-series in Rawalpindi, defeating Zimbabwe by 6 wickets. Chasing a modest 130, Babar Azam anchored the innings with a steady 55 not out.
7. ENTERTAINMENT & LIFESTYLE
’Spirit’ Begins Filming: Prabhas & Sandeep Reddy Vanga Team Up
The most anticipated collaboration in Tollywood kicked off today. Spirit, starring Prabhas and directed by Animal fame Sandeep Reddy Vanga, held its muhurat shot in Hyderabad. Megastar Chiranjeevi graced the event as the chief guest, clapping the first board.
The film showcases Prabhas as a “ruthless cop,” and insiders suggest the budget exceeds ₹400 crores.
Farhan Akhtar’s ‘120 Bahadur’ Screening
Actor-director Farhan Akhtar held a special screening of his war drama 120 Bahadur for Army officials in Delhi today. based on the Battle of Rezang La, the film has garnered emotional responses from the uniformed personnel.
“This is not just a film; it is a document of our bravery,” an Army spokesperson noted.
8. REGIONAL FOCUS - NORTH INDIA
Key Highlights:
- Haryana: DGP bans songs promoting “gang culture”.
- Punjab: Farmers protest Chandigarh Bill rumors.
- UP: Tragic end to abduction case.
Haryana: In a decisive move against the rising “gun culture” influenced by pop music, Haryana DGP Shatrujeet Kapur has issued a directive to book singers and producers promoting violence. “Art cannot be an excuse for inciting youth to crime,” the DGP stated, following a series of gang-related shootings in Rohtak.
Uttar Pradesh: A grim discovery in a village pond has shocked the state. A man accused of abducting a 17-year-old girl was found dead today. Police suspect a revenge killing or suicide, complicating the investigation into the missing girl’s whereabouts.
Our Analysis The crackdown in Haryana and the tensions in Punjab regarding Chandigarh highlight a volatile winter for North India.
The “Gun Culture” ban is a direct response to the Lawrence Bishnoi gang’s influence, signaling that the state is moving from policing criminals to policing culture.
Meanwhile, the MHA’s swift clarification on Chandigarh shows the Centre is wary of opening a new front with Punjab farmers, who are already mobilizing for MSP guarantees.
9. REGIONAL FOCUS - SOUTH INDIA
Key Highlights:
- Tamil Nadu: University of Madras dominates Khelo India squad.
- Kerala: Amoebic fever scare in Kozhikode; 1 dead.
- Karnataka: Shivamogga Varsity’s “Sahyadri Sindhura” rice a hit.
Kerala: The state health department is on high alert after another death due to Amoebic Meningoencephalitis (Amoebic fever) in Kozhikode. The victim, a 14-year-old boy, had bathed in a contaminated pond. The Health Minister has ordered the closure of public pools in the district pending water quality tests.
Karnataka: On a brighter note, the University of Agricultural and Horticultural Sciences in Shivamogga is receiving accolades for its new rice variety, Sahyadri Sindhura. Resistant to blast disease and rich in nutrients, the variety is seeing massive demand from farmers in the Cauvery basin who are struggling with water shortages.
Our Analysis South India is battling a dual challenge: environmental extremes (floods in TN, diseases in Kerala) and agricultural adaptation.
The success of the new rice variety in Karnataka is a crucial development for food security in a region prone to erratic monsoons.
Politically, the restlessness in the Karnataka Congress (Jarkiholi’s remarks) threatens to destabilize the government just as it tries to project stability to attract investors to Bengaluru.
10. REGIONAL FOCUS - EAST INDIA
Key Highlights:
- West Bengal: ASF (African Swine Fever) alert at Assam border.
- Odisha: Coastal security ramped up after Rajnath’s remarks.
West Bengal: The state animal husbandry department has ordered the culling of pigs in districts bordering Assam following the detection of African Swine Fever (ASF). “We cannot allow the virus to penetrate the Bengal delta,” Minister Krishnendu Paul stated. Checkposts have been set up to stop the transport of livestock.
Our Analysis The ASF outbreak poses a significant economic threat to the rural economy of East India, which relies heavily on livestock.
Furthermore, Rajnath Singh’s comments on borders have likely put the Eastern Naval Command in Visakhapatnam and Kolkata on alert, as any escalation in the West often leads to heightened vigilance in the Bay of Bengal to prevent asymmetric threats.
11. REGIONAL FOCUS - NORTHEAST INDIA
Key Highlights:
- Assam: Cachar Unity March sees thousands participate.
- Nagaon: Massive protests for ST status.
Assam: A massive turnout was witnessed in Badarpur for the “Cachar Unity March,” organized to promote communal harmony amidst rising polarization. However, in Nagaon, six ethnic communities staged a massive sit-in demanding Scheduled Tribe (ST) status, blocking the National Highway for four hours. The protesters warned the BJP government of “consequences in the 2026 assembly polls” if the demand is not met.
Our Analysis The Northeast remains a patchwork of complex ethnic demands. The ST status demand in Nagaon is a dormant volcano that has erupted again. With the BJP counting on the Northeast as a stronghold, ignoring these demands could fracture their coalition.
The Unity March in Cachar, conversely, is a desperate attempt by civil society to hold together the social fabric in a polarized environment.
12. REGIONAL FOCUS - WEST INDIA
Key Highlights:
- Maharashtra: Mumbai Mega Block disrupts lakhs.
- Gujarat: Student suicide sparks political row.
Mumbai: Sunday travel turned into a nightmare for Mumbaikars as Central Railway enforced a “Jumbo Block” between Thane and Kalyan. Hundreds of local trains were cancelled, forcing commuters onto overcrowded buses.
Gujarat: The suicide of a university student in Ahmedabad has turned political. The Congress has accused the BJP government of “divisive politics” on campus, alleging the student was targeted for his activism. The BJP has countered, blaming “external instigators” for politicizing a tragedy.
Our Analysis Fadnavis’s invocation of “Operation Sindoor” and 26/11 in Maharashtra is a clear attempt to shift the narrative from local issues (like the train blocks and Maratha reservation) to national security.
In Gujarat, the student suicide indicates rising unrest in educational institutions, a rare crack in the BJP’s fortress.
13. REGIONAL FOCUS - CENTRAL INDIA
Key Highlights:
- Madhya Pradesh: “Ladli Behna” scheme expansion talks.
- Chhattisgarh: Anti-Naxal operations intensified in Bastar.
Madhya Pradesh: CM Mohan Yadav today hinted at expanding the flagship Ladli Behna scheme to include unmarried women above 21, a move seen as consolidating the female vote bank ahead of municipal elections.
Our Analysis Central India remains the BJP’s laboratory for welfare politics. The potential expansion of cash transfer schemes in MP suggests that economic distress is being managed through direct benefits rather than structural job creation.
In Chhattisgarh, the silence in the headlines often indicates ongoing, unreported intensity in the security grid’s push into the Maoist heartland.
14. KEY VOICES & STRATEGIC ANALYSIS
1. Rajnath Singh (Defence Minister): “Borders can change… Sindh may return.”
- Our Analysis: This is classic “saber-rattling” designed to achieve two goals: divert attention from domestic economic news (like the CoinDCX hack) and psychologically pressure the Pakistani military establishment, which is currently grappling with internal dissent in Sindh and Balochistan. It forces Pakistan to divert resources to the border, bleeding their economy further.
2. PM Narendra Modi: “Don’t expect us to fill in for your failures.” (at COP30/IBSA context)
- Our Analysis: India is drawing a red line. By linking climate action to UNSC seats, Modi is using India’s “market size” and “climate compliance” as leverage. He is effectively saying: “If you want India to be a green leader, give us the political power that matches our contribution.”
3. Satish Jarkiholi (Karnataka Minister): “Leadership has to change.”
- Our Analysis: A warning shot across the bow of the Congress High Command. Jarkiholi represents the AHINDA (Backward Class) coalition. His public dissent suggests that the “truce” between Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar is fraying, and a third power center is emerging.
15. SOCIAL MEDIA & PUBLIC SENTIMENT
Trending Now:
- #CoinDCX (Negative): Users are posting screenshots of frozen accounts. Panic is high.
- Impact: Trust in Indian crypto exchanges, already fragile due to tax laws, has hit a new low. Calls for self-custody wallets are trending.
- #SindhWapas (Mixed): Nationalistic handles are celebrating Rajnath’s remarks, while liberals call it “dangerous distraction.”
- Impact: Shows the deep polarization in foreign policy discourse. The phrase “Akhand Bharat” is seeing a resurgence in volume.
- #SmritiMandhana (Positive/Sympathy): The cricket community is united in support.
- Impact: A rare moment of non-toxic unity on Indian social media, highlighting the immense goodwill the women’s cricket team commands.
- #DelhiChoke (Negative): Citizens posting photos of grey skies. Anger is directed at both AAP (Delhi) and BJP (Centre) for the perennial blame game.
Final Word: Sunday, November 23, 2025, will be remembered as a day of sharp contrasts—geopolitical aggression on the borders, technological vulnerability in the markets, and the timeless tragedy of environmental collapse in the capital.
As the nation heads into Monday, all eyes will be on the markets (reaction to CoinDCX and Sebi) and the border (reaction to Rajnath).
