January 2, 2026 – India Headlines

Story gist: Zomato CEO Deepinder Goyal commented on a gig workers’ strike, stating the system is not fundamentally unfair. Platforms including Zomato, Swiggy, and Magicpin reported order surges on New Year’s Eve with negligible strike impact.

Bias summary: Left-leaning outlets like NDTV frame the story around Goyal’s defensive quote questioning the system’s fairness, centering the CEO’s perspective. Center outlets like The Hindu emphasize business resilience with order surges and minimal strike effects. Right-leaning coverage is absent, omitting potential focus on pro-business success or criticism of worker disruptions.

Story gist: Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma stated that the state does not need a treaty with Bangladesh to push back illegal immigrants. He said the state will send back illegal foreigners within seven days of a tribunal order.

Bias summary: Left-leaning outlets like The Hindu frame the story around Sarma’s claim of not needing a treaty with Dhaka, quoting ‘illegal immigrants’ to highlight potential controversy in terminology and diplomacy. Center outlets like Hindustan Times emphasize the enforcement mechanism and seven-day deportation timeline post-tribunal. Right-leaning coverage is absent, omitting supportive angles on border security and anti-immigration measures.

Story gist: A Hindu man was attacked by a mob in Shariatpur, Bangladesh, who poured petrol on him and set him on fire. He escaped by jumping into a pond and remains in critical condition.

Bias summary: Left-leaning NDTV reports neutrally as an isolated attack with emphasis on the victim’s escape. Center Times of India adds factual details like ‘mob pours petrol’ and victim’s critical state, maintaining balance. Right-leaning PGurus frames it as part of ‘Bangladesh violence against Hindus,’ specifying location and implying broader anti-Hindu pattern, with stronger communal tone.

Story gist: A fire broke out at a bar in a Swiss Alpine resort, killing about 40 people and injuring 115, according to police.

Bias summary: Left-leaning outlets like The Guardian frame the event with dramatic, emotional tone, emphasizing suddenness (‘It happened in seconds’) and horror in a ski resort. Center outlets like Times of India highlight official responses, quoting the Swiss president calling it the ‘worst tragedy’ and noting flags at half-mast for five days. Right-leaning coverage is absent, leaving conservative perspectives unrepresented.

Story gist: Bangladesh held a state funeral for Khaleda Zia attended by massive crowds. BNP acting chairman Tarique Rahman thanked Yunus government functionaries and dignitaries for their support during the funeral.

Bias summary: Left-leaning outlets like Al Jazeera frame the event as national mourning with massive crowds at the state funeral, emphasizing public grief. Center outlets like The Hindu focus on BNP leader Tarique Rahman’s thanks to Yunus government officials, highlighting political cooperation. Right-leaning coverage is absent, omitting potential emphasis on BNP’s opposition role or government legitimacy.