A Srinagar court ordered four men, guilty of drinking and causing public nuisance, to perform community service instead of imprisonment. The community service includes cleaning at a Sufi shrine and a government girls' higher secondary school. The court considers this a more humane and progressive approach to justice.
J&K's National Conference and Congress criticized LG Manoj Sinha for overstepping power boundaries with officer transfers, warning against further interference. A resolution condemned the Waqf Act. The coordination between the elected government and LG remains, but any future conflicts will be brought up in the assembly.
PM Narendra Modi commended the passage of the Waqf (Amendment) Bill and the Mussalman Wakf (Repeal) Bill by Parliament, highlighting their impact on transparency and socio-economic justice for marginalized Muslims. The legislation aims to eliminate corruption in waqf property management and benefit Muslim women and the underprivileged.
RLD, an ally of BJP, supported the Waqf Amendment Bill in Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha but has refrained from making public statements to avoid alienating any voter base in western UP. Party leadership has communicated their support quietly, citing the sensitivity of the issue.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Act East Policy boosts India's economic, diplomatic, and security ties with Southeastern Asia, enhancing trade, infrastructure, and cultural exchanges. Initiatives like the Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative and regional maritime exercises strengthen India's strategic presence in the South China Sea and Indo-Pacific regions.
The Waqf Amendment Bill 2025 sparked large-scale protests across India, including Ahmedabad, Kolkata, and Chennai, after it cleared Parliament. Leaders of AIMIM and Congress challenged its constitutionality in the Supreme Court. The Opposition and several leaders criticized the Bill's passage and its potential impact on religious rights.
Canadian police have released images of two suspects involved in vandalizing the Sri Krishna Brundavana Temple. The suspects damaged the temple's sign in the early hours of March 30. Security footage showed them desecrating the sign and shouting offensive remarks, including 'F****** terrorists.'
Prime Minister Modi is visiting Sri Lanka to enhance defence ties and cooperation in energy, trade, and connectivity. The visit marks his first engagement with Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayaka. China's growing influence in the Indian Ocean region has heightened the significance of closer India-Sri Lanka relations.
Amid Opposition uproar, Congress MP Amarinder Singh Raja Warring has demanded that Prime Minister Narendra Modi address the issue of the U.S. imposing 26% reciprocal tariffs on Indian goods in the House. Congress leaders have raised concerns about the impact on India's trade interests and the economic consequences across various sectors.
Congress leaders, including Shashi Tharoor and Rahul Gandhi, have demanded clarity from the Indian government regarding its strategy for addressing the recent 26 percent reciprocal tariffs imposed by the US. The opposition believes these tariffs will severely impact sectors like the auto industry, pharmaceuticals, and agriculture.
Tamil Nadu BJP president K Annamalai stated on Friday that the party's leader would be chosen unanimously, and clarified that he is not a contender. This announcement follows speculation about a potential BJP-AIADMK alliance aimed at challenging the ruling DMK in the 2026 elections.
Two individuals from JD(U) in Bihar resigned over disagreements with the party's support for the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, which they claim is against Indian Muslims. JD(U) states these individuals are not part of the official party structure. Senior leaders express concerns but not direct opposition.
President Trump has announced tariffs on imports, hitting both allies and adversaries. India, labeled a 'worst offender', faces a 27% tariff. Financial markets reacted sharply, with significant declines. India plans to negotiate a trade deal to mitigate the impact, leveraging ongoing discussions with the US.
Rajya Sabha saw a heated debate on the waqf bill, with NCP's Praful Patel and JDS's HD Deve Gowda supporting it and criticizing Congress for its stance. Patel pointed out Sena's controversial past, while Gowda praised PM Modi's efforts to safeguard waqf properties and emphasized India's secular values.
Kiren Rijiju highlighted the support of Christian bodies for the Waqf (Amendment) Bill in the Rajya Sabha, citing the case of 600 Christian families from Munambam, Kerala, contesting the Waqf board's claim over their ancestral land. He emphasized the misuse of Waqf Act provisions, affecting ordinary people.
BJP's Radha Mohan Das Agrawal claimed proficiency in Quranic studies during an RS debate, evidencing Quranic mandates on financial documentation to argue for the waqf bill. He highlighted a lack of religious support for undocumented waqf property, stating no religious scholar could counter his interpretations.
Opposition parties continued to criticize the BJP's waqf bill, labeling it unconstitutional and divisive. They argued the bill targets Muslims and could incite communal tension. Key leaders from Congress, TMC, DMK, RJD, and others expressed concerns about its impact on peace and social harmony.
Supreme Court has affirmed Calcutta High Court's decision to cancel the 2016 recruitment of more than 25,700 teachers and non-teaching staff in West Bengal. The process was found to be tainted with manipulation and fraud. Non-tainted candidates won't have to refund salaries. They can apply to their previous government positions, though their disputed employment period won't be compensated.
PM Narendra Modi highlighted India's Northeast as crucial for the Bimstec region during the summit in Thailand. There's a planned bilateral meeting with Bangladesh's Muhammad Yunus after recent remarks implying the Northeast states are landlocked. Additionally, India's investment in regional connectivity projects was emphasized.
Supreme Court judges, led by CJI Sanjiv Khanna, have agreed to publicly disclose their assets and liabilities following the discovery of cash at a high court judge's residence. The practice, started in 2009 but discontinued after a few years, is set to resume.
Tyeb Mehta's 'Trussed Bull' sold for Rs 61.8 crore, marking it the second most expensive Indian painting at auction globally. The sale at Saffronart's 25th anniversary auction highlights a strong art market. Mehta's life and art were deeply influenced by historical events and personal experiences, with his powerful imagery reflecting societal struggles.
Tamil Nadu CM M K Stalin has strongly opposed the Waqf Amendment Bill, claiming it threatens religious harmony and minority rights. He plans to challenge the Bill in the Supreme Court. The DMK's loud opposition to the Bill seems to be a strategic political move ahead of the upcoming state assembly elections.
