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.
The Archaeological Survey of India is actively coordinating with local authorities to protect the tomb of Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb in Maharashtra's Khuldabad. Measures include installing 12 feet high metal sheets, concertina wire, deploying private security, and regular inspections to prevent potential damage due to threats from extremist groups.
India urged BRICS nations to unite on the 'Baku to Belem Roadmap' for mobilising $1.3 trillion annually by 2035 to achieve climate goals. The country emphasized the need for strengthened climate finance mechanisms and highlighted the importance of collective action and shared responsibility among BRICS members.
AIMIM leader Imtiaz Jaleel announced plans to protest and challenge the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024, in the Supreme Court, expressing little hope for justice. He criticized judges seeking post-retirement benefits and highlighted the support of Andhra Pradesh and Bihar CMs, crucial for BJP's majority.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Bangladesh chief adviser Muhammad Yunus were seen together at the BIMSTEC dinner table amidst worsening India-Bangladesh relations. The tension arose from Yunus' remarks about India's Northeast during his China visit, which Indian politicians criticized as provocative.
India’s Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla will pilot the Axiom-4 mission to the ISS, involving around 60 scientific studies, with seven from India. The mission will focus on microgravity research, impacting biological processes and strategies for long-term space missions. It will include comprehensive research from nations like the US, Poland, Hungary, and others, contributing to global scientific progress.
The Punjab council of ministers approved amendments to the mining policy, which aims to curb illegal mining and enhance supply. The pilgrimage scheme for senior citizens and a school mentorship program by IAS/IPS officers were also approved to promote religious heritage and student development.
The Supreme Court has ruled that public servants who exceed their official powers are still protected from prosecution under Section 170 of the Police Act, provided there is a reasonable connection between their actions and their official duties. The safeguard requires prior government sanction before any legal proceedings can be initiated.
Passengers on a Virgin Atlantic flight from London to Mumbai faced over 20 hours of delay at Diyarbakır Airport in Turkey due to an emergency medical diversion. The travelers, including a pregnant woman and passengers with medical conditions, complained about inadequate food, lack of communication, and challenging conditions at the airport.
Uddhav Thackeray accused the Union government of eyeing Waqf board lands and potentially targeting temple, church, and gurudwara lands next. The Shiv Sena (UBT) opposed the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, suggesting the BJP aims to transfer these lands to industrialist allies while raising concerns over Hindutva.
Sukhwinder Singh and four other officials have been reassigned new positions after a stampede incident at the New Delhi Railway Station on February 15 resulted in 18 fatalities. The Railway Ministry is conducting a high-level inquiry to determine accountability and ensure such negligence is addressed.
Union minister Giriraj Singh sharply criticized Congress over the Waqf Amendment Bill, accusing the party of past appeasement. Singh highlighted how the BJP-led government rectified the mistakes from 2013. The Lok Sabha passed the bill after an extended debate, aiming to improve Waqf property administration.
Airlines faced 24 hoax bomb threat calls this year till March 25, as per the government. Since 2022, a total of 836 such calls have been received. Stringent protocols by BCAS, including the Bomb Threat Contingency Plan, help manage these threats. Arrests were made and systems are in place to ensure minimal disruption to flight operations.
President Donald Trump has announced a new tariff regime, imposing a 10% baseline tax on imports from all nations and higher levies on countries with a trade surplus with the US. This action, justified as correcting trade imbalances, has significantly affected India with a 26% tariff on all its exports, leading to a negative market reaction.
Aam Aadmi Party MP Raghav Chadha proposed using Elon Musk's Starlink satellite internet as leverage to renegotiate tariffs imposed by the US. Trump's recent announcement included a 27% reciprocal tariff on India, citing unfair trade practices by India against the US.
Maharashtra deputy CM Eknath Shinde criticizes Uddhav Thackeray for opposing the Waqf Amendment Bill, accusing Thackeray of abandoning Hindutva. Shinde defends the bill's intent to reform Waqf property administration, while Thackeray condemns what he calls BJP's hypocrisy.