Top News / The Times of India
A senior aide of Bangladesh's interim government head Muhammad Yunus clarified that Muhammad Yunus' remark about India's seven northeastern states was made with honest intentions and misinterpreted. The statement stirred strong reactions in India. Bangladesh seeks a possible meeting between Yunus and PM Modi at the upcoming BIMSTEC Summit.
Nitish Kumar's support for the Waqf Amendment Bill in Lok Sabha marks a strategic shift in his political stance, potentially realigning votes in Bihar's upcoming assembly elections. Analysts suggest this move may help the NDA consolidate support, despite possible backlash from Muslim voters.
The Telugu Desam Party (TDP) has urged the central government to allow states more flexibility in forming Waqf boards, stressing the importance of inclusivity for Muslim women and youth. TDP's support is crucial for the ruling NDA coalition given the opposition from Muslim bodies to the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah addressed the Lok Sabha, assuring that the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2025 will not have a retrospective effect, countering JD(U) concerns. He emphasized the bills intent to improve administrative efficiency and proper management of Waqf properties.
During a Lok Sabha debate on the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2025, BJP MP Anurag Thakur highlighted the alleged involvement of a Congress leader in the 2012 Karnataka Waqf Board land scam. Thakur emphasized the need for transparency and accountability, and referenced the support from various organizations for the amendments.
A heated debate occurred in the Lok Sabha over the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, with Congress criticising it as unconstitutional and BJP defending it as necessary to prevent misuse. The Bill focuses on stricter criteria for Waqf declarations and amendments meant to enhance regulation and prevent illegal occupancy and misuse of Waqf lands, which are significant in India.
RJD chief Lalu Prasad Yadav was discharged from Paras Hospital in Bihar and will now head to AIIMS Delhi for further treatment. His son, Tejaswi Yadav, confirmed that Lalu's current health is stable but his blood pressure and sugar levels have been fluctuating. Party leader Bhai Virendra assured that there's no need to worry.
Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Arvind Sawant accuses the BJP-led NDA of introducing the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024, to gain an advantage in the upcoming Bihar assembly elections. Sawant criticizes the lack of thorough discussions in the JPC and accuses the BJP of lacking justice in their actions.
Akhilesh Yadav criticized the Waqf (Amendment) Bill in Lok Sabha, accusing the BJP of divisive politics. He hinted at potential shifts in political alliances, particularly involving Bihar CM Nitish Kumar. The Bill aims to improve Waqf boards' administration, with the Telugu Desam Party supporting it.
A Delhi Court dismissed Medha Patkar's appeal against her 2001 defamation conviction. The court upheld the sentencing of five months imprisonment and a Rs. 10 lakh fine for defaming V K Saxena. Patkar is required to appear in person for sentencing on April 8.
Delhi Police's Economic Offences Wing arrested a 36-year-old man for cheating homebuyers. He sold properties mortgaged to a bank and accumulated Rs 13 crore. The investigation revealed the accused siphoned funds and is involved in multiple fraud cases. The man had taken loans worth Rs 300 crore and misappropriated company funds.
Comedian Kunal Kamra apologized to a fan who was summoned by Mumbai Police over Kamra's controversial performance. The fan, who was on vacation, had to return early. Kamra's show included a parody song allegedly targeting Maharashtra deputy CM Eknath Shinde, leading to multiple FIRs against him.
The Aam Aadmi Party issued a whip to its Rajya Sabha members for the Waqf Amendment Bill discussion. Both NDA and opposition have directed their members to vote accordingly on the bill introduced by Minister Kiren Rijiju, which claims to improve Waqf property management despite strong opposition resistance.
The BJP-led central government tabled the Waqf (Amendment) Bill in Parliament amid opposition from the INDIA bloc, incorporating suggestions from the Joint Parliamentary Committee. Union minister Kiren Rijiju defended the reforms, citing extensive consultations and emphasizing no interference in religious institutions, while Congress accused the Centre of rushing the legislation.
Chilean President Gabriel Boric hailed Prime Minister Narendra Modi's pivotal role in global diplomacy during his state visit to India. President Boric emphasized Chile's commitment to strengthening ties with India, coinciding with the 76th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two nations.
Uttarakhand Waqf Board chairman Shadab Shams criticized the opposition for opposing the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024. He emphasized that PM Modi aims to mainstream poor Muslims and accused the opposition of misusing Waqf resources over the past 70 years.
The Uttarakhand High Court has requested a response from the state government within 48 hours regarding multiple petitions challenging the Uniform Civil Code. Petitions criticize issues ranging from live-in relationship provisions to the neglect of minority customs, and constitutional and women's rights concerns. The next hearing is scheduled in 10 days.
The Supreme Court deferred the request for return of passport and international travel by influencer Ranveer Allahbadia amidst ongoing police investigations on multiple FIRs against him for inappropriate remarks. The court will review the request on April 21, pending completion of the probe by Maharashtra Police.
The Allahabad high court rejected a petition to quash criminal proceedings in a case involving alleged rape and unlawful religious conversion. The court emphasized the severity of such offences, citing the woman's allegations that the primary accused deceived and coerced her into conversion under false pretenses.
The Supreme Court has declined to consider Mahua Moitra's plea to disclose details of alternate investment funds and foreign portfolio investors in India's stock market, directing her to first approach Sebi. The Court allowed Moitra to present her concerns to Sebi and seek legal remedies if her representation is not addressed within a reasonable timeframe.
The Supreme Court Legal Services Committee, led by Justice Surya Kant, is set to file appeals for over 4,000 poor prisoners whose appeals were dismissed by High Courts. This initiative, involving state and district legal services authorities, identified prisoners needing legal aid to appeal bail rejections and convictions.
Supreme Court reprimands an advocate for filing a 'vexatious litigation' in a criminal case and seeks explanation. Justices Bela M Trivedi and Satish Chandra Sharma issued a contempt notice after discovering the repeat appeal against Madras HC's decision. Following objections, the court gave an opportunity for a detailed explanation regarding the second appeal filing.
Lawyers at Calcutta High Court boycotted court proceedings on Tuesday, protesting the transfer of Justice Dinesh Kumar Sharma from Delhi HC. The lawyers expressed discontent with the SC collegium's decision, stating their intent to boycott Sharma's swearing-in and court sessions, citing concerns over his reputation.
A Kerala YouTube channel exposed a father's scheme to frame his wife by manipulating their son to accuse her. Although the boy's identity was indirectly revealed through his father's photo, the SC halted criminal proceedings against the channel citing its crucial role in assisting the mother.
The Supreme Court criticized certain NGOs for stalling development projects by conjuring false environmental risks. It dismissed an appeal by 'Kahar Samaj Panch Committee' challenging a floating solar power project at Jayakwadi Dam, emphasizing that such projects align with government policy to promote solar energy.
India has achieved significant progress in reducing Left-wing extremism, with the number of affected districts decreasing from 38 to 18 across seven states. Most-affected districts have halved, leading to substantial declines in LWE incidents and deaths, showing a successful government effort in combating Naxalism.
The US Agency for International Development (USAID) is under scrutiny in an ongoing investigation related to hedge fund operator George Soros. ASAR Social Impact Advisors received Rs 8 crore from USAID as foreign inward remittance while also being funded by the Soros Economic Development Fund.
The government is pushing for the passage of the Waqf (Amendment) Bill in Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha, facing strong opposition from parties and Muslim organizations. Opposition parties plan to participate actively in the debate without causing disruptions, as the NDA holds a numerical advantage in both Houses.
RSS general secretary Dattatreya Hosabale states the Sangh's opposition to reclaiming thousands of mosques allegedly built on demolished temples. He underscores the potential societal hostility and urgency of other priorities like eliminating untouchability. The Sangh emphasizes focusing on instilling values and cultural preservation rather than pursuing past disputes.
Union minister Ashwini Vaishnaw highlighted the challenges posed by AI-related crimes and questioned accountability for such crimes. He urged CBI to collaborate with academic and technological institutions to improve their investigative methods, emphasizing the need for a techno-legal approach to modern-age crimes.
Defence minister Rajnath Singh refuted claims of historical northern dominance over the south, calling them misleading. He highlighted the significant contributions of Karnataka and other southern states to India's cultural and religious heritage amidst debates over the BJP-led Centre's Lok Sabha seat delimitation.
On the 75th anniversary of Sino-Indian diplomatic relations, Indian leaders PM Narendra Modi and President Droupadi Murmu and their Chinese counterparts Xi Jinping and Li Qiang exchanged messages. Celebrations highlight progress since troop disengagement in Ladakh, with a focus on mutual respect and resuming practical cooperation.
Parliament has passed the Tribhuvan Sahkari University Bill to establish the Institute of Rural Management Anand as a university dedicated to the cooperative sector. The new university in Gujarat's Anand aims to train an estimated 8 lakh people annually and meet the demand for 17 lakh trained professionals in the next five years.
The home ministry has extended the validity of FCRA registration certificates for NGOs by six months. Licenses expiring between April 1, 2025, and June 30, 2025, can be renewed provided an application is submitted before the expiration date, ensuring smooth compliance with stricter FCRA regulations.
Bangladesh's interim chief adviser, Muhammad Yunus, suggested that China could use Bangladesh to access India's northeastern region, sparking criticism from Indian politicians. Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma and others urged the Indian government to address this strategic threat.
The Siddhivinayak temple trust in Prabhadevi reported record earnings of Rs 133 crore for the financial year 2024-25, a 15% increase from the previous year. Effective administration and efficient darshan arrangements contributed to the increase, with revenues from donations, prasad sales, and gold-silver offerings.
The Gujarat High Court has upheld the acquittal of six individuals accused of killing three British nationals of Indian origin during the 2002 riots. The decision followed the special SIT courts ruling that cited insufficient evidence, relying primarily on an anonymous complaint to the British High Commission.
Karnataka's economic surveys over three years have repeated content verbatim, particularly in sections about government schemes and urban development. Despite a change in administration, only the data tables were updated. The Directorate of Economics and Statistics claimed the responsibility lies with individual departments for the lack of updated analysis, leading to criticisms of their approach.