Month: April 2025

Congress MP and party General Secretary in charge of Communications Jairam Ramesh on Friday announced that the party will soon challenge the “constitutionality” of the Waqf Amendment Bill in the Supreme Court after it was passed in the Parliament in the early hours of Friday.

In a post on the social media platform X, the Congress leader outlined the party’s ongoing legal actions, stating that the party was already challenging several laws in the Supreme Court, including the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) of 2019, amendments to the Right to Information (RTI) Act of 2005, and amendments to the Conduct of Election Rules (2024). Additionally, the party is intervening in the court to uphold the Places of Worship Act, 1991.

“The INC’s challenge of the CAA, 2019, is being heard in the Supreme Court. The INC’s challenge of the 2019 amendments to the RTI Act, 2005, is being heard in the Supreme Court. The INC’s challenge to the validity of the amendments to the Conduct of Election Rules (2024) is being heard in the Supreme Court. The INC’s intervention to uphold the letter and spirit of the Places of Worship Act, 1991, is being heard in the Supreme Court. The INC will very soon be challenging in the Supreme Court the constitutionality of the Wakf (Amendment) Bill, 2024,” Ramesh said.

He further expressed confidence in the party’s legal challenges, asserting that Congress will continue to resist any actions by the Modi government that it views as assaults on the principles enshrined in the Constitution of India.

“We are confident and will continue to resist all assaults of the Modi Government on the principles, provisions, and practices that are contained in the Constitution of India,” the Congress leader said.

Parliament passed the Waqf Amendment Bill 2025 in the early hours of Friday after a marathon and heated debate.

Rajya Sabha sat beyond midnight to pass the legislation. Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar said, “Ayes 128 and Noes 95, Absent zero. The Bill is passed.”

Lok Sabha, which took up discussion on the Waqf (Amendment) Bill on Wednesday, passed it past midnight after a marathon debate.

The government introduced the revised bill after incorporating the recommendations of the Joint Parliamentary Committee, which examined the legislation introduced in August last year. The bill seeks to amend the Act of 1995 and improve the administration and management of Waqf properties in India.

The Bill aims to overcome the shortcomings of the previous act and enhance the efficiency of Waqf boards, improving the registration process and increasing the role of technology in managing waqf records. (ANI)

Legendary actor and filmmaker Manoj Kumar, a stalwart of Indian cinema, passed away on April 4, 2025, at the age of 87.

The actor, affectionately known as “Bharat Kumar” for his portrayal of patriotic roles in numerous films, breathed his last at 4:03 am at the Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital in Mumbai.

According to medical reports, the cause of his death was identified as cardiogenic shock due to acute myocardial infarction, a severe heart attack.

The reports also confirmed that Kumar had been battling decompensated liver cirrhosis in the past few months, which contributed to his declining health.

He was admitted to the hospital on February 21, 2025, after his condition worsened.

Born Harikrishan Goswami on July 24, 1937, in Amritsar, Punjab, Manoj Kumar carved a niche for himself in Hindi cinema.

His iconic roles in films like Shaheed, Upkar, and Rang De Basanti resonated deeply with the patriotic sentiments of the Indian public.

Throughout his career, Kumar became known for both his acting and direction in films that focused on national pride and the spirit of unity.

Kumar’s contributions to Indian cinema earned him several prestigious accolades, including a National Film Award and seven Filmfare Awards in different categories.

In recognition of his immense contribution to Indian arts, the Government of India awarded him the Padma Shri in 1992.

His legacy was further solidified when he was honored with the Dadasaheb Phalke Award in 2015, the highest recognition in Indian cinema.

The news of his passing has sent shockwaves through the film industry, with many expressing their grief and honoring his legacy.

Filmmaker Ashoke Pandit also expressed his grief over the passing of the legendary actor.

Speaking to ANI, he said, “Sad to inform you all that legendary Dada Saheb Phalke Award winner, our inspiration, doyen of Indian film industry, Shri Manoj Kumarji is no more. He breathed his last at Kokilaben Hospital, Andheri, after not being well for a very, very long time. It’s a great loss to the industry, Manojji will really miss you.”

He added, “We all kept on meeting him quite occasionally. He was always full of life, he was always happy, and the entire industry will miss him. A great soul like him, a great maker like him, will never be there in our industry. Goodbye Manojji, goodbye.”

Manoj Kumar leaves behind a rich cinematic legacy that has touched the hearts of millions. (ANI)

Father Thomas Tharayil from the Kerala Catholic Bishops Council (KCBC) on Thursday hoped that when the Waqf (Amendment) Bill becomes law, it will give solace to the people in Munambam in Ernakulam district, who are facing eviction after the State Waqf board claimed their lands where they have been living for decades.

He also expressed regrets for MPs from Kerala not heeding to the KCBC’s appeal that they support such clauses in the Bill that solve issues like Munambam.

“When Waqf Amendment Bill becomes a law, only then we can see how much it helps the people of Munambam and likewise cases. KCBC had sent out an appeal to the MPs of Kerala requesting them to support the amendment when it comes to the Parliament. Unfortunately, they did not do so and voted against it,” Father Thomas Tharayil told ANI.

“We had not asked to support the bill in its entirety but to support the clauses that cause issues like the Munambam issue… We are thankful that now the bill has been passed in the Lok Sabha and hope that when it becomes a law, it will give consolation to the people of Munambam,” he added.

Around 610 families of Munambam, a coastal village in the Ernakulam district, have been protesting against the claim by the Waqf Board on their land.

The Lok Sabha passed the Waqf Amendment Bill 2025 after a marathon and heated debate. During this debate, members of the INDIA bloc fiercely opposed the legislation, while the BJP and its allies strongly supported it, saying it would bring transparency and enhance the efficiency of Waqf boards.

The House sat beyond midnight to pass the legislation. Speaker Om Birla later announced the division’s result. “Subject to correction, Ayes 288, Noes 232. The majority is in favour of the proposal,” he said.

The government introduced the revised bill after incorporating the recommendations of the Joint Parliamentary Committee, which examined the legislation introduced in August last year. The bill seeks to amend the Act of 1995 and improve the administration and management of waqf properties in India.

It aims to overcome the shortcomings of the previous act and enhance the efficiency of Waqf boards, improving the registration process and increasing the role of technology in managing waqf records. (ANI)

India’s T20I captain Suryakumar Yadav on Thursday paid a sacred visit to Ram Mandir in Ayodhya.

He offered prayers with his wife Devisha.

Sharing a picture from the temple premises, Suryakumar on Instagram wrote, “Jai Shri Ram (folded hand emojis).”

Meanwhile, on the professional front, Suryakumar Yadav recently became the fifth player for India to cross the 8000-run landmark in the T20 format following his scorching display in the Indian Premier League.

The unorthodox batter achieved the feat during Mumbai Indians’ 8-wicket triumph over the defending champions Kolkata Knight Riders in the ongoing 18th edition of the IPL.

It was one-way traffic throughout the encounter between two behemoths of the cash-rich league. Suryakumar, with his dynamism and swagger, came in to leave the spectators mesmerised with his explosive cameo to steer MI to its first win of the season.

The winning maximum came off his bat as he returned to the dressing room triumphant with a score of 27* from a mere nine deliveries, laced with three fours and two towering sixes at a staggering strike rate of 300.

With his short-lived yet influential blitzkrieg, Suryakumar became the fifth Indian batter to cross the 8000-run mark in the T20 format after four stalwarts of the format.

The emphatic eight-wicket triumph at the Wankhede marked MI’s 24th win over KKR, the most against a team in the competition’s history. At Wankhede, MI relished in its 10th victory against the Knight Riders at its home turf, shattering the record for the most wins against an opponent at a venue in the IPL. (ANI)

Star batter Virat Kohli on Thursday marked a stylish appearance at the Mumbai airport, donning a black shirt and beige pants.

In the visuals captured by the paps, Kohli could be seen exiting the airport and going towards his car. He looked extremely handsome in his well groomed beard,

Meanwhile, on the professional front, Kohli is busy playing in the ongoing IPL tournament. On Wednesday, Kohli’s team Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) faced a defeat from Gujarat Titans (GT) at their home ground, M Chinnaswamy Stadium.

With this defeat, the Rajat Patidar-led team dropped to third place, while the Titans stayed in fourth place in the points table of the 18th edition of the lucrative league. Both teams currently hold four points after completing their three matches in the current tournament.

RCB was put to bat first by GT, who won the toss and opted to field. As ex-RCBian Mohammed Siraj (3/19) reduced RCB to 42/4, a 52-run stand between Livingstone and Jitesh Sharma (33 in 20 balls, with five fours and a six) and a 46-run stand for the seventh wicket between Livingstone (54 in 40 balls, with a four and five sixes) and Tim David (32 in 18 balls, with three fours and two sixes) helped RCB make 169/8 in their 20 overs.Sai Kishore (2/22) and Prasidh Krishna (1/26) were also impressive with the ball.

During the run-chase, GT lost their skipper Shubman Gill (14) early, but top knocks from Jos Buttler (73* in 39 balls, with five fours and six sixes), Sai Sudharsan (49 in 36 balls, with seven fours and a six) and Sherfane Rutherford (30* in 18 balls, with a four and three sixes) took GT to a win with 13 balls and eight wickets in hand. Siraj won the ‘Player of the Match’ award for his spell. (ANI)

Actor Shraddha Kapoor celebrated her pet dog Shyloh’s 14th birthday, and the “only family” that mattered at this ‘party’ was her adorable dogs.

The ‘Stree 2’ actress, who is often seen sharing glimpses of her life with fans, took to her Instagram Stories on Thursday to share a clip of her furry friends enjoying a birthday cake. The video shows Shraddha feeding Shyloh a special treat.

Along with the video, she wrote, “Is birthday party pe invite hona mushkil hi nahi, na mumkin hai #OnlyFamily.”

Take a look

Meanwhile, on the work front, Shraddha was last seen in Stree 2 opposite RajKummar Rao.

Recently, the makers of the Stree franchise announced the release date for the third installment of this horror-comedy film. Amar Kaushik directed the film, which is slated for a 2027 release.

According to Maddock Films’ announcement, Stree 3 will hit the big screens on August 13, 2027.

Sharing the news on Instagram, Maddock Films wrote, “Dinesh Vijan presents the genre-defining lineup of #MaddockHorrorComedyUniverse–8 theatrical films that will take you on a wild ride of laughter, spooks, thrills, and screams!”

The Shraddha Kapoor and Rajkummar Rao starrer Stree 2 faced a box-office clash with Akshay Kumar’s Khel Khel Mein and John Abraham’s Vedaa on August 15, 2024. The film also starred Pankaj Tripathi, Abhishek Banerjee, and Aparshakti Khurana.

Actors Varun Dhawan and Akshay Kumar also made special cameos in the film. (ANI)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi made a special announcement in Thailand on Thursday, stating that India will send relics of Lord Buddha, discovered in Gujarat’s Aravalli in the 1960s, to Thailand so that devotees can pay their obeisance.

He made the announcement during his speech with his Thai counterpart, PM Paetongtarn Shinawatra, in Bangkok.

Elaborating on the cultural ties between the two countries, PM Modi shared how India had sent Lord Buddha’s relics to Thailand last year. He said, “Last year, holy relics of Lord Buddha were sent from India to Thailand. It is a matter of great joy that over 4 million devotees received the opportunity to have a darshan.”

In 2024, the sacred relics of Lord Buddha, along with those of his disciples Arahata Sariputta and Arahata Maha Moggallana, were sent from India and displayed across four cities in Thailand from February 22 to March 18.

Typically housed in the National Museum in New Delhi, these holy relics rarely leave India for public exposition. This occasion marked the first time in recorded history that the relics of Buddha, along with those of Sariputta and Maha Moggallana from Sanchi, were enshrined together, wrote Ambassador Nagesh Singh in an op-ed published by the Embassy of India in Thailand.

On Thursday, PM Modi announced, “I am happy to announce that the holy relics of Lord Buddha, which were found in Gujarat’s Aravalli in 1960, will also be sent to Thailand for darshan.”

According to the Gujarat Tourism website, these relics were unearthed from Devni Mori, which contains the remains of a Buddhist monastery dating back to the 3rd- 4th century AD.

“Excavation of the stupa brought to light an inscribed casket which contained relics of Budhha. The inscription clearly mentions that the casket contains bodily relics of Buddha”, the website states.

Previously, the exposition of Buddha’s holy relics from India to Thailand took place in 1995-96 to mark the 50th anniversary of King Rama IX’s accession to the throne. The relics of Arahata Sariputta and Arahata Maha Moggallana were brought to India in 1952 by Syama Prasad Mookerjee, the then President of the Maha Bodhi Society, as part of a Dhammayatra to several countries after being retrieved from England following India’s independence.

PM Modi also highlighted the long-standing ties between India and Thailand, which were evident during the Mahakumbh earlier this year.

He said, “Our ancient ties were also seen in India during the Mahakumbh. More than 600 Buddhist devotees from Thailand and several other countries became a part of this spiritual and cultural gathering. Mahakumbh gave a message of world peace…”

PM Modi is in Thailand to participate in the sixth BIMSTEC Summit.

The summit, scheduled for Friday, marks a significant regional engagement between India and its neighbouring countries in the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) group. (ANI)

The Lok Sabha passed the Coastal Shipping Bill, 2024, paving the way for a dedicated legal framework for coastal trade as the maritime sector aims to provide a economical, reliable and sustainable mode of transportation as it decongest road and rail network.

“The Bill seeks to unlock the full potential of India’s vast and strategic coastline, providing dedicated legal framework for coastal trade,” asserted Sarbananda Sonowal, the Union Minister of Ports, Shipping & Waterways (MoPSW) as he introduced the bill in the Lower House earlier in the day.

The Coastal Shipping Bill, 2024 aims to make coastal trade easier, more competitive, and better integrated with Prime Minister Narendra Modi Govt’s overall transport vision — the National Logistics Policy. With its manifold forward looking provisions, the bill provides a future ready legal framework while upgrading the dated provision of earlier legislations like Merchant Shipping Act, 1958. The proposed bill introduces key provisions for licensing and regulating foreign vessels in India’s coasting trade. It mandates the formulation of a National Coastal and Inland Shipping Strategic Plan and establishes a National Database for Coastal Shipping.

The bill also regulates foreign vessels chartered by Indian entities and outlines penalties for violations, aligning with the government’s push for decriminalising laws. Additionally, it grants the Director General of Shipping authority to seek information, issue directions, and enforce compliance, while empowering the Central Government to provide exemptions and regulatory oversight, ensuring streamlined and efficient coastal shipping operations in India.

Speaking on the occasion, Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal said, “The Coastal Shipping Bill aligns local aspirations with national goals, and provides a framework for the next 25 years of coastal economic growth under the Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision 2047. The overarching goal of the Bill to develop a coastal fleet owned and operated by Indian entities will lead to reduced dependence on foreign vessels for critical areas relevant for our country’s coastal shipping. It will reduce logistics costs, promote green transport, support the vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi ji’s ‘Make in India’ initiative and create thousands of jobs in shipbuilding, port services and manning of vessels. The bill is in line with international best practices for adopting dedicated law for coastal trade but adopted to suit Indian conditions. This Bill provides a dedicated legal framework to boost coastal trade, propelling inland waterways and riverine economies while offering a low-cost, reliable, and sustainable alternative to overloaded road and rail networks.”

The Coastal Shipping Bill, 2024 aims to reduce logistics costs and promote sustainable transport. Coastal shipping, a cost-efficient and low-emission mode of transport, will play a key role in easing India’s overburdened road and rail networks. Key provisions of the Bill include the removal of the general trading license requirement for Indian ships (Clause 3), reducing compliance burdens and enhancing ease of doing business. Foreign vessels can engage in coastal trade only under a license issued by the Director General of Shipping (Clause 4), with conditions that support Indian shipbuilding and employment for seafarers. The Bill mandates a National Coastal and Inland Shipping Strategic Plan (Clause 8), revised biennially, to improve route planning, forecast traffic, and integrate coastal shipping with inland waterways. This strategic vision ensures long-term growth and sustainability in India’s maritime sector.

On the bill’s efficacy with present day realities as well as its role as a future ready framework, the Union Minister of Ports, Shipping & Waterways, Sonowal said, “The new Coastal Shipping Bill modernises & streamlines coastal trade regulations, addressing gaps in the Merchant Shipping Act, 1958. Unlike its predecessor,which focused solely on vessel licensing, this Bill provides a forward-looking, holistic framework aligned with global cabotage practices. It simplifies procedures, promotes growth, & integrates coastal shipping into India’s modern logistics network, ensuring efficiency, sustainability & competitiveness in the maritime sector.”

The Coastal Shipping Bill, 2024 builds on key reforms, including prioritised berthing, green clearance channels, and GST reduction on bunker fuel. Coastal cargo traffic has surged 119 percent in the last decade, from 74 million tonnes in 2014-15 to 162 million tonnes in 2023-24, with a target of 230 million tonnes by 2030. The Bill ensures legal clarity, regulatory stability, and investment-friendly policies, strengthening India’s maritime security and advancing the vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat.

On the possibilities from strategic integration of coastal shipping with inland waterways, Sarbananda Sonowal said, “The integration of coastal and inland waterways will promote regional development of riverine and coastal areas alike in the country. This Bill will also give impetus to the long-term vision of development of coastal and inland waterways transport in States such as Odisha, Karnataka, & Goa among others. The integration of coastal shipping routes with inland waterways — which often traverse multiple states — calls for collective planning and coordinated execution. By recognising the role of States in this regard, this Bill ensures that the growth of coastal shipping is inclusive and participative.”

The Coastal Shipping Bill, 2024 introduces a National Database of Coastal Shipping to enhance transparency, coordination, and data-driven decision-making. It also expands the category of charterers allowed to hire foreign vessels, including Indian citizens, NRIs, OCIs, and LLPs. Ensuring cooperative federalism, the Bill provides active representation for States and Union Territories in key mechanisms, reinforcing India’s commitment to a streamlined, inclusive, and efficient maritime sector.

Allaying criticism of the Opposition parties, Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal asserted, “The Coastal Shipping Bill, 2024 upholds cooperative federalism by ensuring active participation of States and Union Territories. Under Clause 8(3), a committee–comprising representatives from major ports, State Maritime Boards, and experts–will draft the National Coastal and Inland Shipping Strategic Plan. This guarantees States a direct role in shaping strategy, routes, and regulations. By integrating coastal shipping with inland waterways, the Bill enables collective planning, fostering inclusive growth aligned with Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas.” (ANI)

Bollywood diva Malaika Arora recently got a new tattoo on her arm.

On Thursday, she took to Instagram and shared pictures from her last week. However, the major highlight of Malaika’s photo dump was the new tattoo on her arm.

The ink read, “Sabr, Shukr (Patience, gratitude).

Meanwhile, on the work front, Malaika made heads turn with her showstopper look at Lakme Fashion Week a couple of days ago.

For Malaika, India has always represented some amazing fashion, including embroidery and handloom crafts. She believes that such crafts should be promoted on global platforms so that Indian fashion can be put on the international map.

While speaking to ANI, she said, “I think I mean, for me, India has always represented some amazing fashion. We truly do some of the most amazing embroidery, its sustainability, and some of the most amazing artisans and Handloom come from India. So I think those are things that really need to be talked about, preserved, and put on an international map.”

The ‘Chaiyya Chaiyya’ song fame star also shared her most comfortable outfit for daily life. She said, “My go-to would be a pair of blue jeans, white shirt, or my Reebok track pants.” (ANI)

Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde on Wednesday slammed Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray for opposing the Waqf Amendment Bill, accusing him of abandoning Hindutva and Balasaheb Thackeray’s ideology.

Speaking to the media, Shinde called it their “biggest crime.”

“By opposing this, UBT has revealed its true face. It has been proven that they have completely abandoned Hindutva and the ideals of Balasaheb Thackeray. This is extremely unfortunate. It is a bigger crime than the betrayal in 2019 when he (Uddhav Thackeray) formed a government with Congress in 2019, forsaking Balasaheb Thackeray’s ideology,” Eknath Shinde said.

He further criticised Thackeray’s leadership, calling him “confused”.

“Uddhav Thackeray is completely confused. He doesn’t even know what decisions to take. When leadership becomes like this, the future of the party is also in darkness,” he said.

Further, the Maharashtra DyCM asserted that the Waqf (Amendment) Bill 2025 aims to end the monopoly of a select few over Waqf properties while alleging that Congress wants to keep the poor in poverty.

“The Waqf Board was in the hands of a handful of people, but now, with the bill introduced by Modi ji, their dominance will end. This will provide an opportunity for women and children to come into the mainstream. It will benefit the poor sections of the Muslim community, but Congress wants to keep Muslims poor for the sake of votes,” Shinde said.

Earlier in the day, Uddhav Thackeray slammed the “all show, no substance” Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led Union government. He said that his party opposed the Waqf (Amendment) Bill and also the hypocrisy of the BJP and its “plans to give lands to businessmen friends”.

Standing firm on his opposition to the Waqf Amendment Bill, Thackeray acknowledged that a few rectifications were “good”. However, he added, the BJP was all show and no substance since they repealed Article 370 and didn’t manage to get Kashmiri Pandits their lands.

“There are some corrections (for the Waqf board) in the Waqf amendment bill, which are good. However, the experience with the BJP till now is that yanche dakhwayeche daant ani khayeche daant vegde ahe (all show, no substance) …We supported them during the repeal of Article 370…But I want to ask, did the Kashmiri Pandits get their land? We not only opposed the bill but also the hypocrisy and corruption of the BJP and its plans to give land to its businessmen friends,” Thackeray, former Chief Minister of Maharashtra, said during a press conference.

On Wednesday, the Lok Sabha passed the Waqf Amendment Bill 2025 after a marathon and heated debate, during which members of the INDIA bloc fiercely opposed the legislation while the BJP and its allies strongly supported it, saying it would bring transparency and enhance the efficiency of Waqf boards.

The Lower House of Parliament sat beyond midnight to pass the legislation. Speaker Om Birla later announced the division’s result. “Subject to correction, Ayes 288, Noes 232. The majority is in favour of the proposal,” he said.

The government introduced the revised bill after incorporating the recommendations of the Joint Parliamentary Committee, which examined the legislation introduced in August last year. The bill seeks to amend the Act of 1995 and improve the administration and management of Waqf properties in India.

It aims to overcome the shortcomings of the previous act and enhance the efficiency of Waqf boards, improving the registration process and increasing the role of technology in managing waqf records.

Meanwhile, Union Parliamentary Affairs Kiren Rijiju today moved a motion for consideration of the Waqf (Amendment) Bill of 2025 and the Musalmaan Wakf (Repeal) Bill in the Rajya Sabha. (ANI)