Month: April 2026

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to address the nation tonight at 8:30 PM. It is likely that the Prime Minister will speak on the issue of the Women’s reservation bill which failed to pass in Parliament after the opposition blocked it.

Earlier former Union Minister Smriti Irani lambasted the Congress and other INDIA bloc allies for failing to unite behind the move to give 33% reservation to women in Parliament.

Smriti Irani said, “The women of the country were told that the Congress party has created a dream that holds the intention of securing political rights for women. What has become of that intention after 98 years was seen yesterday by women across the country in the nation’s Parliament. The Congress party smiled, thumped desks, and celebrated politically yesterday as they crushed the aspirations of the nation’s political awakening. But for the BJP, this is not just a struggle for power; it is a fight for the right to equality. Women will remember that during six decades of Congress rule, 11 crore women in this country were deprived of access to toilets. Women will remember that 25 crore women were denied the support to open bank accounts. Women will remember that under BJP-NDA, the first gender budget framework was introduced.”

The BJP leader said that the Congress’ real face was now exposed before the women of the country.

“Congress and its supporting parties celebrated the fact that the struggling political women of this country, who have been working for years and were merely demanding 33% rights. They were immersed in the celebration of how to deny those women their rights by breaking their dignity, and how to win the battle in Parliament. Today, in the Congress press conference, a jibe was made that some people in the BJP tried to play the messiah. I’m stunned that in the Congress press conference, it was stated that they support the bill passed in 2023, which mentions delimitation. But look at Congress’s hypocrisy–they also say together that they don’t have faith in the committee and the arrangement for delimitation. Congress has no faith in the country’s constitutional arrangement, in Parliament, or in the women of the country. Congress has exposed its cruel face in front of the women of the country,” she said.

On Friday, the BJP-led government failed to secure the required two-thirds majority to pass the amendment bill. In the Lok Sabha voting, 298 members supported the bill while 230 opposed it.

Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla confirmed that the bill did not pass. Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju said the Centre would not proceed with the remaining interlinked legislations.

While Union Home Minister Amit Shah accused the opposition of blocking women’s reservation, opposition leaders, including Rahul Gandhi, maintained that they support the quota but oppose its linkage with delimitation.

“Yesterday in Parliament, they came up with a new Bill. They said it was a Women’s Bill, but that was already passed in 2023. The hidden agenda behind that Bill was delimitation. The idea was to reduce Tamil Nadu’s representation in the Parliament of India and weaken southern and smaller states. We defeated that Bill in Parliament yesterday,” he said during a campaign rally in Ponneri, Tamil Nadu.

Outlining his broader political position, he said India is a “union of states” where each state must have equal space. “Every state should have a voice in the Union and should be free to express its language and protect its tradition.”

Meanwhile, the BJP and its allies are continuing their street protest against the Congress and the INDIA bloc alleging that the alliance was anti-women and did not want to see the women of the country go forward. (ANI)

Former Union Minister and BJP leader Smriti Irani stated that the Women’s Reservation Bill seeks to strengthen “ordinary women” with political aspirations, not carve out a new vote bank, and added that women have consistently backed Prime Minister Narendra Modi since 2014.

Irani said the legislation is aimed at political empowerment.

Addressing a press conference at the BJP Headquarters, Irani said, “When PM Modi was the Chief Minister of Gujarat, if we look at his journey, the votes of those who voted for him have only increased. So it is not as if there is any attempt to carve out a new vote bank. Women in the country, whether in 2014, 2019 or 2024, have supported PM Modi by voting for him. The bill that has been introduced is one that aims to strengthen the capability of ordinary women in this country who have political aspirations and wish to contribute to the development of the nation. It is a bill that empowers them.

Taking a swipe at Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, Irani said that those who have “inherited politics” may not fully understand such initiatives.

“Those who have inherited politics may not understand this for sure. Therefore, I do not expect Mrs Vadra to understand this effort of PM Modi, which empowers ordinary women in the country. Women in the country have consistently and in large numbers voted for PM Modi and supported him,” Irani added.

Earlier in a press conference, Priyanka Gandhi had stated that, “It’s a Black Day for them (centre) because they’ve felt a shock for the first time, which they deserved. The problems of women today are growing exponentially. Women aren’t fools. They see everything. That PR and media hype won’t work anymore.”

Additionally, Irani accused the Congress of “crushing the aspirations” of women by opposing the Constitution (One Hundred and Thirty-First Amendment) Bill, 2026, saying the party celebrated in Parliament while denying women their political rights.

Irani said, “The women of the country were told that the Congress party has created a dream that holds the intention of securing political rights for women. What has become of that intention after 98 years was seen yesterday by women across the country in the nation’s Parliament. The Congress party smiled, thumped desks, and celebrated politically yesterday as they crushed the aspirations of the nation’s political awakening. But for the BJP, this is not just a struggle for power; it is a fight for the right to equality.”

Irani contrasted the BJP-led government’s record with that of previous Congress governments. She alleged that during decades of Congress rule, millions of women were deprived of basic facilities such as toilets and banking access, contrasting it with initiatives under the BJP-led NDA government, including the introduction of a gender budget framework.

She further accused the Congress and its allies of celebrating the denial of women’s long-standing demand for 33 per cent reservation in legislatures.

She added, “Women will remember that during six decades of Congress rule, 11 crore women in this country were deprived of access to toilets. Women will remember that 25 crore women were denied the support to open bank accounts. Women will remember that under BJP-NDA, the first gender budget framework was introduced. Congress and its supporting parties celebrated the fact that the struggling political women of this country, who have been working for years and were merely demanding 33% rights. They were immersed in the celebration of how to deny those women their rights by breaking their dignity, and how to win the battle in Parliament. Today, in the Congress press conference, a jibe was made that some people in the BJP tried to play the messiah. I’m stunned that in the Congress press conference, it was stated that they support the bill passed in 2023, which mentions delimitation. But look at Congress’s hypocrisy–they also say together that they don’t have faith in the committee and the arrangement for delimitation. Congress has no faith in the country’s constitutional arrangement, in Parliament, or in the women of the country. Congress has exposed its cruel face in front of the women of the country.”

The remarks come a day after the BJP-led government failed to secure the required two-thirds majority to pass the amendment bill. In the Lok Sabha voting, 298 members supported the bill while 230 opposed it.

Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla confirmed that the bill did not pass. Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju said the Centre would not proceed with the remaining interlinked legislations.

While Union Home Minister Amit Shah accused the opposition of blocking women’s reservation, opposition leaders, including Rahul Gandhi, maintained that they support the quota but oppose its linkage with delimitation. (ANI)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to address the nation tonight at 8:30 PM. It is likely that the Prime Minister will speak on the issue of the Women’s reservation bill which failed to pass in Parliament after the opposition blocked it.

Earlier former Union Minister Smriti Irani lambasted the Congress and other INDIA bloc allies for failing to unite behind the move to give 33% reservation to women in Parliament.

Smriti Irani said, “The women of the country were told that the Congress party has created a dream that holds the intention of securing political rights for women. What has become of that intention after 98 years was seen yesterday by women across the country in the nation’s Parliament. The Congress party smiled, thumped desks, and celebrated politically yesterday as they crushed the aspirations of the nation’s political awakening. But for the BJP, this is not just a struggle for power; it is a fight for the right to equality. Women will remember that during six decades of Congress rule, 11 crore women in this country were deprived of access to toilets. Women will remember that 25 crore women were denied the support to open bank accounts. Women will remember that under BJP-NDA, the first gender budget framework was introduced.”

The BJP leader said that the Congress’ real face was now exposed before the women of the country.

“Congress and its supporting parties celebrated the fact that the struggling political women of this country, who have been working for years and were merely demanding 33% rights. They were immersed in the celebration of how to deny those women their rights by breaking their dignity, and how to win the battle in Parliament. Today, in the Congress press conference, a jibe was made that some people in the BJP tried to play the messiah. I’m stunned that in the Congress press conference, it was stated that they support the bill passed in 2023, which mentions delimitation. But look at Congress’s hypocrisy–they also say together that they don’t have faith in the committee and the arrangement for delimitation. Congress has no faith in the country’s constitutional arrangement, in Parliament, or in the women of the country. Congress has exposed its cruel face in front of the women of the country,” she said.

On Friday, the BJP-led government failed to secure the required two-thirds majority to pass the amendment bill. In the Lok Sabha voting, 298 members supported the bill while 230 opposed it.

Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla confirmed that the bill did not pass. Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju said the Centre would not proceed with the remaining interlinked legislations.

While Union Home Minister Amit Shah accused the opposition of blocking women’s reservation, opposition leaders, including Rahul Gandhi, maintained that they support the quota but oppose its linkage with delimitation.

“Yesterday in Parliament, they came up with a new Bill. They said it was a Women’s Bill, but that was already passed in 2023. The hidden agenda behind that Bill was delimitation. The idea was to reduce Tamil Nadu’s representation in the Parliament of India and weaken southern and smaller states. We defeated that Bill in Parliament yesterday,” he said during a campaign rally in Ponneri, Tamil Nadu.

Outlining his broader political position, he said India is a “union of states” where each state must have equal space. “Every state should have a voice in the Union and should be free to express its language and protect its tradition.”

Meanwhile, the BJP and its allies are continuing their street protest against the Congress and the INDIA bloc alleging that the alliance was anti-women and did not want to see the women of the country go forward. (ANI)

Ayushmann Khurrana has unveiled the first-look poster of his upcoming film ‘Pati Patni Aur Woh Do’, introducing a chaotic and comedic world featuring Sara Ali Khan, Wamiqa Gabbi and Rakul Preet Singh alongside him.

The film is slated for a theatrical release on May 15, 2026. Khurrana shared the poster on Instagram, offering audiences a glimpse into the film’s quirky narrative and visual tone.

The first-look poster presents Ayushmann Khurrana in a khaki uniform, visibly flustered as he appears tangled in a golden net or rope.

A large leopard sits calmly beside him, creating a striking contrast with his panicked expression.

Khurrana captioned the Instagram post, “Shikari khud hogaya shikaar! Ab Jaal mein phas gaye humare PRAJAPATI PANDEY. Ho jao #PatiPatniAurWohDo ke liye taiyaar! In cinemas 15th May 2026!”

The announcement highlights the ensemble cast featuring Sara Ali Khan, Wamiqa Gabbi and Rakul Preet Singh, positioning Ayushmann’s character Prajapati Pandey at the centre of the unfolding chaos and comedic entanglement.

Trade analyst Taran Adarsh also shared the update, writing, “Welcome to the world of #PrajapatiPandey… The first look of #PatiPatniAurWohDo, starring #AyushmannKhuranna, #SaraAliKhan, #WamiqaGabbi, and RakulPreetSingh, has been unveiled. Directed by MudassarAziz, the film is slated to arrive in cinemas on 15 May 2026. Produced by BhushanKumar, RenuRaviChopra, and Krishan Kumar, with JunoChopra as the creative producer. A ZeeStudios worldwide release.”

The film is directed by Mudassar Aziz and produced by Bhushan Kumar, Renu Ravi Chopra, and Krishan Kumar under T-Series and BR Studios.

Juno Chopra serves as creative producer, with Zee Studios presenting the worldwide release. (ANI)

As Saturday marked the final day of the Special Parliament Session, both the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha were adjourned sine die.

Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla concluded the proceedings, formally bringing the Budget session to a close. Rajya Sabha Chairman Vice-President C.P Radhakrishnan adjourned the Upper House of Parliament shortly after.

The Chairman of the Rajya Sabha, in his valedictory address, said that with the conclusion of the 270th Session of the House, the Budget Session of Parliament has come to an end. He expressed appreciation to members for their valuable contributions, which he said enriched the debates in the House.

He noted that among the three parliamentary sessions, the Budget Session holds primacy as it is the longest and most significant, with budgetary allocations, policies, and priorities having a direct impact on the country’s development and citizens’ lives.

Recalling the proceedings, the Chairman said the session began with a four-day discussion on the Motion of Thanks to the President’s Address, in which 79 members participated. He added that the Prime Minister’s reply provided clarity on several issues raised by members.

He further said the discussion on the Union Budget 2026-27 was comprehensive and incisive, with 97 members participating over four days. The House also held detailed discussions on the functioning of two key ministries.

The Chairman took note of suo motu statements made by the Commerce and Industry Minister on the India-US Bilateral Trade Agreement and by the External Affairs Minister on the situation in West Asia. He also referred to the Prime Minister’s statement on the West Asia conflict, highlighting its impact on India’s energy security and the need for collective national resolve.

He informed that 50 Private Members’ Bills were introduced during the session. Members also spoke in 12 regional languages listed in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution on 94 occasions.

Highlighting the performance of the House, he said it functioned for 157 hours and 40 minutes, with productivity at 109.87 per cent. During the session, 117 questions were taken up, along with 446 Zero Hour submissions and 207 Special Mentions.

The Chairman also mentioned the re-election of Shri Harivansh as Deputy Chairman of the Rajya Sabha for a third term, noting that he was felicitated by the Prime Minister and leaders across party lines.

He thanked the Deputy Chairman, Panel of Vice-Chairpersons, Leader of the House, Leader of the Opposition, Minister of Parliamentary Affairs, party leaders, and all members for their cooperation in the smooth conduct of proceedings. Appreciation was also extended to the Secretary-General, parliamentary staff, and the media.

Meanwhile, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla met Members of Parliament in his office after both Houses were adjourned sine die.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju, Congress MPs Kumari Selja and KC Venugopal, along with several other MPs, were present at the meeting.

Earlier, an intensifying political standoff between the ruling BJP-led government and opposition parties over the failed legislation erupted, which was linked to the implementation of women’s reservation through a delimitation exercise. The bill could not secure the required two-thirds majority in the Lok Sabha, with 298 members voting in favour and 230 opposing it.

Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla announced that the Constitution Amendment Bill had not been passed. Following the outcome, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju said the government would not proceed with the remaining two interlinked bills.

The BJP has accused opposition parties of blocking a historic reform aimed at ensuring 33 per cent reservation for women in Parliament and state assemblies.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah alleged that parties like Congress, TMC, and others prevented the passage of the bill and warned of political consequences.

However, the opposition has maintained that it supports women’s reservation in principle but opposes linking it with delimitation and census processes. Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, described the bill as an attempt to alter India’s electoral structure, while several Congress leaders termed the vote a defence of democratic values. (ANI)

With the claim of US President Donald Trump that he played a key role in resolving multiple global conflicts, Trump, on his social media platform Truth Social, shared a post by the “Trump War Room” of a digital poster featuringTrump to be “The Peace President.”

In a post on Truth Social on Friday, the “Trump War Room” handle said, “Trust Trump. Not Panicans.”

The post featured a digital poster claiming the US President to be “The Peace President”.

Earlier, US President Donald Trump on Friday (local time) claimed that he played a key role in resolving multiple global conflicts, including the India-Pakistan situation, asserting that his interventions helped prevent large-scale loss of life.

While speaking on international conflicts at the Turning Point USA event in Phoenix, Arizona, Trump said, “I am the peacemaker. I am the one who settled eight wars. I settled a war that would have killed 30 to 50 million people, India-Pakistan.”

He further expanded on his claim, saying, “I ended eight wars, but if we add Iran and Lebanon, that will be 10 wars ended and many, many millions of lives saved. Think of how many lives we’ve saved.”

On the Lebanon ceasefire, Trump said the US had helped secure a major breakthrough, claiming, “Yesterday, we achieved what everyone said was impossible, an unprecedented ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon. That hasn’t taken place in 78 years…we will make Lebanon great again…”

In talks with Iran, Trump said negotiations were continuing and expressed optimism, adding, “Talks are going on, and we’ll go on over the weekend,” and said the US blockade would end once an “agreement is signed.”

Meanwhile, a fresh round of US-Iran talks is expected to take place in Islamabad on Monday, with delegations likely to arrive in Pakistan on Sunday, Iranian officials said, according to CNN.

President Trump also said that any agreement with Iran would not take effect until it is fully finalised, while claiming major developments in West Asia, including Lebanon and the Strait of Hormuz.

Speaking at a Turning Point USA event in Phoenix, Arizona, Trump said, “This will be a great and brilliant day for the world because Iran has just announced that the Strait of Hormuz is fully open and ready for business and full passage. But the naval blockade with the greatest navy in the world, from the greatest military the world has ever seen, we built it. During my first term, we built it…We’ll remain in full force and effect as it pertains to Iran until such time as our transaction with Iran is 100 % complete and fully signed.”

Meanwhile, Iran has asserted that maritime movement through the Strait of Hormuz will be strictly controlled by Tehran, stating that passage will be allowed only through designated routes and under Iranian approval, amid escalating tensions with the United States over regional security and negotiations.

Speaker of the Islamic Republic of Iran’s Parliament, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, said, “4- Passage through the Strait of Hormuz will be conducted based on the ‘designated route’ and with ‘Iranian authorisation.’ 5- Whether the Strait is open or closed and the regulations governing it will be determined by the field, not by social media.”(ANI)

The Opposition will write to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to demand the implementation of the old Women’s Reservation Bill, Sources said.

As per the Sources on Saturday, Parties in the INDIA bloc will hold press conferences across the country to state that they support women’s reservation, but the government was trying to change the political map of the country under its guise.

During the meeting, all leaders congratulated one another, and Sonia Gandhi expressed her gratitude to all her allies.

Speaking to ANI ahead of the final day of the special sitting, Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi urged the Centre to reintroduce the original Women’s Reservation Bill, a day after the Constitution (One Hundred and Thirty-First Amendment) Bill, 2026, failed to pass in the Lok Sabha during the special Parliament sitting.

Priyanka Gandhi challenged the government to bring back a version of the bill that had previously received broad political consensus. “They (Centre) should bring the old women’s bill, the one which was passed by all parties, immediately on Monday. Hold Parliament on Monday, bring the bill and let’s see who is anti-woman. We will all vote and support you,” she told ANI.

The One Hundred and Sixth Constitutional Amendment Act, 2023 (Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam), passed in 2023 by Parliament, provides for 33% (one-third) reservation for women in the Lok Sabha and state legislative assemblies.

Meanwhile, the BJP-led NDA government on Friday failed to secure the required two-thirds majority in the Lok Sabha to pass the Constitution Amendment Bill, which was linked to implementing women’s reservation through delimitation. In the voting held after a marathon debate, 298 members supported the bill while 230 opposed it, leading to its defeat.

Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla confirmed that the bill did not pass as it fell short of the constitutional threshold. The government had introduced three interlinked legislations, including the Delimitation Bill and the Union Territories Laws (Amendment) Bill, but Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju later said the remaining bills would not be pursued.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah had earlier accused opposition parties of blocking a key reform aimed at granting 33 per cent reservation for women in Parliament and state assemblies.

Opposition leaders, including Rahul Gandhi, maintained that they support women’s reservation but opposed linking it with delimitation, calling the move an attempt to alter India’s electoral structure.

The special sitting of Parliament was held amid the campaign for the assembly polls in Tamil Nadu and West Bengal. (ANI)

The Fact Finding Committee has begun its inquiry into the alleged religious conversion and sexual harassment case linked to the TCS office in Nashik, advocate Monika Arora said on Saturday.

While speaking to ANI, Arora said, “We have come for an inquiry into the episode of TCS. And we are going to talk to all the stakeholders.”

She further stated that the panel would speak to all parties first before sharing any preliminary details.

“It’s not possible for us to say anything right now because we will meet all the stakeholders and talk to them, and whatever truth comes out, based on that, we are going to make a recommendation and a report,” she said.

Arora said the committee comprises four members.

“The committee has a retired judge, a retired IPS officer, and an advocate and a coordinator from NCW. There are four people,” she added.

The panel’s visit comes amid protests by Bajrang Dal members outside the District Collector’s Office demanding action over the allegations.

On Friday, the Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) took custody of two accused, Safi Shaikh and Raza Memon, in the alleged forced conversion case linked to Nashik Tata Consultancy Services (TCS).

The ATS is currently interrogating the accused in connection with the alleged forced conversion case linked to Nashik TCS.

Earlier, K. Krithivasan, CEO and MD, TCS said that the company has engages the services of expert teams from Deloitte and a prominent law firm Trilegal as independent counsel to the internal investigation led by Aarthi Subramanian, President and COO, TCS. The TCS CEO said an committee chaired by Keki Mistry, Independent Director has also been constituted.

TCS said its unit in Nashik continues to operate and serve our clients. The company said that while detailed reviews are still underway, a preliminary review of the systems and records pertaining to the Nashik unit indicates that they had not received any complaints of the nature

that are being alleged on either its ethics or POSH channels.

Maharashtra Chief Minister & BJP leader Devendra Fadnavis on Friday termed the recent incident at the Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) facility in Nashik a “very serious matter,” stating that the government is investigating whether the incident constitutes “corporate jihad.”Speaking with ANI, Fadnavis confirmed that state authorities are launching a deep-dive investigation to uncover the origins of the controversy that has gripped the tech hub.

Fadnavis emphasised that the state’s investigative agencies are looking beyond the surface of the incident. While he did not elaborate on the specific details of the “corporate jihad” allegation, he made it clear that the government is prepared to act decisively if evidence of a systemic conspiracy emerges.”The incident which has occurred in Nashik TCS is a very serious matter. I would like to thank TCS for taking cognisance of the matter. The TCS chief has condemned it, and they are cooperating with the police. We are trying to go to the root of the incident. We are probing the matter. If it emerges as corporate jihad, we will find its root,” he said.

Meanwhile, Human Rights Commission Member Priyank Kanungo said that the Commission has taken cognisance of the matter and has asked TCS for details of their BPOs, offices, subsidiaries, POSH committees and records of complaints received in the past three years.

Speaking with ANI, Kanungo said, “… A complaint was received alleging that at a TCS BPO in Nashik, women employees were being groomed, lured, blackmailed, forced to change religion, made to offer prayers, and subjected to sexual exploitation — all with the knowledge of senior management. It was claimed that management deliberately allowed such activities… We have taken cognisance of the complaint and asked TCS to provide details of all their BPOs and offices across India, including subsidiaries, the constitution of their POSH committees, and records of complaints received in the past three years, along with how they were handled.”He further added that the HRC has requested information from the Maharashtra police regarding the FIR in this case within two weeks.”We have also issued notice to Maharashtra Police, seeking clarity on the FIR filed in this case — specifically, whether the head of operations of the concerned office has been named as an accused, and if not, why. The information has been requested within two weeks,” he stated.

A total of nine cases have been registered, with one case filed at Deolali camp police station and eight others at Mumbai Naka. (ANI)

Global stock markets saw oil prices drop, and stock indices soar on Saturday as investors relaxed post US-Iran ceasefire, easing immediate concerns over energy supply stability. Market data indicated a sharp correction in the commodities sector alongside a robust rally across major equity benchmarks.

Brent Crude recorded a significant decline of 7.57 per cent to settle at USD 91.87 per barrel, a marked retreat from its previous close of USD 99.39. The commodity saw an intraday low of USD 86.08, moving further away from its 52-week high of USD 114.81.

Similarly, West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude oil fell by 9.63 per cent, dropping by USD 9.12 to reach USD 85.57. Gold prices moved contrary to the energy trend, gaining 0.94 per cent to reach USD 4,833.56.

The US equity markets responded to the geopolitical shift with broad gains. The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 868.71 points, or 1.79 per cent, to close at 49,447.43.

The S&P 500 increased by 1.20 per cent to finish at 7,126.06, while the Nasdaq Composite advanced 1.52 per cent to reach 24,468.48.

The upward movement in Western markets followed a more subdued session in the Asian markets. Japan’s Nikkei 225 fell 1,042.44 points, a 1.78 per cent decrease, to finish at 58,475.90. Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index and the Taiwan Weighted Index both recorded losses of 0.89 per cent. South Korea’s KOSPI also declined by 0.55 per cent to settle at 6,191.92.

Other regional markets showed mixed results during the Friday session. The Jakarta Composite Index gained 0.17 per cent to reach 7,634.00, though it remained down 12.74 per cent on a year-to-date basis. The Shanghai Composite experienced a marginal decline of 0.10 per cent to close at 4,051.43, while Singapore’s Straits Times Index and the SET Composite in Thailand recorded fractional losses of 0.20 per cent and 0.49 per cent, respectively.

The sharp slump in oil prices and gain in stock indices come after the Iranian side had earlier accepted US President Donald Trump’s peace overture and agreed to safe passage via the Strait of Hormuz for two weeks, as well as a pause in military operations.

The two-week pause is likely to lead to further comprehensive negotiations between the US and Iran and a possible peace summit in Islamabad.

Trump on Friday (local time) expressed optimism about ongoing negotiations with Iran, saying discussions are set to continue through the weekend as efforts intensify toward a potential agreement.

Speaking to reporters after landing in Phoenix for a Turning Point USA event, Trump indicated that the talks were progressing positively, though he stopped short of confirming a breakthrough.

“We’ve had some very good discussions … and we’ve done a good job, but we’ll see. Talks are going on, and we’ll go on over the weekend,” Trump said.

“A lot of good things are happening, and that includes Lebanon, too,” he added. (ANI)

The BJP-led government’s efforts to get the Delimitation Bill as part of its push to expedite implementation of women’s reservation did not find the requisite support in the Lok Sabha on Friday with opposition members voting against the Constitution Amendment Bill.

In the division on the Constitution Amendment Bill that took place following the debate on the three bills moved by the government for passing, 298 members supported the bill while 230 voted against it.

Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla announced the results of the division.

“The Constitution (131st Amendment) Amendment Bill did not pass as it did not achieve a 2/3 majority during voting in the House,” he said.

Home Minister Amit Shah replied to the marathon debate on three bills.

He slammed the opposition parties over their stance on the bills aimed at implementing women’s reservation from the 2029 general elections and said that when they fight the next elections and said they will face the wrath of women.

Opposition parties strongly objected to the Delimitation Bill and said the government should implement women’s reservation immediately in the existing strength of the Lok Sabha. They expressed their full support for women’s reservation.

In his speech during the debate, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi slammed the government over the Delimitation Bill and said it has “nothing to do with the empowerment of women” and is an “attempt to change the electoral map of India”.

Nearly 130 members took part in the two-day debate on the Constitution (One Hundred and Thirty-First Amendment) Bill, 2026, the Union Territories Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2026, and the Delimitation Bill, 2026.

After Lok Sabha did not pass the Constitution Amendment Bill, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju said the government had no intention to pursue the two other bills as the three were interlinked.

The government had convened a three-day special sitting of the budget session to get the three bills passed.

Amit Shah later said that Congress, TMC, DMK, and Samajwadi Party did not allow the passage of the essential Constitution Amendment Bill for the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam.

“Today, a very strange scene unfolded in the Lok Sabha. The Congress, TMC, DMK, and Samajwadi Party did not allow the passage of the essential Constitution Amendment Bill for the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam. Rejecting the bill that would grant 33% reservation to women, celebrating it, and raising victory cries over it is truly reprehensible and beyond imagination,” he said.

“Now, the women of the country will not get the 33% reservation in the Lok Sabha and state assemblies, which was their right. The Congress and its allies have done this not for the first time, but repeatedly. Their mindset is neither in the interest of women nor of the country,” he added.

Amit Shah said that the women of the country will punish the opposition parties in elections.

“I want to tell them that this insult to Nari Shakti will not stop here; it will travel far and wide. The opposition will have to face the ‘wrath of women’ not only in the 2029 Lok Sabha elections, but at every level, in every election, and at every place,” he said.

Rahul Gandhi, who is Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, later said they have defeated this attack on the Constitution.

“We have clearly said that this is not a women’s reservation bill, but it is a way to change India’s political structure,” he told reporters.

Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra said the vote was not about women’s reservation but democracy. She also slammed the BJP.

“We can never agree to linking delimitation with women’s reservation. It was not possible that this bill would pass. This is a big win for democracy in our country. Those who did not take any action in Hathras, Unnao and Manipur are talking about an anti-women mindset?” Priyanka Gandhi told reporters.

Congress leader Gaurav Gogoi said that women’s reservation bill was passed in 2023 and if the government had not linked it to delimitation and census, the implementation would have advanced significantly.

“I believe that if Prime Minister Modi and the BJP government had introduced a simple women’s reservation bill, without any requirements for delimitation or census, women’s reservation would have advanced significantly. The women’s reservation law passed in 2023, which the government implemented last night, will be implemented further,” he told ANI.

Gogoi said the “political delimitation” the government wanted to do in the name of women’s reservation in 2026 “has been exposed across the country”.

“Somewhere, the BJP only wants to play politics, and the country has understood this today,” he said.

Congress leader Shashi Tharoor said it is a convincing victory for opposition and opposition members voted to save democracy.

“It has been a very convincing victory. The BJP fell 52 votes short of the two-thirds they needed to pass the constitutional amendment… We are feeling a certain sense of triumph. this is not a vote against women’s reservation, but against delimitation and the mischief that delimitation and the dramatic expansion of Parliament would do to our democracy, so we voted to save our democracy,” he told ANI.

“We have said even in our speeches, that we will vote for women’s reservation if you will delink it from delimitation. It is against their refusal to delink this that we have voted,” he added.

Samajwadi Party leader Akhilesh Yadav said they are not against reservation for women but had concerns about the way government intended to carry out the delimitation process.

” We have stated our stance clearly. We are in favour of women’s reservation. Samajwadi Party and Opposition did not oppose women’s reservation,” he said.

BJP leader Ravi Shankar Prasad said Congress opposes everything that the Modi government proposes.

“Congress party, especially Rahul Gandhi, oppose everything. Today, when the Modi government is committed to women’s empowerment, they (the opposition) are opposing it. It is evident that they are against ‘nari vandan’ and women’s representation. The women of the country will not forgive them,” he said.

BJP leader Tejasvi Surya accused the Congress of betraying women of the country.

“This is a very sad day for the democracy of the country. We had the opportunity to create history by giving women their rights in policy making, but the Congress party has once again betrayed the women of the country,” he said.

Union Minister Pralhad Joshi also took potshots at Congress and said people will teach it a lesson.

“Today the entire country saw who is in favour of women’s reservation and who is against women’s reservation… The country lost a historic opportunity because of the Congress Party… People will teach the Congress party a lesson,” he said.

A Constitution Amendment Bill needs a majority of the total membership of the House and a majority of not less than two-thirds of the members present and voting for its passing.

The special sitting of Parliament was held amid campaign for assembly polls in Tamil Nadu and West Bengal. Elections have been held in Assam, Kerala and Puducherry and the results will be announced on May 4.

The One Hundred and Sixth Constitutional Amendment Act, 2023 (Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam), passed in 2023 by Parliament provides for 33% (one-third) reservation for women in the Lok Sabha and state legislative assemblies.

The government has notified that it has come into force from April 16.

(ANI)