Evening News

THE HEADLINES:

Lok Sabha holding discussion on Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2025; Legislation to enhance transparency in Waqf properties’ management, safeguard heritage sites and promote social welfare.
Government says, bill aims to make Waqf Boards inclusive having representations of different Muslim sects and women; Opposition terms it misleading.
Parliament passes bill to modernise immigration laws and regulate entry and stay of foreigners in India.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi to embark on a two-nation visit to Thailand and Sri Lanka tomorrow; To attend BIMSTEC Summit in Bangkok.
US President Donald Trump set to announce reciprocal tariffs on several countries tonight.
Indian pugilist Jadumani Singh advances to Men’s semi-final of World Boxing Cup in Brazil.

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The Lok Sabha is holding discussion on the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2025 as proposed by a Joint Parliamentary Committee. The legislation seeks to enhance transparency in Waqf properties’ management, safeguard heritage sites and promote social welfare.

Moving the bill, Union Minority Affairs Minister Kiren Rijijju said, the consultation process of the Joint Parliamentary Committee was the largest ever exercise carried out by a parliamentary panel in India’s democratic history. He said the government wants to make the Waqf Boards inclusive and secular. He said, the legislation has nothing to do with the religious practice of Muslim and it only deals with the properties related to Waqf Boards. The Minister said, the legislation is not intended to confiscate anyone’s property.

The Minister said, as per the present bill, the Waqf Boards will have representations of different Muslim sects and women. Mr Rijiju accused the opposition of misleading people over the Bill. He said, in the present Act, some provisions were misused to declare any land as Waqf property in the country.

The Union Minister questioned that when India has the highest Waqf properties in the world then why Indian Muslims are still poor. The Minority Affairs Minister also moved the Mussalman Waqf (Repeal) Bill, 2024.

Earlier, initiating the discussion, Gaurav Gogoi of Congress accused the government of misleading the people on this bill. He alleged that through this bill the government wants to dilute the constitution, defame minorities and divide the Indian society.

Taking part in the debate, Anurag Thakur of BJP thanked several organisations for supporting the bill. He said, it is time to amend the Waqf as this has become a base of atrocity and corruption.

Akhilesh Yadav of Samajwadi Party alleged that the legislation will hit the secular image of the country. TMC MP Kalyan Banerjee termed the proposed legislation as misconceived, irrational and arbitrary. A Raja of DMK termed the legislation as unconstitutional and anti-minority.

“Intervening in the debate, Union Home Minister Amit Shah said, no non-Muslim will come into the Waqf. He said, there is no such provision to include any non-Muslim among those who manage the religious institutions.”

Mr Shah said, this is a huge misconception that this Bill will interfere with the religious conduct of Muslims and interfere with the property donated by them. He said, this misconception is being spread to instil fear among minorities for their vote bank and to appease specific voter demographics. Mr Shah said, this Bill would not have been required if the then Congress Government had not amended the Bill in 2013. He said, ahead of 2014 polls, for appeasement, they gave away the prime lands of Lutyens Delhi as Waqf properties.

“Waqf plays a crucial role in serving religious, charitable, and social welfare needs, especially for the underprivileged. The Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2025 aims to streamline the management of Waqf properties, with provisions to safeguard heritage sites and promote social welfare. The legislation also aims to improve governance by enhancing transparency in property management, streamlining coordination between Waqf Boards and local authorities and protecting stakeholder’s rights. The Bill also seeks to improve the economic and social status of Muslim women, particularly widows and divorced women. The Bill aims at making the Waqf Board more inclusive, having representation from different Muslim sects for better Waqf governance and decision-making. ANAND KUMAR, AKASHVANI NEWS DELHI.”

Meanwhile, various organizations across the country have welcomed the Waqf Amendment Bill 2025, terming it a new dawn of reforms and gesture of goodwill from the Narendra Modi government towards deprived and backward muslims.

Talking to Akashvani News, convenor of Pasmanda Muslim Samaj in Bihar, Dr. Firoze Mansoori said the Bill is the start of a new era for them.

Former director of Haryana Urdu Academy in Panchkula and litterateur Shams Tabrezi has also supported this bill.

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The Parliament has passed the Immigration and Foreigners Bill, 2025 with the Rajya Sabha approving it today. The Lok Sabha has already passed the bill. The legislation seeks to regulate immigration, entry, and stay of foreigners in India. The Bill is intended to modernise the immigration laws. The legislation has been brought to avoid multiplicity and overlapping of laws.

Replying to a debate on the Bill in the House, Minister of State for Home Nityanand Rai said, the legislation will help upkeep and manage all the updated records of the foreigners visiting India.

During the Minister’s reply, Opposition members including Congress and TMC staged a walkout.

After completing the business, the house was adjourned to meet again at 11 AM tomorrow.

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi will embark on a two-nation visit to Thailand and Sri Lanka tomorrow morning. On the first leg of his tour, Mr Modi will travel to Bangkok on a two-day visit to participate in the 6th BIMSTEC (Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation) Summit being hosted by Thailand. During the visit, the Prime Minister will hold bilateral talks with his Thai counterpart Paetongtarn Shinawatra at Bangkok tomorrow. They will also witness the signing of several bilateral documents. We have a report:

“India and Thailand have historically warm bilateral relations, shared civilizational, cultural, and religious bonds. Thailand is India’s maritime neighbor, a valuable partner in the Act East policy and Vision for the Indo-Pacific, and a highly valued partner in BIMSTEC. Bilateral trade is almost 15 billion dollars, with India’s exports to Thailand around 5 billion and imports from Thailand about 10 billion dollars. India’s focus on BIMSTEC is on institution and capacity building, strengthening security, and increasing connectivity. A number of agreements and declarations are likely to be concluded at the Summit. The Prime Minister’s visit will present an opportunity to build on the positive momentum in bilateral ties since his last visit in 2019. SUPARNA SAIKIA, AKASHVANI NEWS, DELHI.”

From Thailand, Mr. Modi will travel to Sri Lanka on Friday on a three-day state visit at the invitation of the President of Sri Lanka, Anura Kumara Disanayaka.

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The United States has accused China of putting the region’s security at risk after it conducted military drills targeting Taiwan on second day with a rehearsal blockade and attack. The US State Department said it remained committed to Taiwan and other allies and partners in the face of China’s intimidation tactics and destabilizing behavior.’

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US President Donald Trump is set to announce tariffs on several nations tonight that impose duties on American goods. The tariff announcement will reveal which countries and sectors the Trump administration will target as it tries to reduce a 1.2 trillion dollar global goods trade deficit.

White House spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt said, reciprocal tariffs will take effect immediately after the announcement by President Trump while a 25 percent tariff on auto imports will take effect tomorrow.

Earlier, speaking to reporters, President Trump termed it “Liberation Day” for the US in terms of imports and exports.

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The benchmark domestic equity indices today ended with gains of over 0.7 per cent amid mixed global cues ahead of the US President Donald Trump’s tariff announcement. The 30-share index at the Bombay Stock Exchange, Sensex, rose 593 points, to close at 76,617. The National Stock Exchange Nifty-50 gained 167 points, to settle at 23,332.

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In IPL T20 Cricket, Hosts Royal Challengers Bengaluru were 165 for 7 in 19.4 overs against Gujarat Titans at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium when reports last came in. Earlier, Gujarat Titans won the toss and opted to field. Royal Challengers Bengaluru continue to lead the standings with four points and highest Net Run Rate.

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Indian boxer Jadumani Singh has advanced into the semifinals of Men’s 50kg category at the World Boxing Cup at Foz do Iguacu in Brazil. The 20-year-old reigning national champion registered a narrow win over English boxer Ellis Trowbrigdge in 3-2 split decision in his quarterfinal bout. Jadumani will face former Asian U-22 champion Asilbek Jalilov of Uzbekistan in the last four.

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THE HEADLINES ONCE AGAIN:

Lok Sabha holding discussion on Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2025; Legislation to enhance transparency in Waqf properties’ management, safeguard heritage sites and promote social welfare.
Government says, bill aims to make Waqf Boards inclusive having representations of different Muslim sects and women; Opposition terms it misleading.
Parliament passes bill to modernise immigration laws and regulate entry and stay of foreigners in India.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi to embark on two-nation visit to Thailand and Sri Lanka tomorrow; To attend BIMSTEC Summit in Bangkok.
US President Donald Trump set to announce reciprocal tariffs on several countries tonight.
Indian pugilist Jadumani Singh advances to Men’s semi-final of World Boxing Cup in Brazil.