THE HEADLINES:
- Centre assures Supreme Court of temporary suspension on key Waqf Provisions, including removal of ‘Waqf by User’ until next hearing.
- Calcutta High Court forms 3-member panel for rehabilitation of displaced people in violence-affected areas of Murshidabad.
- Maharashtra rolls out National Education Policy 2020; Announces Hindi to be compulsory third language in Primary Education.
- Gangster behind 14 attacks in Punjab and wanted by National Investigation Agency, Happy Passia, detained in US.
- World Heritage Day being celebrated across the globe today with the theme, “Heritage Under Threat from Disaster and Conflicts”.
- In IPL Cricket, Mumbai Indians beat Sunrisers Hyderabad by four wickets at Wankhede Stadium.
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The Supreme Court has recorded the Union government’s assurance that no fresh appointments will be made to waqf boards or the Central Waqf Council under the Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025, until the next hearing.
“A bench led by Chief Justice Sanjeev Khanna, along with Justices Sanjay Kumar and K.V. Viswanathan, also noted Solicitor General Tushar Mehta’s assurance that the status of existing waqf properties, including those categorized as “waqf by user,” will remain unchanged for now. The court directed the Centre to file its response within seven days to the batch of petitions seeking a stay and challenging the constitutional validity of the recent amendments to the Waqf Act, 1995. Due to the large number of petitions, the bench asked the petitioners to identify five lead cases to be heard, while the remaining may be treated as applications or considered disposed of. The matter will now be heard on May 5. The court also ordered appointment of a nodal counsel to streamline pleadings and written submissions. THIS IS DEEPMALA, AKASHVANI NEWS, DELHI.”
The Waqf Act governs the management of Islamic endowments for religious and charitable purposes, including mosques, schools, and hospitals.
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The Calcutta High Court has directed the formation of a three-member committee for the identification and rehabilitation of people displaced by the violence which took place during the protests over the Waqf Act in Murshidabad district. The court said that the three-member committee will consist of an official each from the National Human Rights Commission and the West Bengal Human Rights Commission, besides the member secretary of the State Legal Services Authority. They will have to submit their report by May 15, 2025.
A division bench of Justices Soumen Sen and Raja Basu Chowdhury further said that the Central Armed Police Force (CAPF) will continue to stay in the affected areas of Murshidabad, as per their earlier order on April 12.
Meanwhile, National Commission for Women (NCW) Chairperson Vijaya Rahatkar arrived in Kolkata last evening to lead an inquiry into the violence in Murshidabad following protests against the Waqf (Amendment) Act 2025. Rahatkar, who is part of the probe committee constituted by the NCW, will visit affected areas, including Malda and Murshidabad, over the next three days.
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The Maharashtra government has announced that Hindi will be a compulsory third language from Classes I to V in Marathi and English medium schools, in line with the National Education Policy, NEP 2020. Currently, only Marathi and English are mandatory from Classes I to IV in these schools.
“The Maharashtra State School Education Department issued a Government Resolution mentioning the phase-wise implementation of the new curriculum based on National Education Policy 2020 recommendations. According to the GR, Hindi as a third language will be compulsory from Class 1 to 5 from the next academic year. It further said the new syllabus as per NEP will be implemented for Class 1 in 2025-26. The GR further mentions that the NEP 2020 recommendations of the 5+3+3+4 structure of school education will be integrated from the foundational stage to secondary education. Prarthna, Akashvani News, Mumbai.”
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Wanted gangster Harpreet Singh, alias Happy Passia, who reportedly plotted 14 terrorist attacks in Punjab, has been detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement in the US. He was also wanted by India’s premier anti-terror body, the National Investigation Agency (NIA). Earlier this year, NIA had announced a reward of 5 lakh rupees on Passia over his alleged involvement in grenade attacks on a house in Chandigarh and police stations in Punjab.
Passia, a close associate of Pakistan-based gangster-turned-terrorist Harvinder Singh Sandhu, alias Rinda, has been involved in several terrorist activities in Punjab. These activities were carried out in collaboration with Pakistan’s ISI, Rinda, and the banned terrorist group Babbar Khalsa International.
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US President Donald Trump and visiting Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni have expressed optimism about a potential trade deal between the US and Europe. President Trump stated that there will be a trade deal and it will be a fair deal. Prime Minister Meloni said, she was confident that an agreement could be reached, emphasizing her goal to make the West great again.
The Italian Prime Minister is the first European leader to visit Washington since President Trump imposed, then paused, 20 per cent tariffs on imports from the EU bloc.
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World Heritage Day is being celebrated today across the globe. It is also called the International Day for Monuments and Sites. This year, the theme of the day is Heritage Under Threat from Disaster and Conflicts. Our Correspondent reports that this day is celebrated every year on 18th April to honour and protect cultural and natural heritage.
“Over the years, India has steadily expanded its presence on the World Heritage List. In July 2024, a proud addition was made with the inscription of Moidams the Mound-Burial System of the Ahom Dynasty from Assam as a cultural property. India now has 43 sites on the World Heritage List and 62 more on UNESCO’s Tentative List. The country’s journey began in 1983 with the listing of Agra Fort, followed by the Taj Mahal, Ajanta Caves and Ellora Caves. These sites are preserved not only as symbols of history but also as learning spaces for generations to come. Akshit Vedyan, Akasvani News, Delhi.”
On the occasion of World Heritage day the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has announced free entry at all ASI protected monuments across the country. This initiative of ASI aims to encourage visitors to explore the country’s rich cultural heritage.
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A compiled book on Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s thoughts and speeches on culture titled Sanskriti Ka Paanchva Adhyay will be released in New Delhi today. The book is a curated collection of speeches by Prime Minister Modi delivered on various occasions, highlighting Indian culture, traditions, spiritual values, and cultural heritage.
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Today is the Parkash Purb of the ninth Guru, Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib. Born in Amritsar in 1621, he was the youngest son of the sixth Sikh Guru, Sri Guru Hargobind Sahib ji Known as a principled and fearless warrior, he was a learned spiritual scholar and a poet.
“Hind Di Chadar – Sri Guru Teg Bahadur. He is known as the ‘Hind Di Chadar’ for his bravery and sacrifice in protecting the religious freedom of Hindus during the rule of Aurangzeb in Hindustan. His life and martyrdom are an example for the protection of religious freedom. Head Granthi of Sachkhand Sri Harmandir Sahib, Giani Raghbir Singh has congratulated all on the Parkash Purb and has appealed to follow the path shown by Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib Ji. Today, Sri Akhand Path Sahib will be offered at Guru Ji’s birthplace, Gurudwara Guru Ke Mahal. Deepmala and fireworks will be displayed during evening. Rajesh Bali, Akashvani News, Jalandhar.”
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Christians across the globe are observing Good Friday today- one of the most solemn and sacred days in the Christian calendar. Marking the crucifixion of Jesus Christ at Calvary, Good Friday is a day of mourning, reflection, and spiritual devotion.
“Nagaland, a predominantly Christian state, will observe Good Friday, with deep reverence and communal participation. Churches throughout Nagaland will hold special prayer services and fasting, where the faithful gather to seek forgiveness for their sins and express gratitude for Christ’s sacrificial act. In the state capital Kohima, Catholic congregations will participate in processions, carrying wooden crosses to symbolize the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus Christ. Devout believers will engage in fasts culminating in the celebration of Easter Sunday. Asonuo from Akashvani News Kohima.”
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In a groundbreaking discovery, scientists using the James Webb Space Telescope have detected strong signs of possible life beyond our solar system. The team identified chemical biosignatures in the atmosphere of K2-18b, an exoplanet located 120 light years from Earth, suggesting the potential presence of life.
“A team, led by Professor Nikku Madhusudhan at Cambridge University’s Institute of Astronomy, found molecules in the planet’s atmosphere that are typically produced by simple organisms on Earth, such as microbes. While this discovery is exciting, Professor Madhusudhan emphasized that it does not constitute definitive evidence of life, but rather points to biological activity, a biosignature.
This marks the second time NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope has detected chemicals associated with life on K2-18b, and researchers believe these findings are more promising than previous ones. However, both the Cambridge team and independent astronomers caution that further data and observations are needed to confirm these results.WITH M.,A BAIG REPORT AISHWARYA RAI NIGAM T AKASHVANI NEWS, DELHI.”
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India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast heat wave conditions in Rajasthan today. According to IMD, hot and humid conditions are predicted over Madhya Maharashtra and Marathwada over the next two to three days. The weather department also predicted rainfall and thunderstorms in various parts of the country.
“The Met Department predicted heavy rainfall and snowfall over Jammu, Kashmir, Ladakh, Gilgit, Baltistan, Muzaffarabad and Himachal Pradesh. Further, thunderstorms with lightning and gusty winds are expected over Bihar, Haryana, Chandigarh, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh and Jharkhand. The IMD predicted similar conditions over North, Northeast and Southern parts of the country over the next two to three days. Bhanu Pratap Singh, Akashvani News, Delhi”
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In IPL T20 Cricket, Mumbai Indians defeated Sunrisers Hyderabad by four wickets at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai, last night. Put in to bat first, Sunrisers Hyderabad scored 162 runs for 5 wickets in 20 overs, with Abhishek Sharma top-scoring with 40 runs. Will Jacks of Mumbai Indians picked up two wickets.
Mumbai Indians overhauled the target, losing six wickets in 18.1 overs with the help of Will Jacks’ 36 runs. He was declared Player of the Match for his all-round performance.
In Today’s fixture, Royal Challengers Bengaluru will take on Punjab Kings at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru at 7:30 PM Indian Time.
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In Athletics, India’s Shourya Ambure clinched the bronze medal in the Under-18 Women’s 100 metre Hurdles at the Asian Youth Championships in Dammam, Saudi Arabia.
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TODAY’S NEWSPAPERS HEADLINE,
- ‘Waqf law on pause till Centre details its case’ says Hindustan Times while The Asian Age headlines, Supreme Court defers interim Waqf order, grants Centre a week to reply.’
- The Pioneer reports ‘PM Modi directs Delhi to clean Yamuna.’
- ‘Retain school staff till new recruitment, Supreme Court tells West Bengal,’ writes The Hindu about the order that has given relief to staff protesting the cancellation of the 2016 recruitment drive.
- In Business news The Financial Express writes ‘Markets on fast-forward’ adding ‘Best week for indices in four years as investors gain nearly eighteen lakh crore.’
- And finally, for those intrigued by the possibility of life elsewhere in the universe, Financial Express writes about a massive planet K2-18b that orbits a star 120 light years away from Earth and that has abundance of dimethyl sulfide whose only source on Earth is living organisms.
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THE HEADLINES ONCE AGAIN:
- Centre assures Supreme Court of temporary suspension on key Waqf Provisions, including removal of ‘Waqf by User’ until next hearing.
- Calcutta High Court forms 3-member panel for rehabilitation of displaced people in violence-affected areas of Murshidabad.
- Maharashtra rolls out National Education Policy 2020; Announces Hindi to be compulsory third language in Primary Education.
- Gangster behind 14 attacks in Punjab and wanted by National Investigation Agency, Happy Passia, detained in US.
- World Heritage Day being celebrated across the globe today with the theme, “Heritage Under Threat from Disaster and Conflicts”.
- In IPL Cricket, Mumbai Indians beat Sunrisers Hyderabad by four wickets at Wankhede Stadium.
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