Highlights: Congress MP challenges legality of Waqf Amendment Bill in Supreme Court
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 "Supreme Court of India")
Supreme Court of India
Congress MP Mohammad Jawed on Friday filed a petition in the Supreme Court challenging the validity of the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2025, claiming it violated Constitutional provisions. The plea, filed through advocate Anas Tanwir, said the bill discriminated against the Muslim community by "imposing restrictions that are not present in the governance of other religious endowments". The Union Cabinet has given the nod for four railway projects with a total cost of Rs 18,658 crore. The four projects will cover 15 districts in Maharashtra, Odisha, and Chhattisgarh and increase the existing network of Indian Railways by about 1,247 km. On the sidelines of the BIMSTEC Summit in Bangkok on Friday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi raised with Muhammad Yunus, chief advisor of Bangladesh's interim government, India's concerns on the safety of minorities in the neighbouring country. "The Prime Minister reiterated India's support for a democratic, stable peaceful, progressive and inclusive Bangladesh. He underlined that India believed in a people-centric approach to the relationship and highlighted the cooperation between the two countries over a long period of time that has delivered tangible benefits to people in both countries," Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri stated. Two senior Janata Dal (United) leaders quit the party on Thursday, citing their opposition to the party's support for the Waqf (Amendment Bill). Mohammed Qasim Ansari and Mohammed Nawaz Malik sent separate resignation letters to Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, stating that Muslims had lost faith in the party's secular credentials. The bill passed in the Lok Sabha late the previous night, with JD(U), a member of the National Democratic Alliance, supporting it.
"With due respect, I must say that millions of Indian Muslims like us had complete faith that you represent a truly secular ideology. However, this belief has now been shattered. Millions of dedicated Indian Muslims and workers like us are deeply shocked by JD(U)'s position," Ansari wrote in his resignation letter.
Legendary actor and film director Manoj Kumar passed away at 87 years old in Mumbai. According to ANI's Friday morning report, he died at 4:03 am at the Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital. Medical reports cited identified the cause of death as cardiogenic shock resulting from acute myocardial infarction, a severe heart attack. The reports also noted that Manoj had been suffering from decompensated liver cirrhosis in recent months, which contributed to his deteriorating health. He was hospitalized on February 21, 2025, following a worsening of his condition. Manoj Kumar was especially renowned for his patriotic films and was nicknamed 'Bharat Kumar'.
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Congress MP challenges legality of Waqf Amendment Bill 2025 in Supreme Court
Congress MP Mohammad Jawed has filed a plea in the top court against the passing of the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, calling the proposed law "discriminatory towards Muslim".
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The Union Cabinet has given its nod for the completion of projects in 15 districts in Maharashtra, Odisha, and Chhattisgarh. This will increase the existing network of Indian Railways by about 1,247 km.
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PM Modi underlined India's concerns on security of minorities in Bangladesh
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First Published: Apr 04 2025 | 9:01 AM IST
