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Centre approves ordinance to make instant triple talaq a punishable offence

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Triple Talaq

Anti-triple talaq bill had been passed by the Lok Sabha in the monsoon session but was stalled in the Rajya Sabha, ordinance expected to trigger fresh protests

The Narendra Modi government, which failed to ensure passage of a Bill to criminalise instant triple talaq in Parliament during the monsoon session, on Wednesday, September 19, took the Ordinance route to make talaq-e-biddat – three consecutive talaq pronouncements by Muslim husbands – a punishable offence.

The Ordinance has been sent to President Ram Nath Kovind for his assent.

The contentious Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Marriage) Bill, 2017, had been passed by the Lok Sabha in December 2017 but could not be taken up for discussion and passage in Rajya Sabha during the monsoon session that ended in August.

The Congress-led Opposition had maintained that though it wanted deterrent legislative measures against instant triple talaq, which had been outlawed by the Supreme Court through a historic verdict last year, it was opposed to the proposed legislation drafted by the Centre and wanted it to be referred to a Parliamentary committee for further scrutiny.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the BJP had accused the Opposition, particularly the Congress, of deliberately stalling the passage of the Bill in Parliament to serve their vested political interests by appeasing radical Muslims and Islamic organisations which have been opposed to criminalising talaq-e-biddat.

The Centre had, in an attempt to evolve a political consensus on the Bill, made three amendments to the first draft of the law that had been passed by the Lok Sabha. While the original draft allowed any individual to file a case against a Muslim man and his family members on the accusation of instant triple talaq, the amended Bill moved for passage in the Rajya Sabha during the monsoon session stated that only the affected Muslim wife or her blood relatives could file such a case.

Other amendments to the draft bill allowed a magistrate to grant bail to the Muslim husband after hearing the wife and made the offence of instant triple talaq “compoundable”, reported India Legal.

While immediate reactions to the ordinance from Opposition parties and Islamic organisations like the All India Muslim Personal Law Board are yet to come in, sources in the Congress party and the AIMPLB told India Legal that they would continue to oppose the stringent provisions envisaged in the ordinance.

A senior Congress leader told India Legal that the party’s stand on the draft bill, now an ordinance, remains the same – there should be a provision for maintenance for the victimised wife and other safeguards to prevent further harassment of the wife as well as providing enough room for reconciliation between the couple.

India News

Abhishek Banerjee says will not bow to BJP after nearly 11 hours of ED questioning

After spending nearly 11 hours before the Enforcement Directorate, TMC leader Abhishek Banerjee said he would not bow to the BJP and accused the ruling party of using investigative agencies for political purposes.

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Abhishek Banerjee

Trinamool Congress leader and Diamond Harbour MP Abhishek Banerjee on Tuesday said he would not bow to the BJP after spending nearly 11 hours being questioned by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in connection with an ongoing investigation.

Speaking after the questioning, Banerjee alleged that central agencies were being used to target opposition leaders and asserted that he would continue his political fight despite what he described as sustained pressure.

The TMC leader has repeatedly maintained that investigations involving him are politically motivated, a charge he has made on several previous occasions while appearing before central agencies.

His appearance before the ED comes amid a period of heightened political activity and multiple investigations involving leaders in West Bengal. Recent days have also seen Banerjee face summons and questioning in separate matters by state investigative agencies.

After leaving the ED office, Banerjee reiterated that he would not be intimidated and said he remained committed to his political responsibilities. He also accused the BJP of attempting to weaken opposition parties through investigative action, an allegation that the BJP has rejected in the past.

The Enforcement Directorate has not publicly commented on Banerjee’s remarks. The investigation related to the questioning remains ongoing.

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India News

DMK attacks Rahul Gandhi, accuses him of weakening opposition unity

DMK has intensified its criticism of Rahul Gandhi, alleging that the Congress leader’s actions have weakened opposition unity and strained relations within the INDIA bloc.

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Rahul-Gandhi

The war of words between the DMK and Congress has intensified, with the DMK launching a strong attack on Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi and accusing him of contributing to divisions within the opposition alliance. The criticism comes amid strained ties between the two parties following their political split in Tamil Nadu.

According to the DMK, Rahul Gandhi’s political approach has weakened unity among opposition parties. The party’s IT wing mocked the Congress leader on social media, while an editorial published in the DMK’s official mouthpiece Murasoli questioned his recent remarks on opposition solidarity.

DMK questions Rahul Gandhi’s remarks on opposition unity

In its editorial, Murasoli argued that Rahul Gandhi was speaking about opposition unity despite, according to the DMK, contributing to disagreements among alliance partners in several states. The publication cited criticism directed at Congress by various opposition parties and suggested that the party’s actions had often created tensions within the INDIA bloc.

The editorial also referred to past political disputes involving Congress and Left parties, particularly in Kerala, claiming such episodes had raised concerns among opposition allies about Congress’s approach toward its partners.

Tamil Nadu political fallout adds to tensions

The attack comes after a major political realignment in Tamil Nadu. Following the 2026 Assembly elections, Congress ended its alliance with the DMK and joined the government led by Vijay’s Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK). The move left the DMK in the opposition and significantly altered the political equation between the two former allies.

The DMK has alleged that Congress benefited from the alliance during the election and later abandoned its partner. The party’s editorial questioned whether assurances from Congress leadership would be trusted by alliance partners after the developments in Tamil Nadu.

Congress rejects allegations

Congress has not issued a detailed official response to the editorial, but party sources have rejected the allegations. According to the party, its decisions in Tamil Nadu were made in line with the mandate delivered by voters and were not intended to undermine either the DMK or the broader opposition alliance.

The latest exchange highlights growing strains between two key opposition parties even as leaders continue to stress cooperation on national issues. Just days earlier, Rahul Gandhi had said that the DMK remained aligned with the opposition on defending the “idea of India” despite political differences.

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Entertainment

Kumkum Bhagya actor Sanchita Ugale dies by suicide near Mumbai at 22

Television actor Sanchita Ugale, known for Kumkum Bhagya and Wagle Ki Duniya, died by suicide at her residence near Mumbai. Police have launched an investigation.

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Sanchita Ugale

Television actor Sanchita Ugale, known for her appearances in Kumkum Bhagya, Wagle Ki Duniya and Dilwali Dulha Le Jayegi, died by suicide at her residence in Nalasopara East near Mumbai on June 14. She was 22.

According to police officials, the incident took place at her home in Achole village, Nalasopara East. Authorities said Ugale had locked herself inside her bedroom and was later found hanging from a ceiling fan. Family members and local residents rushed her to a hospital, where doctors declared her dead.

Police have registered an Accidental Death Report (ADR) and launched an investigation into the circumstances surrounding her death. Officials said inquiries are underway and the exact reason behind the incident has not yet been established.

Career across television, OTT and films

Ugale had built a growing presence in the entertainment industry through television, streaming projects and films. Apart from Kumkum Bhagya and Wagle Ki Duniya, she played a lead role in Dilwali Dulha Le Jayegi. She also appeared in OTT projects such as Crime Aaj Kal and Silence 2.

The actor was also associated with the film Chhaava, which contributed to her growing recognition among audiences.

Last social media post draws attention

Following news of her death, social media users shared and commented on Ugale’s final Instagram post, which had been uploaded hours before the incident. The post showed the actor in traditional attire lip-syncing to a classic Bollywood song. Fans expressed shock and grief after learning of her death.

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