Authorities have issued notices to 300 individuals who protested against the Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025, by wearing black badges during Friday prayers. They have been required to submit bonds of ₹2 lakh each, the police official said on Sunday.

Congress MP Mohammed Jawed and AIMIM leader Asaduddin Owaisi have filed a petition with the Supreme Court challenging the Waqf Bill.

The number of individuals initially identified stood at 24 by Saturday. Superintendent of Police (City) Satyanarayan Prajapat stated that notices were issued to 300 individuals after they were recognized through CCTV footage. Police are continuing efforts to identify additional protesters. Prajapat confirmed to reporters on Saturday that 24 notices had previously been served.

The notices, issued by City Magistrate Vikas Kashyap based on the police report, require the protesters to present a bond of ₹2 lakh each when they appear in court on April 16. The individuals who received these notices had worn black badges on their arms during prayers at various mosques on March 28 to express their dissent against the Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025.

Parliament approved the Waqf (Amendment) Bill early on Friday after the Rajya Sabha passed the controversial legislation following a debate that lasted more than 13 hours. The discussion was marked by strong opposition from various parties, which criticized the Bill as “anti-Muslim” and “unconstitutional,” while the government defended it as a “historic reform” aimed at benefiting the minority community.

In the Rajya Sabha, the Bill received support from 128 members, while 95 voted against it. Earlier, in the Lok Sabha, it was approved with 288 in favor and 232 opposed. President Droupadi Murmu granted her assent to the Bill on Saturday.

In a fiery show of defiance, tens of thousands took to the streets across the United States and Europe on Saturday, unleashing the largest wave of anti-Trump protests since his return to the White House.

From Washington’s National Mall to New York, Los Angeles, and London, demonstrators railed against Donald Trump’s aggressive downsizing of the government, crackdown on civil liberties and global trade wars.

The demonstrations were organized by a broad coalition of progressive groups under the banner “Hands Off,” with events held in over 1,000 locations across the US and even in parts of Europe. Issues cited by protestors ranged from government downsizing, civil liberties concerns, and abortion rights, to fears of economic instability due to aggressive trade measures.

In Washington, a large crowd gathered at the National Mall, with speakers from across the country criticizing what they described as a dangerous and authoritarian shift in American politics. Representative Jamie Raskin, who played a key role in Trump’s second impeachment, addressed the demonstrators, warning against a “dictator who knows the price of everything and the value of nothing.”

In New York, protestor Shaina Kesner criticized the leadership as privileged and unaccountable. Meanwhile, demonstrators in Los Angeles used creative symbolism, including dressing as characters from The Handmaid’s Tale to protest restrictive reproductive laws.

Across the Atlantic, rallies in cities such as London and Berlin echoed the disapproval. Protestors called out Trump’s foreign policies and his approach to global trade. In Berlin, one retiree went as far as to label Trump a “lunatic,” while others in London warned of global economic fallout.

One common thread across all protests was concern over the perceived erosion of civil rights and increasing authoritarian tendencies. Protestors warned against the jailing of opponents, attacks on immigrants, and pressure on democratic institutions. “We’re out here to stop the, honestly, fascism,” said Dominic Santella in Boston.

The economic direction under Trump also drew criticism. Many blamed his trade tariffs and diplomatic confrontations for market instability and international strain.

Despite the scale of the protests and dropping approval ratings, the White House has largely dismissed the unrest. President Trump remained defiant, stating, “My policies will never change,” reaffirming his stance on key issues.

On the occasion of the Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) foundation day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi reflected on the party’s transformative journey from modest beginnings to securing historic electoral mandates.

In a message to the nation, PM Modi underlined the consistent endorsement the BJP has received from the people of India, attributing it to the party’s agenda of good governance.

The prime minister extended his greetings to BJP workers across the country, acknowledging their pivotal role in shaping the party. “This important day makes us reiterate our unparalleled commitment to India’s progress and to realising the dream of a Viksit Bharat,” he said in a series of social media posts.

Modi emphasized that the BJP’s track record in governance has been instrumental in building public trust. “The people of India are seeing the good governance agenda of our party, reflected in the historic mandates we’ve received — be it in Lok Sabha, state Assembly, or local body elections,” he said.

Praising the grassroots efforts of BJP workers, Modi said their relentless service, especially towards the poor and marginalized, is a source of inspiration. “Their energy and enthusiasm are truly motivating,” he added.

Founded in 1980 from the remnants of the Bharatiya Jana Sangh, the BJP initially had a modest presence, contesting its first general election in 1984 and winning only two Lok Sabha seats. However, under the leadership of figures like Atal Bihari Vajpayee and L.K. Advani, the party quickly gained traction, eventually forming the government in the 1990s. The BJP’s political dominance strengthened significantly under Modi, who led the party to a full majority in 2014 and has remained at the helm since then.