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Lok Sabha passes Waqf Amendment Bill

Singh called the bill “illegitimate,” alleging it was designed to incite violence ahead of assembly elections in Bihar and West Bengal, purely to create controversy.

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After more than 12 hours of debate, the Lok Sabha on Wednesday passed the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2025, by 288 votes in favour and 232 against.

The bill, introduced earlier in the day by Union Minority Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju, aims to enhance the management of Waqf properties, leverage technology for transparency, and resolve administrative complexities, as recommended by a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC).

Rijiju hailed the JPC’s consultation process as the most extensive in India’s parliamentary history, noting that it received over 97.27 lakh petitions and memorandums through physical and online channels. “Each submission was carefully reviewed before finalizing the report,” he said, underscoring the thoroughness of the exercise.

However, the Bill’s passage was far from smooth. Union Home Minister Amit Shah robustly defended the legislation, accusing the Opposition of spreading “fear-mongering for vote-bank politics” by claiming it interferes with Muslims’ religious affairs and property rights.

“No land can be declared Waqf property by mere declaration. Lands belonging to the Archaeological Survey of India, governments, tribal communities, and private citizens will be safeguarded by this law. All Muslim communities—Shia, Pasmanda, Ahmadiya, Bohras—can register trusts without going through the Waqf route,” Shah clarified during the debate.

He dismissed Opposition allegations that laws like the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), the abrogation of Article 370, the Triple Talaq ban, and the Ram Mandir construction had stripped Muslims of citizenship, challenging critics to provide evidence. “Look at Jammu and Kashmir—Omar Abdullah is ruling as Chief Minister,” he pointed out, countering the narrative.

Shah also invoked RJD chief Lalu Yadav’s 2013 remarks, where Yadav had called for a strong law to curb thefts in the name of Waqf properties. “You couldn’t fulfill his wish, but Narendra Modi has. This bill will apply retrospectively,” Shah declared, asserting that the Modi government was pursuing a “politics of progress.” He confidently predicted, “Modi has been elected for three terms, and for the next three terms, it will be a BJP government.”

Speaking in the Lower House, Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi, the Deputy Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, accused the government of using the Bill to “weaken the Constitution, defame minorities, divide Indian society, and disenfranchise marginalized groups.”

He challenged Rijiju’s claim that the UPA government had transferred 123 properties to the Delhi Waqf Board before the 2014 elections, labeling it “a complete lie” and demanding proof. “Rijiju misled the House with political accusations,” Gogoi charged, also criticizing Speaker Om Birla for not intervening.

Rijiju retorted by asking Gogoi to specify which part of his statement was inaccurate. “Don’t make blanket accusations; point to the exact issue,” he urged. Gogoi doubled down, reiterating his objection to Rijiju’s 2013 references.

Congress MP KC Venugopal took a broader swipe, accusing the Centre of an “agenda to destroy minorities.” Without naming Prime Minister Narendra Modi, he warned, “Today you target Muslims, tomorrow Christians, and the day after, Sikhs. You are dividing the country for political gain in the name of religion, even as you project yourself as a world leader abroad. The world is watching.”

Samajwadi Party leader Akhilesh Yadav accused the BJP of introducing the Bill to distract from its past failures, questioning their commitment to women’s empowerment by asking how many female candidates they would field in the upcoming Uttar Pradesh elections. He cautioned that the bill threatened India’s secular fabric.

Speaking to reporters, Aam Aadmi Party leader Sanjay Singh and MLA Amanatullah Khan also voiced strong objections. Khan questioned Shah’s claims about the prime locations of 130 Waqf properties, hinting at a BJP plot to seize them, citing past encroachments on Muslim graveyards and buildings. Singh called the bill “illegitimate,” alleging it was designed to incite violence ahead of assembly elections in Bihar and West Bengal, purely to create controversy.

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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