Amid intense debate and legal challenges, the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2025, becomes law.

The Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2025 has been enacted into law with the assent of President Droupadi Murmu on Saturday. The Mussalman Wakf (Repeal) Bill, 2025, has also been approved by the president.

The legislative breakthrough was confirmed by way of an official government notification accessible for public record, reflecting the major progress being made in the central government’s reform agenda.

The passage of these bills in Parliament was characterized by intense debate and long hours. The Lok Sabha approved the Waqf (Amendment) Bill in the wee hours of Thursday, and then there was a 17-hour marathon session in the Rajya Sabha on Friday that ended with its approval. These prolonged deliberations reflect the importance and delicacy of the suggested amendments.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi called the passing of the bills a “watershed moment” for India. He underlined that these reforms are meant to promote more transparency, spur inclusive development, and empower communities that have long lingered on the periphery of economic and social advancement.

In a statement posted on the social media site X, Modi articulated that these changes in legislation signify a wider commitment to socio-economic justice and empowerment.

Union Minister Kiren Rijiju, who brought the bill in Parliament’s both houses, justified the stand of the government, stating the amendment honors the constitutional rights of citizens across all sectors.

He said the spirit behind the reforms was inclusive in the sense that there is no move to hit or target any religion or society-based group, but merely an effort towards building an inclusive system for societies as a whole.

However, the Waqf (Amendment) Bill’s passage has triggered a political row. A number of opposition leaders have questioned the purpose and meaning of the bill. Congress MP Mohammad Jawed and AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi have filed a petition with the Supreme Court, contending that the bill is unconstitutional and discriminatory towards Muslims. The leaders have been afraid that the bill would undermine minority rights and undermine current legal safeguards for Waqf properties.

Reconciling with criticism, the government at the centre has reaffirmed its intentions with respect to justice and equality. It has stressed that the bill resulted from elaborate public debate and review in the Joint Parliamentary Committee, evidence of a democratic procedure.

The government continues to uphold that the changes were designed towards bringing about updates in Waqf management, ensuring governance becomes better and up to date, so as to govern the Waqf properties more transparently on behalf of the desired beneficiaries.

As the political and legal wars intensify, the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2025 and the Mussalman Wakf (Repeal) Bill, 2025 hold the power to influence the destiny of religious endowment rule in India, with profound ramifications for minority rights, property administration, and communal concord.

A Guwahati defense accountant is arrested by the CBI for taking a bribe of ₹43,000.

In Guwahati, Mrinmoy Ghosh, an accounts officer at the Controller of Defense Accounts, was apprehended by the CBI for allegedly soliciting a ₹2.72 lakh bribe to clear a pending bill. He was caught accepting ₹43,000, a partial payment of the bribe. Bikash Sarkar, who purportedly paid the bribe, was also taken into custody.
Meanwhile, in Bajali, Gaurav Shekhar Das, ACS, Assistant Commissioner, faced allegations of demanding ₹1,00,000 to facilitate a clay/earth-cutting business. Vigilance authorities caught him red-handed while he accepted ₹50,000.

Digboi youths claim that contracts for refinery expansion worth Rs. 740 crore contain irregularities.

“Unemployed youths in Digboi’s rural areas have raised concerns over alleged irregularities in awarding contracts for the Rs 740.20 crore Digboi Refinery Expansion Project in Assam’s Tinsukia district. Allegations include favoritism towards select parties, such as businessman Hemanta Agarwal, the rejection of local contractors, and the exclusive sourcing of minerals from Arunachal Pradesh. The allocation of 33% of civil work to the Unemployed Union of Digboi has also sparked questions about the group’s legitimacy. Locals and student bodies have called for urgent intervention to ensure transparency and fairness.”

Meghalaya’s Minority Tribes Establish RCDC and Reaffirm Call for Independent Regional Council.

On Saturday, minority tribal leaders in Meghalaya formed the Regional Council Demand Committee (RCDC) to strengthen the push for a regional council representing indigenous minority tribes. The RCDC, led by Dr. K.C. Boro (Chairman), Ananda Koch (General Secretary), and Promod Koch (Advisory Board Chairman), aims to work closely with the Meghalaya Indigenous Minority Tribals Forum (MIMTF), which has submitted several memoranda to authorities advocating for this demand. The RCDC emphasizes being a public body, free of political affiliations, and represents tribes such as the Hajong, Koch, Rabha, Boro-Kachari, Mann, and Karbi. Fifty-four members attended the meeting where the RCDC was officially formed.

In response to public outcry, Sikkim issues SOPs to regulate AI-generated e-challans.

The Sikkim Transport Department has introduced new SOPs to regulate AI-powered e-challans following widespread criticism over inaccuracies and unjustified fines. The updated system will now conduct multiple rounds of verification with the NIC database before issuing a challan for document-related violations. Vehicle owners will receive a prior alert and have a 10-day window to update their documents on the VAHAN portal. Additionally, any falsely generated e-challan will be canceled, and affected individuals will be compensated with double the penalty amount.

In Hyderabad Arrested a Key Accused in the Cachar Human Trafficking Case.

In a significant breakthrough, police have arrested a key accused, Rupali Dutta, in a human trafficking case involving two minor girls from Assam’s Cachar district. The minors were rescued from Jaipur, Rajasthan, following swift action by authorities, leading to the earlier arrest of one individual, Leela Ram. Investigations identified Dutta as a primary orchestrator of the trafficking network, prompting a police operation in Hyderabad, where she was apprehended. She has been remanded to police custody for further interrogation. The case highlights ongoing efforts to combat trafficking and protect vulnerable communities.

Due to a failed love affair, a couple in Cachar commits themselves.

In a heart-wrenching incident in Cachar, Assam, a young couple allegedly died by suicide after their relationship faced familial opposition. The bodies of Javed Akhtar and a 17-year-old girl were found hanging from a tree, and authorities are investigating the possibility of honor killing. In a separate tragedy on Saraswati Puja in Nalbari, another young couple reportedly consumed poison during the celebration. While the girl succumbed, the boy remains in critical condition.