| Good morning, Brace yourself for a stormy day! The government is set to re-introduce the contentious Waqf (Amendment) Bill, promising fireworks in Parliament. Later, US President Donald Trump will announce worldwide reciprocal tariffs on long-standing trading partners. The anticipation has added to the global uncertainty, with the stock market slumping on the first day of the financial year 2025-26. Without further ado, let’s get into today’s edition. On that note, let's get to today's edition.
🚨Big Story The Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024, was introduced in Parliament last year and referred to a House panel. The panel went on to clear 14 amendments in the Bill, and therein lies the problem. All 14 amendments were moved by BJP members or its allies in the National Democratic Alliance. Significantly, all of the 44 amendments that the Opposition parties proposed were rejected. Banded together as the INDIA bloc, the Opposition is set to oppose the Bill in Parliament today when the government reintroduces it. Quick context: The Bill proposes sweeping changes to the Waqf Act of 1995, which governs the management of Waqf properties in India. Crucially, it gives the government a say in regulating such properties. A ‘Waqf’ refers to any movable or immovable property offered in the name of God for religious and charitable purposes. The contention: The Bill has come under severe criticism for undermining Muslim rights. Detractors have questioned the very need for such amendments and the proposed introduction of non-Muslim members (including the Chief Executive Officer) to the Waqf Boards, among other issues.
⚡Only in Express Meet Ananya Yadav. When a shed caught fire during a recent demolition drive in Uttar Pradesh's Ambedkar Nagar, the eight-year-old rushed to save her prized possessions—her school books—kept nearby. The books are vital if she is to become an "IAS Adhikari" one day. Neither Ananya nor her family could have imagined what would happen next. A video capturing the moment went viral, drawing widespread attention and bringing politicians to their homes. Even the highest court in the country took notice. "It has shocked everyone," remarked Justice Ujjal Bhuyan on Tuesday. The video came up when he and Justice A S Oka were delivering a verdict on a separate 2021 demolition case in Prayagraj, condemning it as "inhuman and illegal”.
📰 From the Front Page Onward: On Tuesday, India and China celebrated 75 years of diplomatic relations. With efforts underway to smooth frosty ties, messages from both sides sounded an optimistic note about the future. The jewel: Trinamool Congress's national general secretary, Abhishek Banerjee, is reaping the rewards of his 'Diamond Harbour Model'. Fast-tracked progress. and pension and health camps make his constituency stand out from the other 41 Lok Sabha seats in the state. Behind it? A 100% utilisation of MPLADS funds (development funds allocated to all members of Parliament) with help from MLAs. But for the Opposition, it's proof that the overall system has failed.
📌Must Read ‘Liberation Day’: India has finalised the Terms of Reference for a bilateral trade agreement with the US. Delhi hopes the deal will eventually buy concessions from the US reciprocal tariffs, which are set to be announced today. A lot is riding on Trump's announcement, with experts predicting a period of hectic negotiations ahead. My colleague Anil Sasi examines the likely impact. Global citizens: Nearly one in 40 Indians lives abroad. With countries across the world closing their borders and tightening laws around immigrants, the Indian diaspora faces many challenges. Amid all this, economics professor Sanjay Reddy makes a compelling case for allowing dual citizenship. Read his Opinion piece.
⏳And Finally… 🏏 Last Friday, the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) bested the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) at the latter’s home turf in Chepauk. This was a first in 17 years. The RCB is set to face the Gujarat Titans today at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru, where it rarely gets a win. Will its fortunes turn? The new team certainly holds promise. 🎧 Before you go, don't forget to tune in to today's episode of the '3 Things' podcast, where we spotlight the Yamuna, its polluted waters, and what it means to those who inhabit its banks. That’s all for today, folks! Until tomorrow, Sonal Gupta | 
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