This Week in Explainers: Why Parliament clearing Waqf invoice has stirred protests

It was a busy week for India. United States President Donald Trump’s sweeping tariffs had been unveiled this week, elevating fears of a worldwide commerce battle and recession. Nonetheless, it is probably not all unhealthy information for India.

Moreover Trump’s “reciprocal” tariffs, the Waqf (Modification) Invoice, 2024, dominated the headlines. The laws to carry modifications to the Waqf Act, 1995, was cleared within the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha amid fierce objections from opposition events. Protests have damaged out throughout the nation in opposition to the Waqf invoice.

In different information, Buddhist monks have been protesting in Bihar’s Bodh Gaya — one of many holiest locations in Buddhism — for months now. They’re demanding the repeal of the Bodh Gaya Temple Act (BTA), 1949.

We discover this and extra in our weekly roundup from India.

1. US President Donald Trump introduced new tariffs on April 2, what he dubbed as ‘Liberation Day’. The White Home will impose a baseline tariff of 10 per cent on all items coming into the US, together with “reciprocal” tariffs on almost 60 buying and selling companions it says are “worst offenders”.

The US has focused India with a 27 per cent import tax. Reacting to the brand new tariff, the Commerce Ministry stated it’s analysing the affect of the levies. “It’s a blended bag and never a setback for India,” a authorities official stated.

Some sectors in India might really achieve from the brand new US commerce coverage. India’s pharmaceutical exports have been exempted from Trump’s tariffs. Indian attire and textiles have been hit however may benefit sooner or later. We clarify on this
story how Indian imports to the US shall be affected.

2. The Waqf (Modification) Invoice, 2024, was handed in Parliament amid hourslong heated debate. It amends the 1995 Waqf Act, which governs the administration of Waqf properties within the nation. The Rajya Sabha handed the laws by 128-95 votes after a marathon debate of 12 hours. The invoice was earlier cleared within the Lok Sabha hurdle by 288 votes in favour and 232 in opposition to.

Nonetheless, its passage has stirred mass protests throughout the nation. After Friday’s weekly prayers by the Muslim group, 1000’s of protesters took to the streets in Kolkata, Chennai, and Ahmedabad in opposition to the invoice. Learn our
report on this.

3. Over the previous two months, almost 100 Buddhist monks have been protesting on the Mahabodhi Temple, one of the sacred shrines of Buddhism, in Bodh Gaya. A number of Buddhist teams below the umbrella of the All India Buddhist Discussion board (AIBF) have been demanding the repeal of the Bodh Gaya Temple Act (BTA), 1949.

The BTA led to the institution of the Bodhgaya Temple Administration Committee (BTMC) that manages the Mahabodhi Temple. The management over the shrine is a longstanding dispute between Hindus and Buddhists. We clarify the problem on this
story.

4. We might quickly know the way wealthy the judges within the high court docket of India are. All 33 judges of the Supreme Court docket have reached a call to publicly disclose their belongings by publishing the small print on the apex court docket’s web site. This comes amid the controversy of the alleged discovery of wads of money on the official home of Justice Yashwant Varma.

Whereas different public servants need to reveal their wealth to the general public, it isn’t necessary for the judges. This has led to a debate about judicial transparency. Learn our
report back to know extra.

5. Indian International Service (IFS) officer Nidhi Tewari is the brand new personal secretary of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. She presently works on the Prime Minister’s Workplace (PMO) because the Deputy Secretary.

Vivek Kumar and Hardik Satishchandra Shah beforehand served because the PM’s personal secretaries. Tewari, who’s reportedly from Varanasi, is believed to be among the many youngest officers to carry the submit. We check out who she is
right here.

6. The well-known Siddhivinayak Temple in Mumbai is amongst India’s richest shrines. The well-known Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Ganesh earned Rs 133 crore in annual income within the monetary yr 2024-25, a 15 per cent surge from its earlier earnings.

The Siddhivinayak temple’s income might additional see a lift within the coming yr. So, how did the shrine improve its earnings in a yr? Learn our
story to search out out.

7. Particulars of industrialist Ratan Tata’s may have been making rounds since his loss of life final October. Whereas most of his estimated Rs 10,000-crore wealth has been donated to charity, the late Tata Group chairman’s household, mates, employees and pets have additionally discovered a spot in his will.

The executors of Tata’s will are his two half-sisters Shireen Jejeebhoy and Deanna Jejeebhoy, Tata Trusts trustee Darius Khambata, and his buddy Mehli Mistry. Now, it has come to mild that there’s a clause that would probably exclude a beneficiary from the late businessman’s will. We clarify
right here.

That is all we’ve for you this week. For those who like our explainers, you could
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