The Supreme Court upheld the Calcutta High Court's decision to cancel over 25,000 teacher and non-teaching staff appointments in West Bengal due to significant recruitment irregularities. BJP leader Sambit Patra accused Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee of institutionalizing corruption, asserting she will face legal consequences. He emphasized that under BJP governance, law enforcement would address these issues. Patra also criticized opposition parties for their silence on the matter. The controversy centers on alleged manipulation and fraud in the School Service Commission's recruitment process, leading to widespread political debate and legal scrutiny in the state. (PC: The Tribune)

On April 3, 2025, Congress Parliamentary Party Chairperson Sonia Gandhi criticized the passage of the Waqf (Amendment) Bill in the Lok Sabha, labeling it a "brazen assault" on the Constitution and accusing the BJP of perpetuating societal polarization. She asserted that the bill was "bulldozed" through Parliament and highlighted concerns over the "One Nation, One Election" proposal, describing it as another constitutional subversion. Gandhi urged Congress members to aggressively expose the Modi government's alleged failures and its attempts to transform India into a surveillance state. She also accused Prime Minister Modi of rebranding initiatives from the UPA era as his own achievements. (PC: NDTV)

Over 250 passengers aboard Virgin Atlantic flight VS358 from London to Mumbai were stranded for over 40 hours at Turkey's Diyarbakır Airport following an emergency landing due to a passenger's panic attack. The Airbus A350 encountered technical issues during the unscheduled stop, preventing continuation. Stranded travelers, including infants, diabetics, and a pregnant woman, reported limited food, a single functional toilet, and restricted mobility due to visa constraints. Virgin Atlantic apologized, citing ongoing aircraft inspections and efforts to arrange alternative flights. Diplomats processed 24-hour visas and arranged accommodations, though the timeline for reaching Mumbai remained uncertain. (PC: The Financial Express & The Mirror)

A seven-month-pregnant woman, Tanisha Bhise, tragically died after allegedly being denied treatment by Pune's Dinanath Mangeshkar Hospital due to insufficient funds. Her husband, Sushant Bhise, claimed the hospital demanded ₹10 lakh for her care and refused admission when he could only offer ₹2.5 lakh upfront. This delay forced the family to seek alternative medical assistance, but Tanisha succumbed to complications after delivering twins. The hospital has denied these allegations and announced an internal inquiry. This incident highlights critical concerns about healthcare accessibility and the prioritization of financial considerations over patient care. (PC: Hindustan Times & Asianet News)

The Delhi High Court has directed Wikipedia to remove allegedly defamatory content from the Wikipedia page of Asian News International (ANI), stating that Wikipedia cannot evade responsibility by merely citing its intermediary status. The court emphasized that, as an encyclopedia, Wikipedia's content is often accepted as factual, thereby imposing a higher duty of care. It noted that the statements on ANI's page were sourced from opinion pieces and were presented out of context, leading to potential harm to ANI's professional reputation. Consequently, the court concluded that these statements are prima facie defamatory and ordered their removal. (PC: OneZero)

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi met Bangladesh's interim Chief Adviser, Muhammad Yunus, during the BIMSTEC summit in Bangkok—their first meeting since Sheikh Hasina's ouster in August 2024. After Hasina's ouster, who was seen as a reliable and trusted friend of India, the relationship between India and Bangladesh has been strained amid Delhi's concerns over the violence targeting minorities and a rise of hardline Islamist forces in the South Asian country. Yunus assured Modi of their protection. Observers view this dialogue as a potential step toward mending bilateral ties, given the countries' shared 4,000 km border and deep cultural and economic connections. External affairs minister S Jaishankar and national security advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval also attended the meeting. (PC: Orfonline & The Indian Express)

India's Parliament has passed the Waqf (Amendment) Bill and the Mussalman Wakf (Repeal) Bill, aiming to reform the management of Muslim charitable endowments. Prime Minister Narendra Modi hailed this as a "watershed moment" for socio-economic justice, transparency, and inclusive growth. The legislation introduces non-Muslim members into Waqf boards and increases governmental oversight. Supporters argue it will reduce corruption and enhance accountability, while critics contend it infringes upon Muslim property rights and could lead to the seizure of religious properties lacking formal documentation. The bills now await President Droupadi Murmu's approval to become law. (PC: ShutterStock)

The Indian National Congress plans to challenge the constitutionality of the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, in the Supreme Court, as announced by party leader Jairam Ramesh. This bill, recently passed by both houses of Parliament, introduces significant changes to the management of Muslim charitable endowments, known as waqfs. It proposes including non-Muslim members in waqf boards and increases government oversight. Supporters argue these measures aim to enhance transparency and reduce corruption. However, critics, including the Congress party and various Muslim organizations, contend that the bill infringes upon the constitutional rights of Muslims and could lead to the seizure of historically significant religious properties. (PC: Wikipedia)

The RSS-affiliated Swadeshi Jagran Manch (SJM) has urged the Indian government to withdraw from the World Trade Organization's (WTO) Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS) agreement. This call follows U.S. President Donald Trump's announcement of new tariffs on imports from Mexico, Canada, and China. The SJM argues that TRIPS hampers India's ability to produce affordable generic medicines and advocates for policies prioritizing domestic interests over global trade obligations. They believe that exiting TRIPS would bolster India's pharmaceutical sector and ensure better access to essential medicines for its population. (PC: Mint)

In the wake of President Donald Trump's imposition of a 10% tariff on UK exports, the U.S. administration has signaled that the UK must permit imports of chlorine-washed chicken to secure tariff relief. This demand challenges the UK's longstanding ban on such products due to food safety and animal welfare concerns. The tariffs, part of broader measures affecting various countries, have prompted the UK to consider potential retaliatory actions, including tariffs on American goods. However, the UK government emphasizes a preference for negotiation over escalation, aiming to address these trade disputes while upholding domestic standards and protecting national economic interests. (PC: Business Standard)