Violence erupted in Murshidabad, West Bengal, amid protests over the Waqf Act, leading to attacks on Hindu and Muslim homes. Reports suggest women were forced to flee, and many families are living in fear. The National Commission for Women (NCW) raised concerns about the situation and planned visits to affected areas. The BJP blamed Mamata Banerjee’s government, while the TMC dismissed the allegations as politically motivated. (PC: ANI)

On April 17, 2025, the Supreme Court paused the implementation of key provisions of the Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025, after multiple petitions questioned its constitutional validity. The Centre assured it would make no fresh appointments to the Central Waqf Council or state Waqf Boards until the next hearing on May 5. It also agreed not to denotify or alter waqf properties, including those under the controversial 'waqf-by-user' clause. The Court took this on record and granted the Centre and states seven days to submit formal responses. (PC: Hindustan Times)(  

Violence erupted in West Bengal's Murshidabad district following protests over the Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025, leading to clashes, arson, and public disruption. Three people were killed, over ten injured, and hundreds displaced. Protesters blocked NH-12, torched police vehicles, and disrupted railway operations. In response, the state government deployed additional police forces, imposed Section 144, and suspended internet services to control the unrest. The Calcutta High Court intervened, ordering central forces for law and order. The Bengal government has now informed the court that the situation is under control, with peace returning to the region and no fresh violence reported. (PC: PTI)

In a major engineering achievement, Indian Railways has completed Tunnel 8 on the Rishikesh-Karnaprayag rail line in Uttarakhand, making it India’s longest railway tunnel at 14.035 km. Constructed between Devprayag and Janasu, this tunnel is part of the 125-km broad gauge project aimed at enhancing access to the Garhwal Himalayas. Executed by Larsen & Toubro using advanced tunnel boring machines (Shiv and Shakti), the project has completed over 60% of its total 213 km tunneling work. Once operational, the line will reduce travel time from Rishikesh to Karnaprayag to just two hours, boosting regional tourism, economy, and strategic infrastructure. ( PC: Times now)

On April 17, 2025, the Supreme Court of India resumed hearings on petitions challenging the constitutional validity of the Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025. The controversial legislation, which seeks to reform the governance and management of Waqf properties, has sparked widespread protests and political backlash. Opponents—including Congress, AIMIM, and CPI—argue that the Act violates minority rights and centralizes control over religious endowments. Protests in West Bengal, Tripura, and other states have led to violence and public outcry. The case is being closely followed due to its far-reaching impact on religious freedoms and minority autonomy. (PC: PTI)

The Karnataka caste census has revealed 99 sub-castes among Muslims and 57 among Christians, shedding light on the deep social stratification within religious minorities. In response, the Karnataka State Commission for Backward Classes has proposed 8% reservation each for Muslims and Christians in government jobs and education. The data, aimed at ensuring equitable development, is expected to influence affirmative action policies. However, the proposal may stir political debate and resistance from other communities. This move marks a significant step in reshaping Karnataka’s approach to social justice by recognizing intra-religious caste dynamics among minority populations. (PC: iStock Photo)

Violent clashes erupted in Murshidabad, West Bengal, over opposition to the Waqf (Amendment) Act, leaving three dead and hundreds arrested. The protests escalated into communal violence, with arson and attacks on infrastructure, prompting the Calcutta High Court to deploy central forces. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee opposed implementing the Act, calling it discriminatory, while BJP leaders accused her of appeasement politics. Analysts warn that using religious issues for political mileage could spiral out of control. The violence highlights how fragile communal harmony becomes when politics, religion, and law are recklessly entangled in a volatile electoral climate. (PC: ANI)

The Supreme Court has allowed West Bengal to retain "untainted" assistant teachers for classes 9–12, offering partial relief following the annulment of 25,753 teaching and non-teaching appointments over the 2016 school jobs-for-cash scam. While upholding the Calcutta High Court’s earlier decision, the apex court mandated the state to advertise fresh recruitment by May 31 and complete the process by December 31. The ruling excludes Group C and D staff due to widespread irregularities. The scam involved OMR sheet tampering and excess appointments, prompting a CBI probe and nationwide attention on corruption in educational recruitment. (PC: India Today)

West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee launched a sharp attack on PM Narendra Modi and the BJP over the Waqf Amendment Act 2025, accusing them of double standards. "You are against Muslims, but in Saudi Arabia, you meet Muslims… You say one thing in your country and another outside," Banerjee said while addressing Muslim clerics in Kolkata. She urged the INDIA bloc to unite against the Act, warning, “Today, it is happening against you. Tomorrow, it will be against someone else.” Her comments follow violent protests in Murshidabad that left three dead. A Special Investigation Team has been formed to probe the incident. (PC: Hindustan Times)

Chief Justice of India Sanjiv Khanna, in a key hearing on the Waqf Amendment Act, 2025, urged the Centre to clarify its position on several contentious issues, including the removal of "waqf by user" and the exclusion of inter-faith board members. The CJI also noted that while misuse exists, genuine cases must not be ignored. The court questioned the removal of legal protections for waqf properties and discussed inheritance rights under the Act. Balancing both sides, the bench acknowledged some “good aspects” of the law and urged a nuanced approach. Justice Khanna retires on May 14 with 18 working days left.