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In a tragic incident in Kondawat village, Madhya Pradesh, eight villagers lost their lives after inhaling toxic gas while cleaning a well for the Gangaur festival. The disaster unfolded on Thursday when five villagers descended into the 150-year-old well to clear sludge but soon became engulfed in the hazardous fumes. When three others attempted to rescue them, they too were overcome and trapped. A rescue operation involving local authorities and the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) lasted four hours, ultimately recovering all eight bodies. Chief Minister Mohan Yadav expressed his condolences and announced a compensation of Rs 4 lakh for the victims' families, promising a thorough investigation. In response to the tragedy, the devastated community has decided to seal the well to prevent similar incidents in the future. Preliminary findings suggest that toxic gases in the well caused suffocation and drowning. 
Published: Apr 04 2025, 1 ameznews.inTwo Opposition MPs, Congress's Mohammad Jawed and AIMIM's Asaduddin Owaisi, have filed petitions in the Supreme Court challenging the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, which they argue is discriminatory towards Muslims. The Rajya Sabha passed the bill after extensive discussion, and it is now awaiting President Droupadi Murmu's assent. Mr. Jawed contends that the bill violates several constitutional rights, including equality and religious freedom, by imposing restrictions on Waqf governance that do not apply to other religious endowments. He argues that the amendments disproportionately increase state intervention in Waqf affairs and introduce arbitrary classifications that violate Article 14. Additionally, the bill's requirement for non-Muslim members on Waqf boards is seen as an unwarranted interference in religious governance, contrasting with Hindu trusts that remain exclusively managed by Hindus. The petitions highlight concerns over restrictions that could affect new converts to Islam wishing to dedicate property for charitable purposes. 
Published: Apr 04 2025, 7 pmeznews.inBENGALURU: Karnataka Congress MLA AS Ponnanna has faced criticism from the BJP following the suicide of party functionary Vinay Somaia, who alleged in a note that political harassment led to his death. Ponnanna, a legal advisor to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, denied ever meeting Somaia, stating their only interaction was an audio message related to a previous incident. He accused the BJP of exploiting the tragedy for political gain, labeling them as "vultures" who lack sensitivity towards grieving families. Somaia, 35, was found dead in his office, claiming in his note that a police case against him was politically motivated, initiated by a Congress leader. Home Minister G Parameshwara has promised a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding Somaia's death. Ponnanna expressed skepticism about claims of police harassment, suggesting instead that BJP leaders were interfering in the investigation. 
Published: Apr 04 2025, 6 pmeznews.inK Annamalai, the current president of the Tamil Nadu BJP, has stated he is not vying for re-election amid speculation regarding his potential removal. Sources indicate that AIADMK leader Edapaddi K Palaniswami has made Annamalai's ouster a condition for re-establishing an alliance with the BJP ahead of the 2024 Tamil Nadu Assembly elections. Annamalai's previous criticisms of AIADMK leaders have strained relations, leading to the party's split with the BJP in 2023. While Annamalai has increased the BJP's visibility in Tamil Nadu since taking charge in 2021, he faces challenges due to caste dynamics, as both he and Palaniswami belong to the Gounder community. The BJP may present his removal as a strategic move to strengthen its position in the state. Palaniswami is expected to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi soon to discuss alliance matters, with a new BJP chief likely to be announced thereafter. 
Published: Apr 04 2025, 5 pmeznews.inThousands of protesters took to the streets in Kolkata, Chennai, and Ahmedabad on Friday following the passage of the contentious Waqf Amendment Bill by Parliament. Demonstrators, many organized by the Joint Forum for Waqf Protection, waved national flags and carried signs denouncing the bill, which they claim undermines Muslim rights. In Ahmedabad, tensions escalated as police attempted to disperse elderly protesters, resulting in the detention of the local AIMIM chief and 40 members. Tamil actor-politician Vijay criticized the bill as "anti-democratic," while Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee vowed to protect Muslim land rights. The bill, which mandates the inclusion of two non-Muslim members on Waqf boards, has faced fierce opposition, with critics labeling it a "brazen assault" on the Constitution. Despite the uproar, Union Minority Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju defended the bill, asserting it is prospective and does not allow non-Muslims to interfere in Waqf affairs. 
Published: Apr 04 2025, 5 pmeznews.inUnion Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal's recent remarks urging Indian startups to transition from food delivery services to more advanced technological innovations have sparked significant debate online. Goyal criticized the startup sector for producing "cheap labour" and suggested that India should aspire to develop high-tech industries like artificial intelligence and semiconductors, similar to China. In response, Zepto co-founder Aadit Palicha defended consumer startups, highlighting their substantial tax contributions and job creation, while noting that even successful tech companies often began with simpler models. Ex-BharatPe MD Ashneer Grover acknowledged the importance of Goyal's comments but criticized politicians for not fostering economic growth. Former Infosys CEO Mohandas Pai urged the government to support high-tech startups instead of belittling existing ones. The exchange underscores the tension between promoting innovation and recognizing the economic impact of current consumer-focused business models in India. 
Published: Apr 04 2025, 5 pmeznews.inThe National Conference, led by Omar Abdullah, passed two resolutions today, urging the central government to respect the people's mandate in Jammu and Kashmir and condemning the Waqf (Amendment) Bill. This decision followed a two-hour meeting amid escalating tensions between Abdullah's government and Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha's office, particularly over the transfer of 48 Jammu and Kashmir Administrative Service officers, which the National Conference claims undermines their authority. Abdullah emphasized that their desire for cordial relations should not be misinterpreted as weakness, stating, βIt can't be business as usual.β This conflict arises just days before Union Home Minister Amit Shah's visit to the region to assess security amid rising terrorist activities. Additionally, concerns linger over the delay in restoring Jammu and Kashmir's statehood, with the National Conference seeking clarity from the Centre on the timeline for discussions promised after the Maharashtra Assembly elections. 
Published: Apr 04 2025, 4 pmeznews.inIn Hyderabad, influencer Shaikh Maryam Ali has sparked outrage after a video surfaced showing her throwing coffee at a store employee in a mall, following an alleged mocking response from the staff. The incident, which quickly went viral on social media platform X, featured Ms Ali yelling at the saleswoman and expressing her anger over what she described as a "worst experience." Viewers noted the spilled coffee on the counter and floor, with Ms Ali continuing to berate the employee throughout the video. Many users condemned her actions, calling for her to be banned from the mall and suggesting that the store owner should file a complaint for harassment. This incident follows another recent controversy involving a Delhi-based content creator who attempted to sneak into a hotel for a free breakfast, only to end up paying for her meal after being caught. 
Published: Apr 04 2025, 4 pmeznews.inThe Employees' Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) has announced two significant reforms aimed at streamlining the claim settlement process for EPF members and employers, as stated by the Ministry of Labour & Employment. The first reform eliminates the requirement for members to upload images of cheque leaves or attested bank passbooks when filing claims, benefiting over 7.7 crore members since its pilot launch on May 28, 2024. This change aims to reduce paperwork and grievances related to claim denials. The second reform removes the necessity for employer approval after bank verification for seeding bank accounts with the Universal Account Number (UAN), thereby expediting the process and alleviating the backlog of pending approvals for nearly 14.95 lakh members. These initiatives are designed to enhance the ease of living for members and improve the ease of doing business for employers, facilitating quicker access to financial services. 
Published: Apr 04 2025, 4 pmeznews.inPradyot Kishore Debbarman, chief of Tripura's Tipra Motha party, has sharply criticized Bangladesh's chief adviser, Muhammad Yunus, for his comments regarding a "maritime gateway" for the northeastern Indian states. Speaking at a public gathering in Gomati district, Debbarman warned Yunus of potential territorial consequences, alleging that Yunus is aligning with Chinese interests and issuing veiled threats against India's northeast. He emphasized the indigenous Tiprasa communities' aspirations for a Greater Tipraland, asserting their capability to defend their territory. Debbarman's remarks coincided with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's meeting with Yunus at the BIMSTEC summit in Thailand, where Modi expressed concerns about minority safety in Bangladesh and advocated for a constructive relationship. Yunus, a Nobel laureate, had previously suggested that Bangladesh could serve as a maritime link for the landlocked northeastern states, potentially facilitating Chinese economic interests in the region. 
Published: Apr 04 2025, 3 pmeznews.inA 35-year-old BJP functionary, Vinay Somaiah, was found dead by suicide in his office in Bengaluru's Nagawara area on Friday, leaving behind a letter accusing local Congress leader Tenneera Maheena and MLA AS Ponnanna of orchestrating harassment that led to his death. Vinay, originally from Somwarpet in Kodagu district, was an administrator of a WhatsApp group where a controversial post targeting Ponnanna was shared. Following the post, an FIR was filed against Vinay and others, leading to his arrest and subsequent bail, but he claimed to have faced ongoing harassment despite a court stay on the case. In his letter, Vinay expressed fear of being labeled a "rowdy-sheeter" and called for support for his family from BJP leaders. Karnataka's Home Minister G Parameshwara has promised a DCP-level investigation into the circumstances surrounding Vinay's death. Further inquiries are ongoing. 
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