Modi intervenes as Wangchuk ends fast; US tariffs, Waqf digitisation, and more
In a significant development, climate activist Sonam Wangchuk ended his 26-day hunger strike late Thursday night after Prime Minister Narendra Modi personally intervened. In a late-night video message, Modi assured that the Cabinet would discuss the NEET paper leaks on Friday and that a Bill would be introduced in Parliament next week to address the issue. Wangchuk had been demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over the irregularities. The Opposition, however, maintained its stance, insisting that no debate on the matter could proceed without Pradhan's resignation. Later, Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi led a symbolic march to Gandhi Smriti in solidarity with protesting students.
Meanwhile, the United States announced the imposition of 10% tariffs on goods imported from India and 16 other countries, citing the use of forced labour in production. U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer stated that the tariffs, effective from Friday, were imposed under Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974, at the direction of President Donald Trump. The action targets 60 economies that have failed to enforce prohibitions on goods produced with forced labour.
In Parliament, the Ministry of Minority Affairs informed the Lok Sabha that over 6.17 lakh Waqf properties have been successfully validated and approved on the UMEED Central Portal-2025. Minister Kiren Rijiju said that of the 7,99,978 properties initiated for upload, more than 6.17 lakh have been approved, as part of the government's digitisation drive.
On the diplomatic front, Bangladesh Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has been invited to attend the BRICS summit scheduled for September 12-13 in Delhi. Bangladeshi Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaid confirmed that Rahman received the invitation from the Indian government.
In Madhya Pradesh, activist Amit Bhatnagar ended his 18-day hunger strike against the Ken-Betwa river linking project after the government assured that people left out of the rehabilitation process would be included. Bhatnagar had been fasting since July 6, and his protest gained attention after tribal women also stopped eating. He was hospitalised from July 19 and continued his fast there until Thursday.
These developments reflect a busy day in Indian politics, with the government addressing multiple issues from student protests to international trade and digitisation.
