Bill Imposing Severe Restrictions On Online Gaming Coming Up Today; Blow To 'Vote Chori' Narrative After CSDS 'Expert' Deletes Post And Apologises; And More

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Bill To Remove Tainted Ministers—Including PM, CMs—To Be Introduced By Amit Shah 

Union Home Minister Amit Shah will introduce a bill targeting corruption allegations against serving ministers today in Parliament. This will be a constitutional amendment that would mandate resignation of chief ministers and prime ministers arrested on serious criminal charges.

The 130th Constitutional Amendment Bill aims to prevent scenarios like Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal continuing in office while in custody, according to reports citing government sources. 

The amendment seeks to establish clear timelines for removal of arrested officials: "In case of the Chief Minister, who for any period of thirty consecutive days during holding the office as such, is arrested and detained in custody, on allegation of committing an offence under any law for the time being in force, which is punishable with imprisonment for a term which may extend to five years or more, shall tender his resignation by the thirty-first day after such arrest and detention, and if he does not tender his resignation, he shall cease to be the Chief Minister, with effect from the day falling thereafter," the bill states.

The proposed amendment extends identical provisions to the Prime Minister's office, with similar language requiring resignation within 31 days of arrest and detention on serious criminal charges: "In case of the Prime Minister, who for any period of thirty consecutive days during holding the office as such, is arrested and detained in custody, on allegation of committing an offence under any law for the time being in force, which is punishable with imprisonment for a term which may extend to five years or more, shall tender his resignation by the thirty-first day after such arrest and detention, and if he does not tender his resignation, he shall cease to be the Prime Minister with effect from the day falling thereafter". 

The legislation includes provisions for officials to resume their positions upon release from custody.

"Nothing in this clause shall prevent such Chief Minister or Minister (or Prime Minister) from being subsequently appointed as the Chief Minister or a Minister, by the President, on his release from custody, as per clause (5)," the proposed amendment states.

The government plans to refer the constitutional amendment to a joint parliamentary committee for wider consultation, though opposition protests are anticipated given the legislation's potential political implications.

Additionally, Shah will also introduce the Union Territory Administration Amendment Bill, 2025, and the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Bill, 2025. 

Will Online Gaming Bill Be The End Of Gaming Industry?

The Union Cabinet has approved a comprehensive bill to regulate online gaming platforms, which is expected to be introduced in the Lok Sabha today. 

The Online Gaming Bill 2025 seeks to address widespread concerns over addiction, fraud, and inconsistent state regulations while introducing severe penalties for unauthorized gambling through digital applications, according to reports citing government sources.

The proposed legislation includes stringent financial controls, and is likely to mandate that no bank or financial institution shall facilitate transactions or fund transfers for online money games. The bill is likely to define ‘online money games’ as ‘any game, played by paying fees, depositing money, irrespective of skill or chance’. 

According to source-based reports, the bill invokes also "national security" concerns, directly linking online real money games with potential terror financing and money laundering. 

The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) is likely to be designated as the central regulator for online gaming. 

The legislation comes amid opposition allegations that the central government is "shying away" from its "moral responsibility" to take decisive action against problematic online gaming practices.

The government has progressively tightened the online gaming sector since 2022, imposing 28 percent GST on gaming activities from October 2023 and taxing winnings at 30 percent starting from the 2024-25 financial year. Offshore gaming platforms have been brought under Indian tax jurisdiction, while unregistered sites face blocking.

Industry representatives however contend that the proposed legislation overlooks the significant economic value generated by gaming platforms in India. According to them, the sector generates approximately Rs 20,000 crore in annual government revenue and provides direct and indirect employment to over two lakh individuals. Industry leaders warn that comprehensive restrictions could eliminate this entire economic ecosystem. 

Blow To Rahul Gandhi's 'Vote Theft' Narrative As CSDS Expert Deletes Post And Issues Apology

The debate over alleged irregularities in Maharashtra’s voter lists raised by the opposition parties led by Congress took a nosedive after noted psephologist Sanjay Kumar of Lokniti-CSDS retracted a post that had flagged dramatic swings in the electorate between the 2024 Lok Sabha and Assembly elections.

In his now-deleted post on X, Kumar had claimed that constituencies such as Ramtek and Deolali saw voter counts drop by nearly 40 per cent within six months. The now-deleted post, presented with constituency codes and exact figures, quickly drew sharp political reactions, feeding into the opposition’s ongoing charge of “vote chori”.

However, Kumar later issued a public apology, admitting an error in comparing datasets.

“Error occurred while comparing data of 2024 LS and 2024 AS. The data in row was misread by our Data team. The tweet has since been removed. I had no intention of dispersing any form of misinformation,” he wrote.

However, Kumar's apology was not before Congress and other opposition leaders had already used his post to claim fraud and irregularity in Maharashtra elections.

BJP IT Cell chief Amit Malviya took to X to hit back strongly, “The apology is in, and Sanjay Kumar is out… In his exuberance to feed Congress’s fake narrative on Maharashtra, CSDS put out data without verification. That is not analysis—it is confirmation bias.”

Congress-Aligned Social Media Handles Drag CEC Gyanesh Kumar's Family Into Their Attacks On Electoral Body

Multiple social media handles that have been observed to post in Rahul Gandhi's support in the past dragged in the family of Chief Election Commissioner, Gyanesh Kumar, in their latest attacks on the body.

This follows ongoing tensions between Congress and the Election Commission. In a press conference on 17 August, the EC asked Gandhi to submit his allegations of 'vote theft' under an affidavit within seven days or apologise.

Following this, Congress aligned social media handles not only criticised Gyanesh Kumar but also disclosed the names and other details of his spouse and family.

Till the time of writing, there had been no official response from the Congress on comments on the CEC's family.

China Claims Indian Officials Reaffirmed One-China Policy During Wang Yi Visit

Beijing claimed Tuesday that External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar told Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi that "Taiwan is part of China". However, Indian official sources speaking to news outlets clarified that there has been "no change" in India's position on Taiwan.

According to China's Foreign Ministry readout, Jaishankar stated during Monday's meeting: "Stable, cooperative, and forward-looking India-China relations serve the interests of both countries. Taiwan is part of China."

The Chinese account also quoted NSA Ajit Doval as saying: "It is necessary to enhance understanding, deepen trust, and strengthen cooperation, as this is crucial for the well-being of the peoples of both countries and world peace and development. India has consistently adhered to the one-China policy."

Responding to the Chinese readout, Indian sources cited by national news channels and dailies said that India maintained continuity in policy while emphasizing practical relationships, and that India had a relationship with Taiwan like the rest of the world.

Meanwhile Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi called on PM Modi on Tuesday. Speaking about their meeting, PM Modi said: "Glad to meet Foreign Minister Wang Yi. Since my meeting with President Xi in Kazan last year, India-China relations have made steady progress guided by respect for each other's interests and sensitivities. I look forward to our next meeting in Tianjin on the sidelines of the SCO Summit. Stable, predictable, constructive ties between India and China will contribute significantly to regional as well as global peace and prosperity."

You’re all caught up. Until next time.