Morning Brief: VP Dhankhar Blasts SC For Acting As 'Super Parliament'; Government To Suspend Two Provisions Of Waqf Act; Market Erases 2025 Losses, Logs Best Week In Four Years; And More

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VP Dhankhar Blasts SC For Acting As 'Super Parliament'

Calling Article 142 a “nuclear missile against democratic forces, available to the judiciary 24x7,” Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar strongly criticised the judiciary, saying courts cannot direct the President under any circumstance. Article 142 of the Constitution gives the Supreme Court sweeping powers to pass orders necessary for doing complete justice. The criticism came days after a landmark Supreme Court judgment that set a three-month deadline for the President and Governors to act on Bills reserved by state governors.

The ruling came amid a standoff in Tamil Nadu, where Governor RN Ravi’s prolonged delays prompted judicial intervention and the court struck down his withholding of assent to 10 Bills as arbitrary. Dhankhar likened the judiciary’s use of Article 142 to the unchecked launch of a nuclear missile, warning it undermines parliamentary sovereignty and disrupts constitutional balance.

Government Tells SC It Will Suspends Two Waqf Act Provisions

The Centre has informed the Supreme Court that it will temporarily halt two controversial provisions of the Waqf Act, 2025, regarding ‘waqf-by-user’ and the representation of non-Muslims on waqf boards until next week. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta requested time to submit the government's written response, assuring the Court that the provisions would not be implemented until the submissions were reviewed.

The apex courthad earlier flagged these provisions, including one that would deem long-used land as waqf property even if not formally registered. The government also assured the Court that no appointments would be made to the Council or Board under the amended law until the next hearing. The Court scheduled the next hearing for further directions and interim orders, focusing on five specific writ petitions challenging the law.

Market Erases 2025 Losses, Logs Best Week In Four Years

Markets soared for the fourth straight day on Thursday (17 April), with the Sensex jumping 1,508.91 points to a record 78,553.20 and the Nifty climbing 414.45 points to close at 23,851.65, erasing all 2025 losses in what has been the best week for Indian markets in four years. Financial and banking stocks led the gains, amid optimism over improved margins and renewed foreign investor interest.

Market sentiment was buoyed by easing inflation data, monsoon forecasts, and hopes of rate cuts, with Bajaj Broking calling it the strongest week for markets in four years. Top gainers included CA Eternal, Sun Pharma, and ICICI Bank, while Wipro led the laggards. Analysts see the rally continuing, with technical indicators suggesting Nifty may touch 24,100 soon.

Other Developments

India To Release Industrial Output Data With Shorter Lag

The government announced on Thursday (17 April) that it will advance the release of the Index of Industrial Production (IIP) by two weeks, with the data now set to be released on the 28th of each month starting April 2025. Previously, the IIP was released within six weeks, on the 12th of every month.

The government aims to improve the dissemination of its statistical products in line with international best practices, reducing the IIP release timeline from 42 days to 28 days. The IIP will now be released in two estimates: the Quick estimate and the Final estimate, eliminating the need for a second revision.

Bangladesh Demands Apology From Pakistan

Bangladesh raised unresolved historical issues with Pakistan during their first foreign secretary-level talks in 15 years, including seeking a public apology for the 1971 atrocities and requesting USD 4.3 billion as its share of assets after East Pakistan's independence.

India Hits Back At Pakistan Army Chief Over Kashmir Remarks

Pakistan Army Chief General Asim Munir’s recent warning regarding Jammu and Kashmir, stating that Pakistan "won’t forget it," has drawn strong condemnation from India, which rejected it with contempt, emphasizing that Kashmir's only connection to Pakistan is the need for the country to vacate the illegally occupied territories.

Munir, speaking at the Convention for Overseas Pakistanis, declared that Kashmir remains Pakistan's "jugular vein" and vowed to support Kashmiris in their struggle. He also reiterated the ideological foundation of Pakistan, claiming that stark differences between Hindus and Muslims led to the creation of the Islamic Republic. Munir went a step further, praising Pakistan’s "superior ideology and culture."

First Motion Against Hinduphobia In Scottish Parliament

An MP in Scotland has tabled a motion addressing Hinduphobia, spotlighting rising discrimination faced by the 16,000-strong Hindu community. The motion recognises the efforts of the Gandhian Peace Society, whose report “Hinduphobia in Scotland” documents incidents like temple vandalism in Dundee, a violent attack on a Hindu family in Glasgow, and workplace discrimination against Hindu professionals. The report, presented to a cross-party group on racial and religious prejudice, combines data with personal testimonies and examples of derogatory slurs.

Meloni Courts Trump In DC

During her visit to Washington, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and Donald Trump expressed confidence about a future US-EU trade deal, with Trump asserting it was “100 per cent” certain and Meloni echoing optimism. The visit, described by Meloni’s aides as a “commercial peace mission,” came amid heightened tensions over Trump’s imposition of tariffs on European imports, which he temporarily suspended until July.

While no immediate breakthroughs on tariffs were achieved, Meloni secured a commitment from Trump to visit Rome and potentially meet other EU leaders, positioning herself as a key mediator between the EU and the US. Both leaders aligned on issues like immigration, defence spending, and opposition to "woke ideology".

From The States

Madras HC Orders Case Against Minister For Insulting Hindus

The Madras High Court directed the police to file an FIR by 23 April against Tamil Nadu Higher Education Minister K Ponmudi for his recent vulgar remarks targeting Saivites, Vaishnavites, and women. The remarks, made during a speech, allegedly equated religious identities with sexual services, prompting a public interest litigation (PIL) that also sought Ponmudi’s disqualification.

The court expressed concern over the police's inaction on the matter and stressed that the law must be applied equally to all, including ministers. The PIL accused Ponmudi of violating his constitutional oath and sowing communal discord.

PM Modi To Visit Bihar's Mithilanchal Today

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to visit Jhanjharpur in Bihar’s Mithilanchal region on 24 April to address a public rally, marking a key step in the BJP’s campaign for the 2025 Bihar Assembly elections. His visit follows significant developments in the region, including Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman’s announcement of a Makhana Board to boost local agriculture.

The BJP is focusing on Mithilanchal, which holds over 100 Assembly seats, to consolidate its support base, while the RJD is also making efforts to regain ground, with Tejashwi Yadav proposing the creation of a Mithila Development Authority. The political dynamics in the region are intensifying, with both parties aiming for dominance ahead of the elections.

You’re all caught up—until next time.