© IE Online Media Services Pvt Ltd
Tags:
Journalism of Courage
Good morning,
Dream11, Winzo, and MPL are among hundreds of real-money gaming platforms staring at a potential ban after the Lok Sabha passed the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Bill, 2025. The Bill defines an “online money game” as any service where users pay a fee, deposit money, or stake value with the expectation of winning monetary or material rewards. Crucially, the government has exempted e-sports platforms, recognising them as legitimate competitive sports. It also plans to promote “online social games” for recreation and education. The move targets a fast-growing industry, projected to hit $9 billion by 2029, that has faced criticism over money laundering, tax evasion, and addiction. But a blanket ban could cost the exchequer thousands of crores.
On that note, let’s get to today’s edition.👇
On Wednesday, Parliament descended into pandemonium as members tore up papers and threw them towards Union Home Minister Amit Shah. Members of Trinamool Congress (TMC) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) came close to a scuffle. The chaos ensued when Shah got up to introduce three Bills, including the Constitution (130th Amendment) Bill, in the Lok Sabha.
The Bill seeks to revise the law for the removal of top executive functionaries, from the Prime Minister to Chief Ministers and other ministers, facing allegations of corruption or serious offences, punishable with a sentence of at least five years, if they are sent behind bars for 30 days.
The counter: The Opposition has slammed the Bill as an “assault on federalism” and “completely draconian.” Parties argue that it hands excessive power to investigative agencies, which could arrest individuals for 30 days and ensure their removal without a conviction. They warn the law could be weaponised against Opposition-ruled states, with some calling it a diversion from Congress’s “vote chori” allegations.
The law: The 30-day custody yardstick for removal of ministers raises questions over due process, since arrest and detention are just preliminary steps in an investigation, and not evidence of guilt. Can an elected legislator be forced to step down? We explain the previously proposed amendments and the Supreme Court’s say on the matter.
Faizan Mustafa, legal scholar and vice chancellor of Chanakya National Law University, writes that unless investigative agencies become autonomous and bail becomes a norm — not an exception — the Bill is vulnerable to misuse. Read.
The process: The Bills have now been referred to a 31-member Joint Committee. Shah requested that they have a report ready before the first day of the next Parliament session. At least two-thirds of MPs present in the House need to vote in favour for a Constitutional amendment to be passed.
Partners: External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar is on a two-day visit to Russia in the backdrop of the looming US-imposed 50 per cent tariff and breakdown in the India-US trade talks. He told Russia’s First Deputy Prime Minister Denis Manturov that New Delhi and Moscow need to tap into the “full potential of trade and investment ties”. India has also restarted its trade negotiations with the Russia-led Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU), comprising Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz Republic.
Error: Days after Sanjay Kumar, co-director of a CSDS research programme, Lokniti, put out a post alleging irregularities in Maharashtra electoral rolls, he withdrew the allegations and apologised. Kumar now faces two FIRs.
Assault: A 41-year-old man, Rajeshbhai Khimjibhai Sakriya, has been arrested on attempt-to-murder charges after he allegedly attacked Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta during a public meeting at her office. According to a statement from Sakriya’s mother, he was upset over the Supreme Court’s order on stray dogs, and that he has “mental issues”.
Aviation alarm: A Parliamentary panel has sounded the alarm on aviation safety weeks after the Air India plane crash in Ahmedabad. The panel’s report has flagged multiple systemic lapses, including unchecked fleet expansion, fatigued workforces, outdated infrastructure, and unresolved safety gaps. Also underlining staff shortage as an “existential threat” to India’s aviation safety system, the panel recommended full autonomy to the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA).
GST overhaul: A Group of Ministers (GoM) is deliberating on the proposal to remove taxes on life and health insurance premiums. Although this would make insurance more affordable, it might increase insurer costs. Most members are in favour of making the tax nil, while some states have raised concerns over revenue loss.
Meanwhile, the Centre has formed two new informal groups of ministers (iGoMs) under Amit Shah and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh to prescribe reforms in the economic and social sectors, respectively.
India’s fast bowlers aren’t exactly the fittest. But strength and conditioning coach Adrian le Roux has a plan to fix it: clock more running miles than hitting the gym. At the heart of this new fitness regime is the rugby-centric Bronco Test. What does it involve and how does it help? Read Devendra Pandey’s report.
🎧Before you go, do tune in to the latest ‘3 Things’ podcast episode. Today’s lineup: Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi’s visit to India, wastewater surveillance, and a rare vote recounting.
That’s all for today, folks! Until tomorrow,
Sonal Gupta
