Opposition INDIA bloc to participate in Waqf Bill debate, demand division of votes
New Delhi: The opposition INDIA bloc has unanimously decided to participate in the debate on the Waqf (Amendment) Bill and seek a division of votes during its passage. The decision was reached at a meeting on Tuesday evening, attended by all opposition parties.
CPI(M) Rajya Sabha MP John Brittas confirmed that opposition parties will vote against the Bill and coordinate with YSRCP and BJD for support. Floor leaders will decide which clauses to oppose during the debate. He emphasized that the opposition views the Bill as undermining secular principles rather than treating it as a community-specific issue.
CPI MP Sandosh Kumar noted that 36 MPs participated in the meeting, all expressing a unified stance. Despite the ruling party’s numerical advantage, he asserted that the opposition would participate in the debate without resorting to walkouts or disruptions.
Samajwadi Party MP Ram Gopal Yadav stated that opposition parties would stand united and support amendments while demanding a division of votes. IUML MP ET Muhammed Basheer reiterated that the INDIA bloc would strongly oppose the Bill, citing perceived injustices.
DMK MP Kanimozhi accused the BJP of divisive politics, affirming opposition to the amendment. Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Arvind Sawant pointed out that the opposition had stood united when a Joint Parliamentary Committee was formed for the Bill and would continue to do so.
Lok Sabha will discuss the Bill today, with the Rajya Sabha expected to take it up on Thursday. Both Houses have been allocated eight hours each for the debate.
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Pro-Palestinian protesters interrupt Microsoft's 50th anniversary party over Israel contract
Washington, Apr 5 (AP): A pro-Palestinian protest by Microsoft employees interrupted the company's 50th anniversary celebration Friday, the latest backlash over the tech industry's work to supply artificial intelligence technology to the Israeli military.
The protest happened as Microsoft AI CEO Mustafa Suleyman was presenting product updates and a long-term vision for the company's AI assistant product, Copilot, to an audience that included Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates and former CEO Steve Ballmer.
“Mustafa, shame on you,” shouted Microsoft employee Ibtihal Aboussad as she walked toward the stage and Suleyman paused his speech. “You claim that you care about using AI for good but Microsoft sells AI weapons to the Israeli military. Fifty-thousand people have died and Microsoft powers this genocide in our region.”
“Thank you for your protest, I hear you,” Suleyman said. Aboussad continued, shouting that he and “all of Microsoft” had blood on their hands. She also threw onto the stage a keffiyeh scarf, which has become a symbol of support for Palestinian people, before being escorted out of the event.
A second protester, Microsoft employee Vaniya Agrawal, interrupted another part of the celebration during which Gates, Ballmer and current CEO Satya Nadella were on stage — the first public gathering since 2014 of the three men who have been Microsoft's CEO.
An investigation by The Associated Press revealed earlier this year that AI models from Microsoft and OpenAI had been used as part of an Israeli military program to select bombing targets during the recent wars in Gaza and Lebanon. The story also contained details of an errant Israeli airstrike in 2023 that struck a vehicle carrying members of a Lebanese family, killing three young girls and their grandmother.
In February, five Microsoft employees were ejected from a meeting with CEO Satya Nadella for protesting the contracts. While the February event was an internal meeting, Friday's protest was far more public — a livestreamed showcase of the company's past and future.
“We provide many avenues for all voices to be heard," said a statement from the company Friday. “Importantly, we ask that this be done in a way that does not cause a business disruption. If that happens, we ask participants to relocate. We are committed to ensuring our business practices uphold the highest standards.”
Microsoft declined to say whether it would take further action.
An employee disrupted Microsoft’s 50th anniversary event to protest its use of AI.
— PALESTINE ONLINE 🇵🇸 (@OnlinePalEng) April 4, 2025
“Shame on you,” said Microsoft worker Ibtihal Aboussad, speaking directly to Microsoft AI CEO Mustafa Suleyman. “You are a war profiteer. Stop using AI for genocide. Stop using AI for genocide in… pic.twitter.com/cfub3OJuRv
