ADVERTISEMENTREMOVE AD
Members Only

Assam’s Aadhaar Curb: Politics Masquerading as Law Won't Stand Judicial Scrutiny

The Aadhaar Act of 2016 clearly leaves no room for such state-level diktats, writes Sanjay Hegde.

Published: 
story-hero-img
i
Aa
The Quint as preferred source
Aa
Small
Aa
Medium
Aa
Large

In a controversial move, the BJP-led Assam Cabinet helmed by Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has declared that October 2025 onwards, no new adults will be issued an Aadhaar card. Individuals from the Scheduled Caste, Scheduled Tribe, and tea garden workers are exempt from this rule for a year.

Coming as it is in the larger backdrop of evictions, detentions and deportations of Bengali-speaking Muslims in particular in Assam, the pronouncement is clearly political theatre, not law.

The Aadhaar Act of 2016 clearly leaves no room for such state-level diktats.

Become a Member to unlock
  • Access to all paywalled content on site
  • Ad-free experience across The Quint
  • Listen to paywalled content
  • Early previews of our Special Projects
Continue
Members Only
×
×
ADVERTISEMENTREMOVE AD
Members Only

Can India Leverage Pak-Afghan Clashes Without Offending Trump?

If Kabul is hostile to Pakistan, it isn't likely to provide it strategic depth in the event of a war with India.

Published: 
story-hero-img
i
Aa
The Quint as preferred source
Aa
Small
Aa
Medium
Aa
Large

The skirmish between neighbours Afghanistan and Pakistan last weekend has had a noticeable ripple effect in terms of regional geopolitics. On October 9 2025, two loud explosions were heard in Kabul at around 9 pm. Gun firing was also heard in parts of the city.

After the explosions, the Afghan government mobilised its Humvees that the US had left behind and attacked the Pakistani army at many points, including the strategically located Ghulam Khan area of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on the Pak-Afghan border.

The intensity of the violence was fiercer than what was witnessed between India and Pakistan in May, 2025. According to the Uited Nations Assistance Mission (UNAMA), 17 Afghans were killed and 346 were injured in Spin Boldok in Kandahar. In other theatres, a similar number of deaths had taken place. On 15 October, a 48-hour ceasefire was announced after another round of reported fighting. Meanwhile, the Foreign Minister of Afghanistan, Amir Khan Muttaqi, appeared absorbed in his New Delhi sojourn.

Become a Member to unlock
  • Access to all paywalled content on site
  • Ad-free experience across The Quint
  • Listen to paywalled content
  • Early previews of our Special Projects
Continue
Members Only
×
×
ADVERTISEMENTREMOVE AD

WebQoof Recap: Misinformation Around Afghan Minister's Presser, Nehru & More

Here are the viral pieces of fake news that we debunked this week!

Published: 
story-hero-img
i
Aa
The Quint as preferred source
Aa
Small
Aa
Medium
Aa
Large

From misinformation around Afghanistan's Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi’s presser in India to an AI-manipulated clip of former Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru and false claims about the 100 years of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), here are the viral pieces of fake news that we debunked this week!

ADVERTISEMENTREMOVE AD

1. Photo of Women in Attendance Is Not From Afghan Minister’s Controversial Presser

A photograph showing women among attendees at an event is being shared on social media.

It is being used to claim that women were present during Afghanistan's Foreign Minister Muttaqi’s press conference at the Afghan embassy in New Delhi on 10 October, contrary to reports suggesting otherwise.

However, the claim is false as the viral photo is not from the press conference at the Afghan embassy. It shows visuals of an interaction held at Delhi-based think-tank Vivekananda International Foundation (VIF).

Read the fact-check here.

2. Is This an Old Clip of Nehru Warning Public Against Communal Politics? No!

A video claiming to show former PM Jawaharlal Nehru warning against the future rise of communal politics in India is going viral on social media platforms.

In the clip, he said, "Take care of this country. Otherwise, after 75 years, an illiterate man will come and divide the country on the basis of religion."

The video was created using Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools and does not feature real footage, making the viral claim false.

Read the fact-check here.

ADVERTISEMENTREMOVE AD

3. BJP Falsely Claims the Netherlands Issued Special Stamp To Mark 100 Years of RSS

Photos of 'special' stamps are being circulated on social media with the claim that the Netherlands government issued them to commemorate 100 years of the RSS.

This claim was shared by several users, including the official pages of the Bharatiya Janata Party, BJP IT cell head Amit Malviya, and Madhya Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Rajendra Shukla.

News outlet Times Now also aired the claim during a broadcast.

However, there are no credible reports to confirm that the Dutch government has issued any such stamps, making the claim false.

Read the fact-check here.

ADVERTISEMENTREMOVE AD

4. No, This Clip Doesn’t Show Government Scheme To Get Rs 10,000 as Direct Transfer

A video circulating on social media shows a clip of PM Narendra Modi speaking about people receiving money they don't need to repay, followed by DD News' Sudhir Chaudhary claiming that viewers who watch the video before 15 October and have accounts in certain banks can receive ₹10,000 by visiting a website called 'Loanpur' and filling out a form.

However, the claim is false. The video has been altered or created using Artificial Intelligence (AI).

Read the fact-check here.

ADVERTISEMENTREMOVE AD

5. No, This Video Doesn’t Show the Official Anthem for 2026 FIFA World Cup

A video is going viral on social media, with users claiming it features the official anthem for the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup.

However, the claim is false. The video can be traced back to August 2025, when it was uploaded by a YouTube channel as an "official fan song" for the FIFA tournament. It was also created using AI tools.

Read the story here.

ADVERTISEMENTREMOVE AD

(Not convinced of a post or information you came across online and want it verified? Send us the details on WhatsApp at 9540511818 , or e-mail it to us at webqoof@thequint.com and we'll fact-check it for you. You can also read all our fact-checked stories here.)

Speaking truth to power requires allies like you.
Become a Member
$20
$60
$200

$240 (17% off)

PREMIUM

Monthly
6-Monthly
Annual
Check Member Benefits
×
×