Mumbai, April 29: The All India Muslim Personal Law Board has announced the first phase of the protest against the Waqf Act, which will last for about three months. Under this, protests are being held all over the country. Small and big programs are being held in different areas, press conferences have been held, the work of creating awareness among the brothers and sisters is also going on. In the past few days, the Protection of Waqf Week was also observed, people expressed their grief and anger by wearing black bands. According to the roadmap of the Muslim Personal Law Board, the protest will continue until the Waqf Act is repealed.

In the next phase of the protest, the All India Muslim Personal Law Board has appealed that on Wednesday, April 30, 2025, from 9 pm to 9:15 pm, people should protest against this black Waqf law in a democratic manner by keeping all the lights off in their houses, offices, malls, factories and other places.

Maulana Mahmood Ahmed Khan Daryabadi, Maharashtra convener of the Protection of Waqf Movement on behalf of the Board, said in his statement that Alhamdulillah, people of all schools of thought have supported this “Batti Gul” movement. They have come forward, so, Jamiat Ulema, Sunni Jamiat Ulema, Raza Academy, Jamaat Ahle Hadith, Jamaat-e-Islami, Shia people have released a regular video and appealed to all the justice lovers to sacrifice just fifteen minutes on April 30 from nine to nine-thirty at night and keep all the lights of their area off.

Maulana Daryabadi also said that there are many ways to raise voice against injustice in a democracy, processions, sit-ins, rallies, black belts, hunger strikes, arrests, etc. The All India Muslim Personal Law Board has decided that the struggle against this cruel law will continue till the end, and all methods will be used according to the constitution and law. Similarly, turning off all the lights for some time and doing a complete “blackout” is also a democratic method. This method was also used against the British during India’s independence. The board officials have appealed to everyone to light the lights this time and make their voice heard all over the world. Maulana Daryabadi says that if twenty people of the entire country If millions of Muslims simultaneously observe a blackout, it will become international news and the whole world will become aware of the injustice being done to Indian Muslims. Therefore, it is a great opportunity for all of us to sacrifice just fifteen minutes of light and expose the oppressors to the whole world.

Mumbai: A massive fire broke out at the Croma showroom in Link Square Mall, Bandra, on April 29, 2025. The blaze was reported at 4:11 AM, and the Mumbai Fire Brigade quickly responded to the emergency. No casualties were reported, but the fire caused significant damage to the mall.

The fire was classified as a Level-III emergency, indicating a serious situation. Thick smoke spread throughout the mall, and firefighters used three small hose lines and 12 motor pumps to control the blaze. The cause of the fire is yet to be determined.

The Mumbai Fire Brigade deployed 12 fire engines, nine jumbo water tankers, two breathing apparatus vans, one rescue van, and one quick response vehicle to tackle the fire. A 108 emergency Ambulance service was also on standby. The firefighting efforts were successful in preventing the fire from spreading to nearby buildings.

The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) was called in to assist with the firefighting efforts. The NDRF team arrived at the scene at 7:45 AM and helped bring the fire under control. The fire department’s efforts were led by Chief Fire Officer Ravindra Ambulgekar.

The fire broke out in the Croma showroom, which is located in the basement of the Link Square Mall. The mall’s structure consists of three floors above ground and three below. Fortunately, no injuries were reported, despite the severity of the fire.

Eyewitnesses described the scene as chaotic, with thick smoke billowing out of the mall. The fire caused significant damage to the showroom and its contents, including electronic goods. The exact extent of the damage is yet to be assessed.

The local authorities diverted traffic to allow fire and rescue operations. Commuters faced delays, and shops in the area remained closed until the fire was brought under control. The fire department’s prompt response and efficient handling of the situation prevented any major casualties.

The fire was finally brought under control, and the cooling operations are underway to ensure the safety of the building and its surroundings. The authorities are working to assess the damage and determine the cause of the fire.

The significant blaze that broke out in the early morning of April 29 was visible from an aircraft flying above the region. A passenger on the flight captured the dark smoke billowing from the mall, resulting in dense black smoke engulfing the city

The Mumbai Police and Fire Department have launched a joint investigation into the incident to determine the cause of the fire. The investigation is ongoing.

Mumbai: Samajwadi Party MLA from Bhiwandi East Raees Sheikh has demanded a reduction in the fee charged for testing and entry of sacrificial animals on the occasion of Eid-ul-Adha.

In a letter to Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Dada Pawar, Raees Sheikh said that a delegation from the Quraish Human Welfare Association met us recently and gave us a letter requesting a reduction in the fee charged for testing and entry of sacrificial animals. He said in his letter that in a public interest litigation filed on April 8, 2025, as per the order passed by Chief Justice Alok Aradhe and Justice MS Karnik of the Bombay High Court, the petitioner has been allowed to file his petition before the Secretary, Animal Husbandry and Dairy Development Department.

The association says that till 2022, a fee of Rs 20 was collected for the examination and entry of animals into the slaughterhouse at Deonar Slaughterhouse, but from 2022, the fee has been increased by 100% to Rs 200, which has put a considerable financial burden on small traders and farmers. In 2023 and 2024, a temporary fee of Rs 20 was charged on the occasion of Eid-ul-Adha, which shows that work can be done by charging a fee of Rs 20. Therefore, considering the above and the court order, the association demands that the Secretary of the Animal Husbandry and Dairy Development Department permanently fix the fee collected for the examination and entry of sacrificial animals at Rs 20. Raees Sheikh told Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Dada Pawar that Muslims across the country, including Maharashtra, celebrate the festival of Eid-ul-Adha with great devotion and respect, so the government should take steps to provide maximum facilities so that Muslims can celebrate the festival of Eid-ul-Adha in a better way.