Raipur, April 11: Chhattisgarh Waqf Board Chairman, Dr Salim Raj, has welcomed the Waqf (Amendment) Act, calling it a progressive step that will benefit the Muslim community a great deal. He said the new law would ensure better management of Waqf properties and promote education and development within the community.

Dr Raj stated, “This is a historic move by the BJP-led central government. Under the amended law, land belonging to mosques, dargahs, and graveyards will not be acquired by the government. Waqf properties will be redeveloped for the community’s good.”

He said that the amendment aims to introduce transparency and accountability in the management of Waqf properties, which he claims are currently plagued by misuse and illegal occupation.

“In Chhattisgarh, nearly 85 per cent of Waqf land is under illegal possession or is being arbitrarily controlled by Maulanas and Mutawallis (caretakers). This law will put an end to such unregulated control and bring these assets under legal scrutiny.”

Dr Raj argued that Waqf properties, worth crores of rupees, are underutilised, yielding no return for the community.

“If these assets are managed properly, the revenue generated can be invested in education for Muslim children and the overall uplift of the community,” he said.

He also announced that a new team would soon survey Waqf properties across the state. “The team will assess the current condition of properties, ensure proper usage, fix market-aligned rent values, and initiate recovery of encroached lands. The goal is to use every piece of Waqf land for the benefit of the people,” he said.

Dr. Raj also took a strong stance against West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s opposition to the implementation of the new law in her state.

“Is Mamata Banerjee above the Constitution? If the law has been passed by Parliament, she is bound to implement it. Refusing to do so amounts to a violation of constitutional responsibility. Her position reflects vote-bank politics and nothing else,” he remarked.

He further stated that such resistance only hinders the socio-economic progress of the Muslim community and politicises a reform meant for its betterment.

Lucknow, April 11: Ahead of their high-stakes encounter against Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025, Gujarat Titans (GT) batter Shahrukh Khan has praised the team’s grounded and uncomplicated approach to the game. Speaking at a pre-match press interaction on Friday, the middle-order batter highlighted the Titans’ clarity of purpose and consistency as the cornerstone of their success in the league.

Gujarat Titans have been among the most consistent franchises since their inception in 2022, winning the title in their debut season under Hardik Pandya and maintaining a high standard in subsequent editions. This season, under the leadership of Shubman Gill, the Titans once again sit atop the points table with four wins in five games.

“I think we are a very simple team with simple methods,” Shahrukh said here on Friday. “Every team in the tournament is strong, but we focus on how we play our cricket. What we do matters less than how we do it.”

Shahrukh, who is yet to deliver a standout performance this season, praised the team’s grounded mentality, saying that regardless of wins or losses, the camp remains calm and composed.

“GT has always been a balanced side. We don’t try to be extravagant. We stick to playing smart, effective cricket. Our plans evolve during the match, based on the situation, and everyone in the team is on board with that adaptability. We don’t get too high after wins or too low after losses,” he explained.

He also credited GT’s success to the dynamic partnership between head coach Ashish Nehra and skipper Shubman Gill.

“Very intelligent coach, to be honest,” Shahrukh said of Nehra. “He’s deeply invested in his players and genuinely cares for the people around him. His energy and understanding of the game are vital for us.”

On captain Shubman Gill, Shahrukh added, “He’s growing as a leader with every match. The way he’s evolving his captaincy is commendable, and the combination of Ashish bhai and Shubman is seamless, like hand in glove.”

Surat, April 11: At least 50 people were rescued after a massive fire broke out early Friday morning at the Happy Excellencia residential tower located in the upscale Vesu area in Gujarat’s Surat.

The intensity of the fire triggered panic and a large-scale emergency response.

The blaze reportedly began around 8.00 a.m. on the eighth floor of the high-rise and quickly spread to the floors above, affecting at least three levels of the multi-storey building.

Videos from the scene showed thick plumes of smoke billowing from the upper floors of the building as emergency teams worked tirelessly to contain the fire and bring residents to safety

The incident prompted an immediate response from the Surat Fire and Emergency Services, which deployed multiple fire tenders to the scene.

Firefighters carried out a swift and coordinated rescue operation, safely evacuating over 50 residents, including 18 people who were trapped in a flat adjacent to the one where the fire had started. Several others who had taken shelter on the terrace were also rescued using ladders and other safety equipment.

The building is located near the house of Gujarat Minister of State for Home Harsh Sanghavi. Upon receiving the news, Minister Sanghavi rushed to the site and supervised the emergency efforts in person.

Speaking to the media, he confirmed that there were no casualties and praised the fire brigade for their bravery, comparing their actions to those of “Hanuman in a battle”.

He added that the fire had engulfed the eighth floor and spread upward, but a timely response helped prevent a larger tragedy.

“The fire brigade fought like warriors. Their quick action ensured that all residents were evacuated safely,” Sanghavi said. “Cooling operations are ongoing to prevent any flare-ups.”

Surat Mayor Daxesh Mavani also confirmed that the fire had affected the top three floors of the tower but was now under control.

Authorities have launched an investigation to determine the exact cause of the fire, which remains unknown at this point.