Mumbai, June 30, 2025 — The controversy surrounding remarks made by Samajwadi Party (SP) MLA Abu Azmi continues to unfold as he has approached the Bombay High Court seeking to quash multiple FIRs registered against him. The filings stem from comments in which Azmi referred to India as ‘a golden sparrow’—a phrase he linked to the Mughal emperor Aurangzeb—drawing widespread attention and sparking debates over the nature of these remarks.

Azmi’s petition argues that his statements have been misinterpreted and taken out of context, claiming they are part of a historical narrative rather than a political statement. He contends that criminal proceedings against him are unjustified and that his freedom of speech should be protected under constitutional rights.

The FIRs, registered across various districts, allege that Azmi’s comments could incite communal tensions and offend sentiments linked to national identity. Critics have accused Azmi of making divisive remarks, while supporters argue that his statements are historical references meant to shed light on past rulers and avoid misrepresentations.

Legal experts suggest that the case revolves around balancing free speech against the potential to incite discord. The court’s decision on whether to dismiss the FIRs could have broader implications for political discourse and expression of historical perspectives in India.

As the matter remains under judicial review, it continues to fuel discussions across political circles and social media, highlighting the sensitive nature of historical narratives and freedom of expression in contemporary India.

Mumbai: Even as fatalities due to passengers falling from overcrowded suburban trains on the Thane–Dombivli stretch have declined in recent years, injuries have spiked dramatically, triggering fresh alarm over commuter safety on one of Central Railway’s busiest and most dangerous corridors. Between January 2014 and December 2024, a staggering 1,025 passengers lost their lives and 1,829 were injured after falling from moving trains on this stretch.

The latest incident occurred on June 27, when a 21-year-old man died after falling from a moving train, nearly a kilometre away from the site of the Mumbra train tragedy reported on June 9th.

Decline in Fatalities, But Injuries on the Rise

The number of fatalities has shown a slight but consistent decline—from 152 in 2014 to 145 in 2022, then down to 112 in 2023 and 107 in 2024. While this suggests some improvements—possibly due to infrastructure upgrades and greater public awareness—the injury data paints a more concerning picture.

Injuries had decreased steadily from 259 in 2014 to 106 in 2022. However, 2023 saw an alarming reversal, with 144 injuries reported. This trend worsened in 2024, with 203 passengers injured—marking the highest number in nearly a decade.

Officials have pointed to overcrowding and changing commuter habits as the primary reasons behind the rising injury count. “If we compare the Thane–Dombivli stretch with the situation in 2014, there has been an increase of more than 25% in carrying capacity,” said one senior railway official. “But overcrowding during peak hours remains a critical challenge.”

A major shift in how passengers carry their belongings is also under scrutiny. “Earlier, passengers used to carry bags in hand or on one shoulder, which took up less space. Now, the use of backpacks—which take up nearly double the space—has become widespread, further reducing available space and leading to dangerous crowding at train doors,” the official added.

Debate Over Track Design

Around 15-kilometre Thane-Dombivli strech is considered one of the most accident-prone stretches in Mumbai’s suburban rail network. Several passenger rights activists blame poor track design and sharp curves—especially between Diva- Mumbra- Kalwa—for contributing to accidents.

Advocate Deepak Dubey, who lost his brother in April 2024 between Diva and Mumbra , said, “The railway must conduct safety audits and consider modern design solutions such as tunnels or flyovers to replace these outdated curves.”

Activist Siddhesh Desai argued that traditional track design no longer aligns with the realities of Mumbai’s overcrowded trains. “Curves are calculated based on ideal speed and load conditions. These assumptions break down under the pressure of extreme crowding, making doorways perilous zones,” he said.

Railway veterans, however, dispute the notion that poor track design is responsible. Former Central Railway General Manager Subodh Jain said, “It’s incorrect to claim that jerks on curves are the cause of falls. Modern railway curves are designed with transitions and compensations for centrifugal force.”

Jain emphasized that the core issue is passengers standing precariously at the edges of overfilled compartments. “The real danger comes from passengers being forced to hang out of doors due to lack of space, not from any flaw in track geometry,” he said.

Mumbai: After the implementation of the Waqf law, Mufti Manzoor Zia’s book Waqf Sharia, Politics and Reforms in the Indian Context was launched at the Mumbai Press Club, in which Mufti Manzoor Zia openly admitted about the book and said that this book focuses on the Sharia status of Waqf and other issues in the context of Waqf law. This book has a very detailed discussion about Waqf in the context of Islamic teachings. Mufti Manzoor said that there has been a long series of protests against the Waqf law, but till now there has been large-scale division and misuse of Waqf properties.

Protesting against this act is a democratic right, but it cannot be done regardless of what has happened to the ownership of Waqf so far and who is occupying its property. Eliminating encroachment from the ownership of Waqf is also the need of the hour. This Waqf is done in the way of God, but the common Muslims have not benefited from the ownership of this Waqf. Big protests and processions are being held, but why no hospitals, educational institutions and medical institutions have been built on the endowment property? He said that even the talented people of the nation are not able to get educational scholarships. The condition of the Imams is pathetic.

The 12-year-old child of an Imam is struggling between life and death in a government hospital. That Imam cannot provide him medical aid because he has no resources. He said that the works that have been brought to light in the context of the Endowment Act are an attempt to highlight the status of the endowment as much as possible. When Mufti Manzoor Zia was asked what was the purpose of bringing this work to light only after the implementation of the Endowment Act, he said that the process of preparing the work related to the ownership of the endowment and its Sharia requirements was already underway.

It is a coincidence that it was released after the Endowment Act. He said that the Waqf property is reserved for Muslims but it is useless because petty thefts to corruption are common in it. He was asked whether the implementation of the Waqf Act will benefit Muslims now. He said that the matter related to the Waqf Act is under hearing in the Supreme Court, so it is too early to say anything on this right now. Congress leader Nizamuddin Rain, Anjuman Bashingan Bihar Mahmoodul Hasan Hakimi, scholars, elders of the city and dignitaries attended the function.