Mumbai: The All India Muslim Women’s Association organized a two-day seminar at the Saboo Siddik Musafir Khana in Mumbai to foster awareness among Muslim women and take significant steps toward their empowerment and self-reliance. During this gathering, women were apprised of matters concerning religion, worldly affairs, and current events. Addressing the assembly, Dr. Asma Zehra stated that the event was organized in response to the pressing need for awareness in these turbulent times; educational awareness, in particular, is crucial, so the seminar highlighted the true purpose and significance of education. The event saw the participation of female educators not only from Mumbai but also from across Maharashtra and other parts of the country. Dr. Zehra emphasized that education is what brings about awareness in our generations; thus, the seminar was held to enlighten young women and girls, familiarizing them with professional dynamics and societal roles. She noted that while the government attempts to marginalize minorities—pushing for new laws and the implementation of measures like the Uniform Civil Code (UCC)—this very pressure has awakened the Muslim community. The government’s persistent targeting of Muslims has served to fully alert the community, making them vigilant and wary of every maneuver. The seminar aimed to promote education, foster self-reliance among women and girls, and raise awareness regarding women’s rights in society. Farid Shaikh, head of the Mumbai Peace Committee, played a leading role in this event. He stated that the objective of the seminar was to empower women and boost their morale; consequently, this two-day event was organized in Mumbai, drawing the participation of over 500 teachers, women from various fields, and prominent figures from across the country, ultimately proving to be a success.

Mumbai: Maharashtra Samajwadi Party leader and MLA Abu Asim Azmi, addressing a press conference at the Mumbai Marathi Patrakar Sangh, demanded an immediate halt to the action against slum structures exceeding a height of 14 feet. He stated that this policy aims to target slum areas such as Mankhurd-Govandi, Malad-Malwani, Kurla, and Saki Naka. He questioned why action is being taken against these residents when they are eligible to vote. Azmi also demanded action against the officials responsible for allowing these unauthorized constructions. He remarked that such policies are formulated specifically to target slums—particularly those inhabited by minorities—and urged Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis to immediately stop this move. He noted that the BMC’s directive regarding the 14-foot height limit has created uncertainty and distress among residents, raising concerns about potential law-and-order issues; therefore, he urged the government to prioritize the rehabilitation of these slums before taking any further action. Speaking about the Election Commission and the FIR, Azmi has branded the Election Commissioner himself a fraudster and a thief, stating that the manner in which irregularities and misappropriation took place has now become evident; consequently, he has demanded the Election Commissioner’s arrest. Additionally, Azmi has called for immediate relief to drought-stricken districts, a formal declaration of drought in Maharashtra, and urgent financial and necessary assistance for farmers. He noted that the UP elections are approaching and announced plans to launch a campaign in Mumbai for natives of North India, while also urging them to participate in the UP elections.

New Delhi, Sep 26: The ECI on Saturday extended the deadline for Delhi electors to file SIR-related claims and objections by one month or till October 30 and fixed November 30 as the last date for disposal of notices and claims and objections, an official said on Saturday.

The earlier deadline for Delhi electors, whose names were missing in the draft electoral roll, to file Form-6 along with supporting documents was September 30.

“In view of the request received from CEO Delhi, the period for filing claims and objections has been extended by the Commission till 30th October, 2026. The period for disposal of notices and claims & objections has been extended till 30th November 2026,” said the ECI after a meeting at Nirvachan Sadan.

The meeting, chaired by Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and attended by Election Commissioners S.S. Sandhu and Vivek Joshi, also relaxed the provisions related to physical appearance of electors who have received SIR notice and allowed them or their representatives to attend hearings before election officials through online mode.

“In case of any person to whom notice has been issued during the ongoing SIR, for being unmapped and logical discrepancies, BLOs will visit the homes of such persons for collection of documents and thereafter upload them on the ECINet, for decision by the ERO,” said the ECI statement.

“Such persons need not be called for hearing to the ERO/AERO office. Only in exceptional circumstances, as decided by the ERO, the hearing will be held preferably online. Any adult member of the family can be authorised by the elector to attend the hearing on their behalf, if required,” the statement said.

“Facilities for the online hearing to be strengthened. DEOs (District Election Officers) will create adequate number of help desks/hold special camps for the people living in night shelters, labourers, poor people, homeless, etc as per requirement,” it said.

The CEC-chaired meeting also extended the deadline for filing claims in Maharashtra.

“As per the request received from CEO Maharashtra, the period for filing claims and objections in Maharashtra has been extended by the Commission till 12th October, 2026. The period for disposal of notices and claims & objections in Maharashtra has been extended till 10th November 2026,” said the ECI. Earlier, the deadline for disposal of claims and objections was October 3.

The poll panel said that SIR has already been completed in 20 States/UTs including Bihar and West Bengal. Any person whose name has got left out during SIR or thereafter, and any person, including young/ first-time voter, may apply to the concerned ERO for inclusion of their name in the electoral rolls under the process of continuous updation.

In recent months, the Commission has taken numerous decisions, including SIR across the country. The order for the SIR issued on June 24, 2025, for all the States/UTs, starting with Bihar, followed by West Bengal and 30 other States/UTs, was issued with the unanimous approval of the Commission, said the statement.

The same has been upheld by the Supreme Court. The schedule for SIR for 12 States and UTs was issued on October 27, 2025, and those for 19 States/ UTs was issued on May 14, 2026 with the unanimous approval of the Commission, said the ECI.

The final figure of the number of electors will be known only after final publication in the remaining 12 states of Phase-III, it said.