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Delhi High Court seeks Centre’s response on plea against Waqf Act

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The Delhi High Court on Thursday sought Centre’s response on a plea challenging the constitutional validity of the provisions of the Waqf Act of 1995 and terming it “arbitrary.”

Issuing notices to the Ministry of Law and Justice and Central Waqf Council, a division bench comprising Acting Chief Justice Vipin Sanghi and Justice Navin Chawla clubbed the Public Interest Litigation (PIL) with other similar petitions and posted for hearing on July 28.

The plea was challenging the Waqf Act 1995 and calling it an entirely violative inter-alia of the scheme of the Constitution and more particularly Articles 12, 13, 14, 15, 21, 25, 26 and 300A.

In the plea, petitioner Adv Devendra Nath Sharma contended that the Central government doesn’t have the legislative competence to make laws with respect to Waqf and religious Muslim properties at the exclusion of non-Muslim citizens of India.

He also argued for directions for a Uniform Civil Code which can govern the private properties of citizens under the Constitution. “The upkeep and control of religious Waqf properties in India is a private affair/purpose and not a public purpose, therefore state can’t be permitted to manage the same at the expense of public money,” it read.

In a similar petition, BJP leader and lawyer Ashwini Upadhyay had recently approached the court.

His PIL contended that there is no safeguard for Hindus, Jains, Buddhists, Sikhs, and other communities to save their properties from inclusion in the list of Waqf issued by Waqf Boards. Therefore, Hindus, Jains, Buddhists, Sikhs, Bahais, Christians, and Zoroastrians are discriminated. It offends Articles 14-15, it said.

Petitioner Upadhyay was challenging the vires of S. 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 14 of the Act, stating these provisions grant special status to Waqf properties denying equal status to Trust, Mutts, Akharas, Societies, and confer unbridled powers to Waqf Boards to register any property as Waqf property.

Maharashtra

The notice issued by Ahlia Nagar Municipal Corporation regarding religious places should be immediately stopped and a period of at least 2 to 3 months should be given: Abu Asim Azmi

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Mumbai: The proposal that has been approved regarding religious places in Mumbai’s Ahlia Nagar should be immediately stopped. Because a proposal has been made that immediate action should be taken after the 7-day notice issued by the Ahlia Nagar Municipal Corporation regarding religious places, it should be stopped and the concerned organizations and citizens should be given at least 2 to 3 months to submit their documents. This demand was made by Abu Asim Azmi, Mumbai/Maharashtra state president of Samajwadi Party and an MLA in a letter written to Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde.
Speaking on the issue, Abu Asim Azmi said that giving permission for only 7 days is neither practical nor fair. Many religious places are decades old, and it takes time to collect their documents and clarify their legal status. It would not be appropriate to take any action without providing a proper opportunity. In this regard, I have written a letter to Deputy Chief Minister and Urban Development Minister Eknath Shinde, appealing to him to intervene in this sensitive matter and directing the administration not to take hasty action against any religious place without completing a thorough investigation and legal action. It is the responsibility of the government and the administration to ensure the protection of religious places that are legal and authorized and to take impartial decisions in accordance with the law while respecting the sentiments of all communities and sections. Azmi said that I am confident that the government, understanding the seriousness of the matter, will take a fair, balanced and sensitive decision that will establish social harmony and peace.

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National News

Congress criticises BJP MPs for welcoming Dharmendra Pradhan on arrival at Parliament

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New Delhi, July 27: The Congress party on Monday criticised the welcome given to former Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan by his fellow BJP MPs on Parliament premises, calling the developments “shameful”.

Jairam Ramesh, Congress MP and General Secretary in-charge Communications, took to social media to question whether the BJP considered Pradhan’s work commendable.

“Today, BJP MPs are welcoming former Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan as if he has achieved some great feat. The country has already seen how, instead of apologising for the paper leak in his resignation, Pradhan accused the students themselves of being misled, and after that, all central ministers praised him on social media. We believe that this entire episode is utterly shameful and a grave insult to the country’s youth,” he said.

“The BJP should make it clear whether, despite the paper leaks, the crumbling education system, the lathi charges on students, and the firing of pellet guns, Pradhan’s work was commendable?” asked the Congress MP.

“If not, then what is this honour for? And if yes, then does the BJP want to send this very message to the country’s youth and students? The country demands answers,” said Ramesh.

Earlier, Pradhan’s arrival at Parliament triggered spontaneous slogan-shouting by his fellow BJP and NDA MPs. As the former Education Minister stepped out of his car, with folded hands, cries of “Dharmendra Pradhan zindabad” rent the air.

There were celebratory scenes around Pradhan as one of the MPs presented him with a traditional headgear and placed a shawl on his shoulders.

Pradhan had stepped down as the Union Education Minister on Saturday following weeks of protest by a social media-driven movement, Cockroach Janta Party, and supporting groups over NEET irregularities.

The CJP concluded its protest soon after Pradhan’s exit from the Union Cabinet.

Pralhad Joshi, who currently serves as the Union Minister for Food and Consumer Affairs, took over the additional responsibility of the Education Ministry following the resignation of Pradhan.

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Crime

Class 10 student, who shared dais with Andhra CM at school event, commits suicide

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Amaravati, July 27: A Class 10 student, who had shared the dais with Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu during a Mega Parent-Teacher Meeting at a government school in Polavaram district just three days ago, has died by suicide on Monday.

Murram Shivani, who sat next to the Chief Minister and spoke during the MPTM 4.0 at Zilla Parishad High School in Rampachodavaram, hanged herself at her grandmother’s house in Irlapalli village.

The girl left behind a handwritten suicide note, apologising to her parents for failing to fulfil their dreams. The reason for her extreme step was not known.

The girl’s parents work at a hotel in Korukonda while she was staying with her grandmother and was studying at Government High School, Rampachodavaram.

Police registered a case and took up investigation.

Shivani, who was said to be active in studies, had attracted the attention of all with her speech at MPTM 4.0 in the presence of Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu. She had expressed her wish to work hard and win the Shining Star Award next year.

After her speech, the Chief Minister had called her and made her sit next to her. He also had a chat with her.

Chief Minister Naidu said he was deeply saddened by the passing away of Murram Shivani.

He ordered officials to conduct a thorough investigation into Shivani’s death.

“It is distressing that Shivani, who had spoken so enthusiastically on stage during the mega parent-teacher meeting in Rampachodavaram, has taken her own life. I recall the words she shared with me that day about her studies and her high aspirations,” the Chief Minister said in a post on ‘X’.

“It is heartbreaking to see a tribal girl with such a promising future lose her life in this manner. Regardless of the underlying reasons, the fact that she is gone before realizing her dreams deeply troubles me,” he said.

“Students and the youth must stand strong in the face of challenges and hardships. I urge everyone not to succumb to pressure, despair, or hopelessness. There is a solution to every problem. Please share your pain and distress with your family, friends, and loved ones. Overcome the pressure and move forward to make your dreams a reality. I want to assure you that the government stands by you in every way,” added the Chief Minister.

The Chief Minister and Education Minister Nara Lokesh attended the Mega Parent-Teacher Meeting (MPTM) at Zilla Parishad High School at Rampachodavaram on July 24. They interacted with students, parents and teachers. They also had lunch with the students.

The state government has been organising MPTM at government schools across the state to unite parents, teachers and communities for better student progress.

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