National News
Govt-Oppn showdown in RS over ‘deletion’ of dissent notes in Waqf JPC report

New Delhi, Feb 13: The Joint Parliamentary Committee’s (JPC) report on the Waqf (Amendment) Bill formed the basis for a fresh flashpoint between the Treasury and Opposition benches in the Rajya Sabha on Thursday, the last day of the first half of the Budget Session.
Chaos broke out in Rajya Sabha, the moment the JPC Waqf report was tabled in the House.
Opposition members created an uproar and engaged in sloganeering against the “high-handedness” of the government, claiming that their dissent notes on the Bill were deleted from the report.
The vociferous protests by the Opposition members also invited the ire of House Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar, who initially urged them to maintain decorum and then issued a stern warning for creating chaos while he read out the President’s message.
The JPC report was tabled by BJP member Medha Vishram Kulkarni, a member of the panel.
Notably, the committee submitted its report and observations on the proposed amendments on the Waqf Bill to Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla on January 30.
Many protesting lawmakers from the Opposition said that the dissent notes by JPC members, apparently the Opposition MPs, were erased and accused the government of “crushing” their views and dissent in an arbitrary fashion.
Mallikarjun Kharge, Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha, demanded that the JPC report be taken back unless it includes dissent notes by the Opposition MPs.
He termed the JPC report “anti-constitutional and anti-democratic” and demanded that the dissenting views be included in the JPC report.
“Many members gave their dissent notes. It’s not right to remove these notes and bulldoze our views. This is an anti-democratic move. I condemn this report,” the Congress MP said in the House.
“You have the power to refuse the report,” Kharge also said, making an appeal to the Vice-President.
Kharge’s direct charges, however, were rejected by the Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju who claimed that there was no truth in the allegations as the dissent notes were attached in the report’s appendix.
“These are false allegations. There is no truth in it. There has been no violation of rule,” Rijiju said, while also asking the Opposition MPs not to mislead the House.
Rijiju’s defence, however, failed to convince the Opposition as they continued shouting slogans while raising concerns about the integrity of the report and also its ability to undermine the Waqf Boards.
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman also weighed in on the controversy and accused the Opposition of misleading the House. She rebuked the Opposition MPs for creating constant din and derailing the proceedings of the House by creating confusion.
Earlier in the day, BJP MP and JPC Chairman Jagdambika Pal told the newsmen that the committee submitted its report after six months of pan-India deliberations with various stakeholders and experts on the subject.
The JPC Chairman had submitted the report to LS Speaker Om Birla himself on January 31. The committee had adopted the draft legislation by 15-11 majority vote.
Even during wide-ranging deliberations of JPC meets, the ruling and Opposition MPs had crossed swords.
BJP members supported amendments, claiming that the impending reforms will bring transparency and accountability in management of Waqf Boards while the Opposition fulminated over the move.
They termed the Bill an attack on the rights of minorities and an unwarranted interference in the functioning of Waqf Boards.
National News
Abu Azmi calls for Hindi’s universal acceptance, SS slams DMK over rupee symbol row

Mumbai, March 15: Maharashtra Samajwadi Party (SP) chief and MLA Abu Azmi on Saturday advocated for Hindi as a unifying language across India.
His remarks come amidst Tamil Nadu government’s decision to replace the official rupee symbol with its Tamil script equivalent in the state’s Budget 2025-26, a move that has sparked sharp political reactions.
“India is a large country. There should be a language that is acceptable to all, and I believe that Hindi is that language,” Azmi told media.
“There is a parliamentary committee for this also, and I feel that from Kashmir to Kanyakumari, Hindi should be given the recognition. What someone wants to do in their state is their call,” he added.
The DMK-led Tamil Nadu government’s move to replace the rupee symbol has drawn strong criticism from various quarters.
Shiv Sena leader Manisha Kayande termed it “unconstitutional” and a violation of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) guidelines.
“The Tamil Nadu government has no authority to change our national rupee symbol to any local language,” she told media.
Calling the move a “political stunt,” Kayande accused the DMK of deliberately challenging the Centre.
“The three-language policy has been accepted in India for a long time. Hindi is a common language. They give recognition to English but not to Hindi. They love speaking and learning English but do not like Hindi, even though it is an Indian language. This is just an attempt to create hatred among the people,” she said.
Speaking to media, Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Nirupam called the DMK’s decision “treasonous” and “anti-national.”
He reminded that when the rupee symbol was introduced during the Congress-led UPA era, the DMK was part of the government.
“The rupee symbol is the pride of this country. Changing it and using Tamil letters instead is unacceptable,” he said.
Nirupam also accused the Dravidian parties of using anti-Hindi sentiments for political gain.
“The Stalin government is pushing an anti-Hindi agenda, which is objectionable and shameful. This phase of extreme opposition to Hindi could lead to Stalin’s downfall. The entire country is united today, unlike the 1960s when such movements took place. Hindi has gained respect nationwide as an effective communication language,” he said.
He further emphasised that Tamil Nadu’s resistance to Hindi could prove detrimental.
“People from Tamil Nadu do business in Hindi-speaking states and use Hindi for communication. If they continue this extremist attitude, they may end up isolating themselves, which would not be in Tamil Nadu’s best interest,” Nirupam warned.
General
The painting work of Shahi Jama Masjid in Sambhal will start from Sunday, ASI team itself brought the labourers: Zafar Ali

Sambhal, March 15: The painting work of Shahi Jama Masjid in Sambhal, Uttar Pradesh will start from Sunday in the presence of Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) team. The mosque will be painted in white, green and golden colours.
Shahi Jama Masjid’s Sadar Zafar Ali, while talking to media on Saturday, said that the ASI team is present here. The painting work of the mosque will start from Sunday. Today only cleaning work is being done in the mosque.
He told that the ASI team has brought the labourers itself and the whole process is being done under their supervision. The work will be completed in three-four days. The mosque will be painted in green, white and golden colours.
Let us tell you that in recent times, Allahabad High Court had given permission to the committee of Shahi Jama Masjid of Sambhal to paint the outer walls of the mosque. The court, while partially accepting the application of the mosque committee, had ordered that painting can be done only on the outer walls of the mosque.
Apart from this, the High Court had said that lighting can also be installed on the outer walls, but this work should be done without damaging any structure. The mosque committee had filed this petition in Allahabad High Court, in which they had sought permission to paint.
General
‘Animal Lives Matter’ Only During Bakri Eid: Netizen Criticises As Viral Video Shows Long Queue Outside Mutton Shop On Holi

Vasai-Virar: A video became popular depicting a long line on Holi day outside a mutton shop in Virar. An X user shared a video highlighting the waiting line of Virar locals purchasing mutton (goat meat) from Azeez Mutton shop and remarked in the caption that called out people for criticising animal slaughter only on Bakri Eid but turns a blind eye on other festivals where people enjoy meat.
The post was initially shared by a user on X (@single_soul1), reacting to the lengthy line outside the mutton shop, pointing out that the Jain community does not object to Hindu celebrations where meat is consumed, yet it seems to only condemn Islamic festivals for doing likewise.
The X user (@HumairaMirza7) reposted the post with caption that stated: “Now, during Bakra Eid, everyone will suddenly remember ‘Animal lives matter’., There was a huge queue at Azeez Mutton shop in Virar during Holi.”
When it comes to certain restrictions that are imposed on religious customs, a unfair play is always seen amongst the communities claiming the restrictions are only placed on them and not the other religions or customs.
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