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Kharge calls Waqf JPC report ‘unconstitutional’; Centre says Opposition misleading issue

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New Delhi, Feb 13: The Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) on Waqf (Amendment) bill tabled its report in the Rajya Sabha on Thursday amidst uproar by the members of the Opposition members. As the chaos prevailed, the House was adjourned for 10 minutes and convened again with both sides engaging in discussion on the bill.

Leader of the House J.P. Nadda also condemned the Opposition for creating a ruckus during the reading of the President’s note.

Leader of Opposition in the Rajya Sabha, Mallikarjun Kharge, called the report “unconstitutional” and “fake.” He claimed that multiple members had submitted dissent notes, but the majority view was forced through without due consideration.

“The JPC report on Waqf had dissenting views from several members, but they were bulldozed. This is not right. It is condemnable and an anti-democratic act,” Kharge stated.

Expressing “shock,” he said, “The dissenting views were deleted, and the report is being tabled. I condemn this, and the House will never accept this fake report.”

He demanded that if dissenting views were excluded, the report should be withdrawn and reviewed again. He urged Leader of the House J.P. Nadda to take back the “unconstitutional” JPC report.

Following the uproar, Nadda hit back at the Opposition, slamming their conduct. “Debates and discussions are necessary in Parliament. In a democracy, we agree to disagree. But we must uphold traditions and conduct proceedings in a constitutional manner,” he asserted.

Expressing disappointment, he added, “Despite repeated requests from the Chair, the Opposition disrupted the House even during the President’s message. This behaviour is highly irresponsible and deserves strong condemnation.”

Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju also targeted the Opposition, accusing them of “misleading” the issue. He stated that no part of the report had been deleted or altered.

“Some of the concerns raised by the Opposition were verified, and I found that no section of the report was removed. Everything has been tabled before the House. On what basis are these allegations being made? Do not mislead the issue,” Rijiju said, dismissing the claims as false.

He further pointed out that the Opposition was actively involved in the preparation of the report over the past six months.

Jagdambika Pal, BJP MP and Chairman of the Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) for the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, had earlier said that the committee was presenting its report after months of consultations.

Pal highlighted that disagreements were part of the legislative process. He added that even after the report’s finalisation, dissenting members were invited to submit their notes of dissent, which were included in the final report along with stakeholders feedback.

Despite this, opposition leaders continued to express their objections. Trinamool Congress MPs Kalyan Banerjee and Md Nadimul Haque, both JPC members, accused the committee of expunging key portions of their dissent notes from the final report.

The Waqf Act of 1995, introduced to regulate Waqf properties, has long been criticized for mismanagement, corruption, and illegal encroachments. The Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024, aims to address these concerns by implementing reforms, including digitisation of records, enhanced auditing measures, improved transparency, and legal mechanisms to reclaim unlawfully occupied properties.

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Abu Azmi calls for Hindi’s universal acceptance, SS slams DMK over rupee symbol row

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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.

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The painting work of Shahi Jama Masjid in Sambhal will start from Sunday, ASI team itself brought the labourers: Zafar Ali

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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.

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‘Animal Lives Matter’ Only During Bakri Eid: Netizen Criticises As Viral Video Shows Long Queue Outside Mutton Shop On Holi

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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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