AIMIM President Asaduddin Owaisi on Tuesday urged Union Minority Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju to intervene in the case of Delhi’s Race Course Mosque.

In a social media post, the Hyderabad MP said the case needs Rijiju’s urgent intervention.

Owaisi stated that despite the masjid being a gazetted waqf property since 1977, the waqf board did not challenge the demolition order. Neither did it make any effort to resolve the issue.

“Even the Waqf Amendment Act protects the masjid since it’s ‘waqf by user.’ And all such properties registered in the past continue to be protected. But still no effort was made,” he said.

“It’s the Minister’s job to resolve the matter since the Delhi Waqf Board hasn’t been constituted since 2023 but the CEO of the Board could have intervened, that also did not happen,” he added.

In an earlier post, he strongly condemned the attempt to demolish Hujra Kuan, the historic mosque located near the Race Course.

People are being prevented from offering namaz at this mosque — which is duly recorded in the 1977 Gazette — and its caretaker has been threatened with the mosque’s demolition, even though no formal notice has been issued, he said.

“Why are places of worship belonging to Muslims being targeted? Our apprehensions regarding the misuse of the Waqf Amendment Act and the Places of Worship Act appear to be coming true. The government must withdraw these unlawful threats and clarify that no such action will be taken against the mosque,” the MP said.

Mohammed Haroon, who has been associated with the mosque for nearly 40 years, said in a video circulated on social media that authorities have asked him to vacate the premises within six days. He said the mosque’s electricity and water connections had been disconnected and all gates closed by the Land and Development Office (LNDO).

A delegation of Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind met Kiren Rijiju and submitted a memorandum seeking urgent intervention to protect the mosque and the adjoining graveyard behind Safdarjung Tomb.

Samajwadi Party (SP) President, Akhilesh Yadav on Tuesday targeted the BJP on Dussehra, saying the fight against evil should begin in Uttar Pradesh, and flagged off the party’s PDA (Backward Classes, Dalits and minorities) campaign vehicles in preparation for the Assembly elections in the state in 2027.

Flagging off the vehicles at the SP headquarters here, Yadav accused the BJP of undermining social justice, people’s rights and democratic institutions. He also urged party workers to ensure that electoral rolls were accurate and announced that the SP would release its manifesto on November 26, Constitution Day.

The vehicles were flagged off after a ceremonial coconut-breaking ritual, accompanied by conch-blowing and chanting of mantras. The campaign aims to reach young people, marginalised communities and those seeking justice.

“Today, we should resolve to eradicate evil from this land forever. The initiative should begin in Uttar Pradesh,” Yadav said, extending Dussehra greetings.

Invoking Lord Ram, he said Ram Rajya and socialism were complementary ideals. “Those who bring goodness to the world are Sanatanis, while those who do evil are fake Sanatanis,” he said.

Yadav also accused the BJP of misusing Artificial Intelligence (AI), alleging that a video depicting him as Ravana had been circulated by the party early in the morning.

Calling monitoring of electoral roll revision a priority, he said the party could not win the political battle without ensuring that voter lists were accurate. He asked workers to verify entries and remain vigilant throughout the revision process and until the nomination stage.

The SP chief demanded the release of Cockroach Janta Party leaders Saurav Das, Ashutosh Ranka and others who, he claimed, had been unnecessarily detained. He accused the BJP of using pressure to keep them behind bars.

Questioning the Election Commission’s handling of alleged duplicate voter entries, Yadav claimed that officials responsible for irregularities were not being held accountable.

He also raised issues of waterlogging in Lucknow, the education system and food adulteration, accusing the BJP of pursuing divisive politics.

On seat-sharing ahead of the Assembly elections, Yadav questioned how many seats the BJP would allocate to its ally, the Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD), and how it would accommodate other partners. He claimed the BJP feared losing its political foothold in Uttar Pradesh.

The SP’s PDA campaign launch and the announcement of its manifesto date signal the party’s preparations for the Assembly elections, with social justice, constitutional values and electoral roll verification featuring prominently in its agenda.

The son of a police Sub-Inspector was shot dead, while another son sustained critical injuries in a shooting incident in Bihar’s Gaya district, police said on Tuesday. Two suspects have been detained for questioning.

The incident took place near Siddharthpuri Colony, close to Nauranga Aahar, under the Mufassil police station area in Manpur.

The victims were identified as Ranu Singh, 30, who died of his injuries, and his elder brother, Monu Singh, 32, who is undergoing treatment at Magadh Medical Hospital and is reported to be in critical condition.

Their father, Sudhanshu Shekhar alias Pintu Singh, is a police Sub-Inspector currently posted in Motihari.

According to family members, the brothers had a dispute with someone in the neighbourhood and were subsequently called to a location over the phone.

When they arrived, armed assailants allegedly opened fire on them, leaving both brothers seriously injured. Ranu later succumbed to his injuries.

Police personnel rushed to the scene after receiving information and recovered three spent cartridge casings during an inspection.

Two suspects have been taken into custody and are being questioned to establish their alleged involvement and identify others connected with the attack.

A dispute over gambling is suspected to have triggered the shooting, although police have not officially confirmed the motive.

Local residents have claimed that the area is associated with gambling and the sale of illicit liquor.

The brothers originally belonged to Jethian village under the Atri police station area of Gaya district.

The family had been residing at their house in Siddharthpuri Colony, Road No. 1, under the Mufassil police station limits.

The shooting has caused concern among residents and members of the police department, given that the victims are the sons of a serving police officer.

Police said the investigation was underway to establish the sequence of events, ascertain the motive and identify all those involved in the attack.