National News
Waqf Act amended to prevent encroachment of government properties, Centre to SC
New Delhi, Apr 25: The Centre, in an affidavit filed before the Supreme Court, said that it brought amendments to the Waqf Act, 1995, to prevent abuse of waqf legislation which resulted in the encroachment of government properties, apart from ensuring that the Waqf Boards in the country are properly administered and function with transparency.
“It is submitted that there have been reported misuse of waqf provisions to encroach private properties and government properties. It is really shocking to know that after the amendment brought in the year 2013, there is a 116 per cent rise in auqaf area,” said the preliminary affidavit filed by the Union Ministry of Minority Affairs.
The Centre, in its reply document filed before the top court, said that it was found that most of the Waqf Boards have been functioning in the “most non-transparent manner” and have either not uploaded the details in public domain or have uploaded partial details.
“In an era of transparency, it is absolutely necessary that all details concerning waqf/waqf boards be uploaded in Waqf Asset Management System of India (WAMPSI) portal,” it contended.
The Union government said that under the old regime, due to the absence of adequate safeguards, government properties and even private properties were declared as waqf properties.
“The provisions of Sections 3A, 3B and 3C take care of the said situation which has been prevailing since several decades. It is submitted that there are startling examples whereby the government lands or even the private lands were declared as waqf properties,” it said in the affidavit.
The Union government said that the Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025, was passed with the objective of modernising the management of waqf properties in India through transparent, efficient and inclusive measures. It argued that the reforms introduced are directed solely at the secular and administrative aspects of waqf institutions – such as property management, record-keeping, and governance structures – without impinging upon any essential religious practices or tenets of the Islamic faith. The affidavit highlighted that despite there being a regime of mandatory registration of all kinds of waqf, including ‘waqf by user’, making registration mandatory, individuals or organisations used to claim private lands and government lands as waqf including under ‘waqf by user’ which not only lead to deprivation of valuable property rights of individual citizens but similarly unauthorised claims over public properties.
“While registration of all kinds of waqfs (including ‘Waqf by user’) has always been mandatory, the legal regime never required the waqf deed as a mandatory condition. In other words, it was mandatory to register ‘Waqf by user’ even in the absence of a waqf deed by giving other details for more than 100 years.”
Referring to the recently introduced Section 36(1A), the Centre said that the 2025 amendment provides that a waqf may now be established only through a valid deed of waqf. It clarified that the amendment to Section 36 has not interfered with the status of existing/registered auqaf by user, and any existing property which has been registered as waqf by user will retain its status.
The Union government said that a proviso has been inserted in Section 3 by the Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025, making it clear that the mandatory requirement of a ‘waqf deed’ applies prospectively from the date of the 2025 amendment i.e., if any new waqf is created after April 8.
“Waqfs by user registered before the amendment would therefore continue to be treated as waqf in terms of the proviso,” the Centre said.
The preliminary reply document filed by the Union government said that before introducing the Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025, there has been a detailed executive level and Parliamentary level exercise in order to understand the problems plaguing the previous statutory regime, the consequences, and the appropriate measures that were required to remedy the same.
The Centre contended that the “primary religious right being the right to make a dedication is not interfered with, and neither is the administration of any specific waqf interfered with as the same continues to be vested with the mutawalli as per the purpose behind such waqf”.
The affidavit said that it is a settled position in law that constitutional courts would not stay a statutory provision, either directly or indirectly, and will decide the matter finally, as there is a presumption of constitutionality that applies to laws made by Parliament.
“While the Hon’ble Court would undoubtedly have the power to examine the constitutionality of the law, at the interim stage, the grant of an injunction against the operation of any provision of the law, either directly or indirectly, would be violative of this presumption of constitutionality which is one of the facets of the delicate balance of power between the different branches of the State,” it added.
In the hearing held on April 17, a bench headed by CJI Sanjiv Khanna had granted a week’s time to the Centre and state governments and the Waqf Boards to file their preliminary reply to the petitions challenging the validity of the Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025.
The Bench, also comprising Justices Sanjay Kumar and K.V. Viswanathan, had taken on record the assurance given by the Union government that it would not de-notify provisions related to ‘waqf by user’ or include non-Muslim members in the Waqf Board.
Posting the matter for further hearing on May 5, the CJI Khanna-led Bench clarified that the hearing fixed on the next date will be a preliminary hearing and, if required, interim orders will be passed.
National News
India is eternally grateful to armed forces: PM Modi visits Adampur Airbase after ‘Operation Sindoor’
New Delhi, May 13: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday morning visited the Adampur Airbase in Punjab to meet Indian Air Force personnel and express the nation’s gratitude for their courage and fearlessness in defending the country.
His visit comes just days after India and Pakistan agreed to a ceasefire following the successful execution of ‘Operation Sindoor’, a major anti-terror operation conducted by Indian forces targeting high-value terror hubs in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied-Kashmir (PoK).
At the base, the Prime Minister interacted with the soldiers, praising their bravery and valour.
Soldiers present at the interaction described the visit as a morale booster, noting how the Prime Minister’s presence uplifted the spirit of the troops, according to sources.
The soldiers were seen smiling in their combat uniforms, a symbol of their constant readiness.
Sharing his experience on X, PM Modi wrote, “Earlier this morning, I went to AFS Adampur and met our brave air warriors and soldiers. It was a very special experience to be with those who epitomise courage, determination and fearlessness. India is eternally grateful to our armed forces for everything they do for our nation.”
Adampur Airbase was among the targets of Pakistan’s retaliatory attempt during the night of May 9 and 10, following India’s strike on terrorist infrastructure across the border.
Pakistani drones and missiles were intercepted and neutralised by India’s air defence systems, showcasing the preparedness and effectiveness of the Indian armed forces.
The visit also coincided with PM Modi’s recent address to the nation where he commended the armed forces for the execution of ‘Operation Sindoor’, stating that it had achieved its objectives with precision and resolve.
“I salute the armed forces, Intelligence agencies and scientists for their grit that helped ‘Operation Sindoor’ achieve its objective,” the Prime Minister said.
Reaffirming India’s new doctrine in its fight against terrorism, PM Modi had said that ‘Operation Sindoor’ was dedicated to the nation’s collective spirit, particularly to the women of India, whose safety and honour were at the heart of the mission.
He underlined that the operation had sent a clear message to terrorist organisations and their backers — that any attack on India or its citizens would be met with decisive and powerful retribution.
“The world has seen India’s capability and it is clear terrorists will no longer be spared,” he asserted.
The Prime Minister stressed that ‘Operation Sindoor’ marked a new and unwavering chapter in India’s counter-terrorism strategy — one that is relentless, precise, and uncompromising.
He emphasised that India’s military carried out highly targeted strikes on terrorist hideouts in Pakistan, reinforcing the country’s resolve to safeguard its citizens and national values.
Chandigarh, May 13: At least 15 men have died after allegedly consuming spurious liquor in four villages of the Majitha area in Amritsar district, officials said on Tuesday.
The deceased, mostly labourers working in brick kilns, include residents of Bhangali, Marari Kalan Therwal and Patalpuri villages.
Superintendent of Police (Amritsar Rural), Maninder Singh said the main accused Prabhjit Singh has been arrested and he turned out to be the mastermind behind supplying the spurious liquor.
A First Information Report (FIR) was on Tuesday registered under Section 105 of the BNS and 61-A of the Excise Act.
The others arrested were Kulbir Singh, alias Jaggu, a brother of the main accused Prabhjit Singh, Sahib Singh, alias Sarai, Gurjant Singh and Ninder Kaur, wife of Jeeta.
The Investigation Police Officer told the media that preliminary investigation indicated that “all took liquor from a single source on Sunday evening. Some of them died on Monday and locals cremated them without informing the police. We received information about the deaths due to liquor late in the evening (Monday) and initiated an investigation.”
A spokesperson for the government said an investigation of the entire spurious liquor network is on.
In March 2024, as many as 24 people had died in Sangrur due to spurious liquor. Earlier in 2020, more than 100 people died across Punjab in one of the deadliest illicit liquor tragedies.
As the war against drugs ‘Yudh Nashian Virudh’ to eradicate the drug menace from the state completed 72 days on Monday, Punjab Police registered 6,280 FIRs and arrested 10,444 drug smugglers.
Notably, Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann had asked the Commissioners of Police, Deputy Commissioners and Senior Superintendent of Police to make Punjab a drug free state.
Since the launch of the ‘Yudh Nashian Virudh’ campaign, Punjab Police under the directions of Director General of Police (DGP) Gaurav Yadav has been conducting different operations including cordon and search operations, night domination and raids at drug hotspots across the state.
Special Director General of Police (Special DGP) Law and Order, Arpit Shukla, who has been monitoring these operations, on Monday said that police teams have recovered 398 kg heroin, 186 kg opium, 117 quintals poppy husk, 8 kg charas, 135 kg ganja, 2.5 kg ICE, 1.2 kg cocaine, 23.57 lakh intoxicant pills/tablets and Rs 8.58 crore drug money from their possession.
New Delhi, May 13: India will brief Defence Attaches (DAs) from various countries based in New Delhi on Tuesday at 3:30 p.m., providing them with technical details of ‘Operation Sindoor’, the country’s recent anti-terror military offensive.
The Indian armed forces are set to share critical insights and operational data, including the performance of the indigenous air defence systems and outcomes of the strike missions carried out between May 7 and May 10.
Sources confirmed that the session will cover a wide array of developments, including the destruction of Chinese and Turkish-made drones and PL-15 missiles by India’s air defence forces, preventing any breach into Indian airspace.
The move comes a day after Director General of Military Operations (DGMO) Lt Gen Rajiv Ghai addressed the media, stating that the budgetary and policy support received by the armed forces over the past decade enabled the creation of a robust multi-layered air defence grid.
He said the system proved to be a decisive shield during Pakistan’s retaliatory aerial attacks on May 9 and 10. “Our battle-proven systems performed exceptionally, and the indigenous Akash missile system played a critical role,” Lt Gen Ghai noted.
The briefing to the Defence Attaches will also include details of a hotline conversation that took place on Monday evening around 5 p.m. between the Indian and Pakistani DGMOs.
Lt Gen Ghai and his Pakistani counterpart, Maj Gen Kashif Abdullah, reportedly discussed methods to restore calm along the Line of Control and reiterated commitments to the ceasefire understanding reached after the Indian operation halted at Pakistan’s request on May 10.
Official sources said that Pakistan conveyed it would not escalate the conflict and expressed willingness to adhere to the ceasefire agreement. The hotline exchange between the two military leaders also included discussions on maintaining restraint and monitoring the situation moving forward.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday addressed the nation for the first time following the understanding that ended the intense military exchanges.
He reiterated India’s hardline stance against Pakistan, stating unequivocally that New Delhi will not hold any dialogue with Islamabad except on issues related to terrorism and Pakistan-occupied-Kashmir (PoK).
“The Kashmir issue cannot be viewed in isolation from Pakistan’s continuous export of terrorism,” the Prime Minister said.
He strongly criticised Pakistan’s military and government for protecting and promoting terror outfits, warning that such support could bring about their eventual downfall.
PM Modi’s remarks also come amid reports that Pakistan attached certain conditions to the ceasefire, including a proposal to revive the Indus Waters Treaty, which India had suspended as a non-military strategic pressure tactic.
However, India has maintained that talks, if any, will remain confined strictly to terrorism and PoK.
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