Connect with us
Tuesday,20-October-2026
Breaking News

National News

‘Waqf Amendment Bill Was Presented To Finish The Board,’ Says AIMIM Chief Asaduddin Owaisi

Published

on

'Waqf Amendment Bill Was Presented To Finish The Board,' Says AIMIM Chief Asaduddin Owaisi

Mumbai: Lok Sabha MP and AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi hit out at the BJP over the proposed Wadf Board (Amendment) Act bill, which aims to bring transparency in Waqf administration and property, saying that the bill was presented to finish the Waqf board.

“The Narendra Modi government is not bringing this bill to protect, develop or bring efficiency to the Waqf properties. This bill was presented to finish the Waqf board…”AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi said in a press conference in Mumbai.

‘BJP & RSS Are Spreading False Propaganda,’ Says AIMIM Chief

He further claimed that the BJP and RSS are spreading ‘false propaganda’ against Waqf Board.

“False propaganda is being spread by BJP-RSS that Waqf is a government property instead of private property. The other false propaganda is being spread that the Waqf board has 9,40,000 acre of land. Just like in the Hindu religion, properties are donated, similarly in the Muslim religion, these are donated properties. Why is the government interfering? This is violation of article 26,” Owaisi said.

Further highlighting a clause in the bill, he said, “It is written in it that a practicing Muslim from last 5 years can perform Waqf. What is the meaning of practicing Muslim?- will he be someone who reads Namaz 5 times a day, will have a beard or a skullcap… cap…will his wife be Muslim or non-muslim? Who are they to decide? No such law is there in the Hindu religion…Any Waqf property that is with the government its decision will be made by the Collector, how can collector who is a executive be a judge here?”

Notably, the Parliamentary Committee on the Waqf (Amendment) Bill 2024 will conduct informal discussions in five states with various stakeholders from September 26 to October 1.

These consultations aim to refine the proposed amendments to the Waqf Act, which governs the management of over 600,000 registered Waqf properties across the country.

About The Waqf Act Of 1995

The Waqf Act of 1995, was created to regulate waqf properties, but it has long faced allegations of mismanagement, corruption, and encroachments. The Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024, seeks to bring sweeping reforms, introducing digitisation, stricter audits, transparency, and legal mechanisms to reclaim illegally occupied properties.

These consultations will play a vital role in ensuring that the amendments to the Waqf Act are practical, effective, and aligned with the needs of the community. The committee has to submit its report to the Lok Sabha by the last day of the first week of the next parliament session.

International News

EAM Jaishankar and US counterpart Rubio discuss advancing ties, regional developments

Published

on

External Affairs Minister (EAM) S Jaishankar held a meeting with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio in Mumbai on Tuesday, with discussions focusing on further advancing bilateral ties.

During the meeting, the two ministers exchanged views on regional developments. Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri, US Ambassador to India Sergio Gor and other officials were also present at the meeting.

“Pleased to meet US Marco Rubio in Mumbai today. We shared views on further advancement of our ties, focusing on trade, energy, technology, defence and people-to-people ties. Also exchanged views on regional developments,” EAM Jaishankar stated on X after the meting.

Rubio said that he and EAM Jaishankar discussed energy security and defence cooperation.

“In Mumbai, Indian External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and I discussed energy security and defense cooperation while reaffirming the importance of advancing the U.S.-India strategic partnership,” the US Secretary of State posted on X.

Earlier, EAM Jaishankar, Marco Rubio and UAE Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan held a meeting in Mumbai, with discussions held on regional energy security and advancing shared economic priorities.

“It was great to meet with Indian External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and UAE Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan to discuss regional energy security and advance our shared economic priorities,” Rubio stated on X after the meeting.

Following the meeting, Ambassador Gor also took to X and wrote: “The US, India, and UAE have real opportunities to advance cooperation on energy, trade, technology, and regional connectivity. Marco Rubio, S Jaishankar, and UAE Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan in Mumbai for a discussion on turning our close ties into concrete results!”

Earlier in the day, Marco Rubio arrived in Mumbai for an official visit to India. For his visit to Mumbai, Rubio is accompanied by his wife, Jeanette Rubio and US Ambassador to India Sergio Gor.

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) extended a warm welcome to Rubio as he arrived in Mumbai for his second visit to India, noting that it provides an opportunity to further advance cooperation across various pillars of the India-US Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership.

“Welcome to Mumbai, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, on your second visit to India! He was received by Shri Ashish Shelar, Minister of Culture, Electronics, IT and AI, Government of Maharashtra at the airport. The visit provides an opportunity to further advance cooperation across the various pillars of the India-US Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership,” the MEA posted on X.

After concluding his engagements in Mumbai, Rubio will travel to Gujarat’s Jamnagar for talks that will include “enhanced energy cooperation”, the US State Department said.

Continue Reading

Crime

Model Shraddha Dubey, wanted in businessman Shiva Sharma death case, arrested in Nagpur

Published

on

Model Shraddha Dubey, a key accused in the death of Lucknow-based businessman Shiva Sharma, has been arrested in Nagpur along with her sister Rashmi Dubey and driver Danish, Uttar Pradesh Police said on Tuesday.

The three accused, who had been absconding since the registration of the case, were apprehended by the Lucknow Police and the Uttar Pradesh Special Task Force (STF) with the assistance of Nagpur Police on Tuesday.

A reward of Rs 50,000 each had been announced for information leading to their arrest.

Following her arrest, Shraddha Dubey has been brought to Bell Road Police Station on Wardha Road in Nagpur, where she is currently being questioned.

Officials of the Uttar Pradesh STF and Nagpur Police are present at the police station and are jointly questioning her.

According to the police, a case under Section 103(1) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) was registered at the Hazratganj Police Station on October 9 on the basis of a written complaint filed by Ranjana Sharma.

The accused are being taken through the necessary legal formalities before being brought to Lucknow for further investigation into Sharma’s death.

Meanwhile, fresh details have emerged about Dubey’s movements during her absconding period.

According to media reports, she stayed for nearly 24 hours at a hotel in Taj Nagari Phase-I in Agra.

The reports claimed that CCTV footage showed a vehicle allegedly linked to Dubey arriving at the hotel at 6:33 a.m. on October 17. Around 20 minutes later, at 6.53 a.m., a woman identified as Dubey reportedly entered the premises. The vehicle’s registration number was reported to be UP32RT8043.

During her absconding period, Dubey had released a video appealing against linking her name with influential individuals.

An earlier viral audio recording, purportedly featuring her threatening Sharma, had also surfaced, in which she was allegedly heard referring to complaining about him to a ‘sir’.

Continue Reading

National News

CJP leaders Saurav Das, Ashutosh Ranka to approach Delhi HC seeking release

Published

on

Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) leaders Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka are set to move the Delhi High Court seeking their release, challenging the Special Executive Magistrate (SEM) court’s order extending their judicial custody in connection with the Jantar Mantar trespassing case.

The move comes a day after the SEM court extended the judicial custody of the two till October 21, observing that their conduct “shows no respect for law” and reflects their “habitualness in calling protest at de-notified areas”.

The two CJP leaders were sent to judicial custody till October 21 by SEM Ritu Raj at Mandir Marg police station after their earlier five-day judicial custody ended on Monday.

In its order, the SEM court said the investigating officer had placed substantial material on record, raising concerns over the likelihood of a breach of peace and disturbance of public tranquillity.

It also recorded that the two leaders had allegedly breached the bonds furnished by them before the SEM, South-West District, on October 11 and subsequently committed a breach of peace in the present case.

The court further observed that their assurance that they would not repeat the alleged offence did not inspire confidence in view of their past conduct and the material placed on record by the investigating officer.

Das and Ranka, along with party member Ajinkya Shinde, were among 14 people detained on October 13 after they entered Jantar Mantar through private premises and obstructed police personnel from discharging their official duties.

The CJP members were protesting against alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls and had raised slogans against Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar.

Delhi Police had justified their continued custody, citing repeated violations of law and apprehensions that their release could lead to further violations and instigation of others.

The SEM court had also found the sureties furnished on behalf of the two leaders unfit following an inquiry, citing discrepancies in identity documents and their inability to provide basic details about the persons for whom they stood surety. It directed them to furnish fresh sureties.

Continue Reading

Trending