The Central government is set to introduce the Waqf (Amendment) Bill in the Lok Sabha today aimed at restricting the powers of the Waqf board and ensuring the participation of Muslim women and non-Muslims. The bill seeks to repeal Section 40 of the current law, which governs the board's authority to classify Waqf property. This legislation has been in development for the last few years and has involved meetings with various stakeholders such as community members, eminent jurists, and lawyers. With government-owned entities like railways and defense being the top two landowners, the proposed changes in the bill are crucial in managing Waqf properties.
Central Government's Plans to Amend Waqf Act: Background and Implications
Background
Waqf is a charitable endowment in Islamic law dedicated to religious or social purposes. In India, the Central Waqf Council and state-level Waqf Boards are responsible for managing and administering Waqf properties.
Proposed Waqf (Amendment) Bill
The Central government has proposed the Waqf (Amendment) Bill with the aim of:
Arguments for the Amendment
Arguments against the Amendment
Top 5 FAQs and Answers
1. What is the purpose of the proposed Waqf Amendment Bill?
To restrict the powers of the Waqf board, ensure the participation of Muslim women and non-Muslims, and improve Waqf property management transparency.
2. What is the significance of repealing Section 40?
Section 40 empowers the Waqf board to classify property as Waqf, which is crucial for determining its ownership and management. Repealing this section would limit the board's powers.
3. Why are minority groups concerned about the amendment?
They fear that it will infringe upon their religious freedom and lead to the government taking control of their properties.
4. What are the legal implications of the amendment?
The amendment may face legal challenges, including potential violations of the Supreme Court's rulings on Waqf issues.
5. How will the amendment impact the management of Waqf properties?
The changes aim to bring greater transparency, efficiency, and participation of a wider range of stakeholders in the management of Waqf properties.
Sri Lanka's newly elected president, Anura Kumara Dissanayake, has pledged to bring about change in the country and uphold democratic values. With a focus on tackling corruption and boosting the economy, the leftist leader has taken office at a critical time for the island nation. Despite the challenges ahead, Dissanayake's supporters have expressed optimism and hope for a better future under his leadership. Now, the president must work towards forming a new cabinet and securing parliamentary support, in order to fulfill his promises and steer the country towards stability and prosperity.
A presidential complaint about potholes in the city of Pune, India not only made national headlines but also spurred action from the municipal corporation. As a result, the Pune Police directed the civic body to address the issue before Prime Minister Modi's scheduled visit later this month. The PMC has already begun repair work, but the city's branch of the AAP has threatened to lock the municipal body if the roads are not fixed promptly.
Tomorrow, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Pune for the inauguration of Pune Metro's District Court to Swargate underground stretch and laying of foundation stones for future projects. However, the India Meteorological Department has issued a yellow alert for Pune district, expecting heavy rainfall and gusty winds. This could pose a challenge for the organizers and inconvenience for those attending the public meeting at Sir Parashurambhau College Ground, which will also kickstart the campaign for Maharashtra Assembly polls for the ruling Mahayuti.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi commemorates the 10th anniversary of the 'Make in India' initiative in a blog post, highlighting the success and impact the scheme has had on the country. He thanks the collective efforts of 140 crore Indians for transforming India into a manufacturing and innovation powerhouse, and urges everyone to continue their hard work and dedication towards the nation's progress. The post also mentions the significant growth in the manufacturing and export sectors as a result of the initiative.
Mumbai, India's financial capital, has been facing a steep decline in air quality, resulting in a drop from tenth to 28th in the national rankings. The report, released by the Ministry of Environment, evaluates cities based on their implementation of measures to combat air pollution. Despite receiving the highest grant from the Centre, Mumbai's local administration has been unable to effectively tackle man-made pollution sources, leading to a spike in PM10 components. Additionally, despite receiving the largest funding in India, sectors like solid waste management and road dust mitigation have barely received any allocation, raising concerns over inadequate mapping and measures to tackle air pollution in Mumbai.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Pune to inaugurate several metro projects, including the District Court to Swargate stretch. However, rain warnings have raised concerns about possible disruption to the public meeting that the PM is scheduled to address. With heavy rainfall predicted, it will be challenging for the authorities to keep the venue dry for the event.
Anura Kumara Dissanayake, who was recently inaugurated as Sri Lanka's new President, has dissolved the country's Parliament and announced snap polls within one month. This move is part of Dissanayake's promise to bring about change in the country's long-standing political dynasties. The parliament dissolution will come into effect tonight and the new elections will be held on November 14. This decision comes only 11 months ahead of schedule as Dissanayake aims to fulfill his party's agenda of reforming the economic crisis that the country is currently facing.
In a letter to the Joint Parliamentary Committee scrutinising the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, BJP MP Nishikant Dubey has raised concerns over the nearly 1.25 crore feedback submissions, calling for a probe into their sources. He questioned the statistical improbability of such a massive response arising organically from within India, and called for the investigation to cover the possible involvement of fundamentalist organisations, individuals like Zakir Naik, and foreign powers such as the ISI and China. The MP emphasized the need for the probe to preserve the fairness, integrity, and independence of the Waqf Bill deliberations.
BJP member Nishikant Dubey has raised concerns over the nearly 1.25 crore feedback submissions received by the parliamentary committee scrutinising the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, calling for a probe into their sources, including the possible involvement of ISI and China. He believes the overwhelming response is statistically improbable and may have been orchestrated by foreign entities to manipulate the democratic process, posing a threat to national sovereignty. This demand for investigation highlights the contentious nature of the bill which seeks to interfere in religious affairs and has received opposition from opposition parties and minority groups.
On social media, a controversial video featuring cricketer Sarfaraz Khan has been going viral, with claims that it shows him calling fellow player Shubman Gill a "bad player" and criticizing his selection as Gujarat team captain. However, after fact-checking the video, India TV found that it was edited and audio from someone else was added. This serves as a reminder to be cautious and verify sources before sharing information online.