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.
Bharatiya Janata Party member Nishikant Dubey has called for an investigation into the source of nearly 1.25 crore feedback submissions received by the parliamentary committee scrutinising the Waqf (Amendment) Bill in India. Dubey has raised concerns about the possible involvement of foreign powers like Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence and China, as well as fundamentalist organizations and individuals like Zakir Naik. He has expressed the need for immediate attention to the geographical origin of these submissions and emphasized on the importance of preserving the integrity and independence of India's legislative process.
Police in Agra district have arrested two minors for allegedly sending fake negative feedback on the contentious Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024 to a joint committee of Parliament. The messages, sent just before the deadline, aimed to increase opposition to the Bill, which proposes changes to the management of Waqf properties. The youths allegedly bribed other children for their cell phones to send the messages. The Central Government had set up the committee following objections from the Opposition and some ruling party members.
Shia cleric Maulana Syed Kalbe Jawad and other community members staged a protest in Lucknow against the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024, which aims to regulate and control the administration of waqf institutions and their properties. This bill has been met with controversy and has faced criticism from various religious and civic bodies, leading to ongoing protests. The history of waqf administration in India, from the pre-Independence period to the current amendment act of 2013, has been a topic of debate and discussion, with multiple recommendations made for better governance of these religious endowments.
BJP Delhi President Virendra Sachdeva criticized the Aam Aadmi Party for their alleged involvement in corruption, particularly in the recruitment of staff for the Delhi Waqf Board. Sachdeva emphasized the need for accountability in the face of legal action and the rule of law. The ED raid, which was conducted under the PMLA, comes after ongoing investigations into the illegal staff recruitment and misuse of funds at the Delhi Waqf Board. AAP leaders, including Manish Sisodia and Sanjay Singh, have condemned the raid and accused the BJP and ED of attempting to suppress dissent.
The Enforcement Directorate arrested Aam Aadmi Party MLA Amanatullah Khan for his involvement in a money laundering probe related to the Delhi Waqf Board case. He is accused of using "tainted" cash for purchasing an immovable property in Delhi and has been charged with non-cooperation and avoiding investigation. This is the latest in a string of arrests and allegations against AAP leaders by central agencies, which the party claims is a political vendetta by the ruling BJP.
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) arrested Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MLA Amanatullah Khan in connection with a money laundering case related to irregularities in appointments at the Delhi Waqf Board. This arrest comes after a morning raid at Khan's residence in Okhla. AAP leaders have rallied in support of Khan, accusing the BJP and ED of trying to suppress dissent. However, ED's actions have been described as "ruthless" and Khan was previously granted bail in a similar case.
The Telangana State Waqf Board has become the first board in the country to oppose the Waqf Amendment Bill 2024, which it deemed as unconstitutional. The board, led by Hyderabad MP Asaduddin Owaisi, unanimously rejected the Bill and condemned its divisive agenda. The meeting also resolved to meet with the Joint Parliamentary Committee to present their opposition and concerns about the proposed amendments. They also expressed their gratitude to Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy for his support. The board believes that the Bill is an infringement on several constitutional rights and aims to destroy the autonomy of Waqf institutions.
The Nitish Kumar-led NDA government in Bihar has proposed a comprehensive plan for the development of Waqf properties in the state, including the construction of multipurpose buildings on undisputed Waqf land and an anti-encroachment drive. The government has also planned for the establishment of residential schools for Muslim children and the opening of new madrasas under various welfare schemes. These efforts aim to promote the education and welfare of the minority community in Bihar.