BJP MP Tejasvi Surya and editors of Kannada news portals have been booked for spreading false information about a farmer's suicide in Haveri district, Karnataka. Surya had shared an article on 'X' alleging the farmer's death was due to his land being taken over by the Waqf Board. The post was later deleted by the MP after the news was deemed fake by the district police. This incident has sparked a political controversy and raises questions about the responsibility of spreading news.
Senior BJP Leader M. P. Renukacharya has released a video implicating Minister Zameer Ahmad Khan and CM Siddaramaiah in an alleged plot to reclaim Waqf properties belonging to farmers and temples. This revelation comes amidst Congress' loss of credibility ahead of by-polls and the Chief Minister's ongoing controversies involving corruption and Muslim appeasement. Renukacharya has accused Zameer of being a "religious fanatic" and questioned his actions as a minister for minorities. Zameer, on the other hand, has claimed to be acting under the orders of CM Siddaramaiah, who has allegedly instructed him to conduct annual review meetings and visit every district to reclaim Waqf properties.
The Karnataka BJP President B.Y. Vijayendra has accused the Congress government of conspiring to displace farmers in Vijayapura district. He states that the government has started issuing notices to farmers claiming their agricultural land belongs to the Waqf Board. This has caused outrage as generations of farming families are now at risk of losing their livelihood. The BJP leader slams the Congress for prioritizing appeasement politics over the welfare of farmers and vows to fight for justice.
Badruddin Ajmal, All India United Democratic Front Chief has stirred a political controversy by claiming that the new Parliament building may have been constructed on Waqf land. He has called for an investigation into the matter and expressed disapproval over the Waqf Bill, highlighting that all secular political parties have boycotted the Joint Parliamentary Committee formed to review the bill. Ajmal has announced that the Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind will conduct a survey of Waqf Board lands in Assam to challenge the bill.
The Delhi Jal Board has announced that residents in several areas of Delhi will experience disruptions in water supply due to major repair work. The Delhi Police Commissioner has also imposed prohibitory measures under BNS, including a ban on protests and gatherings, due to communal tensions and ongoing issues with the Waqf Amendment Bill, Shahi Idgah, and the MCD elections. Meanwhile, Delhi police have detained 125 protestors from Ladakh, including prominent climate activist Sonam Wangchuk, at the Singhu border. Wangchuk was leading the "Delhi Chalo Padyatra" to Rajghat on October 2 to commemorate Gandhi Jayanti, but was detained citing prohibitory orders.
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.
Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju has proposed the formation of a 31-member Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) to examine the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024. The committee, comprising 21 Lok Sabha members and 10 Rajya Sabha members, will be responsible for reviewing and assessing the proposed bill. Notably, prominent politicians such as AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi and Congress MP Imran Masood have been appointed to the committee.