It all began as local outrage over the Waqf Board’s installation of the Ashoka emblem on an inauguration stone at Hazratbal, one of the most revered religious sites in Kashmir.
Bill was tabled in Parliament Wednesday. It seeks to streamline management of properties & address loopholes in Waqf Act. Critics dub it as an attempt to curb Waqf Board's autonomy.
At a meeting attended by Minority Affairs Minister Rijiju, Minority Morcha leaders raised concerns about the bill, noting it could lead to tough questions during BJP's membership drive.
Okhla MLA was arrested after being questioned for 6 hrs. In January, ED had filed a chargesheet over alleged irregularities in recruitment in Delhi Waqf Board under his chairmanship.
BJP ally JD(U) said it is consulting with Muslim community which has expressed reservations over some aspects of Bill, and that it will discuss these at next meeting, it is learnt.
The key change here is that the State will have more say in the regulation of waqf boards and even allow non-Muslim CEOs to be appointed by the government.
Bill proposes to protect govt properties from being declared waqf, empowers DMs to survey waqf land & play arbiter in disputes, while also limiting powers of waqf tribunals.
Since the bulk of citizens did not regard drinking as a crime, they had no respect for the prohibition laws and did not cooperate with the police, wrote MV Venkata Rao in 1962.
We now live in a world order that will keep shifting. India must use this window. This also means we remain disciplined enough not to be knee-jerked into reacting to what Pakistan sees as its moment in the sun.
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