New Delhi: Urdu newspapers this week criticised the Narendra Modi-led central government this week over the proposed changes to the 1995 Waqf Act, citing concerns over its potential to weaken the Waqf boards.
They also discussed the dramatic events in Bangladesh, where Sheikh Hasina resigned following nearly two months of protests against the government, with Inquilab describing Hasina’s regime as politically oppressive.
The newspapers also expressed solidarity with Indian wrestler Vinesh Phogat after her disqualification from the Olympics, calling for authorities to look into the matter, identify those responsible and implement corrective measures for the future.
Here’s a wrap of the news and editorials in the Urdu press this week.
The Waqf (Amendment) Bill
On 9 August, Sahara’s editorial criticised the central government’s Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024, introduced in the Lok Sabha Thursday, alleging that widespread plunder of Waqf properties across India is undeniable. From West Bengal to Kerala, there have been numerous cases of encroachments on Waqf properties with the primary aim being to profit privately rather than to work for charity, the newspaper said.
The editorial stressed that any amendments to the law should be transparent and involve consultations with stakeholders and experts. The proposed amendments, it said, laid bare the government’s intent to seize Muslim Waqf properties and nationalise them, stripping Muslims of their assets — and all under the guise of reform.
“The government’s proposed amendments to the Waqf Act reveal an agenda to seize Muslim Waqf properties under the guise of reform, reflecting a clear intent to nationalise and exploit these assets,” the editorial alleged.
The 6 August editorial in Inquilab, titled ‘Waqf Amendment Bill: Many Targets with One Arrow’, accused the BJP-led NDA government of leveraging economic, social, and political reforms to benefit select groups, including major industrialists and certain communities. Its goal with reforms like the triple talaq law and misusing central agencies for anti-corruption measures is to consolidate electoral gains, it said.
The proposed Waqf bill is another step towards undermining Muslim rights by creating the false impression that Muslims unfairly usurp land across the country due to special legal provisions for them, Inquilab said. The newspaper said that the Waqf bill, with its nearly 40 amendments, seemed to be designed to weaken the Waqf boards. Even if the bill does not pass parliamentary or judicial scrutiny, it will create a false narrative against Muslims and put Waqf properties in jeopardy. the editorial alleged.
A crisis in Bangladesh
On 9 August, Inquilab’s editorial said the crisis in Bangladesh was the culmination of a dramatic chain of events with the country experiencing intense political oppression under Sheikh Hasina. Her tenure could have turned the country into “sonar Bengal” (A golden Bengal), but instead set the nation back by decades, it said.
Siasat’s editorial on 9 August discussed the formation of an interim government in Bangladesh, saying that, despite the economy having stabilised in recent years, a lot of work still remains. Economist and Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus’s expertise should be utilised towards improving the economy, it said, adding that further grassroots efforts are needed to restore normalcy in the country. The student community, crucial to the country’s future, played a key role in forcing Hasina’s resignation. Now, two student representatives in the interim government are expected to address their community’s issues effectively. Despite differing ideologies, political views should not overshadow the focus on key issues and disruptions must be avoided at all costs, Siasat said.
On 7 August, Inquilab’s editorial said that Bangladesh’s issues, despite the country’s geographical proximity to India, seem distant due to restrictions on media freedom. The unexpected intensity of student protests that led to Hasina’s resignation highlighted a lesson: Ignoring history often leads to harsh consequences, it said.
Siasat’s editorial on 6 August discussed Hasina’s sudden fall from power, saying that she once held absolute control in Bangladesh with no opposition. This sense of invincibility may have led to her unexpected downfall, where mass protests forced her to resign and flee the country. “The sudden turn of events with Sheikh Hasina fleeing the country shows that no one is invincible, and power, no matter how strong, can crumble unexpectedly,” the editorial said.
On 6 August, Sahara’s editorial emphasised that the protests were against a large reservation quota for the relatives of Bangladesh’s freedom fighters, not against reservations for minorities and the disabled. Former prime minister Hasina’s refusal to address this issue and her attempts to suppress dissent instead exacerbated the situation. The Supreme Court’s decision provided an opportunity for Hasina to rectify her mistakes, but her failure to do so led to widespread demands for her resignation and her eventual departure from Bangladesh, the editorial said.
“Hasina’s failure to address legitimate concerns and her attempt to suppress dissent led to a crisis that forced her to resign and leave Bangladesh,” the editorial noted.
Vinesh Phogat’s Olympic heartbreak
On 8 August, Siasat’s editorial covered Vinesh Phogat’s disqualification at the Olympics, where she failed to clear the weigh-in for the 50kg category, noting that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had asked authorities to review her case. Phogat’s disappointment isn’t just personal as she represented 1.4 billion Indians, it said. The entire administration played a role in her preparations and it bears responsibility for her setbacks, Siasat said. Therefore, this matter needs serious attention, the editorial said, adding that those who are responsible should be identified and corrective measures put in place for the future.
On 8 August, Inquilab’s editorial said that Phogat’s disqualification was a “blow” to the nation, except for those who wished for her failure. Despite defeating four-time world champion Yui Susaki in the semifinals, Phogat was disqualified for a small increase in her weight, which seemed suspicious given her recent protests against sexual harassment, the newspaper said. She was not the only one affected; Italian athlete Emanuela Liuzzi faced a similar fate, it said.
On Wayanad landslides
On 3 August, Siasat criticised the central government on the Wayanad landslides, questioning the effectiveness of advisories and noting that no advisory can accurately predict a disaster. The editorial emphasised that both state and central governments should prioritise helping affected families rather than passing blame.
Many homes have been destroyed, families devastated, and survivors are struggling without food or medicine, it said. The government’s focus should be on alleviating their suffering, providing support, and ensuring compensation, rather than merely pointing fingers, Siasat said.
(Edited by Sanya Mathur)
The Urdu press has never spoken up for the Pasmanda Muslims. It is controlled and managed by the Ashraf class and has never championed the case of Pasmandas. No wonder it sees the Waqf Bill as a threat to all Muslims.
Quite interestingly, the Urdu press has always been vociferous about Dalit, tribal and OBC rights.