Huge protests held in Kolkata, Chennai, and Ahmedabad on Friday as 1000’s took to the streets after weekly prayers, voicing sturdy opposition to the Waqf Modification Invoice handed by Parliament this week. In Kolkata, a big crowd waved the nationwide flag and held posters studying “We reject Waqf modification” and “Reject Waqf Invoice.” Many of those protests have been organized by the Joint Discussion board for Waqf Safety, based on ANI.
In Ahmedabad, tensions have been excessive as police tried to take away aged protesters sitting on the highway, as seen in a video shared by ANI. Comparable demonstrations have been held in Chennai, the place actor Vijay’s Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) had known as for a statewide protest. TVK employees gathered in Chennai, Coimbatore, and Tiruchirappalli, shouting slogans like “Reject the Waqf Invoice” and “Don’t take away Muslims’ rights.”
Tamil actor-politician Vijay, who’s being seen as a rising contender forward of subsequent yr’s Meeting election, criticized the Waqf Invoice, calling it “anti-democratic.” He stated its passage raises considerations about India’s secular basis.
The protests in Bengal have intensified political tensions forward of subsequent yr’s elections, with Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee assuring that Muslims within the state won’t lose their lands. She accused the BJP of making an attempt to divide the nation, a declare echoed by Congress, and acknowledged that the invoice could be repealed as soon as a non-BJP authorities takes cost.
Many protesters worry that the brand new Waqf legal guidelines might be utilized retroactively, affecting present properties. Nevertheless, Union Minority Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju, backed by Residence Minister Amit Shah, clarified in Parliament that the regulation will solely be utilized transferring ahead.
The amendments to the Waqf legal guidelines, which govern Muslim charitable properties, have been handed after almost 20 hours of intense debate. Whereas the opposition criticized it as “anti-Muslim,” the ruling celebration hailed it as a “historic reform.”
The Waqf Modification Invoice now solely wants President Droupadi Murmu’s approval to change into regulation. It was handed within the Lok Sabha with 288 votes in favor and 232 towards, and within the Rajya Sabha with 128 votes and 95 towards.
The invoice introduces key modifications, corresponding to including two non-Muslim members to state Waqf boards and the central Waqf council. It additionally requires donors to verify they’ve been practising Muslims for at the least 5 years.
Many Muslims and opposition leaders fear that the federal government might take management of Waqf boards, however Union Minister Kiren Rijiju denied this, saying Waqf administration will stay with the Muslim group.
The invoice led to intense debates in Parliament. Congress chief Sonia Gandhi known as it an assault on the Structure and accused the BJP of dividing society. She additionally claimed the invoice was pushed via the Rajya Sabha unfairly.
The BJP demanded an apology, however Rijiju defended the method, stating the Rajya Sabha debated the invoice for over 17 hours, whereas the Lok Sabha dialogue lasted greater than 12 hours.
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