Founder of Tribeca Developers, Kalpesh Mehta, on Friday said that the Trump juniors – Donald Trump Jr and Eric Trump – will visit India in early next year to launch iconic ‘Trump Tower’ projects.
The project launches are expected between March and June, said Kalpesh Mehta, who is Trump Organisation’s real estate partner in India.
Mehta, in a virtual interaction with ANI, said they will develop six more Trump Towers in India, one each in Mumbai, Pune, Gurugram, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, and Noida.
There are at present four such high-rise luxury Trump properties, one each in Mumbai, Pune, Gurgaon and Kolkata.
With six more launches in the coming months, India will have the highest number of such high-rise Trump towers, surpassing the United States.
“I was studying in the US, at the Wharton School of Finance. Trump Jr was junior to me in the college. A professor, who was my mentor and guide, was also the mentor of Donald Trump’s juniors. The professor introduced me to Donald Trump juniors and our friendship started,” Mehta said.
Donald Trump Jr and Eric Trump are sons of US President-elect Donald Trump. He won a historic re-election earlier this week.
Mehta said they signed the deal at a cocktail party in the US, which is when Trump’s real estate business entered India.
“India has the highest number of Trump towers outside America. Going forward with the six more launches, India will have the highest in numbers.”
In the six new projects, Tribeca will be the co-developer and it will partner with a local developer.
“Land will be of the partner, the design and the product specifications, customer handling will be looked after by Tribeca,” Mehta said.
In the already launched project in Gurugram, he said the per unit price is almost double to that of peers, and the market is doing well.
The per unit price of the Gurugram project has already doubled in the past three years, he said. Per square feet price was Rs 15500-16000, which has risen to Rs 33,000. In full unit, they have risen to Rs 6-11 crore to now Rs 11-24 crore.
“The luxury real estate market is booming in India, and the demand has been robust,” he said, adding that luxury real estate in India is at its all-time high.
On plans outside India for a Trump project, Mehta, without naming any country, said his company is in talks with a neighbouring island country’s government for a Trump hotel.
(This news report is published from a syndicated feed. Except for the headline, the content has not been written or edited by OpIndia staff)
Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar has strongly condemned undignified remarks made against women leaders during the election campaign and urged officials to take timely and stern action against such derogatory remarks by candidates sources in the Chief Electoral Office of Maharashtra told ANI on Friday.
Sources said that during a review meeting with District Election Officers, Police Commissioners, SPs, Municipal Commissioners and Returning officers CEC expressed concern and frowned over the use of derogatory language aimed against the dignity and honour of women.
Political parties and candidates are to refrain from any deeds, actions or utterances that may be construed as being repugnant to the honour and dignity of women.
According to sources Kumar noted that no aspect of private life, not connected with the public activities, of the leaders or workers of other parties is to be criticised. Low-level personal attacks to insult the rivals shall not be made, he said.
The Chief Election Commissioner has directed all officials to ensure that any derogatory comments, or remarks by candidates or political leaders repugnant to the honour and dignity of women, and violative of MCC provisions are met with timely and stern action.
He hoped that all candidates and party leaders would elevate their rhetoric and conduct themselves in a manner that reflects respect towards women, both in their speeches and public interactions.
(This news report is published from a syndicated feed. Except for the headline, the content has not been written or edited by OpIndia staff)
A mosque has been built illegally at the place where Lord Rama had offered water to Lord Shiva in Banda, Uttar Pradesh. Vishva Hindu Parishad and Bajrang Dal have protested against this and also written a letter to Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath demanding the demolition of the structure. The Shivling is located on the Bambeshwar mountain and is known as the temple of Bamdev Bholenath.
The Hindu organisations charged that while there was a lockdown during the COVID-19 pandemic, the members of the Muslim community secretly built the mosque. VHP Mandal President Ashok stated that half a dozen shrines have also been built at the place. Fatiha is read at the mountain every day and even Friday prayers are regularly organised there.
Hindu outfits unveiled that there was no Muslim settlement at the place, but now they have started living there in large numbers which has created a security threat. Hence VHP officials have written a letter to the District Collector, Police Captain and Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath to demolish the unauthorised buildings. The letter reportedly stated that Muslims are doing Islamisation of the country.
Hindu groups declared that it won’t be tolerated and if the authorities don’t take any action then they will take down the mosque. They also demanded that those behind the unlawful constructions should be immediately thrown behind bars and bulldozers should be run on the illicit constructions as well as the houses of those who built them.
Chandramohan Bedi of VHP said that the mountain is very old. Some people illegally built a mausoleum at the back and then gradually converted it into a mosque. He added that people were made superstitious and the place was grabbed. He asked how could a shrine be built when there were only stones on the surface. Building a shrine requires excavation, but how is it possible to dig on stone? VHP General Secretary Deepu Dixit mentioned that Muslims initially painted a stone of the mountain with a green colour and then slowly built a tomb on it which later turned into a huge mosque after which many people started coming there wearing skullcaps. He referred to it as a form of cancer which should be immediately cut from the root and thrown away, otherwise, it will ruin the whole body.
Puttan Maharaj, the priest of the ancient temple built on Bambeshwar mountain and the president of the temple committee have also opposed the mosque. He warned that the situation could become like that in Ayodhya and Kashi Mathura. It is believed that during his exile, Lord Rama conducted Jalabhishek on the Shivalinga at this temple and Lord Shankar appeared before him.
The Supreme Court on Friday dismissed a public interest litigation seeking to declare Tirupati city as a separate state or Union Territory. The PIL filed by Christian evangelist Dr KA Paul also sought a CBI probe into the Tirupati Laddu controversy and a time limit for the ongoing SIT probe.
A bench of Justices BR Gavai and KV Viswanathan dismissed the plea after hearing Paul, who appeared and argued in person.
After the lab reports stated that ghee adulterated with animal fat was being used to make Tirupati’s prasadam laddus, the Supreme Court on 4 October constituted a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe the allegations.
After that on 24 October, Dr KA Paul mentioned his petition before the bench of Justices Gavai, PK Mishra and Viswanathan. Paul filed the petition against Andhra Pradesh govt, Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD), CBI and others. The petition alleged violations of Articles 25 and 26 of the Constitution, and consequently, Articles 14 and 21.
Paul cited the example of Vatican City to create a separate state only for Tirupati City. He argued, “If a country can be created for 764 people, like Vatican City for a bunch of few Catholics, why can’t we create one for 30 lakh people,” which is the population of Tirupati.
Paul added that he filed the petition to protect the image of Andhra Pradesh in the country and to safeguard fundamental human rights. He argued, “hey made so many territories…29 states…why not a territory for 30 lakh people?”
However, the bench rejected the plea, saying that it can’t direct a separate State to be created for a particular temple. Responding to the demand of Tirupati state, Justice Gavai said, “Then we will have to have a separate state for Jagannath Puri, for Kedarnath, for Badrinath, for Madurai temple, for Rameshwaram temple…in Maharashtra, there will have to be 4-5…then Amritsar gurudwara…”.
After the court rejected the plea for a separate Tirupati state, petitioner Dr KA Paul urged that the court should fixing a time limit of 90 days or 6 months for the SIT to complete the probe. But the court refused to issue any such directive, and dismissed the petition.
On Friday, 8th November, BJP’s Kirit Somaiya filed a police complaint at Mulund Police station in Maharashtra’s Mumbai against the Marathi Muslim Seva Sangh (MMSS) alleging them of practising vote jihad ahead of the state assembly elections, voting for which is scheduled to happen on 20th November. “I filed a complaint at Mulund East Police Station against Marathi Muslim Seva Sangh and such other NGOs for Provoking Muslims & executing Religious Campaigns,” Somaiya said as he added that he has also sent a complaint to the Election Commission.
Apparently, this is after reports emerged exposing the MMSS of mobilizing Muslim votes against BJP under the guise of spreading ‘voting awareness’ in several Muslim-dominated regions in different parts of the state, especially Mumbai. It has come to the fore that around 180 NGOs are working on the ground among the Muslim community to raise ‘awareness’ and increase the community’s voter turnout against the BJP, the strategy that helped the MVA led by Congress during the recently concluded Lok Sabha elections.
As per the reports, in predominantly Muslim areas such as Shivaji Nagar, Mumbadevi, Byculla, and Malegaon Central, voter turnout during the Lok Sabha election was significantly higher than in nearby assembly segments. This increase has been attributed to heightened ‘awareness’ and concerns within the Muslim community, with targeted efforts over the past year.
Agreeing to have ‘influenced’ the Muslim voters during the Lok Sabha elections too, Fakir Mehmood Thakur, the organization’s leader said that it would continue to highlight concerns among Muslim voters regarding central government policies, including the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) and the National Register of Citizens (NRC), that contributed to the high voter turnout during the Lok Sabha elections. “These issues remain relevant in the ongoing state elections,” he said.
What is Marathi Muslim Seva Sangh? How is it operating in influencing Muslim voters?
The Marathi Muslim Seva Sangh (MMSS) is collaborating with over 180 NGOs in the state and has been actively working within Muslim communities to boost voter enrollment, urging them to vote for the MVA alliance led by the Congress under the guise of spreading ‘vote awareness’. The group has organized meetings and informational sessions for Muslim voters across the state, urging them to vote only for the candidates belonging to the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) alliance led by Congress, Shiv Sena (UBT) and NCP (Sharad Pawar).
Fakir Mehmood Thakur, the organization’s leader commenting on the issue stated that they also influenced Muslim votes against BJP during Lok Sabha elections resulting in a voter turnout exceeding 60%, about 15% higher than previous averages. “We encourage Muslims to support secular candidates and vote in line with constitutional values. Our collaboration with other organizations and religious leaders has produced a stronger response. Over 200 meetings have been conducted statewide, contributing to the increase in turnout,” he said.
A leaflet that the MMSS has been distributing to Muslims under the guise of spreading ‘voter awareness’ ahead of the state assembly elections has been obtained by OpIndia. In the leaflet, the MMSS registered as an NGO (GBBSD/181/2022) has clearly provoked the Muslims against the BJP while garnering support for the MahaVikas Aghadi candidates. It has apparently posed several questions to the Muslim community that provoke them against the BJP. Some of these questions directed to the Muslim community voters are as follows:
Do you want to vote for someone who disrespects, or interferes with Shariah law?
Do you want to vote for someone who lynch innocent Muslims’?
Do you want to vote for someone who snatched Aligarh from Muslims?
Do you want to vote for someone who imposed NRC against Muslims?
Do you want to vote for someone who plans to eliminate Madarsas from across the country?
Do you want to vote for someone who is against the Waqf Board?
Do you want to vote for someone who is against hijab?
Do you want to vote for someone who is against the teachings of Mohammed Prophet?
Do you want to vote for someone who supports the lynching of Muslims?
Do you want to vote for someone who spreads hatred against Muslims?
Do you want to vote for someone who spared, ‘supported’ rapists of Bilkis Bano?
Do you want to vote for someone who jails innocent Muslims?
Do you want to vote for someone who stopped the scholarship of 17 lakh Muslim students?
Do you want to vote for someone who deliberately bulldozed Muslim properties?
Just think, what will be the difference between you and hypocrites if you don’t stand for your religion?
“Would you not utilize your power to vote for protecting the Constitution and unity in Maharashtra? These elections, please give your valuable votes only to Maha Vikas Aghadi,” the leaflet concluded.
MMSS agreed to have influenced Muslim votes during the Lok Sabha 2024 elections
In another similar leaflet, the organization tried to instigate the Muslims saying that the current political scenario in the state had become worse and that no law and order was being followed within. “Provocative speeches are being given against Muslims. Elderly Muslims are assaulted on train travels. Riots against Muslims are executed at places like Vishalgadh. Muslims there have been forced to roam homeless. A wall of hatred is being built between Hindus and Muslims,” the leaflet read.
Further, indirectly referring to the BJP, it added that some of the parties were intending to create political instability in the state. It said that two of the crucial political parties (Shiv Sena and NCP) were destroyed just for power. “Crucial projects from the state which would benefit it economically are being taken away. Farmers are continuing to commit suicide. Youngsters are roaming jobless and getting addicted to drugs. The state overall is seeing its economic low,” it added.
The MMSS further acknowledged that the MVA has hardly given opportunities to candidates belonging to the minority community. Despite this, it asked the Muslims to vote for the alliance just to keep the BJP away from power. The organization also meanwhile agreed that the Muslims mobilized the votes during the Lok Sabha elections in 2024 as it said that Muslims have to be active in the same way as they were during the Lok Sabha polls making MVA secure seats.
The results of the Lok Sabha Elections were wild here with the Muslims extending support to parties other than BJP. The Shiv Sena led by CM Eknath Shinde secured 7 seats, and BJP won 9 seats, whereas parties like NCP (Sharad Pawar), Indian National Congress, and Shiv Sena (UBT) who garnered Muslim and Communist support secured 8, 13, and 9 seats respectively. It was clearly evident by this that the Muslims in the state of Maharashtra chose to vote for any party standing against the BJP and its allies.
MMSS is not only instigating Muslims, but is also spreading fear, hatred against BJP by making false statements
It is important to note that the organization is not only instigating the Muslims against the BJP but is also attempting to spread fear in the minds of the voters by saying fake things like if BJP returns to power, it would eliminate Madarsas, lynch innocent Muslims, deliberately bulldoze Muslim properties and what not. The MMSS has been strategically working for a year to demonize the ruling political alliance under the guise of creating voter awareness among the Muslim community.
Shakir Shaikh, coordinator of the Maharashtra Democratic Forum, shared that the forum held at least 70 meetings statewide in the past two months, including 18 in Muslim-majority areas of Mumbai, Maharashtra. “Awareness and voter turnout among Muslims were traditionally quite low, but issues like the CAA, the Uniform Civil Code, and the Waqf Bill have motivated more people to vote. Our awareness initiatives and voter registration drives have played a role in boosting turnout during the Lok Sabha elections. In Mumbai alone, we’ve registered at least nine lakh new voters, and the response has been very positive,” he said.
It is crucial to note that while a report by Hindustan Times states that around 180 NGOs are working to mobilize Muslim votes on the ground, a report by Zee News states that the number of such NGOs who promote ‘vote jihad’ is around 400.
Marathi Muslim Seva Sangh also has a history of glorifying Tipu Sultan who was one of the most ruthless Islamic invaders in India. There have been several recorded instances of Tipu’s army forcefully converting, raping, and kidnapping Hindus on his orders. Many temples are recorded to have been demolished under his reign. Several historians and researchers like Khan Hussain Ali Kirmani have recorded that Tipu Sultan had animosity toward the local Hindus and tribals in the area.
screengrab of Instagram page of Marathi Muslim Seva Sangh
MMSS working to support Shiv Sena (UBT) in Mumbai
It is important to note that the MMSS has been working to extend its support to MVA, especially Shiv Sena (UBT). During the Lok Sabha polls also, MMSS had assured Muslim backing to Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Uddhav Thackeray. Uddhav Thackeray had left his then party’s association the BJP and recast his understanding of Hindutva in a less dedicated light. Notably, the community’s support for the UBT party was confirmed during the Lok Sabha elections, when all MVA candidates received a landslide of votes, given minority backing.
After this, Sajid K Supariwala, a Shiv Sena (UBT) functionary had clearly mentioned that now Muslims would support the UBT-led party during the assembly elections as well. He said that there was no hesitation among the Muslim community and that they had plans to extend full support to the UBT-led party and the MVA during the assembly elections. “In the coming elections of assembly and civic bodies, the community will only increase its affinity with the party,” he was quoted as saying. He also had added that soon enrolment of more Muslims as party members and office bearers would begin.
The Marathi Muslim Seva Sangh, an organization representing Maharashtrian Muslims, actively supported candidates from the Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray (UBT) faction of the Shiv Sena in recent campaigns. According to its president, Thakur, UBT Sena now offers a viable option for Muslims in Maharashtra, similar to how Akhilesh Yadav’s Samajwadi Party does in Uttar Pradesh, Tejashwi Yadav’s RJD in Bihar, and Mamata Banerjee’s TMC in West Bengal.
Thakur, who had met with Uddhav Thackeray ahead of the Lok Sabha elections, had campaigned extensively in the Konkan region in support of UBT candidates. Minority votes notably bolstered the success of UBT candidate Arvind Sawant in the Mumbai South constituency, while candidates Sanjay Dina Patil and Anil Desai, who contested in Mumbai North East and Mumbai South Central, similarly benefited from strong support in Muslim areas.
During a pre-election meeting then for Sawant’s campaign, Urdu journalist Sarfraz Arzoo remarked that while Shiv Sena was once perceived as anti-Muslim, it was on the verge of considering offering tickets to Muslim candidates in assembly and BMC elections. However, that seems to not have happened as the MMSS in its targeted appeal to Muslims mentioned that though MVA had hardly given opportunities to candidates belonging to the minority community, Muslims shall choose to vote for the alliance just to keep the BJP away from power.
BJP takes cognizance, files complaint against MMSS
BJP’s Kirit Somaiya is believed to have taken cognizance of the event and filed a police complaint at Mulund Police Station in Mumbai today. He has alleged the MMSS of practicing vote jihad against the BJP and spreading hatred against the party amid the ongoing state assembly elections.
“This plan has been going on for the last 12 months. It’s a well-planned conspiracy. I visited several localities during the Lok Sabha polls and saw Muslim women being polarised. I even published a book ‘Vote Jihad’ to highlight these issues. They are hatching a poisonous conspiracy. They want to spread riots,” said Somaiya further raising questions over funding of such organizations.
He said that he has also sent a complaint to the Election Commissioner in this regard. “This is an attempt to provoke the religious sentiment of the people,” he added.
I filled complaint at Mulund East Police Station against Marathi Muslim Seva Sangh & such other NGO's for Provoking Muslims & indiltinto Religious Campaign.
It is important to note that a study by Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS) on 5th November has also revealedthat the Muslims and illegal immigrants in Mumbai are changing the demography of the region and influencing politics by voting for specific political parties. The study, conducted by TISS pro-vice-chancellor Shankar Das and assistant professor Souvik Mondal, also claimed that illegal immigrants are influencing the city’s socio-economy by taking low-skilled employment, resulting in pay suppression and annoyance among locals.
“Some political entities are alleged to use illegal immigrants for vote-bank politics, which can disrupt the democratic process. Claims of voter registration manipulation, where undocumented immigrants allegedly obtain fake voter IDs, raise concerns about electoral fairness and the integrity of India’s democratic system,” the study alleged.
The authors of the study further happened to blame several NGOs and religious groups who ended up helping these immigrants which caused to change in the demography of the region and influenced the economy and politics. “Due to strict regulations, registered NGOs often avoid assisting illegal immigrants, leaving undocumented NGOs to fill the support gap without legal authority to challenge exploitation or advocate for migrant rights,” the study read.
OpIndia had after the Lok Sabha elections concluded in May-June 2024 reported that the Muslims had mobilized in the state of Maharashtra to specifically defeat the BJP. Islamists had issued fatwas, raised Islamic flags in MVA rallies, and urged voters to vote for Shiv Sena (UBT), INC and NCP (Sharad Pawar). This time also several NGOs under the roof of Marathi Muslim Seva Sangh are urging Muslim voters to vote against BJP, practicing ‘vote jihad’, the conspiracy downplayed by leftist Islamists and its supporters.
The 288 legislative assembly seats will go to the polls in a single phase on November 20 while the counting of votes will take place on November 23.
Kerala Chief Minister and seasoned Communist Party of India (Marxist) leader Pinarayi Vijayan raised the involvement of Jamaat-e-Islami’s participation in the Wayanad Lok Sabha by-election on 7th November. Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, the general secretary of the Congress, was accused by him of contesting the Wayanad by-election with support from Jamaat-e-Islami after Rahul Gandhi, Leader of the Opposition of Lok Sabha vacated the seat, opting to retain Raebareli as he won from both the seats in the general elections.
“Priyanka Gandhi is running as a candidate there with the backing of Jamaat-e-Islami. So, what exactly is Congress’s stance? Our country is not unfamiliar with Jamaat-e-Islami. Does that organisation’s ideology align with democratic values,” he asked in a Facebook post. He also questioned the commitment of the Congress party to secularism, given their alliance with Jamaat-e-Islami in Wayanad. “Shouldn’t those who stand for secularism oppose all forms of sectarianism? The Congress and allies, including the Muslim League, seem to be making certain ‘sacrifices’ to maintain their alliance with Jamaat-e-Islami. Can the Congress reject Jamaat-e-Islami’s votes,” he asked.
He added that the organisation has no respect for India or its democracy and disregards the country’s governance structure. He charged that Jamaat-e-Islami was functioning under the pretence of political activity through the Welfare Party and this facade was evident in Jammu and Kashmir.
The chief minister said that Jamaat-e-Islami had fostered strong sectarian views by long-opposing elections in Jammu and Kashmir. “Later, they aligned themselves with the Bharatiya Janata Party (in Kashmir),” he claimed and added that Jamaat-e-Islami intended to run for three or four seats in the recent Jammu and Kashmir Assembly elections, with a particular emphasis on the seat held by CPI(M) leader Mohammad Yousuf Tarigami. “The goal was to defeat Tarigami, and the BJP shared this objective. However, despite this alliance of extremists and the BJP, the people chose Tarigami,” he alleged.
According to him, the Wayanad Jamaat-e-Islami argues that they are not the same as the Kashmiri Jamaat-e-Islami. “However, the ideology remains the same–one that does not accept any form of democratic governance. This time, they feel like supporting the Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF),” he highlighted.
He called on Congress leaders to remember the opposition to communal coalitions taken by the late Marxist leader EMS Namboodiripad. He mentioned in a by-election in Thalassery, EMS declared, “We do not want RSS (Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh) votes.” He asked if Congress could take a similar stand against communal affiliations. He made similar allegations while addressing a by-election meeting in support of the Left candidate in Wayanad, CPI’s (Communist Party of India) Sathyan Mokeri. Navya Haridas, a member of the Kozhikode Corporation Council, is the BJP’s contender for the seat. The by-election is going to take place on 13th November.
The Delhi High Court on Friday issued notice on a plea filed by convicted Kashmiri separatist leader Yasin Malik, seeking permission for his urgent medical treatment. Malik currently imprisoned at Tihar Jail in Delhi, has filed a petition in the Delhi High Court, stating that he has been on a hunger strike since November 1.
The imprisoned Chairman of the Jammu Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF) is protesting what he claims is the denial of his fundamental rights, including proper medical treatment and attention to his health issues, by the Tihar Jail authorities.
In his plea before the Delhi High Court, Yasin Malik has sought direction from the Tihar Jail Authority to produce records of his medical treatment. He has sought appropriate directions from the court to ensure that he is referred for proper and necessary medical care at AIIMS or any other super-speciality hospital, either in New Delhi or in the Kashmir region, to address his ongoing health concerns.
Additionally, Malik has asked the court to direct the authorities to produce him before the courts in the National Capital Territory (NCT) of Delhi whenever his presence is required.
The bench of Anoop Kumar Mendiratta is scheduled to hear this matter today itself.
Earlier this year, Yasin Malik had also approached the Delhi High Court, claiming inadequate medical treatment and citing serious cardiac and kidney issues.
In response, the court was informed that Malik had been examined by doctors at AIIMS, where he was provided the necessary medical care. The counsel for the central government and the Director General of Prisons (Tihar Jail) assured the court that Malik would receive any further required medical treatment as needed.
Recently, the Tribunal handling matters under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) has upheld the Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) decision to extend the ban on the Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF) for another five years.
The MHA had initially extended the ban on March 15, 2024, citing the group’s continued involvement in unlawful activities.
The UAPA Tribunal, led by Justice Neena Bansal Krishna of the Delhi High Court, reaffirmed the decision, emphasizing that associations promoting secessionism would not be tolerated. Despite Yasin Malik, the imprisoned leader of the JKLF, asserting that he had renounced armed resistance in favour of a Gandhian approach to achieve their goals since 1994, the Tribunal noted his ongoing links to violent means and groups.
The Tribunal remarked that Malik’s continued association with wanted terrorists and his admission of having visited a terrorist camp in Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir (POK), where he was reportedly honoured, could not be overlooked.
The Delhi High Court is currently examining an appeal by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) seeking the imposition of the death penalty for Kashmiri separatist leader Yasin Malik in connection with a terror funding case.
Representing the NIA, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta argued that Malik was responsible for the killing of four Indian Air Force (IAF) personnel and the kidnapping of Rubaiya Sayeed. Mehta also highlighted that four terrorists released following the kidnapping were later involved in orchestrating the 26/11 Mumbai attacks.
(This news report is published from a syndicated feed. Except for the headline, the content has not been written or edited by OpIndia staff)
On Friday (8th November), the Supreme Court ruled that an educational institute’s minority status does not end simply because the parliament passes a law to regulate or govern it or because it is governed by non-minority members. The court said this while hearing the Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) minority status-related case. A 7-judge bench of the Supreme Court (by a 4:3 majority) reversed the 1967 ruling in S. Azeez Basha vs. Union of India, which declared that an institution incorporated by legislation cannot claim to be a minority institution. The Supreme Court, however, stated that a separate three-judge bench will decide whether Aligarh Muslim University is a minority institution.
“The view in Azeez Basha that minority character stops when statute comes into force is overruled. Whether AMU is a minority or not will be decided as per this (today’s) judgment,” the Court said.
The Court stated that when determining whether an institution is a minority institution, who established the institution needs to be taken into consideration.
“The court has to consider the genesis of the institute and the court must see who was the brain behind the establishment of the institution. It has to be seen who got funds for the land and if minority community helped,” the Court said adding that administration by non-minority members will not eliminate an institution’s minority character.
“We have held that to be a minority institution, it only had to be established by the minority and not necessarily be administered by the minority members. Minority institutions may wish to emphasise secular education and for that minority members are not needed in administration,” the court held.
Notably, Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud delivered the judgement on behalf of the majority which included himself, Justices Sanjiv Khanna, JB Pardiwala, and Manoj Misra), while Justices Surya Kant, Dipankar Datta, and SC Sharma dissented.
The Court ruled that the government may regulate minority educational institutions till it does not violate their minority status. “An educational institution established by any citizen can be regulated under Article 19(6). This court has maintained that the right under Article 30 is not absolute. Regulation of minority educational institution is permitted under Article 19(6) provided it does not infringe the minority character of the institute,” the Court said.
The Court also ruled that Article 30 of the Constitution, which grants minorities the basic right to create and run educational institutions, applies to institutions founded by minorities before the Constitution went into effect.
“Article 30 shall stand diluted if it applies to only institutes those which have been established after the Constitution came into force. Thus, educational institutions established by minorities which were established before the constitution came into force, will also be governed by Article 30,” the court said, as reported by Bar and Bench.
In his dissenting judgement, Justice Surya Kant stated that a minority can establish an institute under Article 30, but it must be recognised by law as well as by the University Grants Commission, a statutory authority within the Education Ministry.
“The legislative intent behind a statute incorporating a university or institution would be necessary to decide its minority status,” Justice Suryakant said. In his verdict, Justice Dipankar Datta stated that AMU was not a minority institution.
Justice Datta: I have clearly held that AMU is not a Minority institution and cannot come under Article 30@AMUofficialPRO#SupremeCourt
Back in 2005, the AMU further introduced a policy that reserved 50% of postgraduate medical seats for Muslim candidates. This was challenged in the Allahabad High Court, which, the same year, reversed the reservation and declared the 1981 Act invalid. The court determined that the AMU could not maintain an exclusive reservation because, according to the Supreme Court’s decision in the S. Azeez Basha case, it was not classified as a minority institution. In 2006, a series of eight petitions, including one from the Union government, challenged the High Court’s verdict in the Supreme Court.
In 2016, the NDA government told the Supreme Court that it was dropping its case, stating that “as the executive government at the Centre, we can’t be seen as setting up a minority institution in a secular state.” On February 12, 2019, a three-judge bench led by the then-CJI Ranjan Gogoi referred the case to a seven-judge bench. And, today (8th November 2024), the Supreme Court delivered its verdict while also ruling that a separate three-judge bench, which will decide whether AMU can be deemed a minority university.
On 6th November, the Switzerland government announced that a”burqa ban” in the country, which forbids the wearing of face coverings in public places, would go into force on 1st January of next year. According to the Federal Council, the prohibition will go into effect from the fixed date and those who break it risk fines of up to 1,000 Swiss francs, or about $1,144 (₹96,525). A Swiss referendum in 2021 narrowly approved the policy, which was criticized by Muslim organizations.
51.2% of Swiss voters had voted in favour of the ban. It was put in place by the same group that prevented the construction of new minarets in the country in 2009.
The provision will be implemented through the Federal Act on the Prohibition of Covering the Face. Violators of the act will be penalised through an administrative fine to minimise bureaucracy. The administrative fine would be CHF100 and it can be paid on site. However, if the fine is contested, it will go through normal procedure and the maximum fine in that case will be CHF1,000.
The Swiss government has made it clear that the ban on face covering will not be enforced on aircraft or in diplomatic and consular buildings. Furthermore, it will still be permissible to conceal one’s face in houses of worship and other places of worship. According to the administration, face coverings will be allowed for traditional reasons, health and safety, or weather-related reasons.
Additionally, they will be permitted for advertising, creative, or entertainment purposes. If the appropriate authority gives prior clearance and public order is maintained, face coverings may also be allowed for personal protection in relation to freedom of expression and assembly.
Background of the matter
A prohibition on facial coverings, including the burqas worn by Muslim women, was passed by Switzerland’s lower house of parliament in September of last year. With a vote of 151-29, the National Council finally adopted the law, which had previously been approved by the upper house. Despite opposition from the Greens and centrists, the measure was pushed through by the Swiss People’s Party. This decision comes after a nationwide referendum in 2021 in which Swiss voters supported a ban on bandannas and ski masks, which are frequently used by protestors, as well as facial coverings like burqas and niqabs, which only leave eye slits.
Although the law prohibits covering one’s mouth, nose, or eyes in public areas and privately accessible buildings, there are some exceptions. Similar prohibitions are already in place in two Swiss cantons, St. Gallen in the north and Ticino in the south. Switzerland is now in line with nations like Belgium and France that have implemented such limitations due to their respective national law.
A constitutional amendment initiative in Switzerland requires 100,000 signatures, but a referendum on parliamentary laws can be triggered with 50,000 signatures. A national vote results from the initiation of a referendum. The purchase of new fighter jets and the “burqa ban” on face coverings have been recent referendum matters.
The assembly elections in Maharashtra are just 10-12 days away. The intensity of the campaigns, vote waves, and ideologies is increasing as the date of voting, 20th November, draws closer. Amid this, it has come to the fore that around 180 ‘NGOs’ are working on the ground to mobilize Muslim votes in the state. The said ‘NGOs’ are working specifically among the Muslim community to raise ‘awareness’ and increase the community’s voter turnout against the BJP, the strategy that helped the MVA led by Congress during the recently concluded Lok Sabha elections.
As per the reports, in predominantly Muslim areas such as Shivaji Nagar, Mumbadevi, Byculla, and Malegaon Central, voter turnout during the Lok Sabha election was significantly higher than in nearby assembly segments. This increase has been attributed to heightened ‘awareness’ and concerns within the Muslim community, with targeted efforts over the past year.
Muslim-dominated areas such as Shivaji Nagar, Mumbadevi, Byculla and Malegaon Central reported a higher turnout (Hindustan Times)
The Marathi Muslim Seva Sangh, collaborating with over 180 NGOs, has been actively working within Muslim communities to boost voter enrollment. The group has organized meetings and informational sessions for Muslim voters across the state, urging them to vote for the MVA alliance led by the Congress under the guise of spreading ‘vote awareness’.
“These efforts resulted in a voter turnout exceeding 60% in the Lok Sabha election about 15% higher than previous averages. We encourage Muslims to support secular candidates and vote in line with constitutional values. Our collaboration with other organizations and religious leaders has produced a stronger response. Over 200 meetings have been conducted statewide, contributing to the increase in turnout,” stated Fakir Mehmood Thakur, the organization’s leader.
Thakur also highlighted that concerns among Muslim voters regarding central government policies, including the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) and the National Register of Citizens (NRC), contributed to the high voter turnout during the Lok Sabha elections. He added that these issues remain relevant in the ongoing state elections.
Shakir Shaikh, coordinator of the Maharashtra Democratic Forum, shared that the forum held at least 70 meetings statewide in the past two months, including 18 in Muslim-majority areas of Mumbai, Maharashtra. “Awareness and voter turnout among Muslims were traditionally quite low, but issues like the CAA, the Uniform Civil Code, and the Waqf Bill have motivated more people to vote. Our awareness initiatives and voter registration drives have played a role in boosting turnout during the Lok Sabha elections. In Mumbai alone, we’ve registered at least nine lakh new voters, and the response has been very positive,” he said.
It is crucial to note that while a report by Hindustan Times states that around 180 NGOs are working to mobilize Muslim votes on the ground, a report by Zee News states that the number of such NGOs who promote ‘vote jihad’ is around 400. The media stated that it received a leaflet from the Marathi Muslim Seva Sangha who were spreading hatred against the BJP under the guise of spreading awareness about voting.
Meanwhile, BJP’s Kirit Somaiya alleged that ‘vote jihad’ was also practised during Lok Sabha elections. “This plan has been going on for the last 12 months. It’s a well-planned conspiracy. I visited several localities during the Lok Sabha polls and saw Muslim women being polarised. I even published a book ‘Vote Jihad’ to highlight these issues. They are hatching a poisonous conspiracy. They want to spread riots,” said Somaiya further raising questions over funding of such organizations.
He said that he had sent a complaint to the Election Commissioner in this regard. “This is an attempt to provoke the religious sentiment of the people,” he added. Notably, Somaiya has also filed a police complaint against the Marathi Muslim Seva Sangh for planning and executing such conspiracy against the BJP, further causing harm to the democratic fabric of the state.
I filled complaint at Mulund East Police Station against Marathi Muslim Seva Sangh & such other NGO's for Provoking Muslims & indiltinto Religious Campaign.
Notably, the leaflet poses several questions to Muslim voters, asking whether they would support a party that aims to close madrasas, interfere with Sharia law, or impose a Uniform Civil Code on Muslims, among other issues. It also encourages Muslims to vote for the Maha Vikas Aghadi, a coalition of Congress, NCP-Sharad Pawar, and Shiv Sena-UBT.
It is important to note that a study by Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS) on 5th November has also revealed that the Muslims and illegal immigrants in Mumbai are changing the demography of the region and influencing politics by voting for specific political parties. The study, conducted by TISS pro-vice-chancellor Shankar Das and assistant professor Souvik Mondal, also claimed that illegal immigrants are influencing the city’s socio-economy by taking low-skilled employment, resulting in pay suppression and annoyance among locals.
“Some political entities are alleged to use illegal immigrants for vote-bank politics, which can disrupt the democratic process. Claims of voter registration manipulation, where undocumented immigrants allegedly obtain fake voter IDs, raise concerns about electoral fairness and the integrity of India’s democratic system,” the study alleged.
The authors of the study further happened to blame several NGOs and religious groups who ended up helping these immigrants which caused to change in the demography of the region and influenced the economy and politics. “Due to strict regulations, registered NGOs often avoid assisting illegal immigrants, leaving undocumented NGOs to fill the support gap without legal authority to challenge exploitation or advocate for migrant rights,” the study read.
OpIndia had after the Lok Sabha elections concluded in May-June 2024 reported that the Muslims had mobilized in the state of Maharashtra to specifically defeat the BJP. Islamists had issued fatwas, raised Islamic flags in MVA rallies, and urged voters to vote for Shiv Sena (UBT), INC and NCP (Sharad Pawar). This time also several NGOs under the roof of Marathi Muslim Seva Sangh are urging Muslim voters to vote against BJP, practicing ‘vote jihad’, the conspiracy downplayed by leftist Islamists and its supporters.
The 288 legislative assembly seats will go to the polls in a single phase on November 20 while the counting of votes will take place on November 23.
