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Is UK under siege? From Wales to Northern Ireland, read how law enforcement is failing to control violent protests

OpIndia Staff
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Is UK under siege? From Wales to Northern Ireland, read how law enforcement is failing to control violent protests

On 3rd August, anti-immigrant protests erupted across the United Kingdom after the stabbing incident at a dance class where three female children lost their lives and several others were injured.

Dozens of protests have been taking place across the country and law enforcement agencies are facing difficulties in controlling the protesters. Initially, far-right groups protested against the immigrants which led to protests by left-leaning groups to take on the roads.

The groups clashed at several places leading to law and order issues. According to an Associated Press report, several police officials were injured during the protests.

According to a video shared by Expordia, the protests have reached Belfast Ireland. The post on X read, “Crazy scenes in Belfast, Northern Ireland right now at the protest against mass-migration. British and Irish nationalists standing together on one side with British and Irish flags. Left-wing counter protesters with Palestinian and Antifa flags on the other.”

AP quoted Merseyside police saying that several police officers were injured in the centre of Liverpool, 20 miles away from the dance centre where the stabbing incident took place in the seaside town of Southport in the northwest of England. Liverpool City Region Mayor Steve Rotheram said, “Let’s call this out for what it is — mindless thuggery by people looking for an excuse to spew hatred and carry out acts of violence.”

On the other hand, Humberside police said in a statement that three officers got injured and four people were arrested during the anti-immigrants protests in the city of Hull in the northeast of England. Protesters also smashed the windows of a hotel in Hull that used to house immigrants.

In Bristol, several arrests were made. Notably, Bristol is known as the left-wing city of the UK. During the protests, right-wing protesters were heavily outnumbered by the left-wing protesters. Avon and Somerset Police, which oversees the city said, “Some of the behaviour we have seen is completely unacceptable and we will use all the powers available to us to deal with it.”

There were rumours that the suspect was identified as an immigrant Muslim. The suspect is a minor and generally, names of minor suspects are not released to the public in the UK. However, Judge Andrew Menary took an exception and let the suspect be identified as Axel Rudakubana, a resident of Wales to Rwandan parents to stop the spread of misinformation.

In a press conference in Sunderland, Northumbria Police Chief Superintendent Mark Hall called the protests unforgivable where four police officers were reportedly injured. He said, “During the evening, our officers were met with serious and sustained levels of violence. Make no mistake, if you were involved last night, expect to be met with the full force of the law.”

Notably, online campaigns to gather support for the anti-immigrants protests have also raised alarms among law enforcement agencies. Phrases including “Enough are enough”, “save our kids” and “Stop the boats” have been identified by police officials as part of the campaigns.

CNN report suggested that dozens of the protesters have been arrested by the police for unruly behaviour across UK cities. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer met called a meeting with the senior ministers on 3rd August to discuss the protests. The PM said, “The police had full support from the government to take action against extremists on our streets who are attacking police officers, disrupting local businesses and attempting to sow hate by intimidating communities.”

A spokesperson from his office said, “The Prime Minister set out that the police have our full support to take action against extremists on our streets who are attacking police officers, disrupting local businesses and attempting to sow hate by intimidating communities. The right to freedom of expression and the violent disorder we have seen are two very different things.”

UK Home Secretary Yvette Cooper also denounced the violence during the protests and warned that “thuggery” would not be tolerated. “Anyone who gets involved in criminal disorder, violent thuggery on our streets, will have to pay the price. And they should expect there to be arrests, prosecutions, penalties, and the full force of the law including imprisonment, travel bans and more,” she said.

On 29th July, three young girls ages 6, 7 and 9 were killed in a stabbing incident at a Taylor Swift-themed dance and yoga class in northwestern England. Two of the girls lost their lives on the day of the incident while the third girl died the next day. Eight children and two adults were hospitalised after the attack. 17-year-old suspect was arrested by the police for murder and attempted murder. Witnesses described the scene as “from a horror movie” as bloddied children ran from the attack to save themselves.

Bangladesh: Clashes between police, protestors demanding resignation of Sheikh Hasina and Awami League supporters continue, death toll rises to 8

OpIndia Staff
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Bangladesh: Clashes between police, protestors demanding resignation of Sheikh Hasina and Awami League supporters continue, death toll rises to 8

On Sunday (4th August), violence broke out across various districts of Bangladesh after protestors, seeking the resignation of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, clashed with the police and the supporters of the Awami League.

As per reports, clashes were seen in Pabna, Rangpur, Munshiganj and Magura districts of the country. The death toll has now risen to 8. At least 30 people were injured during the violent protests.

Two deaths were reported in Munshiganj. One of the victims sustained gunshot injuries while the other victim was hacked in the head. The development was confirmed by police inspector Al Hetal. Both of them are said to be construction workers

He stated, “There were clashes between students and the ruling party men.” Two people were killed each in Pabna and Rangpur while one death was reported from Magura district.

The protestors, who were earlier demanding revocation of quota and now seeking justice for the 200 odd-men who died in the previous agitation, have demanded resignation of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

According to a policeman, they have turned Dhaka into a battleground and torched cars and bikes outside the Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU) premises.

OpIndia had reported how Islamists have infiltrated the protests and are now eyeing to turn the country bankrupt.

The protestors, belonging to the group ‘Students against Discrimination’ have vowed civil disobedience and non-cooperation with the Bangladeshi government.

On the contrary, Awami League’s general secretary Obaidul Quader had called upon party members and supporters to show solidarity with the government.

Arson attacks, gunfire, and cocktail explosions were reported in various districts of Bangladesh.

In order to pacify the situation, the government has reportedly shut down mobile data across the country.

The Bangladesh High Court has ruled that all citizens can participate in peaceful protests and directed the police to abide by legal principles.

Maharashtra BJP chief Bawankule challenges Anil Deshmukh to take narco test after dismissed cop Sachin Waze made fresh allegations against him

ANI
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Maharashtra BJP chief Bawankule challenges Anil Deshmukh to take narco test after dismissed cop Sachin Waze made fresh allegations against him

Maharashtra BJP President Chandrashekhar Bawankule criticized former Maharashtra Home Minister Anil Deshmukh on Sunday, suggesting that Deshmukh should agree to a narco test since dismissed police inspector Sachin Waze is willing to take one.

Bawankule accused Deshmukh of focusing solely on Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis instead of cooperating with investigations.

“My request to Anil Deshmukh is that Sachin Waze is ready for a narco test. Deshmukh should also express his willingness to undergo such an investigation instead of only discussing Devendra Fadnavis,” Bawankule told ANI.

He added, “No leader of the Maha Vikas Aghadi can speak without mentioning Devendra Fadnavis. They fear their corruption will be exposed.”

Earlier in the day, Deshmukh, from the Nationalist Congress Party (Sharadchandra Pawar), claimed that Waze and former Mumbai Police Commissioner Param Bir Singh had made similar accusations against him three years ago on the instruction of Devendra Fadnavis, now Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister.

“The allegations made against me yesterday by Sachin Waze were also levelled by him and Param Bir Singh three years ago, at the behest of Devendra Fadnavis,” Deshmukh told ANI.

The former Maharashtra Home Minister also said that when he was accused three years ago, he requested an investigation into the matter. An inquiry was conducted by High Court Justice Chandiwal, whose report cleared him of wrongdoing.

Deshmukh alleged that Maharashtra DyCM Devendra Fadnavis was not making Justice Chandiwal’s report public because the report had exonerated him.

“When I was accused three years ago, I asked the Chief Minister to investigate the allegations. The Chief Minister assigned the task to Justice Chandiwal of the High Court. Justice Chandiwal conducted a detailed inquiry over 11 months, producing a 1,400-page report. The report was handed over to the government 2 years ago…I have been given a clean chit in that report. Because of this, Devendra Fadnavis is not making the report public. I urge him to make the 1,400-page report public,” Deshmukh said.

Deshmukh further stated, “Yesterday, Devendra Fadnavis again used Sachin Waze to level allegations against me. Everyone knows that Sachin Waze is accused in a terrorist case and two murder cases. He is in jail, and Fadnavis has to rely on him to level allegations against me. It is surprising.”

Sachin Waze, a dismissed Mumbai Assistant Police Inspector, who is also accused in Rs 100 crore extortion case, claimed on Friday that he had written a letter to Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, submitting evidence of alleged bribes taken by former Home Minister Anil Deshmukh.

“Whatever has happened, the proof is there. The money went through his (Deshmukh’s) PA; the CBI has the evidence. I have also written to Devendra Fadnavis and submitted all the evidence, including mentioning Jayant Patil,” Waze told ANI.

Waze also said, “I am ready for that (a NARCO test).”

Sachin Waze is an accused in the 2021 Antilia bomb scare and the Mansukh Hiren murder case. He is the prime accused in placing an explosive-laden vehicle near Reliance Industries Chairman Mukesh Ambani’s house, Antilia, in Mumbai on February 25, 2021. The NIA arrested Waze in March 2021 in connection with the investigation into the recovery of explosives from a car parked near Mukesh Ambani’s house.

Former Home Minister Anil Deshmukh was arrested by the ED in 2021 in an alleged money laundering case and spent several months in jail.

The CBI had registered a corruption case against Deshmukh following allegations that, as home minister, Deshmukh directed police officials to collect Rs 100 crore per month from bar owners. Deshmukh was later arrested in the case and subsequently secured bail.

 (This news report is published from a syndicated feed. Except for the headline, the content has not been written or edited by OpIndia staff)

Was it your father’s property that you entered: Jignesh Mevani attacks the Dalit woman when she complained against the misbehaviour of Congress leader

OpIndia Staff
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Was it your father’s property that you entered: Jignesh Mevani attacks the Dalit woman when she complained against the misbehaviour of Congress leader

An FIR has been lodged against Congress leader Haresh Ahir for insulting a Dalit woman IB officer during a press conference held by Jignesh Mevani at Circuit House in Kutch’s Bhuj on Saturday (August 3). It is said that Ahir publicly made fun of the woman by pushing her out of her chair and using caste-derogatory language.

Injured and humiliated by this behavior, the Dalit woman lodged a complaint against HS Ahir at the Bhuj A Division Police Station, on the basis of which the police registered a case under the BNS and Atrocities Act and started an investigation. Now Jignesh Mevani, who is always being called ‘Dalit’s messiah’ by his supporters, has reacted, but there is no sympathy towards the woman nor has the action of the Congress leader been criticized. Jignesh Mevani held a press conference and made statements against the victim, the police department, and the Gujarat government.

Actually the woman who faced misbehaviour is an IB employee and on the day of the incident, she was performing her duty at the circuit house press conference. Jignesh Mevani always talks about fighting for the interests of Dalits, but in this case, the party leader changed his tune. It was further learned that the woman was a government officer, so Mevani raised questions on the woman herself and turned a blind eye to the behavior of the party leader and also said that this case is totally false and has been done at the behest of Gujarat government.

Was it your father’s property that you entered: Jignesh Mevani

Far from lamenting the humiliation of a Dalit woman in his press conference, Mevani questioned the woman herself and said, “What was the need for her to be there?” To react to the incident in his press conference, Mevani held a new press conference and made statements against the Dalit women, IB/Police department ,and the government.

Recalling the day of the incident, Jignesh Mevani referred to the Dalit woman officer of the IB and questioned, “The crime that has been registered is a fake FIR. In my press conference held in the morning at Circuit House in Bhuj, I invited the intelligence department?”

Regarding the fact that the victim was present in the conference, Mevani said, “Was it her father’s property, did she enter my press conference? Whatever personnel officer you are, my conference was only media invite, so what is the need for an IB officer to be there? I felt sorry when chair was moved, now my regret is gone because she misused the Atrocities Act and registered a fake FIR taking advantage of the fact that she belongs to the Dalit community.”

It is the agency’s job to monitor political or social gatherings, the IB officer was on duty

Perhaps Jignesh Mevani forgot that the Dalit women officer did not come on a picnic at his conference. They were doing their duty according to the rules. Mevani may not realize that whenever such political or social events are held, security agencies, including the Intelligence Bureau keep a watchful eye on them to ensure that law and order is maintained and security issues do not arise. Be it BJP, Congress or any party of the country or any social program, this protocol is followed. It is also not just to monitor the programs of opposition leaders or some ‘special’ leaders. Usually the agency working for internal security in the country keeps a watch on every small and big program. Therefore, in the case of Jignesh Mevani’s press conference, there is no special action.

What was the entire incident

In the press conference of Congress MLA and self-proclaimed Dalit leader Jignesh Mevani, in Bhuj city of Gujarat, a female intelligence officer’ was removed from the chair and thrown on the ground’s chair was removed and she fell on the ground. Congress leader HS Ahir has been arrested in this matter. Ahir is the same person who made derogatory remarks against Kangana Ranaut after she got BJP ticket from Mandi.

The video of this act with the female officer is going viral on social media. In the video, Congress leader HS Ahir can be seen pulling the chair of Dalit intelligence officer Reena Chauhan. Due to this, the female officer fell on the ground and got injured. During this episode, Ahir mocked and insulted the female officer, saying that she is not fit to sit on the chair.

Delhi coaching centre tragedy: Protest by UPSC aspirants in Old Rajinder Nagar demanding compensation and draft law enters eighth day

ANI
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Delhi coaching centre tragedy: Protest by UPSC aspirants in Old Rajinder Nagar demanding compensation and draft law enters eighth day

Protests outside the coaching institutes continued in Delhi’s Old Rajender Nagar area for the eighth day on Sunday as students are demanding compensation from the government and the coaching centre for three UPSC aspirants who died due to a flooded basement at Rau’s IAS Study Circle.

In wake of the mishap that took place on Saturday (July 27), claiming the lives of three UPSC aspirants in the national capital’s coaching hub, the protestors are demanding an immediate release of the draft of the Delhi Coaching Educational Centre and Regulation Act so that they can read and rectify the bill.

Speaking to ANI, one of the student protestors said, “Our demands include compensation from the government and coaching. As of now, we are satisfied with the legal action that is being taken. Our third demand was for compensation for the survivors of the incident. We have also demanded an immediate release of the draft of the Delhi Coaching Educational Centre Act and Regulation Act so that we can read and rectify the bill.”

Further, the student also said that a demand has been made regarding the rationalisation of the fees collected by the UPSC coaching centres, and the fees should include a legal life insurance certificate.

Also, the protesting students have demanded a fire marshal at all commercial and non-commercial UPSC institutions or any other institution, office, library or other entity for the safety and security of the students.

“We also demand a rationalisation of the fees collected by the UPSC coaching centres, and the fees should include a legal life insurance certificate. We are also demanding that all commercial and non-commercial UPSC institutions or any other institution, office, library or other entity have a fire marshal if they accommodate 100 or more students. Regular mock drills should be held,” the student said.

Additionally, the students have also made demands for a reduction in the rent of the libraries and the PGs, a desk for the rent commissioner and an offline and online grievance redressal cell.

“We need both an offline and an online grievance redressal cell. If an office for the grievance is not possible, a desk should be provided at the Common Service Centre. All grievances addressed there should be taken care of. Access to public prosecutor on the online grievance cell should also be given and grievances related to women’s safety should also be taken care of. We also demand an NOC for all the remaining libraries to ensure the safety of the students,” the protestor continued.

Another student who had been protesting said that they had made a demand for compensation of Rs 3 crore but only Rs 25 lakh has been given as of now.

“We have stated our demands right from day one. We have not received any compensation that we were assured about. Our demands were for Rs 3 crore and they have only agreed for Rs 25 lakhs as of now. They should at least think about the lives of the children. We will not agree to this. The main problem of drainage should be solved. The root of the problem needs to be cut,” she said.

 (This news report is published from a syndicated feed. Except for the headline, the content has not been written or edited by OpIndia staff)

Doing God’s work even in death: Family of Kanwariya, killed in car accident, donates his organs and saves 5 lives

OpIndia Staff
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Doing God’s work even in death: Family of Kanwariya, killed in car accident, donates his organs and saves 5 lives

A 25-year-old kanwariya named Sachin Khandelwal, who was killed in an accident, has saved the lives of 5 other people through organ donation.

As per a report by The Times of India, Sachin was hit by a car in Uttarakhand’s Roorkee city on 22nd July this year. He was returning home from Haridwar after collecting water from the holy Ganga.

The victim was rushed to AIIMS Rishikesh but succumbed to his injuries. The doctors at the hospital had approached the family about the prospect of organ donation. Sachin’s family readily agreed to the request.

The kidney, pancreas and liver of the victim were transferred to the Post-Graduate Institute of Medical Education & Research in Chandigarh, and the Institute of Liver and Biliary Sciences in Delhi.

The Dehradun police helped in the expedited transportation of the organs on Thursday (1st August). The cornea donation by Sachin Khandelwal’s family helped two patients in Uttarakhand regain their sight on Saturday (3rd August).

While Sachin is no more in the mortal world, his organs saved the lives of 5 people. While speaking about the matter, Dr Meenu Singh of AllMS Rishikesh remarked, “Sachin has given the gift of life to many others. AllMS will always remember him as a silent hero.”

The brother of the deceased Kanwariya, Pankaj Khandelwal, stated, “This was the only way Sachin could have lived on for a few more years. I believe those who can should donate organs if they want their loved ones to continue living after death.”

He added that the family understood the importance of organ donation and pointed out that Sachin’s body was returned to the family by AIIMS Rishikesh with all dignity.

Bihar Chief Minister’s Office receives bomb threat from person claiming to be from Al Qaeda, case registered

ANI
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Bihar Chief Minister’s Office receives bomb threat from person claiming to be from Al Qaeda, case registered

Bihar Police have registered a case after the Chief Minister’s Office (CMO) in Patna received an email threatening to blow up the building, officials said on Sunday.

On July 16, the CMO received an email from an unidentified account claiming to be associated with Al-Qaeda. The sender of the email threatened that the CMO premises would be “blown up with a bomb,” and stated that even the special police of Bihar could not prevent it.

The threatening email prompted the police and Anti-Terrorist Squad (ATS) to launch an investigation. Subsequently, an FIR was filed at Sachiwalaya police station based on the statement of Station House Officer Sanjeev Kumar on August 2.

A case under Sections 351 (4) and (3) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, as well as Section 66 (F) of the IT Act, has been registered against unidentified persons, police said.

We are further looking into it, they added.

(This news report is published from a syndicated feed. Except for the headline, the content has not been written or edited by OpIndia staff)

The hidden nexus of Islamists: Lifting the veil of ‘student activism’ from violent protests in Bangladesh

Salah Uddin Shoaib Choudhury
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The hidden nexus of Islamists: Lifting the veil of ‘student activism’ from violent protests in Bangladesh

The veil has finally been lifted on the nationwide acts of terrorism masquerading as student protests.

Nahid Islam, one of the 157 conveners of the “Anti-Discrimination Student Movement”, has announced an “all-out non- cooperation”  movement starting August 4, 2024, demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and her cabinet. This revelation underscores a sinister agenda aimed at destabilizing the nation under the guise of student activism.

On August 3, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina called upon the agitating students to meet with her at Gono Bhaban, the official residence of the PM, to end the violence surrounding the quota reform protests. She stated, “The doors of Gono Bhaban are open. I want to sit with the agitating students and listen to them. I want no conflict”. She also asked the authorities to release the detained general students.

However, the coordinators of the “Anti-Discrimination Student Movement” rejected the Prime Minister’s call for a peaceful resolution through dialogue. Coordinator Nahid Islam stated that students and citizens would not accept any state of emergency or curfew.

He demanded an end to orders to shoot and attack, insisting that the directives of the non-cooperation movement must be followed. He declared that there was no longer an opportunity for dialogue with what he called a “killer government” and that the time for forgiveness had passed.

He accused the government of conducting block raids, arresting students, and torturing them, and stated that they would not compromise while political prisoners like Akhtar Hossain and Arif Sohel remain in jail.

Another coordinator, Abu Baker Majumdar, told the leading vernacular daily Prothom Alo, “There is no opportunity for discussion now. The decision will come from the streets”.

Coordinator Asif Mahmud echoed these sentiments in a social media post, stating that the coordinators were unwilling to sit for any dialogue with a “killer government” or engage in discussions with the Awami League.

He also issued a 15-point directive for their “non-cooperation movement”, including:

  1. No one should pay any taxes.
  2. Refrain from paying any utility bills.
  3. All government and private institutions, offices, courts, mills, and factories will remain closed. Employees should collect their salaries at the end of the month.
  4. Educational institutions will remain closed.
  5. Expatriates should not send any remittances through banking channels.
  6. Boycott all government meetings, seminars, and events.
  7. Port workers should not unload any goods.
  8. Mills and factories will remain closed; RMG workers should not go to work.
  9. Public transport will be suspended; workers should not go to work.
  10. Banks will open only on Sundays for urgent transactions.
  11. Police will perform only routine duties at their stations, avoiding protocol, riot, or protest duties.
  12. No money should be smuggled out of the country, and no offshore transactions should take place.
  13. Except for the BGB (Border Guard Bangladesh) and Navy, other forces will remain within their cantonments; BGB and Navy will stay in their barracks and coastal areas.
  14. Bureaucrats will not go to the secretariat; DC or upazila officials will not go to their respective offices.
  15. Luxury goods shops, showrooms, hotels, motels, and restaurants will remain closed.

Hours before the coordinators rejected the Prime Minister’s call for dialogue, David Bergman, a paid propagandist of the Al Qaeda-connected Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), urged students to reject this offer, indicating that the entire movement is controlled by Bergman’s boss, Tarique Rahman, a convicted terrorist living in self-exile in the United Kingdom since 2007.

Besides Bergman, the BNP also employs other disinformation peddlers and propagandists, including Jon Danilowicz, a former US diplomat who has worked for the Al Qaeda-connected party for several years.

In a statement, Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, Secretary General of the BNP, called on the Awami League government to “apologize and resign immediately”. From London, Tarique Rahman reportedly asked affluent party members to fund the anti-government movement and maintain regular communication with the conveners of the ongoing student protests. The US authorities imposed visa restrictions on Tarique Rahman in 2008.

Islamists eyeing to push Bangladesh into bankruptcy

A careful scrutiny of the 15-point directives issued by the so-called student protesters reveals their ultimate agenda: to destroy Bangladesh’s prosperous economy and turn the country into a bankrupt nation like Pakistan.

The recent wave of nationwide violence and terrorist acts was anticipated when, on August 1, 2024, the Bangladesh government banned Jamaat-e-Islami and its student wing, Islami Chhatra Shibir, designating these entities as terrorist organizations under section 18/1 of the Anti-Terrorism Act of 2009. Jamaat-e-Islami means “congregation of Islam” and Chhatra Shibir stands for “student camp”.

According to Russia’s leading daily newspaper Rossiyskaya Gazeta, Jamaat-e-Islami is also designated as a terrorist organization and banned in Russia.

With the true nature of these so-called student protests – blueprinted by American CIA and Pakistani ISI is now exposed, it is clear that Bangladesh faces a grave threat from a nexus of Islamist, jihadist, and terrorist elements seeking to destabilize the nation.

The rejection of peaceful dialogue and the issuance of destructive directives reveal an agenda that aims to cripple the economy and incite chaos. In this critical moment, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and the patriotic citizens of Bangladesh must take decisive and uncompromising action to preserve the nation’s sovereignty and security.

The time for leniency has passed; the survival of Bangladesh as a stable and prosperous state depends on a resolute response to these orchestrated acts of terrorism.

Waqf Boards will no longer be able to claim others’ property- Modi Government to introduce bill to trim Waqf Board powers: Reports

OpIndia Staff
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Waqf Boards will no longer be able to claim others’ property- Modi Government to introduce bill to trim Waqf Board powers: Reports

On Sunday, 4th August, it was reported that the Government of India, under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, is planning to bring a bill next week to amend the Waqf Act. Notably, due to virtually limitless powers to claim any piece of land in the country, the Waqf Board has brought over 9.4 lakh acres worth thousands of crores under its umbrella.

Before it got kicked out, UPA-2 under Congress gave additional powers under the Waqf Act making it virtually impossible to get the land back from the claws of the Waqf Board. The cases of claiming government lands have increased exponentially over the years and the government may introduce the bill on 5th August to curb such claims, the media reports suggested.

Based on unnamed sources, media reports said on 2nd August, the Cabinet approved around 40 amendments to the Waqf Act. The main objective of these changes in the law is to put a leash on the powers of the Waqf Board to make any property a “Waqf Property”. The claims laid by the Waqf Board often lead to disputes and create a situation where a parallel law and order runs in the country. The Centre wants to end the autocracy of the Waqf Board. Notably, the preparations to bring the bill to amend the Act began before the Lok Sabha Elections 2024.

Reports suggest that the current NDA government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi may table the amendment bill in Parliament on 5th August 2024. Not to forget, the 5th of August holds an important place in India’s history as on this day, the Modi government in its second tenure tabled to bill to remove Article 370 from Jammu and Kashmir in Parliament on 5th August 2019. Furthermore, Bhoomi Pujan for the construction of Ram Mandir in Ayodhya was also done by PM Modi on 5th August 2020.

As per the reports, the proposed amendments include mandatory verification of claims made or to be made on properties by the Waqf Board. The verification will also be mandatory for disputed properties of Waqf Boards. It will help to curb the claims made by Waqf Boards on lands and other properties in different states and prevent disputes.

Waqf has 9.4 lakh acres of property

As per sources, the demand to change the existing laws has come from Muslim intellectuals, women and various sects like Shia and Bohra. Furthermore, it has to be noted that the powers that Waqf Boards have in India are not available in Islamic countries like Oman, Saudi Arabia and others.

There are around 8.7 lakh properties under Waqf Boards in different states. The total land under these properties is around 9.4 lakh acres. Notably, earlier the central government had taken cognisance of the misuse of power by the Waqf Boards in the states. In most of the states, there was a delay in the survey of the properties when the Waqf Boards claimed rights on them.

The central government has also considered the possibility of district magistrates to oversee Waqf properties. Any appeal against a decision made by the Waqf Board can only be made to the courts and these appeals are not time-bound. The court’s decision is considered to be final and cannot be challenged in the High Court except via PIL.

Congress gave unlimited rights to Waqf

Notably, the Waqf Act came into existence in 1954 under Jawaharlal Nehru’s government. Later, it was centralised. The aim was to give powers to Waqf Boards to manage Waqf properties. Since then, it has been amended several times. In 2012, the Congress-led UPA government amended the Basic Waqf Act and gave more powers to the Waqf Boards.

Waqf is an Arabic word that means dedicated property for public welfare. In Islam, Waqf is the property that is donated in the form of Zakat by people who believe in Islam. This wealth can be used only for the benefit of Muslims or for the spread of Islam.

The Waqf Properties fiasco

Before the NDA came to power in 2014, Congress had transferred 123 prime properties to the Waqf Board. It took the Modi-led NDA government almost a decade to get the properties back. Furthermore, in September 2022, it came to light that the Waqf Board claimed the entire village as Waqf property that included an 1100-year-old temple. The Tiruchenthurai village comprised only Hindus. The matter came to light when a person named Rajagopal tried to sell his land.

When Rajagopal reached the registrar’s office to sell his land, he found out that the land he was thinking of selling was not his, rather, the land had been converted into a Waqf and now its owner was the Waqf Board. Not only this, the land of all the villagers had been declared as Waqf property.

Uttarakhand: 19-year-old Sohail sexually assaults 7-year-old minor girl, arrested

OpIndia Staff
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Uttarakhand: 19-year-old Sohail sexually assaults 7-year-old minor girl, arrested

On Saturday, 3rd August, Vikarnagar Police in Dehradun, Uttarakhand, arrested 19-year-old Sohail for sexually assaulting a 7-year-old minor girl. The incident took place on Friday, 2nd August. A complaint was filed by the mother of the victim.

On 2nd August, the mother approached Vikasnagar Police Station to file a complaint stating her 7-year-old minor girl was sexually assaulted by 19-year-old Sohail. Upon receiving the complaint, an FIR under section 65(2) of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and Sections 5(m) and 6 of the POCSO Act was registered. A medical examination of the victim was conducted. The police took prompt action in the matter and arrested the accused at Bridge Number 2 in the region. He was presented before the court and sent to custody.

The SHO Rajesh Kotwal said in a statement, “A matter has come to light where a young man has sexually assaulted a minor girl. The relatives of the victim have filed a complaint. An FIR has been registered and further investigation is underway.” The statement of the SHO came before the arrest of the accused. He assured that the accused would be arrested soon and confirmed that the victim and the accused belonged to different communities. He said that multiple teams have been formed to arrest the accused as the matter is sensitive.

Notably, Hindu organisations staged protests outside the police station demanding swift action in the matter.

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