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Centre to introduce Waqf Amendment Bill in Lok Sabha, faces Opposition resistance

One of the main proposals in the draft Bill is the substitution of the term ‘Waqf’ with the terminology ‘Unified Waqf Management, Empowerment, Efficiency, and Development’ in the parent 1995 Act.

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The Central government is prepared to introduce the Waqf Amendment Bill, 2024, in the Lok Sabha on August 8 to further amend the Waqf Act of 1995, which faced resistance from the Opposition parties. The new Bill has some major alterations, one of which is assigning a role to the ‘district collector’ when disputes related to the Waqf Act are to be solved.

One of the main proposals in the draft Bill is the substitution of the term ‘Waqf’ with the terminology ‘Unified Waqf Management, Empowerment, Efficiency, and Development’ in the parent 1995 Act.

Two major amendments are proposed in the Bill: the first makes provisions for the district collector to be appointed as the arbiter in cases of disputes regarding whether any property is Waqf property or government land. This has been effected by introducing clause 3C in the 1995 Act.

Under 3C (1), “Any property belonging to, or seized by, the Government which, before or after the commencement of this Act, has been, or is notified or declared, as a waqf property under this Act shall not be treated as a waqf property.”

According to Article 3C (2), “If any question arises whether any land is Government land, such question shall be referred to the district collector who shall decide the same after making an inquiry, and send a report to the State Government.”. But until the collector sends this report, the property shall not be deemed to be Waqf property.

The constituting of such decisions used to be solely decided by the Waqf tribunal before, whose decision was stated as final under Section 6 of the old Act. This is exactly what the new Bill aims to omit, that is, the words “shall be final”, so that the government may interfere in deciding Waqf property status.

Second, the Bill seeks to abolish the concept of “Waqf by use.” In most cases, under Islamic law, Waqf properties were dedicated orally until documentation became customary. For example, a masjid may be adjudged Waqf if it was used continuously for such purposes without any formal waqfnama. Thus, by abolishing the provisions under “Waqf by use,” the Bill renders the status of Waqf properties uncertain without valid documentation.

The Bill also amends Section 36 which deals with the registration of new Waqf properties, stipulating that no Waqf shall be created except with a formal Waqf deed. It also provides for the applicant to send the applications for registration of Waqf property to the district collector for verification of the authenticity of the application. Where the collector’s report shows that the property is disputed or government land, the Waqf shall not be registered until the dispute is decided by a competent court.

Another important amendment is that it is no longer mandatory that the chief executive officer of a Waqf Board should be a Muslim, a requirement that was there in the original Act.

The introduction of the Bill evoked a sharp response from opposition parties and Muslim organisations. Clear and unequivocal was the stand taken by the AIMPLB: any interference with the Waqf properties and the legal status and powers of the Waqf Boards would not be tolerated. They urged the National Democratic Alliance allies and opposition parties to reject the Bill and scuttle its passage in Parliament.

The opposition parties have declared they will oppose the Bill, while government sources say it is needed to bring transparency to the management of Waqf properties.

The former Vice-Chancellor of Aligarh Muslim University, Tariq Mansoor, called for a dispassionate analysis of the proposed reforms. He mentioned that there is a dire need for social justice and gender equity in Waqf Boards, and technology should be used to manage Waqf properties in a better way. It should learn from best practices in Islamic nations where Waqf organizations are generally found involved in charitable activities.

India News

Airtel launches IPTV service across 2000 cities with plans starting at Rs. 699

Airtel has launched IPTV services across 2000 Indian cities, offering bundled OTT apps, Wi-Fi, and 350+ TV channels, starting at Rs. 699 per month.

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Bharti Airtel has rolled out its new IPTV service in over 2000 cities across India, aiming to provide users with a unified entertainment experience through the large screen. The service, which includes bundled Wi-Fi, OTT apps, and live TV channels, is available for both new and existing Airtel broadband users, starting at Rs. 699 per month.

How to access Airtel IPTV

New subscribers can get started by purchasing a new Airtel Wi-Fi plan through the company’s website or by visiting a nearby store.
Existing Airtel Wi-Fi users have the option to upgrade to IPTV services via the Airtel Thanks app or by heading to any Airtel store.

Features and plan details

Airtel’s IPTV offering includes access to more than 600 live TV channels and a wide catalog of on-demand content from 29 leading OTT platforms such as Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV+, SonyLIV, and ZEE5.

The company is also offering up to 30 days of free service as part of an introductory promotion, claimable through the Airtel Thanks app.

Tariff details:

PlanWi-Fi SpeedOTT PlatformsTV Channels
Rs. 69940 Mbps26 apps350 channels
Rs. 899100 Mbps26 apps350 channels
Rs. 1099200 Mbps28 apps (incl. Apple TV+, Prime)350 channels
Rs. 1599300 Mbps29 apps (incl. Netflix, Apple TV+, Prime)350 channels
Rs. 39991 Gbps29 apps (incl. Netflix, Apple TV+, Prime)350 channels

Availability and rollout plans

Currently, the service is accessible across most of India, except in Delhi, Rajasthan, Assam, and the Northeastern states, where it will be introduced in the coming weeks. Airtel confirmed that more rollout updates will be shared shortly.

Siddharth Sharma, CEO – Connected Homes and Chief Marketing Officer at Bharti Airtel, shared his views on the launch, emphasizing the company’s commitment to delivering an enhanced viewing experience for Indian households.

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Entertainment

Ajey: The Untold Story Of A Yogi: Film based on UP CM Yogi Adityanath’s journey announced; first motion poster out

Scheduled for a grand release worldwide later in 2025, Ajey will be available in multiple languages, including Hindi, Telugu, Tamil, Kannada, and Malayalam—ensuring that this powerful story reaches a diverse audience.

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In an exciting development for film enthusiasts and political followers alike, Ajey: The Untold Story of a Yogi, a biopic chronicling the life of Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, was officially announced on Wednesday, March 26. Inspired by Shantanu Gupta’s acclaimed book, The Monk Who Became Chief Minister, this film promises to delve deep into the formative experiences that shaped one of India’s most prominent political figures.

Produced by Samrat Cinematics, the film’s first look was unveiled alongside a captivating motion poster that offers a sneak peek into Adityanath’s transformative journey. It will portray his evolution from humble beginnings to his pivotal decision to embrace sanyas as a Nathpanthi Yogi and, ultimately, his foray into the tumultuous realm of politics aimed at rejuvenating Uttar Pradesh.

The newly released motion poster features Anant Joshi in the titular role, embodying the essence of Yogi Adityanath’s life of service. Complementing this powerful visual is a compelling voiceover by noted actor Paresh Rawal, which resonates with a poignant message: “Vo kuch nahi chahta tha, sab usko chahte the. Janta ne usko sarkar bana diya,” translating to, “He didn’t wish for anything. Everyone loved him. The people made him a leader.”

Directed by Ravindra Gautam, celebrated for his work in Maharani 2Ajey is set to weave a rich narrative filled with drama, action, and emotional depth. Alongside Anant Joshi, the cast includes a stellar lineup of talent, featuring Paresh Rawal, Dinesh Lal Yadav (Nirahua), Ajay Mengi, Pavan Malhotra, Garima Singh, and Rajesh Khattar, each set to deliver a performance that enhances this dramatic tale.

The film’s music will be brought to life by the well-known duo Meet Bros, while the script has been crafted by Dilip Bachchan Jha and Priyank Dubey. Visionary cinematography will be provided by Vishnu Rao, with production design handled by Udai Prakash Singh.

Scheduled for a grand release worldwide later in 2025, Ajey will be available in multiple languages, including Hindi, Telugu, Tamil, Kannada, and Malayalam—ensuring that this powerful story reaches a diverse audience.

In her comments, producer Ritu Mengi expressed her passion for the project, stating, “Yogi Adityanath’s life is a tapestry of challenges and triumphs that we aim to present with authenticity and drama. This film promises to engage viewers while highlighting the events that carved his path.”

“The story of Yogi Adityanath is one of sheer determination and selfless service. We are dedicated to creating an immersive experience that does justice to the inspiring life of a boy from a humble background who rose to lead millions,” Director Ravindra Gautam said.

As anticipation builds for this cinematic tribute to a remarkable leader, Ajey promises not just to entertain, but also to motivate and inspire new generations as they watch the unfoldment of a life dedicated to transformation and public service.

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India News

Tim Seifert’s 97 powers New Zealand to 8-wicket win over Pakistan, seal series by 4-1

New Zealand sealed a dominant 4-1 T20I series win over Pakistan as Tim Seifert’s 97 off 38 balls led them to a comfortable win in the 5th match. Jimmy Neesham took 5 wickets earlier.

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NZ vs PAK 5th T20I, Tim Seifert 97, Jimmy Neesham 5 wickets, New Zealand vs Pakistan highlights, T20I series 2025, Pakistan cricket, ODI series Napier

New Zealand rounded off the T20I series in style, registering a commanding eight-wicket win over Pakistan in the fifth and final match held in Wellington on Wednesday. The result handed the Black Caps a 4-1 series win, with Tim Seifert falling just short of a century but powering the hosts to a rapid chase of 129 runs in just 10 overs.

Seifert’s blistering 97 off 38 balls laid waste to Pakistan’s bowling attack. The wicketkeeper-batter hammered 18 runs in the opening over and set the tone for an explosive innings, hitting boundaries with ease as New Zealand made light work of the modest target.

Neesham stars with the ball, Pakistan’s batting woes continue

Earlier, New Zealand skipper opted to bowl first after winning the toss, and the home side’s bowlers executed their plans perfectly. Jimmy Neesham returned with career-best T20I figures of 5/22, dismantling Pakistan’s top and lower order. Jacob Duffy also chipped in with 2/18, as Pakistan limped to 128/9 in 20 overs.

Pakistan’s innings was salvaged by a gritty effort from the skipper Salman Agha, who scored 51 off 39 balls, and his deputy Shadab Khan with a handy 28 off 20. The duo added a crucial sixth-wicket partnership after Pakistan had crumbled to 52-5.

In response, Finn Allen gave New Zealand a flying start with 27 off 12 balls, before Seifert took charge. Despite the loss of Mark Chapman for 3, Seifert and Daryl Mitchell (2*) completed the chase in just 10 overs, finishing at 131/2, and sealing an emphatic series win.

ODI series up next

With the T20I series wrapped up, both teams now shift focus to the ODI series, beginning Saturday in Napier. Pakistan will look to regroup and deliver a stronger performance in the 50-over format to restore confidence.

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