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Kiren Rijiju slams UPA over waqf claims, defends amendments as property governance

Union Minister Kiren Rijiju launched a sharp attack on the Congress-led UPA government during the Lok Sabha debate on the Waqf Amendment Bill, accusing it of controversial waqf property decisions and defending the bill as essential for governance reform.

Published

1 year ago

April 2, 2025

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Kiren Rijiju speaks on Waqf Amendment Bill in Lok Sabha

Union Minister for Minority Affairs Kiren Rijiju launched a scathing attack on the Congress-led UPA government during the Lok Sabha debate on the Waqf Amendment Bill, alleging that the previous regime had denotified properties, including the Parliament building, in favour of the Delhi Waqf Board.

Rijiju claimed that “123 major buildings” were handed over to the Waqf Board during the UPA’s tenure and said, “If Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government did not come to power… even the building we are sitting in could have been claimed as Waqf property.”

Rijiju calls bill a property management reform

The minister insisted that the Waqf Amendment Bill does not interfere with religious aspects but focuses solely on governance and supervision of waqf properties. He stated that the amendments aim to resolve property management concerns and do not change the administration of mosques.

He further said that the government had removed a clause in the existing law that allowed any land to be declared waqf property, calling it a “draconian provision”. Rijiju accused the opposition of spreading misinformation and politicising the bill, adding, “Appeasement does not lead to votes.”

Proposed changes aim for inclusivity

Highlighting the bill’s key proposals, Rijiju said it aims to make waqf boards more inclusive and secular. The new provisions include mandating two non-Muslim members and at least two women in every state waqf board and the Central Waqf Council.

Rijiju also questioned the current lack of female representation and said the amendments would ensure gender inclusion.

Opposition protests over committee changes

The debate saw resistance from opposition members including NK Ramachandran and KC Venugopal, who criticised the changes introduced by the Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC). They argued that the JPC was not authorised by the House to make such amendments.

Speaker Om Birla, however, maintained that equal time was given for debate. Home Minister Amit Shah also intervened, stating that the committee only offered suggestions which were later cleared by the Union Cabinet, countering allegations of unilateral decisions.

Shah further took a dig at the Congress, asserting that the BJP-led committees were not “rubber stamp” panels, unlike during the Congress rule.

Timeline and controversy around the bill

Originally tabled in August last year, the Waqf Amendment Bill was met with sharp protests. It was referred to a JPC, which submitted its report in February. The committee’s review process saw frequent disruptions and even an instance of physical altercation.

In total, 66 changes were proposed, with all 44 from the opposition rejected and 14 of 23 suggested by BJP allies approved. A dispute also erupted over the removal of annexures containing opposition dissent notes, later reinstated after discussion.

Among the bill’s key suggestions were the inclusion of non-Muslims, women, and notable public figures on waqf boards, and a clause to limit certain donations to Muslim individuals practicing the faith for at least five years.

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Jharkhand government appeals to students to end recruitment exam protest

A Jharkhand government panel appealed to protesting students to end their agitation, saying authorities have accepted most of their demands.

Published

10 hours ago

August 10, 2026

APNLive Desk

The Jharkhand government on Sunday appealed to students protesting over irregularities in recruitment examinations to withdraw their agitation and resolve the issue through dialogue.

A government panel said it was unfortunate that the students remained unwilling to end their protest despite authorities agreeing to most of their demands. The students, however, have maintained that they will continue the agitation until their demand for a CBI probe into the alleged irregularities is accepted.

The panel comprising Higher and Technical Education Minister Sudivya Kumar, Rural Development Minister Dipika Pandey Singh, Labour Minister Sanjay Prasad Yadav and Welfare Minister Chamra Linda addressed the media after a two-hour meeting.

Jharkhand government says ready for probes

Sudivya Kumar said the government had no intention of protecting anyone involved in alleged examination irregularities and was ready for investigations.

“It is unfortunate that students are not ready to withdraw the agitation, though we agreed to most of their demands,” Kumar said.

He appealed to the students and their parents to end the agitation and opt for dialogue to resolve the matter.

The government has also launched a portal inviting suggestions from students on examination reforms. Kumar said a Standard Operating Procedure would be prepared for conducting recruitment examinations transparently.

Security arrangements ahead of August 10 march

The panel said security arrangements had been made in view of the students’ planned march to the Jharkhand Assembly on August 10.

It also said steps would be taken to ensure that no student is harassed during the protest.

The students continued to press for a CBI probe into the alleged irregularities despite Chief Minister Hemant Soren and Governor Santosh Kumar Gangwar assuring them of justice.

Students remain firm on CBI probe demand

A fresh round of talks between the government and the protesting students earlier failed to produce a breakthrough.

The authorities said they had accepted 98 per cent of the students’ demands, with the demand for a CBI probe into alleged irregularities in the JSSC-CGL examination remaining the key point of disagreement.

Despite six rounds of talks, the students have continued their agitation, insisting that the alleged irregularities be investigated by the CBI.

India News

Assam Floods: Death toll reaches 100 as over 1.37 lakh affected

Assam’s flood death toll has reached 100, with over 1.37 lakh people affected across seven districts, according to ASDMA.

Published

10 hours ago

August 10, 2026

APNLive Desk

The flood situation in Assam remained critical on Sunday as two more people died in separate incidents, taking the death toll from this year’s floods to 100, according to an official bulletin.

The Assam State Disaster Management Authority (ASDMA) said one person each drowned in floodwaters in Golaghat and Karbi Anglong districts during the last 24 hours.

More than 1.37 lakh people are currently affected by the floods across seven districts — Charaideo, Darrang, Golaghat, Jorhat, Karbi Anglong, Nagaon and Sivasagar.

Golaghat worst hit

Golaghat remains the worst-affected district, with nearly 70,000 people impacted by the floods. Sivasagar has around 40,000 affected people, while more than 16,000 people have been affected in Jorhat.

The flood situation has shown a slight improvement compared with Saturday, when nearly 1.5 lakh people across eight districts were affected.

Authorities are currently operating 125 relief camps and relief distribution centres across six districts. Around 49,061 flood-affected people are taking shelter at these facilities.

Relief supplies distributed

Over the last 24 hours, authorities distributed 710.44 quintals of rice, 127.85 quintals of dal, 38.34 quintals of salt and 3,773.7 litres of mustard oil among people affected by the floods.

Despite the slight improvement, 456 villages remain inundated. The floods have also damaged 11,933.46 hectares of cropland.

Floodwaters have caused damage to embankments, roads, bridges and other infrastructure in several districts.

Rivers above danger level

According to the ASDMA, Dhansiri at Golaghat and Numaligarh, along with the Kushiyara at Sribhumi, are currently flowing above the danger level.

The floods have also affected 43,331 domestic animals and poultry across Assam.

India News

Weather Updates: Delhi crosses August rainfall average in first eight days

Delhi has crossed its average August rainfall in just eight days, recording 230.1 mm at Safdarjung against the monthly average of 226.8 mm.

Published

10 hours ago

August 10, 2026

APNLive Desk

Delhi has already surpassed its average rainfall for the month of August, with the Safdarjung Observatory recording 230.1 mm of rain in the first eight days of the month.

According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), Delhi’s average total rainfall for August is 226.8 mm, based on the 1991-2020 climatological period.

Safdarjung had recorded 225.7 mm of rainfall between August 1 and 8.30 am on Saturday. A further 4.4 mm of rain was recorded between 8.30 am and 5.30 pm, taking the month’s cumulative rainfall to 230.1 mm.

Delhi records wettest August day in two years

The national capital also witnessed its wettest August day in two years on Saturday. Safdarjung received 98.7 mm of rainfall in the 24 hours ending at 8.30 am.

The last time Delhi recorded higher rainfall on a single August day was on August 1, 2024, when 107.6 mm of rain was recorded.

The city has been witnessing rainfall for the fourth consecutive day.

The IMD has forecast light to very light rainfall at some places in Delhi over the next two days.