Zafar Ali, the president of the Shahi Jama Masjid committee, was arrested on Sunday in connection with the violence that erupted in November last year over a court-ordered survey of the mosque, police officials confirmed. The arrest comes amid allegations that it was timed to prevent Ali from testifying before a judicial commission investigating the incident.

The violence, which occurred on November 24, left four people dead and several injured. The Mughal-era mosque has been at the center of a contentious dispute following a petition claiming it was built on the site of an ancient Hindu temple.

Sambhal Superintendent of Police Krishan Kumar Bishnoi stated that Zafar Ali was arrested in connection with the November 24 violence case but did not provide further details. Earlier in the day, Sambhal Kotwali in-charge Anuj Kumar Tomar confirmed that Ali had been taken into custody by the Special Investigation Team (SIT) to record his statement.

However, Ali’s elder brother, Tahir Ali, alleged that the arrest was a deliberate attempt to prevent Zafar from testifying before a three-member judicial commission appointed by the Uttar Pradesh government to probe the violence. “Zafar was supposed to testify before the commission tomorrow, and that is why they are deliberately sending him to jail,” Tahir Ali told reporters.

Tahir Ali claimed that Zafar had already publicly stated his version of events during a press conference and would not retract his statements. “He had clearly said that the police fired shots, and those who died were killed by police bullets,” Tahir said.

Before being taken into custody, Zafar Ali reportedly told his brother, “No problem, I am ready to go to jail. I will not back down from the truth.”

Tahir Ali also dismissed allegations of external funding in the case, asserting, “Not a single penny has been received. We will fight this case in court and emerge victorious.” He accused the Sambhal administration of deliberately inciting public unrest, claiming that local authorities were provoking discord instead of working to restore peace.

Tahir Ali revealed that Zafar Ali, along with Masood Farooqui and Qasim Advocate, was scheduled to submit testimony before the judicial commission on Monday. The arrest has raised questions about the timing and motives behind the detention, with critics alleging it was aimed at silencing key witnesses.

The Shahi Jama Masjid has been embroiled in controversy since a petition alleged it was constructed on the site of an ancient Hindu temple. The court-ordered survey of the mosque sparked protests and clashes, leading to the November violence. The judicial commission was formed to investigate the incident and determine the causes and culpability.

The Raghavendra Swamy Mutt in Raichur, Karnataka, has received an impressive Rs 3,48,69,621 in cash, along with 32 grams of gold and 1.24 kilograms of silver, as donations made by devotees during the recent birth anniversary celebrations of 16th-century saint Raghavendra Swamy.

A video that has gone viral shows more than a hundred priests meticulously counting the offerings — a rare and visually striking sight that has drawn attention across social media.

The contributions were collected over a 30-day period, during which lakhs of devotees visited the temple to pay homage to the revered saint. The mutt is considered a major religious destination for followers of Raghavendra Swamy, who is widely respected in South India for his spiritual teachings and legacy.

Notable past visitors

Last year, the temple also received attention when former UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and his wife Akshata Murty visited the Raghavendra Swamy Mutt in Bengaluru. They were accompanied by Akshata’s parents, Infosys co-founder Narayana Murthy and Rajya Sabha MP Sudha Murthy, and were seen participating in traditional rituals including aarti at the mutt.

The Congress on Sunday launched a sharp critique of Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government over the proposed Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024, accusing the BJP of undermining social harmony and targeting minority communities for electoral gains.

In a strongly worded statement, Congress general secretary in-charge communication Jairam Ramesh alleged that the bill is designed to polarize society and weaken the administrative framework of waqf institutions.

Ramesh claimed that the bill, which was reportedly pushed through the Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) without detailed clause-by-clause discussions, violates parliamentary norms and poses a threat to India’s constitutional values.

“The Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024, is an assault on the Constitution of India itself. It seeks to demonize minority communities, dilute constitutional guarantees of equal rights, and defame their traditions and institutions to keep society perpetually divided for political benefits,” he said.

The Congress leader outlined five key concerns with the proposed amendments:

1. Weakening of Waqf Institutions: Ramesh argued that the bill aims to diminish the authority and stature of national and state waqf boards and tribunals, effectively stripping minority communities of their right to manage their religious and cultural affairs.
2. Ambiguity in Waqf Definition: The bill allegedly alters the definition of waqf, creating confusion over who can donate land for waqf purposes. Ramesh criticized the removal of the “waqf-by-user” concept, which was established by judicial precedent to protect long-standing customary practices.
3. Erosion of Existing Protections: The Congress accused the government of removing crucial provisions from the current law without justification, thereby weakening the administration of waqf properties.
4. Encroachment Defenses: Ramesh claimed that the bill introduces measures to protect individuals who have illegally occupied waqf lands, undermining efforts to reclaim such properties.
5. Excessive Powers to Government Officials: The bill reportedly grants sweeping authority to collectors and other government officials to derecognize waqf properties based on complaints or allegations, even before a final decision is reached.

Ramesh emphasized that these changes would allow state government officers to unilaterally derecognize waqf properties, leaving them vulnerable to arbitrary decisions. “Officers will now have the power to derecognize any waqf on mere allegations, treating the property as government-owned until proven otherwise,” he said.

The Congress’s criticism comes amid speculation that the government may introduce the Waqf Bill for passage in Parliament following the approval of the Finance Bill. The party has called for a thorough review of the proposed amendments, urging the government to prioritize social harmony and uphold constitutional principles.