Waqf: Muslim JAC to organise march on May 31
Hyderabad: The Muslim Joint Action Committee (JAC) of Telangana and AP, under the banner of Tahreek Muslim Shabban, has informed a massive protest march in Hyderabad against the Centre's recently approved Wakf Amendment Bill.
The 'Telangana March to Rollback Waqf Amendment Act-2025' will take place on May 31 at Dharna Chowk. The venue for the Telangana March was finalised during the core committee meeting of the JAC held recently at the head office of Tahreek Muslim Shabban in Azampura, Hyderabad.
The announcement was made by JAC convenor and Tahreek Muslim Shabban president Mohammed Mushtaq Malik. He stated that people from all districts of Telangana would participate in the march, which aims to pressurise the central government to withdraw the controversial legislation.
Mushtaq Malik said the march would be bigger than the anti-CAA and NRC protests held in 2019, which were among the largest peaceful agitations in the country. 'All political parties except the BJP, including the Congress, BRS, CPI, CPM, as well as leaders from religious institutions, educational bodies, and social organizations, are expected to join the march,' he said.
The main objectives of the Telangana March are to ensure the protection of mosques, dargahs, khanqahs, Ashoorkhanas, graveyards, Waqf properties, religious schools (madrasas), and Eidgahs, which protesters believe are under threat due to the amendment.
The protest is shaping up to be one of the largest demonstrations in recent times, with strong participation expected from both Muslims and non-Muslims who believe in preserving constitutional and minority rights.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Print
33 minutes ago
- The Print
Security forces kill top Maoist leader Sudhakar in Bijapur, 4th to be eliminated this year
The overall casualty in the operation is yet to be determined, officials said to ThePrint, requesting anonymity. The senior Maoist cadre has been identified as Tentu Laxmi Narsimha Chalam, alias Goutham or Sudhakar (66). The exchange of fire was still underway till Thursday afternoon, but forces recovered his body during a brief search operation. New Delhi: In another major success in the ongoing anti-Naxal operations, security forces Thursday killed another member of the Central Committee of the banned Communist Party of India (Maoist) in the national park area of Chhattisgarh's Bijapur district, ThePrint has learnt. Sudhakar, a native of Andhra Pradesh's Eluru district, was recently promoted as a central committee member and was in-charge of the education department of the banned outfit, show police records. He had joined the Maoist outfit back in 1995 and was also in-charge of its Kranthi magazine in the Central Regional Bureau, a key coordinating body within the CPI-Maoist. Thursday's encounter was launched based on verified inputs on the presence of senior Maoist cadres including Sudhakar, one Telangana State Committee member Bandi Prakash, and Dandakaranya Special Zonal Committee member Pappa Rao in the national park area, said Bastar Range IG Sundarraj Pattilingam in a statement. 'The inputs indicated the presence of Central Committee member Gautam @Sudhakar, Telangana State Committee member Bandi Prakash, Dandakaranya Special Zonal Committee member Pappa Rao, and a few other armed Maoist cadres. Acting on this input, joint troops of STF/ DRG and CoBRA were launched for the search in the area,' he said. 'Preliminary reports suggest a strong possibility of major success for the security forces in the ongoing anti-Naxal operation in the National Park area of Bijapur,' he added. Sudhakar has become the fourth central committee member of the Maoist to have been eliminated so far this year. This comes just a fortnight after the security forces killed Nambala Keshava Rao, alias Basavaraju, the general secretary and the chief of the CPI (Maoist). Before Basavaraju was killed in an encounter in the Abujhmad forest by a joint team of District Reserve Guards (DRGs) from Narayanpur, Bijapur, and Dantewada, security forces had also eliminated Chalapathi on the Chhattisgarh–Odisha border in Gariaband district in January. Another central committee member Prayag Manjhi was killed in April in Jharkhand's Bokaro district by forces composed of troops from Jharkhand Special Task Force and CRPF. (Edited by Zinnia Ray Chaudhuri) Also read: Citing precedent, Bastar IG says CPI (Maoist) unlikely to get new gen secy after Basavaraju
&w=3840&q=100)
Business Standard
2 hours ago
- Business Standard
Rijiju vows to make Central Waqf Council stronger, highlights new reforms
Minority Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju on Thursday said the government aims at making the Central Waqf Council more robust and responsive in its service to the community and highlighted the Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025 for strengthening the legal and administrative framework to manage Waqf properties. Rijiju made the remarks at en event organised to mark World Environment Day with a special tree plantation drive under the theme, "Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam", at the Central Waqf Bhawan here. "We aim to make the Central Waqf Council more robust and responsive in its service to the community," he said. The minister underlined the government's continued efforts to empower minority institutions like the Central Waqf Council (CWC) and ensure transparent governance. Referring to recent legislative progress, he highlighted the Waqf (Amendment) Act, which strengthens the legal and administrative framework for managing Waqf properties. The CWC, a statutory body under the administrative control of the Ministry of Minority Affairs, was set up in 1964 in accordance with the provisions of the Waqf Act, 1954 as an advisory body to the Centre on matters concerning the working of Waqf boards and the due administration of Waqf properties. During the interaction, Rijiju announced the upcoming launch of the "UMEED" central portal, scheduled to go live on Friday (June 6). The portal will facilitate the digitisation and registration of Waqf properties, enhancing transparency, governance and utilisation. "State governments and Waqf boards must actively upload and manage data to ensure that more than nine lakh Waqf properties are utilised meaningfully, especially for the welfare of women and children," the minister said. The event was led by Rijiju and he was joined by Union Minister of State for Minority Affairs and Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying George Kurian and Secretary, Ministry of Minority Affairs, Chandra Shekhar Kumar, along with senior officials of the ministry and the CWC. The initiative was aimed at encouraging citizens to plant a tree in honour of their mothers, blending emotional tribute with environmental responsibility. In his address to the media, Rijiju emphasised India's global leadership in ecological conservation. He said India is making significant contributions to increase the green cover through plantation drives etc. "We are not just committed to preserving the environment, we are actively reclaiming and restoring the ecological balance," he said. The plantation drive saw active participation from all levels of the ministry. Officials and staff members planted saplings in the name of their mothers, reinforcing the emotional and symbolic depth of the initiative. The drive was not just a ceremonial gesture but a meaningful action towards promoting sustainable practices and deepening the community's bond with nature, an official statement said. The ministry's observance of World Environment Day through "Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam" highlighted its broader commitment to environmental stewardship, inclusivity and responsive governance, it added. Rijiju also took a moment to express condolences for the victims of a recent stampede in Bengaluru. (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
NDTV
3 hours ago
- NDTV
Endgame In Battle Against Maoists? 15 Key Figures Still Lurk In Shadows
Bastar, Chhattisgarh: The death of Basavaraju, the elusive supremo of the CPI (Maoist), in a high-stakes anti-Naxal operation deep in the jungles of Abujhmad on May 21, marked what authorities describe as a decisive turning point in India's war against Left-Wing Extremism. The operation, led by the District Reserve Guard (DRG), has not only struck at the heart of Maoist leadership but also triggered a sweeping reassessment of the movement's remaining strength. But this was not just the end of a most-wanted rebel's journey - it was the beginning of what security agencies now term "the final chapter" in the country's decades-long Maoist insurgency. "This was not just another encounter. This was the culmination of years of intelligence gathering, ground operations, and coordination between multiple agencies," said Sundarraj P, Inspector General of Police, Bastar Range. "The fall of Basavaraju is symbolic. It reflects how the topmost leadership of the Maoist movement is collapsing." Yet, even as the government targets March 31 as the deadline to eradicate Naxalism from Indian soil, senior officers and ground personnel acknowledge the forest is not silent yet. "The jungle still hides ghosts with guns," said a senior officer involved in the Bastar operations. In Bastar, there still exists a list- one that security forces grimly refer to as the "Dead and Danger Zone." This is a list of India's Most Wanted Maoists-some of the most dangerous and secretive figures ever to have led an armed insurgency. Some from this list have been killed. Some are behind bars. But some are still breathing, still hiding, still holding their guns. Here, in a first, is the complete list - names that were never made public together before. Names of those whose shadows still haunt Bastar and beyond. Mopalla Lakshman Rao alias Ganapati Age: 75 | Politburo Member, Advisor to Central Committee Reward: Rs 1 crore An ideological pillar of the Maoist movement, Ganapati remains one of the most senior and secretive figures in hiding. Mallojula Venugopal alias Bhupati Age: 70 | Politburo Member, Advisor to Central Committee, Secretary CRB Reward: Rs 1 crore Strategic and powerful, Bhupati is believed to be among the few still capable of reorganising scattered cadres. Thippari Tirupati alias Devji / Sanjeev / Ramesh Age: 62 | Politburo Member, Head of Military Commission Reward: Rs 1 crore The man allegedly behind some of the most lethal attacks. A ghost in the jungle, and a top priority for security forces. Mishir Besra alias Bhaskar Age: 63 | Politburo Member, ERB In-Charge, Spokesperson Reward: Rs 1 crore Handles communications and propaganda. His ideological influence continues despite setbacks. Kadri Satya Narayan Reddy alias Kosa Age: 67 | Central Committee Member, Secretary DKSZC Reward: Rs 40 lakh One of the most experienced strategists in the group, operating across multiple zones. Pullari Prasad Rao alias Chandanna Age: 64 | Central Committee Member, Telangana Secretary Reward: Rs 40 lakh Modem Balakrishna alias Balanna Age: 61 | Central Committee Member, Odisha In-Charge Reward: Rs 40 lakh Ganesh Uike alias Rajesh Tiwari Age: 64 | Central Committee Member, Odisha Secretary Reward: Rs 40 lakh Anal Da alias Tufan / Patiram Manjhi Age: 57 | Secretary Bihar-Jharkhand Special Area Reward: Rs 40 lakh Gajarala Ravi alias Uday Age: 59 | AOBSZC Secretary, Member of Military Commission Reward: Rs 40 lakh Sabyasachi Goswami alias Ajay Da Age: 43 | Member, WBAC-1 Area Committee Reward: Rs 40 lakh Rajchandra Reddy alias Katta Ramchandra Age: 63 | DKSZC Secretary, SMZB In-Charge Reward: Rs 40 lakh Sujata alias Kalpana Age: 61 | Head of South Bureau, DAKMS Reward: Rs 40 lakh Thentu Lakshmi alias Narasimha Chalam Age: 67 | Central Committee Member Reward: Rs 40 lakh Madvi Hidma alias Hidmanna Age: 46 | In-Charge of Jharkhand & Southern Sub-Zone Reward: Rs 40 lakh Accused in multiple deadly ambushes, including the 2021 Sukma attack. Possibly the most feared name in Bastar today. In a candid conversation, Sundarraj P, Inspector General of Police (Bastar Range), told NDTV: "We have neutralised more than 50 per cent of the CPI (Maoist)'s top leadership. We're tracking 15 more top operatives. Many of them are old, fatigued, and some are thinking about surrendering... Our appeal to them is clear-come back to the mainstream. This war doesn't have to end with death." A Movement in Decline, A Leadership in Crisis In the last three years, the CPI (Maoist) has witnessed a sustained and systematic targeting of its top leadership. The police confirm that more than 50 per cent of the Maoist central command has been either killed or captured. In the last 17 months alone, over 400 Maoists have been killed in anti-Naxal operations across Chhattisgarh and neighbouring regions. But the real story begins where the fight gets personal - with the elimination of those who once held the reins of the red terror. Sundarraj P, who leads anti-Maoist operations in Bastar, shared details of what is being described as the most decisive phase in the history of the movement: "In recent years, CPI (Maoist) Central Committee member Deepak Teltumbde was eliminated in Gadchiroli, Maharashtra. In Chhattisgarh's Gariaband, we recovered the body of Chalapathi. On May 21, a landmark operation was carried out in Abujhmad, where we killed the top Maoist commander Basavaraju. In Jharkhand, Prashant, a Politburo member, was arrested. His wife Sheila, also a Central Committee member, was caught shortly after. Four Central Committee members - Ramanna, Ramakrishna, Haribhushan, and Sudarshan - died in South Bastar at different times. And in Jharkhand, we recovered the body of Arvind ji, another key leader, who died due to illness." These names were once the core of the CPI (Maoist)'s leadership - mentors, strategists, commanders. For the first time in the history of Naxal operations, security forces have successfully eliminated 8 out of the top 10 Maoist leaders. The remaining two? Captured alive. This is being hailed as the most significant blow ever dealt to the Maoist structure. But even in this moment of victory, the war is far from over. More than 15 high-ranking Maoist leaders are still at large. They continue to hide in forests. And at any given moment-they could emerge. Guns blazing. They are the remnants of an ideology under siege - waiting for their final confrontation. What makes this conflict different is that it is not just a war of weapons. It is a war of terrain, patience, and silence. The Maoist strategy has always thrived on secrecy, local support, and the wilderness. The government, in turn, has responded with better tech, improved intel, and most importantly, coordination between states. Operations like the one in Abujhmad, which killed Basavaraju, are products of years of human intelligence and tactical planning. Inside Abujhmad: The Theatre of the Final War The operation that killed Basavaraju took place in Gunde Kot, a remote village in Abujhmad-one of India's most impenetrable and poorly mapped forest zones. In this region, state presence is minimal, and basic infrastructure like roads, schools, and health centres is still absent in many parts. Local accounts paint a chilling picture of life under Maoist control. "Two years ago, Naxals came to our house," recalled Sarita, a young girl from Gunde Kot. "They saw we had six children. They told my parents, 'Give us one.' They took away my elder sister, Madko. They said if we refused, they would punish the whole village." Such stories are common across Bastar, where the Maoist presence has often translated into decades of fear, deprivation, and forced recruitment. Government Pushes Development, Seeks to Fill Vacuum With the Maoist command structure crumbling, the Chhattisgarh government has intensified its efforts to bring development to areas that were long under rebel influence. "We are determined to change the narrative," said Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Sharma. "We are building schools in areas that never saw classrooms, setting up forest produce centers to provide income to tribal families, and converting old Maoist camps into training hubs and livelihood centres." Officials claim that this developmental push is being strategically combined with a psychological outreach, where security forces interact directly with tribal communities, encouraging them to join village defence committees, forest cooperatives, and civil society initiatives. The Road Ahead: Can the Guns Fall Silent? With most top commanders either dead or behind bars, and local recruitment dipping drastically due to increased awareness and development, many security experts believe the Maoist movement is nearing its endgame. But there is caution in celebration. Officers on the ground say the CPI (Maoist) has a long history of resilience - of going silent, regrouping, and returning when least expected. For now, the jungles of Bastar remain under watch -- by drones, patrols, and by hope. Hope that for the first time in decades, an entire generation of tribal children may grow up without having to march into the forest with a gun.
