Latest news with #Imarat-e-Shariah
Time of India
9 hours ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Tejashwi escapes injury as drone crashes during rally
Patna: Leader of the opposition in state assembly, Tejashwi Prasad Yadav , narrowly avoided injury on Sunday when a drone crashed onto the stage during the 'Waqf Bachao-Dastoor Bachao' rally at Gandhi Maidan in Patna. The incident occurred while the former deputy chief minister was addressing the crowd. The drone came hurtling towards the podium, prompting Tejashwi to instinctively duck, escaping what could have been a serious mishap. Patna SP (central) Diksha told reporters that police were examining the incident. "We will investigate the matter," she said, adding that police personnel were occupied with crowd management during the rally. The organisers later clarified that the drone had been deployed for aerial coverage of the event. Tejashwi resumed his address shortly after the disruption. The rally, held under the banner of Imarat-e-Shariah, was convened by Ameer-e-Shariat Maulana Ahmad Wali Faisal Rahmani. Despite soaring summer temperatures, lakhs of people gathered to protest against the Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025 and express support for the Constitution.
Indian Express
a day ago
- Politics
- Indian Express
‘Some BJP MPs also back over Waqf stand': top Muslim body chief on eve of Patna rally
After holding scores of protest meetings against the amended Waqf law across Bihar, Jharkhand, Odisha and West Bengal, Imarat-e-Shariah, one of the country's leading Muslim organisations, is set to hold a mega rally in Patna's Gandhi Maidan on Sunday to keep the heat on the BJP-led Centre over the row. Imarat-e-Sharia, headquartered in Patna, has rejected the Waqf amendment legislation, calling for its withdrawal. The legislation was passed by Parliament in April. In May, after hearing multiple petitions challenging the constitutional validity of the Waqf Amendment Act, 2025, the Supreme Court reserved its decision on the prayer for interim directions. Speaking to The Indian Express, Imarat-e-Shariah head Faisal Rahmani said: 'Though we have been protesting against the draconian Waqf Amendment Bill right from the start, we want to keep the pressure on the Centre. We have been creating awareness among public about how the Centre's Waqf amendments are against several provisions of the Constitution and Supreme Court rulings. It is nothing but a bid to take away our places of worship and heritage buildings. This law undermines the spirit of brotherhood in the country.' Rahmani said: 'We accept the 1995 Waqf law. Going by the amendments to it, how can one disallow Hindus to donate their land for a good cause? Our records show that there are thousands of educational, medical and social organisations and institutions being run on Waqf land, some of which even have more Hindu beneficiaries in comparison to Muslims. Take for example Maulana Mazharul Haque University in Patna, which has 88% Hindu students in its courses.' He said, 'The Centre summarily rejected our more than 300 representations against the Waqf Bill – we are also rejecting their amended Waqf law.' Calling the Waqf law 'irrational', the Imarat-e-Shariah chief also said: 'What will happen when someone asks for proof of Ashokan pillars or a whole lot of our historical monuments cutting across religions? This law aims at creating enmity among citizens… Public is a great force. It had made the NDA-led central government withdraw three farm laws. Patna rally is just the beginning, we will keep the pressure on the Centre.' Asked about timing of the Imarat-e-Shariah's protests ahead of the upcoming Bihar Assembly polls, Rahmani said they have been seeking support from all parties. 'We are getting calls of solidarity from various political parties. In fact, some BJP MPs have also been supporting our Waqf stand,' he claimed. In March, during Ramzan, Imarat-e-Shariah had given a call to boycott the 'sarkari' Iftar hosted by Chief Minister and JD(U) president Nitish Kumar in Patna. The JD(U) had termed the Imarat-e-Shariah's boycott announcement 'uncalled for'. This was perhaps the first time that a leading Muslim body had made such a move. The Muslim community accounts for over 17% of Bihar's population and is concentrated in Kishanganj, Araria, Purnia, Katihar and Purnia. Several other districts in the state, including Darbhanga, Madhubani, Patna and Nalanda, also have sizeable Muslim population.
Indian Express
a day ago
- Politics
- Indian Express
‘Some BJP MPs backing our Waqf stand': Top Muslim body chief on eve of Patna rally
After holding scores of protest meetings against the amended Waqf law across Bihar, Jharkhand, Odisha and West Bengal, Imarat-e-Shariah, one of the country's leading Muslim organisations, is set to hold a mega rally in Patna's Gandhi Maidan on Sunday to keep the heat on the BJP-led Centre over the row. Imarat-e-Shariah, headquartered in Patna, has rejected the Waqf amendment legislation, calling for its withdrawal. The legislation was passed by Parliament in April. In May, after hearing multiple petitions challenging the constitutional validity of the Waqf Amendment Act, 2025, the Supreme Court reserved its decision on the prayer for interim directions. Speaking to The Indian Express, Imarat-e-Shariah head Faisal Rahmani said: 'Though we have been protesting against the draconian Waqf Amendment Bill right from the start, we want to keep the pressure on the Centre. We have been creating awareness among public about how the Centre's Waqf amendments are against several provisions of the Constitution and Supreme Court rulings. It is nothing but a bid to take away our places of worship and heritage buildings. This law undermines the spirit of brotherhood in the country.' Rahmani said: 'We accept the 1995 Waqf law. Going by the amendments to it, how can one disallow Hindus to donate their land for a good cause? Our records show that there are thousands of educational, medical and social organisations and institutions being run on Waqf land, some of which even have more Hindu beneficiaries in comparison to Muslims. Take for example Maulana Mazharul Haque University in Patna, which has 88% Hindu students in courses.' He said, 'The Centre summarily rejected our more than 300 representations against the Waqf Bill – we are also rejecting their amended Waqf law.' Calling the Waqf law 'irrational', the Imarat-e-Shariah chief also said: 'What will happen when someone asks for proof of Ashokan pillars or a whole lot of our historical monuments cutting across religions? This law aims at creating enmity among citizens… Public is a great force. It had made the NDA-led central government withdraw three farm laws. Patna rally is just the beginning, we will keep the pressure on the Centre.' Asked about timing of the Imarat-e-Shariah's protests ahead of the upcoming Bihar Assembly polls, Rahmani said they have been seeking support from all parties. 'We are getting calls of solidarity from various political parties. In fact, some BJP MPs have also been supporting our Waqf stand,' he claimed. The Muslim community accounts for over 17% of Bihar's population. Santosh Singh is a Senior Assistant Editor with The Indian Express since June 2008. He covers Bihar with main focus on politics, society and governance. Investigative and explanatory stories are also his forte. Singh has 25 years of experience in print journalism covering Bihar, Delhi, Madhya Pradesh and Karnataka. ... Read More
Time of India
a day ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Waqf law protest likely to draw large crowd today
1 2 Patna: Patna is set to witness a major mobilisation on Sunday as Muslims from across the country are expected to gather at Gandhi Maidan to voice strong opposition to the Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025. The event, titled 'Waqf bachao, dastoor bachao conference', is being organised by Imarat-e-Shariah, which operates in Bihar, West Bengal, Jharkhand and Odisha. The newly enacted waqf law by the NDA-led central govt is currently under legal scrutiny in the Supreme Court. Critics argue it undermines religious autonomy, infringes upon fundamental rights and violates established legal principles and Supreme Court judgments. "The aim of the conference is to raise a united and dignified voice against the recently enacted Waqf Act, 2025, which is widely seen as trampling upon the Islamic principles of waqf," said a press note issued by the organisers. Fazle Rahma Rahmani, media convener of Imarat-e-Shariah, said, "We cannot give an exact number, but the mobilisation teams have estimated a turnout of around 10 lakh. People are coming not because of prominent personalities, but to register their absolute rejection of the Act." He added that the headquarters of the Imarat-e-Shariah at Phulwarisharif, Patna, is coordinating the effort. "Maulana Ahmad Wali Faisal Rahmani is the chief organiser. Separate mobilisation teams were formed for Bihar, West Bengal, Jharkhand and Odisha," he added. Participants began arriving in Patna from Saturday morning. Arrangements have been made for their accommodation in mosques, dharmashalas and community halls across the city. Volunteers will assist with crowd movement and logistics throughout Sunday. "The conference represents a peaceful, democratic and constitutional expression of the community's collective will to demand the rollback of the draconian legislation," the organisers said, adding that the event also carries significant political messaging.
