Latest news with #WaqfAmendment
NDTV
13-05-2025
- Politics
- NDTV
Legacy Of Ex-Chief Justice Khanna, Who Did "What Was Expected Of Him"
NEW DELHI: Chief Justice of India Sanjiv Khanna, the country's 51st CJI -- retired today after a six-month tenure which despite its brief length, was significant. Known for his camera-shy personality among journalists, Justice Khanna is leaving behind a legacy. During a recent interaction with journalists, when this reporter mentioned writing "expect the unexpected" from him in a column, Justice Khanna just laughed and said, "No. I have only done what was expected of me". His most significant contribution was the transparency brought in at the higher level of judiciary - be it through the voluntary public disclosure of assets by Supreme Court judges or the appointment of judges by the Collegium. The first thing he did after assuming office was to stop oral mention of cases in his court room. The message was clear - no optics, write a mail or move a slip if there is something urgent. He ensured that his silence was never mistaken for weakness. He sent a clear message to the Executive and Legislature when Nishikant Dubey and Vice President Jagdeep Dhankar questioned the top court over its verdict in the Wakf and Tamil Nadu Governor cases. "Can't shake public's trust in us despite clear intent," Justice Khanna had replied to Mr Dubey while refusing to take contempt action against him, when the BJP MP accused him of causing civil wars in country. While Mr Dubay's comments reflect a tendency to attract attention by casting aspersions on the Supreme Court and its judges, "We are of the firm opinion that courts are not as fragile as flowers to wither and wilt under such ludicrous statements," he said. At the same time, he clearly said that "hate speech must be dealt with an iron hand" and warned against spreading communal disharmony. After Mr Dhankar's remarks regarding the role of legislature and executive, Justice Khanna, without naming anyone, reiterated that the Constitution is Supreme. Refusing to bow under any pressure from the Left, Right and the Centre, Justice Khanna kept it only about law. When violence erupted in Sambhal over Jama Masjid, he put a freeze on the registration of any fresh suit under Places of Worship Act till the time court decided on the legality of the law. The tension over Gyanvapi-Kashivishwanath dispute, the Shahi-Idgah- Krishna Janmabhoomi dispute, the Bhojshala-Kamal Maula mosque dispute and many other temple-mosque disputes emerging across the country and causing communal tension were put on the back-burner. Similarly, when the Waqf Amendment law was challenged in the top court, without giving in to any pressure, he focused on the question of law and proposed an interim stay calling the case "exceptional". Despite several appeals from Solicitor General Tushar Mehta against an interim stay, Justice Khanna maintained that "nothing changes on ground till we decide the case". Justice Khanna, replying to an argument by the Solicitor General defending the inclusion of non-Muslims in Waqf councils and boards, said judges lose religion when they sit on the bench. He authored a separate concurring opinion in the landmark Electoral Bond judgment. In it, he cited detailed data to convey that the data submitted in the Supreme Court on the Electoral Bonds Scheme suggests that around 94 per cent of electoral bonds purchased since the scheme was launched in value terms were found to be for Rs.1 crore. This, in turn, suggests that corporates or individuals with high net worth were main donors in the electoral bonds scheme, he concluded. "Data show that more than 50 per cent of the bonds in number, and 94 per cent of the bonds in value terms were for Rs 1 crore. This is indicative of the quantum of corporate funding through the anonymous bonds," the judge noted. When the real data was made public by SBI, it came to light that his analysis was not only correct but also crucial in identifying the possibility of quid pro quo through the scheme. Regarding matrimonial dispute, he made a significant contribution to invoke special powers of Supreme Court under Article 142 to grant divorce. In his farewell speech he summed it up "The job of the judge is not to dominate the courtroom but neither to surrender." On presuming office, Justice Khanna had said his priority would be reducing pendency. As he stepped down today, he said for the first time in several years, "We have achieved a case clearance ratio of more than 100 per cent reaching 106 per cent. The Supreme Court disposed of more cases than were filed, allowing us to reduce backlogs". His successor Chief Justice BR Gavai, while giving his farewell speech, noted that Justice Khanna's tenure was not about making a spectacle or noise for the sake of attention. It was about encouraging changes within the judiciary, so that the system not only changes but it evolves. In his farewell speech, he summed it up: "The job of the judge is not to dominate the courtroom but neither to surrender." On presuming office, he said his priority would be reducing pendency, today he stepped down from office on this note: "For the first time in several years we have achieved a case clearance ratio of more than 100 percent reaching 106 percent. The supreme court disposed of more cases than the cases were filed allowing us to reduce the backlogs". His successor Chief Justice BR Gavai said Justice Khanna's tenure was "not about making a spectacle or noise for the sake of attention, it was about encouraging changes within the judiciary, so that the system not only changes but it evolves".
Time of India
06-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Pak Cleric's ‘Who Will Fight War With India?' Query Gets Zero Support
Waqf Act Faces Supreme Test: BJP, Opposition Engage in War of Words Before Big Hearing The Supreme Court is set to hear a batch of petitions challenging the Waqf (Amendment) Act, a law that has sparked intense political debate. The Centre told the court it won't denotify waqf properties or make new appointments to the Central Waqf Council and state boards until May 5. As the hearing looms, BJP and Opposition parties are locked in a war of words. While the Opposition calls the Act unconstitutional, the BJP says it will stand by the court's verdict. What's at stake in this high-profile legal showdown? Watch the full report on today's crucial hearing.#WaqfAct #SupremeCourtIndia #WaqfAmendment #WaqfProperty #BJPvsOpposition #LegalBattle #IndianPolitics #SupremeCourt #WaqfControversy #toibharat 2.5K views | 21 hours ago
Time of India
05-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Waqf Act Faces Supreme Test: BJP, Opposition Engage in War of Words Before Big Hearing
/ May 05, 2025, 02:05PM IST The Supreme Court is set to hear a batch of petitions challenging the Waqf (Amendment) Act, a law that has sparked intense political debate. The Centre told the court it won't denotify waqf properties or make new appointments to the Central Waqf Council and state boards until May 5. As the hearing looms, BJP and Opposition parties are locked in a war of words. While the Opposition calls the Act unconstitutional, the BJP says it will stand by the court's verdict. What's at stake in this high-profile legal showdown? Watch the full report on today's crucial hearing.#WaqfAct #SupremeCourtIndia #WaqfAmendment #WaqfProperty #BJPvsOpposition #LegalBattle #IndianPolitics #SupremeCourt #WaqfControversy #toibharat
New Indian Express
24-04-2025
- Politics
- New Indian Express
Waqf Amendment to save 97 per cent Muslims from exploitation by elites
KOCHI: The workshop organised by BJP state committee to discuss the Waqf Amendment provided a platform for a healthy discussion on Wednesday. While, BJP national secretary Arvind Menon claimed that the amendment will save 97% poor Muslims from exploitation by 3% elites in the community, rights activist A P Ahmed and Ex Muslims of Kerala president Arif Hussain supported the amendment claiming that the community should forget the communal arguments and support reformation within the community. Meanwhile, Munambam Waqf agitation leader Fr Joshy Mayyattil unleashed a scathing attack on the BJP for not explaining how the amendment will help ensure the rights of Munambam residents. Inaugurating the workshop at BTH in Kochi, Menon said the Waqf Amendment is not a communal issue involving the Hindus and Muslims but it has opened the way for empowerment of the marginalised sections of the community. While welcoming the BJP initiative to bring the Waqf amendment, Fr Joshy asked the BJP leaders why they are not explaining how it will benefit the Munambam people.
Time of India
23-04-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Pahalgam terror attack: Series of protests, prayers across Varanasi
1 2 3 4 Varanasi: A series of protests were held against Tuesday's terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu & Kashmir in the city on Wednesday. Events were also organised to pray for peace of the souls of the tourists killed in the attack. Kashi Vishwanath Dham hosted an Ati Rudra recital, while BJP postponed the Waqf Amendment awareness drive. Muslim institutions like Anjuman Intejamia Masajid, responsible for the Gyanvapi mosque management committee, and the Muslim Mahila Foundation also strongly condemned the massacre. The Shri Kashi Vishwanath Temple Trust hosted an 'Ati Rudra Path', invoking the fierce form of Lord Shiva in anger and resolving to retaliate to strengthen the spirit of people against such horrific terrorist attacks. The organisers said the event aims to seek Lord Shiva's blessing to counter such incidents and to foster a spirit of aggressive retaliation free from internal conflicts. Terming the Pahalgam attack a heinous crime, Anjuman Intejamia Masajid's joint secretary, SM Yasin, said, "Civilised society can never deem this crime forgivable. It is condemnable. Our sympathies are with the grieving families." The Vishal Bharat Sansthan and Muslim Women's Foundation jointly organised a protest march against the Pahalgam attack, culminating in a symbolic cremation of terrorists. Chanting slogans like 'Stop all aid to Pakistan' and 'Pakistan Murdabad', they called upon Muslim religious leaders to issue a Fatwa to expel terrorists and their families from Islam, announcing that no land will be provided for their burial. Women led by Najma Parveen took to the streets demanding action against Pakistan, and burning symbolic effigies of terrorists. They said that it was time for religious leaders to take a stand against these terrorists earning a bad name for Islam. The Bharatiya Janata Party had announced workshops on the Waqf Reform Awareness Campaign from Wednesday, however, it was postponed. BJP Kashi region president Dilip Singh Patel and spokesman Navratan Rathi said that the series of workshops scheduled to start on Wednesday from Babatpur was postponed in mourning for the tourists killed in the terror attack in Kashmir. Meanwhile, marches and the burning of effigies of terrorism by different groups, including lawyers, social and voluntary organisations, and others, were also evident in different areas.
