Latest news with #WaqfAmendment
Hindustan Times
03-07-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
MP report card: Zero hour is key period, MPs must utilise it effectively: Rajeev Bhardwaj
As the 18th Lok Sabha completes its first year, here's a look at first-time MP Rajeev Bhardwaj's performance in the lower House of Parliament and his plans for the constituency. As the 18th Lok Sabha completes its first year, here's a look at first-time MP Rajeev Bhardwaj's performance in the lower House of Parliament and his plans for the constituency. (File) I'm a first-time MP and it's been an enriching experience. I raised several issues of my constituency from tourism to strengthening road infrastructure. While four-laning projects are underway in Himachal, the state still lacks rail connectivity. We have a lot of potential for religious tourism in my constituency, so I have raised the issue of Vande Bharat connectivity to Kangra. We have reservoirs which have a lot of potential for backwater tourism just like Kerala so work should be done on these lines. See, if we want Himachal to develop and become self-reliant, tourism is the only sector. For me the high point was to get elected and reach Parliament to raise the issues concerning my state. While for the party the passing of the 'One Nation, One Election', which is being debated, and Waqf Amendment bill, are two landmark bills that will become reforms. It's not quantity but quality which matters when it comes to House sittings. MPs must be well prepared to take up issues of constituencies. Effectiveness depends on how well you present your issues. Zero hour is one of the most effective ways to raise the issues pertaining to your constituency. Though time is limited, this is where you need to effectively use your oratory skills and how well you put your issue forward despite the time limitation. Another way is a half-an-hour discussion that takes place in Parliament, though so far I have not got an opportunity to raise issues during this. But definitely in the monsoon session, I will like to raise issues of tourism and infrastructure. An MP can also utilise Rule 377 to raise issues of public importance. While the speaker ultimately decides if the MP gets to speak on the issue, the matter is still forwarded to the relevant department for a written response. One year is too small a period to assess the difference, but I am satisfied that I have remained in public and addressed their grievances. My priority is definitely to change the narrow gauge rail connectivity to broad gauge. Then having four-lane connectivity for Chamba district which will unlock its significant tourism potential by making it more accessible. Chamba, with its rich cultural heritage and scenic beauty, is currently relatively unexplored by many tourists, and better infrastructure could attract a larger influx of visitors. Next: Satpal Brahamchari, Congress MP from Sonepat
The Hindu
01-07-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
RJD and its allies have anti-Constitutional mindset, says BJP
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Tuesday (July 1, 2025) slammed Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader Tejashwi Yadav and his political allies for their 'anti-backward, anti-Babasaheb Ambedkar, and anti-Constitution mindset'. At a press conference, BJP national spokesperson Gaurav Bhatia said the priority of RJD, Congress and their allies was to 'implement provisions like sharia, polygamy and halala and empowerment of only one religion'. 'Prime Minister Narendra Modi is implementing the policies and schemes of Jan Kalyan and Viksit Bharat along with empowering Dalits, backward classes, women and youth, whereas Tejashwi Yadav is opposing it,' he said. Mr. Bhatia said the BJP had raised a 'serious issue' that those who called themselves socialists in Bihar were in reality 'namazwadis'. 'These people neither accept nor respect Babasaheb Ambedkar's Constitution... whenever they talk of sharia, the BJP will respond by standing firmly with the Constitution,' he said. He said Mr. Yadav's remark about 'throwing the Waqf Amendment law' into the dustbin was unfortunate and asked him to clarify if any State government can scrap a Central law passed by Parliament. 'The matter is currently pending before the Supreme Court, and an interim order has been reserved. So, how can Tejashwi Yadav declare the law unconstitutional? Is this not contempt of court? Has Tejashwi Yadav placed himself above the judiciary,' Mr. Bhatia asked. Terming RJD supremo Lalu Prasad and Mr. Yadav as faces of 'jungle raj', Mr. Bhatia said, 'Even though elections have not yet been announced, their intentions are crystal clear: they are determined to pursue communal politics... their sole agenda is to polarise, create Hindu-Muslim divide and spread communalism.' He said the people of Bihar and the entire country would ensure that those who insulted the Constitution were 'themselves thrown into the dustbin of communal politics'. The BJP leader said that during the 2024 Lok Sabha election, all the parties in the Congress-led alliance had accepted the manifesto that 'clearly stated that personal laws and sharia would be implemented, and religion-based reservations would be granted', which were 'completely unconstitutional'. Stating that the BJP and the National Democratic Alliance would not 'allow such poisonous ideologies' to succeed, Mr. Bhatia said, 'If Tejashwi Yadav truly wants to listen to the public, he should first recall what his father, Lalu Prasad, said in Parliament on May 7, 2010. He himself had admitted that the Waqf Board had grabbed land from the general public and the government, and that there was a strong need for strict laws against this.'
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
