Latest news with #WaqfAmendmentAct
The Print
4 hours ago
- Politics
- The Print
Modi becomes India's second-longest-serving PM in consecutive terms, surpasses Indira Gandhi
Narendra Modi, 74, took oath as Prime Minister for the first time on May 26, 2014 and has served a total of 11 years and 60 days in office till date. Notably, he is the first non-Congress Prime Minister to mark this achievement. Additionally, Narendra Modi is the first Prime Minister born after independence and the longest-serving from a non-Hindi state. New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday marked a major milestone in the country's history, becoming the second-longest-serving PM of India in consecutive terms, surpassing the record of former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. The erstwhile Prime Minister Indira Gandhi had served for 11 years 59 days in office in consecutive terms. She held the highest office as Prime Minister of India from January 24, 1966 – March 24, 1977. Former and first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru holds the record of the longest-serving Prime Minister of India in consecutive terms for 16 years and 286 days, from August 15, 1947 to May 27, 1964. The first Prime Minister born after India's independence, Prime Minister Modi, has previously served as the Prime Minister of India from 2014 to 2019 and from 2019 to 2024. He also has the distinction of being the longest-serving Chief Minister of Gujarat with his term spanning from October 2001 to May 2014 In the 2014 and 2019 Parliamentary elections, PM Modi led the Bharatiya Janata Party to record Lok Sabha wins, securing absolute majority on both occasions. The last time that a political party secured such an absolute majority was in the 1984 elections in which Congress secured a landslide vicotry. Prime Minister Modi-led government has also taken several notable decisions during his term, including the Abrogation of Article 370, the abolition of Triple Talaq, the construction of Ram Janmbhoomi Temple in Ayodhya, the Waqf Amendment Act, etc. Inspired by the motto of 'Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas', Prime Minister Modi has ushered in a paradigm shift in governance that has led to inclusive, development-oriented and corruption-free governance. The Prime Minister has worked with speed and scale to realise the aim of Antyodaya, or ensuring last-mile delivery of schemes and services. Leading international agencies have noted that under the leadership of PM Narendra Modi, India has been eliminating poverty at a record pace. According to the findings from NITI Aayog's latest report 'Multidimensional Poverty in India since 2005-06', almost 25 crore people escaped multidimensional poverty in last nine years. The credit for this remarkable achievement goes to the significant initiatives of the government to address all dimensions of poverty. This report is auto generated from the Reuters news service. ThePrint holds no responsibility for its content. Also Read: DMK should wake up. Anti-Hindi politics isn't working on Tamil Nadu voters anymore
Indian Express
20 hours ago
- Politics
- Indian Express
Muslim clerics, Mohan Bhagwat agree on interfaith dialogue at meet
Amid growing discontent among Muslims against the NDA government over Waqf Amendment Act and other issues, the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat and other senior functionaries of the organisation met prominent Muslim clerics and scholars in New Delhi on Thursday. In the meeting, a host of 'national issues' were discussed and the two sides stressed upon the need to start a series of dialogue between representatives of Hindu and Muslim communities to clear the 'misunderstandings'. The All India Imam Organisation (AIIO) had organised the meeting titled — 'Samvaad' — at Haryana Bhawan. Along with Bhagwat, senior functionaries, including Krishna Gopal, Ramlal and Indresh Kumar, were present in the meeting. AIIO chief Imam Umer Ahmed Ilyasi said the meeting lasted for about three-and-a-half hours and was attended by 60 prominent imams, muftis and representatives of prominent Islamic seminaries like Deoband and Nadwa. The RSS described the discussion in the meeting as 'positive' and said it was part of a continuous process of holding an extensive dialogue with all the sections of society. 'The main objective is to explore how everyone can work together in the interest of the country. Today's discussion was also positive,' said Sunil Ambekar, the head of the national publicity and media department of the RSS. 'A detailed discussion on national issues took place at the meeting. It was decided that there should be a dialogue between mandirs and masjids, imams and pujaris, gurukuls and madrasas so that misconceptions and confusions about each other are removed and a positive atmosphere of harmony and brotherhood is developed,' Ilyasi told The Indian Express. He said it was discussed that everyone from across the castes, faiths and religions should have the sentiment of 'rashtra sarvopari' (nation is supreme) and contribute in nation building. Possible roles and responsibilities of imams and muftis in taking the nation forward were also discussed in the meeting, he said. Asked about the RSS chief's view on the decision, he said Bhagwat appreciated the idea of continuous dialogue to clear the misunderstandings and misconceptions. 'A consensus was reached to take this forward… Similar meetings will be held in different parts of the country. The schedule will be decided soon,' Ilyasi said. When asked about the 'national issues' discussed in the meeting, Ilyasi refused to share details. When asked if any 'concern' was expressed by the clerics on the contentious issues like new Waqf Act and survey of mosques, Ilyasi said, 'It was not a meeting about concerns but for building trust and a good atmosphere.'
Time of India
5 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Interfaith gathering opposes Waqf, Bodh Gaya Temple Acts
1 2 Nagpur: Prominent voices from both the Muslim and Buddhist communities on Sunday called for mass movement against the implementation of the Waqf Amendment Act, 2025 and the Bodh Gaya Temple Act. Representatives from both communities had gathered under one roof at an interfaith conference on Constitutional Rights organised by the All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) and the Bharatiya Bhagidari Mission (BBM) at the Babasaheb Ambedkar International Convention Centre, Teka. The speakers alleged that the recent amendments infringed on the fundamental rights of religious freedom and the autonomy of religious institutions under Articles 25 and 26 of the Indian Constitution. Key speakers included AIMPLB spokesperson Qasim Rasul Ilyas, AIMPLB general secretary Moulana Fazlur Rahim Mujaddidi, advocate Suresh Mane (founder-president, BBM), advocate Firdos Mirza and advocate Bhupendra Raipure. Ilyas called for a mass movement against the Act just like the farmers' protest in 2021 against the farm laws. "We must be prepared for a mass movement to ensure these discriminatory laws are rolled back, if not by this govt, then by the next govt," he said. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like No annual fees for life UnionBank Credit Card Apply Now Undo Dr Vinod Rangari, district president of BBM, initiated the discussion followed by an introductory address by Abdul Rauf Shaikh, former CEO of the Maharashtra Waqf Board, who highlighted the object of the interfaith conference. Adv Mirza spoke on the constitutional rights of minorities. Qasim Rasul Ilyas offered a detailed critique of the Waqf Amendment Act 2025. Advocate Raipure shed light on the Bodh Gaya Temple Act. Dr Ravindra Mane called the gathering a new beginning in interfaith unity. Moulana Muzaddidi, in his presidential address, emphasised the need for peaceful protest against "unconstitutional laws". Dr Aves Hasan conducted the proceedings while Moulana Abdul Wahab Parekh delivered a vote of thanks. The programme concluded with a dua by Moulana Siraj Ahmed Qasmi. Mufti Abdul Qadir, Maulana Mustafa and Mufti Sabir among others were present. Hanif Patel, Irshad, Rafiq, Atiq Qureshi and members of CSRI and ASRA Foundations played a key role in ensuring the success of the meet.
Time of India
7 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
AIMPLB urges Union min for safety audit of Ajmer dargah
Jaipur: The All India Muslim Personal Law Board ( AIMPLB ) has urged Union minority affairs minister Kiran Rijiju to conduct an urgent structural safety audit of Ajmer Sharif Dargah, following two concerning incidents of roof and ceiling collapse in the past two weeks. The Board has also demanded that the 800-year-old shrine be released from central govt control, citing neglect and mismanagement. In a letter addressed to Rijiju, the AIMPLB, which is currently leading the opposition to the Waqf Amendment Act, 2025, reminded the Union govt of the 1955 assurances made when the Dargah was brought under state management. The Board claims those assurances included the complete protection and maintenance of the shrine's heritage structures. "Several parts of the Dargah complex are 500 to 600 years old. With monsoon in full swing, a single spell of heavy rain could cause more damage or even result in tragedy if urgent repairs and safety inspections are not carried out," said Mohammed Fazlur Rahim Mujaddidi, general secretary of AIMPLB. The Board has gone a step further by demanding that the Dargah be freed from central govt control, accusing the current administration of failing in its responsibility. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like American Investor Warren Buffett Recommends: 5 Books For Turning Your Life Around Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List Undo "This is example of the Modi govt's neglect of Muslim heritage sites. They haven't even conducted a structural audit of this 800-year-old shrine. If this is how they treat Ajmer Dargah, imagine what they plan to do with Waqf properties under the new amendments," said Syed Qasim Rasool Ilyas, spokesperson of AIMPLB. Ilyas added, "We demand that the Dargah be released from the clutches of the Union govt. Muslim organisations across the country should register their protest." Syed Sarwar Chishty, secretary of the Dargah Anjuman, on Friday released a video showing water seepage in the outer wall of the main sanctum along with the Sandali Mosque, raising alarms about the structural integrity of the shrine. The incessant rains on Friday, which caused flood-like conditions in Ajmer, endangered several other parts of the Dargah complex. Community leaders and shrine authorities are calling for immediate intervention to avert a potential disaster.
The Print
07-07-2025
- Politics
- The Print
Owaisi & Rijiju engage in public spat over ‘benefits & protection' to minorities under Modi govt
The row over minorities and their welfare in the country under the Narendra Modi-led NDA government also comes ahead of the crucial Bihar assembly polls to be held in 3-4 months. In Bihar too, the NDA is in power, under the leadership of CM Nitish Kumar. Muslims constitute around 17 percent of Bihar's population, one of the highest proportions in the country. Owaisi's argument with the BJP leader over Muslims under Modi rule comes at a time when the Hyderabad MP was seen as having embraced the Centre's stance against Pakistan post Pahalgam. Hyderabad: AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi got into a public spat on Monday with Union Minister for Minority Affairs Kiren Rijiju, contesting the latter's claim that minorities get more benefits and protection than the majority community in the country. 'India is the only country where minorities get more benefits and protections than the majority community!', declared Rijiju in a post on X on Monday morning, quoting his interview to a news publication. Owaisi, the Hyderabad MP, responded with a lengthy, anguished post in the afternoon, terming the religious minority group as having become 'hostages' in the country. 'Is it a 'benefit' to be called Pakistani, Bangladeshi, jihadi, or Rohingya every single day? Is it 'protection' to be lynched? Is it protection that Indian citizens were kidnapped and pushed into Bangladesh? Is it a privilege to watch our homes, masjids, and mazaars being bulldozed illegally? To be made socially, politically, and economically invisible? Is it an 'honour' to be the target of hate speeches from no less than the Prime Minister of India? India's minorities are not even second-class citizens anymore. We are hostages.' You are a Minister of the Indian Republic, not a monarch. @KirenRijiju You hold a constitutional post, not a throne. Minority rights are fundamental rights, not charity. Is it a 'benefit' to be called Pakistani, Bangladeshi, jihadi, or Rohingya every single day? Is it… — Asaduddin Owaisi (@asadowaisi) July 7, 2025 Owaisi accused the Modi government of discontinuing the Maulana Azad National Fellowship and limiting other scholarships 'because they benefited Muslim students'. The AIMIM chief also mentioned the controversial Waqf Amendment Act in a bid to debunk the senior BJP leader's claim. 'If you want to talk about 'favours', answer this: Can Muslims be members of Hindu Endowment Boards? No. But your Waqf Amendment Act forces non-Muslims on to Waqf Boards—and allows them to form a majority.' Within an hour, the minister responded with a counter question: 'Ok… How come minorities from our neighbouring countries prefer to come to India & our minorities don't migrate? Prime Minister Modi's welfare schemes are for all,' Rijiju said, insisting that the 'schemes of the Ministry of Minority Affairs provide additional benefits to minorities'. The bitter spat between the BJP minister and the AIMIM MP, a prominent face representing Muslims, comes at a time when the latter emerged as a poster boy for the Hindu Right, after his feisty defence of India and the Modi government during Operation Sindoor. Long branded as 'BJP's B-team', the Hyderabad MP's strong attacks on Pakistan's leadership and him joining a delegation of MPs to diplomatically defend Modi government's operation abroad further expanded the impression in political circles, especially those championing Muslim demands and issues. One such party, the RJD, has recently spurned the AIMIM's offer to join forces for the Bihar polls, with party MP Manoj Kumar Jha stating that Owaisi's base is limited to Hyderabad. (Edited by Viny Mishra) Also read: Even the Right loves Asaduddin Owaisi post-Op Sindoor. Why 'secular' camp won't embrace him yet
