Waqf Bill passed: Why Modi is unique compared to other leaders
The Waqf Amendment Bill was passed by Lok Sabha after a marathon 12-hour debate with 288 votes in favour and 232 against. All amendments brought by opposition MPs were rejected by voice vote. The Bill will now be passed in Rajya Sabha on Thursday. In the Lok Sabha, the bill was passed with support from BJP’s allies like Janata Dal-United, Telugu Desam Party and some smaller parties. The Bill, if enacted, will be a landmark one, which will reduce corruption in Waqf Boards. Opposition parties and several Muslim organizations opposed this bill alleging that this was an attempt to control Waqf Boards. For the last several weeks, a campaign was launched even in remote villages, and Muslims were told that the government wants to occupy their Waqf properties including mosques and graveyards. However, in the Lok Sabha, not a single opposition leader could not show a single provision to prove that the government would occupy Waqf properties. The entire focus of the debate was on who is the ‘thekedar’ (sole representative) of Muslims. The argument was given that Congress, Trinamool Congress, Rashtriya Janata Dal and Samajwadi Party can advocate the cause of Muslims, but how can BJP speak about welfare of Muslims? The argument given was, BJP does not have a single Muslim MP. How does it claim the right to speak about welfare of Muslims? The arguments given during the debate were, BJP governments stop Muslims from offering namaaz on roads, and the Centre abolished Triple Talaq. Hence the deduction made was that something was fishy in this Waqf bill too. The thrust of the arguments by opposition was that BJP governments should confine themselves to holding Maha Kumbh mela and build corridors around Kashi Vishwanath temple and Mahakal temple in Ujjain, but BJP should not speak about Muslims, because the sole contract (thekedari) for speaking about Muslim welfare lies with opposition leaders. The truth is that, no other previous government at the Centre before Narendra Modi had dared to tinker with laws relating to Muslims. Past governments at the Centre were literally afraid of angering the self-appointed ‘contractors’ (thekedars) of Muslim votes. Governments in the past feared losing Muslim vote bank if they tinkered with the community’s laws. It was Narendra Modi who changed the narrative. Modi was threatened that if Waqf bill was brought, his allies like JD(U) and TDP would leave the alliance and his government would collapse. But Modi is made of a different mettle. He does not fear such threats. He stood his ground. It is this quality that makes Modi stand apart from other leaders.
Waqf Bill battle : Reforms versus Vote Bank
With battle lines drawn over the passage of Waqf Amendment Bill in Parliament, the government appears to be confident of getting it passed in Lok Sabha with support from its major allies Janata Dal-United and Telugu Desam Party. Some amendments from the allies have been accepted by the government. Whatever may be the final outcome, I feel, there are four different points of view from which one can look at this bill. One, the government’s view that lakhs of crores of rupees worth Waqf properties are being controlled by a handful of people who are minting money, and this loot needs to be stopped. Two, the Islamic clerics’ point of view, who say that they would lose control over Waqf properties once the bill is passed. They they are trying to strike fear in the minds of Muslims by saying that government will gain control over their mosques and graveyars. Three, the opposition’s point of view, which is worried about its Muslim vote bank and wants to show solidarity with them, at any cost. When vote bank matters, nobody bothers about reforms. Four, the allies of BJP who have been warned by Muslim outfits that if they support the bill, they would lose support of Muslims, but both Nitish Kumar and Chandrababu Naidu remained undeterred. In brief: In the beginning, speculations and rumours were spread about the Waqf bill to create fear among Muslims, but this move failed. When the bill will be passed after a marathon debate, many hidden secrets will tumble out of the cupboard. The people at large will come to know, which parties are taking a stand on this bill for Muslim votes, and which parties are in support of reforms.
After Maha Kumbh success, Yogi’s confidence is on top
On Tuesday, UP CM Yogi Adityanath clearly said that namaaz cannot be allowed on roads, because roads are meant for traffic and pedestrians. On those questioning why ‘kaanwar yatra’ is allowed by blocking roads, Yogi said, ” We allow kaanwar yatra, but we also allow Muharram processions too. After the spectacular success of Maha Kumbh, Yogi Adityanath’s confidence is now in top gear. The reason: his policies and intentions are both crystal clear. If he opposes namaaz on roads, he does not hesitate in saying that his police also provides security to Muharram processions. Yogi openly supports tradtion and Sanatan, and he does not mince words when he expresses his views. A leader who has clarity in thought process, gains confidence and his performance becomes better.
Raj Thackeray’s MNS must learn how to earn respect
Raj Thackeray’s Maharashtra Navnirman Sena activists thrashed a private security guard in Powai, Mumbai, for not speaking Marathi. Raj Thackeray told a rally that outsiders who come to Maharashtra for jobs, must learn to speak Marathi, and if they refuse to do so, they will be “taught a lesson”. Shiv Sena(UBT) leader Aaditya Thackeray has supported Raj’s stand. Shiv Sena (Shinde) and BJP took a middle-of-the-road stance. These parties said, nobody can be allowed to take law into his hands. Beating up outsiders, ransacking shops, creating fear in the minds of North Indians living in Maharashtra have been part of Raj Thackeray’s original brand of politics. But these actions proved futile in elections. Raj Thackeray’s MNS was badly mauled in Maharashtra assembly elections. Now MNS is speaking about Marathi ‘asmita’ (pride), Marathi language and Marathi manus (people). These are part of Maharashtrian tradition, but nobody can gain respect by slapping or beating people and ransacking shops. Nobody respects a person who takes law into his own hands.
Who is afraid of Waqf Amendment Bill?
All India Muslim Personal Law Board has declared an all-out war against the Waqf Amendment Bill, which is expected to be passed by Parliament in the ongoing Budget session. Several mainstream opposition parties including Congress, Samajwadi Party, Trinamool Congress, NCP, Muslim League, AIMIM and Left Front joined a protest held in Delhi on Monday by AIMPLB. Muslim leaders present at the protest called for “boycott” of all those parties like TDP, JD-U and others which are supporting this Bill. AIMPLB leaders alleged that the Bill has been brought to “usurp Waqf properties and this was a direct attack on Muslims…Waqf law grants Muslims the same rights that other religions enjoy for their institution. But now, Muslims are being singled out.” Union Minority Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju said, most of the leaders opposing this move have not read the bill in full and are trying to mislead Muslims. One thing is clear. All parties and outfits have their self-interests in mind. None of the leaders are bothered about the provisions of this bill. Most of them have not even read the bill, because the bill in its amended form is yet to be made public. The facts are: there are more than 9 lakh Waqf properties throughout India. After Railway and Defence, Waqf Board comes third in the list having the largest number of properties in India. The worth of Waqf properties runs into Rs 1.5 lakh crores, but only Rs 1.25 crore is earned by Waqf Boards from these properties. Actually, the Boards should have earned at least Rs 12.5 thousand crores annually. Muslims must ponder, who are the people pocketing the massive sum of Rs 12.5 thousand crores? Who are the ultimate losers? If Waqf Boards earn money, it can be used for the social and economic progress of Muslims. Then why this hullaballoo? The ground reality is, the regulation of these Waqf properties lies with the Waqf Boards, on which a handful of people have full arbitrary control. If the amendment bill is passed, these people will have to close their shops. This is the sole reason behind the uproar. As far as political parties are concerned, Muslims constitute a major chunk of their vote banks. That is why they are supporting AIMPLB. But the government at the Centre enjoys majority in both Houses, and most of the Muslim organisations, Islamic scholars and Maulanas are supporting this bill. The Centre is surely going to get this bill passed in Parliament.
Why VHP, Bajrang Dal demanding removal of Aurangzeb’s grave?
There was arson and stone-pelting in Nagpur, and more than 50 people were arrested in a large-scale crackdown in Nagpur on Monday night. Violent clashes broke out during protests demanding removal of Mughal emperor Aurangzeb’s tomb from Khuldabad. Violent mobs set fire to two bulldozers and 40 vehicles, including police vans. The clashes took place after baseless rumours were spread about a religious shrine. There were also protests in Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar, Nagpur, Nashik, Kolhapur, Pune and Mumbai, after Vishwa Hindu Parishad and Bajrang Dal staged protests demanding removal of Aurangzeb’s grave. Security has been tightened around Aurangzeb’s tomb, presently under protection of Archaeological Survey of India. VHP and Bajrang Dal activists have threatened to launch “Babri-type Kar Seva” to remove the tomb. Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis asked people not to listen to rumours. Fadnavis said, “it is unfortunate that the government is duty bound to protect Aurangzeb’s grave despite his history of persecution, because it is a protected site of ASI. He however warned that anyone trying to glorify or promote the ideologies of tyrant Aurangzeb will have to face legal action”. What Fadnavis said befits the dignity of the Constitutional post that he holds presently. He has understood the government’s duty and has also taken care of popular feelings. Indians’ blood boil when they see the grave of the bigoted Emperor Aurangzeb. More so, for Maharashtrians, because Aurangzeb executed Chhatrapati Shivaji’s son, while fighting deadly battles against the Maratha army. Maharashtrians also feel sad when they find that while government spends only Rs 6,000 on maintenance of Raj Rajeshwar temple of Chhatrapati Shivaji. Rs 6.5 lakhs are spent annually on maintenance of Aurangzeb’s grave. They are asking: Why so much respect is being given to a cruel ruler? As far as politics is concerned, this controversy suits BJP fine, but Uddhav Thackeray’s Shiv Sena has surprised everybody by demanding protection for the tyrant’s tomb. Uddhav Thackeray, who worships Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, has surprised people by describing Aurangzeb’s tomb as the symbol of Maratha valour. It seems Uddhav, while trying to oppose Fadnavis, has taken a wrong move by seeking protection for Aurangzeb’s grave.
Anti-eve teasing squads in Delhi : A good move
Delhi Police has decided to set up an anti-eve teasing force named “Shistachar Squad”. Two such squads will be deployed in every police district, consisting of an inspector, a sub-inspector, a head constable and 8 constables, including 4 women constables. This ‘Shishtachar Squad’ members, in plainclothes, will conduct surprise checks in public transport and public places, and detain ruffians who indulge in ever-teasing. The members of this force have been given powers to take quick action against those causing nuisance in public places. They have been asked to avoid doing “moral policing”. Setting up an anti-Romeo Squad is a good idea. Eve-teasers must be taught a lesson. Police must strike fear in the minds of such anti-socials, so that our sisters and daughters can live in peace in Delhi. I hope, Delhi Police will carry out its responsibility seriously.