‘Gouri Day' used for PM's criticism: Salochana Bhatt
Mangaluru: The BJP's state vice president Sulochana GK Bhat accused that the ‘Gauri Day' program is used to criticize Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The event was organized to celebrate the 56th birth anniversary of Gaurilakesh in Bengaluru recently.
Addressing media persons at BJP office recently, Bhat said, let the Gauri Day program be dedicated to recalling her life achievements. "Everybody is criticizing country's prime minister, even elderly person HS Doraswami was also used for that. Whereas, no protest was held against the state government's failure in arresting Gauri's murderers. BJP condemns this move," She said.
"In a program organized for communal harmony in Mangalore recently, Chief Minister's media adviser Dinesh Amin Mattu has disturbed the program by giving political statements. Kudroli temple is not a personal property of Dinesh Amin Mathu" Bhat said.
"In the name of secularism, religious sentiments are being used to get political mileage in the upcoming assembly elections; People understand this. The way politics was done in Gujarat by using Jignesh Mewani and Alpesh Thakur, in that same manner actor Prakash Rai is being used in Karnataka. But here people will teach them a lesson".
BJP leaders Vikas Puttur, Sanjay Prabhu, Satish Prabhu and Jitendra Kothari were present at the press conference.
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Parliament passes Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2025
New Delhi (PTI): Parliament early Friday passed the contentious Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2025, after it was approved by the Rajya Sabha.
The Lok Sabha had on Thursday approved the Bill after over a 12-hour debate.
In Rajya Sabha, the Bill got 128 votes in its favour and 95 against after all the amendments moved by the opposition were rejected.
In the lower house, the bill was supported by 288 MPs while 232 voted against it.
Participating in a debate in the Rajya Sabha, Minority Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju said the Bill was brought with a number of amendments based on suggestions given by various stakeholders.
"The Waqf Board is a statutory body. All government bodies should be secular," the minister said, explaining the inclusion of non-Muslims on the board.
He, however, said the number of non-Muslims has been restricted to only four out of 22.
Rijiju also alleged that the Congress and other opposition parties, and not the BJP, were trying to scare Muslims with the Waqf Bill.
"You (opposition) are pushing Muslims out of the mainstream," he added.
He said for 60 years, the Congress and others ruled the country, but did not do much for Muslims and the community continues to live in poverty.
"Muslims are poor, who is responsible? You (Congress) are. Modi is now leading the government to uplift them," the minister said.
According to the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, Waqf tribunals will be strengthened, a structured selection process will be maintained, and a tenure will be fixed to ensure efficient dispute resolution.
As per the Bill, while Waqf institutions' mandatory contribution to Waqf boards is reduced from 7 per cent to 5 per cent, Waqf institutions earning over Rs 1 lakh will undergo audits by state-sponsored auditors.
A centralised portal will automate Waqf property management, improving efficiency and transparency.
The Bill proposes that practising Muslims (for at least five years) can dedicate their property to the Waqf, restoring pre-2013 rules.
It stipulates that women must receive their inheritance before the Waqf declaration, with special provisions for widows, divorced women and orphans.
The Bill proposes that an officer above the rank of collector investigate government properties claimed as Waqf.
It also proposes that non-Muslim members be included in the central and state Waqf boards for inclusivity.
