Again Rahul questions PM's silence on PNB fraud in 'Mann ki Baat'
New Delhi: Congress President Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday again attacked Prime Minister Narendra Modi over his silence on the multi-crore Punjab National Bank (PNB) fraud and Rafale fighter jet deal, saying the country wants to hear about these issues in his 'Mann Ki Baat'.
"Modiji, last month you ignored my suggestions for your 'Mann Ki Baat' monologue. Why ask for ideas when in your heart you know every Indian wants to hear you speak about Nirav Modi's Rs 22,000 crore loot and scoot and the Rs 58,000 crore Rafale scam.
"I look forward to your sermon," Gandhi said in a tweet attaching a picture of Modi's tweet urging people to share ideas for his monthly radio programme 'Mann ki Baat'.
On Tuesday too, Gandhi had attacked the Prime Minister during his election rally in Meghalaya. "I would like to request this Modi (the Prime Minister), on behalf of all of us, to bring back the other Modi (Nirav), when he goes on another of his many foreign trips.
"We will all be very grateful as a nation to get our hard-earned money back," the Congress chief said.
"A few years ago, Modi sold dreams to the people of India. Dreams of 'achche din', Rs 15 lakh in everyone's bank account, two crore jobs, and so on," the Congress leader said.
Nirav Modi fled the country just before the scam -- in which he allegedly cheated the bank of over Rs 11,300 crore -- came to light. The ruling BJP and the Congress have been trading charges over who detected and acted against the fraud.
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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.
