Dawoodi Bohra community seeks exemption from Waqf amendment bill during JPC meeting
New Delhi: The Dawoodi Bohra community on Tuesday, petitioned for exclusion from the Waqf Amendment Bill, citing the need to protect their unique religious practices and administration. Represented by Senior Advocate Harish Salve, the community asserted its rights before the Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) on Tuesday, requesting that Dawoodi Bohra properties remain outside Waqf Board jurisdiction. Salve emphasised that the community’s al-Dai al-Mutlaq leadership, recognised by the Supreme Court, should retain control over its assets, arguing that Waqf Board authority would compromise their fundamental rights.
The JPC session also heard from other organizations, including the Akhil Bhartiya Adhivakta Parishad and academic representatives, who broadly supported the bill while suggesting adjustments. However, debates around the Waqf Amendment Bill intensified as Opposition MPs accused JPC Chairman Jagdambika Pal of arbitrarily managing discussions. Opposition parties, including Congress, DMK, and AAP, raised concerns with Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, alleging that non-stakeholders were prioritised in the sessions, limiting the Opposition's input.
With approximately 25 sessions already conducted, the JPC is set to reconvene after November 9, resuming consultations with stakeholders across various states. Despite opposition complaints, Chairman Pal defended the JPC’s inclusivity, stating that regular meetings provide all members adequate speaking time.
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Probe launched as 25 tigers reported missing from Ranthambore Tiger Reserve
In response to alarming findings in a recent internal report, Rajasthan’s Chief Wildlife Warden, Pavan Kumar Upadhyay, has established a three-member committee to investigate the reported disappearance of 25 tigers from the Ranthambore Tiger Reserve. Upadhyay’s order, dated November 4, notes ongoing concerns in tiger monitoring data, which indicate the absence of concrete evidence for the whereabouts of 11 tigers for over a year and 14 others for less than a year. Ranthambore, home to around 75 tigers, recently lost tigers T-58 and T-86.
According to Upadhyay, multiple reminders were issued to the Field Director of Ranthambore to address the issue, yet conditions remain unsatisfactory. The committee, composed of senior Forest Department officials—APCCF (Wildlife) Rajesh Kumar Gupta, Dr. T Mohan Raj, and Manas Singh—has been directed to submit a comprehensive report within two months. Their tasks include investigating the efforts made by field authorities to locate the missing tigers, examining records, recommending disciplinary actions if needed, and providing suggestions to improve the reserve’s monitoring systems.
