Gandhian organisations condemn Rajghat's 2-day closure
New Delhi, June 26: Two organisations devoted to Gandhian ideology and principles on Tuesday alleged that the Vishwa Hindu Parishad had organised a meeting at Rajghat and kept it closed for two days, objecting against the closure of the memorial dedicated to Mahatma Gandhi.
"...Vishwa Hindu Parishad had organized its meeting there on June 24 and June 25. Rajghat was kept locked for their security purpose.
"Thousands throng (it) every day to pay their respect and take inspiration. This is not some kind of Padma award given by some government but its a national emblem and a sacred place for the people of India. Any irreverent attempt will not be accepted by us, the people," said a joint statement issued by Gandhi Peace Foundation and Gandhi Smarak Nidhi.
Claiming that a notice was put on the gates of Rajghat saying it will remain closed for the two days, the chairmen of the two organisations questioned: "Who made the decision? Why was it made and what was the reasons behind something that has never happened after Independence?"
The organisations will organise a protest against this on June 29.
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Lok Sabha extends tenure of parliamentary panel on Waqf bill
New Delhi (PTI): The Lok Sabha on Thursday adopted a resolution to extend the tenure of the Joint Committee on the Waqf (Amendment) Bill till the last day of the Budget session of Parliament next year.
Committee Chairman and BJP leader Jagdambika Pal moved the resolution in the Lok Sabha, which approved it with a voice vote.
The parliamentary panel’s meetings have become a virtual battleground between the opposition and the ruling party members, who have been vociferously debating the changes to the Waqf Bill proposed by the government.
On Wednesday, the opposition members of the committee staged a walkout and slammed Pal for asserting that the panel's draft report was ready.
Pal and the BJP members of the committee then reached out to opposition members and indicated their willingness to press for an extension of the committee's deadline of November 29 to submit its report to the Lok Sabha.
The Lok Sabha had constituted the committee on August 8 and asked to submit its report on the last day of the first week of the Winter session, which is on Friday.
Following the last meeting of the committee on November 21, Pal had said its draft report is ready. He indicated that the committee's consultation with stakeholders is over and its members will now discuss the report and suggest changes, if any, before it is adopted.
The opposition members took strong exception to this stand in Wednesday's meeting and soon stormed out. They claimed that Birla had assured them that its tenure would be extended.
Opposition parties have stridently criticised the amendments proposed by the bill in the existing Waqf Act, alleging they violate the religious rights of Muslims.
The ruling BJP has asserted that the amendments will bring transparency in the functioning of the waqf boards and make them accountable.
