Shah flags off 'Gaurav Yatra' in Rajasthan, kicks off poll campaign
Jaipur, Aug 4 : Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) President Amit Shah on Saturday flagged off "Rajasthan Gaurav Yatra" at Charbhuja temple in Rajsamund, which is also being seen as the official start of the party's election campaign in the state.
Before flagging off the Yatra, Shah and Rajasthan Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje offered prayers in the renowned Vishnu temple.
Addressing a huge gathering on the occasion, Shah asked the Congress to give an account of the work done by its leaders during their four generations of rule.
"Instead of shooting 40 questions, you should present the report card of the last four generations of Congress, which ruled the country for many decades," he said.
The BJP chief said that Rajasthan Gaurav Yatra has been converted into a victory march as the Chief Minister of this state is taking out this procession and is ready to present her report card before the public for the works done during her tenure, he said.
Attacking the Congress, he said that the Congress leaders failed to make any significant achievement during their successive terms in the government.
"Rajasthan was referred to as a "Beemaru" state earlier. But ever since Raje took over the reins, the state is being counted as a developed state."
On Friday, Raje performed pooja of the bus to be used in the Yatra, which the party is calling as "Vijay Rath" (victory juggernaut).
Meanwhile, refuting the charges levelled by Shah, state Congress vice president Archana Sharma said that the BJP leaders, instead of answering a decent question, are issuing indecent statements.
"'Who has authorised the PWD officials to organise this political event?' was our question and the BJP has failed to answer the same. It seems they are baffled and hence are beating around the bush instead of speaking to the point," she said.
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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.
