Waqf Amendment Act sparks massive protest against Bihar Minister Zama Khan in Kaimur
Patna: The recently enacted Waqf Amendment Act has ignited widespread anger among sections of the Muslim community in Bihar, leading to a major protest in Bhabhua, the district headquarters of Kaimur. The protest was directed against Bihar’s Minority Welfare Minister Mohammad Zama Khan, who hails from the same district.
On Tuesday, members of the Muslim community organised a protest march in Bhabhua, voicing their strong opposition to the Waqf Bill, which they allege undermines the autonomy of Waqf properties and weakens the role of the community in managing them. The protest took a dramatic turn when Minister Zama Khan’s convoy arrived near the rally site.
In an apparent attempt to avoid direct confrontation, the Minister’s vehicle reportedly deviated from the regular route. However, the protesters quickly recognised the convoy and surrounded it, raising slogans of “Zama Khan Murdabad” and accusing the Minister of abandoning minority interests.
Security forces were swiftly deployed to the area to manage the situation. The Minister was escorted away safely amid high-pitched sloganeering and mounting tension on the ground.
Mohammad Hanif Khan, the District President of AIMIM, addressed the protesters and voiced their primary concern. “The Waqf Bill has just been implemented, and we are completely against it. Zama Khan has failed to defend our rights. If he cannot represent us, what purpose does his ministry serve?” Khan asked.
Protesters claim the legislation centralises control and strips the community of its traditional rights over Waqf properties.
Since the bill was passed in both Houses of Parliament, at least 20 Muslim leaders affiliated with the Janata Dal (United) have resigned, citing betrayal of the community’s trust.
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CM Siddaramaiah alleges ‘criminal conspiracy’ in Sringeri recount, vows legal action
Bengaluru (PTI): Alleging a “criminal conspiracy” by BJP candidate D N Jeevaraj in the Sringeri Assembly poll recounting, Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah on Tuesday said the outcome was manipulated after valid postal ballot votes in favour of Congress leader T D Raje Gowda were tampered with during the recounting process.
Following a Karnataka High Court order on an election petition filed by Jeevaraj, challenging Raje Gowda’s election, the reverification and recounting were conducted on Saturday.
After the reverification and recount of postal ballots for the Sringeri Assembly constituency, votes polled in favour of Raje Gowda were reduced by 255, the returning officer said.
A report on the matter has been submitted to the Election Commission of India for further action, the officer added.
Congress leader Raje Gowda had won the 2023 Assembly polls from Sringeri by 201 votes, defeating his nearest rival Jeevaraj.
Addressing a press conference in Bengaluru, Siddaramaiah said the High Court had directed the recounting of postal ballots and that irregularities were noticed during the exercise conducted on May 2.
“This is a clear case of criminal conspiracy,” Siddaramaiah said, alleging that valid votes cast in favour of Raje Gowda were altered after being accepted by counting agents of all parties, including Congress, BJP, and JD(S).
He claimed that during the recounting of postal ballots, 255 votes were initially accepted as valid by all agents but were later tampered with by subordinate officials.
“There is a second mark on the votes polled in favour of Raje Gowda. They had accepted these as valid votes. Subsequently, another mark was made by officials. This is a clear case of criminal conspiracy,” he said.
When asked who was behind the alleged conspiracy, the CM replied, “It was hatched by Jeevaraj and others. It is planned.”
Siddaramaiah further alleged that the returning officer acted improperly by declaring the result despite the presence of an Election Commission observer during the recounting.
“Immediately after the counting, the returning officer announced the result. He should not have done so; this is against the law,” he said.
He pointed out that Raje Gowda had originally won by 201 votes, but after the recounting, the BJP candidate was declared the winner by 52 votes.
“The BJP has committed a criminal act of conspiracy. This is not vote chori but vote dacoity,” he alleged.
The CM said a police complaint had already been filed by Raje Gowda’s election agent, Sudhir Kumar, and emphasised the need for electoral integrity.
“We want transparency and free and fair elections. That is what our Constitution mandates,” he added.
Stating that the government would pursue legal remedies, Siddaramaiah said, “We are preparing an appeal challenging the returning officer’s announcement in a court of law.”
Responding to a separate query on elections in other states, the CM said there appeared to be an anti-incumbency factor in West Bengal, while results in Tamil Nadu were “surprising,” adding that Vijay’s party was emerging as the largest there.
Following the victory of party candidates in Bagalkote and Davanagere South, Siddaramaiah expressed confidence about future electoral prospects in Karnataka.
“Even in 2028, we will win the Assembly elections. We will come back,” the CM said.
Siddaramaiah added that he would order a forensic examination into the alleged tampering of postal ballots.
