Putting history’s onus on present is greatest barbarity: Prof. Rahmat Tarikere
Mangaluru, August 11: The increasing trend of putting the history’s onus on present society is the greatest barbarity. In such a scenario, reading books will reduce prejudices; commented Rahmat Tarikere.
Addressing as the chief guest of the function, he said that literary readings were dwindling. During this sensitive period, arranging these sorts of programmes based on history books is genuinely appreciable, he said.
“Our nation has also become one such wretched country, where a religion turns as a weapon and creates a war-like situation within the citizens. Killing writers or putting them on hit-list merely because of their ideas is a dangerous development.”
“When a group systematically attacks society in the name of religion, a small lamp kind of struggle is right in such circumstances,” he added.
“History is filled with thoughts like Brahmins are casteists, Muslims are cruel, and Dalits are dirty. We need to struggle to break these believes. Good and bad people are there in every religion and community.”
Books provide the truth of the history that people keep on changing in the society. Hence it is one of the most urgent needs to take a look at the fact. History should create a future in the present, instead of turning as a weapon to break the society.
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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.
