UN rights chief warns India over harassment of Muslims, divisive policies
Geneva, Mar 06: UN human rights Chief Michelle Bachelet warned India on Wednesday over increasing harassment and targeting of Muslims and Dalits, in her annual report to the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva.
"We are receiving reports that shows increasing harassment and targeting of minorities particular Muslims and people from historically disadvantaged and marginalised groups, such as Dalits and Adivasis," Bachelet said.
The UN human rights Chief also said that India's divisive policies could undermine economic growth, saying that narrow political agendas were marginalising vulnerable people in an already unequal society.
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Waqf Bill anti-secular, will snatch rights of Muslims: Mamata Banerjee
Kolkata (PTI): West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Thursday described the Waqf (Amendment) Bill as “anti-secular”, claiming that it would snatch the rights of Muslims.
Banerjee, speaking in the assembly, also said the Centre did not consult with states over the matter.
“The bill is anti-federal and anti-secular; it is a deliberate attempt to malign a particular section. It will snatch the rights of Muslims... The Centre did not consult with us on the Waqf Bill,” she said.
The chief minister added that “if any religion was attacked”, she would wholeheartedly condemn it.
Opposition parties have stridently criticised the amendments proposed by the bill in the existing Waqf Act, alleging that 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.
A parliamentary committee has been constituted to scrutinise the contentious bill.
