THURSDAY 03 APRIL 2025 www.thestatesman.com Pages 12 |` 5.00|LC X.com/thestatesmanltd. Fb/thestatesman1875 SINCE 1818 KOLKATA | NEW DELHI | SILIGURI | BHUBANESWAR FAIR DELIMITATION: STALIN TO LEAD DELEGATION OF MPs CORY BOOKER SETS A RECORD WITH MARATHON SENATE SPEECH P9 SENSEX 76,617.44p592.93 WEATHER PARTLY CLOUDY SKY. SURFACE WINDS (SPEED 10-20 KMPH) OCCASIONALLY GUSTING TO 30 KMPH. THE MAXIMUM AND MINIMUM TEMPERATURES WOULD BE AROUND 38 AND 16 DEGREE CELSIUS RESPECTIVELY. NIFTY P8 23,332.35p166.65 ` vs $ 85.73 Max. 78 % NEW DELHI, 2 APRIL Max: 36.4 °C (+2.4) SUN RISES 06:08 hrs MOON RISES 09:38 hrs Min: 14.2 °C (-4.6) SUN SETS 18:40 hrs MOON SETS 00:30 hrs THUMBNAILS Women offer prayers while performing Chaiti Chhath rituals in Patna on Wednesday. n ANI Pakistan Army violates ceasefire in Poonch sector, says Indian Army: The Pakistan Army violated the ceasefire agreement by opening unprovoked firing in the Poonch sector of Jammu and Kashmir on Tuesday, a statement by the Indian Army said. It is learnt that the Pakistan Army and other agencies were trying to push heavily armed terrorists into the Indian territory by giving them a cover of firing. GOLD 93,750.00 U nion Minister for Parliamentary and Minority Affairs Kiren Rijiju tabled the Waqf (Amendment) Bill in the Lok Sabha on Wednesday with an assurance that it does not interfere in any religious system, religious institution, or religious practice in any way. However, the Opposition parties strongly opposed the Bill, alleging that the proposed legislation is blatantly unconstitutional and an attempt to bring personal laws under state control and thereby undermine the Freedom of Religion. The Waqf Amendment Bill seeks to improve the administration of Waqf properties, introduce technology-driven management, address complexities, and ensure transparency. Along with the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, the minister moved the Mussalman Wakf (Repeal) Bill, 2024 for consideration and passing in the House. Speaking during the debate on the Bill, Union Home Minister Amit Shah launched a scathing attack on Congress for allegedly spreading misinformation on the Bill. He assured that it would not interfere with the religious matters of Muslims as is being made out to be by the Opposition. He said the notion that "the Waqf Bill is interference in Muslims' religious matters and properties donated by them is fear-mongering for vote-bank". Refuting the claims over the inclusion of non-Muslims in the board, he said, "No non-Islamic member will be part of Waqf. There is neither any provision for the appointment of a nonMuslim to manage the religious institution, nor do we intend to introduce any such provision. A rumour is being spread that the Bill is aimed at interfering with the religious practices of our Muslim brothers and their donated property. This is being done to intimidate the minorities." Telugu Desam Party (TDP), Janata Dal (United), Shiv Sena and LJP (Ram Vilas) -- the four key constituents of the NDA strongly backed the Bill. During the discussion, the Opposition members said the government was trying to hide its failures through this Bill. Though NDA allies were firmly in support of the Bill, the Opposition was not happy about it. The lawmakers of the Opposition INDIA bloc questioned the provision in the Bill that only a practicing Muslim of five years can create a waqf property. The Waqf (Amendment) Bill proposes 40 amendments to the Waqf Act. The key changes include the provision for the inclusion of Muslim women and non-Muslims in Waqf boards, along with significant reforms in the regulation and governance of India's Waqf boards. The proposed amendment to the Waqf Act, 1995 will require Waqf boards to register their properties with district collectors to ensure accurate valuation. Currently, most Waqf board members are elected but if the Bill becomes a law, all members will be appointed by the government. Earlier today, amid loud protests from the Opposition, Rijiju piloted the Bill, asserting that the role of P12 SILVER 1,14,000 Shah assures that it would not interfere with the religious matters of Muslims STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE Min. 16 % P6 Govt tables Waqf Amendment Bill amid Oppn uproar in House RAINFALL: Nil RELATIVE HUMIDITY TEMPERATURE IPL: KKR HOST SRH AMID EDEN PITCH ROW POWERFUL SIGNAL the Waqf Board is to supervise the management of Waqf properties by mutawallis (caretakers) and those handling Waqf affairs. ''This is purely a provision for governance and supervision. In no way does the Waqf Board manage Waqf properties. It is simply a matter of property management. However, the Waqf properties are managed by the Waqf Board and the Mutawalli. If someone fails to understand this basic distinction or deliberately chooses not to, then I have no solution for that," he said. The minister insisted that the Bill would be applicable prospectively, not retrospectively. He wondered why the Waqf property in India, the largest in the world, has not been used for education, medical treatment, skill development, and income generation of poor Muslims. ''Why has no progress been made in this regard so far? If this government, under the leadership of PM Modi, is working for the betterment of poor Muslims, then why is there an objection," he asked. BRENT CRUDE (IN $) 74.18q0.31 Maoists call for peace talks ahead of Shah’s Chhattisgarh visit STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE RAIPUR, 2 APRIL Just days before Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s visit to Chhattisgarh, the outlawed CPI (Maoist) has issued a press statement proposing peace talks, urging the government to halt security operations in Maoist-affected regions. The rebel outfit claims that intensified anti-Maoist operations, particularly under ‘Operation Kagar,’ have led to large-scale violence against tribal communities. The press note, issued by CPI (Maoist) Central Committee spokesperson Abhay, calls for an immediate ceasefire and withdrawal of security forces from conflict zones as a precondition for dialogue. The statement says that over 400 Maoist cadres and civilians have been killed in counter-insurgency operations, with reports of mass detentions and human rights violations surfacing from affected regions. The group also claims that women Maoist members have faced sexual violence and extrajudicial executions. The Maoists have outlined a set of preconditions for the peace talks, including an immediate cessation of hos- tilities, a halt to anti-insurgency operations, and the withdrawal of security personnel from conflict zones. The CPI (Maoist) called on intellectuals, human rights organizations, journalists, students, and environmental activists to support their demand for negotiations and pressurise the government into engaging in dialogue. Chhattisgarh Home Minister Vijay Sharma responded to the Maoist proposal, stating that while the government is open to discussions, talks cannot proceed under preconditions set by the rebel group. “The government is committed to bring lasting peace to Bastar and other affected regions, but negotiations cannot be dictated by extremist forces. If Maoists are serious about peace, they should surrender and take advantage of the state’s rehabilitation policy,” Mr Sharma said.