THURSDAY 17 APRIL 2025 www.thestatesman.com X.com/thestatesmanltd. Fb/thestatesman1875 SINCE 1818 Pages 16 |` 5.00 | LC KOLKATA | NEW DELHI | SILIGURI | BHUBANESWAR ‘IN BATTLE OF IDEOLOGIES ONLY CONGRESS CAN DEFEAT BJP-RSS’ EPS CONTRADICTS SHAH, DENIES POWER SHARING IN TAMIL NADU POST 2026 P5 P6 SENSEX 77,044.29 p309.40 WEATHER Partly cloudy sky. Rain or thundershower likely to occur. Maximum and Minimum Temperature most likely to be around 34˚C and 25˚C respectively. RAINFALL: 0.0 mm NIFTY 23,437.20 p108.65 ` vs $ 85.61 Max. 88% TEMPERATURE SUN SETS 17:57 hrs MOON SETS 06:59 hrs New Moon on 28 April AGENCIES KOLKATA, 16 APRIL THUMBNAILS STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE KOLKATA, 16 APRIL C Women dressed in traditional attire perform 'Bihu' dance on the occasion of the Rongali Bihu festival at Rang Ghar premises, in Sivasagar on Wednesday. nANI US Vice President J D Vance to visit India, Italy: US Vice President J D Vance and the Second Family will travel to Italy and India from April 18-24, the White House announced on Wednesday. In India, the Vice President will visit New Delhi, Jaipur, and Agra. He will hold meetings with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other leaders. The Vice President and the Second Family will also participate in engagements at cultural sites. In Rome, Italy, the Vice President will meet with Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. The Vice President will also meet with Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin. hief Minister Mamata Banerjee today launched a scathing attack on the Centre, accusing Union Home Minister Amit Shah of orchestrating a conspiracy to cause unrest in Murshidabad, Bhangar, and other parts of Bengal over the Waqf Amendment Act recently passed by Parliament. She also criticised the Congress for its inaction in addressing the violence, despite its strong presence in the affected areas. Speaking at a meeting of Imams, Mouzzems, and other minority representatives at Netaji Indoor Stadium, Miss Banerjee condemned the Centre’s alleged role in instigating the strife. She said that outsiders from Bangladesh were being allowed to cross the border and incite violence, alleging the involvement of the Border Security Force (BSF). “We have information that the BSF is allowing youths to sneak in and instigate trouble by pelting stones for payment of Rs 5,000 to Rs 6,000. We are gathering evidence and will take action," she said. Miss Banerjee also accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of turning a blind eye to the alleged activities of the BSF. "While you hold discussions with Bangladesh’s chief adviser, why are people from Bangladesh being allowed to cross the border and create unrest?" she questioned. Targeting Union home minister Amit Shah, Miss Banerjee urged the Prime Minister to investigate the Home Minister's role, alleging that Mr Shah was the "planner-in-chief" behind efforts to destabilise the state. “He has caused the most damage to Bengal,” she said, adding: “After 2026, when you are no longer in power, what will you do? You will have nothing left but to crawl.” She also criticised leaders such as Nitish Kumar, Chandrababu Naidu, and Yogi Adityanath, accusing them of compromising principles for political power. Miss Banerjee also called on the minority community to protest in Delhi and seek meetings with the Prime Minister, Home Minister, and President to air their grievances against the Waqf Amendment Act. She assured them of support from Trinamul Congress MPs. SC may block non-Muslims on waqf boards, de-notification of waqf declared by court Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee also announced compensation of Rs 10 lakh each to the families of the three victims of violence in Murshidabad during protests against the Waqf Act. “A total of three persons from two families have been killed in the violence. Their families will be provided with a compensation of Rs 10 lakh,” the Chief Minister said on Wednesday afternoon while addressing a meeting with the religious leaders of the Muslim community in the state. Miss Banerjee announced that the state government would provide houses under the state government’s scheme to those whose houses had been destroyed in the violence. “I heard that besides houses, some shops were also vandalised. Their owners will also be provided with compensation. The Chief Secretary, Manoj Pant, will review the financial loss because of such vandalism. The compensation will be provided based on that,” the Chief Minister said. (Details on Page 3) NEW DELHI, 16 APRIL Though it did not pass any order, and decided to continue hearings on Thursday as well, the Supreme Court on Wednesday proposed to bar the nomination of non-Muslims to the Central Waqf Council and Waqf Boards and a stay on certain key provisions of the Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025, including the powers of collectors in deciding disputes over Waqf properties and provisions on de-notifying properties declared as waqf by the courts. While stating that the suggested order was the outcome of the deliberation amongst the three judges on the bench, the Chief Justice Sanjiv Khanna, heading a bench also comprising Justice Sanjay Kumar and Justice KV Viswanathan, did not pass any order as Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, senior advocate Vikas Singh, Rakesh Dwivedi and others urged the court to grant them more time to place their arguments before it. As the bench posted the matter for further hearing at 2.00 p.m. tomorrow (Thursday), it was suggested that they be given half an hour to advance their arguments in favour of the Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025. Senior advocate Kapil Sibal, who had opened the arguments against the Waqf law, sought 10 minutes to give their rejoinder. Mr Sibal appeared for Maulana Arshad Madani, the President, Jamiat Ulema-I-Hind. There are more than 100 petitions by those opposing the Waqf (Amendment) Act and those backing it. The Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025 was passed by Lok Sabha on 3 April, the Rajya Sabha on 4 April and signed into law by the President Droupadi Murmu on 5 April, 2025. Giving the outline of the order they propose to pass, the Chief Justice Khanna said that some of the provisions of the law under challenge could have grave ramifications. “Regarding ex parte stay, we have some discretion. We are all concerned about it. When a law is passed, courts do not pass an order in the admission stage. But in this case, we think that if there is waqf by user and it is denotified, then there are grave ramifications,” BJP, Congress spar over ED’s charge Justice B R Gavai recommended as next Chief Justice of India sheet in National Herald case STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE NEW DELHI, 16 APRIL A war of words erupted between the ruling BJP and Congress on Wednesday in the wake of the Enforcement Directorate’s charge sheet against the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, and Congress Parliamentary Party (CPP) chairperson Sonia Gandhi in the National Herald case. Referring to the Congress’ nationwide protests over the ED’s charge sheet against Rahul and Sonia, BJP leader Ravi Shankar Prasad stated that while the Congress party has the right to stage a protest, it does not have the right to "misappropriate" private property that was given to the National Herald by the government. Addressing the media at the BJP headquarters, he said: "One thing should be kept in mind that Rahul Gandhi and Sonia Gandhi are out on bail. They knocked on the doors of the High Court and Supreme Court to quash the case but did not get any relief... Rahul Gandhi and Sonia Gandhi should answer whether the law should be allowed to take its course or not.” He alleged that the Congress misappropriated the party's funds and termed it a 'corporate conspiracy.' "In 2008, the publication of National Herald was closed, after that Congress gave 90 crores to Associated Journal Limited,whichpublishesNational Herald... a political party cannot give their party's fund to a private body, that is important to know. That is prohibited," he said. Hitting back, the Congress asserted that the Gandhis are being deliberately targeted by the ruling dispensation to divert attention from issues concerning the public, foreign policy and economic crisis. In a post on X, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge said: “Narendra Modi ji, your despotic sarkar (government) is hellbent on targeting the Congress to whitewash its own sins.” Addressing a press conference at the party office, Congress general secretary in-charge of Organisation Jairam Ramesh said: “The Congress leadership, especially Congress Parliamentary Party (CPP) Chairperson Sonia Gandhi ji and Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi are being deliberately targeted. This effort is being made to divert attention from public issues, foreign policy and economic crisis.” (Photo: Subrata Dutta) STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE NEW DELHI, 16 APRIL The Chief Justice of India, Justice Sanjiv Khanna, has written to the Central government, formally recommending Justice B.R. Gavai – the senior most judge after him - to succeed him as next Chief Justice of India when he demits office on 13 May 2025. In a communication to the Union Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal, Chief Justice Khanna has stated that Justice Gavai (photo) would be his successor when he leaves office on the completion of his term on 13 May 2025. Born on 24 November 1960, at Amravati, Maharashtra, Justice Gavai, as Chief Justice of India, will have a tenure of a little over six months – six months and ten days to be precise - as he would demit office on 23 November 2025. Justice Gavai was elevated as a judge of the Supreme Court on 24 May 2019. Before his elevation as judge of the top court, Justice Gavai was a judge of Bombay High Court. Justice Gavai was made an Additional Judge of the Bombay High Court on 14 November 2003, and became a permanent Judge of the Bombay High Court on 12 November 2005. He presided over the benches having all categories of cases both at the principal seat at Mumbai as well as benches at Nagpur, Aurangabad and Panaji. As a lawyer, Justice Gavai joined the bar on 16 March 1985 and started working with the late Bar. Raja S. Bhonsale, former Advocate General and Judge of the High Court, till 1987. Thereafter, he practiced independently at the Bombay High Court from 1987 to 1990. After 1990, he practised mainly before the Nagpur Bench of Bombay High Court. His areas of specialisation were constitutional law and administrative Law. He was the Standing Counsel for Nagpur Municipal Corporation, Amravati Municipal Corporation, and the Amravati University. Cricket board cautions IPL Former RAW chief Dulat’s claim of Farooq Abdullah ‘secretly’ stakeholders against supporting abrogation of Article 370 triggers political storm in J&K ‘dubious’ Hyd businessman He said Dr Abdullah’s closest ally and friend of Farooq STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE NEW DELHI, 16 APRIL Bringing back memories of the infamous match-fixing scandal that rocked the Indian Premier League (IPL) in 2013, the Anti Corruption Security (ACSU) wing of the BCCI has reportedly alerted all stakeholders of the current edition of the lucrative league to keep a certain Hyderabadbased businessman at bay. According to a report by Cricbuzz, the national cricket board has cautioned all stakeholders, including owners, players, coaches, support staff, and even commentators against a “dubious” businessman from Hyderabad, with links to punters and bookies, and even has previous records of being involved in corrupt activities, is looking to trap IPL participants. In that regard, the ACSU has urged all IPL teams to be wary of the individual, report any interaction with the businessman and reveal any possible contacts with him. The ACSU has cautioned all IPL teams about the individual actively trying to infiltrate IPL circles, posing as an ardent fan, and attempting to befriend players, coaches, and support staff with ulterior motives. The alleged modus operandi involves lavish gifts, including high-end jewellery, expensive invitations to private parties, and even indirect approaches to players' families. JAMMU, 16 APRIL Former Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) chief AS Dulat has sparked controversy with a startling revelation in his upcoming book The Chief Minister and The Spy. Mr Dulat writes that former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister and National Conference President Dr Farooq Abdullah had “secretly” supported the abrogation of Article 370. The claim has roiled political waters in Jammu and Kashmir, drawing sharp reactions across the spectrum. Several opposition leaders took to social media platform X (formerly Twitter) to express their astonishment and put the Abdullahs on the mat. The controversy has reignit- ed debate over political allegiances and the circumstances surrounding the revocation of Jammu and Kashmir’s special status ~ an event widely regarded as one of the most consequential constitutional shifts in the region’s recent history. People's Conference (PC) President and MLA Sajad Gani Lone said he was “not surprised” by the claim and suggested he had always suspected a tacit understanding. “Dulat sahib has revealed in his upcoming book that Farooq sahib privately supported the abrogation of Article 370. Coming from Dulat sahib makes this revelation very credible. Dulat sahib is the BRENT CRUDE (IN $) 65.57 PARMOD KUMAR Murshidabad violence: CM announces compensation for kin of victims Min. 47% P16 SILVER `1,00,000 GOLD `97,545.00 Shah ‘planner-in-chief’ behind efforts to destabilise Bengal: Mamata Max: 34.2˚C (-1.4) Min: 27.2˚C (+1.1) SUN RISES 05:16 hrs MOON RISES 20:58 hrs P10 CM alleges conspiracy by Centre against state RELATIVE HUMIDITY MI, HYDERABAD AIM TO CONTINUE MOMENTUM ‘TROOPS WILL REMAIN IN GAZA, LEBANON AND SYRIA’ sahib. Virtually his alter ego”. He accused the NC of playing the ‘victim card’. “The August 4, 2019, meeting of CM sahib and Farooq sahib with the PM was never a mystery for me,’’ he said. “I can visualise Farooq sahib saying—‘Humey roney deejiye— Aap apna kaam karein—Hum aap kay saath hain.’” National Conference’s chief spokesperson and MLA Tanvir Sadiq rejected Mr Dulat’s claims, pointing out ‘contradictions’ within the book. “If you look at the book and what he writes in it, he contradicts his own words. He writes that the Government of India waited for seven months to see Farooq Abdullah Sahib’s reaction when he was in custoday.” actions after his release disproved the claim. “If that was the case, then why did he promote the People’s Alliance for Gupkar Declaration (PAGD), a coalition of regional parties for the restoration of Article 370 after coming out?” People's Democratic Party (PDP) leader and former CM Mehbooba Mufti’s daughter, Iltija Mufti expressed scepticism, claiming the book confirmed long-standing doubts. “Dulat sahab, an ardent Abdullah supporter, has shared how Farooq sahab agreed with Delhi’s illegal move of abrogating Article 370. There were already doubts about what transpired between the Abdullahs & PM days before J&K’s special status was revoked.” she wrote on X. the Chief Justice, speaking for the bench, said. Stating that their interim order will balance equities, the court said: “Whichever properties were declared by court to be waqf will not be de-notified or be treated as non-waqf whether it is waqf by user or not... Collector can continue with proceedings but the provision will not be given effect to and regarding Waqf boards and Waqf Council, ex officio members can be appointed but the other members have to be Muslims.” In the course of the hearing, that lasted more than two hours, the court asked the Solicitor General Tushar Mehta representing the central government: “Mr Mehta, are you saying that from now on you will allow Muslims to be part of the Hindu endowment boards. Say it openly!” In the context of inclusion of non-Muslims in the Waqf Boards, CJI Khanna expressed surprise at SG Mehta's submission that the Bench cannot hear the case if argument against it were accepted. The SG was referring to the Hindu identity of the three judges on the Bench but it did not go down well with the CJI. “What! When we sit over here, we lose our religion. For us both sides are the same. How can you compare it with the judges?" the CJI retorted. PM discusses Ukraine, India-EU FTA with Finland President STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE NEW DELHI, 16 APRIL Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday discussed with Finland President Alexander Stubb the situation in war-torn Ukraine and other important issues. During a telephonic conversation between the two leaders, the Finland President expressed his country's support for closer India-EU relations andtheconclusionofamutually beneficialFreeTradeAgreement (FTA) between the two sides. They also exchanged views on regional and global issues of mutual interest, including the situation in Ukraine. An official statement said thetwoleadersreviewedongoing bilateral collaboration and reiterated their commitment to further deepen the partnership. They reviewed the ongoing collaboration between the two countries, including in the areas of digitalisation, sustainability and mobility. They reiterated their commitment to further strengthen and deepen the partnership, including in the areas of quantum, 5 G-6 G, AI, and cybersecurity. In a social media post on 'X', the PM wrote: ''Had a fruitful conversation with President Alexander Stubb. Finland is an important partner country in the EU. We are committed to elevating our ties. Exchanged our perspectives on regional and global issues, including the situation in Ukraine.