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Waqf Bill: A positive step for Muslims
The Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2025, passed by the Lok Sabha on April 2, 2025, has sparked debate, but a closer look reveals it as a progressive reform for India’s Muslim community. Far from being a threat, the bill enhances transparency, inclusivity, and efficiency in managing Waqf properties, which span over 9,00,000 acres and hold immense potential for community welfare. One key benefit is the digitisation and streamlined administration of Waqf assets, aimed at curbing financial leakages. With properties valued at over Rs 1.2 lakh crore, improved governance could unlock an estimated Rs 12,000 crore annually for charitable causes like education and healthcare, directly uplifting underprivileged Muslims, including the Pasmanda community. The bill mandates representation for diverse Muslim groups, such as Shias, Sunnis, and backward classes, alongside two Muslim women on Waqf Boards, ensuring broader voices in decision-making and empowering women – a historic step towards gender equity.
Critics have raised concerns over provisions like non-Muslim inclusion on boards and the removal of Section 40, which allowed Waqf Boards to unilaterally claim properties. However, Union Home Minister Amit Shah clarified that non-Muslims serve only administrative roles, not religious ones, preserving the sanctity of Waqf. The shift of property dispute authority to District Collectors and High Court appeals within 90 days introduces impartiality, protecting poor Muslims from past coercion by biased tribunals. Additionally, safeguarding women’s inheritance rights under the bill aligns with Islamic principles of justice.
Rather than fuelling controversy, the Waqf Bill should be considered a modernization effort. It addresses long-standing mismanagement issues, as evidenced by the doubling of Waqf land from 18 lakh to 39 lakh acres in just 12 years, often mired in disputes. By fostering accountability and inclusivity, this reform promises to make Waqf a true instrument of Muslim welfare – no cause for alarm, but a reason to celebrate progress.
Chandan Kumar Nath
Sorbhog, Barpeta
Space surveillance centre in Assam
The news article, 'ISRO initiates process for space surveillance centre in Assam', published in your esteemed daily on April 3, is indeed much delightful news for the state. Dr V. Narayan, the chairman of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), while talking to the media, said that the highly powerful and advanced radar system, which will continuously monitor a range of up to 2000 km in space and detect accurately objects as small as ten centimetres, known as the Network of Space Object Tracking and Analysis (NETRA) centre, would be set up at Chandrapur on the outskirts of the state capital, Guwahati, with all logistical support of the state government. The proposed project will help carry out continuous surveillance of satellites and space debris and space-borne threats. With NETRA and the launching of the state's first satellite, AssamSat, the state is undoubtedly making a historic stride towards space technology and technological self-reliance in collaboration with ISRO. The much-desired and highly appreciated project will be a milestone as it will unlock new avenues and opportunities for the ambitious students of the region to undergo internships, training, skill development, and scientific research for the economic progress and welfare of the society. Assam's long-cherished dream to go a few steps ahead of other states and become a leader in space-based development initiatives is near fulfilment.
Iqbal Saikia,
Guwahati.
E-commerce firms taking consumers for a ride
The quick e-commerce and online marketplaces selling groceries and other household essentials are taking consumers for a ride in the city. Launched with much fanfare and after investing millions in advertisements to woo customers, these online e-grocers are now struggling to service the unprecedented rush of customers in their apps. So much so that Zomato-owned Blinkit blocked several city areas, depriving the citizens of the convenience and ease of purchases. The Tata-owned Big Basket is delivering the products much beyond the scheduled time, thereby defeating the very purpose of booking the essentials. Yet another unfair trade practice indulged in by Blinkit to cope with the huge rush is surge pricing. Online marketplaces cannot resort to such restrictive practices as they promise deliveries in the blink of an eye. Similarly, all are charging customers handling fees, which is also unfair.
Such unfair trade practices like blocking certain areas, surge pricing, inordinate delays in deliveries and cancelling orders indiscriminately fall under restrictive trade practices and constitute a deficiency in services. The online grocers are established players having a pan-India presence in this growing segment. They should have done proper planning to estimate the demand potential of this growing city of Guwahati instead of making a mess of the job, thereby ruining their reputation. I request the Consumers Affairs Department and the Competition Commission of India to take urgent steps to curb these malpractices to give relief to the harassed consumers.
Rajib Sarma
Guwahati.
Maritime capacity unrealised
In hindsight, India is yet to fully realise its maritime potential. Every April 5 is observed as National Maritime Day to defend, shield and preserve India's maritime zone. For a country with a long coastline of over 7,500 km, this only reflects a lack of robust political will. Maritime development can act as an engine of growth and development besides boosting a country's economic growth. The "waterways trade", or the inland waterway, can supplement and ease the road and rail trade load. As of now, the seaports are important cargo carriers in India. No effort should be spared in linking seaports with road and rail.
It is not known whether the government's plan of doubling the port capacity by the end of 2025 will materialise. Similarly, the need to upgrade the existing ports should occupy its attention. There should also be important infrastructural changes at seaports. Ports should be able to embrace larger ships and must be in a position to host fresh terminals for vessel occupancy. Old and worn-out ships must make way for newer ones. If the seaport capacity is enhanced, necessary changes will follow. Prudent utilisation of funds and effective implementation of decisions will go a long way in carrying our maritime strength to exalted levels apart from generating thousands of jobs.
Dr Ganapathi Bhat
(gbhat13@gmail.com)
Red Letter Day
March 30, 2025, should be considered a red-letter day for Assam Cricket, not for the reason that it hosted an IPL T20 match between Rajasthan Royals and Chennai Super Kings but for our own Riyan Parag. It was totally Riyan’s day, as he did outshine all, including the legendary Dhoni, Jadeja and other star players from both teams in all departments, be it captaincy, batting or fielding. The spectacular low diving catch which he took to dismiss Shivam Dubey was the turning point of the match, as ex-Indian player Dubey was looking dangerous. Riyan’s extraordinary athletic ability on the field reminded me of the great Jonty Rhodes.
But the most disturbing and condemnable part of the day was the attitude of some of the Asomiya spectators in the stands who were cheering when Riyan got out. Almost 90% of spectators were wearing yellow T-shirts in support of CSK and were hooting for Dhoni instead of our local lad Riyan. Yes, Dhoni is our national hero and pride who needs no introduction, but Riyan is our hero who needs our patronization and support.
Dr. Ashim Chowdhury,
Ambari, Guwahati.