Senior DMK leader A Raja has urged the party cadre to remove Hindu symbols like tilak, pottu, and holy ash while wearing DMK dhotis, stating it would differentiate them from 'Sanghis.' This follows Udhayanidhi Stalin’s remarks on Sanatan Dharma. BJP has condemned the statement, calling it an attack on Hinduism and a bid to polarise voters.
Category
🗞
NewsTranscript
00:00Is the DMK behaving anti-Hindu? Are there certain symbols associated with the Hindu
00:05religion and culture that the Dravida Munetra Karagam does not want and it wants them to
00:11go out? This is an anti-Hindu rant that appears to be from a DMK leader that's going viral.
00:17He's asking the Kader to remove religious symbols, Raja Singh, and he's been no stranger
00:24to controversy. He says, differentiate yourself from the Sanghis. Now, Sanghi is usually a
00:31term for the Hindu right-wing, but then a question here, if the religious symbols are
00:36associated only with the Sanghis, why is it only for one community? If the religious symbols
00:41are to be removed, shouldn't they be removed for one and all then? Asking his Kader of
00:45the DMK to remove religious symbols. Let's listen in to what a Raja has to say.
01:24On this, Pramod, so from what he's saying, it appears it's very clear. He's referring
01:45to the Tilak, the Pottu, then he's referring to a Dhoti, Ash, all are in reference to the
01:51Hindu symbols. Tell me more about this. What is he saying and why?
02:21Stay on with me on this, Pramod. So, DMK, remember, has been making these comments,
02:44especially after Uday Nidhi Stalin using objectionable words comparing Sanatan Dharma to diseases,
02:49this saying needs to be eradicated. Let's get into perspective on this. Vinod P Selvam
02:54is joining me. He's a BJP leader. Mr. Selvam, you tell me, what does one make of it? Is
03:00this trying to bring in a certain equality or is this a clear attack on Hindu symbols?
03:06Ma'am, the DMK has always been against the idea of Hinduism. And time and about they
03:15have always tried to make comments which hurt the sentiments. It's like testing waters and
03:25seeing what the reaction is going to be. But today, in a state where crores of Hindus reside
03:31and the largest of temples in the world are still, living temples are present, a very senior member
03:37of the DMK is openly instructing its carders to remove their sacred hash or the kumkum from their
03:45foreheads while wearing the DMK dhotis. It is clearly indicative that this is just a beginning
03:53of how they want to eradicate Sanatan Dharma, which has been declared by the Prince Uday Nidhi
03:58Sarath. He had already mentioned that the whole idea is to eradicate Sanatan Dharma.
04:03And in the path of eradicating Sanatan Dharma, in at least trying to do so, the DMK members,
04:10leaders are now coming up openly on stage and declaring that we should not keep on holy hash or
04:16having the sacred thread around their wrist is wrong. But these people have never gone out and
04:22told that Muslims should not wear their skull cap. That's what I noticed. That's what I noticed,
04:27when he said religious symbols, he also made it clear what religious symbols he's referring to,
04:32which is otherwise in a multicultural, multi-religious state like Tamil Nadu,
04:36which just sounds very surprising. Also, tell me, Mr. Salman, do you think this is going to
04:41escalate? Because this is what DMK earlier felt. They're speaking to a local audience,
04:46maybe to their carder. But now, in a globalized social media world, it's the country listening
04:51to what the DMK is saying. They're also India Block Alliance partners.
04:57The DMK is very aware of what they're speaking. They know it is going to reach the masses and
05:00that is why they're in fact speaking. So as I told you, elections are nearing and now all they
05:05want to do is polarize and communalize the votes. DMK is now a minority vote bank party in Tamil
05:12Nadu. So now they're doing everything to appease the minority vote bank, try to bash and put down
05:17the Hindus and their beliefs, try to harp on the fact that attacking the Hindus will gain them the
05:22votes of the minorities in the state. This is basically divide and rule. And it also creates
05:27a thought in the head that we are heading towards an Aurangazeb kind of rule to be
05:32established in Tamil Nadu under MK's challenge. So, you know, wearing the holy cross by the
05:37Christians is not considered wrong. The DMK men can wear the dhotis and still wear the holy cross.
05:42The DMK men can wear dhotis and still wear the skull cap. But then if you keep the holy hash or
05:46wear a sacred thread, it is considered to be, you know, equated to be a very wrong doing according
05:52to these DMK men. So it is the Hindus of Tamil Nadu who wake up. They realize what is
06:00happening in the state. And I would like to also get a clarification from the Congress, especially
06:06Rahul Gandhi, who claims himself to be, you know, belonging to different sub-castes of Hinduism
06:12once in a while wherever he goes to. If he accepts the statements of a senior DMK leader
06:18where he says that the Hindus should not keep the holy hash on their forehead.
06:22Very important points. Will the Congress, the alliance partners say something about it? We'll
06:27be tracking that. Remember, A Raja is no ordinary young leader. He's been a UPA minister as well.
06:32So he understands what you say on the stage. And let's listen in again briefly, quickly to what
06:38A Raja says. And when he says, remove religious symbols in DMK, hold. What does he mean?
07:08He says, remove religious symbols in DMK, hold. What does he mean?
07:38He says, remove religious symbols in DMK, hold. What does he mean?
07:47It's the big day. In just a short while, at about 12 p.m., we're expecting the Waqf Amendment Bill
07:51to be tabled in the Lok Sabha. Discussions both in Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha. A Muslim group has
07:58backed the Waqf Bill. It's come out in support of the government. This is Jamiat Himayat Islam.
08:04They are supporting the Waqf Bill. And very interesting point they are making. They are saying
08:08only land grabbers fear the amendments in the Waqf Bill. This is a Jamiat offshoot that's
08:14basically also questioning the larger All India Muslim Personal Law Board that's not only organized
08:19protests on the streets, but even a short while back has put out a statement requesting all BJP
08:25alliance partners, opposition leaders to not vote in favor of the Waqf Amendment Bill, to oppose it
08:31as much as they want. But when a Muslim body in itself, a Jamiat is Himayat Islam,
08:37very clearly comes forth to say that we must support the amendments because only the land
08:42grabbers will fear the Waqf Amendment Bill that the government is bringing in. I want to bring in
08:48Piyush Mishra for the latest on that. So remember there's been a Kerala Bishop Council,
08:53a Kerala Church, and then comes in this specific statement this morning. Piyush, tell me more about
09:00when a Jamiat Himayat Islam body makes a statement like this, what does it mean
09:05for the government as much for the larger discourse in this case?
09:09Well Pooja, it certainly bursts the narrative, large narrative which has been set by opposition
09:14political parties and a large number of Muslim groups where they claim that through this Waqf
09:20Amendment Bill the government is trying to usurp the land of common Muslim men. They are going to
09:26harass Muslims and a lot of problems will be faced by Muslims after this
09:31bill takes the form of law. Now there is an organisation which is from Saranpur which is
09:37asking 10 questions from all the Muslim groups who are opposing the Waqf Amendment Bill and
09:43let me point out 2-3 big questions which has been highlighted in the list of 10 questions those have
09:48been asked. The first question which this organisation asks is that what contribution
09:52has the Waqf Board made to the progress of Muslims till date? How many poor girls have
09:57been married off by the Waqf Board till date? How many homeless people have been given houses
10:01by the Waqf Board till date? And what is more important question which this organisation is
10:05asking that despite the Waqf Board having the 3rd largest property in the country, why is every 4th
10:12beggar roaming on the streets is a Muslim? So that's the biggest question which this
10:18organisation is now asking. 10 questions they have asked from various Muslim organisations
10:23who are opposing this, protesting against this bill and who are also requesting opposition
10:29political parties including PMIJ. Important point that you are telling us Piyush has been made by
10:33this Jamiat Himat Islam body. It's from Uttar Pradesh, from Saharanpur. Stay on with me Piyush
10:40because opposition is very clear. They want to object and oppose this bill. Imran Masood,
10:46one of the vocal leaders on this has something to say this morning. Let's listen in.
10:53Imran Masood
11:23Imran Masood
11:53Imran Masood
12:23Imran Masood
12:53Imran Masood
13:23Imran Masood
13:30So Imran Masood, remember a senior leader from the opposition, he's also been associated with
13:35the JPC. He's not convinced that enough recommendations on changes that have been
13:40made. He continues to say that this is an infringement on Muslim rights while the
13:44government says transparency is needed. Arbitrary powers of Waqf cannot be allowed.
13:57News coming in from Bihar ahead of Bihar elections. Jan Swaraj chief Prashant Kishore
14:03attacking Nitish Kumar. Prashant Kishore says and I quote him here first, Nitish is helping
14:09anti-Muslim Waqf bill. So there is a view that he has to, he's also taken on the Waqf amendment
14:15bill. Prashant Kishore says BJP needs Nitish Kumar to push the Waqf amendment bill. Nitish
14:22is helping BJP's polarisation campaign. With this is he also bringing in his ideological
14:29tilt with Jan Swaraj, which way the Jan Swaraj may go because remember Prashant Kishore has
14:35worked with all the parties, NDA alliance partners, India bloc leaders but it's now a
14:40big political war and these are upcoming Bihar elections. JDU has decided to vote in favour
14:46of the Waqf amendment bill. Here's what Prashant Kishore is saying.
15:05Prashant Kishore says
15:35Joining me on the phone line India's Rohit Singh from Patna. Rohit that's
15:43one big statement that he's given in many ways also reflecting where he stands on this issue.
15:50Well absolutely see most of the opposition parties are hitting out at Nitish Kumar because
15:56Nitish Kumar is the one person as far as in Bihar is concerned he has a secular credentials and a
16:03secular image. But despite that what the sources are telling us that Janata Dal United is all set
16:09to vote in support of the Waqf amendment bill today in the Lok Sabha also in the Rajya Sabha.
16:16So that is why the opposition is now slamming leaders like Nitish Kumar and also Chandra Babu
16:21Naidu also because the government at present at the centre is running with the support of these
16:26two major players. And what Prashant Kishore is saying is that if Nitish Kumar doesn't vote in
16:32support of this Waqf amendment bill then obviously this bill won't be passed in the
16:37Lok Sabha. So that is what he is saying that Nitish Kumar
16:43is responsible for what is happening right now because he has come out in support of the
16:47government and obviously a secular leader like Nitish Kumar supporting the government over the
16:52Waqf amendment bill what Prashant Kishore maintains is not going to pay him dividends in the upcoming
16:58elections also. All right keep tracking all the latest on that. Remember that with the numbers
17:05BJP knows it needs India alliance partners and that Prashant Kishore says that you're
17:11just being used by the BJP in a polarisation. So stage is set for a mega showdown 12 pm.
17:20We are expecting Union Minority Affairs Minister Kiran Rajiju to table the Waqf amendment bill in
17:24the Lok Sabha. He'll also open the debate in the lower house of the parliament. Eight hours have
17:29been allotted for the discussion and debate on this. Speakers from both sides will get their
17:34chance and will go all guns blazing. Expect elaborate scathing statements made by both sides.
17:39According to our sources Home Minister Amit Shah will also likely intervene during the debate
17:43and 14 changes have been approved by the JPC. Here's how the JPC chief Jagdambika Pal what
17:50does he have to say this morning.
20:20I think he's very honestly and keenly looking forward to have a proper discussion on Waqf
20:49amendment bill. And every member of the parliament, those who represent different
20:56political parties must get sufficient time and proper time to discuss and speak on the matter
21:05on the subject.
22:35Let me tell you about numbers now. In the parliament, eventually it will be a number
23:02game. They need a certain majority to be able to pass this bill in the parliament.
23:07Lok Sabha 543 is the strength. NDA government with the alliance partners forms about 293.
23:14India bloc, the opposition about 238. Others about 11. Now one will be vacant. Now government
23:21needs a simple majority to pass the Waqf amendment bill. The number usually of the
23:26simple majority is 271. It is likely that the NDA, if it has all the alliance partners on its side,
23:32will easily clear the bill. This is Lok Sabha. In the Rajya Sabha, per house of the parliament,
23:37the strength is 245. Again, NDA has a very good majority here, 125. India bloc also has 88. But
23:45then there are others 23. Government needs a simple majority here. Again, that would be 118
23:51here. Both sides, it looks like they have the numbers. I want to bring in my colleague Piyush
23:56Mishra here. Piyush, but while the NDA has the numbers, it's the BJP plus alliance partners,
24:03the TDP, the JDU, the LJP. And I believe you have some leaders as well with you.
24:08Go ahead. What is happening on the ground?
24:12Well, this bill will be brought in Lok Sabha. And yes, like you mentioned that NDA has got
24:18the numbers and comfortably they are going to, you know, get this bill passed from Lok Sabha
24:23and then it will be sent to Rajya Sabha. Joining me right now is VHP leader Vinod Bansal.
25:23The last two decades, the wealth of the backwards, earlier it was a few lakh acres of land.
25:30And its income was 150 crores. And now that wealth has increased to 8-9 lakh acres.
25:38And after that, now the income is only 1.5 crores. Where is that wealth going?
25:44Who is eating its income? And how is it being managed? After all, the Muslims are left poor.
25:51But it is being said that the government is going to handle all the disputes.
25:56Is there a threat to their own land?
25:59No, look, their own land, the land of the backwards, they consider it their own.
26:04They can be in danger. This is true.
26:06Those who consider the land of the backwards as their own land, who are the Badkav brothers.
26:09But the land of the backwards is not in danger. I think the land of the backwards,
26:13the land of the backwards is going to be a slap in the face that it is the land of the backwards.
26:16And I say, look, whether it is digitalisation, the right to women,
26:20the people of the Muslim community of the deprived society, the people of different religious communities,
26:24if they get the right, and if there is a transference,
26:28or I say, the dispute is being opened for redressal, then why is anyone objecting to this?
26:34They are opposing, whether they are opposition leaders or some Muslim organizations,
26:37what should they say?
26:39Look, I will give this advice that do not make prayer a political barrier.
26:44And Ramzan, who used to say that this is the day of peace,
26:48all kinds of peace are spread, and now the politics of inciting, inciting, spreading lies,
26:52and propagandizing have come out.
26:54Because the Muslim of the country has also awakened,
26:56and he is coming out of the Madrasah mentality.
26:58And I will say that these leaders,
27:00there are some people who say that I have passed the degree of a barrister from England,
27:04but through the law they have never done anything.
27:07They talk about democracy, but they will not violate the tradition of truth and justice,
27:10and will not lift the flag of India, and will fight for the flag of Palestine.
27:14All right, so that's what the reaction is coming in on the ground.
27:18Remember, it's been a heated debate.
27:20Let me now tell you about the details on your screen.
27:22When we talk about Waqf properties,
27:24what are we talking about, what is the amount?
27:26Farmlands, for example, are over 1,40,000 in total.
27:32Graveyards, which primarily deal with the Muslim community,
27:36over 1,49,000 areas.
27:39Mosques in itself are over 1,17,413 designated areas
27:45for mosques under the Waqf.
27:47The shops included,
27:49over 1,06,800 shops are said to be under the Waqf property or their claim.
27:57Then there are houses as well.
27:59Even the personal property usually can be exempt,
28:01but the homes also coming in,
28:0489,000 houses have come in under the Waqf property or of their claims.
28:08Especially, remember, this led to a lot of showdown in the southern states,
28:12Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Kerala,
28:14where a lot of people along the coastline said,
28:16we've been living here for generations.
28:18Then there are dargahs, mazars, and tombs.
28:2033,056 are some of these religious sites under the Waqf.
28:26Then there are madarsas, the schools.
28:2813,719 schools come under the Waqf property.
28:33Then there are idgahs, which are massive areas.
28:359,000 in total for the people to offer prayers and more.
28:39Then there are imambaras.
28:416,777 imambaras come under the Waqf.
28:45There are ponds even.
28:473,800.
28:49Then there are other schools.
28:512,042 schools come under the Waqf property.
28:53You should know that after the Indian Railways and the Indian Armed Forces,
28:57it is the Waqf Board that lays to the largest amount of land claim in the country here.
29:03But then, what is the changes that are being brought in in the Waqf Amendment Bill?
29:07To curb corruption is what the government is claiming.
29:10What does that mean?
29:11Boards must submit a periodic report on financial transactions.
29:15Financial audits will be done to check any fund misuse that may happen.
29:21There will have to be all documentary, likely digitized proof for the claims,
29:26so that there would not be a dispute in future over land ownership
29:30that has primarily happened in many cases of the Waqf.
29:33Private and public land will be protected from wrongful claims.
29:38And then, if there is a dispute,
29:40there will be an appeal allowed in the higher court as well,
29:43so that there is greater judicial scrutiny in this
29:46and that Waqf simply cannot lay a claim onto a property and then have it approved.
29:51So, all of this will be a part of the heated discussions on the cards in the Lok Sabha
29:55as much as in the Rajya Sabha.
29:57The NDA has given a three-line whip to all its members of parliament
30:01asking them to be present without any option right now during the debate.
30:06Top allies for now for the BJP coming in their support
30:10according to information accessed by India Today.
30:12Recommendations that were made by the Telugu Desam Party with focus in Andhra Pradesh,
30:17Janata Dal United and Chirag Paswan's LJP with focus in Bihar.
30:21The recommendations have been incorporated by the JPC
30:24and that's one of the reasons NDA alliance partners have come on board.
30:27So, Lok Sabha is where 293 MPs for the NDA,
30:30India Block 238 MPs, government needs a simple majority,
30:33they will likely have it if all the NDA alliance partners are with them.
30:36The question then comes in, how will the opposition step up pressure?
30:40Let's listen in first to what our leaders are saying.
30:44Whether it's the Opposition Congress or the DMK or the Twin Moon Congress,
30:50they are continuously trying to provoke us.
30:53We have addressed their issues as well.
30:56Whether it's the JDU or our Chand Bahu Naidu Party,
31:02whether it's Eknath Sindhi's or Chirag Paswan's,
31:04all the members of parliament, our APC members,
31:07and whatever their issues are,
31:10we have addressed all the issues and concerns in our meetings.
31:16I welcome this amendment.
31:18Our party, our people, the United,
31:22in support of this amendment,
31:24and all our MPs,
31:27have been instructed by the HIP
31:30that they will be present in the house on 2nd, 3rd and 4th April
31:36and they will support the government.
31:39In particular, they have been instructed to support the Bakht Sanjodan
31:44and participate in the voting.
31:47They have been instructed to support the government.
31:51We have taken suggestions from the Muslim organisations in our country and in Bihar.
31:56Based on that, they gave some suggestions.
31:59One or two of the suggestions were that,
32:01in the past, only the sons had the right to vote for their children.
32:05Our party wants that if someone has done the work,
32:08then the sons and daughters should also benefit from it.
32:11Because our party's thinking is that,
32:13the youth and women, the MYI's amendment is going on.
32:16And the sources are saying that,
32:18perhaps the government has agreed to the suggestions of our leader and our party.
32:25I am getting this information.
32:27The Bakht Sanjodan Bill, which is going to be presented in the Parliament tomorrow,
32:32has not only the view of the country, but also the view of the entire Muslim community.
32:36Approximately 9 lakh acres of the land of the Bakht Board,
32:40on which many people have made illegal captures,
32:44if through the Sanjodan Bill,
32:46these lands are taken back,
32:49for the benefit of the Muslims,
32:51if the Sanjodan Bill comes,
32:53then undoubtedly our party will support it.
32:57I think that after the Triple Talaq,
33:00a very important bill will be presented in the Parliament tomorrow.
33:03And from which, till now,
33:06the Muslim community has not got justice.
33:10It is the evening to give justice to the poor Muslims.
33:14This amendment bill will be presented in 2025.
33:18The biggest landholder today is the Waqf.
33:22There are many loopholes in it.
33:25There is a lot of corruption in it.
33:28All this was going on for so many years.
33:52Please stay on with me, before I go across to him.
34:23What are the parties?
34:25It looks like the names are more than the NDA Alliance,
34:28but it is the numbers that are stacked in favour of the NDA.
34:31Parties against the bill?
34:34Congress, Dravida Munetra Karagam, Trinamool Congress, Bengal,
34:38YSRCP, RJD, again with focus on upcoming Bihar elections,
34:43AI, MIM, of course, Asaduddin Avesi has been part of the protests too,
34:47the BRS, Sena UBT,
34:50NCP, Sharath Pawar faction.
34:52You are also looking at AI, DMK, you will be surprised because
34:55they met Home Minister Amit Shah recently,
34:57but also as numbers they don't count as much,
35:00no Lok Sabha MPs of AI, DMK.
35:03Now let me tell you about what many have not known about,
35:07that in India's biggest landowners,
35:10Waqf comes a very close third.
35:13On top is the defence land, expectedly, but that's about national security.
35:18Over 18 lakh acres of land across India is the defence land,
35:23often at the border or in border states,
35:25but across because of the cant areas and more.
35:28Then comes in the Indian railways.
35:3012 lakh acres of land go to the railways,
35:34again, it's a lifeline for the nation,
35:37it's used for welfare of one and all,
35:39and then comes in the Waqf board.
35:42The Waqf land is over 8 lakh acres of land across the nation.
35:47And that has what led to a lot of controversies too,
35:51about the claims that have come in with regard to the land ownership.
35:54So the three big landowners are the defence land,
35:57the Indian railways and the Waqf board.
35:59Why is the opposition then opposing this bill?
36:03So we'll be tracking that and more.
36:04What does the Congress, SP, RJD, Sena, UBT have to say?
36:08They've also issued a whip to the MPs.
36:10Kerala Christian groups are rallying in support of the Waqf Amendment Bill.
36:15This is big news.
36:16Remember, on one side is the All India Muslim Personal Law Board,
36:18but on other end, this is focusing on Kerala.
36:21The Christian groups, a bishop council, the Kerala church,
36:24are coming in support of the amendments in the Waqf Bill.
36:28The Waqf, remember, there was this whole charge and allegation that had come in.
36:32There were several farmers and members of the Christian community,
36:35especially those who had been from the poor background,
36:39said that their houses are being swallowed by the claims by the Waqf board.
36:44So in many ways, it was because full-on villages,
36:47especially belonging to the Christian community,
36:50had started to complain about how there are the ownership claims coming in
36:54from the Waqf board, even in areas where they lived for generations.
36:58Munambam village, remember, where also India Today had reported about,
37:02is rooting for the Waqf Bill.
37:05So this is adding on to more and more of support, pro or anti, that's coming in.
37:10Shibimol KG joins me from Tirunelveli, for the latest on that.
37:13Shibimol, good morning.
37:14Tell me more about this, how interestingly, Kerala has become a big focus
37:18when it comes to discourse and opposition or support to the Waqf Amendment Bill.
37:23Why are the Kerala Christian groups supporting?
37:30Well, Pooja, the major reason why the Christian groups in Kerala
37:34are supporting the Waqf Amendment Bill is also because of the Munambam land issue.
37:39I'm right now in Kochi, in the village of Munambam,
37:42where you can see the protesters here, gathered in the morning itself,
37:47hopeful that the bill will be passed and the issue will be sorted.
37:51This is an issue in Munambam.
37:53This has been affecting around 610 families here,
37:57who have been living here for many decades.
38:00They have been protesting since the last six months,
38:02because two years ago their revenue rights were removed
38:05as the land was the Waqf Board had issued a notice to all of them,
38:08claiming, saying that this land belongs to the Waqf Board and you will have to move out.
38:13Back then, the state government had interviewed and sorted this issue.
38:17There was a discussion held and allowed them to continue living here,
38:20but they are living in an uncertain situation.
38:23They want clarity over this issue,
38:25because they say that this land was bought by them from the owners of this land.
38:31There is a lot of confusion regarding it,
38:35which they hope will be sorted after this bill.
38:38The amendment bill will be passed today in the Lok Sabha.
38:41Like I said, they have been protesting since a long time.
38:43That's why the Church and the Kerala Catholic Bishop Council
38:46and all the Christian communities are coming out and extending support to the amendment bill,
38:51requesting the Kerala MPs in the Lok Sabha to extend their support to the bill and not to oppose it.
38:57The Christian community forms a very crucial part as far as the opposition parties,
39:02both the Congress and the CPM are concerned, especially the Congress.
39:06This has been their stronghold.
39:08It's not good for them if they are going to anger the Christian community,
39:15especially considering the fact that Kerala is going into the Assembly elections in the next year.
39:22With one year ahead of Assembly elections,
39:24the Congress has been putting a fix regarding the amendment bill,
39:27because they are also in an alliance with the IUML, the Indian Union Muslim League,
39:31which has strongly said that they are going to oppose the amendment bill.
39:34Do you think that this court right now, especially put a lot of focus and pressure,
39:39as much on the Congress and left, but more on the Congress,
39:41because there are more MPs in the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha,
39:44but also tell me, like you are explaining here, elaborate more on that.
39:48What areas do you think possibly where the Congress MPs will have trouble,
39:53where they will be in a tight spot, because they are otherwise opposing it so strongly,
39:57but you have your own strong vote bank in Kerala too?
40:04Well, Pooja, as far as Kerala is concerned, the minorities have always extended support to the Congress here.
40:10As far as the CPM is concerned, it's always the Hindu community that has voted for them,
40:16so if it's an issue that affects the minorities, then it's always the Congress that gets directly affected.
40:22As far as the Muslim community is concerned, the IUML, the Indian Union Muslim League,
40:26the most prominent party here, has been a strong ally of the Congress here in Kerala,
40:30which makes it pretty much easier for them.
40:32But as far as the Christian community, that's the direct vote bank of the Congress party in Kerala,
40:36especially in the central part of Kerala, in Kottayam, Ernakulam and Thrissur.
40:40Now, the Munambam village is located in Kochi, Ernakulam, which is like the stronghold of the Congress party.
40:46Over the decades, and since decades, this community has extended and stood strongly with the Congress,
40:51even whenever there was a left wave, whenever there was an anti-incumbency wave against the Congress.
40:56And that's why I was saying that, you know, this issue, the whole issue of the Waqf Amendment Bill,
41:00as well as the Munambam land issue, has really put the Congress in a tight spot.
41:05Even they had a bit of, you know, disagreements with the IUML also,
41:08with the IUML saying that this land belongs to Waqf,
41:11and the Congress leadership openly coming out in Kerala and saying that,
41:14we are with the protesters here in Munambam, as, you know, their land and their rights should be claimed.
41:18Congress will be deliberating on this.
41:20Shibi Moul, very important ground report that she is bringing.
41:23She is in Munambam, where over 600 odd families, primarily in village areas,
41:27constituting mainly of the Christian community, but also Hindus,
41:31who've been in a sort of a dispute with the Kerala State Waqf Board,
41:34and because of the land ownership, they claim, we've been living here for generations.
41:38How is the Waqf Board claiming that it's their land?
41:41And that's perhaps why, the reason you see their support for the Waqf Amendment Bill.
41:45Can it resolve their concerns once the bill is implemented?
41:49The Centre is tabling the Waqf Bill in the Lok Sabha.
41:52India Bloc allies will be locked in a huddle.
41:54They will want to strategize ahead of the contentious bill being tabled.
41:57Rahul Gandhi in the Lok Sabha.
41:59Malik Arjun Khadge in the Rajya Sabha will be leading the charge.
42:02Congress to Aam Aadmi Party, Uddhav Sena, have been locked in deliberations.
42:06They'll be holding meetings as much.
42:08Congress is claiming, remember, that the Waqf is anti-constitutional, it says.
42:12Trinamool Congress is accusing the BJP of bulldozing the bill to clear it in the Parliament.
42:16AIMIM chief, Aswadathan Ovesi, who's been part of even the protests on the ground,
42:21says the bill violates Muslims' freedom of religion.
42:24So India Bloc appears to be unanimously deciding to oppose, vote against the bill in the Parliament.
42:29Those who are not also with the India Bloc, but in opposition, are strongly opposing it.
42:55This is our request.
42:57This bill is against the constitution.
43:03This bill is an attack on the constitution.
43:07Leader of the Opposition, Rahul Gandhi, and Leader of the Opposition, Rajya Sabha, Mr. Kargir,
43:12have consulted all the people, with 22 parties.
43:16They sat down and discussed it.
43:18A strategy has been set.
43:21And today's Congress, Lok Sabha MPs have met.
43:26Look, we are ready to discuss.
43:29But I want to tell you the truth.
43:32The government is repeatedly saying that nothing will happen to Muslims.
43:36The Waqf-e-Uzar, which they have removed, and are saying that they have not removed it,
43:41has been provided in it, that any property, which is government-owned,
43:46in which there is a government shareholder, or is disputed,
43:50that property will be given to a designated officer until it is considered Waqf-e-Uzar.
43:55And until it is not investigated, that property will not be considered Waqf-e-Uzar.
44:00The whole of India is united.
44:03Tomorrow we want a debate.
44:05And we will debate with all our strength.
44:08And all of us, the India Alliance, will participate with all our strength tomorrow.
44:13We will be expressing our opinions as one.
44:18And we will come together and oppose this bill.
44:22As parties who believe in the secularism of this country.
44:29And we believe in protecting the minorities and the majority of this country.
44:35And we will stand together to protect the constitution of this country.
44:41The people of Bhajpa want to impose the law of Nagpur.
44:47They cannot tolerate us.
44:49We are people who believe in the Ganga land culture.
44:52The diversity of our country is beautiful.
44:57From the beginning, we have opposed the parliament,
45:01whether it is the Rajya Sabha or the Lok Sabha.
45:06Whether it is the Vidhan Sabha or the Vidhan Parishad in Bihar.
45:09We have opposed this bill.
45:11And we will oppose it in the future as well.
45:17I can say on behalf of my party that we will participate in the debate.
45:21We will move the amendments.
45:23And we will speak our mind with evidence.
45:27And we will show how this bill is unconstitutional.
45:30How it opposes the freedom of religion of Muslims.
45:35How it deprives them of the charitable religious practices of Muslims.
45:39We will tell you tomorrow.