Page 3 - Kiren Rijiju

'New chapter': Govt launches UMEED portal for Waqf property management

The government on Friday launched the UMEED portal that would create a digital inventory after geo-tagging of all Waqf properties with Minority Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju calling it a historic step that would ensure that community-owned Waqf assets are utilised effectively and fairly for poor Muslims. The UMEED central portal, short for Unified Waqf Management, Empowerment, Efficiency and Development Act, 1995 will serve as a centralised digital platform for real-time uploading, verification, and monitoring of Waqf properties. "The UMEED portal will add a new chapter in the history of Waqf property management and administration in India. It will not only bring transparency but will also help the common Muslims, particularly women and children," Rijiju said after launching the UMEED central portal. The portal, developed by the Ministry of Minority Affairs, was officially inaugurated in the presence of Union Minister of State for Minority Affairs George Kurian. Calling it a histor

Rijiju vows to make Central Waqf Council stronger, highlights new reforms

Minority Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju on Thursday said the government aims at making the Central Waqf Council more robust and responsive in its service to the community and highlighted the Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025 for strengthening the legal and administrative framework to manage Waqf properties. Rijiju made the remarks at en event organised to mark World Environment Day with a special tree plantation drive under the theme, "Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam", at the Central Waqf Bhawan here. "We aim to make the Central Waqf Council more robust and responsive in its service to the community," he said. The minister underlined the government's continued efforts to empower minority institutions like the Central Waqf Council (CWC) and ensure transparent governance. Referring to recent legislative progress, he highlighted the Waqf (Amendment) Act, which strengthens the legal and administrative framework for managing Waqf properties. The CWC, a statutory body under the administrative control of the

Tharoor's Op Sindoor remark sparks Congress row, Rijiju offers support

Congress MP Shashi Tharoor faces criticism within his party over praise for 'Operation Sindoor'; union minister Kiren Rijiju supports him, questioning Congress's stance amid the controversy

Cong dismisses Rijiju's govt 'did not ask for names for delegations' remark

The Congress on Monday dismissed as an "absolute lie" Union Minister Kiren Rijiju's reported assertion that that the government did not ask for names for the all-party diplomatic delegations going abroad, and said it was "cheap politics" to not get the names it selected cleared with the opposition party. Taking a swipe at Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Congress general secretary in-charge communications Jairam Ramesh said the same PM who had abused the Congress publicly in countries such as Australia, the US, Qatar, South Korea and China, is taking the help of the opposition party in these delegations. "Why didn't the prime minister pick up the phone and speak to Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi? Why didn't he have the courtesy to do that? The fact is that our narrative has been punctured and continues to get punctured because of the politics of polarisation in the country," Ramesh told PTI here. On Saturday, the Congress sa

NCP-SCP's Supriya Sule joins all-party mission on India's anti-terror stand

A seven-member all-party delegation will visit key partner nations, including UN Security Council members, this month to highlight Operation Sindoor and India's stance against cross-border terrorism

When national interest is involved, will always be present, says Tharoor

With the government nominating him to lead a diplomatic outreach delegation after Operation Sindoor, Congress MP Shashi Tharoor on Saturday said that when national interest is involved and his services are required, he will not be found wanting. Tharoor also said he is honoured by the invitation of the government to lead an all-party delegation to five key capitals to present the nation's point of view on recent events. His remarks came after the government announced that it will send seven all-party delegations to key partner countries, including members of the UN Security Council, later this month to convey India's message of zero tolerance against terrorism following the Pahalgam terror attack and Operation Sindoor. "I am honoured by the invitation of the government of India to lead an all-party delegation to five key capitals, to present our nation's point of view on recent events," Tharoor said on X. "When national interest is involved, and my services are required, I will not

Operation Sindoor still on, says Kiren Rijiju after all-party meeting

The meeting was the second one in a fortnight, as tensions escalated between India and Pakistan following the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack

Operation Sindoor: Government calls for all-party meeting on May 8

The meeting will be convened to brief the leaders about the strikes under 'Operation Sindoor' that were carried out in the early hours of Wednesday

Union Minister Kiren Rijiju flags off Hajj yatris, praises arrangements

Earlier on April 22, Union Minister of State for Minority Affairs, George Kurian, inaugurated the orientation-cum-training programme of selected Hajj deputationists of Hajj 2025

Congress flags security lapse; govt gets all-party backing on terror

Pahalgam attack: Political leaders expressed support for the government's stance on the Pahalgam terror attack at all-party meeting, but raised concerns over security lapses and preparedness

PM Modi meets Dawoodi Bohras; delegation praises new Waqf law

A delegation of Dawoodi Bohras met Prime Minister Narendra Modi to express their gratefulness to him for the Waqf (Amendment) Act, which has accommodated some of their key demands. Officials said the community members told Modi that it was their long-pending demand as they reposed faith in his vision of 'Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas'. They were accompanied by Minority Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju in the meeting. The community, a prosperous but miniscule minority among Shia Muslims, was represented by noted lawyer Harish Salve during their representation to the Joint Committee of Parliament, which was headed by BJP MP Jagdambika Pal, that had scrutinised the bill tabled in Parliament. It was based on the committee's recommendations that several new amendments were introduced in the bill, which was enacted following its passage in Parliament amid strident criticism from opposition parties. The Supreme Court is currently hearing a batch of pleas challenging the ...

Kiren Rijiju blames Mamata Banerjee's Waqf Act defiance for Bengal violence

Defending the Waqf Act, Union Minister for Minority Affairs Kiren Rijiju said the changes in the law are not against any community

Only those who misunderstood are opposing it: Kiren Rijiju on Waqf Act

Rajya Sabha passed the Bill on Friday with 128 votes in favour and 95 against, while the Lok Sabha cleared the bill after a lengthy debate, with 288 members voting in favour and 232 opposing it

Waqf Amendment Bill 2025 passed in Rajya Sabha: What's next for it?

Parliament approved the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2025, as Rajya Sabha passed it 128-95 after a 12-hour debate

Rajya Sabha witnesses marathon debate to pass Waqf Amendment Bill

Tabling the Bill in the Rajya Sabha, Rijiju listed the amendments that the government has brought in the redrafted Bill

Owaisi slammed for tearing Waqf Bill copy in Lok Sabha as mark of protest

BJP MP and the Joint Parliamentary Committee Chairman Jagadambika Pal slammed Owaisi's symbolic protest act, calling it 'unconstitutional'

When Waqf land claims turned lives upside down in Kerala and Karnataka

For decades, families in Kerala's Munambam and Karnataka's Vijayapura have fought legal battles over land they have lived on for generations - land now claimed as Waqf property

'Muslims welcome it, you must see it': Rijiju on Waqf Bill. Top quotes

The Centre introduced the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2025, in Parliament today amid protests from Muslim organisations, including the All India Muslim Personal Law Board

Waqf Bill 1995 vs 2024: Key changes and why they matter, explained

From ownership rules to government oversight, the Waqf Bill 2024 changes key aspects of the 1995 Bill. Here's what's different and why it matters

'Why seek proof of Islam?' Congress' Gaurav Gogoi asks govt on Waqf Bill

Deputy Leader of the Congress in Lok Sabha Gaurav Gogoi criticised the Waqf Amendment Bill, alleging it undermines constitutional values, and targets minority communities