Hafta 531: Understanding Waqf bill, protests in University of Hyderabad

This week on Hafta, Newslaundry’s Abhinandan Sekhri, Raman Kirpal, and Manisha Pande are joined by The News Minute’s Sudipto Mondal and Supreme Court lawyer Talha Abdul Rahman.

On the controversial Waqf Amendment Bill, passed in Parliament this week after long fiery debates, Talha says: “Every Waqf that is now created will have to register themselves with the central depository.” He adds that the statute is “a translation of a WhatsApp forward.”

Sudipto questions the motivation behind bringing in the legislation and the manner in which it will be used. He says that the new bill will now “weaponise” bulldozer demolitions, which are increasingly becoming the norm. 

Manisha puts focus on the misinformation being spread in mainstream media about the bill. She mentions one anchor claiming that the new bill will ensure “no one can stop the Prime Minister’s plane from taking off because Waqf can no longer claim the airport.”

The panel also discusses the student protests in University of Hyderabad against tree felling on 400 acres of forest land. Commenting on the Supreme Court taking suo-moto cognizance of the case, Sudipto says, “It’s a great victory for people’s movements, students’ movements.”

This and a lot more. Tune in!

Hafta letters: Uncle behaviour, patriarchy, the right to exist

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Song: Tanha Tanha Yahan Pe Jeena

Timecodes

00:00:00 – Introductions and announcements

00:04:34 – Headlines 

00:13:17 – Waqf bill 

00:58:34 – HCU protests 

01:11:06 –  Letters

01:32:40 –  Recommendations

Check out previous Hafta recommendations, references, songs and letters 

Produced and recorded by Priyali Dhingra, Saif Ali Ekram, and Anil Kumar. 

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