Chennai, September 16, 2025 – In a strongly worded press statement, Prof. M.H. Jawahirullah, MLA and President of Manithaneya Makkal Katchi (MMK), has expressed deep dissatisfaction with the Supreme Court’s interim judgment on the Waqf Amendment Act 2025, describing it as a verdict that endorses harmful amendments and fails to provide robust constitutional protection. The statement, issued today, highlights critical concerns about the judgment and calls for the complete repeal of the controversial Act.
Criticism of the Interim Judgment
Prof. Jawahirullah criticized the Supreme Court for selectively addressing only a handful of the 115 amendments (33 insertions, 45 substitutions, and 37 deletions) introduced by the Union BJP Government in the Waqf Amendment Act 2025. He argued that the Court’s failure to impose an interim stay on several regressive provisions undermines constitutional principles. “This judgment falls short of providing complete constitutional protection and is deeply disappointing,” he stated.
One of the most contentious rulings, according to Jawahirullah, is the Court’s decision to allow up to four non-Muslims on the 22-member Central Waqf Council and up to three non-Muslims on 11-member State Waqf Boards. Labeling this as discriminatory, he questioned, “If outsiders to Hindu or Sikh faiths cannot serve on their respective boards, why should non-Muslims be mandated on Waqf Boards?” He argued that this provision unfairly singles out Muslim institutions.
Positive Aspects of the Verdict
While critical of the judgment, Jawahirullah acknowledged some positive aspects. The Court has stayed provisions that would allow Waqf properties under dispute to be confiscated or altered in official records until a final judgment is delivered. Additionally, the clause requiring proof of Waqf ownership based solely on a government officer’s report has been suspended, and no officer can unilaterally decide who qualifies to create a Waqf. The Court also stayed the amendment requiring individuals to prove they have followed Islam for at least five years before creating a Waqf, which Jawahirullah welcomed as a temporary relief.
However, he expressed concern over the Court’s decision to leave the definition of a “Muslim” to State Governments, warning that this could empower governments hostile to Muslims to restrict who may create a Waqf, setting a “dangerous precedent.”
Concerns Over “Waqf by User”
A major point of contention in the interim order is the Court’s stance on “Waqf by User,” which Jawahirullah described as “deeply alarming.” He highlighted that centuries-old mosques and graveyards, established through continued usage, now face existential threats due to paragraphs 143–152 of the judgment, which he believes have further complicated the issue.
The Court’s failure to address three critical deletions from the original Waqf Act—Section 104 (allowing non-Muslims to create Waqf), Section 107 (exempting recovery of encroached Waqf properties from the Limitation Act, 1963), and Section 108 (special provisions for evacuee Waqf properties)—was also flagged as a significant oversight. Jawahirullah warned that this omission could enable state governments to seize Waqf properties, particularly in regions with administrations hostile to Muslim interests.
Call for Repeal and Continued Struggle
Labeling the Waqf (Amendment) Act 2025 as a “deliberate conspiracy to weaken and usurp Waqf properties,” Jawahirullah demanded its complete repeal and the reinstatement of the Waqf Act 2013. He welcomed the All India Muslim Personal Law Board’s (AIMPLB) resolve to continue the struggle to safeguard Waqf properties, noting their announcement of a massive public meeting at Delhi’s Ramlila Maidan on November 16, 2025. He urged Muslims in Tamil Nadu to participate in large numbers to strengthen the movement.
Acknowledgment of Allied Efforts
Jawahirullah extended gratitude to the Tamil Nadu Muslim Munnetra Kazhagam (TMMK), DMK, Congress, Samajwadi Party, and other allied parties for their legal efforts against the Amendment Act, including TMMK’s case filed in the Supreme Court. With the final hearing scheduled for November 2025, he urged senior counsels of these parties to highlight the interim verdict’s shortcomings and advocate for the Act’s repeal.
The interim verdict has sparked significant controversy, with Prof. Jawahirullah and MMK leading the charge against what they see as an unconstitutional and discriminatory law. As the legal and public battle intensifies, the call for unity and action among Muslim communities and their allies grows stronger, setting the stage for a pivotal showdown at the final hearing.
In a brazen display of sensationalism, sections of India’s pro-government media—derisively known as “Godi media”—have amplified vicious rumours claiming that renowned Islamic scholar Dr. Zakir Naik is battling AIDS and has been hospitalized in Malaysia. The claims, which originated on social media and were quickly picked up by channels like News18, allege not only Dr. Naik’s illness but also that his wife, Farhat Naik, and daughter, Zikra Naik, have tested HIV-positive. However, official statements from Dr. Naik’s team and independent verifications paint a starkly different picture: the preacher is in excellent health and actively engaged in his work.
Dr. Naik’s official X account (@drzakiranaik) posted as recently as September 13, 2025, announcing the launch of a new OTT platform for Peace TV and Al Hidayah, with no mention of any health concerns. His lawyer has categorically dismissed the rumors as “fake news” and “rubbish,” confirming that Dr. Naik is abroad and in good health. Independent outlets like OneIndia and DXB News Network echoed this, labelling the story a “social media rumour” with zero credible evidence, noting that Dr. Naik’s routine posts continue uninterrupted.
The viral “medical report” circulating online—purportedly from Sunway Medical Centre—has been debunked as fabricated. Fact-checkers point out discrepancies, such as mismatched age details (listing Dr. Naik as 65 when he is 59), and no hospital has corroborated the document. Malaysian media, including Free Malaysia Today and Malaysiakini, have reported the denials, emphasizing the lack of substantiation. Social media sleuths on X (formerly Twitter) have also flagged the image as a doctored Photoshop job, with users mocking the “ecosystem’s” desperate bid for clicks.
This isn’t the first time Dr. Naik, a polarizing figure banned in India for alleged hate speech, has been targeted by disinformation campaigns. But the timing raises eyebrows. As India grapples with escalating crises—Manipur’s ethnic violence entering its third year with fresh protests against PM Modi’s delayed visit, soaring unemployment at 8.5% (per latest NSSO data), and whispers of electoral bond scandals resurfacing—these smears conveniently dominate headlines. Critics argue it’s a classic diversion tactic: flood the discourse with Islamophobic tropes to stoke communal tensions and eclipse governance failures.
“These rumours are not just false; they’re malicious attempts to demonize a voice that challenges the status quo,” said a spokesperson for the Islamic Research Foundation, which Dr. Naik founded. “While we’re focused on dawah (invitation to faith) and global outreach, others seem obsessed with character assassination.” On X, supporters have rallied with hashtags like #ZakirNaikHealthy, countering the troll army with calls for media accountability.
Godi media’s role is unmistakable. A September 12 YouTube video from News18 titled “Controversial Preacher Zakir Naik Hospitalised” racked up views by leaning into unverified “sources,” while BJP IT cell head Amit Malviya amplified a related clip on X, declaring the claims “TRUE” without evidence. Right-wing handles, from @HinduExistence to @MumbaichaDon, piled on with glee, sharing memes about “karma” and “Jannat entry denied.” Yet, as one X user quipped, “If rumours were true, half of Twitter would be in ICU by now.”
In an era of deepfakes and echo chambers, this episode underscores the peril of unchecked “breaking news.” Dr. Naik remains a lightning rod—admired by millions for his interfaith dialogues, reviled by detractors for his unapologetic orthodoxy. But health smears? That’s a low even for the rumor mongers. As India hurtles toward 2026 state polls, perhaps it’s time for real journalism to refocus: on healing divides, not inventing them.
New Delhi: The University of Delhi awarded Taha Yasin with the degree of Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) on the 12th of September, 2025. The panel of experts appreciated the thematic breadth and originality of the ambitious and intellectually rich investigation of the contradictions within Indian democracy in the thesis titled: ‘Reclaiming Democracy: Looking into Literature of Independent India’, and urged for its immediate publication as a monograph.
Dr Taha Yasin completed his 10+2 from Bishop Westcott Boys’ School, Namkum. After graduating with English (Hons) from St. Xavier’s College, Ranchi, he completed his Master’s, M.Phil. and LLB from the University of Delhi. Moreover, after clearing NET in the first attempt, he has been teaching in the Department of English, Ram Lal Anand College, DU, since January 2013. As an active participant of Delhi University Teachers’ Association (DUTA) and it’s executive member in 2019-2021, he has been raising voices for representation, reservation and upliftment of Adivasi, Dalit, Minorities and other marginalised sections of the society. Possessing both vision and ideology, he has not only left mark with impactful presentations in international conferences, but has also been published in reputed national and international journals. Dr Yasin belongs to the honourable “Haji family” of the historical and academically renowned village – Sons, district Ranchi. He is a permanent resident of Ranchi city now. In this context, it would be pertinent to argue that Dr Taha Yasin represents the bright academic and political future of the state of Jharkhand.
In the heart of New Delhi, the Ministry of Education unveiled the National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF) 2025 rankings on September 4, 2025. The air was thick with anticipation as academics, policymakers, and students awaited the results. For three of India’s most storied Muslim institutions—Jamia Millia Islamia (JMI), Aligarh Muslim University (AMU), and Jamia Hamdard—the outcome was a bittersweet moment. Once shining beacons in the 2024 rankings, they had slipped in the 2025 standings, sparking a quiet but urgent conversation about their challenges and resilience.
A Legacy Under Pressure
JMI, AMU, and Jamia Hamdard were not just universities; they were symbols of a community’s fight for educational empowerment. Founded in the crucible of India’s independence movement, JMI (1920) and AMU (1875, as Muhammadan Anglo-Oriental College) had defied colonial oppression to nurture scholars, leaders, and change-makers. Jamia Hamdard, established in 1989, carried forward this legacy with its focus on pharmacy and medical sciences. Yet, the NIRF 2025 rankings told a sobering story: JMI fell from 3rd to 4th, AMU from 8th to 10th, and Jamia Hamdard from 40th to 47th among Indian universities. In the overall category, JMI held steady at 13th, but AMU slipped from 16th to 19th, and Jamia Hamdard plummeted from 62nd to 74th.
Despite these setbacks, there were glimmers of hope. Jamia Hamdard retained its crown as India’s top pharmacy college, outshining Birla Institute of Technology & Science (BITS) Pilani and Panjab University. JMI also excelled in specific domains, securing 5th in Architecture and Planning, 8th in Law, 17th in Dental, 20th in Research, 24th in Engineering, and 28th in Management. These achievements underscored their enduring strengths, but the question lingered: why were these institutions faltering in the broader rankings?
The Weight of Expectations
The NIRF rankings, launched in 2015 by the Ministry of Education, evaluate institutions on five parameters: Teaching, Learning, and Resources (TLR); Research and Professional Practices (RP); Graduation Outcomes (GO); Outreach and Inclusivity (OI); and Perception (PR). For JMI, AMU, and Jamia Hamdard, each parameter revealed both triumphs and trials.
In a quiet corner of JMI’s campus, Vice-Chancellor Prof. Mazhar Asif reflected on the results. “Our drop from 3rd to 4th is a call to introspect,” he said, his voice steady but resolute. “We’ve excelled in sustainability, ranking 3rd in the new SDG category, but resource constraints and perception challenges hold us back.” JMI’s sprawling campus, home to 284 courses and a research-intensive environment with an h-index of 129, faced funding shortages that limited infrastructure upgrades and faculty recruitment. The university’s storied history—founded by nationalist leaders like Muhammad Ali Jauhar and supported by Mahatma Gandhi—could not fully shield it from modern financial pressures.
At AMU, Dr. Khalid Mahmood, a professor of political science, stood before students in the iconic Kennedy Auditorium. “We’re still in the top 10, but 10th feels like a wake-up call,” he admitted. AMU’s slide from 8th to 10th was partly due to a dip in research output and perception scores, often clouded by political controversies. “We are unfairly labelled as ‘separate’ or ‘anti-national,’” Khalid said, echoing sentiments from a Clarion India report. “Our students and faculty work tirelessly, but external biases affect how we’re perceived.”
Jamia Hamdard’s Chancellor, Hammad Ahmed, took pride in the pharmacy ranking but acknowledged the broader decline. “Our focus on specialized fields like pharmacy is unmatched, but scaling research across disciplines requires investment we struggle to secure,” he said. The university’s drop to 47th reflected challenges in graduation outcomes and outreach, despite its innovative contributions to healthcare.
The Roots of the Struggle
The reasons for the slide were complex, woven into systemic and societal threads. Funding was a persistent hurdle. Muslim institutions, often serving marginalized communities, relied heavily on government grants, which were stretched thin across India’s vast higher education system. Unlike IITs or IISc Bengaluru, which topped the 2025 rankings with robust budgets and global partnerships, JMI, AMU, and Jamia Hamdard faced resource gaps that hampered lab upgrades, international collaborations, and faculty expansion.
Perception, the most subjective NIRF parameter, was another battleground. JMI and AMU, in particular, had faced political scrutiny, from protests over the Citizenship Amendment Act in 2019 to accusations of fostering separatism. These narratives, though refuted by their diverse alumni—including Shah Rukh Khan, Virender Sehwag, and countless public servants—tainted their public image. “Perception isn’t just about academic output; it’s about how the world sees us,” said a JMI professor, requesting anonymity. “We’re judged not just as universities but as Muslim institutions.”
Research output, another critical metric, lagged due to limited access to cutting-edge facilities and fewer industry tie-ups. While IISc Bengaluru and JNU, ranked 1st and 2nd, boasted global research networks, Muslim institutions struggled to match their scale. Jamia Hamdard’s pharmacy program thrived, but its broader research portfolio needed bolstering. AMU’s rich legacy in humanities and sciences was undeniable, yet its STEM research output trailed newer players like Manipal Academy (3rd) and BITS Pilani (7th).
A Path Forward
The story was not one of defeat but of resilience. At JMI, Prof. Asif rallied faculty to double down on research grants and international partnerships. The university’s Internal Quality Assurance Cell, established in 2010, was already driving quality improvements, earning an A++ NAAC accreditation. AMU launched initiatives to boost STEM research, with plans to collaborate with tech giants. Jamia Hamdard, leveraging its pharmacy success, aimed to expand interdisciplinary programs, eyeing a return to the top 40.
The 2025 rankings, while a setback, were a clarion call. These institutions, born from struggle, had faced greater odds before. JMI’s move from Aligarh to Delhi in 1925, AMU’s rise from the ashes of 1857, and Jamia Hamdard’s ascent in pharmacy proved their tenacity. As Dr. Khalid told his students, “Our history is long, our struggles real, but our contributions undeniable. These rankings are a moment, not our destiny.”
Across India, the NIRF 2025 rankings celebrated excellence, with IISc Bengaluru, JNU, and IITs leading the charge. Yet, for JMI, AMU, and Jamia Hamdard, the journey was about more than numbers. It was about carrying the dreams of a community, defying prejudice, and building a future where knowledge transcended barriers. As the sun set over JMI’s Okhla campus, AMU’s sprawling lawns, and Jamia Hamdard’s labs, their students studied on, undeterred, knowing their institutions’ legacy would endure.
In the vibrant heart of Dakar, Senegal, the air buzzed with anticipation. It was September 10, 2025, and the Semi-finals of the Africa’s Business Heroes (ABH) Prize Competition were about to begin. From a staggering 32,000 applications across all 54 African nations, 20 exceptional entrepreneurs had emerged, each a beacon of innovation, resilience, and hope. They had battled through rigorous rounds of interviews and due diligence to stand on the cusp of greatness, one step away from the Grand Finale in Kigali, where the Top 10 would share a $1.5 million prize pool and global recognition.
The venue, a sleek conference center overlooking Dakar’s bustling coastline, hummed with energy. The stage was set for these visionaries to pitch their transformative businesses to a panel of judges: Hasan Haidar, a venture capital titan from PlusVC; Moulaye Taboure, a former ABH Top 10 Hero and founder of ANKA, now a judge in a historic first; and Jason Pau, the Jack Ma Foundation’s international director, whose vision had fueled ABH’s mission to uplift Africa’s entrepreneurial spirit.
The Entrepreneurs
The 20 semifinalists were a tapestry of Africa’s diversity, hailing from nine countries and spanning 10 sectors—healthtech, fintech, agritech, sustainability, and more. Among them were:
Adriaan Kruger from South Africa, whose HealthTech startup, nuvoteQ, was revolutionizing digital solutions for healthcare access in underserved communities. His platform connected rural clinics to specialists via AI-driven diagnostics, slashing wait times and saving lives.
Baraka Chijenga from Tanzania, founder of Kilimo Fresh Foods Africa Limited, an agritech venture ensuring food security by linking smallholder farmers to markets through a subscription-based model. Her app empowered farmers with real-time data on crop prices and weather patterns.
Blandine Umuziranenge from Rwanda, whose Kosmotive was a beacon for women’s empowerment, providing affordable maternal health products and education to combat maternal mortality in remote areas.
Bundi Mbuthia from Kenya, whose Uzapoint Technologies offered digital tools for SMEs, streamlining operations for small businesses that powered local economies.
Each entrepreneur carried a story of grit. Adriaan had bootstrapped nuvoteQ from a garage, coding late into the night while juggling a day job. Baraka, a farmer’s daughter, had seen hunger firsthand and vowed to build a system that ensured no harvest went to waste. Blandine, a mother herself, had turned personal loss into a mission to save others. Bundi, once a street vendor, now enabled thousands of vendors like him to thrive in a digital age.
The Semifinals
The first day of the Semifinals was electric. The entrepreneurs, dressed in a mix of vibrant African prints and sharp business attire, mingled in the lobby, exchanging ideas and dreams. Senegal’s 8.6% GDP growth and its role as host of the upcoming 2026 Youth Olympic Games made it a fitting backdrop—a symbol of Africa’s rising tide of innovation.
Inside the auditorium, the judges sat poised, their expertise a formidable gate to the Grand Finale. The rules were clear: each entrepreneur had 10 minutes to pitch, followed by a gruelling Q&A. The criteria—innovation, impact, scalability, and leadership—would determine who advanced.
Adriaan took the stage first, his voice steady as he described nuvoteQ’s impact: “In one year, we’ve connected 50,000 patients to care they’d never have accessed otherwise.” Hasan Haidar leaned forward, asking about scalability. Adriaan’s response was crisp: “Our AI is cloud-based, deployable anywhere with internet. We’re already piloting in three countries.”
Baraka followed, her passion palpable. “Food security isn’t just about growing crops—it’s about ensuring farmers profit.” She showcased her app’s dashboard, where farmers tracked demand in real time. Moulaye Taboure, drawing from his own journey, pressed her on sustainability. Baraka smiled: “Our subscription model reinvests profits into training farmers on climate-smart techniques.”
Blandine’s pitch was deeply personal. “I lost my sister to childbirth complications. Kosmotive exists so no woman faces that fate.” Her low-cost birthing kits, distributed via women-led cooperatives, had reached 10,000 mothers. Jason Pau asked about funding gaps; Blandine’s plan to partner with NGOs for scale impressed him.
Bundi’s pitch was a masterclass in clarity. “SMEs are Africa’s backbone, but they lack tools. Uzapoint gives them affordable software to compete.” His demo showed a vendor managing inventory on a smartphone. The judges nodded, seeing the potential to digitize millions of businesses.
The Stakes
As the pitches continued, the room felt the weight of what was at stake. Beyond the $100,000–$300,000 grants, the Top 10 would gain mentorship, global networks, and media exposure. ABH wasn’t just a competition; it was a launchpad. Past Heroes had raised millions, expanded across borders, and created thousands of jobs. The 2024 winner, Henri Ousmane Gueye from Senegal, had turned his third attempt into a $300,000 triumph, proving persistence paid off.
The diversity of the 2025 cohort shone through. Nine countries—South Africa, Tanzania, Rwanda, Kenya, and more—were represented, with 40% female finalists and 20% from Francophone regions. Sectors like fintech tackled financial inclusion, while sustainability ventures addressed climate challenges. Zahra Baitie-Boateng, ABH’s Africa MD, had called it a “dynamic innovation landscape,” and the pitches proved her right.
The Turning Point
On day two, tensions rose. The judges deliberated behind closed doors, weighing each pitch. The entrepreneurs waited in the lounge, some pacing, others laughing over coffee, their camaraderie a testament to ABH’s community spirit. Local partners like Wave, Sonatel, and InTouch Group had sponsored the event, their presence reinforcing Senegal’s role as an entrepreneurial hub.
When the judges emerged, the room fell silent. Hasan Haidar spoke first: “Your businesses are not just ventures—they’re movements.” Moulaye Taboure added, “I have been where you are. Your resilience inspires me.” Jason Pau closed with, “You’re building Africa’s future.”
The Top 10 would be announced later, but the 20 semi-finalists had already won something greater: a platform to amplify their impact. As they left Dakar, bound for Kigali’s Grand Finale in December, they carried a shared conviction: Africa’s challenges were vast, but its entrepreneurs were unstoppable.
Epilogue
Back in their communities, the 20 Heroes continued their work. Adriaan’s clinics saved more lives. Baraka’s farmers fed more families. Blandine’s kits reached more mothers. Bundi’s tools empowered more vendors. The ABH journey had transformed them, not just as entrepreneurs, but as catalysts for a continent on the rise.
In Dakar, the echoes of their pitches lingered, a promise of what Africa could achieve when its boldest dreamers were given a chance to soar.
