Morning Brief: Waqf Bill Draft Report Ready Amid Opposition's Efforts To Sabotage It; India Cancels More Consular Camps In Canada; Adani Group Denies US Bribery Charges

Dear reader, catch up on the day’s must-read stories with Swarajya's roundup of the morning's headlines.

Waqf Bill Report Ready Amid Opposition's Efforts To Sabotage It

Chairperson of the Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) scrutinizing the Waqf Bill, Jagdambika Pal, announced that the panel’s draft report is ready for discussion in Parliament. Pal said that the committee will soon set a date for a clause-by-clause discussion on the recommendations following a nearly six-hour meeting, where the minority affairs ministry justified the proposed amendments to the Waqf Act.

However, opposition MPs in the committee are pushing for an extension of the Nov 29 deadline for further deliberations. They plan to meet Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla on November 25, the first day of the winter session, to request more time. Despite the opposition's objections, Pal expressed hope for a consensus, though this seems unlikely given the ongoing disagreements with several provisions of the Bill.

India Cancels More Consular Camps Over Canada’s Khalistani Tolerance

The Indian Consulate in Toronto has canceled more consular camps in Canada due to the failure of local security agencies to provide sufficient protection against heightened threats, particularly from Khalistani groups, which have been actively shielded by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's government. The canceled camps, including one at a police facility, were not held at places of worship, according to an official statement.

This follows attacks on consular camps in Brampton and Surrey by Khalistani mobs earlier this month, prompting the Indian High Commission to cancel some planned events. The move comes just a day after the India dismissed a Canadian newspaper report, which alleged that Prime Minister Narendra Modi was aware of a plot to assassinate Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar. The Ministry of External Affairs criticised the report, calling it "ludicrous" and urging it to be treated with "the contempt it deserves."

Adani Group Denies US Bribery Charges, Considers Legal Action

The Adani Group has denied bribery charges and announced plans to explore legal options following a US indictment. The charges, filed by the US Department of Justice, accuse Gautam Adani, his nephew Sagar Adani, and six officials from Canadian pension fund CDPQ and Azure Power of bribing officials with Rs 2,029 crore to secure green power supply agreements.

Despite the denial, the charges have led to a decline in the group’s shares. This legal setback marks a significant challenge for the conglomerate, which had worked to regain investor confidence after the accusations made by US short seller Hindenburg in early 2023. The indictment now stands as the biggest test yet for Adani’s business empire.

Other Developments

Army Probes Alleged Civilian Mistreatment In Kishtwar

The Army has initiated an investigation into allegations of mistreatment of civilians during a search operation for militants in Jammu and Kashmir’s Kishtwar district. The operation, carried out by the Rashtriya Rifles on November 20 based on specific intelligence, is under scrutiny following reports of alleged torture of four men from Kuath village, who were reportedly summoned to an Army camp.

This follows recent incidents in the region, including the killing of a Junior Commissioned Officer and injuries to three soldiers in Chask on November 10, as well as the abduction and murder of two village defence guards on November 7 in Keshwan forests. The Army’s White Knight Corps has stated that further movements of the militants are being monitored and assured that all necessary follow-up actions will be taken after the probe.

Kenya Cancels Airport Deal With Adani Group After US Indictment

Kenyan President William Ruto announced on Thursday the cancellation of a procurement process to award control of the country’s main airport to India’s Adani Group, following the indictment of its founder in the United States. The proposed deal was aimed at expanding Nairobi’s Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, including the addition of a second runway and an upgrade to the passenger terminal.

Ruto made the announcement in his State of the Nation address, stating that he had directed relevant agencies to immediately cancel the ongoing procurement process. The decision came after receiving "new information provided by investigative agencies and partner nations." Meanwhile, an Adani Group firm had recently signed a 30-year, $736-million agreement for a separate project involving power transmission lines.

From The States

After Mosque Survey, UP Town Turns Into Fortress For Friday Prayers

Sambhal town in Uttar Pradesh has been heavily fortified ahead of Friday prayers following tensions over a survey of the 16th-century Shahi Jama Masjid. Security personnel, including CRPF, PAC, and RAF teams, have been deployed across the town, with two of the three approach roads to the mosque sealed.

The heightened security comes after administrative officials surveyed the mosque on Tuesday, hours after a priest filed a court petition claiming it was built on the ruins of a demolished temple. Starting from Chandausi, 30 km away, security teams have been stationed along key routes leading to Sambhal. Local police, joined by forces from outside the area, remain on high alert to ensure order.

Feud Erupts In TMC Over Proposal To Elevate Abhishek Banerjee

A proposal to make Abhishek Banerjee, the number two leader of Trinamool Congress (TMC), the Home Minister of West Bengal has triggered a fresh feud within the party, revealing tensions between the old and new guard.

The controversy began after an armed man attempted to murder Susanta Ghosh, a Kolkata Municipal Corporation councillor, on November 16. In response, Kolkata Mayor and state urban development minister Firhad Hakim criticised the Kolkata Police, calling for immediate action and highlighting its failure to act.

Following the incident, some TMC MLAs suggested making Abhishek Banerjee the Deputy Chief Minister and a full-time Home Minister. Currently, the Home portfolio is held by Mamata Banerjee, Abhishek’s aunt. The proposal has stirred division within the party, with members from different factions taking opposing stances.

Maharashtra And Jharkhand: Were Exit Polls Accurate In 2019?

In the 2019 Maharashtra Assembly elections, exit polls failed to accurately predict the outcome. The polls had forecasted a landslide victory for the BJP-Shiv Sena alliance, with an average of seven polls putting the NDA at 207 seats, well above the majority mark. However, the NDA secured only 161 seats and struggled to form a government due to a power-sharing dispute. As a result, the Shiv Sena aligned with the Congress and NCP, forming the Maha Vikas Aghadi government, despite their combined tally of 98 seats.

In contrast, exit polls were much more accurate in Jharkhand. The polls predicted a majority for the JMM-led alliance, which included Congress and RJD, with 41 seats, and the alliance exceeded expectations by securing 47 seats. The BJP, on the other hand, managed only 25 seats and fell short of a majority. This paved the way for the Hemant Soren-led coalition to come to power, ousting the BJP from the state.

Stay tuned for more insights throughout the day.