Salim Raj
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Dr. Salim Raj | |
|---|---|
| Cabinet Minister, Government of Chhattisgarh | |
| Assumed office January 2025 | |
| Chief Minister | Vishnu Deo Sai |
| Chairman, Chhattisgarh Waqf Board | |
| Assumed office January 2025 | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Indore, Madhya Pradesh |
| Nationality | Indian |
| Political party | Bharatiya Janata Party |
| Spouse | Reshma Raj |
| Children | Selina Raj, Amanaditya Raj and Laiba Raj |
| Profession | Agriculture and Business |
Salim Raj is an Indian politician and serves as a Cabinet Minister in the Government of Chhattisgarh.[1][2]
Salim Raj holds the position of Chairman of the Chhattisgarh State Waqf Board. He is also the State In-Charge of the BJP's Minority Morcha in Chhattisgarh.[3]
Political career
[edit]Salim Raj joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in 1992 and held various positions within the BJP Minority Morcha before being appointed to the BJP's leading body in 2004. In 2010, he served as the National Treasurer of the BJP Minority Morcha. From 2011 to 2014, he was a member of the Haj Committee of India, where he coordinated pilgrimage services and welfare programs for Haj pilgrims at both the state and national levels. He also played a significant role in the Muslim Rashtriya Manch, a national forum affiliated with the BJP.[3]
Salim Raj was appointed as State President, BJP Minority Cell in 2016. And in 2021, he became a Member of the BJP State Executive Committee & State In-Charge, BJP Minority Morcha. He was the Chairman of the Chhattisgarh State Haj Committee (State Minister Status), under the government of Raman Singh. During this position, he has spearheaded initiatives in education, economic development, and social harmony across Chhattisgarh.[4]
In 2025, He was elected as Chairman of the Chhattisgarh State Waqf Board.[5] And in January 2025, he became the Cabinet Minister in the Vishnu Deo Sai ministry.[6]
Waqf Amendment Act (2025)
[edit]Salim Raj strongly endorsed the central government's The Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025, as a transformative step to recover encroached Waqf assets and empower minority communities. Highlighting that about 85% of Waqf land in Chhattisgarh was illegally occupied, he stressed the need for legal clarity and institutional transparency.[7][8]
Friday Sermons
[edit]Salim Raj introduced a pioneering policy requiring prior approval for sermon content in 1,822 mosques across the state, aimed at curbing political messaging within religious platforms. This decision drew both support and criticism, with opponents citing religious freedom concerns.[9]
To prevent political sermons, he established a vetting system via WhatsApp groups for mosque sermons—covering over 1,800 mosques—and mandated prior content approval.[3]
Nikah Ceremony Charges
[edit]In June 2025, Salim Raj capped fees for mosque officials conducting Nikah ceremonies at ₹1,100, seeking to make the event affordable for economically challenged families. He warned that violations would draw official action.[10][11]
Threats & Security
[edit]Following his policies regulating mosque discourse, Salim Raj received reported death threats from sources in Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Kerala. He filed a police complaint, leading to ongoing investigations.[12][13]
References
[edit]- ^ "छत्तीसगढ़: वक्फ बोर्ड अध्यक्ष डॉ. सलीम राज को मिला कैबिनेट मंत्री का दर्जा". Amar Ujala (in Hindi).
- ^ "डॉ. सलीम राज बोले-अदालत का विकल्प भी: वक्फ संपत्तियों पर काबिज दुकानदारों, घर मालिकों को किराएदार बनाएगा बोर्ड - Raipur News". Dainik Bhaskar (in Hindi). 23 March 2025.
- ^ a b c "'Political statement or remarks against govt… can lead to FIR': Chhattisgarh Waqf Board 'vets' Friday sermons". The Indian Express. 20 November 2024.
- ^ "Chhattisgarh: 'Owaisi is second variant of Jinnah,' says BJP Minority Morcha President Jamal Siddiqui". ANI.
- ^ "अविश्वास प्रस्ताव से हटाए गए वक्फ बोर्ड के चेयरमैन, डॉ. सलीम राज बनाए गए नए अध्यक्ष". Bhaskar.
- ^ "Cabinet Minister Dr Salim Raj: छत्तीसगढ़ वक्फ बोर्ड के अध्यक्ष डॉ सलीम राज को मिला कैबिनेट मंत्री का दर्जा, आदेश जारी | Cabinet Minister Dr Salim Raj: Dr. Salim Raj got status of Cabinet Minister". Patrika News (in Hindi). 9 January 2025.
- ^ "Chhattisgarh: BJP Leader Salim Raj Slams Congress Over Waqf Amendment Bill". Free Press Journal.
- ^ "बदतर स्थिति में मुसलमान, पहले पढ़ें बिल, फिर करें विरोध: सलीम राज". ETV Bharat News (in Hindi). 15 April 2025.
- ^ "Chhattisgarh Waqf Board to review Friday sermons to prevent political speeches in mosques". Scroll.in. 18 November 2024.
- ^ "CG Waqf Board caps 'Nikah' fee at 1,100 with directive". The Times of India. 3 June 2025.
- ^ Kaiser, Ejaz (7 June 2025). "Chhattisgarh Waqf Board caps Nikah Khutba charges at Rs 1100; Muslim scholars question move". The New Indian Express.
- ^ "छत्तीसगढ़ वक्फ बोर्ड के चेयरमैन को पाकिस्तान से धमकी: डॉक्टर सलीम ने थाने में की शिकायत; तकरीर के टॉपिक के लिए इजाजत लेने कहा था - Chhattisgarh News". Dainik Bhaskar (in Hindi). 26 November 2024.
- ^ "Chhattisgarh: CG Waqf Board Chairman Dr. Salim Raj Receives Life Threats From Pakistan; Probe Underway". Free Press Journal.