‘Muslims Will Never Forgive You’: Owaisi Warns Naidu, Nitish Over Waqf Bill; JPC Chief Calls Protest A ‘Conspiracy’
The All India Muslim Personal Law Board along with opposition leaders protested against the Waqf Amendment Bill in Delhi. Jagdambika Pal, who chaired the JPC on the Bill, dismissed it as a 'conspiracy'.
The All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB), along with several Muslim organisations and opposition leaders, staged a protest at Jantar Mantar in the national capital on Monday (March 17, 2025) against the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024. Protesters alleged that the Bill aims to seize control of Waqf properties, including mosques, dargahs, and graveyards, and warned of a nationwide agitation if it is passed in Parliament.
AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi, who was present at the protest, strongly opposed the Bill, asserting that it was designed to strip Muslims of their religious properties. He cautioned Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) leader Chirag Paswan, and Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar against supporting the Bill.
“We are raising questions on Chandrababu Naidu, Paswan Sahib, and Nitish Kumar. Remember, as long as the world exists, if you support this unconstitutional Bill at this critical time, Muslims will never forgive you. Your support will enable this law,” Owaisi warned, as quoted by news agency PTI.
Owaisi also pointed out that the bill allows for non-Muslims to be part of the Waqf council and boards, whereas, in the management of endowments of other religions, only members of the respective communities are included. He questioned, “If non-Sikhs cannot be members of Gurdwaras and non-Hindus cannot be part of temple trusts, why can non-Muslims be included in Waqf boards?”
#WATCH | Several Muslim bodies including the All India Muslim Personal Law Board staged a protest at Delhi's Jantar Mantar against the Waqf (Amendement) Bill on Monday. The protest was backed by several political parties, including All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen chief… pic.twitter.com/VaesYVnXJ1
— ABP LIVE (@abplive) March 17, 2025
He further alleged that Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government was to "disturb peace in the country." Addressing the protest, he remarked, "The prime minister's intention is that people keep fighting over Mandir-Masjid. Safeguarding Waqf properties is not the bill's objective."
Owaisi also claimed that the Bill would end the practice of Waqf by user, where disputed properties were recognised as Waqf if used as such for a significant period. He pointed out that 123 Waqf properties in Delhi were already under dispute, with the Delhi government asserting them as state property. “Giving power to the collector means that they will always rule in favour of the government,” he alleged.
The AIMIM chief also raised concerns over provisions restricting the transfer of Waqf properties through gifts (Hiba). “Modi is now posing as an expert on Islamic jurisprudence and is dictating that a Muslim cannot donate property to Waqf for five years. Where is this written?” he questioned.
"The government is going to take an unconstitutional and anti-Muslim step," the Lok Sabha MP asserted.
Former Union Minister and Congress leader Salman Khurshid, who attended the protest, echoed similar concerns, stating that the bill was "not valid constitutionally" and that people were dissatisfied with it. Shia cleric Kalbe Jawad alleged that the bill's primary objective was to "grab Waqf properties."
Syed Sadatullah Husaini, president of Jamaat-e-Islami Hind and vice-president of AIMPLB, questioned, "Waqf grants Muslims the same rights that other religions enjoy over their institutions. If every faith has the right to administer its affairs, why are Muslims being singled out?"
The protest saw participation from several opposition leaders, including Samajwadi Party's Awadhesh Prasad and Congress MP Syed Naseer Hussain.
AIMPLB spokesperson S Q R Ilyas stated that after "careful consideration," the board concluded that the proposed bill would facilitate the "usurping of Waqf properties" and described it as a "direct attack on Muslims."
The demonstration was originally scheduled for March 13 but was postponed due to the Holi holidays.
The protest comes amid the ongoing Budget Session, where the bill is expected to be introduced following the submission of a report by a joint parliamentary committee. The 31-member panel, which reviewed the bill through multiple sittings and hearings, suggested several amendments. However, opposition members dissented and submitted separate notes.
BJP Defends Bill, JPC Chief Jagdambika Pal Slams ‘Conspiracy To Create A Fake Narrative’
Meanwhile, BJP leaders defended the Bill, claiming it aimed to bring transparency to the management of Waqf properties. Jagdambika Pal, who chaired the Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) on the Bill, dismissed the protests, stating, “This is a political protest. The act has not even been introduced yet. We have only submitted our 428-page report... The amendment bill has been brought. They should say anything after the bill is passed... On what basis are AIMPLB, Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind, AIMIM or the Opposition leaders gathered at Jantar Mantar?... The DM is not going to be given the rights... If there would be any dispute surrounding Waqf property, then any official above the DM, like the state secretary or commissioner would see to it... The act is being improved... They are misguiding the nation.”
“Nobody is going to take away the Waqf lands. If someone is selling away Waqf land, then it is people in the Waqf themselves... The amendment will prohibit the selling of Waqf land and will benefit the poor...” he added, as per news agency ANI.
#WATCH | Delhi: On AIMPLB protests against Waqf (Amendment) Bill 2024 at Jantar Mantar, Waqf JPC Chairman and BJP MP Jagdambika Pal says, "This is a political protest. The act has not even been introduced yet. We have only submitted our 428-page report... The amendment bill has… pic.twitter.com/lhWaeKMqAv
— ANI (@ANI) March 17, 2025
Speaking to PTI, Pal deemed the protest as a ”conspiracy to create a fake narrative among minority communities against the government.” He asserted that Owaisi's dissent notes have been included in the JPC report and 40 amendments were made accordingly. He continued to maintain that the law would benefit the poor. He remarked that the protestors were misleading the country, “just as they did on Article 370 and triple talaq”.
VIDEO | On All India Muslim Personal Law Board protesting against the Waqf Amendment Bill, JPC chairperson Jagdambika Pal (@jagdambikapalmp) says, "I am unable to understand the reason behind the protest against Waqf Board Bill... Either this is a political move or there is a… pic.twitter.com/Sz22lKTw9B
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) March 17, 2025
BJP leader Rajeev Chandrasekhar also criticised the opposition’s stance, citing cases where Waqf boards had allegedly encroached upon land. “The Waqf Bill is a one-sided legislation that allows land grabbing by a single organisation without transparency or accountability. Congress MPs, particularly from Kerala, are supporting the very forces that have taken away land from hundreds of families in places like Munambam. Rahul Gandhi’s hypocrisy is evident—on one hand, he waves the Constitution, which guarantees equal property rights for all, while on the other, he supports a Bill that contradicts this right,” he told ANI.
#WATCH | On the AIMPLB protest against the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, BJP leader Rajeev Chandrasekhar says, "Anybody who has understood what the Waqf Bill's implications are, as many people around the country who have lost land to the Waqf can testify to, the Waqf Bill is a very… pic.twitter.com/49Li78Vb9P
— ANI (@ANI) March 17, 2025
The JPC was formed after Parliamentary Affairs and Minority Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju introduced the Bill in the Lok Sabha on August 8, 2024. The 31-member JPC held its first meeting on August 22, 2024, and approved 14 amendments, including provisions allowing non-Muslims and women to be part of Waqf boards, increasing the powers of Waqf tribunals, and digitising Waqf properties.
The panel submitted its 655-page report to Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla on 30 January. It was adopted by a 15-11 majority vote, with BJP members pushing for changes. The opposition criticised the move, calling it an "attempt to destroy Waqf boards."
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