Amid rising opposition to the Waqf (Amendment) Bill from various Muslim organisations, senior leader of the Telugu Desam Party (TDP), Nawab Jan, declared on Sunday that Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu will not allow any legislation detrimental to Muslim interests to be enacted. Speaking at the 'Samvidhan Bachao Sammelan' organised by Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind at the Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium, Jan urged unity to prevent the passage of the Waqf (Amendment) Bill 2024 in Parliament.


"Chandrababu Naidu has always said he has two eyes—one Hindu and one Muslim," Jan stated, as quoted by news agency PTI. "He says any harm done to one eye affects the whole body, and we must keep this in mind as we move forward on the path of development." He further asserted that the benefits Muslims have received during Naidu's tenure are unprecedented since India's independence.


Jan emphasised Naidu's secular approach, claiming, "Chandrababu is a person of a secular mindset — Such a person is our chief minister; he will not let a bill that harms Muslims be implemented." He remarked that Naidu's efforts to send the Waqf Bill to the Parliament's Joint Committee (JPC) had temporarily stalled its passage. He also noted that Naidu had expressed that institutions, regardless of religion, should have representatives of the same faith.


"We will tolerate everything, but we will not tolerate any attempt to harm the unity of the country," he added. The TDP leader highlighted that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) does not hold a majority in the Lok Sabha and relies on the support of parties like the TDP and Janata Dal (United).


As the Joint Committee examines the contentious Waqf (Amendment) Bill, which was introduced in the Lok Sabha in August, the government insists the proposed law will not interfere with mosque operations. In contrast, opposition members argue it targets Muslims and undermines the Constitution. Tensions have been high during committee meetings, with opposition members accusing the Chair of inviting organisations that do not have a stake in Waqf issues, while BJP members claim their rivals are intentionally disrupting proceedings.


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Jamiat Ulema-E-Hind's Chief Tells JD(U), TDP Even 'Crutches' Won't Escape Responsibility If Waqf Bill Passed


Further escalating the campaign against the Waqf Bill, Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind's chief, Maulana Arshad Madani, urged Chandrababu Naidu and Nitish Kumar of the JD(U) to consider the sentiments of the Muslim community.


"This government is dependent on two crutches - a strong one is Chandrababu and the other is Bihar's Nitish Kumar. I had invited him (Naidu), he excused himself but has sent (senior party leader) Nawab Jan. I look at this positively as he will convey the sentiments of the people gathered here, Madani said, gesturing to the large gathering of Jamiat functionaries and supporters.If the Waqf Bill is passed ignoring the emotions of the Muslims -- it would be as much a responsibility of the crutches as it would be of other powers at the Centre," Madani asserted at the 'Save Constitution Convention', as per PTI.


Madani expressed disappointment at Naidu's absence but remained optimistic that Jan would convey the collective sentiments of the attendees. He warned that the responsibility for passing the bill would extend beyond just the government. "The Waqf is established by our ancestors and is a part of Allah's ownership," he stated, urging protection of mosques that have stood for centuries.


Madani reminded the audience of the united identity among Indians: "If a Hindu is a Gujjar, a Muslim is also a Gujjar. Hindus are Jats, Muslims are also Jats. They chant slogans saying that Hindus, Muslims, and Sikhs are separate, but we say that 'Hindus, Muslims, Sikhs, and Christians are all brothers.'"


He expressed appreciation for the INDIA bloc and Rahul Gandhi's commitment to minority rights ahead of the Lok Sabha elections mentioning how the alliance committed to ensure that all minorities would be free to practice their religion if they came to power.


"That is why I urged Muslims to support the alliance that gives them the freedom to practice their religion and I am happy that Muslims supported the alliance throughout the country. The alliance moved forward and the BJP was defeated," he remarked.


"I say that if they did not have the crutches of Chandrababu Naidu and Nitish Kumar, the BJP would not have been able to form a government. The policy of divisiveness and trying to burn down the idea of secularism has led them to this state after thumping wins in two earlier elections," the Jamiat chief asserted, as per PTI.


He further stated that the Jamiat has decided to hold a gathering of about five lakh Muslims in Chandrababu Naidu's area either by the end of this month or in December to apprise him of Muslims' feelings.