‘Targeting Muslim Waqf Properties Is Discrimination’: AIMPLB Urges ‘Secular Parties’ To Oppose Bill In Parliament
The AIMPLB urges MPs of 'secular parties', including BJP allies, to oppose the Waqf Amendment Bill, citing concerns about encroachment of Waqf properties.
The All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) has appealed to all secular political parties, including allies of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), to strongly oppose the Waqf Amendment Bill when it is tabled in Parliament on Wednesday, April 2. AIMPLB President Maulana Khalid Saifullah Rahmani has called on MPs to reject the bill, alleging that it undermines constitutional rights and facilitates the encroachment of Waqf properties.
In a statement, Rahmani argued that the proposed amendments violate Articles 14, 25, and 26 of the Indian Constitution. He claimed the bill would weaken Waqf laws, increase governmental and non-governmental claims on Waqf properties, and legitimise their seizure. “Even with the Places of Worship Act in place, the trend of searching for temples within mosques is escalating. If this bill is passed, it will further embolden such actions and ease the process for Collectors and District Magistrates to take control of Waqf properties,” he stated.
Rahmani also criticised provisions in the bill that propose including non-Muslim members in Waqf Boards and the Central Waqf Council, reducing the powers of the Waqf Tribunal, and bringing government bodies into decision-making processes related to Waqf properties. He called these amendments discriminatory, pointing out that similar religious endowments of other communities enjoy legal protections.
All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) appeals to all secular political parties, including BJP's allies and MPs, "to strongly oppose the Waqf Amendment Bill and not vote in its favour under any circumstances." pic.twitter.com/HEv7UDKzbV
— ANI (@ANI) April 1, 2025
“It is also necessary to mention that these protections are granted to religious endowments of other communities as well, and thus, exclusively targeting Muslim Waqf properties is an act of discrimination and injustice,” he stated.
According to the release, Maulana Rahmani highlighted that India is globally recognised for Hindu-Muslim brotherhood and for mutual respect for each other's religions, customs, and festivals. “However, unfortunately, the power of the nation is currently in the hands of those who seek to destroy this atmosphere of communal harmony and create anarchy and chaos,” he remarked.
BJP, NDA Allies To Defend Waqf Amendment Bill In Lok Sabha As Opposition Vows To Oppose It
Meanwhile, the BJP has issued a whip to all its Lok Sabha MPs, making attendance mandatory on April 2 as the bill is taken up for discussion and passage. Party allies such as the Telugu Desam Party (TDP), Janata Dal (United) [JD(U)], and Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) have also directed their MPs to support the government’s stance.
The opposition parties have vowed to resist the bill. After the INDIA bloc held a floor leaders’ meeting on Tuesday, Congress MP KC Venugopal told PTI, “We must protect constitutional values… This Bill is unconstitutional. Therefore, the INDIA alliance and other like-minded parties will vote against it.” Nationalist Congress Party (Sharad Pawar faction) MP Supriya Sule echoed similar sentiments, stating, “We will take part in discussions… We will stand with those who work according to the Constitution.”
Samajwadi Party MP Ram Gopal Yadav said that opposition parties would present amendments, demand a division, and push for a vote. His party chief, Akhilesh Yadav, accused the BJP of engaging in vote-bank politics, stating, “Every decision of BJP is for votes and to make their people happy. Samajwadi Party is against the Waqf Bill.” He alleged that the ruling party was using the bill to divert attention from economic issues such as unemployment and farmers’ income.
The AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi also strongly opposed the bill, terming it a “grave violation” of constitutional rights. “This is not the Waqf Bill; rather, it is the ‘Waqf Destruction Bill.’ If Chandrababu Naidu, Nitish Kumar, Chirag Paswan, and Jayant Chaudhary are supporting it, they are doing so for political reasons,” Owaisi remarked. He questioned why non-Muslim members were being included in Waqf Boards when Hindu endowment boards did not permit non-Hindus.
At a meeting of the Business Advisory Committee (BAC) chaired by Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, opposition parties demanded 12 hours for discussion, but the government pushed for a shorter debate. Eventually, an eight-hour discussion was agreed upon, extendable if required.
Minorities Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju, who will respond to the debate, criticised the opposition’s approach. “Some parties are trying to create excuses to avoid discussion,” he stated. The bill, which seeks to improve the management and administration of Waqf properties in India, has already undergone changes based on recommendations from a joint parliamentary committee.
With tensions running high, a charged debate is expected in Lok Sabha on Wednesday before the bill is put to vote. The ongoing Parliament session is set to conclude on April 4.
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