Tamil Nadu Assembly Erupts As Stalin Slams Centre’s Waqf Bill, BJP Calls It ‘Communal Blackmailing’

Tamil Nadu CM Stalin, while moving the resolution, argued that the proposed amendments would increase government control over the Waqf Board, undermining its autonomy.

CM Stalin described the bill as "discriminatory" and urged the Union government to withdraw it.

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The Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly witnessed heated discussions as Chief Minister M.K. Stalin introduced a special resolution opposing the Centre’s Waqf (Amendment) Bill, calling it an infringement on the rights of Muslims and an overreach by the central government. The resolution, which was debated by members across party lines, is set to be put to a vote shortly.

Stalin Leads Charge Against Waqf Amendments

CM Stalin, while moving the resolution, argued that the proposed amendments would increase government control over the Waqf Board, undermining its autonomy. He described the bill as "discriminatory" and urged the Union government to withdraw it.

"The Waqf Board is meant for the welfare of Muslims and their properties. The Centre’s interference is unacceptable and goes against the spirit of religious freedom enshrined in Article 25 of the Constitution," Stalin stated.

Mixed Reactions From Political Leaders

The resolution has triggered sharp responses from political leaders across the spectrum.

Congress MP Imran Masood called on other state governments, particularly those with significant Muslim populations, to follow Tamil Nadu’s lead.  "The way Tamil Nadu has passed this, all those governments who seek Muslim votes need to take a stand. West Bengal should do it, Bihar should do it, and all the other governments should do it. Especially, Nitish Ji and Chandrababu Naidu should make their stance absolutely clear," he said.

BJP’s Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi dismissed the opposition as "communal blackmailing," asserting that reforms in the Waqf Act are constitutional and must not be politicised. "If you launch a communal attack on the constitutional reforms in the Waqf Act and then resort to communal blackmailing, you are trying to portray the Waqf Act as some kind of sacred scripture that cannot be touched. But one must understand that this is an Act passed by Parliament, and any reforms will also be carried out through Parliament. There should be no confusion about this."

DMK Spokesperson TKS Elangovan accused the BJP of targeting Muslim institutions. "Why should the government interfere with the Waqf Board Act when it is not a government act? It is a board for the welfare of Muslims and their property. If they want to close it down, it is because they question why Muslims should have so much property—but you can't stop that," he said. 

AIADMK’s Kovai Sathyan criticised the DMK for "rushing" the resolution, calling it a ploy for vote bank politics. "Why there is a rush to pass a resolution in the Assembly?...trying to instigate people...for vote bank politics is highly condemnable," he questioned.