New Delhi: AIMIM President Asaduddin Owaisi has strongly criticized the proposed Waqf Amendment Bill, describing it as “unconstitutional” and a “grave violation” of Articles 14, 25, 26, and 29 of the Indian Constitution. He referred to the bill as the “Waqf Barbaad Bill,” suggesting it could harm the interests of the Muslim community.
Owaisi questioned the rationale behind the support for the bill from NDA allies, including Nitish Kumar, Chandrababu Naidu, Chirag Paswan, and Jayant Chaudhary. He remarked, “If Chandrababu Naidu, Nitish Kumar, Chirag Paswan, and Jayant Chaudhary will praise it, then they are doing so for their political reasons… What answer will they give to the public after 5 years?”
Union Minister of Minority Affairs Kiren Rijiju defended the bill, stating that the Waqf Act has been in existence since before independence and that the proposed amendments aim to ensure transparency and protect Waqf properties from encroachment. He criticized opposition leaders for allegedly misleading the public, asserting that the bill does not infringe upon Muslim rights.
The Lok Sabha was adjourned on Tuesday and is scheduled to reconvene at 2:00 pm. The government plans to table the revised Waqf Amendment Bill in Parliament this week, aiming to address challenges related to Waqf property management and enhance accountability within the system.
