"No Work Except Hindu-Muslim": SP To Oppose Proposed Waqf Amendments

As reports on the proposed Waqf Amendments are doing rounds in the media, Samajwadi Party (SP) chief Akhilesh Yadav today asserted that his party would oppose the Union government’s move to limit the power of Waqf board through the amendments.

The cabinet reportedly introduced a bill on Friday seeking to amend around 40 sections of the 1995 Waqf Act, sparking protests from Muslim bodies including the All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB). The bill is likely to be table in the next week.

Read Also: Explainer: What Is Existing Waqf Act?

Speaking to reporters, the former Uttar Pradesh chief minister said that the BJP has “no work except Hindu-Muslim” or how to snatch the rights of Muslim brothers. “The rights they have got, the right to freedom or the right to follow their religion, and the right to maintain their working system. We will oppose it,” India Today quoted Akhilesh Yadav.

The SP chief further said that those who are worried about reservation, backwards, Dalits, tribals and minorities should leave the BJP, adding that the saffron party’s thinking about Muslims from the very first day has been undemocratic and unconstitutional.

Read Also: Amid Strong Protest, ‘Massive Consultancy’ Claim For Waqf Act Amendments

The proposed bill would restrict the power of the Waqf board, making it undergo a mandatory verification process for the board’s property claims. The amendments would snatch the right of the board to tag assets as under its jurisdiction. As per the current sections of the Waqf Act, Waqf is the “permanent dedication by any person of any movable or immovable property for any purpose recognized by the Muslim law as pious, religious, or charitable. The board claims properties donated by a Muslim for religious or social purposes.

Rejecting the plan of the central government, Waqf Board spokesperson Ilyas appealed to Muslims to unite against the bill by calling it “malicious.” He also urged the ruling NDA allies and the opposition INDIA bloc to prevent the bill from being passed in the parliament as it would probably be table in Rajya Sabha soon.

AIMIM President Asaduddin Owaisi also hit out at the plan, saying that the Modi government wants to take away the autonomy of the Waqf Board.