AIMIM Chief, Asaduddin Owaisi, strongly opposed the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024 in Lok Sabha on Monday, warning the government that the bill in its current form would lead to social instability in the country. He stated that the bill has been rejected by the entire Muslim community and that its implementation would violate key constitutional provisions, including Article 25, 26, and 14 of the Indian Constitution.
Owaisi’s Caution to the Government
Owaisi emphasized that the Waqf Bill would lead to the loss of Waqf properties—which are essential for Muslim religious practices—across the country. He also expressed his firm opposition, stating:
“I will not lose an inch of my Masjid… I will not lose an inch of my Dargah. It is my property, not given by anyone. You cannot snatch it away from me.”
The AIMIM chief stated that the Muslim community views the bill as an attack on their religious rights and warned that the implementation of the law would reverse India’s development to a regressive state reminiscent of the 1980s and early ’90s.
A Call for Unity and Resistance
“As a proud Indian Muslim,” Owaisi said, “we are proud Indians. Waqf is a form of worship for me. You want to make India a ‘Viksit Bharat’, but your approach will only take the country backward.” He made it clear that he would not engage in diplomatic talks and vowed to fight for Muslim rights.
Protests Over Dissent Notes in the JPC Report
Earlier, opposition MPs Kalyan Banerjee and Md. Nadimul Haque raised concerns over the removal of their objections from the dissent notes submitted to the Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) on the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024. The MPs accused the JPC Chairman of arbitrarily deleting key portions of their objections without prior notice or explanation.
In a letter to Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, the opposition MPs expressed their surprise and dismay, calling the deletions a violation of democratic processes.
Key Issues Surrounding the Waqf Bill
- Social instability feared due to the bill’s impact on Muslim religious properties.
- Allegations of constitutional violations, particularly regarding the rights of religious communities.
- Muslim community united in its rejection of the bill, viewing it as an attack on religious practices.
- Opposition MPs protesting the removal of dissent notes in the JPC report.
The debate over the Waqf (Amendment) Bill continues to intensify as various opposition leaders and community groups voice concerns over its implications on religious rights and social stability in India.