BRS MLC K Kavitha declared on Monday that her party will oppose the Waqf Amendment Bill in Parliament, reaffirming their longstanding support for the Muslim community. Speaking at an Iftar Party in Banswada, Kavitha highlighted concerns about the central government’s proposed bill that seeks to take control of Waqf properties, which she argued could negatively impact the Muslim community.
“We are celebrating Ramzan with our people in Banswada, and we are talking about the current situation of the central government and how the current central government is trying to bring a bill that is going to take control of the Waqf properties of Muslims. BRS as a party will oppose that, and we are with our Muslim community, we have always been with them. We have always worked for the empowerment of the Muslim community… During the Telangana movement, the community supported us… Peace should prevail in the entire country and Telangana. So we will oppose the Waqf Amendment Bill in Parliament,” Kavitha said.
The Waqf Act of 1995, which was designed to regulate Waqf properties, has faced criticism for issues like mismanagement and encroachments. The new Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024, aims to introduce reforms, including digitisation, audits, transparency, and legal measures to reclaim illegally occupied properties.
This announcement from the BRS party comes after the All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) launched a nationwide agitation against the proposed bill. A statement by Mohd Vaquar Uddin Latifi, Office Secretary of the AIMPLB, noted that a protest on March 17 in Delhi was successful, prompting the nationwide protests.
The government has set up a Joint Parliamentary Committee to review the bill with experts and stakeholders.