New Delhi [India]: As the Waqf Bill Amendment Bill is set to be tabled during the Budget session of Parliament, which commenced on Friday, People’s Democratic Party (PDP) President Mehbooba Mufti has appealed to Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu to “intervene” and prevent the bill from affecting national unity and communal harmony.
Mufti labeled the bill as “deeply divisive,” asserting that it “strikes at the heart of the very idea of India.”
In a letter addressed to the two chief ministers, she expressed concern that the proposed amendments come “at a time when, for the past decade, Muslims have been systematically disenfranchised, disempowered, and marginalized politically, socially, and economically.”
“Perhaps what’s most concerning is the utter disregard to the misgivings raised by the opposition parties in the form of dissent notes submitted to the joint parliamentary committee. The exercise of consultation seems farcical without any genuine efforts to consult the community most affected by this unconstitutional, unconscionable, and authoritarian bill,” Mufti wrote in her letter dated January 31.
She further argued that the bill, which is framed as a reform of Waqf-owned properties, actually aims to “undermine the very foundation of the Waqf Act: to protect and preserve properties dedicated to the social and economic upliftment of Muslims for religious and charitable purposes.”
“Each proposed amendment not only contradicts the interests of the Muslim community,” she said, adding that it also constitutes “a direct assault on the fundamental rights guaranteed by our Constitution.”
Mufti described the bill as a “manifestation of majoritarianism that has fueled bigotry and the marginalization of Muslims since 2014.” She emphasized that it threatens India’s core values of diversity, pluralism, and peaceful coexistence, arguing that it undermines the secular fabric envisioned by Mahatma Gandhi.
“You have always been staunch believers in our Constitution and have consistently championed the spirit of Ganga-Jamuni brotherhood. Today, as key members of the NDA, you are uniquely positioned to influence this matter and halt this onslaught,” Mufti urged Kumar and Naidu.
“I sincerely urge you to intervene and prevent this bill from causing damage to our national unity and communal harmony,” she added.
Meanwhile, National Conference leader and Jammu and Kashmir MLA Tanvir Sadiq also voiced strong criticism of the bill.
“The reservations for the minorities have not been taken into consideration. Eleven members of Parliament have given dissent notes,” Sadiq said, highlighting concerns over the bill’s provisions. He also raised objections to the introduction of “Waqf-by-User,” arguing that it could create complications involving over 400,000 properties.
Several opposition members of the panel submitted dissent notes, which will be incorporated into the report set to be tabled in Parliament during the Budget session.
Among those who expressed opposition were Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi and AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi, along with Trinamool Congress leaders Kalyan Banerjee and Nadimul Haque, DMK leaders A Raja and M M Abdulla, and Congress leaders Syed Naseer Hussain, Mohammad Jawed, and Imran Masood.
The Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) on the Waqf (Amendment) Bill adopted the draft report and revised bill on Wednesday. The final report was submitted to Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla on January 30 following a meeting between JPC members and the Speaker.