Chennai (Tamil Nadu) [India]: Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin on Thursday moved a resolution in the state Assembly opposing the Waqf Amendment Bill 2024 proposed by the Central government, stating that the Bill is detrimental to Muslim rights.
“The central government is pushing schemes that violate state rights, culture, and traditions. India is a country of diverse cultures, traditions, and languages, but this Bill appears to be an act of political revenge against states. The Waqf Amendment Bill is against the interests of Muslims and is destroying their rights. The central government has never considered the welfare of Muslims, and hence, we are passing a resolution against it,” Stalin said in the Assembly.
Concerns Over Waqf Board Autonomy
Stalin further claimed that the amendment seeks to diminish the authority of the Waqf Board by requiring the inclusion of two non-Muslim members in state Waqf bodies.
“Muslims fear that this is a move by the government to seize Waqf properties, violating their religious freedom. This amendment is deeply concerning as it hurts Muslim sentiments, yet the Union Government has ignored these concerns. It will severely impact Muslim rights,” Stalin asserted.
The Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) and its Joint Action Committee (JAC) members, A Raja and MM Abdullah, have already voiced their opposition to the Bill in Parliament. Stalin warned that if passed, the Waqf Amendment Bill would curtail the powers of the Waqf Board in the long run.
Resolution Passed in Tamil Nadu Assembly
The resolution introduced by Stalin urged the Union Government to withdraw the Waqf Amendment Bill 2024, stating that it would harm the rights of minority Muslims.
“India thrives on religious harmony, and the Constitution guarantees every citizen the right to practice their religion freely. Elected governments are responsible for upholding these rights. This Assembly unanimously insists that the Union Government recall the Waqf Amendment Bill 2024, which will severely impact the minority Muslim community,” the resolution stated.
Understanding the Waqf Amendment Bill 2024
The Waqf Act of 1995 was originally enacted to regulate Waqf properties, but over the years, concerns about mismanagement, corruption, and encroachments have been raised.
The Waqf (Amendment) Bill 2024 seeks to address these issues by introducing:
- Digitization of Waqf properties
- Stricter audits and transparency measures
- Legal provisions to reclaim illegally occupied Waqf properties
The Union Government has formed a Joint Parliamentary Committee to review the Bill in consultation with experts and stakeholders. However, opposition parties, including the DMK, argue that the Bill could weaken the Waqf Board’s independence and infringe upon religious freedoms.
As the Bill moves closer to being tabled in Parliament, the Tamil Nadu government has made its stance clear, urging the Centre to reconsider its provisions.