A press conference on the WAQF Act issue held in Mumbai on April 22, 2025. Image source: PTI
Congressional Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju on Tuesday (22 April 2025) slammed West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee for refusing to implement the WAQF (Amendment) Act in his state. Speaking to a reporter in Mumbai, Mr Rijiju said the state government could not refuse to enforce the laws passed by parliament.
“We work under the federal structure. The Chief Minister of West Bengal can object to this bill, but she cannot declare that she will not enforce the laws passed by the whole country that the parliament has passed. This is her misleading of the WAQF bill, which has led to violence in Merhidabad,” said Mr Rijijijuju.
“The world’s largest WAQF property is not debated in India. India has more than 9,72,000 WAQF properties, but it has not benefited poor Muslim communities. In fact, by embezzling WAQF properties, the country has abused WAQF a lot, which is a problem, and it is a problem.”
Mr Rijiju said the bill had two main goals – to benefit economically weaker Muslims and to “stop the spoils and abuse of WAQF property”.
He said that a certain part of the Muslim community, as well as Congress and the left, have been abusing WAQF land for years, and the main purpose of the legislation has not been properly achieved.
“Only a handful of misguided Muslims and politicians engaged in voting bank comfort oppose the bill. Several members of the Muslim community stood up to thank Prime Minister Narendra Modi for enacting the WAQF Act. In fact, the necessary amendments to the bill were proposed by the committee, and were proposed by the committee. [set up] During Congressional regime. The 1976 WAQF Query Report discusses WAQF property management in a more efficient, transparent and responsible manner, with each activity properly documented. We just followed the same thing. ” said Mr. Rijiju.
The minister praised the Narendra Modi government, saying that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is committed to efforts to increase minority groups, as well as the socially weaker socioeconomic vulnerable groups from all castes and religions. “There is one reason why the country chose Prime Minister Modi again. The opposition has been spreading lies, which is by misleading people with false information that their burial land and mosques will be taken away. Let me clear it. [this up] Once again – the government will not touch the verified WAQF property. However, only those with legal disputes will be challenged and clearly written in the bill. ” said Mr. Rijiju.
“We are preparing a list of lists that plunder poor Muslims and mislead their provisions about the law. We will soon reveal them. The opposition spreads the wrong message that Muslims have revoked citizenship in the Citizenship Amendment (CAA) (CAA). Even if that happens, Mr Rijiju said.
The minister also met with the public in Mumbai with a portion of the “WAQF Reform Public Awareness Movement” held in the state.
publishing – April 22, 2025 at 10:34 pm IST
