TN Parliament adopts resolution urging the Centre to withdraw the WAQF (Amendment) bill

MK Stalin spoke at the conference. File | Image source: Hindu

The Tamil Nadu legislative session unanimously passed a resolution on Thursday (27 March 2025), urging the Centre to withdraw its WAQF (Amendment) bill of 2024, believing that it violates the interests of Muslims in the country. The bill was supported by all parties including AIADMK, and the BJP, which opposed it, walked out of the House of Representatives before the vote.

Chief Minister MK Stalin, who proposed the resolution, said the constitution grants the rights of various religious groups to follow their beliefs, and democratically elected governments have the right to protect those rights.

“But the Union Government has introduced the WAQF (Amendment) Act, 2024, which amended the WAQF Act of 1954, which will seriously affect Muslim minorities. The Parliament urged the Union Government to withdraw the bill altogether.”

BJP member Vanathi Srinivasan said the coalition government has decided to amend the WAQF Act because it has received complaints about irregularities in WAQF property management in many states. She said the center’s goal is to protect the interests of the “backward part” of the Muslim community and to ensure women’s representation.

When the BJP leaders said that the Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) met with representatives of the people and raised their opinions, Law Minister S. Regupathy said that the opinions of certain members of the JPC were rejected by the committee. “This is an economic attack on the Muslim community,” he said.

Mr. Stalin further stated that DMK member-A. Raja and MM Abdullah are part of the JPC and are not allowed to express their views on the proposed amendment.

The Chief Minister, in requesting Speaker Ms. Appavu to allow Ms. Srinivasan to speak on the subject, said that the DMK has always generously allowed opposition members to express their views because it is full of confidence in democracy.

Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK) leader GK Mani said the bill could be allowed to pass if the coalition government can reach consensus among various stakeholders.

AIADMK member SP Velumany also expressed her support for the resolution.