The Biju Janata Dal (BJD) has demanded the withdrawal of the Waqf (Amendment) Bill and announced that its Members of Parliament would firmly oppose the legislation in Parliament.
The party’s minority wing staged a protest outside the Raj Bhawan in Bhubaneswar and submitted a memorandum to the President of India through the local sub-collector. The memorandum expressed concerns that the proposed amendments to the Waqf Act of 1995 could disrupt communal harmony across the country.
It criticised the lack of consultation with key stakeholders, particularly the Muslim community, before the Bill was introduced, arguing that this oversight undermines democratic principles of inclusivity and participation.
“We urge the withdrawal of this Bill and recommend comprehensive consultations with stakeholders to address their concerns before introducing any amendments in Parliament,” the memorandum stated.
The BJD also objected to the proposal allowing non-Muslims to join Waqf boards, highlighting that in the case of Hindu temples in Uttar Pradesh and other states, only individuals of the Hindu faith are appointed to their governing bodies. The party emphasised that a similar approach should be adopted for Waqf Boards to preserve religious integrity and trust.
Additionally, the memorandum opposed granting district magistrates the authority to decide whether a property is Waqf or government-owned, arguing that such a provision could undermine the autonomy of Waqf institutions, lead to bias and misuse, and weaken the authority of Waqf Boards.
