In a significant development, several prominent Sikh organizations and panthic parties from Punjab have come out strongly against the Waqf Amendment Bill, recently passed in the Rajya Sabha. Among them is the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD), one of the key religious and political representatives of the Sikh community, which condemned the legislation as “anti-Muslim” and vowed to resist it with full force.
Harjinder Singh Dhami, president of SAD, issued a clear statement on Thursday demanding the immediate withdrawal of the Bill, asserting that it is unjust and discriminatory towards minorities.
Earlier in the Lok Sabha, SAD MP Harsimrat Kaur Badal launched a scathing attack on the BJP during the debate. She accused the ruling party of deepening religious and caste divides, stating, “This Bill is communal and targets Muslim minorities. The BJP has consistently ignored Sikh demands, like amending Article 35(b) to recognize our independent identity, but conveniently brings such Bills to serve political interests.”
This new stance from the Sikh community has added momentum to Muslim protests against the Waqf Bill. In a show of solidarity, leaders from Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind met with Sikh representatives on Friday. Their discussions centered on the challenges facing both communities, the dangers posed by the Bill, and the importance of unity between Sikhs and Muslims. Leaders on both sides emphasized that India belongs to all its citizens and that dignity and rights must be guaranteed to everyone.
Sikh leader Jsthdar Gargajj expressed alarm at the BJP’s pattern of rushing through controversial legislation. “Whenever it comes to suppressing minorities, the BJP acts with haste. India’s beauty lies in its diversity—every religion and culture deserves protection and respect,” he said.
Meanwhile, Punjab BJP spokesperson Pritpal Singh Balaiwal downplayed the concerns, stating that the Bill is meant to benefit Muslims and does not affect Sikhs. However, this view was not shared by Sikh MPs from opposition parties, who continued to voice their sharp criticism.
As the protests spread across the country, the central government is facing growing calls to reconsider the Bill. The alliance of Muslim and Sikh voices has added a powerful new dimension to the resistance.
