– Shabana Javed
Kolkata: Muslim organisations in West Bengal staged a joint protest against the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, expressing strong opposition to the proposed amendments. Muslim leaders argued that if other religious boards retain their autonomous status while the Waqf Board’s powers are curtailed, it would constitute a clear violation of Article 14 of the Constitution.
Maulana Maroof Salfi, member of All India Muslim Personal Law Board, warned that amending the Waqf Act could threaten several fundamental rights enshrined in the Constitution. During the protest, leaders claimed that nearly five crore Muslims had submitted their objections via email to the Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) against the Bill. Despite the submission of detailed arguments and documentary evidence by AIMPLB and major Muslim organisations opposing the Bill, the Union Government remains resolute in introducing it in the Lok Sabha.
Muslim leaders criticised the government’s approach, calling it authoritarian. They pointed out that a similar lack of consultation occurred during the passage of the controversial Agricultural Laws, which were eventually repealed after sustained protests by farmers. The Modi government has claimed that amendments to the Waqf Act were made during the UPA era after considering suggestions from Muslim leadership. However, this time, no such discussions were held before presenting the Bill in Parliament.
Following strong opposition, a 31-member JPC was formed to review the Bill. However, with the ruling party holding a majority in the committee, Muslim leaders alleged that it worked primarily to strengthen the Bill rather than seek practical solutions. Maulana Abu Talib Rahmani told Radiance News, that JPC outright rejected rational concerns raised by Muslim representatives, including 44 amendments proposed by opposition members.
The West Bengal Assembly has already passed a resolution against the Bill. Muslim leaders have now urged the TMC to take a firm stand when the Bill is introduced in Parliament. They demanded that all TMC MPs actively participate in the voting process and that the party issue a Whip to ensure their presence and opposition to the Bill.
