New Delhi, Jan 31: With the Waqf Bill Amendment Bill set to be tabled in the Budget session of the Parliament, which commenced on Friday, People’s Democratic Party (PDP) President Mehbooba Mufti has urged Chief Ministers Nitish Kumar and Chandrababu Naidu, key members of the National Democratic Alliance, to “intervene” and “prevent this bill from causing damage to our national unity” and “communal harmony.”
Mufti described the bill as “deeply divisive” and said it “strikes at the heart of the very idea of India.”
In a letter written to CM’s of Bihar and Andhra Pradesh, Mufti expressed concern that the proposed Waqf amendment bill “comes at a time when, for the past decade, Muslims have been systematically disenfranchised, disempowered, and marginalised politically, socially, and economically.”
“Perhaps what’s most concerning is the utter disregard to the misgivings raised by the opposition parties in the form of dissent notes submitted to the joint parliamentary committee. The exercise of consultation seems farcical without any genuine efforts to consult the community most affected by this unconstitutional, unconscionable, and authoritarian bill,” the former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister highlighted in her letter dated January 31.
“Dressed as a reform of Waqf-owned properties across the country its true objective is to undermine the very foundation of the Waqf Act: to protect and preserve properties dedicated to the social and economic upliftment of Muslims for religious and charitable purposes,” Mufti claimed.
“Each proposed amendment not only contradicts the interests of the Muslim community,” She said, adding, “but also constitutes a direct assault” on the fundamental rights guaranteed by our Constitution.”
“This deeply divisive hill is a clear manifestation of the majoritarianism that has fueled bigotry and the marginalization of Muslims since 2014. It strikes at the heart of the very idea of India an India that thrives on its core values of diversity, pluralism, and peaceful coexistence. The essence of Gandhi’s vision for India is being altered, undermining the secular fabric that binds this nation together,’ the PDP chief said.
“You have always been a staunch believer in our Constitution and have consistently championed the spirit of Ganga Jamuni brotherhood. Today, as key members of the NDA, you are uniquely positioned to influence this matter and halt this onslaught,” She said, referring to CM Kumar and CM Naidu.
“I sincerely urge you to intervene and prevent this bill from causing damage to our national unity and communal harmony,” She said.
National Conference leader and Jammu and Kashmir MLA Tanvir Sadiq has criticised the Bill.
“The reservations for the minorities have not been taken into consideration. 11 members of parliament have given the dissent note,” Sadiq said, emphasising concerns regarding the bill’s provisions. He questioned the introduction of Waqf-by-User, which he argued could cause problems with over 400,000 properties.
Several Opposition members of the panel submitted dissent notes to be incorporated in the report, which will be tabled in Parliament during the Budget session which commenced on Friday.
These Opposition MPs included the Congress party’s Gaurav Gogoi and All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) chief Asaduddin Owaisi besides the members who submitted joint dissent notes such as Kalyan Banerjee and Nadimul Haque of the TMC, A Raja and M M Abdulla of the DMK, and Syed Naseer Hussain, Mohammad Jawed and Imran Masood of Congress.
The JPC on the Waqf (Amendment) Bill on Wednesday adopted the draft report and the amended revised bill.
The meeting between members of the JPC on the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024 and Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla concluded and the final report on the bill was submitted to the Lok Sabha Speaker on January 30.
ANI
