Srinagar, Apr 02: Member of Parliament (MP) from Anantnag-Rajouri, Mian Altaf Ahmad on Wednesday opposed the Waqf Amendment Bill, calling it “unconstitutional” and “illegal”.
Speaking in Parliament during the discussion on the Waqf Amendment Bill 2025, Mian Altaf said, “I stand in opposition to this bill. It is unconstitutional and illegal. The most important aspect of the Indian Constitution is that everyone in this country has equal rights, regardless of their religion, identity, or place of residence.”
He further said that minorities are protected under the Constitution, but the proposed law is against them. “This entire exercise is targeted at us. The state government was supposed to introduce this law, but you have encroached upon the state’s powers. You have taken them away and brought this law as an instrument to suppress us.”
Criticising the formation and functioning of the Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC), he said, “The way the JPC was formed and the speed at which it processed everything is well known. I oppose this bill because intellectuals and thinkers of this country, regardless of their religion or identity, understand that this bill has been introduced with a specific agenda.”
Mian Altaf warned that the bill would divide society. “India is renowned for its secularism worldwide. By introducing this bill and enacting such a law, the country’s secular character may be questioned globally.”
He said, “We are saddened that India’s secularism should not be under threat. For the past three months, this bill has sparked heated debate across the country, and people’s emotions are being instigated. The present government is doing nothing to address unemployment or inflation. Instead, it is using such distractions to divert public attention from fundamental issues.”
The NC leader alleged that the bill aims to take control of Waqf properties. “We suspect that attempts are being made to seize Waqf lands and Muslim properties in one way or another. Our concerns have been repeatedly raised, yet they remain unaddressed.”
Mian said this country is like a bouquet of flowers. “If even a few flowers wither, the entire bouquet loses its beauty. India will be respected globally only when all its people are treated fairly and with dignity,” he said
The MP argued that if there were issues with Waqf management, they could have been addressed without altering the entire law. “If there were flaws in the existing system, they could have been rectified. But changing the entire law is unnecessary. Moreover, repeated claims about offering concessions to backward Muslims lack any written proof,” he said
