Amendments will cripple Waqf Boards and their autonomy, says T.N. CM Stalin
The Hindu
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin on Thursday said the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024, should be opposed as it would cripple the functioning of Waqf Boards over time and affect their autonomy.
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin on Thursday said the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024, should be opposed as it would cripple the functioning of Waqf Boards over time and affect their autonomy.
“It is against the Constitution and minority rights and rejects religious freedom and the objectives of the Waqf; [it is] confusing and unnecessary,” said the Chief Minister who moved a resolution in the Assembly, urging the Centre to fully withdraw the Bill.
Accusing the BJP government of functioning with “ulterior motives” on all issues, Mr. Stalin alleged all its schemes were aimed at “betraying the interests” of a particular section of society.
“The Citizenship Amendment Act, 2019, betrayed the Muslims and the Sri Lankan Tamils. It (BJP) betrays non-Hindi speaking States by imposing Hindi. It is against social justice and its functioning is affecting the interests of BCs, SCs, and STs. We know that NEET and the new [National] Education Policy are against marginalised sections of society. We have to oppose the Waqf (Amendment) Bill since it is against Muslims,” he said.
Mr. Stalin said the DMK and other parties opposed the Bill introduced in Parliament on August 8, 2024, seeking to amend the Waqf Act, as it would increase the government’s intervention in the administration of Waqf Boards and affect their autonomy and religious rights.
“It was referred to a Joint Parliamentary Committee in the wake of objections from the Opposition parties. I would like to place on record the adverse consequences of the amendments,” he said.
“There is a provision that mandates that only those who have been practising Islam for five years alone can give their property for charitable use. It has caused fear that the provision could nullify the waqf properties of non-Muslims,” Mr. Stalin explained.
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