Fadnavis, Shinde back Waqf (Amendment) Bill; Sena (UBT) has strayed from Balasaheb’s ideology: Sena

Maharashtra CM praises Waqf Amendment Bill, emphasizing secularism; Shiv Sena criticizes UBT for alleged vote bank politics.

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Wednesday (April 2, 2025) hailed the introduction of the Waqf (Amendment) Bill in the Lok Sabha, calling it a progressive step that reflects the word “secular” mentioned in the Preamble. Deputy Chief Minister and Shiv Sena chief Eknath Shinde stressed it was in the “best interest of the Muslim community”.

Addressing reporters, Mr. Fadnavis expressed confidence that the Bill will eventually get Parliament’s nod. “The Bill doesn’t hurt the religious faith or sentiment of any community. It only corrects the wrongdoings of the past. Women will get representation on the Waqf Board. Any wrongdoing in the board couldn’t be challenged in courts. This provision has been removed,” he said.

The BJP leader maintained that under the existing Waqf Act, lands were taken over by the board and then by Congress leaders. The Bill aims to stop this “loot”, he said.

The Chief Minister said it is foolish to say industrialists will benefit from the proposed law and dismissed its critics as “sycophants” who want to play appeasement politics. “Those whose conscience is alive will support the Bill. If the Shiv Sena (UBT) still follows Balasaheb Thackeray’s ideals, they will support the Bill,” he said.

Mr. Shinde also attacked the Uddhav Thackeray-led party over the Bill, accusing it of “engaging in vote bank politics”. “The Sena (UBT) has strayed from Balasaheb’s ideology and is operating under [Congress leader] Rahul Gandhi’s influence,” he said. “The true faces of those engaging in vote bank politics for Muslim votes have been exposed through their stance on the Bill,” he added.

Shiv Sena MP Shrikant Shinde said Mr. Uddhav’s party has “ditched” its founder’s ideology and bulldozed it. He said Bal Thackeray would have been upset had he learnt about the stand taken by the Sena (UBT) on the Waqf Bill and Aurangzeb.