Opposition Criticizes Waqf Amendment Bill

Asaduddin Owaisi, president of the AIMIM, strongly criticized the BJP-led NDA government's Waqf (Amendment) Bill, asserting that it aims to undermine rather than protect Waqf properties, a claim he made during a press conference. He urged Prime Minister Modi to withdraw the bill, arguing that it lacks provisions for safeguarding Waqf assets and would allow district collectors to make decisions on disputed properties, potentially jeopardizing Muslim interests. Owaisi emphasized that the legislation sends a negative message to the Muslim community, suggesting that the government seeks to seize Waqf properties. The All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) plans to engage with non-BJP chief ministers to discuss the bill's implications and has already met with leaders from Tamil Nadu and Telangana. The Waqf (Amendment) Bill has sparked controversies and heated debates within the Joint Parliamentary Committee, where concerns about its provisions were raised by opposition members. This situation reflects broader discussions regarding the management of religious properties in India and the perceived targeting of Muslim assets by the current government.