A view of Tamil Nadu Assembly
Credit: PTI Photo
Chennai: Accusing the BJP-led Union Government of “systematically” discriminating against minorities and states ruled by Opposition parties, Tamil Nadu Assembly on Thursday passed a resolution demanding withdrawal of the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024 from Parliament as it directly “infringes” on religious and property rights of Muslims.
Moving a resolution, Chief Minister M K Stalin launched a frontal attack on the BJP and accused the party of framing policies that are aimed at deliberately excluding certain communities like the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA). He also utilised the Union Government of imposing Hindi, National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, and exams like NEET on the people of Tamil Nadu.
“The Waqf (Amendment) Bill is nothing but another attempt by the Union Government to interfere in the religious administration of Muslims. The law, if passed, will give greater control for the government over Waqf properties thereby undermining their autonomy. This is against the fundamental rights guaranteed by the Constitution,” Stalin said.
The resolution, which was supported by DMK, its allies, and AIADMK, said the Bill, which is being scrutinised by a Parliamentary panel, severely harms the rights and interests of Muslims. “The Bill could be tabled in Parliament at any time. It is imperative that we formally express our opposition to this anti-Muslim bill,” Stalin said.
Stalin said the DMK government was forced to move a resolution in the Assembly against the Bill since attempts made by DMK MPs to register their opposition before the parliamentary committee were not accepted.
Accusing the BJP of introducing “a divisive agenda” in governance, Stalin said the Bill would “create unnecessary legal hurdles for Waqf institutions” and “strip them of their rightful autonomy.”
Abolition of elections in Waqf Boards in states, eliminating democratic representation, and mandating non-Muslim members in Waqf Boards are examples of “direct interference in religious administration”, Stalin said, adding that they don’t merely affect Muslims but violate the principles of religious freedom enshrined in the Constitution.
“These amendments would increase government interference in Waqf administration and infringe upon religious rights,” the CM added.