YSRCP slams TDP, Jana Sena for supporting 'anti-Muslim' Waqf Bill

Hyderabad: Political tensions escalated in Andhra Pradesh as the ruling coalition partners TDP and Jana Sena, along with opposition YSRCP, engaged in a heated exchange over the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2025.

While TDP and Jana Sena faced criticism from YSRCP for supporting the Waqf Bill in the Parliament, they countered it by highlighting YSRCP's past support for various NDA bills. TDP has even alleged that the headquarters of a media house owned by YSRCP chief Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy's family in Hyderabad stands on Waqf property.

TDP attempted to claim moral high ground by asserting that they had proposed key amendments to safeguard Muslim minority interests, which were subsequently incorporated into the final legislation. Nevertheless, their support for the bill has given YSRCP a political opportunity to pressure the ruling coalition.

Former Deputy Chief Minister and senior YSRCP leader Amzath Basha strongly condemned the Waqf (Amendment) Bill 2025, describing it as unconstitutional and a violation of Muslim rights. He criticised TDP and Jana Sena for supporting the bill in Delhi while opposing it in Andhra Pradesh, accusing leaders Chandrababu Naidu and Pawan Kalyan of aligning with the "anti-Muslim" NDA for political gain.

On Thursday, Basha argued that the bill, passed in the Lok Sabha on April 2 with the NDA majority, contradicts Articles 14, 15, 25, 26, and 300 of the Indian Constitution, which guarantee equality, non-discrimination, religious freedom, and property rights. He accused the NDA of betraying its promise of equal rights and undermining Dr. B.R. Ambedkar's Constitution.

Basha praised YSRCP for opposing the bill and urged TDP and Jana Sena to reconsider their stance, claiming their support enabled its passage. He accused the NDA of targeting 8.75 lakh acres of Waqf land nationwide and treating minorities as second-class citizens while reaffirming YSRCP's commitment to Muslim rights.

He characterized the bill as a conspiracy to seize Waqf properties, which he described as sacred Muslim assets dedicated to Allah. Basha rejected Union Minister Kiren Rijiju's claim that these properties belong to the government as baseless, emphasizing that Waqf laws prohibit even donors from reclaiming such properties.

YSRCP former MLA Hafeez Khan also criticized the Waqf Amendment Bill as unconstitutional. He questioned Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu's decision to support the BJP despite pre-election promises to support minorities. Khan expressed concern about giving collectors authority over Waqf lands, suggesting this could enable illegal occupation by coalition leaders. He claimed that the BJP, with support from Naidu and Nitish Kumar, aims to acquire nine lakh acres of land and weaken minorities by rendering the Waqf Tribunal ineffective and blocking their economic and political progress due to inadequate representation and funding.

Khan praised former Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy for opposing the bill and supporting minorities.

Meanwhile, TDP has launched a campaign against YSRCP, stating "Jagan, who has said yes to all bills related to Muslims, such as the CAA bill, the NRC bill, and the Article 370 bill, is now saying no to the Waqf Amendment Bill, which ensures Waqf properties should be used for Muslim welfare only! If that bill passes, Sakshi's foundations will be shaken because the Sakshi headquarters in Hyderabad was built on Waqf land. That is Jagan's fear. Do you understand?"

In Andhra Pradesh, Muslims constitute approximately 9.5 percent of the population according to the 2011 census. Their presence is particularly strong in the Rayalaseema region's four districts: Kurnool, Kadapa, Anantapur, and Chittoor. They also have significant numbers in the coastal districts of Nellore, Prakasam, Krishna, and Guntur. In several constituencies, especially in Rayalaseema areas like Kurnool, Muslims form a substantial voting bloc.