"Will badly affect Muslims": Tamil Nadu CM Stalin urges Centre to withdraw Waqf bill

The Tamil Nadu Assembly has passed a resolution urging the central government to withdraw the proposed Waqf Amendment Bill, citing concerns that it would negatively impact the minority Muslim community. Chief Minister MK Stalin, leading the DMK government, stated that the bill would undermine the powers of the Waqf Board and hurt Muslim sentiments.

Addressing the state assembly, Stalin said, "The Union Government’s attempt to amend the Waqf Act will hinder the Waqf Board’s authority and disrupt religious harmony. The Constitution guarantees the right to practice religion, and elected governments are responsible for protecting these rights. The Assembly unanimously calls on the Centre to withdraw the Waqf Amendment Bill of 2024, which will severely affect minority Muslims."

The resolution has sparked political backlash. AIADMK national spokesperson Kovai Sathyan criticized the DMK’s move, accusing it of trying to create a divisive narrative based on religion and language. "The bill has gone through a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC). Why aren’t the parties involved challenging it in court instead of rushing to pass a resolution in the Assembly? This seems like an attempt to instigate people for political gains," Sathyan said.

The Waqf Amendment Bill has also triggered protests in other states. Opposition parties in Bihar also staged protests in the state assembly, demanding the bill’s withdrawal and calling for the implementation of the Sachar Committee’s recommendations to improve the socio-economic conditions of Muslims.Protests have also been reported in West Bengal and Uttar Pradesh, where opposition leaders have accused the government of targeting minority rights.

The bill, which is yet to be introduced in the Lok Sabha, has already received approval from the Union Cabinet after incorporating recommendations from the parliamentary panel. With most opposition parties standing against it, the bill is expected to face resistance and heated debates when introduced in Parliament, setting the stage for a major political showdown.