The draft of the Waqf Bill, if implemented in its current form, will lead to social instability, warned All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) chief Asaduddin Owaisi, stating that it will also violate Articles 25, 26, and 14 of the Indian Constitution, which guarantees religious equality and freedom while citing the Muslim community’s rejection of the bill.
Owaisi strongly opposed the bill during the Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) meeting in the Lok Sabha on February 4, emphasising that the Muslim community has rejected it.
Owaisi stated that the bill, if enacted, would leave no Waqf property intact, asserting that Waqf is not just a form of ownership but an essential part of worship for the community. He cautioned the government against moving forward with the legislation in its present form, stressing that it was his duty to stand in the House and speak honestly about the concerns of Indian Muslims.
He further declared that he would not allow even an inch of mosques or dargahs to be taken away, reiterating that these properties were neither gifts nor donations but rightful religious endowments.
"As a proud Indian Muslim, I will not lose an inch of my Masjid...I will not lose an inch of my Dargah. I will not allow that. We will no more come and give a diplomatic talk over here. This is the House where I have to stand and speak honestly, that my community - we are proud Indians. It is my property, not given by anyone. You cannot snatch it away from me. Waqf is a form of worship for me," he added.
The Waqf (Amendment) Bill was introduced in the Lok Sabha on August 8, 2024, and was later referred to a 31-member JPC chaired by BJP leader Jagdambika Pal. The committee has so far proposed 572 amendments to the draft bill, indicating significant opposition and debate over its provisions.
Meanwhile, on February 3, opposition MPs Kalyan Banerjee from the Lok Sabha and Md. Nadimul Haque from the Rajya Sabha raised concerns over the removal of key portions from their dissent notes submitted to the JPC.
In a letter to Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, they accused the committee chairman of deleting their objections without prior notice or explanation, expressing their disappointment over the alleged procedural irregularity.
The letter highlighted their dismay, stating that their dissenting views had been erased unilaterally, raising further questions about transparency in the legislative process.