Some Muslim MPs endorse Waqf Bill: Union minister claims

Srinagar/Kozhikode: Union Minister of Minority Affairs, Kiren Rijiju, claimed on Saturday that the Waqf Bill is designed for the welfare of poor Muslims, and some Muslim MPs also endorse it in private, backing the Centre, The Week reported.

The minister claimed that only the Congress party is opposing the bill and that the party’s intention is only to tarnish the BJP-led Centre’s image.

The minister was addressing a press conference in Srinagar. He said that India has the largest number of Waqf properties in the world, and these must be managed transparently for the benefit of the Muslim community.

The Week quoted the minister, “All parties have supported the bill except Congress. They are opposing it, but they cannot deny the reality. We are in government—if we do not work for poor Muslims, who will?”

Rijiju claimed that the amendments to the bill were intended to bring greater transparency and accountability to Waqf properties’ administration, ensuring these assets serve their intended purpose, which is to uplift the Muslim community.

“Even Muslim MPs have no objections; some have privately expressed their approval to me,” he claimed.

Meanwhile, Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan assured us that no one in the state would be evicted under the pretext of Waqf-related matters. He slammed the Union government’s Waqf bill, saying that the Centre aims to deprive minority communities of their rights and creates an impression that minorities are encroaching on properties.

Speaking at the inauguration of the Divisional Board of Waqf Board in Kerala’s Kozhikode on Saturday, CM Vijayan pointed out that there are widespread campaigns there suggesting that there will be evictions in the name of Waqf. He added that his government has made it clear that such evictions will not happen.