Chennai, March 27: The Tamil Nadu Assembly, led by the ruling DMK, passed a resolution on Thursday urging the Union government to withdraw the proposed Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024. Chief Minister M.K. Stalin strongly opposed the bill, stating that it would \u201cbadly affect minority Muslims\u201d and hinder the powers of the Waqf Board.<\/p>\n
Addressing the Assembly, Stalin said, \u201cThe Union government is attempting to amend the Waqf Act in a way that will curtail the authority of the Waqf Board. This move is hurting the sentiments of Muslims, but the Centre is showing no concern.\u201d He further emphasized that India is a country that values religious harmony and that the Constitution guarantees the right to religious freedom.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe elected governments have the duty to protect these rights. The Tamil Nadu Assembly unanimously demands that the Union government withdraw the proposed Waqf Amendment Bill of 2024,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n
AIADMK Slams DMK\u2019s Move<\/p>\n
The AIADMK, Tamil Nadu\u2019s principal opposition party, criticized the resolution, accusing the DMK of playing \u201cvote bank politics.\u201d AIADMK national spokesperson Kovai Sathyan said, \u201cThe DMK is in a hurry to set a narrative based on religion and language. Why are parties with members in the Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) not challenging the bill in court? Why this rush to pass a resolution in the Assembly? This is an attempt to instigate people for political gain.\u201d<\/p>\n
Growing Opposition to the Bill<\/p>\n
The controversy over the proposed Waqf amendments is not limited to Tamil Nadu. On Wednesday, opposition parties in Bihar created a ruckus in the state assembly, demanding the bill\u2019s withdrawal. Protesters also called for the full implementation of the Sachar Committee\u2019s recommendations, which had highlighted the socio-economic backwardness of Indian Muslims.<\/p>\n
The proposed Waqf (Amendment) Bill has yet to be introduced in the Lok Sabha. However, with the Union Cabinet approving key amendments based on recommendations from the parliamentary panel, the bill is expected to be tabled soon. The legislation is likely to face stiff resistance from opposition parties, setting the stage for a heated debate in Parliament.<\/p>\n
What\u2019s Next?<\/p>\n
As political tensions rise, the future of the Waqf (Amendment) Bill remains uncertain. With state governments like Tamil Nadu opposing it and opposition parties gearing up for a fight in Parliament, the Centre may have to navigate significant political hurdles before the bill sees the light of day.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"