M.K. Stalin speaks in the Assembly. File
| Photo Credit: The Hindu
The Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly on Thursday (March 27, 2025) unanimously adopted a resolution urging the Centre to withdraw the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024, arguing that it was against the interests of Muslims in the country. The Bill was supported by all political parties, including the AIADMK, while the BJP, which opposed it, walked out of the House before the voting.
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Chief Minister M.K. Stalin, who moved the resolution, said that the Constitution vested rights in various religious groups to follow their faith, and that a democratically elected government had the right to protect those rights.
“But the Union government has introduced the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024, to amend the Waqf Act, 1954, and it will severely affect the Muslim minorities. The Assembly urges the Union government to fully withdraw the Bill,” he said.
BJP member Vanathi Srinivasan said the Union government had decided to amend the Waqf Act because it had received complaints about irregularities in the management of waqf properties in many States. The Centre’s objective is to protect the interests of the “backward section” of the Muslim community and ensure representation for women, she said.
‘JPC ignored DMK members’ views’
When the BJP leader said that the Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) had met people’s representatives and elicited their opinion, Law Minister S. Regupathy said the views of certain members of the JPC were brushed aside by the committee. “It is an economic assault on the Muslim community,” he said.
Mr. Stalin further said the DMK members — A. Raja and M.M. Abdullah — who were part of the JPC, were not allowed to express their views on the proposed amendments.
The Chief Minister, while requesting Speaker M. Appavu to allow Ms. Srinivasan to speak on the subject, said the DMK had always been generous in allowing Opposition members to express their views, as it had faith in democracy.
Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK) leader G.K. Mani said the Bill could be allowed to pass if the Union government was able to create a consensus among various stakeholders.
AIADMK member S.P. Velumani also spoke in favour of the resolution. He also complained that when the JPC visited Tamil Nadu, they did not consult leaders from his party.
Published – March 27, 2025 12:52 pm IST