‘Pattern of encroaching upon minority rights’: SGPC president Harjinder Singh Dhami urges Centre to withdraw Waqf (Amendment) Bill

In a press statement, Dhami said that the bill was presented without consulting the affected parties. “It seems the government’s intention is to erode the rights of minorities and manage their institutions according to its own agenda. Government must withdraw the bill immediately,” he stated.

Highlighting the SGPC’s “longstanding commitment to safeguarding minority rights”, Dhami underlined the committee’s opposition to any decisions that undermine these rights.

“The government’s past actions, including attempts to enforce a Uniform Civil Code and the Agniveer scheme, reflect a pattern of encroaching upon minority rights,” Dhami added. “The government’s decision to mandate Sikh soldiers to wear helmets within the armed forces was also part of this policy,” he further said.

Dhami said that minorities have the full right to protect their heritage and religious institutions and that laws like the Waqf (Amendment) Bill threaten to weaken these rights. “Minority communities possess the inherent right to safeguard their heritage and religious institutions; legislation such as the Waqf (Amendment) Bill seeks to undermine these fundamental rights,” he added.