Her minister vows to defy Bill: ‘Won’t allow it to be implemented’
He alleged that the bill has been drafted as a conspiracy by the BJP to take control of the Waqf board, with an “intention to kill the basic fundamental rights of Muslims.”
Written by Sweety Kumari
Kolkata | November 29, 2024 05:10 AM IST
2 min read
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Minister Siddiqullah Chowdhury addresses a rally against the Waqf Amendment Bill, organised by Jamiat-e-Ulema, in Kolkata on Thursday. Partha Paul
The West Bengal Jamiat-e-Ulema held a rally at Esplanade in Kolkata on Thursday, where senior state Minister Siddiqullah Chowdhury said that they will “not allow” the implementation of the Waqf (Amendment) Bill.
“Today, when the Assembly winter session is on, three lakh people have gathered here… we have created history in the heart of the city by doing a peaceful protest by the Muslim community in such large numbers… if we do not listen to their cries, who will,” said Chowdhury, the state’s Mass Education Extension and Library Services Minister.
He alleged that the bill has been drafted as a conspiracy by the BJP to take control of the Waqf board, with an “intention to kill the basic fundamental rights of Muslims.”
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The Manteshwar MLA’s voice echoed through the crowd, “If the central government forcibly passes this bill, we will fearlessly demonstrate our unwavering resolve. This is not a moment for political distractions. We stand at a critical juncture, fighting for our very existence.”
“Let’s consider Furfura Sharif, where masjids own numerous properties. If masjids can hold property, why should there be questions about Waqf properties? This statement underscores the belief that Waqf is an essential part of religious practice and should not be politicised,” he said.
The proposed Waqf (Amendment) Bill has ignited a political firestorm, with leaders from various parties expressing concerns over its potential impact on religious institutions and property rights.
Sweety Kumari reports from West Bengal for The Indian Express. She is a journalist with over a decade of experience in the media industry. Covers Crime, Defence, Health , Politics etc and writes on trending topics.
With a keen eye for investigative and human-interest stories. She has honed her craft across diverse beats including aviation, health, incidents etc. Sweety delivers impactful journalism that informs and engages audiences.
Sweety Kumari is a graduate of Calcutta University with an Honors degree in Journalism from Jaipuria College and a PG in Mass Communication from Jadavpur University. Originally from Bihar, she is brought up in Kolkata and completed her education from Kendriya Vidyalaya SaltLake. Multilingual, Sweety is fluent in English, Hindi, Bengali, and Maithili. She started her career as an Entertainment and lifestyle journalist with a newsportal in Kolkata. She is working with The Indian Express for 8 years now. ... Read More