Rijiju hits back at Mamata: ‘How can she refuse to implement Waqf Act?’

“To the contrary, the Act will serve its stated purpose, which is serving the poor and ensuring larger welfare of Muslims,” he said, stressing that the two main objectives of the Act were to ensure benefit to poor Muslims and stop the loot and misuse of Waqf property.

Taking a dig at Banerjee, Rijiju said, “In a federal structure, the West Bengal chief minister has a right to oppose the Act. But how can she say it will not be implemented in the state. The Act has been approved and passed in Parliament.”

Rijiju cautioned that when the CM adopts a defiant stand and says the Act will not be implemented in West Bengal, it amounts to instigating the people. “Therefore, she is equally responsible for the violence in Murshidabad district,” he added.

Rijiju said Muslim community leaders have met and greeted Prime Minister Narendra Modi, thanking him for bringing the Act. “Soon rules will be framed by the Central Waqf Board and conveyed to State Waqf Boards to ensure Waqf properties are used to serve poor Muslims,” he added.

“All those who misused Waqf properties and cheated people will be exposed. We will not allow such elements to exploit poor Muslims in name of religion or appeasement politics,” he warned.

Apprehensions voiced in some quarters that the government will seize their burial grounds, mosques or properties using the Waqf Act were baseless, he said, adding brazen lies are being spread to instill fear and mislead Muslim communities.

“The Opposition is indulging in misinformation campaign with an eye on the Muslim votebank. Unfortunately, these Opposition leaders are not concerned about minorities’ well-being,” he said.

It’s the same old tactic. When the Citizen (Amendment) Act came, a similar campaign was launched against the BJP-led NDA government, Rijiju recalled. “It was said minorities will lose citizenship. Muslims will be driven out. Has anything of that sort taken place,” he asked.

“Even I hail from a community that falls in the minorities category. If there is any place which is so beautiful and accommodating of all diverse communities, culture and religion, it is India,” he added.

On the National Herald case, Rijiju said, “Today, I wanted to focus on the Waqf Act, which is very important. Any other issue would amount to diverting the topic. All I can say is that Congress workers should realise how their own party leaders misused and looted funds.”