Waqf Bill against Constitution, say Opposition leaders at AIMPLB protest

He also criticised NDA allies TDP, JD(U) and LJP(RV). “Collectors, who will support the government, have all the power in deciding whether a property is Waqf or not. The purpose of this Bill is to snatch masjids, kabristans and madrasas from us. If Chandrababu Naidu, Nitish Kumar and Chirag Paswan don’t resist this Bill now, Indian Muslims will never forgive them. This is an anti-Muslim and anti-Constitutional bill to loot the Waqf,” he said.

Gogoi called the consultation process a farce, saying the Bill is an attack on the Constitution. “The government didn’t consult with you, didn’t take your opinion. Yes, a committee was created. I was a member, Imran Masood was there, Owaisi saheb was there. I saw the dictatorial nature of the committee and we raised it after every deliberation,” Gogoi said.

Also present was Samajwadi Party MP Dharmender Yadav. “I assure you that Akhilesh Yadav and the SP will fight against this Bill till its last breath. Even if we have to go to court, at every stage, we are with you. After rail and defence, Waqf has the most land. They want to take it. But we won’t let it happen,” said Yadav.

TMC MP Moitra, who arrived later, said the Bill was the latest in a long line of government attempts to disenfranchise Muslims.

AIMPLB Secretary Yaseen Ali Usmani said: “In the month of Ramzan, we are leaving our homes to fight for our rights. Not only are Muslims, but people from across communities are rejecting the Bill.”

Veteran Congress leader Salman Khurshid said that the government made no attempt to understand the viewpoint of Muslims. “They say that consultations were done and the government listened to everyone. They listened. But they didn’t understand us,” he said.

The JPC cleared the Waqf (Amendment) Bill on January 27, with all 14 recommendations by NDA members of the committee incorporated in the final draft.