The Waqf Amendment Bill, 2024, has ignited a nationwide debate, with Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin urging Prime Minister Narendra Modi to withdraw the proposed changes, citing concerns over minority rights and religious autonomy.
TAMIL NADU : The Waqf Amendment Bill, 2024, has become a major point of contention in Indian politics, with Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin formally appealing to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to withdraw the proposed amendments. The bill has raised significant concerns regarding minority rights, religious autonomy, and governance of Waqf properties.
Tamil Nadu’s Opposition to the Waqf Amendment Bill
Tamil Nadu has consistently upheld the rights of minority communities, fostering an environment of religious harmony. In a strongly worded D.O. letter, Stalin highlighted the detrimental impact of the proposed amendments, arguing that they threaten the constitutional protections granted to minorities. He asserted that the existing Waqf Act, 1995, is well-equipped to safeguard Waqf properties and that unnecessary changes would create administrative and legal complications.
Key Concerns Raised by Tamil Nadu
Stalin outlined several concerns regarding the Waqf Amendment Bill, 2024, including:
- Undermining religious autonomy: The mandatory inclusion of two non-Muslim members in State Waqf Boards is seen as an infringement on the Muslim community’s right to independently manage their religious and charitable endowments.
- Threatening historical Waqf properties: The removal of the ‘Waqf by user’ provision could impact the status of many longstanding Waqf properties, potentially leading to legal disputes over land and property ownership.
- Restricting contributions to Waqf: The new stipulation that only individuals who have practiced Islam for at least five years can donate properties to Waqf would prevent non-Muslims from making contributions, affecting the syncretic cultural fabric of the country.
Given these implications, the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly unanimously passed a resolution on March 27, 2025, urging the Union Government to withdraw the bill completely. Stalin enclosed a copy of this resolution in his letter to Modi, requesting his direct intervention to protect the interests of Muslim minority communities and preserve Waqf institutions.
READ AN EXCERPT FROM LETTER:
Lok Sabha Debate on Waqf Amendment Bill Turns Political
While the Lok Sabha was set to discuss the legal and constitutional aspects of the Waqf Amendment Bill, the debate took a sharp political turn when Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav made a surprising remark about the BJP’s internal leadership.
During his speech, Yadav veered off-topic to take a dig at the BJP, stating that the
“biggest political party in the world” had yet to elect its own national president.
This comment, made with a wry smile, drew laughter from the opposition benches and even a light-hearted response from Union Home Minister Amit Shah.
Amit Shah’s Response to Akhilesh Yadav
Responding to Yadav’s jibe, Amit Shah retorted that unlike dynastic parties, where presidents are often chosen from within a select few family members, the BJP follows a democratic selection process that involves over 12-13 crore members, making it a time-consuming process.
Shah further jested, “In your case, it will not take much time. You will remain president for 25 years.” This witty comeback kept the atmosphere lighthearted despite the intensity of the debate.
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Modi’s Visit to RSS Headquarters Sparks Speculation
Amid the heated parliamentary debate, another political controversy emerged regarding Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent visit to the RSS headquarters in Nagpur. This visit, the first since Modi took office in 2014, has led to speculation about his future in Indian politics.
Akhilesh Yadav took an indirect swipe at Modi, suggesting that the visit was part of a political maneuver to extend the unofficial 75-year age limit for holding top leadership positions. He hinted that Modi was making efforts to “save his chair” by securing support from the RSS.
The speculation stems from BJP’s internal rules, where leaders above 75 years of age are often moved to advisory roles. With Modi turning 75 in September 2025, political analysts are closely watching developments within the party.
The Waqf Amendment Bill, 2024, has sparked a nationwide debate, not only over the protection of minority rights but also over broader political dynamics within the country. The bill’s future remains uncertain as opposition parties, state governments, and community leaders continue to push back against the proposed changes.
The unfolding developments in both the Lok Sabha debate and the BJP’s internal leadership will be crucial in shaping India’s political landscape in the coming months.
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