DMK Plans to Contest Waqf Bill in Supreme Court: CM Stalin
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Synopsis
On April 3, Tamil Nadu CM M.K. Stalin condemned the Waqf (Amendment) Bill's passage in the Lok Sabha, announcing that the DMK will challenge it in the Supreme Court. He emphasized the Bill undermines religious harmony and adversely affects minority communities, calling for its withdrawal.
Key Takeaways
- DMK to legally contest Waqf Bill.
- 232 lawmakers opposed the legislation.
- Bill passage criticized for timing and method.
- Opposition claims Bill is anti-Muslim.
- Minister asserts minorities are safe in India.
Chennai, April 3 (NationPress) Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin expressed his disapproval of the Waqf (Amendment) Bill's approval in the Lok Sabha and confirmed that the DMK will legally challenge this legislation in the Supreme Court.
While addressing the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly, CM Stalin stated, “Tamil Nadu will fight, and it will succeed in this fight.”
DMK representatives donned black badges during the Assembly session to protest the Bill's approval in the Lok Sabha.
CM Stalin reminded the Assembly that on March 27, the Tamil Nadu Assembly had passed a resolution calling for the withdrawal of the Waqf Amendment Bill, arguing that it threatens religious harmony and negatively impacts the minority Muslim community.
“A majority of political parties across India opposed this Bill. Yet, it was passed in the Lok Sabha, which is highly condemnable. Even though it has cleared the House, one must not overlook the considerable number of votes against it,”
he stated.
The Chief Minister highlighted that 232 members opposed the Bill, emphasizing that this figure is significant. “The opposition could have been even stronger. This law must be completely withdrawn,” he asserted.
CM Stalin also criticized the timing and method of the Bill's passage, stating, “Introducing and passing such a sensitive legislation at 2 a.m., ignoring opposition from a majority of political parties in the country, is a direct assault on the Constitution of India and an effort to disturb communal harmony.”
He reiterated that the DMK would contest the Waqf (Amendment) Bill in the Supreme Court, insisting that Tamil Nadu will persist in its legal and political battle against this legislation.
The Lok Sabha approved the Bill in the early hours of Thursday, April 3, following a 12-hour debate. A total of 288 members voted in favor, while 232 opposed it.
Despite widespread opposition, all amendments proposed by opposition members were dismissed through voice votes.
During the debate, the ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA) defended the Bill, asserting it aimed to benefit minority communities. However, opposition parties criticized it as “anti-Muslim” and harmful to the principles of secularism.
In response, Union Minister for Minority Affairs Kiren Rijiju claimed that minorities in India are safe and secure. “There is no place in the world safer than India for minorities. They are protected because the majority in India is completely secular,” he remarked.
The controversy surrounding the Waqf (Amendment) Bill continues to escalate, with numerous states and political parties preparing to take additional legal and democratic actions against its implementation.
