Mamata Banerjee Asserts Trinamool's Opposition to Waqf Bill in Parliament
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Kolkata, Nov 28 (NationPress) West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee asserted on Thursday that her party, the Trinamool Congress, is leading the charge in Parliament against the Waqf (Amendment) Bill. She expressed concerns that the proposed legislation would not only undermine the Waqf system nationwide but also disproportionately affect a specific religion. “This Bill targets a particular faith. It contradicts the fundamental principles of equality and the right to freely practice any religion. This is precisely why we are standing against it,” the Chief Minister stated during her speech in the state Assembly on the fourth day of the winter session.
Her remarks coincided with the announcement from the Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) that is reviewing the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, seeking an extension to submit its report until the conclusion of the Budget Session in 2025.
Moreover, she highlighted that individuals from not just the Muslim community but also from various other faiths contribute to Waqf properties. “They engage in numerous developmental initiatives. These contributions cannot simply be disregarded. Recently, the Supreme Court of India ruled against the demolition of properties using bulldozers,” the Chief Minister remarked.
She informed the Assembly that in West Bengal, the Waqf Board has issued notices to rectify infringements on Waqf properties, with 155 cases currently referred to the tribunal.
During her address, she emphasized that the Union government ought to have consulted with relevant state governments regarding this matter. “Even in your state, Waqf properties exist, yet we were not part of the discussions. We learned about this only through media reports. The Union government merely issued a notification requesting stakeholders to voice any objections, but there was no dialogue with us,” she stated.
The BJP's West Bengal unit has already articulated its position on the issue, asserting that since the Bill is still under consideration by the Joint Parliamentary Committee, it is premature to comment on it. They have also accused the Trinamool Congress of engaging in politics of appeasement and polarization in their opposition to the Bill.
