Mamata: Future Non-BJP Government Will Revoke Waqf (Amendment) Bill
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Synopsis
West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee claims that any future government not affiliated with the BJP will annul the Waqf (Amendment) Bill. She criticizes the BJP for allegedly sowing division among communities through this legislation.
Key Takeaways
- Mamata Banerjee asserts future non-BJP governments will repeal the Waqf (Amendment) Bill.
- Banerjee highlights the Bill's potential to divide communities.
- The Trinamool Congress opposes the Bill due to bureaucratic concerns.
- Concerns regarding the targeting of minority communities are raised.
- Critics argue the Bill undermines the Waqf system and equality principles.
Kolkata, April 3 (NationPress) West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has declared that any future government at the Centre that is not aligned with the BJP will revoke the Waqf (Amendment) Bill introduced by the current central administration.
During a press briefing on Thursday, Banerjee stated, “We have consistently maintained that this Bill aims to foster division among communities. The BJP may hold power now, but it will not last indefinitely. Once a non-BJP government assumes office, this amendment will be annulled in Parliament.”
This marks the second occasion in two days that Banerjee has taken aim at the Union government regarding the Waqf (Amendment) Bill. On Wednesday, she similarly accused the BJP of seeking to divide citizens based on religious lines through this legislation.
The Trinamool Congress (TMC) has opposed the Bill from its inception, raising two primary concerns.
The first issue is the suggestion to appoint district magistrates to evaluate the existing Waqf properties in related districts. The Trinamool Congress believes that such a “bureaucratic approach” to reviewing Waqf Property is wholly unacceptable.
The second issue is the plan to seize assets that have been verbally identified as Waqf properties. The Trinamool Congress argues that this is a calculated effort by the ruling party at the Centre to target minority communities.
Last November, while addressing the winter session of the West Bengal Assembly, the Chief Minister asserted that the proposed Bill would not only undermine the Waqf system in the country but also specifically target a certain religion.
“This Bill is directed against a particular religion. It contradicts the fundamental principles of equality and the right to practice any faith. This is precisely why we are opposing it,” the Chief Minister emphasized.
