BJP and Its Allies Are Violating the Principles of Justice and the Spirit of the Constitution: Feroze Ahmad Advocate
New Delhi: The All India Muslim Majlis-e-Mushawarat has expressed deep concerns over the passage of the Waqf Amendment Bill 2024 in the Lok Sabha, stating that the BJP and its allied parties are trampling on the principles of justice and the spirit of the country’s Constitution and laws.
The President of the Mushawarat, Advocate Feroze Ahmed, stated that this bill contradicts the principles of religious freedom, equality, and justice enshrined in the Constitution and violates the fundamental rights guaranteed under Articles 14, 25, and 26. He further asserted that the bill represents a direct interference in the autonomy of Waqf properties and their administration.
Particularly, the removal of the requirement that Waqf Board members must be Muslims and the mandatory inclusion of two non-Muslims is essentially an attempt to strip the Muslim community of its right to manage its religious and charitable institutions independently. Similarly, the abolition of the provision requiring an expert in Islamic jurisprudence (Sharia) in the Waqf Tribunal is an extreme form of communal bias and will create serious challenges.
The All India Muslim Majlis-e-Mushawarat has appealed to justice-loving people across the country to take all possible measures to prevent the implementation of these amendments, as their social and economic consequences, as well as their impact on Waqf properties, are clear and undeniable.
The President of the Mushawarat further stated that the organization, along with its member bodies, other Muslim organizations, and secular parties and leaders, will launch a nationwide movement against the threats posed to Waqf properties. He also accused the BJP of using Parliament to spread outright false and misleading propaganda and warned that its controlled media is fueling communal tensions against Muslims. If this is not stopped, it will severely harm the country.
He further alleged that the BJP is trying to mislead Muslims and create internal divisions by falsely claiming that this bill is intended for the welfare of the backward sections of the Muslim community. He warned parties such as the Janata Dal (United), Telugu Desam Party, and other allies of the BJP that supporting this controversial and communally motivated bill will come at a heavy cost for them.