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BNP on Sunday expressed optimism that the recently passed controversial Waqf (Amendment) Act 2025 in India’s Lok Sabha would be reconsidered in the interest of maintaining regional communal harmony.
"India is a large democratic country and the Indian government will reconsider this law, upholding the guardianship role of the state in protecting the religious rights of citizens of all religions... We express this hope,” said BNP Standing Committee member Salahuddin Ahmed at a press conference at the BNP chairperson’s Gulshan office, UNB reports.
Salahuddin said, “We believe that this step (to reconsider this law) will play a historic role in maintaining regional communal harmony."
He said the All India Muslim Personal Law Board and other like-minded organisations have termed the new law contradictory to the core spirit of the Islamic Waqf system.
According to the organisations, the Waqf Boards should be managed only by Muslims.
“They (the organisations) view this law as a direct interference in the religious rights of Muslim citizens,” he added.
The bill was passed in the Lok Sabha on Wednesday by a vote of 288-232. Later on Friday, the bill was cleared by a vote of 128-95. Indian President Droupadi Murmu has already given her assent to the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2025.
Referring to the ancient Islamic endowment system of Waqf in India, Salahuddin said they analysed various provisions of this law and found that it attempts to curtail the rights of India’s minority Muslims and discriminate against them.
He said Muslims in India and various Muslim organisations have reacted by saying that the 'Muslim Waqf (Amendment) Bill-2024' is unconstitutional and politically motivated.
The BNP leader expressed concern that the law, which goes against the traditions, rights, and interests of some 20 crore Muslims — about 14 per cent of India’s population — creates ample scope for misuse. It could lead to disastrous consequences in the management of Islamic religious institutions, he said.
He said some 10 lakh acres of Waqf property under Waqf Boards in India and most of the lands are used for public welfare purposes such as mosques, madrasas, graveyards, and orphanages. The inclusion of non-Muslim members in the governing boards under the new law has sparked controversy and could infringe upon the constitutional rights of Muslim citizens, he added.
"We (BNP) believe that it is not appropriate to take any such step at the state level, as it may lead to the fear of destroying communal harmony due to interference in the religious rights of Muslims and discriminatory behaviour,” said Salahuddin.
He also said that giving non-Muslims authority over the administration and management of these religious properties is tantamount to direct interference in the religious rights of Muslim citizens.
BNP Chairperson’s advisory council member Ismail Zabihullah and its law affairs secretary Barrister Kaiser Kamal were also present at the press conference.