MK Stalin, the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, has strongly opposed the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, which was passed in the Lok Sabha on Wednesday. Describing it as an attack on the Constitution and a deliberate attempt to sabotage religious harmony, Stalin reaffirmed that his party, the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK), would challenge the legislation in the Supreme Court.
His remarks came in response to the passage of the Bill, which secured 288 votes in favor against 232 opposed, despite considerable resistance from opposition parties. Stalin pointed out that while the Bill was passed, the opposition numbers were significant, reflecting the deep concerns surrounding the amendments.
Expressing his discontent over the manner in which the voting took place, Stalin criticized the late-night proceedings, stating that the decision to pass the Bill around 2 a.m. with the support of a few alliance parties was a direct assault on the Constitution and an effort to disrupt religious harmony in the country.
He emphasised that such amendments could have far-reaching consequences, particularly for the Muslim community, and pledged that the DMK would take all necessary legal steps to challenge the legislation.
As part of their protest, DMK and INDI Alliance MLAs attended the Tamil Nadu Assembly session on Thursday wearing black badges, symbolizing their opposition to the Bill.
Also Read: What is Waqf Amendment Bill and why is it contentious?
Stalin also announced in the Assembly that his party would be filing a petition in the Supreme Court to challenge the Bill’s provisions.
This decision comes after the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly had earlier passed a resolution urging the Union Government to withdraw the Bill, with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) being the only party that opposed the resolution. Prior to the passage of the Bill, Stalin had written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, calling for its withdrawal, citing the adverse impact it could have on the Muslim community.
He argued that the amendments would significantly weaken the authority of Waqf Boards and undermine existing protections for waqf properties, which are religious endowments held in trust for the benefit of the community.
In his letter, Stalin outlined key concerns regarding the amendments, including the inclusion of two non-Muslim members in State Waqf Boards, which he argued would compromise the religious autonomy of the Muslim community.
Also Read: Waqf Bill passed by the Lok Sabha
He also raised objections to the removal of the “Waqf by user” provision, warning that this change could jeopardise the legal status of several historical waqf properties across the country. Another major point of contention was the newly introduced restriction that only individuals who have practiced Islam for at least five years would be allowed to donate properties to waqf institutions.
Stalin contended that this restriction would prevent non-Muslims from making contributions, thereby disrupting the country’s syncretic cultural traditions.
Reiterating that the existing Waqf Act of 1995 already contains comprehensive provisions to safeguard waqf properties, Stalin asserted that the proposed amendments were unnecessary and would only serve to erode the current legal protections.
He accused the Union Government of attempting to push through drastic changes without adequate consultation with stakeholders, warning that such moves could set a dangerous precedent.
With the DMK now preparing to escalate the matter legally, Stalin made it clear that his party would continue to oppose the Bill both within the Assembly and in the courts, reaffirming their commitment to protecting constitutional principles and religious harmony.
Also Read: Govt tables Waqf Bill in RS, seeks Opposition’s support
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