Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini on Sunday stated that the recently passed Waqf (Amendment) Bill was in the interest of the Muslim community and accused the Congress party of opposing the legislation out of fear of losing its financial benefits.
Speaking to reporters at the BJP office in Panchkula during an event marking the party's 46th foundation day, Saini claimed the amendment was aimed at protecting the interests of the Waqf and the Muslim population, not targeting them.
He alleged that the Congress’s opposition stemmed from the fact that its sources of income through the Waqf system had been affected, saying, “The Congress is in pain because their ‘daal roti’ has stopped.”
Saini further asserted that Prime Minister Narendra Modi was systematically reversing measures previously taken by the Congress, which he alleged were aimed at vote bank politics. He claimed the Prime Minister was working towards transparency and reforms to benefit all communities, including Muslims, without indulging in appeasement.
At a separate event held at the BJP headquarters in New Delhi to commemorate the party’s foundation day, BJP national president J P Nadda stated that the Centre had no intention of controlling Waqf Boards but wanted to ensure that their properties were used lawfully and in ways that would directly benefit the Muslim community through education, healthcare, and employment opportunities.
The Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2025, was passed in Parliament following a lengthy debate that extended over 13 hours. It cleared the Rajya Sabha with 128 votes in favour and 95 against, after already being passed in the Lok Sabha where 288 members supported it and 232 opposed.
Despite the government's assertions, the Bill has been met with strong resistance from the Opposition parties, particularly the Congress and other members of the INDIA bloc. They labeled the legislation as "unconstitutional" and alleged that it was part of a larger effort to seize Muslim-owned properties and hand them over to private corporations.
Reacting to these claims, Saini reiterated on Friday that the original Waqf Act was modified by the Congress party for political gains and insisted that the recent amendment was a corrective step meant to ensure transparency and better management of Waqf assets for the genuine welfare of the Muslim community.
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