Opposition, Religious Leaders Slam Waqf Bill as ‘Biggest Attack’ on Muslims

The Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024, has ignited a firestorm of opposition, with political leaders and Muslim religious figures branding it the “biggest attack” on the community’s rights, setting the stage for prolonged nationwide protests. Introduced to reform Waqf Boards, the bill—backed by the BJP and RSS—proposes adding non-Muslims to boards, empowering District Collectors to survey properties, and enhancing government oversight, ostensibly to curb corruption and boost efficiency. Critics, however, see it as a calculated erosion of Muslim autonomy.

AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi, a vocal detractor, has warned that the bill threatens social stability, claiming it aligns with the BJP’s “divide and rule” ideology. “The entire Muslim community rejects it,” he told Maktoob Media in February, a sentiment echoed in his Indian Express interview, where he questioned the need for “JSR slogans” during its Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) tabling. Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind and other Muslim organizations argue the shift from Waqf Tribunals to District Collectors undermines religious autonomy, risking property appropriation.

Opposition parties, including Congress, TMC, and Left factions, have rallied against the bill, with TMC’s Sagarika Ghose on X calling it a “direct attack” on Muslims. The bill’s provisions—scrapping “waqf by user” and mandating five years of Islamic practice for board eligibility—further fuel the backlash.

As protests loom, with plans intensifying across states, the BJP defends the reforms as transparency-driven, but the deepening divide suggests a protracted battle over India’s secular fabric.