Lucknow, Aug 5 (PTI) – In a significant political development, Samajwadi Party (SP) chief Akhilesh Yadav has announced that his party will staunchly oppose the Centre’s proposed amendments to the Waqf Act of 1995. The announcement came amidst growing controversy over the BJP-led government’s initiative to bring a Bill to Parliament aimed at overhauling the legislation governing Waqf boards.
The proposed amendments to the Waqf Act seek to introduce greater accountability and transparency within Waqf boards, which manage properties designated for religious and charitable purposes under Islamic law. One key provision of the Bill mandates that Waqf boards register their properties with district collectors to ensure accurate valuation. Additionally, the Bill proposes the mandatory inclusion of women in these boards, a move intended to foster gender diversity.
Yadav, addressing reporters in Lucknow, criticized the government’s intentions, accusing the BJP of attempting to undermine the rights of Muslims. “We will be against it,” Yadav declared in response to queries about the Bill. He charged that the BJP’s actions are part of a broader strategy to divide communities and strip away rights enshrined in the Constitution. “BJP’s only work is to divide Hindus and Muslims, snatch the rights of Muslim brothers, and work on how to snatch the rights given to them in the Constitution,” Yadav said. His comments came as he paid tribute to late MP and party leader Janeshwar Mishra on his birth anniversary.
The SP chief also recalled previous instances where, according to him, the Modi government had eroded minority rights. He specifically mentioned the case of Anglo-Indians, who, he alleged, lost their reserved seats in Parliament and state assemblies following a “fake” census.
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Adding to the controversy, Yadav took aim at Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath over the state’s Nazul Property (Management and Use of Public Purposes) Bill, 2024. Yadav mocked the Chief Minister’s understanding of the term “nuzul,” which refers to land allocated for public purposes. He claimed Adityanath misinterpreted the term, suggesting it referred to “land of Muslims.” “Look how intelligent our chief minister is… He found out that nuzul is an Urdu word. The officers kept explaining to him that nuzul means something else, but he insisted it means land of Muslims,” Yadav said. The Bill had been sent to a select committee in the state’s Upper House but faced opposition from some BJP leaders, preventing its passage.
Yadav’s remarks extended to Union Minister Anupriya Patel, who has advocated for reservations in the private sector. Without naming Patel, Yadav suggested that any minister vocal about reservations should consider leaving the BJP. “It is being heard that a minister is shouting that reservation has ended… Those who are concerned about reservation, whether in Delhi or Lucknow, should immediately leave the BJP,” Yadav remarked.
The SP leader further criticized Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya, referring to him as a “stool kit” leader who is more talkative than effective. He suggested Maurya’s comments and actions are driven by external directives rather than genuine concern for issues like caste-wise census and reservations. “There is a ‘stool kit’ leader. He is doing a lot of ‘kit-kit’ (talks). I think I will have to end the offer. It is being heard that the ‘stool kit’ ministers get orders, only then he does it. At least he should talk about caste-wise census and also talk about the reservation that is being abolished,” Yadav said.
The opposition from the Samajwadi Party highlights the broader political friction surrounding the proposed amendments to the Waqf Act and other legislative measures. As the debate unfolds, it will likely continue to influence the political landscape in Uttar Pradesh and beyond, reflecting the ongoing tensions over minority rights, community relations, and legislative reforms.
