Owaisi Criticizes BJP's Waqf Amendment Bill, Calls It Unconstitutional

AIMIM Chief Asaduddin Owaisi criticizes the BJP's Waqf Amendment Bill as unconstitutional, alleging reliance on regional allies like Chandrababu Naidu and Nitish Kumar. Meanwhile, Home Minister Amit Shah defends the bill amid protests, asserting its alignment with constitutional principles.

Asaduddin Owaisi, the chief of the All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM), voiced his opposition to the Waqf Amendment Bill 2024, highlighting that the BJP lacks a majority in the Lok Sabha. In a conversation with ANI, Owaisi remarked on Prime Minister Narendra Modi's dependency on alliances with Chandrababu Naidu and Nitish Kumar for the bill's passage.

Owaisi accused Union Home Minister Amit Shah of disseminating falsehoods about the bill, which he claims contravenes constitutional articles, potentially disadvantaging the country's Waqf properties while eliminating significant revenue streams. He argued that the bill could face legal challenges due to its unconstitutional nature and urged for smarter legal frameworks.

Meanwhile, Amit Shah defended the bill, explaining that it seeks to rectify constitutional misalignments from previous legislation passed in 2013. He reassured critics, including Owaisi, who has engaged in symbolic 'black band' protests, that the legislative processes and debates in Parliament will address their concerns. Shah emphasized that reasoned debate is fundamental to legislative opposition.

(With inputs from agencies.)