Controversy Erupts Over Waqf Amendment Bill in Parliament

Senior BJP leader Pralhad Joshi accuses Congress of using Karnataka as a laboratory for appeasement politics through a 4% Muslim reservation in public contracts. He clarifies that the Waqf amendment bill aims to protect properties and is not against Muslims. The bill faces opposition criticism in Parliament.

Senior BJP leader and Union Minister Pralhad Joshi has accused the Congress party of turning Karnataka into a testing ground for what he terms 'appeasement politics' by granting a 4% reservation to Muslims in public contracts. Despite these charges, Joshi insisted that the Waqf amendment bill is not targeted against any specific religion.

Joshi, speaking at the Times Now Summit, contended that Congress is fabricating a false narrative by claiming the Waqf amendment bill is anti-Muslim. He stressed that reservations on the grounds of religion are unacceptable and vowed that his party would challenge this legally.

The Waqf amendment bill, which aims at reforming the administration of waqf properties in India, is set for Parliamentary introduction. It has sparked protests from opposition leaders who argue it carries communal intent. A 31-member Joint Parliamentary Committee has reviewed the bill, recommending amendments amid opposition dissent.

(With inputs from agencies.)