Waqf Amendment Act was passed without political ethics or moral fear, says VCK chief

A protest organised by All India Muslim Personal Law Board in Chennai on Friday.
| Photo Credit: KRESHITA GIRI

VCK founder Thol. Thirumavalavan on Friday said the Waqf Amendment Act was passed in Parliament without “political ethics or moral fear” by the BJP despite severe pushback from the Opposition ranks at every forum.

Addressing a meeting organised by the All India Muslim Personal Law Board demanding the repeal of the amended legislation, Mr. Thirumavalavan alleged that the BJP had used the power of the government to target the Islamic community in the name of law and democracy over the last 11 years.

“Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), abrogation of Article 370, Triple Talaq, and Waqf Amendment Act targets Muslims. BJP doesn’t meddle with administration of religious properties of other faiths but meddles with ones owned by the Muslim community. It uses the law to do what should be illegal. It goes against democracy by using the very democracy. On the surface of it, these actions are about targeting and harassing Muslims. But, if you look closely, it is about dismantling of the Constitution,” he said.

The VCK opposed the law in Parliament and in the Joint Committee, besides organising protests. “Now, we are organising a protest to safeguard secularism in Tiruchi. It has become necessary to sharpen our politics. There is no disagreement that all this is a result of hate politics against Muslims, but their eventual target is to dismantle the Constitution because it protects secularism,” he said.

DMK senior leader A. Raja said Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Amit Shah contended in Parliament that the Muslims were misappropriating Waqf properties and government-owned properties were being claimed as Waqf properties as reasons for passing the Act. “All amendments brought in earlier had a basis. Whenever there was a law related to Muslims in Parliament, there would be widespread discussions and consultations and only then would the law be introduced,. I would like to ask Amit Shah and Prime Minister Modi…what is the basis for the Waqf law that has been passed? Can you show that?” he said.

Manithaneya Makkal Katchi president M.H. Jawahirullah said, “Muslims have not understood the importance of protecting the Waqf properties. When the CAA was introduced, there were protests across India. Specifically, women began protesting in Shaheen Bhags. The Muslim community should have undertaken even more vibrant protests in the Waqf issue.”