‘Not against Muslims�? Kiren Rijiju defends Waqf Act amendments, cites need to limit 'unprecedented power' given to boards

TOI City Desk / TIMESOFINDIA.COM / Updated: Apr 15, 2025, 14:21 IST

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Union Minister Kiren Rijiju addressed concerns regarding recent Waqf Act amendments, asserting they aim to rectify past errors, not target the Muslim community. He emphasized the amendments prevent arbitrary land declaration as Waqf property, countering opposition claims. The government defends the legislation as beneficial for minorities amidst protests, some violent, in West Bengal.

‘Not against Muslims�? Kiren Rijiju defends Waqf Act amendments, cites need to limit 'unprecedented power' given to boards

NEW DELHI: Union minister for Minority Affairs Kiren Rijiju on Tuesday clarified that the recent amendments to the Waqf Act were not aimed at the Muslim community but were intended to address "past mistakes."
Speaking at a press conference, the Union minister for emphasised that the Centre 's intention was to ensure that no one in India could "forcefully and unilaterally" seize another person's land.

Rijiju explained that the amendments were necessary as certain provisions in the Waqf law had granted "unprecedented power and authority to the Waqf Boards."

"This is not targeted at the Muslim community. It is to correct mistakes of the past," he said.
Accompanied by Union Minister of State George Kurien and state BJP president Rajeev Chandrasekhar, Rijiju further stated that the amendments would prevent the arbitrary declaration of land as Waqf property.
His comments came amid ongoing protests by several Muslim groups against the amendment, some of which have turned violent in parts of West Bengal.
The Waqf Bill, which was passed by Parliament, received the assent of the President on April 5.
While the ruling NDA has defended the legislation as beneficial to minorities, the opposition has criticized it as "anti-Muslim."

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