West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee Says Rights Of Muslims Will Be Snatched If Waqf (Amendment) Bill Is Brought

Kolkata: Condemning the WAQF Amendment bill, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Thursday had stated that the amendment would snatch the rights of Muslims. Talking at the state Assembly, Mamata said that she will protest if the rights of Muslims are taken away.

“If this bill is brought then article 14 and article 26 of the Constitution will be violated. We will protest if there is any attack on any religion. In the Parliament, Trinamool Congress (TMC) was the first one to attack this bill. Though there is a WAQF board in the state, the central government didn’t hold any discussion with the state government before bringing the amendment bill,” said Mamata.

Mamata further said that by bringing the amendment bill, the central government is trying to amend the rules that were there since the British era. “Not just Muslims several non-Muslims also donate to WAQF. Apart from giving money for festivals, Waqf also provides money for providing education to poor people, gives scholarships and also builds hostels. By intervention in the waqf is against the Constitution,” added Mamata.

The West Bengal Chief Minister also mentioned that the state government spends Rs. 2200 crore to maintain Waqf properties in the state. Amid protest from the opposition in the Parliament over this bill, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) however, asserted that with this bill there will be transparency in the functioning of the Waqf boards and will also make them accountable.