"Attempt to snatch the rights of Muslims": Akhilesh Yadav hits out at BJP for proposing to amend Waqf Act

Lucknow: Samajwadi Party leader Akhilesh Yadav on Monday said that Bhartiya Janata Party wants to "snatch the rights of Muslim Brothers" after reports of the government's plans to amend the Waqf board Act came out.

"BJP has no work except Hindu-Muslim or how to snatch the rights of Muslim brothers. The rights they have got, the right to freedom or the right to follow their religion, the right to maintain their working system," Akhilesh Yadav said.

"He (CM Yogi Adityanath) came to know that Nazul is an Urdu word, and the officials kept explaining to him that Nazul means something else. But he thought that Nazul meant the land of Muslims," He further added.


Akhilesh Yadav said that those aligned with the BJP and are worried about Dalits, tribals and minorities should leave BJP.

"Those who are worried about reservation, backwards, Dalits, tribals and minorities should leave BJP immediately. Their aim from the very first day has been to defame the socialists and especially their thinking about Muslims is undemocratic and unconstitutional," he said.

Akhilesh Yadav further attacked the BJP government in Uttar Pradesh and said CM Yogi is not a Yogi as he does not believe in democracy.

"If a 'Yogi' does not believe in democracy, the Constitution, he cannot be a 'Yogi," Akhilesh Yadav said.

According to sources, the central government is considering making amendments to the Waqf Act which could restrict the power of the Waqf Board said sources. According to the sources, 32-40 amendments are being considered in the Waqf Board Act.

Waqf Act was first passed by Parliament in 1954. Subsequently, it was repealed and a new Waqf Act was passed in 1995, giving more powers to Waqf Boards. In 2013, this Act was further amended to give far-reaching powers to the Waqf Board to designate the property as 'Waqf Property'.

According to sources, the proposed amendments are likely to make it mandatory for the Waqf Board to register its property in the District Collector's office to evaluate the property. The amendments also aim to enhance inclusivity by ensuring women's representation on the Central Waqf Council and state boards.