BJP Waqf Act drive to also counter opposition's Christian targeting charge

Concerned over the ongoing protests in different parts of the country against the Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025 and Opposition onslaught that the Christian community is next on the radar of the Narendra Modi government, BJP is set to launch a counter-offensive in which its rank and file will reach out not only to the Pasmanda Muslims but also Christians in the North-East and South India to "dispel" their apprehensions.

BJP Chief JP Nadda presided over a one-day workshop "Waqf Sudhar Janjagaran Abhiyan (Drive to enlighten people about the Waqf reforms)" at the party headquarters annexe on Thursday. Nadda, Minority Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju, party general secretary RMD Agarwal and others addressed the party minority morcha heads and coordinators on the benefits of the Act and the need for passing this legislation.

Similar workshops will be held in state headquarters from April 15 to 17, followed by district level workshops on April 19. The drive will start formally on April 20 and end on May 5.


Prime Minister Modi is expected to express his views on the Waqf Act at a program in Haryana on April 16. He did not speak on the Bill when it was discussed in Parliament.

There have been protests against the Act in different parts of the country and NDA partners are reportedly concerned about its impact on their vote base, especially in Bihar where elections are due in October-November.

Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi has alleged that the Modi government will not stop at Waqf Boards and properties related to Christian religious places will also be targeted soon.

While the thrust of BJP's drive will be to reach out to Muslims- especially the women and backward sections like Pasmandas- the party has also decided to counter the Congress charge that Christians are next on the NDA government's agenda.