Kiren Rijiju says 'Waqf Act not anti-muslim, West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee inciting violence'

Union minister Kiren Rijiju on Tuesday said that the Waqf Act was not targeted at the Muslim community, but was intended to correct "past mistakes".

He accused West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee of "inciting violence" in her state through her opposition to the implementation of the law.

Addressing a press conference in Kochi, Rijiju said the government's intention was to ensure that, in India, there is no provision for anyone to "forcibly and unilaterally" take away someone else's land.


He was in Kerala to meet the residents of Munambam village in Ernakulam district, mostly Christians, who strongly supported the BJP-led government at the Centre when it brought in the amendment to the law.

They had alleged that the Waqf board was unlawfully laying claim to their land and properties.

Rijiju said the Waqf law was amended as certain provisions in it gave "unprecedented power and authority to the Waqf boards".