Mumbai: Union home minister Amit Shah on Friday reiterated the BJP's stand of making changes in the Waqf Board saying Prime Minister Narendra Modi is determined to amend the Waqf Act despite opposition from leaders like Uddhav Thackeray and Sharad Pawar.
“Modiji wants to change the Waqf Board law, but Uddhavji, Sharad Pawar and Supriya Sule are opposing it. But the bill to amend the Waqf law will be passed by the Parliament soon. The Narendra Modi government is going to amend this law come what may,” Mr. Shah said, addressing a rally at Umarkhed in Maharashtra’s Yavatmal district.
The union minister emphasised that the BJP was committed to amending the Waqf Act, despite opposition from political rivals. “You must have read a news item recently that in Karnataka, the Waqf Board has converted hundreds of villages there by making these its property, including temples and farmers’ lands. Uddhavji, listen carefully, you all can protest as much as you want, but Modiji will amend the Waqf Act,” he said.
Addressing three election rallies in Maharashtra during the day in support of Mahayuti candidates, Mr. Shah also said the Narendra Modi-led government will eliminate Naxalism from Chhattisgarh by March 31, 2026. “Modi ji has worked to free the country from terrorism and Naxalism. He worked to make the country prosperous and increase its respect in the world,” Mr. Shah said, addressing an election rally at Chandrapur.
The Waqf Board issue has grabbed headlines nowadays as a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) is currently scrutinising the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024, introduced in the Lok Sabha in August. The Centre introduced bill, saying the proposed law was aimed to streamline the Waqf Board’s work and ensure efficient management of Waqf properties.
The Shiv Sena (UBT) led by Uddhav Thackeray and NCP (SP) headed by Sharad Pawar are members of the opposition INDIA bloc.
Meanwhile, Mr. Shah’s helicopter was checked by the Election Commission (EC) officials on Friday when he arrived at Hingoli to address an election rally. Posting the video of it on social media, the BJP leader said his party believes in fair elections and a healthy election system and follows all the rules made by the Honourable Election Commission.
His comments were an apparent dig at Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray, who was annoyed over inspection of his bags and questioned officials why do they not check bags of Modi and Shah.
Addressing the rally, the Union home minister appealed Uddhav to ask Rahul Gandhi speak nicely about Veer Savarkar and Balasaheb Thackeray. “Uddhavji, if you have the courage, get Rahul Baba to speak two good words about Veer Savarkar and Balasaheb,” Mr. Shah said.
