Karnataka BJP MLC Chalavadi Narayanaswamy welcomes Waqf bill, calls it ‘good step’

BENGALURU: Leader of Opposition in Karnataka Legislative Council, Chalavadi Narayanaswamy on Thursday welcomed the passing of the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2025, in Lok Sabha, calling it a “good step”. The BJP MLC also lashed out at Congress, accusing them of “giving” Waqf for vote bank politics.

“It is a welcome move. The parliament has taken a very good step…Waqf is a very old issue, and the whole country was looking at it, and finally, they have made some amendments. BJP is very happy…Congress party gave this Waqf to some community to please them for the vote bank purpose…In the next election, they (Congress) will be vanished because of their policies and programmes”, Chalavadi Narayanaswamy said.

#WATCH | Karnataka | BJP workers and leaders held a protest at the Freedom Park against the state government’s policies, repeated price hikes in essential commodities, and other issues pic.twitter.com/N5RMzVklhn

— ANI (@ANI) April 2, 2025

The chairman of All India Sufi Sajjadanashin Council (AISSC), Syed Naseruddin Chishty, said that this is a “victory” of Indian democracy as the government has taken a ‘big step’ in the interests of the Muslims. Chisty hoped that the government would introduce schemes for the development of Muslims, especially for underprivileged Muslims, women and children.

He further congratulated Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, and Union Minister for Minority Affairs Kiren Rijiju on the bill’s passing. “This is the victory of India’s democracy. The bill was brought in a very democratic manner, and it was passed after discussions. I congratulate PM Modi, Amit Shah and Kiren Rijiju on this. PM Modi has always talked about ‘Sabka Saath Sabka Vikas Sabka Vishwas’… This is a very big step taken by the government in the best interests of the Muslims… The government should also introduce schemes for the development of the Muslims… I am hopeful that the bill will be passed in the Rajya Sabha also. I urge the government to bring schemes for the welfare of Muslims, especially for underprivileged women and children,” Chisty said.

The Lok Sabha passed the Waqf Amendment Bill 2025 on Thursday after a marathon and heated debate during which members of the INDIA bloc fiercely opposed the legislation while the BJP and its allies strongly supported it, saying it would bring transparency and enhance the efficiency of Waqf boards.

The bill seeks to amend the Act of 1995. The Bill seeks to improve the administration and management of waqf properties in India. It aims to overcome the shortcomings of the previous act and enhance the efficiency of Waqf boards, improving the registration process and increasing the role of technology in managing waqf records. (ANI)