‘Mahagathbandhan can amend but can’t repeal Waqf Act’: Tehseen Poonawalla

PUNE: Political analyst Tehseen Poonawalla cautioned Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader Tejashwi Yadav over his recent remarks on the Waqf Act, asserting that the law cannot be repealed as it is a central act passed by the Parliament of India. He further said that Muslims should not be taken for granted in political discourse.

Poonawalla emphasised that the Waqf Act is not an issue specific to the Muslim community and highlighted that only a few ‘rich muslim families’ control Waqf properties across the country.

“Tejashwi Yadav is a very dear friend of mine…. You cannot remove the Waqf law. It is a central act passed by the Parliament of India. 200 rich muslim families that align with every political party that is in power have the Waqf land. This is not a muslim issue…Don’t take muslims for granted,” Poonawalla told ANI on Monday.

He clarified that even if the Mahagathbandhan secures a majority in the Bihar Assembly, it can only propose amendments to the Waqf Act. Such amendments, however, would still require approval from the Governor and the President of India. Poonawalla also urged Tejashwi Yadav to ensure greater political representation for Muslims within his party.

“Even if you get a majority and become the CM, and you pass some amendments in the assembly, the Governor of Bihar or the President of India is not going to sign that law…If you really care for Muslims, give them more representation in tickets..Who takes the Waqf land?” Poonawalla added. Earlier, Tejashwi Yadav had remarked that if the opposition alliance comes to power in Bihar, it would “throw the Waqf (Amendment) Act into the dustbin.”

The Waqf (Amendment) Bill was passed by Parliament earlier this year after a detailed debate, with several opposition parties opposing it. The President gave assent to the Bill on April 5.

The voting for the 243-seat Bihar Assembly will be held in two phases on November 6 and 11, whereas bye-elections for eight seats across seven states and Union Territories will be held on November 11. The results for both will be declared on November 14.

In Bihar, the main contest is between the ruling Chief Minister Nitish Kumar-led NDA and the RJD-led opposition alliance ‘Mahagathbandhan.’NDA includes the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Janata Dal (United), Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas), Hindustani Awam Morcha (Secular) and Rashtriya Lok Morcha (RLM).

Mahagathbandhan, led by Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), includes Congress, the Communist Party of India (Marxist-Leninist) (CPI-ML) led by Deepankar Bhattacharya, the Communist Party of India (CPI), the Communist Party of India (Marxist) (CPM), and Mukesh Sahani’s Vikasheel Insaan Party (VIP).

Additionally, Prashant Kishor’s Jan Suraaj is also debuting in the fray. (ANI)