Karnataka Minister opposes Waqf Amendment Act, says ‘We will not implement’

HUBBALLI-DHARWAD: State Minister B Z Zameer Ahmed Khan on Sunday voiced strong opposition to the Waqf Amendment Act, saying that the Karnataka government has decided not to implement this law in the state.

Speaking to reporters, Khan said, “Mamata Banerjee, Tamil Nadu CM, Kerala government and Karnataka government have made a decision regarding the Waqf Amendment Act that it is not acceptable to us. This bill should not have passed, but it has passed. But we will solve the problem through the court. I am sure we will get justice in the court… We will not implement in Karnataka.”

Referring to recent protests against the Waqf Act in Murshidabad, he added, “I am saddened that three people died during protests in West Bengal.”

Violence erupted in West Bengal’s Murshidabad district and Jangipur during protests against the Waqf Amendment Act, with clashes between demonstrators and police resulting in stone-pelting and torched police vehicles.

Three people were killed on Friday during the unrest, according to the West Bengal Police.

After the Calcutta High Court order, BSF has deployed five companies to support state police operations, IG South Bengal Frontier Karni Singh Shekhawat said on Saturday.

#WATCH | Hubballi-Dharwad: On Waqf Amendment Act, Karnataka Minister B Z Zameer Ahmed Khan says, “Mamata Banerjee, Tamil Nadu CM, Kerala government and Karnataka government have made a decision regarding the Waqf Amendment Act that it is not acceptable to us. I am saddened that… pic.twitter.com/x8FzU6GvfQ

— ANI (@ANI) April 13, 2025

So far, the West Bengal Police have arrested 150 people in connection with the violence.

On Sunday, Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind chief Mahmood Madani strongly criticised the Waqf law, calling it a politically motivated move to facilitate land occupation under the guise of reform.

Addressing mediapersons in the national capital, Madani said the amendment was brought not to improve the functioning of the Waqf Boards but to serve vested interests.

“This is not an issue of Waqf but politics. In the name of Muslims, sometimes by abusing Muslims or by being the sympathisers of Muslims, this act (was implemented) with malicious intent,” Madani said.

He claimed that the narrative used to justify the amendment falsely portrayed the previous Waqf Board as having unchecked powers and no government oversight.

“BJP and its friends in the country and media friends told that the earlier Waqf Board was such that it could do anything in forming the Waqf Board. The Muslim community had no role in the government. People of their choice were made in the government,” he said.

Madani alleged that the act is designed to aid real estate developers and land grabbers in acquiring prime Waqf properties.

“You are trying to help the builders and land occupiers, so that they get the lands in prime locations. They used to say that it was oppression. This act or amendment is not right for the country, society or Muslims. You are benefiting the occupiers,” he said.

The Rajya Sabha passed the Bill on April 4 with 128 votes in favour and 95 against, while the Lok Sabha cleared the bill after a lengthy debate, with 288 members voting in favour and 232 opposing it.

On April 5, President Droupadi Murmu gave her assent to the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2025, which Parliament passed during the Budget session.

The Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025, seeks to focus on improving the management of waqf properties, empowering relevant stakeholders, improving the efficiency of survey, registration, and case disposal processes, and developing waqf properties. (ANI)