New Delhi [India], April 22 (ANI): Union Minister for Law Arjun Ram Meghwal on Tuesday defended the Waqf Amendment Act, stating that it was passed in accordance with the Constitution and that Parliament has the right to pass such legislation.
Speaking to ANI, Meghwal responded to critics of the bill, pointing out that similar Waqf Amendment Bills had been passed in 1954, 1995, and 2013, and that those amendments were also made by Parliament under constitutional provisions.
“Several leaders have been saying that this bill is not as per the Constitution and Parliament has no right to pass it…I would like to ask all of them: In 1954, which Parliament passed the Waqf Amendment Bill? Then, in 1995, the Waqf Amendment Bill became an Act. There were amendments to that Act. So, which Parliament did this, and under what provisions? Then again, in 2013, the same was also done… Now, since PM Modi has brought this up, they are raising questions… The bill passed in 2025 has been done as per the Constitution, and the Parliament has the right to pass it…” he said.
The Union Law Minister also addressed concerns raised by some leaders regarding the bill, asserting that the public should be cautious of those spreading misleading information. He added that the leaders of the BJP would take responsibility for explaining the bill to the public.
“The public should be alert to these types of people who try to mislead. All these people are spreading rumours. We, the leaders of the BJP, have taken up the responsibility of explaining to the public what this Act is, and our party people are doing this work of elaborating to the public about this Act,” Meghwal added.
On the remarks of All India Muslim Personal Law Board President Khalid Saifullah Rahmani, who criticised the government over the passing of the bill, stating the country should run according to the Constitution and not based on a party manifesto, Meghwal clarified that all the actions were taken as per the constitution and not related to religious matters.
“We are taking all these actions as per the Constitution. Some of the statements I have heard suggest that the government is interfering in religious matters, so I want to clarify that the Waqf Amendment Act is not connected to religious matters. The duty of the Waqf Amendment Act is to manage the property of the Waqf… They are trying to mislead the people of the country,” the Union Law Minister said.
The Waqf (Amendment) Bill, which was tabled in the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha on April 2 and 3, respectively, was passed in both Houses and later received the President’s assent on April 5, after which it became law. (ANI)