Protests against Waqf Act are political one-upmanship for Muslim votes, says Amit Malviya
New Delhi: Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) IT cell head Amit Malviya has criticised the ongoing opposition to the Waqf (Amendment) Act, calling it a "desperate attempt" by various Muslim leaders and organisations to claim ownership over the Muslim vote bank.
In a post on X, Malviya alleged that petitions filed in the Supreme Court against the Waqf Act, duly passed by Parliament are part of a larger political game aimed at presenting themselves as protectors of Muslim interests. "None of them wants to be seen distancing themselves from the issue," he wrote.
He specifically named AIMIM leader Asaduddin Owaisi, the All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB), and Congress figures such as Imran Masood and Imran Pratapgarhi. According to Malviya, these leaders are trying to ensure their respective factions remain relevant in Muslim politics. “Owaisi is asserting himself so that Mahmood Madani’s faction doesn’t walk away with all the credit. AIMPLB doesn’t want to appear silent on Muslim issues. The others are simply trying to retain their party’s Muslim vote base,” he added.
Malviya also targeted West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, accusing her of fanning communal tensions. “Some so-called secular leaders, like Mamata Banerjee, have gone a step further by instigating communal riots,” he alleged.
He argued that it is the economically disadvantaged Muslims who ultimately suffer due to this political jockeying. “In this game of one-upmanship between competing factions, it is the poor Muslim who suffers, while valuable public time is wasted,” he said.
Malviya defended the Waqf Act, stating that it underwent a detailed consultation process, including a review by a Joint Parliamentary Committee. He added that multiple judicial rulings were taken into account before the law was passed.
Drawing a parallel with past contentious legislations, he wrote, “A similar storm was stirred during the passage of the CAA and the abrogation of Article 370, both of which withstood judicial scrutiny.”
Meanwhile, political tensions continue in West Bengal over the issue, with the Trinamool Congress blaming the BJP for Waqf-related violence in the state. The BJP, in turn, has criticised Mamata Banerjee for sharing platforms with Islamic clerics despite alleged attacks on Hindu minorities in Murshidabad.
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Bengal: On way to PM's rally, 3 mowed down by train amid dense fog
Kolkata (PTI): Three persons died and three others were injured after being hit by a train amid dense fog on Saturday, while travelling to attend Prime Minister Narendra Modi's rally at Taherpur in West Bengal's Nadia district, a senior official said.
The incident occurred between Taherpur and Badkulla railway stations under the Sealdah-Krishnanagar section of Eastern Railway, he said.
Modi, whose helicopter could not land at Taherpur due to dense fog and low visibility, condoled the death of the “BJP workers” in his virtual address from Kolkata airport.
“I have come to know that some BJP workers, while travelling to the rally, lost their lives in a rail accident. My condolences are with the families of those who have lost their loved ones, and I pray for the speedy recovery of the injured,” Modi said.
The Eastern Railway official told PTI that the incident occurred in the morning when these people, who were travelling by a bus, had stopped the vehicle and walked to the railway tracks to answer nature's call.
"While three persons died on the spot, two others with injuries were admitted to a local hospital," he said.
Another person with minor injuries was released after having been administered first aid, the official said.
The deceased have been identified as Ramprasad Ghosh (74), Shaktipada Sutradhar (55) and Gopinath Das (38).
Meanwhile, Mahua Moitra, Trinamool Congress MP from Krishnanagar constituency in Nadia district, alleged that the BJP ignored the incident and went ahead with the rally.
"Terrible tragedy hushed up at altar of @narendramodi ego. @BJP4India supporters brought from far Murshidabad for PM rally in Ranaghat today," she said in a post on X.
"4 went to answer nature's call and were killed by 31814 down local train near Taherpur. BJP ignored, blacked out & went ahead with rally," Moitra claimed.
Reacting to her remarks, the West Bengal BJP, in a post on X, asserted that the TMC "has always been adept at milking tragedies", and was being "disrespectful to the unfortunate victims of this tragedy".
The TMC alleged that BJP leaders have not shown "neither concern nor compassion" over the mishap.
"The loss of three lives in Taherpur should have united everyone in grief. But @BJP4India leaders showed neither concern nor compassion," it said in another post on X.
"At this painful moment, Smt @MamataOfficial and Shri @abhishekaitc put humanity above party lines and stood beside the families of the deceased," the party said.
TMC’s on-ground leaders promptly reached out to the grieving family members, ensuring them of help and assistance, it said.
"While Delhi’s rulers chase Bengal with arrogance, our leadership chose empathy. This is the difference between politics of power and politics of people!" the TMC added.
