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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Bhadravathi: Man allegedly murdered when taking walk in Hosakoppa
Shivamogga: A 68-year-old man was allegedly murdered when he was taking a walk on the Government PU College Road in Hosakoppa village, Hole Honnur, in Bhadravathi taluk on Friday.
The deceased man, identified as Hemanna, is reported to have been attacked earlier too, but is learned to have had a narrow escape.
Hole Honnur Police, being informed of the incident, visited the spot and are learned to have conducted an inspection.
