TCN News Desk
New Delhi: Asaduddin Owaisi, president of the All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM), took a direct jab at Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his address at the Save Waqf Conference at Delhi’s Talkatora Stadium on Tuesday. Owaisi criticised the BJP’s recent remarks about Waqf properties in Muslim countries and challenged PM Modi to inquire during his visit to Saudi Arabia whether Medina was built on Waqf land.
Referring to a recent statement made by a BJP member in Parliament, which claimed that certain Muslim countries lack Waqf institutions, Owaisi questioned the validity of that claim. He pointed to Saudi Arabia and stressed, “Waqf exists in every Muslim country, whether it’s a democracy or a kingdom.”
He continued, “Someone from the BJP said in Parliament that a particular Muslim country does not have waqf. When your plane entered Saudi airspace, fighter jets from Saudi Arabia escorted your plane, and we welcomed this gesture. But I want to tell PM Modi that during his visit to Saudi Arabia, he should ask Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman if Medina is built on waqf land.”
Owaisi further defended the legitimacy of the Waqf Act, 2013, stating that it was passed with the unanimous consent of both Houses of Parliament. “The Waqf Bill was passed unanimously by both Houses of Parliament in 2013… According to the separation of powers, the judiciary, legislature and executive are independent. If the government misuses its powers or any part of the Constitution, the judiciary will intervene. Where else will we go?” he questioned, emphasising the role of the judiciary in protecting fundamental rights.
In a separate interaction with the media, Owaisi reiterated his opposition to the Waqf Act, calling it unconstitutional. He argued that the law undermines federalism and was designed to diminish the importance of waqf properties.
“It has been our party’s and the All India Muslim Personal Law Board’s stance that this black law is unconstitutional as it violates fundamental rights. We are reviewing the interim order cautiously because it contains around 40-45 amendments to this law. If the Government of India enacts laws that weaken waqf, it will be against the principles of federalism. Our legal battle and protest against it will continue. This law is not to save waqf but to destroy it. We will support the protests by the All India Muslim Personal Law Board,” Owaisi stated.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Modi landed in Jeddah today for his two-day visit to Saudi Arabia. This marks his third visit to the Kingdom, and his first visit to Jeddah. As a special gesture, PM Modi’s aircraft was escorted by F-15 fighter jets from the Royal Saudi Air Force while entering Saudi airspace.
The Waqf (Amendment) Bill, passed earlier this month in both the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha, received the President’s assent on April 5, turning it into law. Owaisi and the AIMIM have consistently raised concerns about the amendments, arguing that they undermine waqf institutions.