On April 2, 2025, during a heated debate in the Lok Sabha, BJP MP Anurag Thakur launched a fierce attack on the Congress party, accusing it of corruption and appeasement politics in relation to the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2025. The bill aims to reform the management of Waqf properties, which are charitable endowments in Islamic law, by introducing government oversight and stricter regulations. Thakur's remarks came as the government seeks to pass the legislation amid growing support from various minority groups.
Thakur drew attention to the alleged involvement of a Congress leader in the 2012 Karnataka Waqf Board land scam, stating, "The Karnataka government collected Rs 4.50 crore, and you spent that money. You should have answered those. Did you take the money from the masjid or the Waqf board?" His comments prompted an uproar among opposition MPs. He went on to assert that the Karnataka assembly's report included names of several Congress politicians implicated in the scam, questioning, "Is this why you (Congress) are opposing transparency and accountability?" Following the Speaker's directive, Thakur quickly withdrew the name he had mentioned.
Thakur referred to the proposed changes to the Waqf law as "Umeed" (hope), an acronym for Unified Waqf Management Empowerment, Efficiency, and Development. He emphasized the bill's significance, stating, "This is not a bill, but an 'Umeed'. This 'Umeed' has empowerment, efficiency, and development." He expressed gratitude towards several minority organizations, including the Catholic Bishops Conference of India and the Muslim Rashtriya Manch, for their support of the bill, which he claimed would curb corruption and empower downtrodden Muslims.
During his speech, Thakur underscored the need for reform, declaring that the existing Waqf Board had become "a base of atrocity and corruption." He criticized the current management of Waqf properties, asserting that only a small number of individuals control vast amounts of land, while common citizens are sidelined. "Only 200 people have control over waqf properties. The land of poor Hindus, Dalits, tribals, and backward classes has been taken over, and no one speaks against this injustice," he said, questioning why the opposition was hesitant to address these issues.
Thakur's comments were not limited to the Waqf Board. He also declared that India "cannot allow another partition" of the country, referencing the historical partition of 1947. He accused the Congress party of using political motives to oppose the bill rather than addressing the injustices in Waqf property administration. "Today, we will not allow a second partition in the name of land jihad. We will not allow it to happen. India needs freedom from the fear of the Waqf Board," he stated.
In a broader context, Thakur framed the Waqf (Amendment) Bill as a necessary step to combat what he termed the Congress's "politics of appeasement." He claimed that the new law would expose the party's corruption through Waqf, labeling it as the "last nail in the coffin" for the Congress party. He argued that the legislation is not about Hindu versus Muslim but about law versus lawlessness, seeking to unify the country under a single legal framework.
Thakur's remarks also included sharp criticisms of former Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru, whom he accused of dividing India. He insisted that under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership, the country would have "ek kanoon, ek samvidhan, and ek bharat" (one law, one constitution, and one India). This rhetoric is part of a larger narrative pushed by the BJP, which aims to consolidate its power by appealing to nationalistic sentiments.
The Waqf (Amendment) Bill has become a significant political flashpoint, with the government advocating for its passage while the opposition claims it threatens minority rights. As the debate continues, Thakur's fiery remarks have intensified the already charged political atmosphere. The bill aims to bring structural changes to the management of Waqf properties, addressing long-standing grievances regarding their administration.
Supporters of the bill, including various minority institutions, argue that it will enhance transparency and accountability in the management of Waqf properties. Thakur highlighted this support, stating, "Several organizations like the Catholic Bishops Conference of India, Church of Bharat, Kerala Council of Churches, and All India Sufi Sajjadanashin Council have recognized the importance of the reform." He reiterated the necessity of amending the Waqf law, which he claimed had facilitated corruption during the Congress regime.
As the Lok Sabha debates the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, the political landscape remains fraught with tension. Thakur’s accusations against the Congress and his calls for reform reflect the BJP's strategy to position itself as a champion of transparency and accountability in governance. With the bill seen as a critical step towards reforming the management of Waqf properties, its passage could have far-reaching implications for both the political dynamics in India and the administration of minority charitable endowments.
In conclusion, the Waqf (Amendment) Bill represents not just a legislative change but a battleground for competing political narratives in India. As the government pushes forward with its agenda, the opposition's response will likely shape the future of minority rights and governance in the country.
