How Lalu Yadav aided Amit Shah's Waqf attack on Opposition

In a dig at Lalu Yadav, Union Home Minister Amit Shah said Prime Minister Narendra Modi fulfilled the RJD chief's wish that he wanted imprisonment of those committing land theft through the amended Waqf Act in 2013 during the Congress-led UPA regime.

In Short

• Government tabled Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024 in Lok Sabha today
• Amit Shah recalled Lalu Yadav's old remark, demanding strict Waqf laws
• Dismissed rumours of Waqf bill interfering with Muslim practices

Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Wednesday recalled a statement by RJD chief Lalu Yadav, who had called for the imprisonment of those committing land theft through the amended Waqf Act in 2013 during the Congress-led UPA regime. Shah then said Prime Minister Narendra Modi fulfilled his wish.

Quoting Yadav's 2010 statement in the Lok Sabha where the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024, was tabled, Shah said, "We support the intent of the amendment bill that the government has introduced. (BJP leader) Shahnawaz Ji (Hussain) and other esteemed members have shared their views here, and I support them. All the land has been grabbed, whether government-owned or private. Those working within the Waqf board have sold off all the prime land."

"Even in Patna, all the properties in Dak Bungalow have been turned into apartments. Such large-scale looting has taken place. We are bringing this amendment bill at the end, and we support it, but I want a stricter law in the future. Those who have committed these thefts should be put behind bars," Shah said, citing Yadav's statement.

"When amendments to the Waqf were introduced in 2013, Lalu Yadav said he wanted a strict law and wanted to put those in jail who were stealing. Lalu ji's wish was not fulfilled by these people, but Narendra Modi made it happen. After all, it was Lalu ji who had once demanded a strict law," the Union Home Minister asserted.

The bill seeks to amend the Waqf Act of 1995 that governs the management of properties donated by Muslims. Opposition parties have called it "unconstitutional" and discriminatory towards Muslims.

JITAN RAM MANJHI ACCUSES LALU YADAV OF 'HYPOCRISY'

Earlier today, Hindustani Awam Morcha (Secular) chief Jitan Ram Manjhi, a partner of NDA, posted a 2010 video of Yadav, where the latter was advocating for stringent laws to regulate Waqf properties.

Along with the video, Manjhi accused Yadav of hypocrisy, contrasting his stand on the matter with the RJD leader's and his party's opposition to the proposed amendments to the Waqf Act, which was tabled in the Lok Sabha today.

"Some people are opposing the Waqf Amendment Bill only because this law is being brought by the government led by Narendra Modi ji. By the way, in 2010, Lalu Prasad had talked about making strict laws for Waqf. I urge the INDI alliance to listen carefully to Lalu ji's words and vote in favour of the Waqf Amendment Bill 2025 in the House," Manjhi tweeted.

AMIT SHAH SLAMS OPPOSITION

Lashing out at the Opposition parties during the Waqf bill debate today, Shah accused them of indulging in fearmongering among the minorities that the bill was aimed at interfering with the religious matters of Muslims.

"No non-Islamic member will be a part of Waqf. There is neither any provision for the appointment of a non-Muslim to manage the religious institution, nor do we intend to introduce any such provision. A rumour is being spread that this Act is aimed at interfering with the religious practices of our Muslim brothers and their donated property. This is being done to intimidate the minorities," he said.

The Union Home Minister alleged that the Congress in 2013 "committed the sin" of keeping the grievances of those whose land was taken away outside the court's jurisdiction.

"If land is being bought for a temple, the collector reviews the ownership of the land. So, what is the objection to the collector investigating whether Waqf land belongs to the government or not? Many temples, churches and gurdwaras have been built, but they cannot be constructed on government land," he said.

"Where Waqf is declared, only the Collector can determine whether the land is government-owned or not," he asserted.

Earlier today, Union Minority Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju tabled the Waqf bill in the Lok Sabha amid strong opposition from various political parties. Addressing concerns and dispelling rumours, Rijiju reassured that no land would be taken away under the bill, countering speculation that the legislation could lead to the seizure of Waqf properties.