Owaisi Slams Waqf (Amendment) Bill, Calls It ‘Looters’ Law’; Amit Shah Defends Move

AIMIM president Asaduddin Owaisi has strongly criticized the BJP-led government over the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, alleging that it aims to seize waqf properties. Speaking on Saturday, Owaisi accused the ruling regime of acting like "looters" and claimed that the bill should be renamed as the "Looters (Amendment) Law."

"The BJP and NDA governments are working to confiscate waqf properties. Why are they removing the survey commissioner, a senior-most official? This move is purely for looting," Owaisi said, as quoted by PTI. He also took aim at Union Home Minister Amit Shah's reported remarks that legal appeals cannot be made against waqf tribunal decisions, calling the claim false.

Owaisi pointed out that multiple tribunals, such as the Income Tax Tribunal and the Railway Claims Tribunal, allow for review petitions in the high court. "Can you not challenge an Income Tax Tribunal ruling? Amit Shah is misleading the country," he added. He further argued that the proposed bill violates constitutional provisions, including Articles 14, 26, and 29.

Amit Shah Defends Waqf (Amendment) Bill

Union Home Minister Amit Shah, meanwhile, defended the bill, stating that it aligns with the Constitution and does not infringe on the rights of Muslims. Speaking at the Times Now Summit 2025, Shah dismissed opposition claims as "misleading" and assured that the amendments do not aim to curtail any rights.

He reiterated that the bill, initially referred to a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) in August 2024, will be reintroduced in the ongoing Parliament session, set to conclude on April 3. "The opposition is deceiving Muslims. No rights are being taken away; they are spreading falsehoods," Shah asserted.

The debate around the Waqf (Amendment) Bill continues to fuel political tensions, with both sides holding firm on their positions.