Opposition misleading Muslims on Waqf bill, no land will be taken, says BJP

NEW DELHI: The BJP on Monday accused the

opposition parties

of “misleading” the Muslim community on the

Waqf bill

, which is meant to make a significant overhaul in the current Waqf laws.
The ruling party's remark came amid protests carried out by several

Muslim organisations

, led by the All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPL), to oppose the Waqf (Amendment) Bill.
In the protest, which was also joined by the opposition MPs, AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi warned NDA allies such as the Telugu Desam Party (TDP), Janata Dal (United) (JDU), and Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) that Muslims will never forgive them if they supported the legislation.
Congress MP Mohammad Jawed when asked to comment on the AIMPLB protest, said, "We see how lands are being given away to selected industrialists... Now that there is a lack of lands, they want to occupy Waqf lands that belong to the poor... Was Chairman asked if the JPC worked properly? Constitution gives us the right to protest peacefully and we are doing the same... This is a conspiracy against all Indian citizens..."

Meanwhile, BJP assured that not "an inch" of

waqf properties

with clear titles will be taken away after the bill turns into law.
Responding to concerns, BJP MP Tejasvi Surya said: "The politics of vote bank in the country has always been based on fearmongering that has been the modus operandi of all of these so-called secular parties."
"Let me assure everybody that the intent of the government in bringing about the Waqf Bill was to bring about professionalism, good management and transparency in the management of Waqf properties," he said at a press conference at the BJP headquarters.
The Bangalore South MP said that the bill aims to prevent misuse of Waqf Board powers and to protect land from encroachments.
He further said that the opposition parties claiming to be secular have "failed to do anything for the welfare of the Muslims", and have only "scared and misled them".
"The government intends to make the Waqf Boards more stronger," he added.