Biplab says Waqf Amendment Bill Exposes Opposition’s Double Standards, claiming opposition’s resistance to Waqf reforms proves their selective appeasement politics.
West Tripura BJP MP and former Chief Minister Biplab Kumar Deb on Tuesday launched a sharp attack on the Congress and Communist Party of India (Marxist), accusing them of historically compromising the broader interests of the Muslim community to appease a select section. His comments come amid mounting opposition to the recently passed Waqf Amendment Bill, which has sparked political debate across the country.
Speaking at a workshop on the “One Nation, One Election” initiative in Bishalgarh, Deb alleged that the opposition’s criticism of the bill reveals their reluctance to support real reform in the Muslim community.
“Congress and CPIM have consistently appeased a small group within the Muslim community, turning a blind eye to the needs of the majority. Political misuse of Waqf properties is a glaring example of how these parties have used community resources for their own benefit,” said Deb.
Deb Defends Waqf Amendment Bill as Reform-Oriented
Defending the Waqf Amendment Bill, Deb claimed that the legislation aims to ensure transparency and fair utilization of Waqf properties for community welfare. He pointed out that many of these properties, which were originally intended for educational, health, and social infrastructure for Muslims, have been misused for decades.
“These properties were given to the Waqf board with the intent of being used for community development—schools, colleges, hospitals. But very few such facilities were ever built. Instead, the lands were leased at throwaway prices, benefitting political middlemen and depriving the larger Muslim population,” he alleged.
According to Deb, the opposition’s resistance to the amendment exposes their vested interests. “They are not concerned about the welfare of ordinary Muslims. They are only protecting their political capital that thrives on selective appeasement,” he added.
BJP’s Reforms for Muslim Community Highlighted
Highlighting the BJP-led central government’s initiatives for the welfare of the Muslim population, Deb stated that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has implemented bold reforms that have positively impacted the community—despite the narrative pushed by opposition leaders.
“Be it the abolition of Triple Talaq or ensuring scholarships and educational support for Muslim students, the Modi government has taken concrete steps. These reforms are aimed at genuine uplift, not vote-bank politics,” Deb said.
He added that while the opposition is trying to stir emotions and provoke unrest by spreading misinformation about the BJP’s intentions, the ground reality is quite the opposite. “The opposition is sweating hard to incite Muslims against the BJP. But it’s the BJP government under PM Modi that has brought forward the most significant reforms in recent decades,” he said.
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Event on Electoral Reform Sees Strong Minority Participation
The workshop, focused on the theme of “One Nation, One Election”, was attended by a large number of BJP workers, especially from the Minority Morcha. The event saw active participation from Muslim leaders and supporters of the BJP, with Minority Morcha President Billal Miah and other district leaders present.
During the workshop, Deb also emphasized the importance of the proposed electoral reform, arguing that simultaneous elections across the country would save public money and allow governments to focus on development rather than continuous campaigning.
Background: Waqf Amendment Bill and Political Tensions
The Waqf Amendment Bill, recently passed by Parliament, seeks to bring reforms in the administration and use of Waqf properties by enhancing transparency and reducing political interference. Opposition parties, including the Congress and CPIM, have criticized the bill, alleging that it undermines the autonomy of the Waqf boards and targets minority institutions.
The BJP, on the other hand, maintains that the bill is aimed at stopping the exploitation of community resources and ensuring that Waqf properties are used for genuine welfare purposes. The political debate surrounding the bill is expected to intensify in the coming weeks, especially with elections on the horizon in several states.
