Not implementing Waqf Act is unconstitutional, says Union minister Kiren Rijiju

Not following or implementing the recently passed Waqf Amendment Act is unconstitutional and untenable, Union Minister for Minority Affairs Kiren Rijiju told The Hindu on Thursday.

His remark came against the backdrop of West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee stating on April 9 that the Act will not be implemented in the state.

Before the Act was passed in Parliament, the Karnataka Assembly on March 19 adopted a resolution urging the Centre to withdraw the 2024 Waqf Amendment Bill. The Tamil Nadu Assembly passed a similar resolution on March 27, calling the bill “another attempt by the Union government to interfere in the religious administration of Muslims”.

Commenting on these developments, Rijiju said: “Some of the statements coming from the chief ministers are a result of anger or emotion or politically motivated.”

He added: “The very fact that the person is holding a constitutional position, and then again says things which are unconstitutional, like not to follow or implement the Act passed by the Parliament of India – this statement itself is untenable.”

The minister, who had proposed the bill in both Houses of Parliament, said the chief ministers who made such statements would “regret it”.

“Just to cater to the political constituencies, they made certain disparaging remarks, and then leading to a difficult situation,” Rijiju was quoted as saying...

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