Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin has written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, urging the central government to withdraw the Waqf Amendment Bill. He argued that the proposed changes would harm the Muslim community and weaken constitutional protections for minorities.
“The proposed amendments to the Waqf Act, 1995, do not consider the constitutional rights of minorities and will severely affect the interests of the Muslim community,” Stalin stated in his letter. He said that Tamil Nadu has always been committed to protecting minority rights and strongly opposes the bill.
Stalin expressed concern that the amendments would weaken the management of Waqf properties and dilute the original intent of the law. “The large-scale modifications in multiple sections will undermine the very spirit of the Act,” he warned. He also criticized the removal of the ‘Waqf by user’ provision, which, according to him, would put many historic Waqf properties at risk.
Another contentious provision, Stalin noted, is the requirement that only individuals who have practiced Islam for at least five years can donate property to Waqf. “This restriction will prevent non-Muslims from making donations, which goes against India’s syncretic culture,” he argued.
The Waqf Amendment Bill, 2025, was introduced in the Lok Sabha by Union Minister Kiren Rijiju. Alongside it, the government also proposed the Mussalman Wakf (Repeal) Bill, 2024, for consideration. Rijiju has defended the bill, stating that it aims to improve the administration of Waqf properties. However, the bill has faced opposition from various quarters, with critics arguing that it could undermine the rights of the Muslim community.
