BJP launches campaign to promote Waqf Amendment Act in Raj

Jaipur: To sharpen its Muslim outreach in the wake of enactment of the Waqf amendment law, Rajasthan BJP has launched a new initiative called ‘Waqf Sudhaar Janjagran Abhiyan' to double down on the benefits of the legislation for the Muslim community. The campaign, led by ‘Tolis' (teams) across all districts and blocks, is set to be launched on April 16, and is aimed at preparing the ground for the smooth implementation of the Act's provisions in the state.
Rajasthan is home to over 17,500 registered waqf properties, several hundred of which are under dispute between the state waqf board, govt agencies, and local residents.
The campaign, led in Rajasthan by former Union minister Kailash Choudhary, will include BJP minority morcha president Hamid Khan Mewati as state co-coordinator, and will serve as a direct counter to the protest led by the All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) and Rajasthan Muslim Forum, both of which have opposed the legislation.
"Those resisting the amendments are those who directly or indirectly benefited from waqf properties," said Mewati. "Our campaign will expose how waqf listings surged, yet revenue didn't reach the community. There's rampant corruption within the Rajasthan Waqf Board, which continues expanding its listings without ensuring any community benefit," he added.
To be deployed at the state, divisional, and district levels, the state-level ‘Toli' will comprise four members, with each of the state's seven divisions being headed by a senior BJP leader. District-level teams will be constituted on April 16.
The move is being seen as a precursor to the possible dissolution of the Rajasthan Waqf Board, whose chairman and members were appointed by the Congress govt in 2021, and whose tenure is scheduled to end in 2027.
BJP spokesperson and coordinator of the Ajmer Waqf Toli, Ramlal Sharma, said the initiative aims to reveal the "hidden truth" behind waqf property disputes. "Sudden increase in waqf listings sparked conflicts, causing severe injustice. Many individuals lost land due to contested waqf claims. Through this campaign, we will stand with those victims and ensure that illegally claimed waqf properties are released as per law," Sharma said.
The team has also been tasked with collecting details on alleged waqf encroachments, particularly those involving Congress leaders and land mafias, as part of the campaign's effort to increase accountability.
As part of its broader outreach to the Muslim community, BJP intends to counter what it describes as waqf related "misinformation" through public meetings, local gatherings, and digital campaigns across Rajasthan.
"The PM's message to the Muslim community is clear: don't be misled by Congress or anti-national forces. The non-disputed waqf properties will remain protected. This campaign is to clarify that and build trust," Sharma added.