Opposition netas join AIMPLB protest against waqf bill

NEW DELHI: Stepping up its protest against the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, expected to be introduced in Parliament in the ongoing budget session, the All India Muslim Personal Law Board on Monday led a demonstration here, which was joined by MPs from several opposition parties.

AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi cautioned NDA allies TDP, JDU and LJP (Ramvilas) that if they supported the bill, Muslims would not forgive them.

"Waqf grants Muslims the same rights that other religions enjoy over their institutions. If every faith has the right to administer its affairs, why are Muslims being singled out," asked AIMPLB's Syed Sadatullah Husaini.

Congress functionary and former minority affairs minister Salman Khurshid claimed that the bill was not valid constitutionally. Claiming that opposition MPs' suggestion to the joint parliamentary committee on the bill were rejected, Congress functionary Gaurav Gogoi said, "It shows govt does not want to resolve any issue, but just wants to create a divide in society."