Karnataka News: BJP Slams Siddaramaiah Govt for Rejecting Waqf Amendment Bill, Calls Congress ‘New Muslim League’

Karnataka News: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has launched a sharp attack on the Siddaramaiah-led Congress government for opposing the Waqf Amendment Bill in the Karnataka Assembly. BJP IT cell head Amit Malviya accused the Congress of favoring a particular religion and even labeled it the "New Muslim League." He claimed that Congress is making policies based on religious considerations, which is unconstitutional.

What Happened in the Karnataka Assembly?

On Wednesday, the Karnataka Assembly passed a resolution rejecting the Waqf Amendment Bill. The resolution was introduced in the house by Karnataka’s Law Minister HK Patil.

Congress is the New Muslim League. https://t.co/O2ubDvJYoA

— Amit Malviya (@amitmalviya) March 20, 2025

The bill, which has been a topic of debate, aimed to amend certain provisions related to the management of Waqf properties. Earlier, Minister HK Patil stated that the assembly had unanimously rejected the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024.

Why Is the Waqf Act of 1995 Being Criticised?

The Waqf Act, 1995, has faced severe criticism for years due to corruption, mismanagement, and encroachment issues. While the law was created to regulate Waqf properties, many claim that it has been misused for the benefit of a few. To address these concerns, the Waqf Amendment Bill, 2024, was introduced. This bill proposed several reforms, including digitization of records, better auditing, transparency in management, and legal measures to reclaim illegally occupied properties.

Why Did Karnataka Reject the Waqf Amendment Bill?

The Karnataka government has accused the Modi-led central government of ignoring the aspirations of all communities while drafting the amendment. Karnataka’s Law Minister HK Patil stated that the bill does not reflect the values of secularism and was unanimously rejected as it goes against the interests of the state's people.