Owaisi Slams Waqf Amendment Act, Calls It a Threat to Secularism and Minority Rights

Owaisi accused the government of misleading the public through a promotional booklet that, according to him, contains factual inaccuracies. He highlighted discrepancies in the interpretation and application of Section 40, questioned the sincerity of the government’s commitment to including women in Waqf boards, and pointed to unresolved issues surrounding Delhi’s 123 Waqf properties.

Refuting the government's claim of empowering Muslim women, Owaisi cited the detention of activist Gulfisha Fatima as evidence of selective suppression. “You cannot claim to uplift Muslim women while jailing those who raise their voices,” he said.

The Hyderabad MP also challenged the government's narrative on Muslim poverty, attributing it to systemic discrimination rather than community mismanagement. He criticised the reduction in pre-matric scholarships and what he described as insufficient funding for post-matric education.

Owaisi further dismissed the government’s examples of Waqf-related disputes, calling them “cherry-picked and misleading.” He expressed particular concern about a provision in the Act that bars Hindus from donating land for mosque repairs, warning it could strain interfaith harmony.

The Act, he argued, also jeopardises Bori community trusts and selectively targets individuals and minority communities. He described the legislation as “a gift to the RSS on its 100th anniversary,” claiming it threatens India’s secular foundations and seeks to erode the autonomy of Muslim religious institutions.

Owaisi warned that the Act could endanger Archaeological Survey of India (ASI)-protected monuments and result in the loss of thousands of acres of Waqf land. Calling for unity across religious lines, he urged Hindus, Muslims, Sikhs, and Christians to stand together in protest.

“This is not just about Muslims—it is about protecting the soul of our Constitution,” Owaisi said, vowing to continue legal and political resistance until the Act is repealed. “India’s strength lies in its communal harmony. We cannot let that be sacrificed.”