Trinamool Congress MP Kalyan Banerjee’s Remarks on Waqf Property Spark Controversy, BJP's Dilip Ghosh Responds with Criticism

Baby Chakraborty, KalimNews, December 1, 2024,  Kolkata: Trinamool Congress (TMC) Member of Parliament (MP) Kalyan Banerjee's comments on the Waqf Amendment Bill have sparked a political controversy, with sharp reactions from BJP leaders and other political opponents. On Sunday, Banerjee made a provocative statement regarding the Waqf Act during a protest meeting organized by TMC in Kolkata. Banerjee’s remarks, which were made at Rani Rashmoni, were aimed at criticizing the central government’s Waqf Amendment Bill. In his speech, he said, "Wherever a group of people offer prayers regularly, that place will be marked as Waqf property."

Banerjee went on to suggest that even small groups—whether 25, 15, or even just five people—who pray at a particular location could potentially have that space declared as Waqf property. "If a place sees regular prayers, it could be deeded as a Waqf property," he said, pointing to the broad implications of the current law and the proposed amendments.

Former state BJP president Dilip Ghosh, reacting to the comments, shared a video clip of Banerjee's speech on his social media handle, X. Ghosh mocked the MP’s statement, writing, “If the Waqf Act is interpreted as per the demands of the Muslim community, places like markets, bus stands, train stations, and even Kalyan Banerjee's house could be declared Waqf properties. The TMC office in Tiljala could also become Waqf property—essentially, any place where people pray regularly could be included.”

This exchange highlights the growing tension over the Waqf Amendment Bill, which aims to limit the powers of the Waqf Board and prevent the potential misuse of these powers. The Waqf Act, originally passed by Congress in the mid-20th century, has long been a point of contention. Critics argue that it grants excessive control to the Waqf Board, allowing it to claim various properties, including those of Hindu temples and villages, without the landowner's consent.

The Waqf Act has faced significant criticism for allegedly favoring Muslim interests and undermining Hindu property rights. Several instances have fueled this concern, including reports that the Tamil Nadu Waqf Board has claimed a 1,400-year-old Hindu temple and a Hindu-majority village, while the Bihar Waqf Board has made similar claims over a predominantly Hindu village, ordering its eviction.

In response, the Narendra Modi-led central government introduced the Waqf Amendment Bill, seeking to curtail the expansive powers of the Waqf Board and ensure a more transparent process in the handling of such property disputes. The amendment has faced strong opposition from the Congress, Left parties, and several Islamic organizations. Mamata Banerjee’s Trinamool Congress (TMC) has been particularly vocal in opposing the bill.

Kalyan Banerjee, known for his staunch opposition to the bill, has become a key figure in the resistance. His remarks on the possible consequences of the Waqf Act have stirred significant debate, positioning him as a leading critic of the central government’s proposed reforms.

As the debate intensifies, the Waqf Amendment Bill remains a flashpoint in the ongoing political discourse. With both the ruling party and opposition at odds, it remains to be seen how the law will evolve in the face of mounting political pressure from all sides.