‘Rights of Muslims will be taken away’: West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee calls Waqf Bill ‘anti-secular’ | India News – Times of India

NEW DELHI: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Thursday termed the Waqf Bill as ‘anti-secular’ and said it would ‘take away the right of the Muslims’.
Banerjee said the proposed bill was introduced without prior discussions with the state governments on the legislation.
“There was no discussion with us (state governments) about this waqf account. It will destroy waqf properties. Why did they introduce a bill like this that is absolutely against a certain religion? This is an anti-federal bill,” she said at the rally in West Bengal, adding that “the rights of Muslims will be taken away by the Waqf Bill.”
Meanwhile, the joint panel on the Waqf Bill was extended till the last day of the Budget Session, 2025, after Lok Sabha got the nod.
This came ahead of a heated confrontation at Wednesday’s meeting, with opposition members storming out and accusing the proceedings of being a “mockery”.
Opposition parties have strongly condemned the proposed changes to the Waqf law, claiming they infringe on the religious rights of Muslims. In contrast, the ruling BJP has defended the amendments, arguing that they will increase transparency in the functioning of the Waqf boards and ensure greater accountability.