Telugu Desam Party (TDP) leader Nawab Jan has assured the Muslim community that Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu will stand firmly against any legislation perceived to harm their interests, including the contentious Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024. Speaking at the “Samvidhan Bachao Sammelan” organized by Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind at Delhi’s Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium, Jan highlighted Naidu’s long-standing commitment to secular governance.
Jan praised Naidu as a leader with a unique vision of unity, stating that the chief minister has often described himself as having “two eyes — one Hindu and one Muslim.” According to Jan, Naidu’s approach is rooted in the belief that any harm to one community affects society as a whole. “Chandrababu Naidu is a person of a secular mindset — such a person is our chief minister and will not let a bill that harms Muslims be implemented,” Jan emphasized.
The Waqf (Amendment) Bill, introduced in August and currently under review by a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC), has met with significant opposition from various groups. While the government claims that the bill will not interfere with the functioning of mosques, critics argue that it undermines the autonomy of waqf boards, which manage charitable endowments critical to the Muslim community. Opposition parties have condemned the bill as a direct threat to minority rights.
Jan lauded Naidu’s efforts to ensure that the bill was referred to a JPC, allowing for a more detailed examination. He further relayed Naidu’s stance that religious institutions, whether Muslim, Hindu, or Christian, should be governed by people of the same faith, emphasizing the importance of maintaining the autonomy of these communities. “We will tolerate everything, but will not tolerate any attempt to harm the unity of the country,” Jan declared.
The Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind, which organized the gathering, urged secular NDA allies, including Naidu and Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, to heed the sentiments of the Muslim community on this matter. They requested that these leaders take a principled stance against the bill, highlighting that the BJP-led government does not hold a majority in the Lok Sabha without the support of coalition partners like TDP and JD(U).
(Inputs from PTI)
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